Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: Nov. 25
Plays, support groups, club meetings and more through Dec. 1
Alex Mills and Natalie Berk in Synetic Theater’s ‘Romeo and Juliette,’ which will be performed tonight in Arlington. (Photo by Graeme B. Shaw; courtesy of Synetic)
TODAY
The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) and Pop-Up Vintage have partnered up for a special Black Friday sale today from noon to 5 p.m. Pop-Up is a monthly vintage clothing, art, books and houseware shop. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
The Lodge (21614 National Pike) in Boonsboro presents the Royal Rumble: Battle of the Drag Queens Jello Wrestling. All contestants will walk the runway and have 30 seconds to impress the crowd to win Best Wrestling Costume then there will be a series of wrestling matches. Contestants get in without a cover and get a $20 bar tab. For more information on signing up, contact [email protected] Doors open at 9 p.m.
Busboys & Poets will be having an American Sign Language open mic night tonight at 11 p.m. in the Langston room at its 14th and V streets location (2021 14th St., N.W.). Anyone with sign language knowledge may sign up by e-mailing [email protected]. There is a $5 admission at the door.
The Music Center at Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Lane) in North Bethesda presents classic albums live with “The Beatles Abbey Road.” The show brings musicians together for live performances of classic rock albums.
Synetic Theater (2788 S. Arlington Mill Drive) in Arlington continues its Speak No More: The Silent Shakespeare Festival with the return of “Romeo and Juliet” opening tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $45 to $55 and can be purchased online at synetictheater.org.
Saturday, Nov. 26
Signature Theatre (4200 Campbell Ave.) in Arlington presents its production of “Hairspray” starring Robert Aubry Davis and Carolyn Cole today at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets range from $62 to $67 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com.
Greenbelt Arts Center (123 Centerway) presents “Alice in Wonderland” tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $17 for general admission and $14 for students, seniors and military. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit greenbeltartscenter.org.
Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) presents Hellmouth Happy Hour, where every week an episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” will be screened and drink specials will be offered. This week the episode is “Beauty and the Beasts.”
The Lodge (21614 National Pike) in Boonsboro presents DJ Ryan W Backtracks Retro tonight from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. featuring music from the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and now. There’s a $3 cover before 11 p.m. and $5 after with $5 “Refreshers” drink specials all night.
The National Symphony Orchestra Pops presents “An Unforgettable Tribute to Nat King Cole” featuring Grammy Award-winning guitarist/vocalist George Benson and conductors Randy Waldman and Steven Reineke tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $20 to $85 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.
Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd.) in Vienna presents local pianist John Eaton for “Indiana on Our Minds” featuring the music of Cole Porter and Hoagy Carmichael tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at wolftrap.org.
Sunday, Nov. 27
National Theatre (1321 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) presents the Tony Award-winning musical, “Jersey Boys” today at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $36.50 to $276.50 and can be purchased online at jerseyboysinfo.com.
Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave., N.W.) has two exhibits on display, one is an all-member show and the other is “The Privileged Series” by Anthony Dortch. This is the last day of the exhibit. The gallery is open from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit touchstonegallery.com.
Monday, Nov. 28
WEAVE, a support group for LGBT survivors of intimate partner violence/abuse will be meeting from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Lighthouse Center for Healing (5321 First Place, N.E.). For more information and to register, call 202-280-6391.
Author Andrew Skerritt will be at Busboys & Poets 14th and V streets location (2021 14th St., N.W.) to discuss his new book, “Ashamed to Die: Silence, Denial, and the AIDS Epidemic in the South.” This event is free and open to everyone.
Tuesday, Nov. 29
The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) is hosting a foster parent information night tonight at 7 p.m. There will be people who are foster parents, who have recently finished the application process and people from the Latin American Youth Center about how to become a foster parent. The event will have a special focus on being a foster parent for older, LGBT youth. For more information, thedccenter.org.
Join Burgundy Crescent Volunteers to help pack safer sex kits from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at FUK!T’s packing location, Green Lantern, 1335 Green Ct., N.W.
Wednesday, Nov. 30
Singer Robin Thicke plays the 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) at 7 tonight. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online a 930.com.
The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) across from Marine Barracks, for duplicate bridge. No reservations are needed and newcomers are welcome. If a partner is needed, visit lambdabridge.com.
Thursday, Dec. 1
Gays & Lesbians Opposing Violence (GLOV) holds its monthly meeting tonight in the main room at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Capital Splats, an LGBT racquetball group, is having its happy hour tonight at Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) from 5 to 8 p.m. For more information, visit capitalsplats.org.
The Lambda Sci-Fi Book Group meets today at 1425 S St., N.W. This month’s book is the anthology “Naked City: Tales of Urban Fantasy” edited by Ellen Datlow. Attendees are asked to bring a snack and/or non-alcoholic drink to share. For more information, email [email protected], [email protected] or visit the group’s website lambdascifi.org.
Friday, April 17
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7:00p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Saturday, April 18
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Sunday, April 19
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Lunch” at 11 a.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, April 20
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, April 21
Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Senior Self Defense Class with Avi Rome will be at 12:30 p.m. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Wednesday, April 22
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Asexual and Aromantic Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, April 23
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Out & About
Team DC’s annual gala set for this weekend
LGBTQ sports organization to hold annual ‘Night of Champions’
Team DC will host “Night of Champions Gala” on Saturday, April 18 at 6 p.m. at the Georgetown Marriott.
This will be an evening of celebration and inspiration as Team DC honors remarkable individuals and supports the next generation of LGBTQ student-athletes.
There will be opportunities to support Team DC through auctions. The Silent Auction items will offer an array of unique goods and experiences. Additionally, Team DC will feature an exclusive selection of live auction items for those looking to make a significant impact.
This year, Team DC will recognize six outstanding awardees who have made significant contributions to the LGBTQ community and sports:
- Trailblazer Award – Adam Peck, District Wrestling
- Most Valuable Person Award – Sean Bartel (posthumously)
- Champion Award – Dan Martin
- Clark Ray Horizon Award – Manuel Montelongo, aka Mari Con Carne
- Bernard Jude Delia Award – Dr. Sara Varghai
- Platinum All Star Award – Centaur Motorcycle Club
To purchase tickets, visit Team DC’s website.
Television
‘The Pitt’ stars discuss what season two gets right about queer representation
Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden spoke with Blade in LA
As season two of “The Pitt” comes to a close this Thursday, stars Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden are looking back on what this season got right about queer representation.
“There is some intentionality behind it, but it’s not necessarily for the representation to be anything other than human or ubiquitous to anyone that would come into an emergency room,” Noah Wyle, who plays Dr. Robby, told the Los Angeles Blade at PaleyFest event in Los Angeles on April 12. “I know that we’ve done some storylines with some gay couples, and we did a storyline in season 1 where a woman comes in who’s cut her arm, who’s trans. But in both of those storylines, that wasn’t the point.”
Wyle continues, “In doing it that way, and not making a point of orientation being part of the problem that brings you to the emergency room, we have been told in feedback that that has been extremely revolutionary, almost, and extremely appreciated. But that’s true whether we do storylines with any kind of minority or a person with a disability. We try to have a cosmology of cast and representation on the show that’s indicative of what you find in Pittsburgh.”
Dearden, who plays Dr. Mel King, echoed Wyle’s sentiment: “I think constantly battling tropes is always important. It’s not a show about romance; it’s a show about real life and a shift in the ER. The more we represent everyday people going through everyday life, they just happen to be queer, they just happen to be trans, and making it not the plot, is putting everyone on equal playing [field]. You don’t have to have a big coming out scene.”
Queer representation on “The Pitt” is also notable through the actual actors themselves, including openly queer actor Supriya Ganesh, who plays Dr. Samira Mohan (who didn’t attend PaleyFest after the news that she is not returning for season three), and Amielynn Abellera, who plays Perlah Alawi.
“Doctors don’t put value judgments on who they treat,” Wyle concludes. “That’s not a luxury extended to them, and so that’s not part of our storytelling.”
The season two finale will air Thursday, April 16, on HBO Max, while season three has already been confirmed and is currently being written.
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