Arts & Entertainment
Music of the season
Gay productions among upcoming holiday concerts and shows
Wolf Trap’s Holiday Sing-A-Long, featuring the U.S. Marine band and members of local choirs and vocal groups is Dec. 4. (Photo by Sam Kittner, courtesy Wolf Trap)
The holiday season has officially begun with Thanksgiving over and it’s time for holiday concerts and shows. Washington and the region have a rich bounty slated — you could go to concerts almost every night between now and Christmas and still not see everything.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington has its annual holiday concert, “Red & Greene,” for four performances from Dec. 16-18 at Lisner Auditorium (730 21st St., N.W.) featuring Ellen Greene, Broadway’s original Audrey from “Little Shop of Horrors.” Tickets range from $25 to $50 and can be purchased at gmcw.org.
The Gay Men’s Chorus will also be joining Metropolitan Community Church of Washington for its “Joy All Over the World” Christmas concert at Lincoln Theater on Dec. 3. Oleta Adams will make a special appearance. Orchestra seats are $30; balcony seats are $20. This is lesbian music minister Shirli Hughes’ swan song with the church. Go to mccdc.com for more information or ticketmaster.com for tickets.
Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd.) in Vienna has two holiday shows coming up. Starting Wednesday is Steve Solomon’s “My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish & I’m Home for the Holidays.” Solomon uses impersonations to tell the story of a family reunion in his one-man show, the longest running one-man show in Broadway history. The show runs through Dec. 2. Tickets are $32 and can be purchased online at wolftrap.org.
Dec. 4 brings Wolf Trap’s free annual holiday sing-a-long featuring Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs by choir and vocal groups and the United States Marine Band.
The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) has a bevy of different holiday performances and events coming up in December.
The American Ballet Theatre will be performing “The Nutcracker” from Dec. 8-11 featuring the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, the Norwood Middle School Choir and the National Cathedral School Choir. Tickets range from $45 to $150.
The National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Matthew Halls, will be performing Handel’s “Messiah” starting Dec. 15. The show will run through Dec. 18 and tickets range from $20 to $85.
Before the Orchestra’s performance, the Kennedy Center will have Yvonne Caruthers give a comprehensive history of “Messiah” performances throughout the years in “Searching for the Real Messiah” on Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15.
Tickets for all Kennedy Center performances can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.
The Cantate Chamber Singers will be giving their “Holiday in Venice” concert on Dec, 11 at St. Mark Episcopal Church (118 3rd St., S.E.) at 3 p.m.
If too much “Messiah”/”Nutcracker”-type traditionalism has you reaching for the eggnog, there are some less reverential offerings as well.
Gay filmmaker John Waters brings his eponymous Christmas show to the Birchmere on Dec. 18. Tickets are $45 at birchmere.com.
And the Kinsey Sicks, a “dragapella” beauty-shop quartet, are back in D.C. with their show “Oy Vey in a Manger” at Theater J (1529 16th St., N.W.) for four performances from Dec. 24-26. Tickets range from $25 to $65 and can be purchased online at theaterj.org.
The Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra will be performing its holiday concert, “A Bohemian Christmas,” featuring holiday favorites re-imagined with a jazz bent, at The Mansion at Strathmore (10701 Rockville Pike) in North Bethesda on Dec. 18 at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.
Grammy Award nominee Dave Koz, who’s gay, is coming to the Music Center at Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Lane) in North Bethesda on Dec. 5 for his Christmas tour with special guests Rick Braun, Jonathan Butler and Candy Dulfer. The concert will feature songs from Koz’s holiday albums. The concert begins at 8 p.m. and tickets range from $38 to $72.
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will be performing “Holiday Cirque de la Symphonie” on Dec. 8 at the Music Center at 8 p.m. The concert will be performed on and above the stage.
The orchestra will also perform Handel’s “Messiah” on Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. featuring Edward Polochick and concert artists of Baltimore Symphonic Chorale.
Tickets for both Orchestra performances range from $28 to $88.
The National Philharmonic will also be performing Handel’s “Messiah” with two performances on Dec. 10 and 11 featuring Stan Engebretson conducting. Kids from 7 to 17 can attend this concert for free. Tickets range from $32 to $79. There will also be a free lecture before the concert on Dec. 10.
On Dec. 12, Pink Martini (featuring Thomas Lauderdale, who’s openly gay) will be performing at the Music Center at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $55 to $125 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com. All Strathmore tickets can be purchased online at Strathmore.org unless otherwise noted.
The BlackRock Center for the Arts (12901 Town Commons Drive) in Germantown will have the “Lift Every Voice: A Holiday Gospel Celebration” concert on Dec.3 at 8 p.m. featuring vocal performances by Solomon Howard, EXTOL and Nischka Higginbotham. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at blackrockcenter.org.
The Olney Theater (2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd.) has two holiday shows coming up in December. First up is “The Nutcracker” starting Dec. 9 and running through Dec. 24. This is the Olney Ballet Theatre’s 50th anniversary production of the show. And starting Dec. 14, Paul Morella returns to Olney with his performance of “A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas.” Tickets for all shows at Olney start at $26 and can be purchased by calling the box office at 301-924-3400.
The Christ Church Episcopal (118 N. Washington St.) in Alexandria has “A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” on Dec. 4 at 5 p.m. The traditional service will feature hymns and anthems, including music by gay composters Joel Martinson, Richard Webster and David Ashley White. This is a free event, but an offering will be taken to benefit the music program at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School. A wine-and-cheese reception will follow the performance.
D.C. Different Drummers’ holiday concert is Dec. 11 at the Columbia Heights Education Campus Auditorium (3101 16th St., N.W.) at 3 p.m. The performance will include music from D.C. Swing!, the Capitol Pride Symphonic Band and several of the groups small ensembles, almost all of whom are LGBT. Tickets to the concert are $21 for adults and $11 for students and seniors and can be purchased online at dcdd.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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