Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: Dec. 9
Parties, events, concerts and more through Dec. 15
If you’re on Foursquare, make sure you’re following our “This Week” list to keep up with the week’s biggest events. You can follow the Blade too!
Dan Tepfer plays the Mansion at Strathmore on Thursday. (Photo courtesy Strathmore.)
Friday, Dec. 9
The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) is having an opening for the exhibit “Juxtapositions” featuring photographs by queer artist P.B. Groszmann conveying the diversity of the LGBT experience tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. The exhibit will be on display through Jan. 2. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Siren returns after five months with a special holiday edition tonight at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) featuring DJs Majr, Madscience, Jeffrex and Donna. with an open rail vodka bar from 10 to 11 p.m. and $16 Smirnoff all-you-can-drink-all-night bracelets available until midnight. There’s a $6 cover for this 21-and-older event.
The American Ballet Theatre performs “The Nutcracker” today at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) at 1:30 p.m. Tickets range from $45 to $150 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.
The Creative Alliance presents Victoria Vox and ellen cherrys tonight at the Patterson (3134 Eastern Ave.) in Baltimore at 8 p.m. Vox and cherrys play traditional holiday songs as well as originals. Tickets are $11 for members and $16 for general admission. To purchase tickets, visit creativealliance.org.
The Fridge (516 8th St., S.E.) is having an opening reception for a new exhibit, “Part and Parcel” tonight from 8 to 11 p.m. featuring works by Frank Adams, Chris Chen, Stephanie Kwak and more. Large works are on display with smaller pieces next to them wrapped in brown paper. Patrons will have the chance to purchase the larger work or take a chance on the smaller one. All wrapped works will remain covered until after they are purchased. For more information, visit thefridgedc.com.
Saturday, Dec. 10
The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) presents Yvonne Caruthers giving a comprehensive history of “Messiah” performances throughout the years in “Searching for the Real Messiah” today at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) presents “Ice” tonight featuring DJ Hector Fonseca spinning and performances by The Dance Camp. There’s a $8 cover from 10 to 11 p.m. and $12 after 11. All attendees must be 21 or older.
The D.C. Rollergirls has a double header today at the D.C. Armory (2001 E. Capitol St., S.E.) with the Cherry Blossom Bombshells taking on the D.C. DemonCats in the first bout at 4 p.m. followed by the Majority Whips taking on the Scare Force One. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for kids ages 6 to 11 and free for those under 6. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit dcrollergirls.com.
S.h.e. productions presents ReHab, a monthly alternative dance party, featuring DJ Katrina tonight at Grand Central Disco and Sapphos (1001 N. Charles St.) in Baltimore. Doors open at 9 p.m. and there is a $5 cover for this 21-and-older event.
Mixtape D.C. is tonight at the Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.), a dance party for queer music lovers and their pals that features DJs Shea Van Horn and Matt Bailer playing an eclectic mix of electro, alt-pop, indie rock, house, disco, new wave and anything else danceable. There is a $10 cover for this event. Doors open at 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 11
Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) hosts “Rock-n-Shop,” a rock-and-roll garage sale with music by DJ Baby Alcatraz featuring everying from T-shirts to records and more. Doors open at 8 p.m. This is a free event.
Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) presents Drag Brunch hosted by Shi-Queeta Lee today at 11 a.m. with a $20 brunch buffet, then stick around and watch the Washington Redskins take on the New England Patriots or the Baltimore Ravens take on the Indiannapolis Colts today at 1 p.m.
National Symphony Orchestra Pops presents “The Perfect Gift” with the Canadian Tenors tonight at 7 p.m. at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) Tickets range from $20 to $85 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.
Monday, Dec. 12
Busboys & Poets presents Monday night open mic poetry hosted by poet-in-residence Beny Blaq tonight at 8 p.m. in the Robeson room of its Shirlington location (4251 South Campbell Ave., Arlington). The list to perform is announced at 8 p.m. Wristbands are $4 and will be on sale starting at 10 a.m. in the Global Exchange store until sold out.
D.C.’s Gay Flag Football League presents Men’s Speed Dating tonight from 7 to 10 p.m. at Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.). There’s a $15 cover with $3 drink specials. Check in begins at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 13
The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) presents the opening of its production of “Billy Elliot: The Musical” directed by Stephen Daldry and featuring music by Elton John, tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $150 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.
Busboys & Poets hosts a community meeting with Southern Poverty Law Center and Truth Wins Out to end “ex-gay” conversion therapy today at 6 p.m. in the Langston room of its 14th and V streets location (2021 14th Street, N.W.). Experts will be present to speak about the practice of conversion therapy and how to protect LGBT rights. RSVP is appreciated, but not required. Call 855-841-8356 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.
D.C. Bi Women will have its monthly dinner at Dupont Italian Kitchen (1637 17th St., N.W.) tonight from 7 to 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 14
Rainbow Response is holding its monthly meeting tonight at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) from 7 to 8 p.m.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) is having its annual employee show tonight at 8 p.m. when the staff will act and sing on stage to show appreciation during the holiday season and there will be an open bar after the show.
Anti-Defamation League’s Young Professionals Division presents “Taking on Bullying”in the Paul Porter Room at Arnold & Porter, LLP (555 12th St., N.W.). This event will feature a keynote address from Russlynn Ali, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department Education as well as testimonials from David Aponte, a student activist and former victim of bullying and more. RSVP is required as space is limited. For more information or to RSVP, e-mail [email protected].
Thursday, Dec. 15
Jazz pianist and Yamaha artist Dan Tepfer plays the Mansion at Strathmore (10701 Rockville Pike) in North Bethesda tonight at 7:30 p.m., premiering new works with his performance of “Goldberg Variations/Variations,” his solo album using Johann Sebastian Bach’s masterpiece, the “Goldberg Variations.” Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at strathmore.org.
Celebrity News
Madonna announces release date for new album
‘Confessions II’ marks return to the dance floor
Pop icon Madonna on Wednesday announced that her 15th studio album will be released on July 3.
Titled “Confessions II,” the new album is a sequel to 2005’s “Confessions on a Dance Floor,” an Abba and disco-infused hit.
The new album reunites Madonna with producer Stuart Price, who also helmed the original “Confessions” album. It’s her first album of new material since 2019’s “Madame X.”
“We must dance, celebrate, and pray with our bodies,” Madonna said in a press release. “These are things that we’ve been doing for thousands of years — they really are spiritual practices. After all, the dance floor is a ritualistic space. It’s a place where you connect — with your wounds, with your fragility. To rave is an art. It’s about pushing your limits and connecting to a community of like-minded people,” continued the statement. “Sound, light, and vibration reshape our perceptions. Pulling us into a trance-like state. The repetition of the bass, we don’t just hear it but we feel it. Altering our consciousness and dissolving ego and time.”
Denali (@denalifoxx) of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” performed at Pitchers DC on April 9 for the Thirst Trap Thursday drag show. Other performers included Cake Pop!, Brooke N Hymen, Stacy Monique-Max and Silver Ware Sidora.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Arts & Entertainment
In an act of artistic defiance, Baltimore Center Stage stays focused on DEI
‘Maybe it’s a triple-down’
By LESLIE GRAY STREETER | I’m always tickled when people complain about artists “going political.” The inherent nature of art, of creation and free expression, is political. This becomes obvious when entire governments try to threaten it out of existence, like in 2025, when the brand-new presidential administration demanded organizations halt so-called diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming or risk federal funding.
Baltimore Center Stage’s response? A resounding and hearty “Nah.” A year later, they’re still doubling down on diversity.
“Maybe it’s a triple-down,” said Ken-Matt Martin, the theater’s producing director, chuckling.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
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Comings & Goings
Minimal version of ‘Streetcar Named Desire’ heading to Dupont Underground
