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Calendar: Dec. 9

Parties, events, concerts and more through Dec. 15

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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

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.

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Calendar

Calendar: April 17-23

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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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.  

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Out & About

Team DC’s annual gala set for this weekend

LGBTQ sports organization to hold annual ‘Night of Champions’

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(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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

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Television

‘The Pitt’ stars discuss what season two gets right about queer representation

Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden spoke with Blade in LA

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From left: Executive Producer R. Scott Gimmell, Noah Wyle, and Katherine LaNasa at PaleyFest LA 2026 honoring "The Pitt," presented by the Paley Center for Media, at the DOLBY THEATRE on April 12, 2026, in Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Brian To)

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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