Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: Dec. 16
Concerts, meetings, parties and more through Dec. 24

The Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra plats the Mansion at Strathmore on Sunday. (Photo courtesy Strathmore)
TODAY (Friday)
The Stein Club is having its annual holiday celebration tonight at Mitchell Gold/Bob Williams (1502 14th St., N.W.) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. There will be an open white cosmo-and-white wine bar as well as complimentary hors d’oeuvres. There is a suggested donation of $25 for this event.
Girls Rock! D.C. is having its holiday party tonight at Dollhouse (1429 Madison St., N.W.) from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. with DJs Alex D-B and Alpha Betts. This is a bring-your-own-beverages-booze-and-baked goods party. For more information, visit girlsrockdc.org.
Team D.C. presents its fourth annual Holiday Extravaganza for D.C. Gay Sports tonight at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. There’s no cover, free food and happy hour drink prices. For more information, visit teamdc.org.
DJs Aaron Riggins, Della Volla and AVM will be spinning at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) tonight for “Pop Goes the World,” an international dance party starting at 10 p.m. There is a $5 cover.
Gay/Bash!, a “queer night of rock and pop gems” with DJs Joshua and Dean, is tonight at the Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.). Admission is $5 and doors open at 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 17
D.C. Leather Pride is holding a fundraiser tonight at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. featuring Mr. D.C. Leather. There will be drink specials and raffle tickets for $1 each.
Youth are invited to the Stereo Chromatic GSA Youth Dance tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Clarendon Presbyterian Church (1305 N. Jackson St.) in Arlington. There is a $2 entry fee and snacks will be provided.
Zoom Lesbian Excursions presents Christmas in Morocco, a seven-course Moroccan meal at Marrakesh Restaurant (617 New York Ave., N.W.) tonight at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 to be paid at the venue. For more information, visit phatgirlchic.com/zoom/index.html.
Phase 1 (525 8th St., S.E.) is having a night of queer music tonight with The Lost Bois, SolRose and Angie Head from D.C. as well as Constance Sick and Eli Conley. Tickets are $10 and the show starts at 8 p.m.
Lure D.C. presents “Bare: How the Grinch Stole Bare” tonight at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. featuring DJs Rosie and Keenan Orr. The best dressed Grinch look-a-like wins $100. For more information, visit Lure’s Facebook at facebook.com/lurewdc. Attendees must be 21 or older.
Will Eastman’s dance party “Bliss” returns to U Street Music Hall (1115 U St., N.W.) tonight with Chris Nitti and Richard Richard. There is a $10 cover and attendees who are 18 to 20 must purchase tickets in advance. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ustreetmusichall.com.
Sunday, Dec. 18
SAGE Metro D.C. is co-sponsoring a workshop presents by AARP’s Legal Counsel for the Elderly on understanding the benefits of Medicare and Medicaid at the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington (474 Ridge St., N.W.) from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Phase 1 (525 8th St., S.E.) is having an open mic night tonight from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. All kinds of performers are welcomed. There is no cover to this event.
The National Symphony Orchestra presents Handel’s “Messiah” today at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) at 1 p.m. Ticket range from $30 to $85 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.
Busboys & Poets presents “Sunday Kind of Love,” an open mic night celebrating LGBT Jewish poetry featuring Yermiyahu Ahron Taub and readings from “Milk and Honey: A Celebration of Jewish Lesbian Poetry” with editor Julie R. Enszer and contributor, Eryca Kasse tonight at 5 p.m. in the Robeson room of its Shirlington location (4251 S Campbell Ave.) in Arlington. There is a $5 suggested donation.
Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra play “A Bohemian Christmas” today at the Mansion at Strathmore (10701 Rockville Pike) in North Bethesda at 8:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at strathmore.org.
Monday, Dec. 19
The Choral Arts Society of Washington presents “Christmas Music: Holiday Treasures from Russia” tonight at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $15 to $65 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org. There will be two other performances on Wednesday and Dec. 24.
Ledroit Park is having its holiday party at Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) tonight from 5 to 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 20
The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) presents 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.
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, Dec. 21
“A Very Faerie Yule 2011” is tonight at the Open Hearth Foundation (1502 Massachusetts Ave., S.E.) from 7 to 9 p.m. Hot and heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts and beverages will be served. For more information, e-mail [email protected].
Radio one presents “Know Your Status” concert at 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. hosted by Wale and featuring Chuck Brown and more. Tickets are available for free when tested at one of the D.C. Department of Health’s participating testing sites. For a list of site and more details, visit dctakesonhiv.com.
Thursday, Dec. 22
Trixie and Monkey’s seventh annual “Holiday Spectac-U-Thon” is tonight at the Patterson at 8 p.m. The neo-burlesque show will feature acrobatic antics, trapeze and more. Tickets are $22 for general admission and $17 for Creative Alliance members. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit creativealliance.org.
The Washington Chorus presents “A Candlelight Christmas” tonight at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $15 to $65 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.
a&e features
Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington held the annual Spring Affair gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The theme for this year’s fete was “Sapphire & Sparkle.” The chorus celebrated 45 years in D.C. with musical performances, food, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Executive Director Justin Fyala and Artistic Director Thea Kano gave welcoming speeches. Opening remarks were delivered by Spring Affair co-chairs Tracy Barlow and Tomeika Bowden. Uproariously funny comedian Murray Hill performed a stand-up set and served as the emcee.
There were performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington groups Potomac Fever, 17th Street Dance, the Rock Creek Singers, Seasons of Love, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus.

Anjali Murthy, a member of the chorus and a graduate of the GenOUT Youth Chorus, addressed the attendees of the gala.
“The LGBTQ+ community isn’t bound by blood ties: we are brought together by shared experience,” Murthy said. “Being Gen Z, I grew up with Ellen [DeGeneres] telling me through the TV screen that it gets better: that one day, it’ll all be okay. The sentiment isn’t wrong, but it’s passive. What I’ve learned from GMCW is that our future is something we practice together. It exists because people like you continue to show up for it, to believe in the possibilities of what we’re still becoming”
The event concluded with the presentation of the annual Harmony Awards. This year’s awardees included local drag artist and activist Tara Hoot, the human rights organization Rainbow Railroad as well as Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director, Dr. Chipper Dean.
(Washington Blade photos and videos by Michael Key)































Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)















Photos
PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
Ashley Biden accepts award for Beau Biden at annual Rehoboth fundraiser
The 19th annual Blade Foundation Summer Kickoff Party was held on Friday, May 15 at Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach, Del. An award presentation was held for former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Ashley Biden accepted the award on her brother’s behalf and gave remarks. Other speakers included Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff. The event was a fundraiser for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)














