Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: Dec. 23
Parties, services, concerts and more through Dec. 29
Mallory Lewis, daughter of Sheri Lewis, will be appearing with Lamb Chop as part of a Holiday Vaudeville performance at the Kennedy Center on Thursday. (Photo courtesy Kennedy Center)
TODAY (Friday)
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.
Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) presents “Bro Ho Ho: A Holiday Music Spectacular” featuring Jessie Elliott, of these United States, Revival, John Bustine, Brandon Butler and more. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at blackcatdc.com. Doors open at 9 p.m.
Basement Batman plays Red Palace (1212 H St., N.E.) tonight at 9 p.m. with Ravenous and ACME. Tickets are $8 and available day of the show. Doors open at 8 p.m.
DJ Dirty Hands spins tonight for “Pop Fridays” at Ultrabar (911 F St., N.W.) from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Also spinning will be resident DJ Geometrix and DJs Suelto, Enemy and Bomba and Kid Lucky.
Phase 1 (525 8th St., S.E.) is having a “Ugly Holiday Sweater Party” tonight. Everyone wearing a festive sweater gets $3 drink specials. There will also be a contest for the ugliest sweater and the winner will received a $50 bar tab. Contest begins at 11:30 p.m. For more information, visit phase1dc.com. Doors open at 9 p.m.
Ladi Lenore and Maxine Blue present “The Empire Christmas Party” tonight at Remingtons (639 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E.) at 10 p.m. with a buffet, show and more.
The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) presents “Messiah” sing-along tonight at 8 p.m. with guest conductor Barry Hemphill leading the Kennedy center Opera House Orchestra, a 200-voice choir, professional soloists and the audience. This is a free event. Tickets are required and will be distributed today starting at 6 p.m. in the Hall of Nations, limit one per person.
Saturday, Dec. 24
K&C Productions presents “Grown & Sexy Saturdays” at Club Mova (newly reopened at 2204 14th Street, NW). No cover and doors open at 10 p.m. Party goes until 3 a.m. A new year’s eve grand opening edition is also planned.
The East Coast Boyz present “Twas the Night Before Christmas” at Tabaq Bistro (1336 U St., NW) tonight from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Prizes and drink specials will be held. Dancers will provide entertainment.
Black Cat’s (1811 14th St., N.W.) weekly Hellmouth Happy Hour will feature a special holiday screening of the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” movie starring Luke Perry and Kristen Swanson. This is a free event and doors open at 7 p.m.
U Street Music Hall (1115 U St., N.W.) has its “U Halliday Party” tonight at 10 p.m. featuring King Tutt, Obeyah, Keenan Orr and more hosted by Marcus Dowling and Reed Rothchild. Tickets for attendees 18 to 20 are $10 and must be purchased in advance atustreetmusichall.com. The party is free all night for those 21 and older.
The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) presents its production of “Billy Elliot: The Musical” (see our review on page 32) directed by Stephen Daldry and featuring music by Elton John, today at 1:30 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $150 and can be purchased online atkennedy-center.org.
With most of the NFL’s games moved to today, Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) will be showing the Baltimore Ravens take on the Cleveland Browns and the Washington Redskins take on the Minnesota Vikings at 1 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 25
The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) presents an All-star Christmas Day Jazz Jam featuring Chuck Redd, Robert Redd, Lenny Robinson, James King and Tom and Delores King Williams tonight at 6 p.m. This is a free performance. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.
Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) presents its third annual James Brown “Death-Mas” holiday bash featuring Soul Call Paul. Tickets are $5 and available night of the show. Doors open at 9 p.m.
Ultrabar (911 F St., N.W.) presents “No Nice, All Naughty Sexy Santa Bash” tonight from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. with free admission all night for women dressed in sexy Santa costumes. There will be drink specials all night as well as a rail open bar from 10 to 11 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 26
Busboys & Poets presents Monday night open mic poetry hosted by Drew Law tonight at 8 p.m. at its Shirlington location (4251 South Campbell Ave., Arlington). Wristbands are $4 and will be on sale starting at 10 a.m. in the Global Exchange store until sold out.
SAGE Metro D.C. is celebrating the New Year with a party at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) tonight at 6:30 p.m. with food and music. For more information, visit thedccenter.org or sagemetrodc.org.
Tuesday, Dec. 27
Riot Act Comedy Theater (801 E St., N.W.) presents its weekly trivia night, hosted by Ashley Linder and Lauren Zoltick tonight at 8 p.m. in the upstairs bar. There’s even bonus question worth three extra points online at riotactcomedy.com.
The Chesapeake Squares are having a mainstream-through-advanced club night tonight at the Waxter Center (1000 Cathedral St.) in Baltimore from 8 to 10 p.m. For more information, visit chesapeakesquares.org. The Squares are a gay square dancing group.
Busboys & Poets presents Tuesday night open mic poetry hosted by Henry Mills tonight at 9 p.m. in the Langston room of its 14th and V streets location (2021 14th St., N.W.). Wristbands are $4 and will be on sale starting at 10 a.m. in bookstore until sold out.
Wednesday, Dec. 28
The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE — across from Marine Barracks) for duplicate bridge. No reservations needed; newcomers welcome. Visit lambdabridge.com if you need a partner.
Emmy Award-winning actress Holland Taylor comes to the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) with her one-woman play “Ann” tonight at 7:30 p.m. The show tells the story of Ann Richards, the second female governor of Texas. Tickets range from $54 to $95 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.
Busboys & Poets is having its monthly book club meeting at its Shirlington location (4251 South Campbell Ave., Arlington) from 7 to 9 p.m. discussing Rebecca Skloot’s book, “Immortal life of Henrietta Lacks,” which tells the story of a woman who’s cells were taken without her knowledge and have been used in several major medical developments.
Thursday Dec. 29
D.C. Lambda Squares, a local gay square dancing group, has its advanced and challenge club night tonight from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.) with Bill Harrison as the caller. For more information, visit dclambdasquares.org.
Cajun cellist Sean Grissom hosts “Holiday Vaudeville” at the Kennedy Center (2700 P St., N.W.) tonight at 6 p.m. with Mallory Lewis, daughter of Shari Lewis, appearing with Lamb Chop, and the Alexandria Kleztet, a modern Klezmer quartet. This is a free performance. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.
Friday, May 1
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Silver Diner Ballston. 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.
“Illusions The Drag Queen Show Washington, D.C.” will be at 7 p.m. at 2323 18th St., N.W. Come see this amazing D.C. drag show and laugh all night long while being amazed by the stellar performances in tribute to some of your old-time favorite classics as well as the latest pop favorites. Come see the likes of Madonna, Cher, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, Beyoncé, Pink, and many more. Tickets are $12.97 and are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 2
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11:00a.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.
Drag Queen Sip and Paint Washington DC will be at 4 p.m. at Town Tavern DC. This event combines the joy of painting with the lively energy of a drag queen, offering an hour and a half of fun, creativity, and entertainment. Participants paint a canvas while enjoying cocktails, all under the guidance of a glamorous drag queen host. Tickets are $47.19 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, May 4
“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, May 5
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, May 6
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.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more information, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 7
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 p.m. 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.
The new monthly 90’s Flashback Drag Brunch premiered at Red Bear Brewing Co. on Sunday, April 26. Performers included Logan Stone, Tiffany D. Carter and Charlemagne Chateau.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Celebrity News
Madonna makes rare club appearance in West Hollywood
Gay icon brought ‘Confessions II’ to The Abbey
A line of celebrities, “Drag Race” queens, influencers, media, and West Hollywood socialites lined the block around West Hollywood’s The Abbey, all clamoring to get into the invite-only celebration of owner Tristan Schukraft’s birthday. The rumor, which became verified gossip, was that Madonna, the Queen of Pop herself, would be taking the stage. Of course, the Blade had to be there.
With disco balls and Abbey statues covered in pink chiffon, it was clear. This party was a direct tie-in to Madonna’s much-anticipated “Confessions on A Dance Floor” album sequel, “Confessions II.” That night, the Abbey also unveiled its remodeled dance floor, a fitting collaboration.
The club was filled to capacity with a completely open bar, keeping the crowd liquored up. Go-go dancers in black leather collars and thongs lined the room, and celebrities that included Lilly Allen, Bebe Rexha, Tori Spelling, Julia Fox, Sam Asghari, Daniel Frenzese, Cynthia Bailey, Meredith Marks, Tom Daley, and more filled the VIP booths alongside World of Wonder personalities. It was a veritable who’s who of queer folk and allies.
The lights began to dim, the dance floor began to rumble, and Madonna graphics hit the screens. At around 1 am, it was time. Introduced by Addison Rae, Madonna grabbed the mic and started chanting, welcoming her “gays.” The venue resounded in thunderous chants of “freedom,” “mother,” and “bitch.”
Madonna was not there to perform. She was there to dance. She took the stage for about 15 minutes, keeping the crowd going with her naughty and fun commentary. There is no list that needs to be provided on how Madonna’s career has become part of queer culture. Going back to her dance music roots and going back to her gay fans is smart.
Released in 2005 (yes, it has been that long), “Confessions on a Dance Floor” was an instant hit, with four singles from the album being released. The album’s lead single, “Hung Up,” topped the charts in 41 countries with Billboard calling it the most successful dance song of the decade. The album had hints of 60s and 70s flair, mixed in with dance music prevalent at that time. The music still dominates at queer clubs across the globe.
Madonna knows we need a little queer joy; she also knows that fans miss the Madonna we all knew and loved. With the nation in such turbulence, we all need some comfort, and going back to a time when we felt safer and had more to celebrate just feels good. For the new album release, she has even partnered with Grindr for a limited edition vinyl release and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
Her night at The Abbey presented snippets of her new music mixed in with some of her classics. The new material sounded good, sounded familiar in an exciting way, and shows that this diva has still got it.
“Confessions II” releases on July 3.
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