Arts & Entertainment
Taste of New York
D.C. gay restaurateurs bring Manhattan-style drag shows to their cafe
Flotilla DeBarge at ‘Speakeasy’ at L’Enfant Café & Bar. (Photo courtesy L’Enfant)
‘Speakeasy’ at L’Enfant Café & Bar
Beginning Jan. 14
2000 18th Street, NW
lenfantcafe.com
For L’Enfant Café & Bar co-owners Christopher Lynch and Jim Ball, boredom is the mother of invention.
After working all weekend, says Ball, he and Lynch sometimes like to go out on Sunday nights. Increasingly they became uninterested in what was offered so they decided to do something themselves. Together they’ve come up with “Speakeasy” at L’Enfant, a bimonthly supper club and cabaret featuring well-known, downtown New York drag artists.
The likable duo — who long ago switched from being boyfriends to business partners/friends — is recreating a vibe they once knew in Manhattan, where they lived prior to opening L’Enfant in Adams Morgan in 2003. They’re modeling “Speakeasy” on Bar d’O, the storied West Village lounge where legendary performance artist and drag diva Joey Arias headlined a cabaret of talented drag performers throughout most of the ‘90s and early 2000s.
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Initially Lynch and Ball aspired to find a “Joey Arias type” for “Speakeasy.” But then reconsidered and thought why not go for the real thing? In September, the canny partners contacted Arias via Facebook and pitched their plan. To their delight, Arias agreed.
So far, there’ve been two “Speakeasy” test pilots at L’Enfant: In late November, Arias and fellow Bar d’O alumnae Flotilla DeBarge and Sade Pendarvis performed two Sunday night shows of soulful song and hilarious banter for sold-out houses. Outrageous, smart, spontaneous and a tad messy, the evening was a success by all counts.
Then in mid-December, DeBarge (whose vitae includes Broadway and film work) returned with a solo holiday show. “Speakeasy’s” regular bimonthly Sunday night schedule kicks off Jan. 14 with both a 7 p.m. dinner show, and a 10:30 cocktail late show. Reservations are required (go to lenfantcafe.com). In addition to Arias and DeBarge, Lady Bunny of “Wigstock” fame is slated for upcoming appearances.
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Arias’ signature look is black lingerie and Betty Page bangs. He’s widely known for channeling Billie Holiday. His credits include a six-year stint as the Mistress of Seduction in “Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity” in Las Vegas, and this April he brings his well-received New York show “Arias with a Twist” to D.C.’s Woolly Mammoth Theatre. Rarely does Arias do small “Speakeasy” sort of gigs anymore. But what keeps him interested in coming back, “is the idea of trying new material and experimenting with something new: Looks, jokes, new tunes and to see what works. It’s important to remember where you started and keep your chops up.”
Arias adds, “I’m also interested in [including] D.C. talent. But [they] have to sing live and be witty … not nasty! It’s not a drag show. ‘Speakeasy’ is a real cabaret with first class service and entertainment. No one does this anymore.”
Flotilla DeBarge is equally smitten with “Speakeasy”: “I take a little getting used to. I’m big and brash — a mix of early Bette Midler, Tyler Perry’s Medea and some Louise Jefferson. So far D.C. audiences seem to be embracing me, my humor, my whole persona. I’m very grateful to them and [L’Enfant owners] for giving me free reign with what I do.”
“Speakeasy” isn’t the first time Lynch and Ball have filled idle hours with fun at their intimate venue. When faced with dull Saturday afternoons a year ago, they perked things up with “La Boum” (which in French means “teenage house party”). Once a week, they close the blinds and serve a boozy brunch with loud music and entertainment. As very hands-on hosts, Ball successfully plays the comic to Lynch’s straight man. They appear to enjoy themselves immensely and work hard to ensure that their customers do the same.
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As restaurateurs, Lynch and Ball agree that a lot of what they do is theatrical. They liken opening their café’s doors to raising the curtain. When customers arrive, the owners and staff are on. For them, launching a cabaret at L’Enfant is a natural extension of serving food and drink.
“’La Boum’ is fully booked through April. People love it. Judging from early response, it looks like it will be the same with ‘Speakeasy’,” says Lynch. “We think it’s going to be explosive.”
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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