Connect with us

Arts & Entertainment

Out & About: Jan. 27

Galactica at the Fox, Ho gets ‘Gaylarious’ and more

Published

on

Galactica’s revue continues to expand — she plays her first shows with ‘the Comettes’ this weekend at gay-owned Black Fox Lounge. (Photo courtesy Jeffrey Johnson)

Galactica returns to Black Fox

Special Agent Galactica returns with her band Captain Satellite and the Escape Pods for a new show at the Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m.

Galactica will also be joined by two new “crew members,” the Comettes.

The show will features songs by Pat Benatar, Cee Lo Green, Jeffrey Johnson (Galactica’s alter ego), the late Etta James and more. Galactica is continuing her live singing approach after making a name for herself as a first-rate lip synch artist.

Tickets are $15 and are available online at pinkhairedone.com.

Brother Help Thyself doles out grants, awards

Brother, Help Thyself is holding its 34th annual grant reception and awards ceremony on Saturday at Remington’s (639 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E.) at 2 p.m.

The ceremony will include performances by Potomac Fever Ensemble, Tom Goss and D.C. Different Drummers’ Mad Hatters.

Over the past 30 years, Brother, Help Thyself has raised about $2.1 million and distributed it to more than 130 groups in the community.

Capital Pride hosts volunteer kick off Tuesday

The Capital Pride planning committee invites the community to join its organizers Tuesday at 7 p.m. for a volunteer kick-off meeting at Redwood Century 21 (1701 Q St., N.W.) off the Dupont Circle Metro stop.

Those interested in helping with this year’s festivities — which culminate the weekend of June 9 — are encouraged to attend and learn more about all facets of the process from the festival, parade, entertainment, marketing and more. The meeting will last about one hour. Light refreshments will be served. Visit capitalpride.org for more information.

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Raunchy Ho to play Gaylarious

Wendy Ho, the raunchy rapper whose “Bitch, I Stole Yo Purse” video was a 2008 favorite on Logo, plays Riot Act Comedy Theatre’s Gaylarious, a monthly queer comedy night, Wednesday. Gays Zach Toczynskiris and Chris Doucette host.

Raunchy rapper/comedian Wendy Ho plays D.C. next week. (Photo courtesy Wendy Ho)

“A lot of what you see onstage is me,” says Ho, who’s straight. “My material is mostly about life as a woman and breaking out of the mold that men have cast for us. Of course, I don’t be sittin’ around my house in my wigs all day like Lady Gaga claims she does. I can’t wait to rip off the costume when I get off stage.”

Initially, Ho (born Wendy Jo Smith) was unsure if introducing the persona was a wise career move. Putting herself out there as a trash talking bad girl and revealing thornier issues from her own past had obvious drawbacks; but after she first took the act to A-list comedy clubs and gay bars in New York City it clicked immediately: “The audience embraced what I was doing. For me, performing as Wendy Ho was like coming out of the closet.”

The L.A.-based performer describes her act as part standup/part concert. Her sound, she says, is like Lil’ Kim but dirty like Peaches and funny like Lonely Island. For her, Wendy Ho’s over-the-top femininity is empowering. By using humor and blurring the lines of sexuality and cultures, Ho says she brings people together with her unapologetically raw material.

The theater is at 801 E Street, N.W. Tickets are $15. Call 202-697-4900 or visit riotactcomedy.com for details.

PATRICK FOLLIARD

 

 

 

Advertisement
FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM
SIGN UP FOR E-BLAST

Calendar

Calendar: April 17-23

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

on

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.  

Continue Reading

Out & About

Team DC’s annual gala set for this weekend

LGBTQ sports organization to hold annual ‘Night of Champions’

Published

on

(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

Continue Reading

Television

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

Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden spoke with Blade in LA

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Popular