Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: Feb. 10

Parties, concerts, meetings and more through Feb. 16

Published

14 years ago

February 9, 2012

Juliette Ebner

Lesbian comedian Wanda Sykes performs at Strathmore on Friday. (Photo courtesy Strathmore.)

Friday, Feb. 10

Women in Their Twenties, a social discussion and dinner group, meets tonight from 8 to 9:30 p.m. at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.).

Red Eye Gravy Theatre Company presents a same-sex version of “Romeo and Juliet,” a benefit for the Trevor Project at the Fridge (516 1/2 8th St., S.E.), tonight at 8 p.m. This production will feature the title roles as a lesbian couple and the show will be followed by a discussion. The show will run through Feb. 18. Tickets are $20. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit thefridgedc.com.

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is performs at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $30 to $99 and can be purchased online atkennedy-center.org.

Out comedian Wanda Sykes performs at Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $39 to $99 and can be purchased online atstrathmore.org.

Busboys & Poets presents “The 11th Hour” poetry slam hosted by “2Deep” the Poetess, tonight at 11 p.m. in the Langston room at its 14th and V streets location (2021 14th St., N.W.). There is a $5 admission at the door starting at 10:30 p.m.

Green Lantern (1335 Green Court) hosts Mama’s Trailer Park Dance Party tonight upstairs from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. and a $16 Smirnoff “All-U-Can-Drink” buffet from 10 to 11:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 11

Blowoff, a dance party featuring gay DJs Bob Mould and Richard Morel, will be at 9:30 club (815 V St., N.W.) tonight. Doors open at 11:30 p.m. Attendees must be 21 or older. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at 930.com.

There will be a viewing and service for slain trans murder victim Deoni Jones today at the King Emmanuel Baptist Church (2324 Ontario Rd., N.W.) from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information contact Earline Budd or Brian Watson at 202-636-1646 or Ron Moten at 202-615-0204.

The Dupont Social Club is celebrating its 25th anniversary by taking over the 18th and U Duplex Diner (2004 18th St., N.W.) at 6 p.m. featuring drag queen waitresses, bartenders and hostesses. Tips from talents will be donated to teamdc.org. There will also be celebrity appearances, DJs and performances.

Zoom Urban Lesbian Excursions presents “Vino: The Singles Edition” tonight. The group will be meeting at Urbana Restaurant and Wine Bar (2121 P St., N.W.) at 6 p.m. Reservation for this event is free. Wine and food is purchased individually. For more information, visit phatgirlchic.com/zoom.

Tony Award-winning musical “La Cage aux Folles” starring Christopher Sieber and George Hamilton will be at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) today at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $65 to $130 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.

Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) presents Hellmouth Happy Hour where every week an episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” will be screened and drink specials will be offered. This week the episode is “The Zeppo.”

Sunday, Feb. 12

Khush D.C. is having its first book club meeting of the year today at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) at 2 p.m. The group will be discussing the book, “Ninny’s Natter” by Ninade Jog and there will be a Q&A session with the author after the discussion. For more information contact Jeff Ajanee at [email protected].

The D.C. Kings are performing their “King of Hearts” show tonight at Phase 1 (525 8th St. S.E.) at 10 p.m. Performers for the night include Sammy Smooth, celebrating his seven year anniversary, Bona Fyde, Dash, Valentino and more. Doors open at 7 p.m. and their is a $10 cover. This is a D.C. Kings Fundraiser.

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. There will also be a special edition “Guil-Tea” Dance today from 3 to 8 p.m. on the roof deck featuring Sweet Tea vodka specials.

Monday, Feb. 13

MotherTongue D.C. is holding its annual “Anti-Valentine’s Day Slam!” tonight at the Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 and are available in advanced online atblackcatdc.com.

Tickets for Madonna’s Sept. 23 concert at the Verizon Center go on sale today at 10 a.m. Several package deals and price ranges are available. Visit ticketmaster.com orlivenation.com for details.

The Youth Working Group, a gathering of people committed to impacting the lives of D.C. area youth, will be meeting tonight at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 14

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.

The Child and Family Services Agency’s LGBTQ Task Force is holding a full-day retreat today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.). The retreat is a way to identify steps needed to support LGBTQ youth in the foster care system. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

LezGetTogether.com is having its Valentine’s Day party tonight at Buffalo Billairds in the Adirondack Room (1330 19th St., N.W.) from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 online, $8 at the door or $4 with invite of 10 or more women to LezGetTogether.com and promotional code.

Wednesday, Feb. 15

Women’s Wednesday is being co-hosted by the Human Rights Campaign and held in the Equality Center (17^th and Rhode Island, NW) tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Registration is fee for CAGLCC members and their guests.

The D.C. Ice Breakers will be having its monthly skate and social tonight. The group will be skating at Kettler Capitals Iceplex (627 N. Glebe Rd.) in Arlington from 8 to 9 p.m. then they’ll hit a local bar for a social hour. Skating is $8 and skate rentals are $3.

Thursday, Feb. 16

The D.C. Center, with the Deaf Abused Women’s Network, Deaf Queer Kaleidoscope and Gallaudet University with sponsorship from Access Interpreting is facilitating its second deaf/hard of hearing/deaf-blind LGBT community needs assessment for the area today from 6 to 9 p.m. in Flex A/B at Gallaudet (800 Florida Ave., N.E.). For more information, e-mail Alex Nelson at [email protected].

Lesbian comedian Judy Gold will be performing at Riot Act Comedy Theater (801 E St., N.W.) tonight at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online atriotactcomedy.com She will also perform on Friday and Saturday.

Photos

PHOTOS: Capital Pride Festival and Concert

Annual LGBTQ celebration held on Pennsylvania Ave.

Published

12 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Washington Blade photography department

Maren Morris performs at the 2026 Capital Pride Concert on Sunday, June 21. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The 2026 Capital Pride Festival was held on Pennsylvania Ave. on Sunday, June 21.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key and Landon Shackelford)

Photos

PHOTOS: 2026 Capital Pride Parade

Large crowds attend annual LGBTQ march in Washington, D.C.

Published

2 days ago

June 21, 2026

Washington Blade photography department

David Archuleta is one of the Grand Marshals of the 2026 Capital Pride Parade. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The 2026 Capital Pride Parade was held in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, June 20.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key, Robert Rapanut and Landon Shackelford)

Theater

‘Feeling Afraid’ explores life of a neurotic stand-up comic

Navigating sex, work, and possibly love in London

Published

3 days ago

June 20, 2026

Patrick Folliard

Steven Webb in ‘Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen’ (Photo by DJ Corey)

‘Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going to Happen’
Through July 12
Studio Theatre
1501 14th St., N.W.
$55-$102
Studiotheatre.org

Wordily yet rightly titled, solo show “Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen” dives deeply into the world of a neurotic stand-up comic as he navigates sex, work, and possibly love in London.

Busy arranging hookups and dates on “The App,” the 36-year-old gay funnyman juggles a full dance card; still he’s never been in a romantic relationship. While he’s willing to give love a shot, he’s not pressed about it. As he says, he harbors no fear of dying alone.

Currently making its American premiere at Studio Theatre, this darkly humorous Edinburgh Fringe import features terrific out English actor Steven Webb as The Comedian who’s about to explore what it means to spend all his time with one man.

At Studio’s intimate Mead Theatre, Kat Heath’s minimal set says standard comedy club (fluorescent tube lighting, the mic with a long cord, a single stool backed by a rose-colored curtain), but gay playwright Marcelo Dos Santos has conjured something much more than a live comedy set.

Yes, The Comedian bounces onstage in his red Converse high tops, jeans, and pink shirt with a huge mouth emblazoned on the back, but he delivers more than jokes. At times hilariously self-deprecating, then dark, and occasionally a lesson on what makes standup work, this is a layered, well-acted piece.

With Webb (a keen caricaturist of types and voices) playing all the parts while conducting The Comedian’s hilariously frenetic interior monologue, “Feeling Afraid” takes us through a summer of love. It seems after six chaste dates with The American, our nervous hero has found Mr. Right. The American is earnest, smart, hesitant to initiate sex. He’s also well built with a beautiful smile. And strangely, he’s been medically advised not to laugh aloud.

The Comedian delights in the joys of new love: dates, first kisses, sex, and then suddenly spending all of his time with the adored. Visits to art galleries become fun. Eating home cooked meals followed by grim documentaries is a thing. The Comedian is beguiled as his own boyish figure fills out, but something isn’t right. He can’t entirely relax.

Along the way we meet the Aussie doctor, our protagonist’s longtime hookup; a young runner with some exceptional body parts; the random third in a failed threesome; grumpy working comics, male and female; and an ineffectual counselor.

Webb gives a lightning-fast performance that boggles the mind (in terms velocity and virtuosity). He can be impish, very impish. He’s nervous energy incarnate, flashing jazz hands, grimacing but handsome when still. He’s likeable, a necessity when delivering a hilariously rude joke just feet away from two stone-faced audience members. (Perhaps they were laughing on the inside? At any rate, they stayed through the end the show.)

Produced by the team behind Fringe hits “Fleabag” and “Baby Reindeer,” small stage works that were developed into major TV screen successes, “Feeling Afraid” is funny for sure, and it’s also highly confessional, sexually explicit, and raw.

Written by Dos Santos during COVID lockdown, the piece was a smash hit in the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe before finding further success in London. Its depiction of a youngish queer guy navigating the big city rings entirely true. Like so much Fringe stuff, the one-man show is delightfully lewd and standup inspired.

One little moan: the show closes cleverly but too abruptly with its star dashing offstage without sufficiently basking in the admiration and applause of his thoroughly chuffed audience.

They say third time’s a charm, and regarding “Feeling Afraid,” I’d agree. After two performance cancellations (first for laryngitis and the second involving faulty air conditioning on an especially muggy June evening), I made my third trek to Studio where I found both the actor and AC in very fine fettle. And truly, Webb’s work was more than worth the wait.