Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: Feb. 10
Parties, concerts, meetings and more through Feb. 16
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 (17th 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.
The 2026 Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather competition was held at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill on Sunday. Seven contestants vied for the title and Gage Ryder was named the winner.
(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Theater
Voiceless ‘Antony & Cleopatra’ a spectacle of operatic proportions
Synetic production pulls audience into grips of doomed lovers’ passion
‘Antony & Cleopatra’
Through Jan. 25
Synetic Theater at
Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Klein Theatre
450 7th St., N.W.
Synetictheater.org
A spectacle of operatic proportions, Synetic Theater’s “Antony & Cleopatra” is performed entirely voiceless. An adaptation of the Bard’s original (a play bursting with wordplay, metaphors, and poetic language), the celebrated company’s production doesn’t flinch before the challenge.
Staged by Paata Tsikurishvili and choreographed by Irina Tsikurishvili, this worthy remount is currently playing at Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Klein Theatre, the same venue where it premiered 10 years ago. Much is changed, including players, but the usual inimitable Synectic energy and ingenuity remain intact.
As audiences file into the Klein, they’re met with a monumental pyramid bathed in mist on a dimly lit stage. As the lights rise, the struggle kicks off: Cleopatra (Irina Kavsadze) and brother Ptolemy (Natan-Maël Gray) are each vying for the crown of Egypt. Alas, he wins and she’s banished from Alexandria along with her ethereal black-clad sidekick Mardian (Stella Bunch); but as history tells us, Cleopatra soon makes a triumphant return rolled in a carpet.
Meanwhile, in the increasingly dangerous Rome, Caesar (memorably played by Tony Amante) is assassinated by a group of senators. Here, his legendary Ides of March murder is rather elegantly achieved by silver masked politicians, leaving the epic storytelling to focus on the titular lovers.
The fabled couple is intense. As the Roman general Antony, Vato Tsikurishvili comes across as equal parts warrior, careerist, and beguiled lover. And despite a dose of earthiness, it’s clear that Kavsadze’s Cleopatra was born to be queen.
Phil Charlwood’s scenic design along with Colin K. Bills’ lighting cleverly morph the huge pyramidic structure into the throne of Egypt, the Roman Senate, and most astonishingly as a battle galley crashing across the seas with Tsikurishvili’s Antony ferociously at the helm.
There are some less subtle suggestions of location and empire building in the form of outsized cardboard puzzle pieces depicting the Mediterranean and a royal throne broken into jagged halves, and the back-and-forth of missives.
Of course, going wordless has its challenges. Kindly, Synectic provides a compact synopsis of the story. I’d recommend coming early and studying that page. With changing locations, lots of who’s who, shifting alliances, numerous war skirmishes, and lack of dialogue, it helps to get a jump on plot and characters.
Erik Teague’s terrific costume design is not only inspired but also helpful. Crimson red, silver, and white say Rome; while all things Egyptian have a more exotic look with lots of gold and diaphanous veils, etc.
When Synetic’s voicelessness works, it’s masterful. Many hands create the magic: There’s the direction, choreography, design, and the outrageously committed, sinewy built players who bring it to life through movement, some acrobatics, and the remarkable sword dancing using (actual sparking sabers) while twirling to original music composed by Konstantine Lortkipanidze.
Amid the tumultuous relationships and frequent battling (fight choreography compliments of Ben Cunis), moments of whimsy and humor aren’t unwelcome. Ptolemy has a few clownish bits as Cleopatra’s lesser sibling. And Antony’s powerful rival Octavian (ageless out actor Philip Fletcher) engages in peppy propaganda featuring a faux Cleopatra (played by Maryam Najafzada) as a less than virtuous queen enthusiastically engaged in an all-out sex romp.
When Antony and Cleopatra reach their respective ends with sword and adder, it comes almost as a relief. They’ve been through so much. And from start to finish, without uttering a word, Kavsadze and Tsikurishvili share a chemistry that pulls the audience into the grips of the doomed lovers’ palpable passion.
Out & About
Love board games and looking for love?
Quirk Events will host “Board Game Speed Dating for Gay Men” on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. at KBird DC.
Searching for a partner can be challenging. But board games are always fun. So what if you combined board games and finding a partner?
Picture this: You sit down for a night of games. A gaming concierge walks you through several games over the course of the night. You play classics you love and discover brand new games you’ve never heard of, playing each with a different group of fun singles. All while in a great establishment.
At the end of the night, you give your gaming concierge a list of the folks you met that you’d like to date and a list of those you met that you’d like to just hang out with as friends. If any two people put down the same name as each other in either column, then your gaming concierge will make sure you get each other’s e-mail address and you can coordinate a time to hang out.
Tickets cost $31.80 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Trump-Vance administration ‘has dismantled’ US foreign policy infrastructure
The Greenland lesson for LGBTQ people
Sold-out crowd turns out for 10th annual Caps Pride night
CVS Health agrees to cover new HIV prevention drug
HRC warns LGBTQ progress faltering as Trump enters second year
Comings & Goings
D.C.’s annual MLK Peace Walk and Parade set for Jan. 19
Gay Venezuelan opposition leader: Country’s future uncertain after Maduro ouster
Capitals to host 10th annual Pride night
