Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: Feb. 17
Concerts, parties, exhibits and more through Feb. 23
Romantic Italian pop singe Patrizio Buanne, who’s been comparied to Harry Connick Jr. and Michael Buble, plays Wolf Trap next week. Tickets are $32 and can be purchased online at wolftrap.org.
TODAY (Friday)
Green Lantern (1335 Green Court) hosts Mama’s Trailer Park Dance Party tonight upstairs from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. and “Pop Goes the World: International Dance Party,” starting at 10 p.m. with DJs Aaron Riggins, Della Volla and AVM. Cover is $5 for the Pop. For more information, visit greenlanterndc.com.
A quartet of Wolf Trap Opera Company alumni will be joining pianist Kim Witman tonight for a musical multimedia showcase, “America’s National Parks: Through the Artist’s Lens,” featuring the photography of Terre Jones, tonight at Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd., Vienna) at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online at wolftrap.org.
The NiteCamp Dancers will be at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) tonight. Doors open at 10 p.m. Cover is $10 all night for those 18 to 20 years old, $5 before 11 p.m. for those 21 and older and $10 afterward.
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.
Lesbian comedian Judy Gold plays the Riot Act Comedy Theater (801 E St., N.W.) tonight at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Tickets range from $20 to $25 and can be purchased online atriotactcomedy.com She will also perform twice on Saturday.
D.C. Women in Their Thirties meets tonight at 8 p.m. at Remington’s (639 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E.). Women in their Thirties is a group for lesbian, bi, trans and queer women in their 30s looking to build community.
Saturday, Feb. 18
The Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) has two events going on backstage today. First up is the free event Hellmouth Happy Hour featuring an episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and drinks specials at 7 p.m. This week’s episode is “Bad Girls.” Then DJ lil’e takes over the space for her ‘80s Alt-Pop Dance night, Right Round. Tickets are $7 and doors open at 9:30 p.m.
Spunk-E Productions presents “Ink” at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. featuring music by DJ T-one and a “Show Your Tats” contest.
Phase 1 (525 8th St., S.E.) presents “SeXXhibition: Through the Eyes of Deaf Women II” tonight from 7 to 10 p.m. The night, a fundraiser for the deaf lesbian community and Deaf Abused Women Network, will feature steamy ASL stories, ABC stories and performances by Nasty Moment, Buttalicious, Valentino, Silus and more. There is a $10 cover.
Team D.C. presents “Casino Night” tonight from 8 p.m. to midnight at Buffalo Billards (1330 19th St., N.W.). The event will feature poker and blackjack with dealers from D.C. various LGBT sports teams. There is a $10 entry for chips to play and food and drink specials all night. For more information, visit teamdc.org.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington has its second show of the season tonight with “The Kids Are All Right” at the Lisner Auditorium (730 21st St., N.W.) at 8 p.m. The show will feature the chorus as well as author and activist Candace Gingrich-Jones and the performing arts troupe, Dreams of Hope. Tickets range from $20 to $50. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit gmcw.org.
Sunday, Feb. 19
Busboys & Poets presents “Borderlines: A Bilingual Spanish-English Open Mic” tonight at 5 p.m. in the Zinn room of its Hyattsville location (5331 Baltimore Ave., Suite 104) hosted by Henry Mills. This is the pilot run of the event. The sign-up sheet opens at 4 p.m.
Town’s (2009 8th St., N.W.) “WTF” dance party returns with the Magic edition tonight at 10 p.m. The night will feature drag queens, go go boys, performance artists, DJs, food and more. Cover is $5 and all attendees must be 21 or older.
Nice Jewish Girls is a local community, now over 200-strong, of LBTQ Jewish women 21 and older, from secular to orthodox, who meet up for recreational, social, charitable and religious community events. If you’re 45ish or older, join us for a chill dinner at Marrakesh (Silver Spring/GA Ave location) at 6pm. For more info and to RSVP, visit http://www.nicejewishgirlsdc.com/events/owj or email: [email protected].
Monday, Feb. 20
Busboys & Poets presents author Doron Petersan discussing and signing her book,“Sticky Fingers’ Sweets: 100 Super-Secret Vegan Recipes,” tonight at its 14th and V location (2021 14th St., N.W.) at 6:30 p.m. This is a free event.
The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) presents the National President’s Day Choral Festival today at 2 p.m. featuring performances of Howard Hanson’s “Song of Democracy,” John Rutter’s “Gloria” and more. This is a free event. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.
Tuesday, Feb. 21
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 is also a bonus question worth three extra points online at riotactcomedy.com.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) is celebrating Mardi Gras with DJ Chris Cox tonight starting at 10 p.m. There will also be live performances by Jessica Spaulding and the Dance Camp. Cover is $8 before 11 p.m. and $12 afterward. All attendees must be 21 or older.
Wednesday, Feb. 22
The Strathmore presents its artist in residence ellen cherry tonight at the Mansion (10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda) at 7:30 p.m. in the second of two performances. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased online at strathmore.org.
Busboys & Poets presents Sparkle Open Mic Poetry, a queer-friendly reading series hosted by Regie Cabico and Danielle Evennou in the Cullen room of its 5th and K location (1025 5th St., N.W.) at 9 p.m. Wristbands are $4 and will be sold in the Global Exchange store beginning at 11 a.m.
The Ladies of Mova present “VanityGirl,” a weekly ladies night at Mova (2204 14th St., N.W.) with happy hour from 5 to 8 p.m. and various drink specials hosted by Nikisha.
Thursday, Feb. 23
Italian pop crooner Patrizio Buanne plays Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd., Vienna) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $32 and can be purchased online at wolftrap.org.
Gays & Lesbians Opposing Violence (GLOV) holds its monthly meeting tonight in the main room at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
The Washington Ballet honoring choreographer Twyla Tharp is at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m., in a program showcasing her work spanning two decades. It will include performance of Tharp’s “Nine Sinatra Songs,” “Push Comes to Shove” and “Surfer at the Styx River.” Tickets range from $20 to $125 and can be purchased online atkennedy-center.org. The show will run through Feb. 26.
Friday, March 27
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+ Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Dupont Italian Kitchen. 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 p.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.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].
Saturday, March 28
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.
Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black Lesbian. For more details, email [email protected].
Monday, March 30
“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]).
“Tea Time! A Local DC Drag Comedy Show” will be at 3 p.m. at Spark Social. This is a live drag comedy show where drag legends TrevHER & Tiara Missou Sidora host spill all the tea in the DMV. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Tuesday, March 31
Visibili-TEA Party will be at 6 p.m. at Restoration Station. Guests are encouraged to come sip, celebrate, and shine together. This event is a Trans Day of Visibility celebration and a special collaboration between Auntie’s Home and Damien Ministries. This is a boozy tea party with intention and the dress code reflects the vibe. More details are available on Eventbrite.
Wednesday, March 1
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.
Thursday, April 2
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, breathwork 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.
Unconventional Diner will host “Cherry Blossom Drag Bingo Party” on Friday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m.
Guests will be treated to an unforgettable night of drag performances, bingo, food and drink and prizes. Highlights of the evening include themed cocktails, drag performances and bingo prizes.
Tickets can be secured via Resy.
Sports
New IOC policy bans trans women from Olympics
New regulation to be in effect at 2028 summer games in Los Angeles
The International Olympic Committee on Thursday announced it will not allow transgender women from competing in female events at the Olympics.
“For all disciplines on the Sports Program of an IOC event, including individual and team sports, eligibility for any Female Category is limited to biological females,” reads the new policy.
The policy states “eligibility for the Female Category is to be determined in the first instance by SRY Gene screening to detect the absence or presence of the SRY Gene.”
“On the basis of the scientific evidence, the IOC considers that the SRY (sex-determining Region Y) Gene is fixed throughout life and represents highly accurate evidence that an athlete has experienced or will experience male sex development,” it reads. “Furthermore, the IOC considers that SRY Gene screening via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample is unintrusive compared to other possible methods. Athletes who screen negative for the SRY gene permanently satisfy this policy’s eligibility criteria for competition in the Female Category.”
The policy states the test “will be a once-in-a-lifetime test” unless “there is reason to believe a negative reading is in error.”
The new regulation will be in place for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
“I understand that this a very sensitive topic,” said IOC President Kirsty Coventry on Thursday in a video. “As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition.”
“The policy that we have announced is based on science and it has been led by medical experts with the best interests of athletes at its heart. The scientific evidence is very clear: male chromosomes give performance advances in sport that rely on strength, power, or endurance,” she added. “At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat. So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe.”
(Video courtesy of the IOC)
Laurel Hubbard, a weightlifter from New Zealand, in 2021 became the first trans woman to compete at the Olympics.
Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, won a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Khelif later sued JK Rowling and Elon Musk for cyberstalking after they questioned her gender identity.
Ellis Lundholm, a mogul skier from Sweden, this year became the first openly trans athlete to compete in any Winter Olympics when he participated in Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.
President Donald Trump in February 2025 issued an executive order that bans trans women and girls from female sports teams in the U.S.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee last July banned trans women from competing in female sporting events. Republican lawmakers have demanded the IOC ban trans athletes from women’s athletic competitions.
“I’m grateful the Olympics finally embraced the common sense policy that women’s sports are for women, not for men,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on X.
An IOC spokesperson on Thursday referred the Washington Blade to the press release that announced the new policy.
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