Arts & Entertainment
Bounty of books
Gay adoption, ‘My Two Moms’ and a Cher comic among offerings
There are lots of great new books out this spring that will make waiting for summer easier. Lots of books to make you laugh, cry, make you fan yourself and make you want to page through the pictures again and again.
And speaking of pictures, there are lots of them in “Female Force: Cher” by Marc Shapiro, illustrated by Zach Bassett, cover by Joe Phillips. That’s because this 32-page book is actually a comic book all about Cher’s life, her career, her fashions and her legacy. And because comic books aren’t just for kids anymore, you’ll also find similar comic book-bios on Madonna, Ellen DeGeneres and others.
If the patter of teeny-tiny feet is in your future, then you’ll want to find “Does This Baby Make Me Look Straight? Confessions of a Gay Dad” by Dan Bucatinsky. Seven years ago, Bucatinsky and his partner adopted a baby girl. Shortly after that, they adopted their daughter’s brother. Laugh-out-loud funny, sweet and a little heartbreaking, this book is perfect for anyone who wants or has a young family.
Remember that young man who addressed the Iowa House Judiciary Committee a few months ago when they were discussing civil unions? Well, he has a new book out: “My Two Moms” by Zach Wahls. This is a great book for any (older) kid growing up in a household with same-sex parents because Wahls knows what it’s like to be teased and to feel different. Bonus: this book is also perfect for same-sex parents.
And while we’re on the parenting theme, “Riding Fury Home” by Chana Wilson is the story of Wilson’s mother who, in the 1950s, was given psychiatric treatment and electroshocks in order to “cure” her lesbianism. But Wilson doesn’t stop there; she also writes about 40 years of American attitudes toward sexuality and tolerance. In this contentious political year, this is ultimately a book you can’t miss.
Does it sometimes feel as though you’ll never find someone to love forever? AuthorClyde Phillip Wachsberger felt that way, too, so upon approaching a certain age, he bought a house and set about creating a fabulous garden. But in his book “In the Garden with Charles,” you’ll read about a happily ever after. The beautiful bonus to this book is the author’s artwork that goes along with the garden and the love story.
If you’re a novel lover, then get booked with “Come Back” by Sky Gilbert. This is the story of a Judy Garland who really didn’t die, a Frances Gumm with a PhD, and a gay Canadian playwright who leads Dr. Gumm on an examination of her addictions and her life. This is a quirky book, but if quirk is your style, how can you go wrong?
Quick — think of a gay artist who specializes in erotica. My guess is that Tom of Finland was at the top of your guesses and if you’re a fan, you’ll want to find “Tom of Finland — Life and Work of a Gay Hero” by F. Valentine Hooven III. This big hardcover brings readers an overview of Tom’s art and his life from the beginning to his last years, and it includes not just drawings and the bio, but lots of photos, too.
And finally, if you’re short on time but heavy on heat, look for “Cruising: Gay Erotic Stories,” edited by Shane Allison. This anthology is filled with hot locations, hot scenes, hot activities, and of course hot men. This is the kind of book you’ll want to read with oven mitts, so beware.
It’s also worth a visit every few months to the Bruno Gmunder website (oddly the IUP is spelled slightly different — brunogmuender.com) for the latest in gay travel guides, coffee table erotica books, comics, calendars and more. This is the kind of stuff you used to just happen on at Lambda Rising — there were always unsealed sample copies to leaf through — but now you have to go online to find them. Sadly no D.C. shops keep these books in stock.
Arts & Entertainment
Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star and celebrated queer ally, dies at 71
Actress remembered for memorable comedic roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Home Alone’
Catherine O’Hara, the varied comedic actor known for memorable roles in “Beetlejuice,” “Schitt’s Creek,” and “Home Alone,” has died at 71 on Friday, according to multiple reports. No further details about her death were revealed.
O’Hara’s death comes as a shock to Hollywood, as the Emmy award-winning actor has been recently active, with roles in both “The Studio” and “The Last of Us.” For her work in those two shows, she received Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and outstanding guest actress in a drama series.
In 2020, O’Hara won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a comedy series award for her work in the celebrated sixth and final season of “Schitt’s Creek.” She was also known as a queer ally and icon for her theatrical and often campy performances over multiple decades. In “Schitt’s Creek,” she played Moira Rose, the wig-loving mother of David Rose (played by series creator Dan Levy). David is pansexual, but the characters around him simply accept him for who he is; the show was embraced by the LGBTQ community with how naturally David’s sexuality was written and portrayed. That show ran from 2015 to 2020 and helped bring O’Hara and her co-stars into a new phase of their careers.
In a 2019 interview with the Gay Times, O’Hara explained why the show got LGBTQ representation right: “Daniel has created a world that he wants to live in, that I want to live in. It’s ridiculous that we live in a world where we don’t know how to respect each other and let each other be. It’s crazy. Other shows should follow suit and present the world and present humans as the best that we can be. It doesn’t mean you can’t laugh, that you can’t be funny in light ways and dark ways. It’s all still possible when you respect and love each other.”
Additional credits include “SCTV Network” (for which O’Hara won a writing Emmy), “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Six Feet Under,” “Best in Show,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” and “Dick Tracy.” O’Hara also lent her voice to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Chicken Little,” “Monster House,” and “Elemental.” O’Hara was expected to return for Season 2 of “The Studio,” which started filming earlier this month.
Friday, January 30
Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).
Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. This event will be hosted by local drag queens TrevHER and Grey, who will provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, January 31
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.
Sunday, February 1
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, February 2
“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 (adamheller@thedccenter.org).
Tuesday, February 3
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more information, email [email protected].
Wednesday, February 4
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.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Thursday, February 5
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.
a&e features
D.C. LGBTQ sports bar Pitchers listed for sale
Move follows months of challenges for local businesses in wake of Trump actions
A Santa Monica, Calif.-based commercial real estate company called Zacuto Group has released a 20-page online brochure announcing the sale of the D.C. LGBTQ sports bar Pitchers and its adjoining lesbian bar A League of Her Own.
The brochure does not disclose the sale price, and Pitchers owner David Perruzza told the Washington Blade he prefers to hold off on talking about his plans to sell the business at this time.
He said the sale price will be disclosed to “those who are interested.”
“Matthew Luchs and Matt Ambrose of the Zacuto Group have been selected to exclusively market for sale Pitchers D.C., located at 2317 18th Street, NW in Washington, D.C located in the vibrant and nightlife Adams Morgan neighborhood,” the sales brochure states.
“Since opening its doors in 2018, Pitchers has quickly become the largest and most prominent LGBTQ+ bar in Washington, D.C., serving as a cornerstone of D.C.’s modern queer nightlife scene,” it says, adding, “The 10,000+ SF building designed as a large-scale inclusive LGBTQ+ sports bar and social hub, offering a welcoming environment for the entire community.”
It points out that the Pitchers building, which has two years remaining on its lease and has a five-year renewal option, is a multi-level venue that features five bar areas, “indoor and outdoor seating, and multiple patios, creating a dynamic and flexible layout that supports a wide range of events and high customer volume.”
“Pitchers D.C. is also home to A League of Her Own, the only dedicated lesbian bar in Washington, D.C., further strengthening its role as a vital and inclusive community space at a time when such venues are increasingly rare nationwide,” the brochure says.
Zacuto Group sales agent Luchs, who serves as the company’s senior vice president, did not immediately respond to a phone message left by the Blade seeking further information, including the sale price.
News of Perruzza’s decision to sell Pitchers and A League of Her Own follows his Facebook postings last fall saying Pitchers, like other bars in D.C., was adversely impacted by the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard soldiers on D.C. streets
In an Oct. 10 Facebook post, Perruzza said he was facing, “probably the worst economy I have seen in a while and everyone in D.C. is dealing with the Trump drama.” He told the Blade in a Nov. 10 interview that Pitchers continued to draw a large customer base, but patrons were not spending as much on drinks.
The Zacuto Group sales brochure says Pitchers currently provides a “rare combination of scale, multiple bars, inclusivity, and established reputation that provides a unique investment opportunity for any buyer seeking a long-term asset with a loyal and consistent customer base,” suggesting that, similar to other D.C. LGBTQ bars, business has returned to normal with less impact from the Trump related issues.
The sales brochure can be accessed here.
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