Arts & Entertainment
Cowboys’ last hurrah
Local hunks wrap up storied run; gay-led classical troupes plan performances

Look for the D.C. Cowboys’ farewell performance this summer at Capital Pride. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Several of the region’s dance offerings feature gay performers, themes and directors. Among the highlights:
The D.C. Cowboys, a gay line dancing company, are saying farewell this season after 17 years of performing with several upcoming events in D.C. and across the country. The first stop on the “Farewell Tour” is a performance at D.C. Jewish Community Center (1529 16th Street N.W.) Purim Party hosted by GLOE on Saturday from 8:30 to midnight. Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door and can be purchased at dcjcc.org. The tour comes to a close in June at the Capital Pride Festival. Take this moment to say goodbye to your favorite dancers. For more information visit dccowboys.org.
On Sunday at 3 p.m. Intersections Presents SMYAL’s Youth Arts Ensemble and Dance Exchanges Teen Exchange. SMYAL (The Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League) engages youth in the arts as part of its programs to support self-confident, healthy, productive lives for LGBT youth. Dance Exchange’s Teen Exchange offers young people opportunities to grow as movers and thinkers. This is a free performance that will take place at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H Street N.E.).
VT Dance/Vincent Thomas premieres “Shadows” Sunday and Monday at the Theatre Project Baltimore in Baltimore (45 West Preston Street). “Shadows” explores the ideas of manhood and masculinity. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased btp.taxato.com. They will also take the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage (2700 F Street N.W.) on June 13.
On March 30-April 1, Ballet Preljocaj, led by artistic director Angelin Preljocaj, brings Blanche Neige (Snow White) to the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater (2700 F St., N.W.). With costumes designed by Jean Paul Gaultier, the gay designer who’s designed beautifully outlandish costumes for Madonna and Lady Gaga, this retelling is bound to be a delight. Tickets start at $18 and are available at kennedy-center.org.
American tap dancer and prodigy Savion Glover will take the stage at the Warner Theatre (1513 13th Street N.W.) on March 30-31 with his performance SoLe Sanctuary. Tickets are available at warnertheatredc.com and range from $29-$59.
The renowned New York City Ballet will perform twice at the Kennedy Center Opera House (2700 F Street N.W.) and will be accompanied by the Opera House Orchestra April 3-8. Tickets are $25-$85 and are available at kennedy-center.org.
Gay choreographer Dana Tai Soon Burgess and his company will kick off their 20th anniversary season April 4-5 with performances showcasing the highlights of The Dana Tai Soon Burgess and Company performances. This performance will include the works “Becoming American,” “Hyphen,” “Khaybet” and “Fractures.” The dance company will take the stage at The George Washington University Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre (800 21st St., N.W.). This is the same theater where Burgess launched his company two decades ago. Tickets are $15 for students, $22 for artists and $25 for general admission. For information, visit dtsbco.com.
Dana Tai Soon Burgess and company will also dance at the National Portrait Gallery (800 F St., N.W.) on May 18.
The Washington Ballet presents the world premiere of “Alice (in Wonderland)” at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Eisenhower Theater (2700 F St., N.W.) April 11-15. This piece is choreographed by gay director and choreographer Septime Webre. Tickets range from $50-$155 and can be purchased at kennedy-center.org.
The Washington Ballet also premieres its piece “Once Upon a Time” this spring at the THEARC Theater (1901 Mississippi Ave., S.E.) on May 19-20. This piece is inspired by fairy tales around the world and includes dancer Lucy Bowen McCauley. Tickets are $50.
Dance Place (3225 8th St., N.E.) has a wide selection of exciting performances set for spring. For details, visit danceplace.org
Gay choreographer Wally Cardona comes to Dance Place on April 6-7 at 8 p.m. with Jennifer Lacey to present “Tool is Loot.” Tickets are $22 and are available at danceplace.org.
Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company has several events planned for spring in the area including an appearance at Dance Place on April 29. This gay-helmed outfit is celebrating its eighth year. For more information on their spring season, visit dakshina.org.
The D.C. Lambda Squares, an LGBT square-dancing social group, has many square dance events coming up in the spring including community dances and club format dance nights. For more information, visit dclambdasquares.org. Lambda DanceSport D.C. is an organization that supports the art and sport of same-gender dancing across all genres and has classes taught in Dupont Circle. For more information and a schedule of classes, visit LambdaDanceSport.com.
Catfish Comedy will host “2026 Queer Kickoff Show” on Thursday, Feb. 5 at A League of Her Own (2319 18th Street, N.W.). This show features D.C.’s funniest LGBTQ and femme comedians. The lineup features performers who regularly take the stage at top clubs like DC Improv and Comedy Loft, with comics who tour nationally.
Tickets are $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
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.
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