Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: March 23
Parties, exhibits, concerts and more through March 29

Evolve Urban Arts Project is hosting an opening reception on Thursday for its newest exhibit featuring the work of Dilip Sheth, including this painting. The show runs through May 4. (Image courtesy Evolve)
TODAY (Friday)
The Lodge (21614 National Pike, Boonsboro) and the Mason Dixon Roller Vixens presents a ladies’ night “Anything But Clothes” tonight hosted by Lucretia McEvil and co-host Scruff with beats provided by DJ Joey-O. Games and a fashion show begin at 10 p.m. There’s a $3 suggested donation.
Gay District is hosting “Pre-Mature Spring Fling” tonight at Bread and Brew D.C. (1247 20th St., N.W.) from 8 to 10:30 p.m. The night will feature games, happy hour prices and drink specials. There is a required $5 donation.
D.C. Women4Women presents “Tryst,” a monthly professional lesbian happy hour at Topaz Bar (1733 N St., N.W.) tonight from 7 to 10 p.m.
Destino Final, a night of freestyle, upbeat R&B, early house and more, is tonight at Dodge City D.C. (917 U St., N.W.) from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. featuring Alex DB and FLEG from Baltimore.
Pants vs. Pumps is taking over the original Phase 1 (525 8th St., S.E.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. for “Trouble,” a pre-game event with drink specials and games including flip cup and beer pong. There is a $5 cover with the mention of PvP.
Saturday, March 24
The 2012 Visions in Feminism conference is today at American University (4400 Massachusetts Ave.) in the Ward Building. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and ranges from $10 to $15. A.U. students get in free with student ID. Jeanne Flavin, a professor of sociology at Fordham University, will be the keynote speaker. For more information, look for the Facebook event page.
Tom From Prague brings “Tainted Love: An International ‘80s Dance Party” at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. There is a $5 cover.
Grammy nominee Katie Herzig plays Red Palace (1212 H St., N.E.) tonight at 9 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance at $15 day of the show. Doors open at 8 p.m.
Cocker Productions presents Miss Gay D.C. America pageant tonight at Town (2009 8th Street, N.W.), honoring Kirby Kolby, Miss Gay D.C. America 2011 and Miss Gay America 2012. Admission is $10. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Also tonight, Chad Michaels of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will perform. Doors open at 10 p.m. for this event (those who attend the pageant can stay all evening and don’t have to pay the regular Town cover). Admission is $8 before 11 p.m. and $12 after. Attendees must be 21 or older.
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 “Choices.” Doors open at 7 p.m. The Black Cat is also hosting “Disco in the Dark” with Mr. Bonkerz, DJ Remote CTRL and Sneakers in the Dryer. Doors open at 9:30 for this and tickets are $5.
Sunday, March 25
The Black Men’s XChange D.C. is having a brunch at the Howard University Blackburn Center honoring the “same gender-loving” elder community today at the Howard University Blackburn Center (2397 6th St., N.W.) from noon to 3:30 p.m. There is a $4 suggested donation.
Studio Theatre (1501 14th St., N.W.) presents “Sucker Punch,” a play by Roy Williams, directed by Leah C. Gardiner, today at 2 and 7 p.m. The play follows two British teenagers and their rise from “would-be vandals” to boxing champions. Tickets range from $46 to $59 and can be purchased online at studiotheatre.org. The show runs through April 8.
Monday, March 26
Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) presents a “RuPaul’s Drag Race” watch party tonight at 9 p.m.
The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) will be holding an information session about the Mobile Homecoming Project, an initiative to promote intergenerational dialogue in the community, tonight from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Following the presentational will be a mixer at Mova (2204 14th St., N.W.) from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Tuesday, March 27
GLAA is having a membership meeting tonight in the second floor community room at the Reeves Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
The Chesapeake Squares, a gay square dancing group, are having a mainstream-through-advanced club night tonight at the Waxter Center (1000 Cathedral St.) in Baltimore from 8 to 10 p.m. For more information, visit chesapeakesquares.org.
Wednesday, March 28
Secrets (1824 Half St., S.W.) is holdings its monthly amateur dance contest hosted by LaTroya Nichole tonight beginning at 11 p.m. Contests must sign up at the main bar starting at 10 p.m.
The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE — across from Marine Barracks) for duplicate bridge. No reservations needed; newcomers welcome. Visit lambdabridge.com if you need a partner.
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.
Thursday, March 29
Evolve Urban Arts Projects (1375 Maryland Ave., N.E.) is having an opening reception tonight from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for its newest exhibit “The Moon and Landscapes, etc.” featuring the work of local artist, Dilip Sheth.
KHUSH D.C. and OutWrite present “God Loves Pavement: Two Brown Authors Hit the Road” tonight at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) at 7 p.m. Farzana Doctor, a Toronto-based author and recipient of the Writers’ Trust of Canada’s Dayne Ogilvie Grant for emerging gay Canadian author in 2011 and Vivek Shraya, a Toronto-based artists, arts educator and author, will be at this joint book reading.
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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