Revelers at last year's Cherry at Town. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Cherry charity dance events kick off next week

Cherry 2012 starts Thursday and will continue through next weekend with various parties and events.

This year the event starts with a welcome center at Mova (2204 14th St., N.W.) on Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. where tickets and passes may be purchased or picked up. Then Ignition will be held at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Friday (March 30) will have its own welcome center at No. 9 (1435 P St., N.W) from 5 to 9 p.m. followed by two events. There will be a women’s event at Phase 1 Dupont (1415 22nd St., N.W.) from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. and “Boys on Fire” at Warehouse Loft (411 New York Ave., N.E.) from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.

March 31 brings the “Moody Horror Picture Show,” a birthday celebration for party pioneer, Moody Mustafa at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) from 2 to 7 p.m. Town is also hosting that night’s “Blossom” from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

The festival ends on April 1 with “Momentum” at Ibiza (1222 1st St., N.E.) from 4 to 9 a.m. followed by a brunch and tea dance at Cobalt from noon to 6 p.m. The final event is “Ovation” at Ultra Bar (911 F St., N.W.) from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Tickets for individual events range from $17 to $50. The 2012 Cherry Host Pass is $120 and does not include admission “Moody Horror Picture Show.” For complete event details and to purchase tickets, visit cherryfund.org.

Jewish LGBT experience explored in film

As part of the Northern Virginia International Jewish Film Festival, Artisphere (1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington) is screening the film “Trembling Before G-d” on Saturday at 8 p.m.

The film, directed by Sandi Simcha Dubowski, follows gay and lesbian Orthodox Jews as they try to reconcile their sexuality with the faith. It also includes interviews with rabbis and psychotherapists about Jewish attitudes towards homosexuality.

Tickets are $11 for adults and $8 for seniors and students.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit artisphere.com.

Queer Prom goes ‘Carnival’

Last year's Capital Queer Prom. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

The sixth annual Capital Queer Prom “Carnival Extravaganza” is this weekend at Almas Shriners Ballroom (1315 K St., N.W.) from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.

The evening will include interactive carnival games, entertainment, a silent auction, the crowning of the 2012 Prom King and Queen and more. Each guest will also receive a Capital Queer Prom Yearbook and gift bag.

The party will continue at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) where prom guests will get in for free. Then Sunday guests are invited to Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a drag brunch with premiere seating and a special prom treat.

Tickets for the prom are $85, $105 for the prom and brunch. There are also VIP options for the Prom. An individual VIP ticket is $150 and a VIP table for 8 is $1200.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit capitalqueerprom.com.

Feminist writers on Madonna

Five women authors who contributed to the new book “Madonna & Me” will read selections from the essay collection Tuesday at Busboys and Poets (14th and V Streets, NW) at 6:30 p.m. Local author Shawna Kenney and rock journalist Maria Raha will appear.

The book is from Laura Barcella, a San Francisco-based writer who became obsessed with Madonna at age 6.

“As I grew older, [Madonna] served as a sort of course in feminism 101 for me,” Barcella says. “She set the stage for a lot of ideas that began to develop later, including her thoughts on women, gender and feminism. Later I learned that Madonna has played a role in many women’s lives.”

“Madonna & Me: Women Writers on the Queen of Pop” is 39 personal essays by women writers (including Barcella). The anthology focuses on how Madonna has influenced the essayists’ lives.  The entries run the gamut from funny to intense. Barcella writes about her first boyfriend’s hatred for the superstar and how it destroyed their relationship, whereas lesbian author Laura Andre’s essay recounts the positive role Madonna played in her coming out.

The event, which is free, coincides with the release of Madonna’s latest album “MDNA” which drops Tuesday. — Patrick Folliard