Victory Fund to host annual brunch

The Victory Fund is having its National Champagne Brunch on Sunday at the Washington Hilton (1919 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) at 11 a.m. featuring Tammy Baldwin.

This year’s theme is “Strength in Numbers” and Victory Fund will be honoring the eight openly gay and lesbian members of the Maryland legislature: Luke Clippinger, Bonnie Cullison, Anne Kaiser, Richard Madaleno, Maggie McIntosh, Heather Mizeur, Peter Murphy and Mary Washington.

Individual tickets are $150 and a table with ten seats is $1,500.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit victoryfund.org.

Illumination time for Ward 8

Saturday marks the opening of a series of spaces opening in the commercial corridor of Historic Anacostia with Lumen8Anacostia, a 12-hour festival of light, art, music and more starting at noon.

Events begin at noon at Lightbox (2235 Shannon Place, S.E.) with opening remarks on the cargo bay stage and SHAM pop up shop and DJs on the main stage. Both stages will have various performers, the cargo bay stage closing at 6 p.m. and the main stage remaining busy until midnight.

There’s also the “Party Behind the Big Chair” (2020 Shannon Place, S.E.) with performers such as Yung Yeaga and Cee Love, starting at 4:15 p.m.

Part of a project by D.C.’s Office of Planning, vacant and underutilized storefronts and empty lots have been transformed into an artist showcase/village for three to six months.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit lumen8anacostia.com.

Scott Nevins (Photo courtesy MCC-DC)

Scott Nevins plays two shows at MCC-DC

Openly gay comedian, celebrity and television personality Scott Nevins will be appearing at Metropolitan Community Church (474 Ridge St., N.W.) tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m.

Nevins, who appears on truTV’s show, “The Smoking Gun Presents,” has worked with some of Hollywood’s biggest starts including Barry Manilow, Susan Lucci, Idina Menzel, Hal Sparks and more.

Nevins has been awarded an Out There award, was nominated for a HX Award and Glammy Award in 2004 and a MAC Award in 2007 and was chosen by “New York Magazine” in their “Best of New York” issue.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at mccdc.com. Proceeds will benefit the outreach and service programs at MCC.

Gay Broadway star at the Birchmere Sunday

Original Broadway cast members of “Rent” Adam Pascal and openly gay Anthony Rapp play the Birchmere Music Hall (3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria) Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

Rapp, who came out when he was 18, originated the role of Mark Cohen, best friend and roommate of Pascal’s Roger Davis. He has also released a solo album, “Look Around,” and appeared in many theatre productions, TV shows and films including the film version of “Rent.”

Rapp has also written a memoir “Without You: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and the Musical Rent,” which was released in 2006 and premiered as a show at the Pittsburgh City Theatre in 2008.

Tickets are $39.50 and available online at ticketmaster.com.

BALTIMORE BRIEFS: 

Ball, screening among Alliance offerings

The Creative Alliance at the Patterson (3134 Eastern Ave.) has two events coming up this week.

On Saturday, the Patterson will be transformed into Wonderland for its “Alice in Wonderland”-themed 2012 Marquee Ball.

The ball begins with a preview dinner at 6 p.m. to honor arts lawyer, Scott Johnson with the Golden Formstone Award and Terry Rubenstein for her family’s lifetime achievements in the arts. The dance party begins at 9 p.m.

Tickets are $40 in advance for the party, $35 for CA members and $185 for the dinner.

On Thursday, the Alliance is screening the film “From the Back of the Room,” by D.C.-based director, Amy Oden, about women’s involvement in DIY punk featuring interviews by women like Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill and Le Tigre, Allison Wolfe of Bratmobile and many more.

Tickets for the screening are $10, $5 for Alliance members. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information on either events and to purchase tickets, visit creativealliance.org.

Fashion show tries alternate approach

The Maryland Institute College of Arts presents the 19th annual benefit fashion show Transcend on Saturday in the Brown Center in Falvey Hall (1301 W. Mount Royal Ave.) at 8 p.m.

The designers featured in the show were asked to go beyond the expected and their norm and audience members will be able to see the workings of their brains and the manifestations of their inner thoughts and aspirations.

After the show, everyone is invited to mix and mingle with the designers and view an exhibition of fashion-inspired photography, illustration and fiber arts, including fashion pictorials of the students’ designs captured by celebrity photographer Derek Blanks.

Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for students.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit mica.edu.

Gay group to hold tax program

The Maryland Corporate Council, a networking group for LGBT professionals, is hosting “Tax Wise,” an LGBT tax program for anyone who is or hopes to be partnered at the Inn at Henderson’s Wharf (1000 Fell St.) on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.

The program will feature a short presentation covering tax implications of LGBT relationships including joint property ownership and obtaining and protecting deductions, from Denise Dodson, the executive director at Ernst & Young Tax Practice.

Registration is free for members and $15 for guests.

For more information and to register, visit marylandcoporate.org.

Estate planning for LGBT residents planned

FreeState Legal Project is hosting “Will-Power Party: Estate Planning for the Rest of Us,” a workshop and pro bono assistance event at the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Baltimore (241 W. Chase St.) on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m.

During the event, people in need of simple wills, powers of attorney and advance directives will be matched with attorneys and receive assistance in drafting their estate documents.

FreeState Legal Project is a group that advocates for the rights of low income LGBT individuals through direct legal services, education and community outreach in the Greater Baltimore region.

For more information, visit freestatelegal.org.