Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: May 4

Parties, concerts, exhibits and more through May 10

Published

14 years ago

May 3, 2012

‘100 Years of Blossoms D.C. 2012’ is one of the paintings by Kate McConnell on display at Touchstone Gallery. There is an opening reception for the gallery's newest exhibits today. (Image courtesy Touchstone)

TODAY (Friday)

George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic play Rams Head Live (20 Market Place, Baltimore) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40 and available online at tickets.ramsheadlive.com.

Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave., N.W.) is hosting an opening reception for its newest exhibits, “It’s My Nature” featuring works by Kate McConnell and “Vivid Horizon: Color and Light” featuring works by Colleen Sabo, tonight from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

The D.C. Eagle (639 New York Ave., N.W.) presents “Otter Crossing” tonight at 10 p.m. to celebrate the arrival of 13 new otters at the National Zoo. For more information, visit otterdendc.com.

Drag singer Joey Arias and master puppeteer Basil Twist perform “Arias With a Twist” at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company (641 D St., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased online at woollymammoth.net. The show will run through May 6.

Studio Theatre (1501 14th St., N.W.) presents “The Big Meal” by Dan LeFranc tonight. The show follows a young couple through their life, from their first date to having kids and more at a single restaurant table. Tickets range from $46 to $59. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit studiotheatre.org.

Busboys & Poets presents First Fridays: A Local Arts Exploration today at 5:30 p.m. in the Zinn room at its Hyattsville location (5331 Baltimore Ave., Suite 104). This event combines a reception, artist talk and the opportunity to meet local artists and see their work. This month will feature Victor Ekpuk and Cobaya Dance Theater. Light refreshments will be served. This is a free event.

Saturday, May 5

Gay/Bash!, a “queer night of rock and pop gems” with DJs Joshua and Junebullet is tonight at the Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.). Admission is $5 and doors open at 10 p.m.

Code has its monthly installment tonight at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.). Gear, rubber, skin, uniform or leather dress code will be strictly enforced. Music provided by DJ Frank Wild. Admission is $10. All attendees must be 18 or older. There will be an open bar from 9 to 10 p.m.

The D.C. Jewish Community Center (1529 16th St., N.W.) is screening the film “Love Free or Die” tonight at 7 p.m. The film looks at New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay individual elected to serve as bishop. Bishop Robinson will be at the screening, giving opening remarks and doing a Q&A after the film.

Perry Center’s Young Leadership Council hosts the fourth annual Kentucky Derby event at the Iron Horse Tap Room (507 7th St., N.W.) today from 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 and available at the door. There will be drink specials, hors d’oeuvres, raffle prizes and more.

The Lodge (21614 National Pike, Boonsboro) presents “Madonna Gagarama Dance and Costume Party” tonight with DJ Keith Hoffman and Madonna and Gaga impersonators as guest bartenders and “shot girlz.” There’s a $5 cover after 10 p.m. Doors open at 9 p.m.

Sunday, May 6

The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) presents its spring gala event with Grammy Award-winner David Foster tonight at 8 p.m. Also scheduled to appear are Christ Botti, Jewel, Barry Manilow and more. Tickets range from $35 to $150 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.

Rainbow Wedding Network presents its third annual gay and lesbian wedding expo in D.C. at the Renaissance Washington (1143 New Hampshire Ave., N.W.) today from 1 to 4 p.m. The expo will feature more than 30 gay-friendly exhibitors including event planners, DJs, photographers and more. This is a free event, but attendees are asked to pre-register for tickets. For more information, visit samelovesamerights.com.

There will be a benefit for the Hagerstown Community Free Clinic today at Turner’s Skate Palace (17333 Virginia Ave., Hagerstown) starting at 4:30 p.m. featuring performance on roller skates by Ashley Bannks, Jayden Elyse, Sasha Renee and more. Presale tickets are $7 and tickets ate the door are $10. There will be a free skate from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. following be the performances and an auction.

Monday, May 7

Busboys & Poets presents Monday Night Open Mic Poetry hosted by Rich Hanks in the Robeson Room of its Shirlington location (4251 S. Campbell Ave., Arlington) at 8 p.m. Wristbands are $4 and will be sold in the Global Exchange store beginning at 10 a.m. They are also available for purchase online at busboysandpoets.com starting at midnight before the event.

Tuesday, May 8

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.

D.C. Bi Women will have its monthly dinner at Dupont Italian Kitchen (1637 17th St., N.W.) tonight from 7 to 9 p.m.

Southern Universities Alumni is having a happy hour at Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) tonight at 5 p.m.

The Go-Gos play Rams Head Live (20 Market Place, Baltimore) tonight at 7 p.m. The show will feature all the original members including Belinda Carlisle, Charlotte Caffey, Gina Schock, Jane Wiedlin and Kathy Valentine. Tickets are $45 and available online at tickets.ramsheadlive.com.

Wednesday, May 9

Rainbow Response has its monthly meeting tonight at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) from 7 to 8 p.m.

The D.C. Queer Theatre Festival has a happy hour at MOVA (2204 14th St., N.W.) tonight at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit dcqueertheatrefest.org.

IMP presents Feist, best known for her song “1234” tonight at the Music Center at Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Besthesda) at 8 p.m. Tickets are $45 and are available online at ticketmaster.com or through the Strathmore ticket office. For more information, visit strathmore.org.

The Big Gay Book Group meets tonight at 7 at 1155 F Street, N.W., Suite 200 to discuss “Jack Holmes and His Friend” by Edmund White. Newcomers welcome. Visit biggaybookgroup.com for more information.

Thursday, May 10

Matt Howe presents his newest cabaret show “I’m Hip!” tonight at the Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) at 8 p.m. The show will feature Howe singing a mix of show tunes, standards and comedy songs with Daniel Sticco on piano. There is a $10 cover. There will be another performance on May 12.

Photos

PHOTOS: 10’s Across the Board

Impulse Group DC holds anniversary celebration at Bravo Bravo

Published

3 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Michael Key

Impulse Group DC's '10's Across the Board' party was held at Bravo Bravo on Sunday, Dec. 14. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Impulse Group DC held “10’s Across the Board: A Celebration of 10 Years” at Bravo Bravo (1001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) on Sunday, Dec. 14. Impulse Group DC is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) and affinity group of AIDS Healthcare Foundation dedicated “to engaging, supporting, and connecting gay men” through culturally relevant health and advocacy work.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Celebrity News

Rob Reiner, wife killed in LA home

Director was prominent LGBTQ ally

Published

2 days ago

December 15, 2025

Matt Minton

Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner attend the Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles Dinner on March 30, 2019. (Photo by kathclick/Bigstock)

Rob Reiner, most known for directing untouchable classics like “The Princess Bride,” “Misery,” “When Harry Met Sally…,” and “Stand by Me,” died Dec. 14 alongside his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, in their Los Angeles residence. While investigations are actively underway, sources have told PEOPLE Magazine that the pair’s son, Nick Reiner, killed his parents and has been taken into custody.

Reiner was a master of every genre, from the romantic comedy to the psychological thriller to the coming-of-age buddy movie. But in addition to his renowned work that made him a household name, Reiner is also remembered as a true advocate for the LGBTQ community. In 2009, Reiner and his wife co-founded the American Foundation for Equal Rights, helping fight against California’s Prop 8 same-sex marriage ban. They were honored at the 2015 Human Rights Campaign Las Vegas Gala.

In a statement, HRC President Kelley Robinson said: “The entire HRC family is devastated by the loss of Rob and Michele Reiner. Rob is nothing short of a legend — his television shows and films are a part of our American history and will continue to bring joy to millions of people across the world. Yet for all his accomplishments in Hollywood, Rob and Michele will most be remembered for their gigantic hearts, and their fierce support for the causes they believed in — including LGBTQ+ equality. So many in our movement remember how Rob and Michele organized their peers, brought strategists and lawyers together, and helped power landmark Supreme Court decisions that made marriage equality the law of the land — and they remained committed to the cause until their final days. The world is a darker place this morning without Rob and Michele — may they rest in power.”

Reiner’s frequent collaborators have also spoken out as the industry is in mourning, including figures like Ron Howard and John Cusack.

A joint statement from Jamie Lee Curtis and Christopher Guest (who starred in Reiner’s “This is Spinal Tap”) reads: “Christopher and I are numb and sad and shocked about the violent, tragic deaths of our dear friends Rob and Michele Singer Reiner and our ONLY focus and care right now is for their children and immediate families and we will offer all support possible to help them. There will be plenty of time later to discuss the creative lives we shared and the great political and social impact they both had on the entertainment industry, early childhood development, the fight for gay marriage, and their global care for a world in crisis. We have lost great friends. Please give us time to grieve.”

While attending the 2019 HRC Los Angeles Dinner, Reiner spoke out about the need for equality: “We have to move past singling out transgender, LGBTQ, black, white, Jewish, Muslim, Latino. We have to get way past that and start accepting the idea that we’re all human beings. We’re all human beings, we all share the same planet, and we should all have the same rights, period. It’s no more complicated than that.”