Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: June 1

Parties, concerts, exhibits and more through June 7

Published

13 years ago

May 31, 2012

k.d. lang and her band the Siss Boom Bang, play Wolf Trap again this year. They’ll be there Wednesday night. (Photo courtesy Wolf Trap)

TODAY (Friday)

“Auntie Mame” screens on the Lunar Lawn this evening at the Hillwood Estate (4155 Linnean Ave. NW) for the Dina Merrill Film Program’s Divas Outdoors event. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and the film screens at 8:15. Tickets are $15 or $10 for college students and children ages 6-18. For more information, call 202-686-5807 or visit HillwoodMuseum.org.

Town (2009 8th St NW) hosts the Pride Guide Party tonight with the Blade. Doors open at 10 p.m. and the drag show starts at 10:30. Tickets are $5 from 10-11 p.m. and $10 after 11 for guests 21 and over, and are $10 for guests 18-20 all night. For details, visit towndc.com.

Aaron Myers and the Black Fox Lounge Jazz Ensemble perform tonight at Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave. NW) for the DC Jazz Festival: Jazz in the ‘Hoods event from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit blackfoxlounge.com.

Capital Pride hosts its annual women’s party this evening in partnership with LURe and B.O.I. Marketing and Promotions at Phase 1 (525 8th Street, SE) from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. There is a $10 cover charge benefiting Capital Pride. For more details, visit phase1dc.com or capitalpride.org.

Saturday June 2

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington presents “Heart Throbs,” a high-energy tribute to male singers, boy bands and teen idols, at the Lisner Auditorium on the George Washington University campus (730 21St Street NW) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $13-$50 and can be purchased online at gmcw.org.

Eatonville (14^th & V St. NW) has a Queer Southern Brunch plus Southern Poets Reading from noon-2 p.m. today as part of the Capturing Fire Queer Spoken Word Summit and Slam. The brunch is $25. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.

Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, helps Food and Friends with food preparation and grocery packing today. The volunteer group size is limited to 10 per shift and will fill quickly. Donuts and coffee will be provided at 8 a.m. and the group will start working at 8:15. If interested in volunteering, email [email protected] and visit foodandfriends.org or burgundycrescent.org for more information.

Sunday June 3

Phase 1 (525 8th Street, SE ) hosts performances by Benny Ninja and The i-Vogue Dancers during its “Everything” party tonight from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets are $10. For more details, visit phase1dc.com.

The second annual Drag Ball Game Charity Fund Raiser (1625 P street NW) for The D.C. Center is today from 3 to 6 p.m. Capital Pride suggests a $5 donation, which includes entry to the game, one raffle ticket and after party admission at Cobalt (1639 R Street NW). For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

Pariah, a film about a teenage African-American woman’s lesbian identity and her rocky relationship with her family, screens this evening from 7-9 p.m. at Busboys and Poets (5331 Baltimore Avenue, Hyattsville, MD). The screening is free. Visit thedccenter.org for more details.

The Latino GLBT History Project presents D.C. Latino Pride: La Misa, a bilingual Catholic-Episcopal church service with Rev. Joseph Palacios at St. Thomas’s Episcopal Parish Dupont Circle (1772 Church St. NW). The service is from 7:30-8:30 p.m. For more information, visit capitalpride.org or email David Perez at [email protected].

Monday June 4

The Washington Jewish Film Festival and GLOE (GLBT Outreach & Engagement) screen “Melting” Away tonight from 7-9 p.m at the D.C. Jewish Community Center (1529 16th Street, NW). The film is about an Israeli family’s rejection and later acceptance of their transgender daughter. A discussion on identity will follow the screening. Tickets are $11 and $10 for seniors and students. Visit washingtondcjcc.org or capitalpride.org for more information.

Joshua Morgan in partnership with theatreWashington hosts Music of the Night this evening at Town (2009 8^th St. NW) from 7-11 p.m. The event includes performances by Joshua and his talented friends and sing-a-long opportunities for guests. Admission is $20 and benefits Capital Pride. For more information, visit capitalpride.org.

Cobalt has a 21+ Martini Monday night at 10 p.m. tonight. Martinis are $5 all night; admission is free. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.

Tuesday June 5

The annual Capital Pride Interfaith Worship Service is this evening at 7:30 p.m. at Luther Place Memorial Church (1226 Vermont Avenue NW). LGBT activist Dana Beyer is the guest speaker. The service features a performance by the Rock Creek Singers, a chamber ensemble of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington. Visit thedccenter.org for more details.

Human Rights Campaign Equality Forum (1640 Rhode Island Ave. NW) presents Women’s Spoken Word tonight from 7:30-9 p.m. All attendees are encouraged to express themselves through monologues, poems, songs and other performances in this open mic event. Admission is free.

Wednesday June 6

Lesbian singer k.d. lang, the legendary creator of alternative-country and winner of four Grammy awards, performs tonight with her band The Siss Boom Bang and special guest Jane Siberry at 8 p.m. at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap (1551 Trap Road Vienna, Va.). In-house tickets are $45 and lawn tickets are $25. Find out more information and purchase tickets online at wolftrap.org.

The Lambda Social Bridge Club meets at 7:30 p.m. this evening at the Dignity Center (721 8 St. SE). A partner is not necessary to participate and players typically play 20 hands of bridge. For more details, visit lamdabridge.com or call 301-345-1571.

Bookmen D.C., an informal men’s gay-literature discussion group, discusses John Waters’s memoir “Role Models” at 7:30 p.m. tonight. All are welcome to join the group at the Tenleytown Public Library (4450 Wisconsin Ave NW). For more information, visit bookmendc.blogspot.com.

Thursday June 7

Cobalt (1639 R St. NW) hosts its weekly “best package contest” tonight with hosts Lena Lett and Ba’Naka. Participants in the exhibitionistic contest can win up to $200 in prizes. Tickets are $3, and 21-and-older attendees can buy $2 rail drinks from 9-11 p.m. Visit cobaltdc.com for details.

Harris Face, an alternative folk guitarist and singer, performs this evening from 7:30-10:30 p.m. at Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave. NW) with an opening performance by Wendell Kimbraugh. Tickets are $5. For more information, visit blackfoxlounge.com.

Town (2009 8 St. NW) hosts D.C. Latino Pride: La Fiesta tonight from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. The night includes captivating performances and an all-night dance party. Admission is 18-and-up with ID; a $5 cover will be donated to D.C. Latino Pride. For details, visit capitalpride.org or towndc.com.

Members of Burgundy Crescent volunteer today for Equality Federation, the national alliance of state-based LGBT advocacy organizations, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the D.C. Jewish Community Center (1529 16^th St. NW). Volunteers are needed to help set up, serve alcohol, replenish appetizers and clean up the community center. Black pants and a white shirt are the preferred attire. To participate, visit burgundycrescent.org.

Related Topics:k.d. lang Out & About Wolf Trap

Up Next

Pride calendar

Don't Miss

Psychology of abuse

FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Photos

PHOTOS: Silver Pride

Rayceen Pendarvis serves as emcee

Published

25 minutes ago

May 25, 2025

Michael Key

Rayceen Pendarvis was the emcee of Silver Pride 2025. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The 2025 Silver Pride Resource Fair and Tea Dance was held at the Eaton Hotel on Wednesday, May 21.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Out & About

Queer film festival comes to D.C.

DC/DOX to showcase LGBTQ documentaries made by LGBTQ filmmakers

Published

1 hour ago

May 25, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

DC/DOX film festival will take place in D.C. on June 12.

DC/DOX will host a film festival beginning on Thursday, June 12, at the Regal Gallery Place, Eaton Cinema, and the U.S. Navy Memorial Burke Theatre.

This festival will premier LGBTQ documentaries made by LGBTQ filmmakers. Each screening will be followed by in-person Q&As with the filmmakers.

For more details, visit dcdoxfest.com

Movies

Gay director on revealing the authentic Pee-wee Herman

New HBO doc positions Reubens as ‘groundbreaking’ performance artist

Published

2 hours ago

May 25, 2025

Susan Hornik

The HBO Original two-part documentary ‘PEE-WEE AS HIMSELF,’ directed by Matt Wolf), debuts Friday, May 23 (8 p.m.-11:20 p.m. ET/PT) with both parts airing back-to-back on HBO and will be available to stream on Max. (Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.)

In the new HBO two-part documentary, “Pee-wee as Himself,” director Matt Wolf gives viewers a never-before-seen look into the personal life of Paul Reubens, the comedic actor behind the much loved television persona, Pee-wee Herman.

Filmed before Reubens passed away in 2023 from cancer, Wolf and his creative team created the riveting documentary, interspersing several interviews, more than 1,000 hours of archival footage, and tens of thousands of personal photos.

Determined to set the record straight about what really happened, Reubens discussed his diverse influences, growing up in the circus town of Sarasota, Fla., and his avant-garde theater training at the California Institute of the Arts.

Ruebens joined the Groundlings improv group, where he created the charismatic Pee-wee Herman. He played the quirky character during the Saturday morning show, “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” and in numerous movies, like “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and “Big Top Pee-wee.” He also brought Pee-wee to Broadway, with “The Pee-wee Herman Show.”

To get an enigma such as Reubens to open up was no easy task for Wolf.

“I felt determined to get Paul to open up and to be his authentic self,” acknowledged Wolf at a recent press conference. “And I was being tested and I wanted to meet my match in a way so I didn’t feel frustrated or exhausted, I felt determined but I also, it was thrilling to go this deep. I’ve never been able, or I don’t know if I ever will, go this deep with another human being to interview them in an intimate way for over 40 hours.”

Wolf described the collaborative interview experience as a dream, “like we were in a bubble where time didn’t matter.” he also felt a deep connection to the material, having come of age watching “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to put words to it at the time, but I think it was my first encounter with art that I felt emotionally involved in,” noted Wolf.

“He continued: “I recognize that that show created a space for a certain kind of radical acceptance where creativity thrives. And as a gay filmmaker, I also recognize things like Pee-wee Herman marrying a bowl of fruit salad at a slumber party or dancing in high heels to the song, ‘Fever.’ That stuff spoke to me. So that was my connection to it.”

During the documentary, Reubens comes out as a gay man.

“Paul went into this process wanting to come out,” said Wolf. “That was a decision he had made. He was aware that I was a gay filmmaker and had made portraits of other gay artists. That was the work of mine he was attracted to, as I understood. And I wanted, as a younger person, to support him in that process, but he also was intensely sensitive that the film would overly emphasize that; or, focused entirely from the lens of sexuality when looking at his story.”

Their complicated dynamic had an aspect of “push and pull” between them.

“I think that generational difference was both a source of connection and affinity and tension. And I do think that the level to which Paul discusses his relationships and intimacy and vulnerability and the poignant decision he made to go back into the closet. I do have to believe to some extent he shared that because of our connection.”

Wolf hopes that the “Pee-wee as Himself” positions Reubens as one of the most “groundbreaking” performance artists of his generation who in a singular way broke through into mainstream pop culture.

“I know he transformed me. He transformed how I see the world and where I went as a creative person. And it’s so clear that I am not alone in that feeling. For me, it was fairly abstract. I couldn’t necessarily put words to it. I think people who grew up on Pee-wee or were big fans of Pee-wee, seeing the film, I hope, will help them tap into intangible and specific ways how transformative his work was for them. It really is a gift to revisit early seminal experiences you had and to see how they reverberate in you.”

He added: “So, to me, this isn’t so much about saying Paul Reubens is a genius. I mean, that’s overly idealizing and I don’t like hero worship. It’s more about understanding why many of us have connected to his work and understanding where he lives within a legacy of performance art, television, and also, broader pop culture.”