Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: June 1
Parties, concerts, exhibits and more through June 7
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 (14th & 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 8th 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 16th 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.
Theater
Don’t miss summer productions at Clear Space in Rehoboth Beach
‘Cher Show,’ ‘Pretty Woman’ among season’s standouts
“The Cher Show” at Clear Space Theatre is wonderful. I am always amazed at the talent they attract for their summer series. Kudos to Wes Drummond, the artistic director of the theater. “The Cher Show” is written by Rick Elice. Compliments to the talented director, James FitzSimmons, who brought to life this production. His immensely talented cast includes Shannen Hofheimer as Star, Breanna Lemerise as Lady, Abby Lynne as Babe, and Anya Kay, as young Cher. Each is a pleasure to both watch and listen to. They command the stage. Then more kudos to the entire cast and ensemble. Also, the creative team, which includes among so many who make this show a hit, choreographer Shondelle Graulich; scenic designer, David Chappell; lighting designer Brendan Smith; costume designer Valerie Beardsley; and the entire orchestra led by conductor, Jerry Birl.
But the actor who I was looking forward to seeing in the production, was a young actor I had written about, and reviewed, when I saw him at Clear Space two years ago. In this production he is Sonny Bono, and he definitely didn’t disappoint.
Let me introduce Caetano de Sá. I have written about him before, but his resume is worth repeating. It says; Height: 5’7 ½, Eyes: Brown, Voice part: Tenor G2 – C5, Build: Athletic. All true. Then you add to this he speaks Brazilian Portuguese, is certified in stage combat by the Society of American Fight Directors, and is a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. Then as his resume of roles confirms, he can act, sing, and dance with the best. He does a great job as Sonny and is fun to watch on stage. Here he displays his talents as a singer and actor, and they are as good as I remembered them when I first met Caetano while he was still in school in 2024, and was starring as Frankie Valli in “Jersey Boys,” at Clear Space. At the time he was a rising senior at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee BFA Musical Theater program. I interviewed him, and Harry Sperduto, who played Tommy Devotee, after seeing them in the show, and being amazed by their talent. Since that time, I have followed their careers. When I heard Caetano was coming back to Clear Space for the summer, I reached out, and he agreed to sit down and chat, which we did. I knew Clear Space Theatre was planning a busy summer season. Their lineup of shows included “The Cher Show,” “Mean Girls,” and “Pretty Woman.” They always have talented casts, including the many college students who are getting their first chance to shine, which was the case for Caetano in 2024. Now he is back as a graduate, with more experience under his belt, a little more established. This season he was going to play Sonny in their production of “The Cher Show,” Martin/Coach Carr, in “Mean Girls,” and Mr. Hollister in “Pretty Woman,” and being a part of the ensemble. He told me he really enjoys being at Clear Space, and that his castmates are all talented. He is a lot more experienced than when he was here before, having performed in productions at the Prairie Repertory Theatre, the Emerald Coast Theatre Company, Firehouse Center for the Arts, and the Sullivan Rep, among others. In productions as diverse as “Oklahoma!,” “Mystic Pizza,” “Hairspray,” and “Rock of Ages.” He now lives in New York City and clearly New York is the perfect place for an aspiring actor. He has an agent at Bramante Artists, who is getting him gigs, like the one he had at 54 Below and even a TV commercial for AFLAC.
“The Cher Show” is the second show I have seen at Clear Space this summer. After our chat I got one of the last tickets available that evening for “Pretty Woman.” In that production he has a smaller role, and is part of the incredibly talented ensemble. It is also an entertaining show and its very talented stars, Abby McDonough as Vivian, and Jaiden Leo Riley as Edward, are a pleasure to watch. Kudos to the talented director, Ashley Williams, and the entire creative team.
For anyone living at the beach, or coming for a visit, I urge you to plan a night at Clear Space. You won’t regret it. But know tickets for all the shows, and Sunday evening cabaret nights, sell out fast. So, I suggest you see what’s available online and buy yours today.
The 2026 World Pride March was held on Saturday, Aug. 8 in Amsterdam. Tens of thousands of participants marched from Martin Luther Kingpark to the grounds of the Pride Village at Museumplein.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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The weekly drag show “Daddy Issues” was held at Kiki on Wednesday, Aug. 5. Performers included Evry Pleasure, Indiana Bones and Tiara Missou-Sidora.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
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