Arts & Entertainment
Zarley’s angels
Busy gay singer makes time for Trevor benefit in D.C.
Matt Zarley will be in D.C. for “Paint the Town for Trevor,” the third annual D.C. Pride fundraiser event for the Trevor Project at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) on June 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Zarley has been involved with the Trevor Project for about six years. His cover of Pat Benetar’s 1984 hit “We Belong” was inspired by his work with the organization.
“I think [bullying] has always been a problem, we’re just more aware of it now, and I think that they’ve been instrumental in really bringing it to the forefront of the mainstream,” Zarley says of the organization. “What I was really attracted to was the work that they do and what they stand for. I just think it’s really invaluable.”
Zarley, a beefy openly gay dance/inspirational singer based in Los Angeles, has enjoyed recent fame in a series of video singles that show off his sense of humor. Last year’s “WTF” was full of cheeky humor and elaborate design work. Current single/video “Trust Me” imagines him as a U.S. presidential candidate trapped in a gay sex scandal.
His family started the Zarley Family Foundation to lend their support to causes that they, as individuals and collectively as a family, are passionate about and the foundation has previously given money to the Trevor Project.
The foundation has also given money to the Starkey Hearing Foundation, Casa Pacifica, Boys Town, the Boys & Girls Club and Broadway Cares.
Zarley sort of grew up in the show business world, debuting on Broadway in “A Chorus Line” while still a teenager. He has also appeared in “Cats,” “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” “Chicago,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “The Who’s Tommy.”
Zarley will also be closing the Broadway Bares Beach Burlesque show with his latest single at Fire Island on Saturday. For more information, visit broadwaybares.com.
“I think its important for all of us to support one another. It’s such a niche market and I think the more we support one another and reach out … the more we’ll become a main stream commodity,” Zarley says. “I think we need to embrace each other.”
Zarley is in the midst of a busy summer. He’ll also be appearing at various Prides including San Deigo, Vegas and Reno as well as Chicago’s Market Days, an event he’s always wanted to be a part of.
Zarley has also appeared on television in Disney’s “Cinderella,” “Annie,” “Geppetto” and “Fame.” He can also be heard on the NBC’s musical “Smash.”
He has worked with artists such as Chaka Khan, Josh Groban, Reba McIntire and more. His debut album, “Debut,” was released in 2002. His sophomore album, “Here I Am” had its title track chosen as a top 20 finalist in the 2008 “American Idol” songwriter competition. His latest album, “Change Begins With Me” was released last summer.
In 2002, Zarley was the first openly gay bachelor to be named in “People Magazine’s” “Hottest Bachelors” issue.
“People always ask me, ‘Do you feel like you’re taking a risk?'” Zarley says about being an openly gay artist. “It is what it is and we are who we are.”
Tickets to “Paint the Town” range from $50 to $150 and can be purchased online at thetrevorproject.org. The Trevor Project is a national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBT youth. For more information on Zarley, visit his official website mattzarley.com.
Out & About
2025 is the year to prioritize LGBTQ wellness
Community center hosts workshop ‘prioritizing self-care & community care’
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host “Prioritizing Self-Care & Community Care in 2025 Workshop” on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m.
This will be an engaging conversation about how to prioritize self-care and community care in the upcoming year. This one-hour workshop will be facilitated by Program Director & Psychotherapist Jocelyn Jacoby. This workshop is designed to be a place where LGBTQ people can be in community with each other as the community grapples with fear and hope and comes up with practical ways to promote resiliency.
Registration for this event is mandatory and can be accessed on the DC Center’s website.
Friday, January 17
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 6 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This will be a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome. There will be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at DIK Bar. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, January 18
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, January 19
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Dinner” at 6:30 p.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. Guests are encouraged to come enjoy an evening of Italian-style dining and conversation with other LGBTQ+ folk. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
DC Queer Events will host “LGBTQ Friendly: Sapphic ‘Dance After Dark’ Rooftop Party” at 9 p.m. at Baby Shank. This LGBTQ-friendly Sapphic party welcomes all allies. Enjoy beats of house, disco, and eclectic sounds from talented DJs, including DJ Clamazon, DJ Sunnii, and DC DJ India. Picture a chill vibe, and a night full of connection and joy. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Monday, January 20
MLK Day and the inauguration of President Trump at noon on the Capitol steps [outdoor events subject to cancellation].
Tuesday, January 21
BiRoundtable Discussion will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as bi individuals in a private setting. For more details, visit Facebook or Meetup.
Wednesday, January 22
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.thedccenter.org/careers.
Asexual and Aromantic Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, January 23
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
Drinks in the District will host “Cuffing Season: DC’s Biggest and Best Singles Event. LGBTQ Edition” on Friday, Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. at Shakers.
Here is how the event works: You choose your ticket, then you show up to the venue. If you’re single and open to talking to people you get a green wristband. If you are there to wingman your friend or for emotional support, you get a red wristband, which tells people you are taken. And if you see a cutey, then it can’t be any easier to say hello, there will be different events and activities to help everyone mingle.
Tickets start at $10.99 and can be purchased on Eventbrite
-
District of Columbia3 days ago
D.C. police demoted gay captain for taking parental leave: Lawsuit
-
Congress3 days ago
Marjorie Taylor Greene calls Sarah McBride a ‘groomer’ and ‘child predator’ for reading to kids
-
Politics3 days ago
Biden to leave office revered as most pro-LGBTQ president in history
-
Uganda2 days ago
Ugandan minister: Western human rights sanctions forced country to join BRICS