Arts & Entertainment
Summer sizzle
Gay pop culture offerings abound in region and beyond
Openly gay saxophonist Dave Koz plays Wolf Trap Aug. 22. (Photo by Greg Allen; courtesy Wolf Trap)
Summer has officially started and there is so much to do. Here’s a preview of things to come during these hot months.
MUSIC
July 4th brings the annual National Symphony Orchestra concert “A Capitol Fourth” at 8 p.m. on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The broadcast will have a new host, Tom Bergeron, and will feature performances by Matthew Broderick, Megan Hilty, Kool & the Gang and more. There will also be a special tribute to Team USA, hosted by Apolo Anton Ohno. Gates open at 3 p.m. for this free event.
The 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) has several concerts coming up this summer. The Scissor Sisters will be there on July 2-3. Tickets are $40. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones will be there on Aug. 7. Tickets are $30. Bob Mould performs on Sep. 8. Tickets are $25. Tickets to all shows are available online at 930.com.
The National Symphony Orchestra has several concerts happening this season at Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd., Vienna). On July 6, the Orchestra will be performing “Broadway ROCKS!” at 8:15 p.m. The show will feature Rob Evan, Morgan James, LaKisha Jones and Doug LaBrecque singing Broadway showstoppers from musicals such as “Mamma Mia!,” “Hairspray” and more. Tickets for this concert range from $20 to $52.
On July 14, NSO will be playing the score to “The Wizard of Oz” as the movie is shown on the huge screens in-house and on the lawn. Tickets for this concert range from $20 to $52. On Aug. 3, NSO will be backing of Broadway star Idina Menzel in a one-night-only exclusive performance with Steven Reineke conducting. The show is at 8:15 p.m. and tickets range from $20-$55.
Wolf Trap will be hosting a bevy of other concerts as well.
The B-52s return to the area on July 19 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $25-$42. Rufus Wainwright and Ingrid Michaelson perform back-to-back on July 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $30-$40. On Aug. 22 at 8 p.m., Dave Koz, who’s openly gay, will be performing with BeBe Winans and special guest Average White Band. Tickets range from $25 to $42.
Tickets for Wolf Trap events are available online at wolftrap.org.
Shawn Colvin plays the Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria) with Kat Edmonson on July 19 and 20. Ticket are $49.50 and available online at birchmere.com. Kenny Loggins plays there July 26. Tickets are $79.50. Melissa Ferrick will also be playing Birchmere on Sept. 8 with special guest Astra via. Tickets are $25. These concerts are all at 7:30 p.m.
Indie band “Girl in a Coma,” featuring two openly lesbian members, play the Red Palace (1212 H St., N.E.) on July 13 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 day of show. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Don’t forget the pop music icon Madonna is coming to the D.C. area on Sept. 23-24 for two concerts at the Verizon Center (601 F St., N.W.) at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $93-$358 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com.
Concerts are always fun, but sometimes its nice to just sit at home and listen to some new music.
Maroon 5’s newest album, “Overexposed,” with the single “Payphone,” is slated to be released June 26.
Chris Brown has a new album, “Fortune,” coming out July 3. Passion Pit’s “Gossamer” is schedule to be released July 24 and Deadmau5’s “The Veldt” will be released July 25.
MOVIES
There are some big movies coming out this summer.
Channing Tatum’s “Magic Mike,” based on his brief stint as a stripper before getting into acting, opens June 29. The movie also stars Matt Bomer, who recently came out.
The Spider-Man series isn’t over yet. “The Amazing Spider-Man,” starring Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, opens July 3.
Another comic book hero, Batman, also gets another movie with “The Dark Knight Rises,” starring Christian Bale and Anne Hathaway as Catwoman, opening July 20.
August 17 brings the opening of “Sparkle,” starring Jennifer Hudson and the late Whitney Houston.
Ellen DeGeneres may not be getting the sequel to “Finding Nemo” that she wanted, but the film is to be re-released in 3D on Sep. 14.
There’s also the Capital Fringe Festival coming up July 12-29. This year’s festival will feature films such as “Despertar,” “Bareback Ink,” “Stopgap” and more. For a complete list of films, venues and prices, visit capfringe.org.
TELEVISION
A few of the summer series have already started, like ABC Family’s “Pretty Little Liars,” TNT’s reboot of “Dallas” and HBO’s “True Blood,” but there are a few that have yet to premiere.
Eric McCormack of “Will & Grace,” takes on a new role as an eccentric professor helping the FBI in the new TNT series “Perception,” premiering July 9.
Bomer will also be on the small screen when the USA series “White Collar,” premieres July 10 as well as “Covert Affairs” starring Piper Perabo. USA also has a new series “Political Animals,” which premieres July 15 starring Sigourney Weaver playing a former first lady-turned-secretary of state.
Those with DirecTV can watch Chloe Sevigny play a transgender assassin in “Hit and Miss” starting July 11.
For those fans of science fiction, “Warehouse 13” and “Alphas” both premiere their new seasons on SyFy on July 23.
A few reality series also start up over the summer. CBS’s competition “Big Brother” premieres July 12, as does Showtime’s “The Real L Word.”
THEATER
The traveling production of “The Addams Family” comes to D.C. by way of the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.). The show will run from July 10-29, including a theater look-in on July 17 prior to that days performance. Tickets range from $39 to $115. Tickets are available online at kennedy-center.org.
Keegan Theatre (1742 Church St., N.W.) concludes its 2011-2012 season with “August: Osage County” directed by Mark A. Rhea and starring Stan Shulman, Rena Cherry Brown and more. The show runs from Aug. 3-26.
Signature Theatre (4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington) is putting on its own production of “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” opening Aug. 14 and running through Oct. 7.
Kathleen Turner brings her one-woman show “Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins” to Arena Stage (1101 6th St., S.W.) starting Aug. 23. The show will run through Oct. 28. This is the first show of Arena’s 2012/13 season. For more information, visit arenastage.org.
OTHERS
The Queer Queens of Qomedy will be at the Birchmere on Aug. 16 at 7:30 p.m. featuring Poppy Champlin, Zoe Lewis and Michele Balan. Tickets are $25 and available online at birchmere.com.
The D.C. Center’s (1318 U St., N.W.) OutWrite LGBT Book Fair will run Aug. 3-4 and will feature reading by Wayne Hoffman, David Pratt, Sampson McCormick and more. There will also be discussions on social justice and intersectional activism and gay pulp fiction. For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit outwritedc.org.
Friday, April 17
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7:00p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll 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.
Saturday, April 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 delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Sunday, April 19
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Lunch” at 11 a.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, April 20
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, April 21
Center Bi+ Roundtable 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.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Senior Self Defense Class with Avi Rome will be at 12:30 p.m. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Wednesday, April 22
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. 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 thedccenter.org/careers.
Asexual and Aromantic Group will meet 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, April 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 5:00 pm 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 Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Out & About
Team DC’s annual gala set for this weekend
LGBTQ sports organization to hold annual ‘Night of Champions’
Team DC will host “Night of Champions Gala” on Saturday, April 18 at 6 p.m. at the Georgetown Marriott.
This will be an evening of celebration and inspiration as Team DC honors remarkable individuals and supports the next generation of LGBTQ student-athletes.
There will be opportunities to support Team DC through auctions. The Silent Auction items will offer an array of unique goods and experiences. Additionally, Team DC will feature an exclusive selection of live auction items for those looking to make a significant impact.
This year, Team DC will recognize six outstanding awardees who have made significant contributions to the LGBTQ community and sports:
- Trailblazer Award – Adam Peck, District Wrestling
- Most Valuable Person Award – Sean Bartel (posthumously)
- Champion Award – Dan Martin
- Clark Ray Horizon Award – Manuel Montelongo, aka Mari Con Carne
- Bernard Jude Delia Award – Dr. Sara Varghai
- Platinum All Star Award – Centaur Motorcycle Club
To purchase tickets, visit Team DC’s website.
Television
‘The Pitt’ stars discuss what season two gets right about queer representation
Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden spoke with Blade in LA
As season two of “The Pitt” comes to a close this Thursday, stars Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden are looking back on what this season got right about queer representation.
“There is some intentionality behind it, but it’s not necessarily for the representation to be anything other than human or ubiquitous to anyone that would come into an emergency room,” Noah Wyle, who plays Dr. Robby, told the Los Angeles Blade at PaleyFest event in Los Angeles on April 12. “I know that we’ve done some storylines with some gay couples, and we did a storyline in season 1 where a woman comes in who’s cut her arm, who’s trans. But in both of those storylines, that wasn’t the point.”
Wyle continues, “In doing it that way, and not making a point of orientation being part of the problem that brings you to the emergency room, we have been told in feedback that that has been extremely revolutionary, almost, and extremely appreciated. But that’s true whether we do storylines with any kind of minority or a person with a disability. We try to have a cosmology of cast and representation on the show that’s indicative of what you find in Pittsburgh.”
Dearden, who plays Dr. Mel King, echoed Wyle’s sentiment: “I think constantly battling tropes is always important. It’s not a show about romance; it’s a show about real life and a shift in the ER. The more we represent everyday people going through everyday life, they just happen to be queer, they just happen to be trans, and making it not the plot, is putting everyone on equal playing [field]. You don’t have to have a big coming out scene.”
Queer representation on “The Pitt” is also notable through the actual actors themselves, including openly queer actor Supriya Ganesh, who plays Dr. Samira Mohan (who didn’t attend PaleyFest after the news that she is not returning for season three), and Amielynn Abellera, who plays Perlah Alawi.
“Doctors don’t put value judgments on who they treat,” Wyle concludes. “That’s not a luxury extended to them, and so that’s not part of our storytelling.”
The season two finale will air Thursday, April 16, on HBO Max, while season three has already been confirmed and is currently being written.
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