Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: Aug. 3
Parties, concerts, exhibits and more through Aug. 9
The Academy of Washington performs Sunday afternoon at Black Fox. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)
TODAY (Friday)
MiniSolos@Touchstone, an exhibition featuring the work of 38 artists, has its opening reception from 6-8:30 p.m. tonight at Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave., N.W.). For more information, visit touchstonegallery.com or email HYPERLINK “mailto:[email protected]”[email protected].
Phase 1 (525 8th St., S.E.) hosts “8:BIT 1980s Dance Party” tonight from 7:30 p.m.-3 a.m. DJ Jay Von Teese spins ‘80s jams all night and a $3 drink special will be served. Admission is $5 and limited to guests 21 and over. For more details, visit phase1dc.com.
The HIV Working Group does outreach tonight at Town (2009 U St., N.W.) from 7-10 p.m. during Bear Happy Hour. For details, visit thedccenter.org.
The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) hosts a reading and reception for the book “Collective Brightness: LGBTIQ Poets on Faith, Religion and Spirituality” from 7-8:30 p.m. tonight with contributing authors Joseph Ross and Regie Cabico. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Burgundy Crescent Volunteers, a gay volunteer organization, help out at the Gondoliers operetta hosted by the GLBT Arts Consortium and CHAW tonight at 6:30 p.m. If interested, contact HYPERLINK “mailto:[email protected]”[email protected] and visit burgundycrescent.org for more information.
Saturday, Aug. 4
The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) hosts head/heart/soul: Black LGBT Poets Reading from 6:30-8 p.m. with poets Rashid Darden, Monica A. Hand, BuddahDesmond and Red Summer. The reading is part of the OutWrite LGBT Book Fair. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts its monthly Rumba Latina party tonight with special performances and go-go dancers. Doors open at 10 p.m. and admission is free. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.
The Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) hosts Hellmouth Happy Hour tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. One episode of the gay cult classic series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” screens and a drink special will be served. Admission is free. For details, visit blackcatdc.com.
Electric violinist David Schulman performs tonight with Eddie Jimenez on the congas at the Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 6-9 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit blackfoxlounge.com.
Burgundy Crescent Volunteers, a gay community service organization, volunteer today at the Falls Church PetSmart (6100 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, Va.) from 11:45 a.m.-3 p.m. Dog handlers are needed for an adoption event. For more details, visit burgundycescent.org and contact HYPERLINK “mailto:[email protected]”[email protected] if interested.
Sunday, Aug. 5
The Academy of Washington, a philanthropic drag troupe, perform today at Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Admission is free. For details, visit blackfoxlounge.com.
Remington’s Nightclub (639 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E.) hosts “The Birthday Party” tonight. Showtime is at 8 p.m. and admission is $6 before then. For more information, visit remingtonswdc.com.
Busboys and Poets (2021 14th St., N.W.) hosts A.C.T.O.R. (A Continuing Talk on Race) from 5-7 p.m. tonight. The discussion series provides community members the opportunity to speak openly and honestly about issues of race. For more information, visit busboysandpoets.com.
San Francisco-based rapper Aesop Rock performs tonight at the 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) with Rob Sonic and DJ Big Wiz. Tickets are $20 and doors open at 7 p.m. For more details, visit 930.com.
Monday, Aug. 6
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts Martini Monday tonight for guests 21 and over. Admission is free and $5 martinis will be served. Doors open at 10 p.m. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.
Jazz musician David Lighton performs tonight at the Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 8:30-11:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit blackfoxlounge.com.
Bingolicious, hosted by Maxine Blue and Tina Tuna, is at Remington’s Nightclub (639 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. The drag show starts at 8 p.m. and guests can win prizes, enjoy free food and purchase drink specials. For details, visit remingtonswdc.com.
Tuesday, Aug. 7
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Flashback” retro dance party tonight with DJ Jason Royce. Hits from the ‘70s, ‘80s and early ‘90s play all night. Doors open at 10 p.m. and there is no cover charge. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.
Busboys and Poets (2021 14th St., N.W.) hosts an open mic poetry reading tonight from 9-11 p.m. The event features a diverse array of performers including spoken word poets, musicians and more. For details, visit busboysandpoets.com.
Indie-folk trio Good Old War performs tonight at the Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) with Chris Kasper. Tickets are $15 and doors open at 8 p.m. For more information, visit blackcatdc.com.
Wednesday, Aug. 8
The Big Gay Book Group meets tonight at 7 p.m. at 115 F St., N.W. “Sweet Like Sugar,” a novel by Wayne Hoffman, will be discussed. For more details, visit biggaybookgroup.com or email HYPERLINK “mailto:[email protected]”[email protected].
Phase 1 (525 8th St., S.E.) hosts Jell-o wrestling tonight. $3 Miller Lights and Bourbon Gingers and $4 hornitos shots will be served. Doors open at 9 p.m. If interested in wrestling, bring a towel and change of clothes. For more details, visit phase1dc.com.
Thursday, Aug. 9
Phase 1 (525 8th St., S.E.) hosts karaoke tonight from 7:30 p.m.-2 a.m. For details, visit phase1dc.com.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts its weekly best package contest at midnight tonight with hosts Lena Lett and Ba’Naka. Admission is $3 and limited to guests 21 and over. $2 rail drinks will be served from 9-11 p.m. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.
Burgundy Crescent Volunteers, a gay community service organization, volunteers today for Food and Friends (219 Riggs Rd., N.E.). Help with food preparation and chopping vegetables is needed. If interested, contact HYPERLINK “mailto:[email protected]”[email protected] and visit burgundycescent.org for more information.
a&e features
Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington held the annual Spring Affair gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The theme for this year’s fete was “Sapphire & Sparkle.” The chorus celebrated 45 years in D.C. with musical performances, food, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Executive Director Justin Fyala and Artistic Director Thea Kano gave welcoming speeches. Opening remarks were delivered by Spring Affair co-chairs Tracy Barlow and Tomeika Bowden. Uproariously funny comedian Murray Hill performed a stand-up set and served as the emcee.
There were performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington groups Potomac Fever, 17th Street Dance, the Rock Creek Singers, Seasons of Love, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus.
Anjali Murthy, a member of the chorus and a graduate of the GenOUT Youth Chorus, addressed the attendees of the gala.
“The LGBTQ+ community isn’t bound by blood ties: we are brought together by shared experience,” Murthy said. “Being Gen Z, I grew up with Ellen [DeGeneres] telling me through the TV screen that it gets better: that one day, it’ll all be okay. The sentiment isn’t wrong, but it’s passive. What I’ve learned from GMCW is that our future is something we practice together. It exists because people like you continue to show up for it, to believe in the possibilities of what we’re still becoming”
The event concluded with the presentation of the annual Harmony Awards. This year’s awardees included local drag artist and activist Tara Hoot, the human rights organization Rainbow Railroad as well as Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director, Dr. Chipper Dean.
(Washington Blade photos and videos by Michael Key)
Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Photos
PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
Ashley Biden accepts award for Beau Biden at annual Rehoboth fundraiser
The 19th annual Blade Foundation Summer Kickoff Party was held on Friday, May 15 at Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach, Del. An award presentation was held for former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Ashley Biden accepted the award on her brother’s behalf and gave remarks. Other speakers included Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff. The event was a fundraiser for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
Iran war causes condom shortage in India
U.S. attorney nominee confirmed despite anti-LGBTQ history, no trial experience
Vt. lawmaker equates transgender identity with bestiality
Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
BREAKING NEWS: Barney Frank dies at 86
Disillusioned about democracy? Think of it as a community garden
Honey, have we been priced out of gay paradise?
IDAHOBiT a reminder we all must stand up against transphobia
PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
