Arts & Entertainment

Arts briefs: Aug. 24

Events slated for D.C. and Baltimore for the coming week

Published

14 years ago

August 23, 2012

Out actor Dixon returns to Signature

Signature Theatre presents a performance and book signing by Broadway veteran Ed Dixon for one night on Monday at 8 p.m.

Ed Dixon in ‘Sunset Blvd.’ (Courtesy Signature)

Dixon, who has had a 42-year Broadway career and is openly gay, is performing original compositions and narrating pieces from his memoir “Secrets of a Life Onstage and Off.” His journey takes the audience through his experiences with the likes of Leonard Bernstein and through his darkest period when he suffered from drug addiction.

Tickets are $20. For more information, visit signature-theatre.org.

Gay law group meets in D.C.

The National LGBT Bar Association holds its annual Lavender Law Conference and Career Fair, which ends Saturday, at the Washington Hilton Hotel (1919 Connecticut Ave., NW) this weekend.

The conference and career fair allows candidates to meet with LGBT-friendly recruiters from law firms, government agencies, LGBT rights groups and corporate legal departments. There will also be panel discussions from people in the career field and individual career counseling.

The point to the conference is to promote equality and diversity in government and legal work places. Candidates are encouraged to discuss their identity and recruiters are encouraged to portray their LGBT-friendly workplaces.

Registration fees vary between $185-$620. For more information, visit lgbtbar.org.

Sampson to give Alston House benefit performance

Comedian Sampson performs his show “No Shade … No Tea” in benefit of the Wanda Alston House tonight at 7 at the D.C. Arts Center (2438 18^th St., NW).

Sampson is an openly gay black comedian and activist. Though he is D.C. based, he has been touring the country since 2003 and has performed in venues such as Broadway in New York, Arena Stage and DAR Constitution Hall.

The Wanda Alston House is a youth homeless shelter for LGBT youths in the Washington area.

Tickets are $10. For more information, visit sampsoncomedy.com.

Lady Bunny at Town tonight

Lady Bunny

Legendary drag performer Lady Bunny performs tonight at Town (2009 8^th St., N.W.) at 10 p.m.

Lady Bunny is known for founding the New York outdoor drag festival Wigstock. She has also been featured in TV shows such as “Sex and the City” and the Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson. She contributes to Star magazine’s Worst of the Week Column and V Magazine named her one of the most notable residents in New York City, along with Marc Jacobs and Lady Gaga.

Cover before 11 is $8 and $12 after. There are also $3 drinks before 11 p.m. For more information, visit towndc.com.

Miss Charm City at the Hippo

Club Hippo (1 West Eager St.) hosts Miss Charm City 2013, an official preliminary to Miss Gay Maryland America, tonight at 10:30.

The event will include a pageant hosted by Miss Gay Maryland 2009 Sue Nami, Miss Gay Maryland 2011 Chi Chi Ray Colby, Miss Gay Maryland 2012 Stephanie Micheals, Miss Gay Virginia 2012 Jazmine Diamond, Miss Gay Atlantic States 2012 Araya Sparxx, Sabrina Sommers and Josie Foster.

Miss Gay America is a pageantry system for female impersonators. In order to qualify for the pageant, contestants must be male and at least 21. No hormones or breast implants are allowed.

General admission is $8 and reserved seating is $10. For more information, visit clubhippo.com or missgayamerica.com.

Grand Central goes Disney

Grand Central (1001/1003 N. Charles St.) presents “Welcom to Disneyland,” a cover performance, with appearances from Former Miss Gay Maryland Su Nami and Sabrina Sommers on Sunday at 9 p.m.

The performance covers the beloved songs and stories from the favorite Disney princesses.

Doors open at 8 p.m. and tickets are $10. For more information, visit centralstationpub.com.

Final Center youth events for summer slated

The Den lounge is opened to LGBT youths for its last weekend of the summer in the Gay and Lesbian Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (241 W. Chase St.).

The Den includes art making, discussion group and a social club on Saturdays for attendees at the Center. On Sunday, its staff hosts a bike ride and a session on how to make bikes at Velocipede. This is the last weekend the Center will be holding these sessions this summer.

This is a free service for LGBT adolescents and young adults ages 13-24. For more information, visit glccb.org.

‘Dralion’ finishes run this weekend

Yao, the god of fire, in ‘Dralion.’ (Photo by Francois Barebeau; courtesy Cirque du Soleil)

“Dralion,” Cirque du Soleil’s acrobatic show that fuses influences from the East and the West, are running its last performances this weekend at 1st Mariner Arena (201 West Baltimore St.).

The show draws on the 3,000-year-old tradition of Chinese acrobatics combined with the more modern Cirque du Soleil twist.

In the show, the four elements of nature come to life: air is blue, water is green, fire is red and earth is ochre. When they are combined, balance is achieved.

Tickets range from $40-$165. For more information, visit cirquedusoleil.com.

Photos

PHOTOS: Walk and 5K to End HIV

Whitman-Walker Health holds 40th annual event

Published

2 hours ago

September 20, 2026

Michael Key

A scene from the 2026 Walk and 5K to End HIV on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Whitman-Walker Health held the 40th annual Walk and 5K to End HIV at Anacostia Park on Saturday, Sept. 19.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Photos

PHOTOS: Wanda Alston Foundation Fall Reception

LGBTQ youth services organization honors Robert White, Japer Bowles, Washington Capitals

Published

6 hours ago

September 20, 2026

Michael Key

Rayceen Pendarvis was the emcee at the Wanda Alston Foundation 2026 Fall Reception. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Wanda Alston Foundation held its Fall Reception at the Penthouse Rooftop at The Wharf on Friday, Sept. 18. Honorees included D.C. Councilmember Robert White, Director of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs Japer Bowles, and the Washington Capitals. Rayceen Pendarvis served as the emcee and entertainment was provided by the Thomas Circle Singers.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Books

Curl up with a good book this fall

New releases include mysteries, biographies, religion, and more

Published

9 hours ago

September 20, 2026

Terri Schlichenmeyer

(Book cover image courtesy Amazon)

The fall books season offers lots of options so curl up and get ready to read.

FICTION

For the mystery fan who likes a sprinkle of thriller, look for “The Longest Death” by Kevin Jagernauth (Soho Crime, December). Richard Cobson hates his small town, he’s bored and desperate to get away. Stealing from his employer is the only thing that makes life bearable. That all changes when Marlon Montgomery comes to town and the two fall in love because if one guy can steal so easily, what can two do?

If you like graphic novels, try the “Tripping Over You” trilogy by Suzana Harcum and Owena White. Milo and Liam are finally able to be open about their relationship, no more hiding their love. They’re living together now, but can it last? “Tripping Over You Book 3” (First Second Books) is in stores in early November.

Also try “Diana: The Punk Singer Who Ripped Through Time” by Nate Powell (Abrams ComicArts, October). It’s about a young woman who’s trying desperately to escape her past, until a mysterious murder sidetracks her plans.

So you say you’re a romantic at heart? Then look for “Unspeakable Things: A Novel” by Elizabeth Hand (Little, Brown & Company, October). It’s a story set in the 1920s, when two young women arrive in the English Countryside to a dark and ancient manor. But, of course, nothing in a Gothic novel is easy, right? And you’ll love this tale.

NONFICTION

So this upcoming year is going to be one of exploration, right? Then look for “Free Love: Adventures in Marriage and Polyamory” by Michelle Tea (HarperOne, November). It’s a well-researched, personal, and interesting look at the lives of polyamorous couples and what it’s like to live what used to be called an “alternative” lifestyle.

If “fall” says “biography” to you, then look for “Showbiz! My Life as a Middle-Aged Man” by Murray Hill (Gallery Books, October). For decades, Hill has been making audiences laugh with his signature humor, but getting laughs hides his past all too well. He grew up in an abusive family and learning to hone his talents took some ingenuity. If you’re not a Hill fan yet, you will be, once you read this book.

For the reader who’s searching for a spiritual place, “Reading the Bible Through Queer Eyes: Good News for LGBTQ+ People from Genesis to Revelation” by podcasters Brian G. Murphy and Shannon T.L. Kearns (HarperOne, December) might help. Here, the authors look deeply at Scripture to find the queerness that’s there, proving to readers that the Word is not always what it seems.

Young readers may want to check out “Bitter Pill: Randy Shilts and the Dawn of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic” by Clement Xavier, illustrated by Heloise Cochois, foreword by Michael Lee (Abrams ComicArts, November). It’s a highly researched true story of activist Shilts, but also of Harvey Milk, and the earliest days of the AIDS crisis, when gay men needed a loud voice to advocate for them.

And finally, if you want a fun book for your kids or a child you love, look for “Good Night, Break a Leg: Life with Broadway Dads” by Bret Shuford, illustrated by Elena Hager (Penguin Workshop). What do parents do when they go to work? A little boy learns that his dads have very special jobs by day – and by night! It’s a cute book for kids, but a special tale for lovers of Broadway.

Be aware that publication dates change, titles change, books can be canceled, and your librarian or favorite bookseller can help you find what you need. Season’s readings!