Arts & Entertainment
D.C. arts briefs: Aug. 31
Gay play at Page-to-Stage, ‘Rainbow Lounge’ doc gets screening and more
The cast of ‘11×81/2 Inches.’ (Photo by Omar Miguel)
Gay-themed play in Page-to-Stage Festival
Local playwright Alan Sharpe and his African-American Collective Theater return to the Kennedy Center’s annual Page-to-Stage Festival this weekend for a reading of his new work “11×81/2 Inches,” which he describes as “darkly dramatic, explicitly erotic, candidly comic and raunchily romantic.” It explores the lives of “same-gender-loving men in the black community.”
The Festival runs Saturday through Monday and the readings will occur at various spots throughout the Kennedy Center. The readings are free and no tickets are required but seating is limited and available first come, first served. Sharpe’s play will be performed Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the South Atrium Lobby.
More information is at kennedy-center.org.
— from staff reports
‘Rainbow Lounge’ doc depicts ’09 Texas raid
The new documentary “Raid of the Rainbow Lounge” from Dallas-based filmmaker Robert Camina will be screened Wednesday in Washington at 7 p.m. at the Marvin Center Amphitheatre at George Washington University (800 21st Street, NW) with a Q&A to follow.
The 103-minute documentary depicts a 2009 police raid on a Fort Worth, Texas gay bar that resulted in multiple arrests and serious injuries. Lesbian actress Meredith Baxter narrates. A meet and greet will be held at 6:30. The screening is co-sponsored by the Latino GLBT History Project, George Washington University and One in Ten. More information is at raidoftherainbowlounge.com.
— from staff reports
Holiday weekend beach fun
Rehoboth Beach, Del., is always bustling with LGBT activities throughout the Labor Day weekend. Here are a few in case you’re heading to the beach this weekend.
The 25th anniversary Sundance Celebration occurs Saturday and Sunday at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center (229 Rehoboth Ave.) in benefit of CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. On Saturday, there’s a Sundance Auction, cocktail buffet and an open bar starting at 7 p.m. The party starts the next night at 8 with dancing and an open bar. Tickets are $45 for one event and $80 for both events. For more information or to buy tickets, visit camprehoboth.com.
The annual Drag Volleyball Tournament takes place Sunday at Poodle Beach, or the end of the boardwalk. The tournament begins at 1 p.m., however it is suggested that attendees arrive early to put out chairs, as it always gets crowded. The themes of the tournament will not be announced until the teams begin playing. In previous years, themes like “The Sound of Music” and Lady Gaga have turned up. The event is free and open to everyone.
The gay bars in Rehoboth also have their usual fun going on. Definitely check out Aqua Grill (57 Baltimore Ave.), the Blue Moon (35 Baltimore Ave.). The latter, especially, always has something fun in the works. On Labor Day weekend, check out the Celebrity Tribute Show on Saturday, Psychic Sunday with Cashetta on Sunday and resident diva Pamala Stanley on Sunday and Monday (bluemoonrehoboth.com).
— ERIN DURKIN
Cupid’s Undie Run, an annual fundraiser for neurofibromatosis (NF) research, was held at Union Stage and at The Wharf DC on Saturday, Feb. 21.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Sweat DC is officially expanding to Shaw, opening a new location at 1818 7th St., N.W., on Saturday, March 28 — and they’re kicking things off with a high-energy, community-first launch event.
To celebrate, Sweat DC is hosting Sweat Fest, a free community workout and social on Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at the historic Howard Theatre. The event features a group fitness class, live DJ, local food and wellness partners, and a mission-driven partnership with the Open Goal Project, which works to expand access to youth soccer for players from marginalized communities.
For more details, visit Sweat DC’s website and reserve a spot on Eventbrite.
Friday, Feb. 20
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon with Yoga will be at noon at the D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the D.C. Center. This will be a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome! We’ll have card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” 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.
Saturday, Feb. 21
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.
LGBTQ People of Color will be at 7 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 judgement free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, Feb. 22
Queer Talk DC will host “The Black Gay Flea Market” at 1 p.m. at Doubles in Petworth. There will be more than 15 Black queer vendors from all over the DMV in one spot. The event’s organizers have reserved the large back patio for all vendors, and the speak easy for bar service, which will be serving curated cocktails made just for the event (cash bar.) DJ Fay and DJ Jam 2x will be spinning the entire event. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, Feb. 23
“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 at [email protected].
Tuesday, Feb. 24
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100 percent cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Wednesday, Feb. 25
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, Feb. 26
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center. To be more fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. 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 Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork 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.
PHOTOS: Cupid’s Undie Run
Sweat DC expands to Shaw
D.C. police arrest man for burglary at gay bar Spark Social House
Going for gold: Ford Bronco Sport vs. Toyota RAV4
How do we honor Renee Good, Alex Pretti?
LGBTQ groups question US health agreements with African countries
Trump falsely links trans people to terrorism
Fellow lawmakers praise Adam Ebbin after Va. Senate farewell address
LGBTQ activists mourn the Rev. Jesse Jackson
