Arts & Entertainment
A little two step
Several long-running local dance outfits have anniversaries this fall
It’s time to start marking off your calendar for some of the upcoming dance offerings this fall, including some gay themes and gay-helmed dance companies. Here’s some of what the region has to offer.
Openly gay dancer and choreographer, Helanius J. Wilkins will be bringing his all male, predominantly African-American dance company, Edgeworks Dance Theater to Dance Place (3225 8th Street N.E.) Sept. 15-16. Wilkins will be presenting “/CLOSE/R,” a piece that tackles the process of “shedding.” For more information visit hjwedgeworks.org.
Another gay choreographer, Dana Tai Soon Burgess Company celebrates its 20th anniversary with a fall performance Sept. 21-23 at 8 p.m. As part of this production the group will be premiering a dark and pensive dance called “Caverns,” which deals with recurring memories. The performance will take place at the Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre (800 21st Street N.W.) and tickets cost $15-$25. For more information and to purchase tickets visit dtsbco.com.
On Sept. 23 at 8:30 p.m. The Oasis Dance Company premieres “The Affair … Bow Ties & Pumps,” at THEARC Theater (1901 Mississippi Ave S.E.). This dance and fashion bonanza will showcase new dances alongside fashion designers from Maryland, D.C., Los Angeles and New York. This benefit show will raise funds for Transgender Health Empowerment’s Wanda Alston House. In addition, seven community leaders and organizations will be recognized for their distinguished service to LGBT youth in the D.C. Metropolitan area. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to thearcdc.org.
On Oct. 6, The D.C. Lambda Squares celebrates its 30th anniversary with a community dance. The Lambda Squares are a square dance club for LGBT members and friends that hosts community dances, club nights and lessons. For additional events and more information on lessons visit dclambdasquares.org.
The VelocityD.C. Dance Festival returns for its fourth year Oct. 18-20 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. at the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street N.W.). VelocityDC is fast paced celebration of movement, music, hip-hop and spoken word. A variety of performances occur on these days. All tickets are available through the Shakespeare Theatre Company box office shakespearetheatre.org.
Gay choreographer Septime Webre, artistic director of the Washington Ballet is “thrilled to welcome five new dancers to the roster this year.” The Washington Ballet opens its season on Oct. 24 with a preview performance of Michael Pink’s blockbuster “Dracula,” which runs Oct. 25- Nov. 4 at the Kennedy Center (2700 F Street N.W.). They then celebrate the holiday season with Webre’s own interpretation of “The Nutcracker,” Nov. 30-Dec. 23 at the Warner Theatre (513 13th Street N.W.).
From Nov. 7-11, The Kennedy Center’s own Suzanne Farrell Ballet presents two mixed programs, including four company premieres by Balanchine: “Valse-Fantaisie,” “Danses Concertantes,” “Prodigal Son” and “Intermezzo” from the Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet. Tickets start at $29. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.
Gay helmed VT Dance/Vincent Thomas performs at Dance Place (3225 8th Street N.E.) Nov. 17-18. Dance Place also has a wide selection of exciting performances throughout the fall and into the winter months. Dance Place presents performances featuring local, regional and internationally acclaimed dance companies year round.
On Nov. 28, fans of “So You Think You Can Dance” can see their favorite dancers perform in Baltimore at The Lyric Opera House (110 Mt. Royal Ave, Baltimore).
On Nov. 29, The Dance Institute of Washington celebrates its 25th anniversary with “25 Stories.” Visit danceinstitute.org for information.
Catfish Comedy will host “2026 Queer Kickoff Show” on Thursday, Feb. 5 at A League of Her Own (2319 18th Street, N.W.). This show features D.C.’s funniest LGBTQ and femme comedians. The lineup features performers who regularly take the stage at top clubs like DC Improv and Comedy Loft, with comics who tour nationally.
Tickets are $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Arts & Entertainment
Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star and celebrated queer ally, dies at 71
Actress remembered for memorable comedic roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Home Alone’
Catherine O’Hara, the varied comedic actor known for memorable roles in “Beetlejuice,” “Schitt’s Creek,” and “Home Alone,” has died at 71 on Friday, according to multiple reports. No further details about her death were revealed.
O’Hara’s death comes as a shock to Hollywood, as the Emmy award-winning actor has been recently active, with roles in both “The Studio” and “The Last of Us.” For her work in those two shows, she received Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and outstanding guest actress in a drama series.
In 2020, O’Hara won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a comedy series award for her work in the celebrated sixth and final season of “Schitt’s Creek.” She was also known as a queer ally and icon for her theatrical and often campy performances over multiple decades. In “Schitt’s Creek,” she played Moira Rose, the wig-loving mother of David Rose (played by series creator Dan Levy). David is pansexual, but the characters around him simply accept him for who he is; the show was embraced by the LGBTQ community with how naturally David’s sexuality was written and portrayed. That show ran from 2015 to 2020 and helped bring O’Hara and her co-stars into a new phase of their careers.
In a 2019 interview with the Gay Times, O’Hara explained why the show got LGBTQ representation right: “Daniel has created a world that he wants to live in, that I want to live in. It’s ridiculous that we live in a world where we don’t know how to respect each other and let each other be. It’s crazy. Other shows should follow suit and present the world and present humans as the best that we can be. It doesn’t mean you can’t laugh, that you can’t be funny in light ways and dark ways. It’s all still possible when you respect and love each other.”
Additional credits include “SCTV Network” (for which O’Hara won a writing Emmy), “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Six Feet Under,” “Best in Show,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” and “Dick Tracy.” O’Hara also lent her voice to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Chicken Little,” “Monster House,” and “Elemental.” O’Hara was expected to return for Season 2 of “The Studio,” which started filming earlier this month.
Friday, January 30
Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).
Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. This event will be hosted by local drag queens TrevHER and Grey, who will provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, January 31
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.
Sunday, February 1
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, February 2
“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 (adamheller@thedccenter.org).
Tuesday, February 3
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more information, email [email protected].
Wednesday, February 4
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.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Thursday, February 5
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.
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