Arts & Entertainment

A little two step

Several long-running local dance outfits have anniversaries this fall

Published

13 years ago

September 12, 2012

Jonathan Howard

A promo still from Washington Ballet’s upcoming ‘Dracula.’ (Photo courtesy Washington Ballet)

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 8^th 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.

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Photos

PHOTOS: Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch

LGBTQ politicians gather for annual event

Published

23 hours ago

May 2, 2025

Michael Key

Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) speaks at the 2025 Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Music & Concerts

Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’

Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.

Published

1 day ago

May 2, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Singer Tom Goss is back. (Photo by Dusti Cunningham)

Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.

Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.

For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.

Calendar

Calendar: May 2-8

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

1 day ago

May 2, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, May 2

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, May 3

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 Support Group 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 judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.

Sunday, May 4

“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Monday, May 5

“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” 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 details, email [email protected].

Tuesday, May 6

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 details, email [email protected].

Wednesday, May 7

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. 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 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].

Thursday, May 8

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be 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 with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected].