Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: Sept. 14

Parties, concerts, exhibits and more through Sept. 20

Published

13 years ago

September 13, 2012

Along with Emperor Fidel I, seated, are (from left to right) Empress XXI of Corpus Christi, BeBe Evanson-Hughes; Empress XXVI of New York, Witti Repartee; and Absolute Empress XLVI of San Francisco, Saybeline Fernandez. The Imperial Court has a charity coronation event Saturday at Washington Mariott. (Photo courtesy Imperial Court)

TODAY

Special Agent Galactica performs at the Black Fox Lounge (723 Connecticut Avenue NW) from 6-9 p.m. tonight. Galactica will give a performance of live singing, lip sync, jazz, comedy and more to Friday nights. Known for her “Very-Sexy-Cute-Boy Combo,” Galactica will sing numbers ranging from Cy Coleman, Harold Arlen, and Irving Berlin to Quincy Jones, The Beatles and Prince. For more information, visit blackfoxlounge.com.

Bear Happy Hour Fridays are back at Town (2009 8th St NW) from 6-11 p.m. every Friday night. There is no cover charge, however, you must arrive by 9:30 p.m. to get inside for free. There will be free pizza at 7 p.m. and drink specials. For more information, visit dcbearcrue.com.

Cobalt (1639 R Street NW) is hosting its Free Vodka Fridays called “Boy’s Life” again tonight. You must be 21 and up to enter and there will be open bar from 11 p.m. until midnight. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.

Saturday, Sept. 15

Ziegfeld’s DC (1824 Half Street SW) is hosting its Miss Ziegfeld’s 2013 competition tonight. Former title holder Patti Lovelace will be honored. Doors open at 7 p.m. The competition will begin at 8 p.m. For more information, visit ziegfelds.com.

Burgundy Cresent Volunteers will donate their time at the Falls Church PetSmart (Seven Corners, 6100 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church) from 11:45 a.m. until 3 p.m. today. Also, The Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation is looking for dog-handlers for their adoption events. For more information on this event, visit ldcrf.org. To volunteer, email [email protected].

The Imperial Court will crown Emperor I during a charity event today at “Coronation I: Gala of the Americas” at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center (12th St NW). Doors open at 6 p.m. with a cocktail and VIP reception. The Gala will begin at 7 p.m. The beneficiaries of this year’s event are: PFLAG-DC, The Mautner Project, and Grandma’s House. Tickets are available at imperialcourt.org.

Sunday, Sept. 16

The SpeakEasy presents the return of drag performer Joey Arias to L’Enfant Café (2000 18^th St NW) along with Sherry Vine and Raven O! The Dinner Show begins at 7 p.m. and includes a three course dinner and show. The late night show starts at 10:30 p.m. with cocktails and a show. Both events are reservation only. For more information, visit laboumbrunch.com.

Phase 1 (525 8th St. SE) will hold its monthly open mic night tonight starting at 7:30 p.m. Drinks range from $2-$10 and all are welcome. Phase 1 has seen performances from singer-songwriters, spoken word artists, stand-up comics and live bands. For more information, visit phase1dc.com.

Monday, Sept. 17

The Arlington Central Library (1015 N Quincy St.) hosts a book talk with Garrett Peck, the gay author of “The Potomac River: A History and Guide” today on the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam. Books will be available for sale and Peck will also be signing them. For more information, visit library.arlingtonva.us.

Tuesday, Sept. 18

Whitman-Walker Health Center (1701 14th St., NW) hosts its 10-week Coming Out Women’s discussion group tonight at 7 p.m. This group is for women who want to discuss their interest in women, sexuality, relationships and coming out. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.

Wednesday, Sept. 19

The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m., at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE) for social bridge. No partner needed. For more information, visit lambdabridge.com.

Human Rights Campaign staff and supporters meet tonight at 7 p.m. at HRC Headquarters (1640 Rhode Island Ave. NW) to increase its grassroots membership base. Visit hrc.org for more information.

Thursday, Sept. 20

Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U Street NW) has its weekly “Beat the Clock Happy Hour” today. Discounts last from 5-8 p.m. with specials on bottles of Miller Lite and House Vodka drinks. From 5-6 p.m. drinks are $2. From 6-7 p.m., drinks are $3 and from 7-8 p.m. drinks are $4. For more information, visit nelliessportsbar.com.

Books

A boy-meets-boy, family-mess story with heat

New book offers a stunning, satisfying love story

Published

6 hours ago

May 4, 2025

Terri Schlichenmeyer

(Book cover image courtesy of Random House)

‘When the Harvest Comes’
By Denne Michele Norris
c.2025, Random House
$28/304 pages

Happy is the bride the sun shines on.

Of all the clichés that exist about weddings, that’s the one that seems to make you smile the most. Just invoking good weather and bright sunshine feels like a cosmic blessing on the newlyweds and their future. It’s a happy omen for bride and groom or, as in the new book “When the Harvest Comes” by Denne Michele Norris, for groom and groom.

Davis Freeman never thought he could love or be loved like this.

He was wildly, wholeheartedly, mind-and-soul smitten with Everett Caldwell, and life was everything that Davis ever wanted. He was a successful symphony musician in New York. They had an apartment they enjoyed and friends they cherished. Now it was their wedding day, a day Davis had planned with the man he adored, the details almost down to the stitches in their attire. He’d even purchased a gorgeous wedding gown that he’d never risk wearing.

He knew that Everett’s family loved him a lot, but Davis didn’t dare tickle the fates with a white dress on their big day. Everett’s dad, just like Davis’s own father, had considerable reservations about his son marrying another man – although Everett’s father seemed to have come to terms with his son’s bisexuality. Davis’s father, whom Davis called the Reverend, never would. Years ago, father and son had a falling-out that destroyed any chance of peace between Davis and his dad; in fact, the door slammed shut to any reconciliation.

But Davis tried not to think about that. Not on his wedding day. Not, unbeknownst to him, as the Reverend was rushing toward the wedding venue, uninvited but not unrepentant. Not when there was an accident and the Reverend was killed, miles away and during the nuptials.

Davis didn’t know that, of course, as he was marrying the love of his life. Neither did Everett, who had familial problems of his own, including homophobic family members who tried (but failed) to pretend otherwise.

Happy is the groom the sun shines on. But when the storm comes, it can be impossible to remain sunny.

What can be said about “When the Harvest Comes?” It’s a romance with a bit of ghost-pepper-like heat that’s not there for the mere sake of titillation. It’s filled with drama, intrigue, hate, characters you want to just slap, and some in bad need of a hug.

In short, this book is quite stunning.

Author Denne Michele Norris offers a love story that’s everything you want in this genre, including partners you genuinely want to get to know, in situations that are real. This is done by putting readers inside the characters’ minds, letting Davis and Everett themselves explain why they acted as they did, mistakes and all. Don’t be surprised if you have to read the last few pages twice to best enjoy how things end. You won’t be sorry.

If you want a complicated, boy-meets-boy, family-mess kind of book with occasional heat, “When the Harvest Comes” is your book. Truly, this novel shines.

The Blade may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via this post.

Photos

PHOTOS: Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch

LGBTQ politicians gather for annual event

Published

2 days 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

3 days 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.