Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: Sept. 21

Parties, concerts, exhibits and more through Sept. 27

Published

14 years ago

September 20, 2012

Diamond Ring, gay singer John O’s performance alter ego, is at the 9:30 Club Sunday night. (Photo courtesy the Karpel Group)

TODAY (Friday)

“Clean House” star Mark Brunetz is featured in The Capital House Show at the Dulles Expo Center (4320 Chantilly Center Chantilly, Va.) today from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the box office adult admission, $7 adult online admission and $3 children (6-12 years old) admission and free for children 5 years and under. For more information about the show and tickets, visit capitalhomeshow.com.

The Nitecamp Dancers will perform at Town (2009 8^th St. NW) tonight at 10:30 p.m. Doors open at 10. There is a $5 cover from 10-11p.m. for the 21-and-up crowd and $10 cover after 11 p.m. Those 18-20, have a $10 cover all night. $3 drinks last from 10-11 p.m. For more information, visit towndc.com.

Saturday, Sept. 22

Team D.C. Dodgeball holds its first ever tournament at the Columbia Heights Recreation Center (1480 Girard Street) today at 10 a.m. Team D.C. was created to educate the LGBT community on the benefits of sports participation, while dismissing discrimination of those partaking in sports. The group also gives the opportunity for the community to participate in various local, regional, national and international competitions. For more information, visit teamdc.org/Dodgeball.htm.

Brother Help Thyself has its rain date for Gay and Lesbian Night at Kings Dominion for tonight from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. As the group’s biggest fundraiser, all benefits go to Brother Help Thyself. Although the event was changed because of bad weather, all Sept. 8 tickets will be accepted. Tickets costs $34 online and $36 at the gate. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

The third annual 17^th Street Festival is today from noon-6 p.m. The community will celebrate the 17^th Street Corridor from Riggs Place to P St. N.W. Including many different musical performances, artist vendors, a pet and kid zone and appearances from various city officials, everyone is coming together to commemorate business and the community itself. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

The Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct.) hosts The Tainted Love, an International ‘80s Dance Party tonight from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. The party features all worldwide hits provided by DJ Tom from Prague. Dress code is enforced, meaning high tops, big hair and bright makeup. The cost is $5 all night. For more information, visit greenlanterndc.com.

The 12^th annual National Book Festival is back at the National Mall today at 10 a.m. This free event, organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as honorary chairs, will celebrate many different books while honoring authors such as, Michael Connelly and R.L. Stine. Singer Jewel will make presentations, along with a variety of other illustrators, poets and writers. For more information, visit loc.gov/bookfest/.

Grubb’s NW Specialty Pharmacy (1517 17th St. NW) hosts a free seminar today at noon, for those interested in learning how to accomplishment parenthood in the LGBT community. Discussions will include psychological issues related to in vitro fertilization in the LGBT community and legal implications of the process. Space is limited and RSVP is required. To RSVP, contact Emily or Daphne at 202-503-2644.

Sunday, Sept. 23

Diamond Rings performs at the 9:30 club (815 V St. NW), for the Stars Concert with the California Wives tonight at 7 p.m. The Canadian gay singer is known for his glittery makeup, animal print and leotards. For more information, visit 930.com.

Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St. NW) hosts its weekly Drag Brunch today at 11. The cost is $24 for the brunch buffet, while your first mimosa is free. Also, Zing Zang Bloody Marys are $4 and Absolut Peppar Bloody Marys are $6. For more information, visit nelliessportsbar.com.

LGBT Families Day at National Park (1500 South Capitol Street SE) happens today at 1:30. The Nationals will play the Milwaukee Brewers today at 1:35 p.m. For more information, visit washington.nationals.mlb.com.

Monday, Sept. 24

Cobalt (1639 R St. NW) hosts its Martini Monday tonight at 10. There is no cover charge and martinis are $5. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.

Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14^th St. NW) holds its HIV+ Newly Diagnosed Support Group tonight at 7. The group is a confidential support system for those recently diagnosed with HIV and all are welcome. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.

The 2012 Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Reception will be tonight at 7 p.m. at The D.C. Center (1318 U St NW). The center will be thanking bars, clubs and other local businesses that have helped fight HIV in D.C. by distributing the safer sex kit, FUK!Ts, around town.

The Marylander’s for Marriage Equality is holding a fundraiser at Joe’s Movement Emporium (3309 Bunker Hill Road Mount Rainier, Md) tonight at 6. Entertainment, wine and light fare will be included. For details, visit marylandersformarriageequality.org.

Tuesday, Sept. 25

The Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct.) hosts the D.C. Center’s FUK!T Packing Party tonight at 7 p.m. The goal is to circulate these packets around the city and the clubs to spread HIV awareness. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.

Wednesday, Sept. 26

The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 at the DignityCenter (721 8th St., SE) for duplicate bridge. No reservations are needed and newcomers welcome. For details and/or a partner, visit lambdabridge.com.

Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14^th St. NW) holds its Gay Men Over 50 group meeting tonight at 6:30. This support group is confidential for gay men over 50 (or soon to be 50) seeking to continue their quality of life and sense of purpose while beginning a new chapter. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.

Thursday, Sept. 27

The Lambda Sci-Fi Book Group meets tonight at 7 to discuss this month’s book, “Beyond Binary,” edited by Brit Mandelo. Bring a snack and/or a non-alcoholic drink to share. The meeting will be held at Peter and Rob’s Place (1425 S St. NW). For more information, visit lambdascifi.org.

Photos

Center for Black Equity honors leaders, activists at BE. Gala

Miyake-Mugler, Oakes co-host annual awards ceremony

Published

1 day ago

October 11, 2026

Michael Key

Center for Black Equity President and CEO Kenya Hutton speaks at the 2026 BE. Gala on Saturday. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Center for Black Equity held its annual BE. Gala at Conrad Washington, D.C. on Saturday, Oct. 5. Lolita Leopard Miyake-Mugler and Anthony Oakes co-hosted the awards ceremony.

Honorees included journalist and producer Justin Stewart; nonprofit leader Nikki Alexander; HIV advocate Marlene McNeese; the nonprofit organization FreeLux Project; actress Monroe Alise; public health advocate Tori Cooper; Manassas Park Vice Mayor Darryl G. Moore; Rev. Dr. Carmarion D. Anderson; Bishop Steven Sawyer; government relations professional Courtney Snowden; Senior Deputy Director of HAHSTA at D.C. Health, Clover Barnes; and Texas state Rep. Venton C. Jones.

The event was sponsored by Gilead.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Books

In ‘The Lost Brontë,’ a complicated lie can lead to danger

New book features sweetly romantic girl-meets-girl twist

Published

1 day ago

October 11, 2026

Terri Schlichenmeyer

(Book cover image courtesy of Bywater Books)

‘The Lost Brontë’
By Catherine Friend
c.2026, Bywater Books
$22.95/335 pages

Mom always said to tell the truth.

One lie leads to another and another and you have to remember them all until pretty soon, you’re caught. Fibs are hard, mistruths are messy, even little white social lies can destroy trust. Worst of all, as in the new novel, “The Lost Brontë” by Catherine Friend, a complicated lie can lead to danger.

Though Lilianne Loxley was very young when she lost her parents, she understood that her uncle didn’t really want her. As time passed, though, Lily made herself useful to Uncle, writing and signing letters for him and she became a good companion, helping him with his collection of Brontë memorabilia. Uncle was a keen enthusiast.

She had no idea that his obsession was out of control and he was deeply in arrears. The day Lily learned of his debt was the day she learned that he’d agreed to send her to his debtor’s home to work off the money owed.

It was so sudden. One minute, Lily was at Loxley House, happy and loved by Uncle’s staff … and five hours later, she was at Crag Thorn Manor, home of Lord Bexton, who informed her that she’d be working on his ledgers – work that seemed routine, but Lily tackled it.

Uncle always did say she was headstrong.

But would headstrong be enough to survive, when she was restricted from most of the Manor, when she was forced to dine with Brexton and his slimy friend, or – the worst! – when Brexton told Lily that her next task was to forge a letter from Emily Brontë? And then an entire manuscript?

Lily struggled to do what was right. She had to get Uncle out of debt but this last order horrified her. Did she dare refuse Brexton’s orders and commit a crime? It was unthinkable!

The only brightness in the whole situation was Wren, the ladies’ maid assigned to Lily’s room. Wren was adorable with freckles and the sweetest smile. But with everything else happening at Crag Thorn Manner, could Lily act upon her feelings?

This time of year, you may come to crave dark, spooky stories, and “The Last Brontë” fits those needs perfectly with its Gothic deliciousness. Think: Daphne du Maurier-type, stormy-night squirms with a dangerously chaste, sweetly romantic girl-meets-girl twist for fun.

If it’s been awhile since you’ve read a Gothic novel, you’re in for a nice reminder of why you love them here. You can almost tick off the must-haves: a novel like this is nothing without a foreboding stone manor with damp walls; stone steps to a dank basement; a mysterious portrait; and a nearby bog, and author Catherine Friend gives readers every one of them. You’d be disappointed if there was no ghost, wouldn’t you? Ha. You can practically feel the cold blow through the attic, right? Yeah, it’s that kind of book.

If you’re a fan of the Brontës, you’ll like this novel. If you love Gothic mysteries or Victorian romances, ditto. “The Lost Brontë” is good, no lie.

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

Out & About

CAMP Rehoboth Block Party returns Oct. 18

Expect performances, vendors and more at annual celebration

Published

1 day ago

October 11, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

CAMP Rehoboth’s annual Block Party returns next weekend. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

CAMP Rehoboth will host its annual Block Party celebration on Sunday, Oct.18 at 11 a.m. on the second block of Baltimore Avenue in downtown Rehoboth Beach.

CAMP Rehoboth invites all community members to join in the festivities and to expect magnificent performances and dozens of vendors, including artists, craftspeople, non-profits, businesses, and more.

The event started in 2015 in celebration of CAMP Rehoboth’s 25th anniversary. This year, attendees can expect to shop sea glass art, pottery, jewelry, Pride merch, body care, clothing, and learn more about local non-profit causes and businesses.

Attendance is free. For more details, visit CAMP Rehoboth’s website.