Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: Oct. 12
Parties, exhibits, concerts and more through Oct. 18


A firefly metal that is part of the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival this weekend in Gaithersburg. (Photo courtesy Sugarloaf)
TODAY (Friday)
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts Bear Happy Hour tonight from 6-11 p.m. This event is for people 21 and older. There is no cover charge. For details, visit towndc.com.
Landmark’s E Street Cinema (555 11th St., NW) presents “How to Survive a Plague” tonight at 7. Attendees can get free vouchers at brownpapertickets.com. When free vouchers run out or for more information, visit landmarktheatres.com.
Women in their Twenties meets tonight at 8 p.m. at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., NW). The group is for lesbian, bisexual, transgender and other interested women in Washington. For details, visit thedccenter.org.
The Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8th St., S.E.) is having its happy hour tonight starting at 5 p.m. All drinks are half off until 7:30 p.m. After 9 p.m., admission is $10. The dance floor opens at 11 p.m. with DJ Tim-Nice and DJ Cameron. For details, visit thebachelorsmill.com.
Special Agent Galactica plays at Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) tonight from 6-9. Her guests tonight are performers from the Hope Operas, which is running on Mondays this month in Arlington (see below). Admission is free. For more information, visit pinkhairedone.com.
Phase 1 (528 8th St. SE) has its weekly dance party with DJ Jay Von Teese tonight starting at 7:30. Cover is $10. For more information, visit phase1dc.com.
The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival begins today and runs through Sunday at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds (16 Chestnut Street, Gaithersburg). Today and Saturday, the fair is open from 10 a.m.-6 pm. On Sunday, the fair runs until 5 p.m. The festival includes fashion, fine art, jewelry, glass and pottery. For details, visit sugarloafcrafts.com.
The Spooky Movie International Horror Film Festival continues tonight at 9:20 pm at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center (8633 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring). Tickets start at $11 and a festival pass can be purchased for $125-$150. For more information, visit thespookymovie.com.
Saturday, Oct. 13
The Team D.C. 2012 Champions Awards Reception takes place at the HRC Equality Forum Hall (1127 Connecticut Ave., NW) tonight from 6-8 pm. The annual event celebrates local leaders and supporters of LGBT sports. Awards included are the MVP Award, the Trailblazer Award and the Community Support Award. For more information, visit teamdc.org.
Whitman-Walker offers HIV Testing at D.C. Center (1318 U St. NW) today from 4-7:30 pm. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W) hosts Djs Shea Van Horn and Matt Bailer as they bring their party “Mixtape” tonight at 10. The cover is $8 before 11 pm and $12 after. For details, visit towndc.com.
Sunday, Oct. 14
Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers this morning for D.C. Central Kitchen (425 2nd St. NW) at 9 a.m. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.
Founder and owner of Busboys and Poets, Andy Shallal, holds a discussion about how to affect social change through entrepreneurship today from 10:25-11:15 a.m. at River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation (6301 River Road, Bethesda). This event is free and open to everyone. For details, visit rruuc.org.
“Being Home,” an art exhibit by Patricia Tice, is being shown at River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation (6301 River Road) today from 3-5 p.m. This event is free and open to everybody. For more information, visit rruuc.org.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) holds its weekly Martini Sundays and Homowood Karaoke tonight. Karaoke starts at 10 p.m. and there is no charge for admission. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.
Lambda Sci-fi hosts its monthly meeting for science fiction, fantasy and horror fans today at 1425 S St. NW. The meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. and the social begins at 2. Attendees should bring a snack or a non-alcoholic beverage. For more information, visit lambdascifi.org.
Monday, Oct. 15
The Hope Operas continue tonight at 8 p.m. at the Comedy Spot on the third floor of the Ballston Mall (4238 Wilson Blvd. Arlington) as a series of original musicals and cliffhangers that run each Monday night this month. Founder Chris Griffin is gay as are several of the performers. Audience members get to vote for their favorite serial and money raised from the performances will go to a local charity. Performances are by local theater professionals. Tickets are $13 per show or $50 for the month. Find the group on Facebook for details.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts its Martini Monday tonight at 10 p.m. There is no cover charge and martinis are $5. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St., NW) holds its HIV+ Newly Diagnosed Support Group tonight at 7. It is a confidential support group for anyone recently diagnosed with HIV and the group welcomes all genders and sexual orientations. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.
Tuesday, Oct. 16
Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) hosts its Safer Sex Kit-packing program tonight from 7-10:30. The packing program is looking for more volunteers to help produce the kits because they say they are barely keeping up with demand. Admission is free and volunteers can just show up. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W) hosts its Flashback dance night with DJ Jason Royce starting at 10 p.m. There is no cover charge. For more details, visit cobaltdc.com.
Wednesday, Oct. 17
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St., NW) holds its HIV+ Newly Diagnosed Support Group tonight at 7. It is a confidential support group for anyone recently diagnosed with HIV and the group welcomes all genders and sexual orientations. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.
The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE). A partner is not needed. For more information, visit lambdabridge.com.
“Dirt,” by Bryony Lavery, opens tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Studio Theatre (1501 14th, St. NW). The play chronicles people’s relationships and how they can make a mess of them. Tickets are $20. For more information, visit studiotheatre.org.
Thursday, Oct. 18
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St., NW) holds its gay men over 50 support group this evening at 6:30 pm. The group is for gay men entering a new phase of life. Registration is required to attend. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W) hosts its weekly Best Package Contest tonight at 9 p.m. There is a $3 cover and there are $2 vodka drinks. Participants in the contest can win $200 in cash prizes. The event is hosted by Lena Lett and music by DJ Chord, DJ Madscience, and DJ Sean Morris. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.
Whitman-Walker Health provides HIV Testing this evening at Miriam’s Kitchen (2120 West Virginia Ave., NE) beginning at 4 p.m. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.

You’ve done your share of marching.
You’re determined to wring every rainbow-hued thing out of this month. The last of the parties hasn’t arrived yet, neither have the biggest celebrations and you’re primed but – OK, you need a minute. So pull up a chair, take a deep breath, and read these great books on gay history, movies, and more.
You probably don’t need to be told that harassment and discrimination was a daily occurrence for gay people in the past (as now!), but “American Scare: Florida’s Hidden Cold War on Black and Queer Lives” by Robert W. Fieseler (Dutton, $34) tells a story that runs deeper than you may know. Here, you’ll read a historical expose with documented, newly released evidence of a systemic effort to ruin the lives of two groups of people that were perceived as a threat to a legislature full of white men.
Prepared to be shocked, that’s all you need to know.
You’ll also want to read the story inside “The Many Passions of Michael Hardwick: Sex and the Supreme Court in the Age of AIDS” by Martin Padgett (W.W. Norton & Company, $31.99), which sounds like a novel, but it’s not. It’s the story of one man’s fight for a basic right as the AIDS crisis swirls in and out of American gay life and law. Hint: this book isn’t just old history, and it’s not just for gay men.
Maybe you’re ready for some fun and who doesn’t like a movie? You know you do, so you’ll want “Sick and Dirty: Hollywood’s Gay Golden Age and the Making of Modern Queerness” by Michael Koresky (Bloomsbury, $29.99). It’s a great look at the Hays Code and what it allowed audiences to see, but it’s also about the classics that sneaked beneath the code. There are actors, of course, in here, but also directors, writers, and other Hollywood characters you may recognize. Grab the popcorn and settle in.
If you have kids in your life, they’ll want to know more about Pride and you’ll want to look for “Pride: Celebrations & Festivals” by Eric Huang, illustrated by Amy Phelps (Quarto, $14.99), a story of inclusion that ends in a nice fat section of history and explanation, great for kids ages seven-to-fourteen. Also find “Are You a Friend of Dorothy? The True Story of an Imaginary Woman and the Real People She Helped Shape” by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Levi Hastings (Simon & Schuster, $19.99), a lively book about a not-often-told secret for kids ages six-to-ten; and “Papa’s Coming Home” by Chasten Buttigieg, illustrated by Dan Taylor (Philomel, $19.99), a sweet family tale for kids ages three-to-five.
Finally, here’s a tween book that you can enjoy, too: “Queer Heroes” by Arabelle Sicardi, illustrated by Sarah Tanat-Jones (Wide Eyed, $14.99), a series of quick-to-read biographies of people you should know about.
Want more Pride books? Then ask your favorite bookseller or librarian for more, because there are so many more things to read. Really, the possibilities are almost endless, so march on in.
Music & Concerts
Indigo Girls coming to Capital One Hall
Stars take center stage alongside Fairfax Symphony

Capital One Center will host “The Indigo Girls with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra” on Thursday, June 19 and Friday, June 20 at 8 p.m. at Capital One Hall.
The Grammy Award-winning folk and pop stars will take center stage alongside the Fairfax Symphony, conducted by Jason Seber. The concerts feature orchestrations of iconic hits such as “Power of Two,” “Get Out The Map,” “Least Complicated,” “Ghost,” “Kid Fears,” “Galileo,” “Closer to Fine,” and many more.
Tickets are available on Ticketmaster or in person at Capital One Hall the nights of the concerts.

Friday, June 13
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Women in Their Twenties and Thirties will be at 8 p.m. at Wundergarten. An update will be posted the night of the event on where to find WiTT’s table. There’ll be a Pride flag to help people find the group. For more details, join WiTT’s closed Facebook group.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Pride Month Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach bar and Restaurant. 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, June 14
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Pride Month 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.
Rainbow History Project will host “Behind the Scenes With the Senior Curator of ‘Pickets, Protests and Parades’” at 7:30p.m. at Freedom Plaza. This behind-the-scenes experience offers a rare glimpse into the creative process behind this groundbreaking showcase of DC’s LGBTQ+ history. Learn about the bold design decisions that shaped the Quote Wall and Hero Cubes and the powerful stories that almost made the cut. Tickets cost $82 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Monday, June 16
“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 details, email [email protected].
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. 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% cis. For more information, visit their website at www.genderqueerdc.org or check us out on Facebook.
Tuesday, June 17
Bi+ Roundtable and Discussion will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting. Check out Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Wednesday, June 18
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.
“Legends Live Loud: A Queer Karaoke Experience” will be at 7 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This will be a dynamic, Center-wide karaoke event celebrating the brilliance and cultural impact of some of our most colorful queer icons. The Center will honor legends through music, pop culture, dance, and inextinguishable liberation. For more details and to sign up, visit the DC Center’s website.
Thursday, June 19
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Book Club” at 7:30 p.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. This book club is co-hosted by EQUALITY NoVa and is another opportunity to engage in a fun and rewarding activity. The group doesn’t discriminate when it comes to genres it reads – from classic literature to best selling novels to biographies to histories to gay fiction. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Cultivating Change Foundation will host “Cultivating Pride Happy Hour” at 5:30 p.m. at Dacha Beer Garden. This Pride month, the organization is inviting LGBTQ+ people and allies in food and agriculture to come together in communities nationwide. These informal gatherings are a chance to connect, celebrate, and build community, whether it’s over coffee, a cocktail, or a conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
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