Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: through Nov. 1
Parties, concerts — and of course the High Heel Race — through Nov. 1
Last year’s High Heel Race. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
TODAY (Friday)
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts “Freaky Friday” tonight at 10. There will be a costume contest where $100 cash prizes will be given to the freakiest, sluttiest, Nicki Minajiest and Honey Boo Booest. Cover is $5 before 11 p.m. and $10 after. There are $3 before 11. For details, visit towndc.com.
D.C.’s Vitruvian Gallery (734 7th St., SE) hosts “Testosterone and Other Toppings” with artwork by Carolyn Weltman, an artist who specializes in the athletic male figure. The exhibition runs until Nov. 8. The gallery is opened weekly 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit vitruviangallery.com.
Whitman-Walker provides HIV Testing at Central Union Mission (1350 R St., NW) today from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
Susan Calloway Fine Arts (1643 Wisconsin Ave., NW) exhibits fine drawings by Dana Westring and fine-art photographs by Andrew Sovjani. The exhibition lasts until Nov. 23. For more information, visit callowayart.com.
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.
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.
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.
Saturday, Oct. 27
Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, is helping in food preparation and packing groceries for Food and Friends (219 Riggs Road, NE) this morning at 8. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts “Ghostown,” one of D.C.’s largest Halloween parties, tonight at 10 p.m. There’s a costume contest held at midnight with a grand prize of $1,000 cash for winner of the best costume. Cover is $8 before 11 p.m. and $12 after. The Dance Camp with the Ladies of Town will be performing during the drag show. For details, visit towndc.com.
AIDS Walk Washington is today from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning at Freedom Plaza (Pennsylvania Ave. and 13th St. NW). The HIV Prevention Working Group is partnering up with Whitman-Walker Health again, and the proceeds will be split between the two groups. Whitman-Walker is also providing HIV testing at the walk. Registration ranges from $15-$40. For more information, visit aidswalkwashington.org
Sunday, Oct. 28
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) holds its weekly Martini Sundays and Homowood Karaoke. Karaoke starts at 10 pm and there is no charge for admission. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.
Monday, Oct. 29
D.C. Center hosts Bears do Yoga this evening at 6:30 at Green Lantern (1335 Green CT, NW). The series is a basic yoga class for beginners to advance yogis. Everyone is welcome and there is no charge. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts its Martini Monday tonight at 10 p.m. There is now 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. 30
The High Heel Race takes place at Dupont Circle on 17th St. between P and S St. About 100,000 spectators are expected to attend. The race begins at 9 p.m., and spectators gather as early as 6 p.m. For details, visit highheelracedc.com.
Whitman-Walker (1701 14th St., NW) holds its group Starting Over for Women tonight at 7. The group is for women whose long-term relationship is with another woman. Registration is required. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
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. 31
Capital Pride introduces Haunted House of Pride tonight at 8 at Phase1 (1415 22nd St. NW). Guests will experience the twisted, paranormal and mysterious. Cover is $10. For details, visit thedccenter.org.
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.
Lambda Bridge Club meets at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE) tonight at 7:30 pm for duplicate bridge. Reservations are not needed and newcomers are welcome. For more information, visit lambdabridge.com.
Thursday, Nov. 1
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St., NW) holds its gay men over 50 support group this evening at 6:30 p.m. 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) is hosting 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.
The D.C. Front Runners held the 14th annual 5K Pride Run at Congressional Cemetery on Saturday, June 6.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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Books
‘Mighty Real’ explores history of LGBTQ music
From Judas Priest to Whitney, something for every taste
‘Mighty Real: A History of LGBTQ Music, 1969-2000’
By Barry Walters
c.2026, Viking
$35/496 pages
Step, step, tap, back step.
Shimmy in a circle, left hand waving over your head, shake your tail feathers, repeat to the beat. Once there was a time when you could do any dance in your sleep, but it’s been a while. So read “Mighty Real” by Barry Walters, and see if your toes don’t tap.
Fifty-seven years after Stonewall, and here we are: LGBTQ musicians still face scrutiny for their sexuality because, says Walters, music isn’t created for gay listeners. No problem: LGBTQ artists and writers have often penned lyrics carefully in order to say what can’t be said, “coding” songs for gay audiences that straight (and ignorant) listeners can dance to and enjoy with apparent obliviousness.
Walters offers “just a few” examples.
Lou Reed sang about trans people in the late ‘60s and offered a rallying song for the Gay Liberation Front in 1972, the latter of which felt like a message to a then-11-year-old Walters. Janis Joplin claimed she was straight, but she had several girlfriends. Motown singers often offered sometimes-ambiguous lyrics.
John Lennon’s hand placement on the back cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band made Walters begin to understand that he was different from other boys.
David Bowie is on his list, of course, as is Bette Midler, Elton John, Donna Summer, and Queen. You’ll find Judas Priest here, Green Day, and punk music. The Village People are included in this book, also Grace Jones, Duran Duran, and Cher, Whitney, Melissa, Latifah, and the lyrics from several blockbuster movies.
Two of Prince’s band members were lesbians, and they heavily influenced his albums. Diana Ross’s “I’m Coming Out” cemented her position in LGBTQ culture, and Michael Jackson’s inclusion here takes much careful consideration.
Read about Olivia Newton-John and the B52s. And then there’s Sylvester, for whom Walters has a soft spot in his heart. Sylvester’s death still makes Walters cry.
In his preface, author and music writer Barry Walters points out that music is what you make it and that it’s interpreted differently by each individual. To that end, this book naturally consists of preferential history and personal opinions about singers, bands, albums, and songs.
Agree or disagree. That’s where much of the appeal lies in “Mighty Real.”
Here, Walters wraps his memories around his choices, giving readers room for their own views, memories, and list making. Music-loving readers might also be surprised to note who’s not on Walters’ list – there aren’t many country performers here, for example, and the overall list focuses entirely on music from roughly 1968 to the year 2000, mostly on the kinds of songs you’ll want at the club or party. Again, discuss, and curate your own playlist.
This is a hefty book, but the chapters are browse-able and generally short enough to read in under five minutes. It’s nostalgic, yet also serious in the history it presents. This is the kind of book you want to leave near your album collection, or wherever you get your tunes. But finding “Mighty Real” is your first step.
The Blade may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via this post.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington performed “Soul Divas” at the Lincoln Theatre over the weekend. The show featured songs popularized by Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Whitney Houston and more.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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‘Mighty Real’ explores history of LGBTQ music
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