Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: events through Dec. 6

Parties, exhibits, concerts and more through Dec. 6

Published

12 years ago

November 29, 2012

Eileen Ivers, an Irish fiddler, plays Wolf Trap Friday night with the band Immigrant Soul. (Photo courtesy of Wolf Trap)

TODAY (Friday)

Whitman-Walker provides free confidential HIV testing at its Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center (1701 14^th St., NW) today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.

The Black Cat (1811 14^th St., NW) holds its “Dr. Who Happy Hour” tonight at 7 p.m. on its backstage. There will be one episode of “Dr. Who” along with drink specials. For more information, visit blackcatdc.com.

Eileen Ivers, a nine-time All-Ireland Fiddle champion, performs with Immigrant Soul tonight at 8 p.m. at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Va. Ivers combines traditional fiddle with more modern pop sounds. Tickets are $22. For more information, visit wolftrap.org.

Town (2009 8^th 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 8^th St., S.E.) is having its happy hour this evening 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.

Saturday, Dec. 1

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.

The World AIDS Day Prayer Breakfast takes place at Howard University School of Divinity Dining Hall (1400 Shepherd St., NE) today at 9 a.m. For details, visit ccwdc.org.

Dignity Washington, a group of LGBT Catholics and Christians, marks its 40^th anniversary tonight at Clyde’s Restaurant (707 7^th St., NW). There will be a reception, silent auction, gourmet dinner and entertainment by local gay actor/singer Will Gartshore. Tickets are $75. For more information, visit dignitywashington.org.

The Center Global meeting takes place at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., NW) today at noon. The group is a new initiative that is focusing on three goals: looking at all resources and assistance available to LGBT asylum seekers in the area, getting the community involved and raising awareness of global LGBT issues and planning events that would raise funds for LGBT asylum seekers.

Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8^th St., S.E.) opens at 5:30 p.m. today with pool, video gaming systems and card tournaments. The dance floors open at 11 p.m. Admission is free until 9 p.m. and it is $10 after. For more information, visit thebachelorsmill.com.

The Black Cat (1811 14^th St., N.W.) hosts “Moon Bounce Dancing Affair” tonight at 10 on its backstage. The party includes a dance night of hip hop, house, ‘90s pop and not-so guilty pleasures. Cover is $7. For details, visit blackcatdc.com.

Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers today for the Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation at Falls Church PetSmart (6100 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, Va.) from 11:45 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.

Sunday, Dec. 2

The ska/punk band “Bomb the Music Industry” performs at the Black Cat (1811 14^th St., N.W.) tonight at 8. Admission is $10. For more information, visit blackcatdc.com.

Monday, Dec. 3

Dr. Gregory Pappas from the D.C. Department of Health gives a talk titled “New Reponses to the DC HIV/AIDS Epidemic” this evening at 6:30 at George Washington Hospital Auditorium (900 23^rd St., NW). There will be light refreshments. The event is free. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14^th 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, Dec. 4

Muslims for Progressive Values invites you to “Unshackling Islam from Patriarchy” featuring Mona Eltahawy, an award-winning columnist and speaker on Arab and Muslim issues, tonight at 6:30 at the Human Rights Campaign Equality Center (1640 Rhode Island Ave., NW). For details, visit thedccenter.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) presents its Flashback dance night with DJ Jason Royce starting at 10 p.m. There is no cover charge. For more details, visit cobaltdc.com.

The D.C. Center holds its “Freedom from Smoking Class” for members of the community who are trying to quit smoking this evening starting 6:30. The class is an adaptation of the American Lung Association’s group clinic that has helped thousands of smokers, however it has been modified to be more relevant to the LGBT community and people living with HIV/AIDS. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

Banana Café (500 8^th St., SE) has its open mic night tonight from 7 p.m. to closing. Admission is free and there are $3 mojitos after 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit bananacafedc.com.

Wednesday, Dec. 5

The National Center for Transgender Equality celebrates nine years at the National Press Club Ballroom (529 14^th St., NW) on the 13^th floor tonight at 7. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

The D.C. Center and Professionals in the City hosts Lesbian Speed Dating at the Chi-Cha Lounge (1624 U St., NW) tonight at 7. Attendees can support the D.C. Center and receive $5 off admission price when they use the promo cod DC_CENTER when they register. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

Thursday, Dec. 6

The Mid-Atlantic Leather Womens Round Table Discussion is held tonight at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., NW) in the conference room at 7. For more information, visit thedccenter.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.

Photos

PHOTOS: Silver Pride

Rayceen Pendarvis serves as emcee

Published

3 hours ago

May 25, 2025

Michael Key

Rayceen Pendarvis was the emcee of Silver Pride 2025. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The 2025 Silver Pride Resource Fair and Tea Dance was held at the Eaton Hotel on Wednesday, May 21.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Out & About

Queer film festival comes to D.C.

DC/DOX to showcase LGBTQ documentaries made by LGBTQ filmmakers

Published

3 hours ago

May 25, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

DC/DOX film festival will take place in D.C. on June 12.

DC/DOX will host a film festival beginning on Thursday, June 12, at the Regal Gallery Place, Eaton Cinema, and the U.S. Navy Memorial Burke Theatre.

This festival will premier LGBTQ documentaries made by LGBTQ filmmakers. Each screening will be followed by in-person Q&As with the filmmakers.

For more details, visit dcdoxfest.com

Movies

Gay director on revealing the authentic Pee-wee Herman

New HBO doc positions Reubens as ‘groundbreaking’ performance artist

Published

4 hours ago

May 25, 2025

Susan Hornik

The HBO Original two-part documentary ‘PEE-WEE AS HIMSELF,’ directed by Matt Wolf), debuts Friday, May 23 (8 p.m.-11:20 p.m. ET/PT) with both parts airing back-to-back on HBO and will be available to stream on Max. (Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.)

In the new HBO two-part documentary, “Pee-wee as Himself,” director Matt Wolf gives viewers a never-before-seen look into the personal life of Paul Reubens, the comedic actor behind the much loved television persona, Pee-wee Herman.

Filmed before Reubens passed away in 2023 from cancer, Wolf and his creative team created the riveting documentary, interspersing several interviews, more than 1,000 hours of archival footage, and tens of thousands of personal photos.

Determined to set the record straight about what really happened, Reubens discussed his diverse influences, growing up in the circus town of Sarasota, Fla., and his avant-garde theater training at the California Institute of the Arts.

Ruebens joined the Groundlings improv group, where he created the charismatic Pee-wee Herman. He played the quirky character during the Saturday morning show, “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” and in numerous movies, like “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and “Big Top Pee-wee.” He also brought Pee-wee to Broadway, with “The Pee-wee Herman Show.”

To get an enigma such as Reubens to open up was no easy task for Wolf.

“I felt determined to get Paul to open up and to be his authentic self,” acknowledged Wolf at a recent press conference. “And I was being tested and I wanted to meet my match in a way so I didn’t feel frustrated or exhausted, I felt determined but I also, it was thrilling to go this deep. I’ve never been able, or I don’t know if I ever will, go this deep with another human being to interview them in an intimate way for over 40 hours.”

Wolf described the collaborative interview experience as a dream, “like we were in a bubble where time didn’t matter.” he also felt a deep connection to the material, having come of age watching “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to put words to it at the time, but I think it was my first encounter with art that I felt emotionally involved in,” noted Wolf.

“He continued: “I recognize that that show created a space for a certain kind of radical acceptance where creativity thrives. And as a gay filmmaker, I also recognize things like Pee-wee Herman marrying a bowl of fruit salad at a slumber party or dancing in high heels to the song, ‘Fever.’ That stuff spoke to me. So that was my connection to it.”

During the documentary, Reubens comes out as a gay man.

“Paul went into this process wanting to come out,” said Wolf. “That was a decision he had made. He was aware that I was a gay filmmaker and had made portraits of other gay artists. That was the work of mine he was attracted to, as I understood. And I wanted, as a younger person, to support him in that process, but he also was intensely sensitive that the film would overly emphasize that; or, focused entirely from the lens of sexuality when looking at his story.”

Their complicated dynamic had an aspect of “push and pull” between them.

“I think that generational difference was both a source of connection and affinity and tension. And I do think that the level to which Paul discusses his relationships and intimacy and vulnerability and the poignant decision he made to go back into the closet. I do have to believe to some extent he shared that because of our connection.”

Wolf hopes that the “Pee-wee as Himself” positions Reubens as one of the most “groundbreaking” performance artists of his generation who in a singular way broke through into mainstream pop culture.

“I know he transformed me. He transformed how I see the world and where I went as a creative person. And it’s so clear that I am not alone in that feeling. For me, it was fairly abstract. I couldn’t necessarily put words to it. I think people who grew up on Pee-wee or were big fans of Pee-wee, seeing the film, I hope, will help them tap into intangible and specific ways how transformative his work was for them. It really is a gift to revisit early seminal experiences you had and to see how they reverberate in you.”

He added: “So, to me, this isn’t so much about saying Paul Reubens is a genius. I mean, that’s overly idealizing and I don’t like hero worship. It’s more about understanding why many of us have connected to his work and understanding where he lives within a legacy of performance art, television, and also, broader pop culture.”