Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: events through Dec. 6

Parties, exhibits, concerts and more through Dec. 6

Published

14 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

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.

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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.