Arts & Entertainment
Calendar of events through Dec. 13
Foundry Gallery opens winter ‘Palette’ show, Banana Cafe open mic, while Green Lantern, Town, Black Cat and others host mix of new and familiar events
‘Creekside Path‘ by Ed Miller is one of the works on display at Foundry Gallery as part of its ‘Cool Palette’ exhibition. (Image courtesy of Foundry Gallery)
TODAY (Friday, Dec. 7)
Foundry Gallery (1314 18th St., NW) is hosting the opening reception for “Cool Palette” featuring several artists whose works were inspired by the colors of winter tonight from 6-8 p.m. The reception includes live jazz with Julie Mack. For more information, visit foundrygallery.org.
Green Lantern (1335 Green Court NW) hosts a Bollywood dance party tonight at 9:30. Cover is $10 before 11 and $12 after. For more information, visit greenlanterndc.com.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) presents DJ Tony Moran tonight at 10. Cover is $8 before 11 and $12 after. For details, visit towndc.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.
Whitman-Walker Health offers free HIV testing at Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8th St., SE) tonight from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
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 with DJ Tim-Nice and DJ Cameron. For details, visit thebachelorsmill.com.
Saturday, Dec. 8
Rehoboth Beach hosts Artists and Authors Holiday Market takes place today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 37 Baltimore Ave. For details, visit camprehoboth.com.
Faith Temple hosts a Christmas holiday mixer at MLK Public Library (901 G Street, NW) today from 2-5 p.m. This event is free. For more information, email [email protected] or contact Sam at 240-595-4207.
Whitman-Walker Health offers free HIV testing at D.C. Center (1318 U St., NW) today from 4-7:30 p.m. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.
Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8th St., S.E.) opens at 5:30 this evening with a 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 14th St., N.W.) hosts “Hellmouth Happy Hour” where attendees watch one episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” with drink specials. Cover is free and doors open at 7 pm. For more information, visit blackcatdc.com.
Sunday, Dec. 9
Burgundy Crescent volunteers to cook with D.C. Central Kitchen (425 2nd Street NW) today from 9 a.m. to noon. For details, visit dccentralkitchen.org.
Lambda Sci-Fi Book group meets today at 1:30 at 1425 S St., NW. For details, visit lambdascifi.org.
The University of Maryland School of Music’s Chamber Singers and Festive Baroque Orchestra present Music in Mind: The Festive Baroque today at 3 p.m. Music will include Bach’s “Magnificat.” Tickets are $25; $10 for students and seniors. For more information, visit claricesmithcenter.umd.edu.
Monday, Dec. 10
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, Dec. 11
D.C. Bi Women meet tonight from 7-9 p.m. upstairs at the Dupont Italian Kitchen (1637 17th St.). For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
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 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) 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 8th St., SE) has its open mic night 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. 12
The Big Gay Book Group meets tonight at 7 p.m. to discuss “Torch Song Trilogy” by Harvey Fierstein at 1155 F St., NW, Suite 200. For details, visit biggaybookgroup.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.
Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE). Newcomers are welcomed and no reservations are needed. For more information, visit lambdabridge.com.
Thursday, Dec. 13
Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, is helping in food preparation and packing groceries for Food and Friends (219 Riggs Road, NE) this morning from 6-8 a.m. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.
Whitman-Walker Health holds HIV Testing at Glorious Health Club (2120 West Virginia Ave., NE) tonight from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. 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.
a&e features
Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington held the annual Spring Affair gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The theme for this year’s fete was “Sapphire & Sparkle.” The chorus celebrated 45 years in D.C. with musical performances, food, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Executive Director Justin Fyala and Artistic Director Thea Kano gave welcoming speeches. Opening remarks were delivered by Spring Affair co-chairs Tracy Barlow and Tomeika Bowden. Uproariously funny comedian Murray Hill performed a stand-up set and served as the emcee.
There were performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington groups Potomac Fever, 17th Street Dance, the Rock Creek Singers, Seasons of Love, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus.
Anjali Murthy, a member of the chorus and a graduate of the GenOUT Youth Chorus, addressed the attendees of the gala.
“The LGBTQ+ community isn’t bound by blood ties: we are brought together by shared experience,” Murthy said. “Being Gen Z, I grew up with Ellen [DeGeneres] telling me through the TV screen that it gets better: that one day, it’ll all be okay. The sentiment isn’t wrong, but it’s passive. What I’ve learned from GMCW is that our future is something we practice together. It exists because people like you continue to show up for it, to believe in the possibilities of what we’re still becoming”
The event concluded with the presentation of the annual Harmony Awards. This year’s awardees included local drag artist and activist Tara Hoot, the human rights organization Rainbow Railroad as well as Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director, Dr. Chipper Dean.
(Washington Blade photos and videos by Michael Key)
Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Photos
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Ashley Biden accepts award for Beau Biden at annual Rehoboth fundraiser
The 19th annual Blade Foundation Summer Kickoff Party was held on Friday, May 15 at Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach, Del. An award presentation was held for former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Ashley Biden accepted the award on her brother’s behalf and gave remarks. Other speakers included Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff. The event was a fundraiser for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
