Arts & Entertainment
Luck at the last minute
If you held off on your shopping but still want to salvage the holidays, take our list with you and hit the streets of D.C.
This is it! Christmas is less than two weeks away and you’ve been procrastinating while the rest of America has been buying all the most popular gifts off the shelves. Do you feel the pressure yet? Lucky for you, we have a list of gifts and places that not only will solve your shopping problems, it will also provide you with distinctive gifts you can’t find anywhere else.
Items from Mutiny (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Let’s start with some small yet fancy stocking stuffers. Redeem (1734 14th St. NW) carries the brand Mutiny that has many such unusual gifts, including Brummell Shave Crème for $18 and D.S. & Durga Colgne for $98 (redeemus.com).
(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Pulp (1803 14th St.) has several was to dress up a gift. Their cards are $2.50 to $6.50 and the have amusing cigar boxes with phrases such as “Yummy Pharmaceuticals that will Please You” for $20. As a small gift they also have liquid soaps with names like, “Maybe You Touched Your Genitals” for $12.99 (pulpdc.com). Gay-owned Pulp also has some of the best gift wrap paper you’ll find anywhere in Washington.
(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Want to give a gift but also send a message in a cute and subtle way? Get your loved ones Cesare-fragrance in the shape of little men for your car and wardrobe for $10 at HomeRule (1807 14th St. NW, homerule.com).
(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
If you want your loved ones to relax this year, get them Blithe and Bonny Grapefruit Bath Salts for $19, their brand of Eucalyptus Hand Cream for $21 and their Goats Milk Soap and Hand Soap for $10 and $17 respectively at GoodWood (1428 U St. NW, goodwooddc.com).
(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
To decorate any home get “Marine”- or “Fresh Cut Gardenia”-scented candles for $55 at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams (1526 14th St. NW, mgbwhome.com). Definitely more on the high end side of things, this classy gay-owned furniture store also has plenty of accent items that make ideal gifts.
(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
For stylish and necessary gifts for her, visit Zina Boutique (1526 U St. NW) to see their scarves for $19 and purses for $60 (zinaboutique.com).
In order to ship your cookies in Christmas fashion, go to Millennium Decorative Arts (1528 U St. NW) to check out their Christmas tins for $12 (millenniumdecorativearts.com).
Flowers on Fourteenth (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
You can never go wrong with flowers, especially from Flowers on Fourteenth (1712 14th St. NW). This gay-owned business offers special holiday bouquets from $40 to $120 (flowerson14th.com).
In a town like Washington, it’s never hard to find quality gifts even at the 11th hour. Check out the decent-sized collection of books at Kramerbooks & Afterwords Café in Dupont Circle (1517 Connecticut Ave., NW) for just about any current best seller. It’s not an exclusively LGBT shop, but it’s definitely stocked with gay sensibility. And the food’s great (kramers.com).
Studio Theatre (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Studio Theatre (1501 14th Street, NW) always has an interesting production in the pipeline. Three-play package deals start at $99 and make great gifts for the theater lover (or anyone!) on your list (Studiotheatre.org).
Pleasure Place (1063 Wisconsin Ave. NW) is also a sure-fire bet. We won’t go into details other than to say it’s worth a visit (pleasureplace.com).
And local artist Margret Kroyer has many one-of-a-kind art pieces for sale. Check her stuff out at m-kroyer.com.
The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Music & Concerts
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.
For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.
Friday, May 2
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.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].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. 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, May 3
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community 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.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, May 4
“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, May 5
“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” 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].
Tuesday, May 6
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, May 7
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.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 8
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected].
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