Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: events through Jan. 3
Concerts, exhibits, community gatherings and more for the week ahead
TODAY (Friday, Dec. 28)
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts hosts “Meet Up With Art” this evening at 6 p.m. at the Best Café (200 N Blvd., Richmond). It’s a meet and greet to engage with newcomers to Richmond or the art scene. There are free tours, networking, cuisines from the café and half price drinks. For more information, visit vmfa.museum.
The Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) hosts “Dr. Who Happy Hour” tonight at 7. There will be one episode of Dr. Who and drink specials. Admission is free. For details, visit blackcatdc.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.
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.
Saturday, Dec. 29
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 p.m. For more information, visit blackcatdc.com.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts DJ Corey Craig and singer Adam Joseph tonight at 10 p.m. Both coming out of the clubs of New York, Craig’s work includes ’09 NYC Pier Dance and Joseph’s anthem “Faggoty Attention” raised him to fame in the clubs in 2007. Cover is $8 before 11 and $12 after. There are $3 drinks before 11. For details, visit towndc.com.
Sunday, Dec. 30
For those who unfortunately have to work on New Year’s Eve, the Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) hosts the “Pre-Amateur Hour Happy Hour” tonight at 8. Admission is free. For more information, visit blackcatdc.com.
Monday, Dec. 31
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) holds its New Year’s Eve celebration tonight at 9 p.m. The Ladies of Town Drag Show begins at 10 p.m. and there is a main stage performance by the Dance Camp. Music is by DJ Escape. If attendees buy tickets in advance they will not have to wait in a long line. Tickets are $20 in advance and admission is $25 at the door. For more information, visit towndc.com.
Phase 1 (528 8th St. SE) hosts its “Solid Gold: Women’s New Year’s Eve Party” tonight at 7 p.m. Hats, noise makers and other accoutrements will be provided. There will be a balloon drop and everyone receives complimentary champagne split. Music will be by DJ Jay Von Tease. Admission is $10. For more information, visit phase1dc.com.
The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., NW) sends 2012 out with a bang with pianist and vocalist Freddy Cole and the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band for “A Jazz New Year’s Eve” tonight at 7 p.m. After the performance there will be festive dancing, a countdown and a ball drop in the grand foyer that will be included with the ticket. Tickets are $90. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.
Tuesday, Jan. 1
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.
Wednesday, Jan. 2
Foundry Gallery (1314 18th St., NW) presents “Earth Flowing Plane” by Edward Bear Miller opening at the gallery today at noon. The exhibition includes new oil paintings influenced by the D.C. landscape including Rock Creek Park and the Potomac River. This exhibition is free. For more information, visit foundrygallery.org.
Bookmen D.C., an informal men’s gay-literature group, discusses “God and Monsters” by Christopher Bram tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Tenleytown Library (4450 Wisconsin Ave., NW). Everyone is welcome. For more information, visit bookmendc.blogspot.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.
The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club meets this evening at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE) for social bridge. A partner is not needed and everyone is welcome. For more information, visit lambdabridge.com.
Thursday, Jan. 3
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in conjunction with the Richmond Jazz Society hosts Jazz Café this evening at 6 p.m. at the Best Café (200 N Blvd., Richmond). The night will be filled with eclectic mix of jazz ensembles. Light food and drink will be available. Admission is free. For more information, visit vmfa.museum.
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.
Celebrity News
John Waters released from hospital after car accident
Crash took place in Baltimore County
BY TAJI BURRIS | Baltimore filmmaker John Waters was released from the hospital Tuesday morning following a car accident.
The 78-year-old released a statement saying that although he was hurt in the Baltimore County crash, he did not sustain major injuries.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
Arts & Entertainment
Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier and fireworks show returning June 8
The annual Pride on the Pier Fireworks Show presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation will take place on Saturday, June 8 at 9 p.m.
The Washington Blade, in partnership with LURe DC and The Wharf, is excited to announce the 5th annual Pride on the Pier and fireworks show during D.C. Pride weekend on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 2-10 p.m.
The event will include the annual Pride on the Pier Fireworks Show presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation at 9 p.m.
Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Southwest waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older. Local DJ’s Heat, Eletrox and Honey will perform throughout the event.
3 p.m. – Capital Pride Parade on the Big Screen
3:30 p.m. – Drag Show hosted by Cake Pop!
9 p.m. – Fireworks Show Presented by Leonard-Litz Foundation
The event is free and open to the public. The Dockmasters Building will be home to a VIP experience. To learn more and to purchase tickets go to www.prideonthepier.com/vip. VIP tickets are limited.
Event sponsors include Absolut, Buying Time, Capital Pride, DC Brau, DC Fray, Burney Wealth Management, Infinate Legacy, Leonard-Litz Foundation, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, MISTR, NBC4, The Wharf. More information regarding activities will be released at www.PrideOnThePier.com
a&e features
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars’ cast visits D.C.
8 queens vie for $200,000 prize for charity in new season, premiering May 17
Donning sparkling and star-studded red, white, and blue attire on a gloomy, humid D.C. Monday, the cast of the latest “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” season sashayed on the National Mall to promote the reality show’s ninth season.
This upcoming season is different than those in the past — eight queens are competing for a donation of $200,000 for the charity of their choosing, rather than a personal cash prize.
Several cast members noted how it felt important to visit the nation’s capital, being authentically themselves and wearing drag. Nina West, who competed in season 11, likened drag to armor.
“We’re here during a really specific time in history, that’s, I would say, markedly dark,” she told the Blade at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. “And there’s an opportunity, as drag has always done, which is for our community as specifically LGBTQI+ people, to stand in our truth and be wonderful — like guardians and fighters for our community.”
She’s competing for the Trevor Project, which is focused on suicide prevention and crisis intervention for young LGBTQ people. This season’s pivot to compete for charity made Nina West want to come back on the show for the All Stars season. She’s been offered the spot two times before this, she said, and this twist aligned with what she wanted to do.
Several of the other queens mentioned that it’s an honor to be featured in this season, including season 5’s Roxxxy Andrews. She also competed in two subsequent All-Stars seasons.
She chose the organization Miracle of Love, which provides HIV/AIDS prevention programming and assistance in central Florida. It’s a smaller, more local organization, which is why Roxxxy Andrews chose it. She wants to make its work more nationally known. Also, vying to win during a charity season makes the competition feel more rewarding, she said.
Plastique Tiara of season 11 also noted it’s different competing for charity. She’s competing for the Asian American Foundation, which launched in 2021 in response to the rise in anti-Asian hate and aims to curb discrimination and violence through education and investments in nonprofits.
“It’s more competitive because then you’re fighting not just only for yourself, but your ideas and the things that you love,” she said.
Vanessa Vanjie of seasons 10 and 11 agreed that competing for charity adds a bit more pressure — she chose the ASPCA. And as onlookers near the Lincoln Memorial took pictures of and with the queens, she said she was relieved.
“I was a little bit worried somebody would yell some slurs at us,” Vanessa Vanjie said. “Nothing happened. Everybody came to take pictures like Santa Claus in the middle of the mall.”
There’s a range of contestants from different seasons for this round of All Stars. Some queens hail from recent seasons, but Shannel competed on the show’s first season. To be a part of this new season is surreal, she said.
She’s competing for the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, which she has a close tie to. She’s dealt with anxiety her entire life. The association is focused on increasing awareness and improving diagnosis and treatment.
“I always felt like I just wasn’t normal, sadly,” she said. “And so now being able to be able to do this season and to get back to that organization is like amazing to me.”
Gottmik, from season 13, is competing for Trans Lifeline — a nonprofit providing advocacy, a hotline and grants created by trans people, for trans people. Being able to do drag and give back is the “perfect scenario,” Gottmik said.
Gottmik was the first openly trans man on Drag Race, which was overwhelming when first on the show. Gottmik felt pressure to be the “perfect example,” but later realized that they didn’t have to worry so much.
“I just want to show people that trans people are real people. We can express ourselves however we want to express ourselves, through drag, through whatever it may be,” Gottmik said.
The new season will be available to stream on Paramount+ on May 17.
John Waters released from hospital after car accident
Jane Rigby awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier and fireworks show returning June 8
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars’ cast visits D.C.
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Judy Shepard to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
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