Arts & Entertainment
Calendar through Feb 14
From parties to theater to gallery openings and volunteer opportunities
Jared Shamberger performs as ‘Boo Kitten,’ a character he created for the show ‘Balancing Acts,’ that will be performed Friday at the Sitar Arts Center by Brave Soul Collective. (Photo by Omar Miguel)
TODAY (Feb. 8)
Special Agent Galactica welcomes singer, actor and co-founder of the cabaret series La-Ti-Do, Don Michael H. Mendoza to the Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) tonight from 6-9 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit pinkhairedone.com.
Brave Soul Collective in collaboration with the D.C. Center presents “Balancing Acts: Tales of Triumph, Trial & Error” tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m. in honor of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which was observed this week. The performance will take place at the Sitar Arts Center (1700 Kalorama Rd., NW). The performance tackles a range of topics such as religion and spirituality, family, divorce, relationships, sex, dating and relationships through theatrical pieces and personal testimonies from people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
The Bethesda Art Walk returns this evening from 6-9 p.m. in downtown Bethesda. The galleries feature painting, sculpture, photography, pottery and mixed media. Attendees are invited to enjoy free refreshments and peruse the diverse pieces of art. Participating art galleries include Artworks (7740 Old Georgetown Road), Consider It Done (7806 Old Georgetown Road), Gallery B (7700 Wisconsin Ave., Suite E), L’Eclat de Verre (7015 Wisconsin Ave.), “Tunnel Vision” Public Art Exhibition (Metro Tunnel, Bethesda Metro Station) and Waverly Street Gallery (4600 East-West Highway). For more information, visit Bethesda.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 Washington, D.C. International Food and Wine Festival continues tonight at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW). The Wine Tasting Room is free and open to the public from 4-8 p.m. every day of the event, which ends Saturday.The festival also holds signature events every day as well as seminar series events. The festival offers individual tickets to the events as well as a combination of packages. Tickets vary from $35 to $200. The signature event for this evening is the International Tasting Day Two where around 100 wineries provide two samples of their wine and answer questions. The cost of this particular event is $75. For more information, visit wineandfooddc.com.
Saturday, Feb. 9
Town (2009 8th St., NW) hosts its Mardi Gras party with DJ Theresa, who plays live percussion while she spins, tonight starting at 10 p.m. Cover is $8 before 11 pm and $12 after.
Whitman-Walker provides free HIV Testing at the D.C. Center(1318 U St.) today from 4-7:30 p.m. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
The annual Scarlet’s Foundation Bake Sale happens this evening starting at 5 p.m. at the D.C. Eagle (639 New York Ave., NW). There will be a competition before the auction of baked goods. Winners will be chosen in five categories: Best Individual Entry, Best Commercial Entry, Best Club Entry, Most Creative Entry and the Directors Award. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Sunday, Feb. 10
Burgundy Crescent volunteers at the D.C. Central Kitchen (425 2nd St., NW) this morning from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will prepare food along the D.C. Central Kitchen checks to help find hunger. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.
Monday, Feb. 11
Bears do Yoga takes place this evening 6:30 p.m. as part of a series at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, NW). This is part of a basic yoga series that takes place every Monday and is open to people of varying body types and experience. There is no charge. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
The D.C. Lambda Squares holds an open house tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. at National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, NW). The only square dance club located in Washington, this free open house invites everybody to meet members and to give square dancing a try. Experience is not needed. Food and door prizes will be included. For more information, visit dclambdasquares.org.
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, Feb. 12
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.
Wednesday, Feb. 13
Equality Maryland holds its Lobby Day on Lawyer’s Mall in front of the State Capitol in Annapolis this evening at 6 p.m. One hour prior to the event, attendees can gather the Sly Fox Pub (7 Church Circle) for light appetizers. Registration is not required. For more information, visit equalitymaryland.org.
The Big Gay Book Group meets tonight at 7 p.m. at 1155 F St., NW, Suite 200 to discuss “King of Angels: A Novel About the Genesis of Identity and Belief” by Perry Brass. For more information, 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.
The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE) at 7:30 p.m. for duplicate bridge. Newcomers are welcome and no reservations are needed. For more information or if you need a partner, visit lambdabridge.com.
Thursday, Feb. 14
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.
Burgundy Crescent volunteers this evening at Food and Friends (219 Riggs Rd., NE) at 6 p.m. Volunteers will help with food preparation and packing groceries. The shifts are limited to 10 per shift. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.
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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Calendar: May 2-8
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