Arts & Entertainment
Calendar through Feb. 21
Parties, dj sets, concerts, theater, support groups and more
DJ Wayne G spins at Town Saturday night. (Photo courtesy of DJ Wayne G)
Friday, Feb. 15
George Mason University Sexual Assault Services sponsors the “Vagina Monologues” tonight at 8 p.m. and again on Saturday at 8 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts (4400 University Dr.). The show is full of laughter and tears as the actors share with the audience what it is like to inhabit and love their bodies along with taking a stand to stop violence against women. The show is part of 2013 V-Day initiative to raise awareness of the how violence against women and children affects everyone. Tickets are $25 and proceeds go toward the Mason Victims of Violence Fund. For more information, visit cfa.gmu.edu.
The Lodge (21614 National Pike, Boonsboro, Md.) hosts “The Queen of Hearts Pageant” tonight from 10-11:30 p.m. The evening includes performances by Shirley Goodness & Mercy, Araya Sparxx, Nicole James, Stephanie Micheals, Sasha Renee, Alyssa Mathews and other prior Queen of Hearts divas. Contestants will perform while competing for most creative Valentine’s costume and talent. There are cash and other prizes at stake. Cover is $5. For more information, visit thelodgemd.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. Later in the evening in honor of Valentine’s Day, Town hosts Valentine Message Board where attendees can send someone in the club a message or tell an ex how happy you are without them. The doors open at 10 and cover is $5 before 11 p.m. and $10 after. For more information, visit towndc.com.
Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) hosts POZ D.C. happy hour event this evening 5-9 p.m. For more information, visit greenlanterndc.com.
The Code XXX party is tonight at 10 p.m. at the Crucible (16 M Street, NE). This men-only event requires a Crucible membership ($25 per year) plus a $25 event ticket. Guest options are available. The XXX party is described as “anything goes.” Find the event on Facebook for more information.
FUK!T holds outreach at Town (2009 8th St., NW) this evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Omega Entertainment and the D.C. Elite Boyz have another “Elite Saturdays” event tonight at Layla Lounge (501 Morse Street, NE) from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. This party runs the first and third Saturday of each month and is a gay hip-hop event. Text “OmegaDC” to 99000 to get a free text pass. It’s a “21-and-up” event for “grown and sexy men.” Visit omegapartydc.com for more information.
The “A List Dom & Diva Show” is tonight at Remington’s (639 Penn. Ave., SE) at 11:30 p.m. Cover is $10. Tony Nelson and Maxine Blue host. This is a Lady Lenore and The eMpire event.
Saturday, Feb. 16
Team D.C. hosts Casino Night tonight featuring blackjack, poker and craps from 8 p.m.-midnight at Buffalo Billiards (1330 19th St., NW). There is no cover charge and attendees can buy $100 in chips for $10 or $250 in chips for $20. For more information, visit teamdcsports.com.
Chantry, a classical choral group with several gay members located in the Washington area, performs its concert “Miserere” tonight 7:30 p.m. at St. Bernadette (70 University Blvd. East, Silver Spring). The show features some of the most famous of the Penitential Psalms. General tickets are $27. For more information, visit chantrydc.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.) starting at 11:45 a.m. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) features DJ Wayne G tonight at 10 p.m., who made his debut at the infamous Red Heart party in London in 1996 and later had a residency at Heaven nightclub. A Valentine message board where attendees can send someone in the club a message, or tell an ex how happy he/she is without them. Cover is $5 before 11 p.m. and $10 after. For more information, visit towndc.com.
Sunday, Feb. 17
WTF presents “Fashion Haus” at Town (2009 8th St., NW) tonight bringing high fashion and the fashion police in full force. WTF will bring its fashion and attendees will bring theirs creating a “visual orgy.” Doors open at 10 p.m. and cover is $5. For more information, visit towndc.com.
Special Agent Galactica hosts her show “Across the River!” at Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 S. 23rd St., Crystal City) tonight from 7-9:30 p.m. The show begins in the era of gin and juke joints, Vaudeville and Sinatra, and ending with rock acts. Admission is free. For more information, visit pinkharedone.com.
Monday, Feb. 18
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 its new dance series starting tonight at 7:30 p.m. at National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, NW). The only square dance club located in Washington, the group invites everybody to learn square dancing in just 16 Mondays. No special outfits, partner or prior dance experience is needed. The cost is $100. For more information or to register, visit dclambdasquares.org.
Tuesday, Feb. 19
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 is with another woman. Registration is required and attendees must call 202-797-3580 or email [email protected]. 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. 20
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. Registration is required and attendees must call 202-797-3580 or email [email protected]. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.
The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club meets tonight at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE) at 7:30 p.m. for social bridge. Newcomers are welcome and no reservations are needed. For more information or if you need a partner, visit lambdabridge.com.
Thursday, Feb. 21
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. Registration is required and attendees must call 202-797-3580 or email [email protected]. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
Tropicalia (2001 14th St., NW) hosts “Universal” with DJ Kostas tonight. This new party is being billed as a “polysexual shindig.” There is no cover. For more information, visit tropicaliadc.com.
a&e features
Television loses a legend, longtime ‘Will & Grace’ director James Burrows
Iconic hitmaker leaves behind a legacy of telling LGBTQ stories
You don’t have to be a pretentious film major to name 10 movie directors. But naming television directors is not that simple. They’re the unsung heroes of your favorite shows, and the late James Burrows was the television director. He passed on June 19, but his DNA runs through television history.
He directed over 1200 episodes of television and over 50 pilots. He co-created “Cheers” and directed many episodes of long-running series like “Friends,” “Taxi,” “Frasier,” “The Big Bang Theory,” and “Two and a Half Men.” You also may remember him from playing a heightened version of himself on the Lisa Kudrow comedy “The Comeback.”
He has left an indelible mark on the LGBTQ community. As recently as last year, he directed the series run of “Mid-Century Modern” starring Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, and Linda Lavin. He was also a longtime director of “Will & Grace” and directed every episode of the series revival. He even directed the unaired “Absolutely Fabulous” pilot with Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Johnston, and Zosia Mamet.
Not to mention he’s worked with queer icons throughout history, including Betty White and Stockard Channing on their single-season series, and Jennifer Coolidge in “2 Broke Girls.”
He started his career on shows like “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Rhoda,” “Laverne & Shirley,” and the first four seasons of “Taxi.”
He continued to work steadily and directed successful pilots that went to series for “Roc,” “3rd Rock From the Sun,” “Dharma & Greg,” and “Wings.” He directed multiple episodes of “Friends,” “Caroline in the City,” and “Frasier.”
This magic continued into the 2000s with him directing the pilots for “Two and a Half Men,” “The Big Bang Theory,” and multiple episodes of “Mike & Molly,” and the entire return series of “Will & Grace.”
What was the secret to his success? He’d enact the “fun clause” in his contract. In his words, “Life is too short to deal with obnoxious leads,” he shared. “So as long as the writing is good and the cast is fun, I’m going to enjoy the experience.”
He had the magic touch, having multiple pilots turned into long-running series. He was nominated for an Emmy 24 times in 26 years and worked consistently until a year before his death.
The secret was the way he brought the cast together. He describes, “it was my job to mold them into an ensemble, and they did round into a group of people who loved each other.”
This earned him 11 Emmy Awards and five Directors Guild of America Awards, including being awarded the inaugural DGA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Television Direction.
In a 2003 interview by the Television Academy, he was asked how he wants to be remembered, and he said, “That every night forever you can tune in somewhere, and there’ll be a show I did.”
He’s survived by his wife, Debbie, four daughters, seven grandchildren, and the countless people whose careers he launched and the countless viewers he inspired with his television legacy.
Photos
PHOTOS: Capital Pride Festival and Concert
Annual LGBTQ celebration held on Pennsylvania Ave.
The 2026 Capital Pride Festival was held on Pennsylvania Ave. on Sunday, June 21.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key and Landon Shackelford)
The 2026 Capital Pride Parade was held in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, June 20.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key, Robert Rapanut and Landon Shackelford)
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