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.
History
Julius’ Bar ‘sip-in’ laid groundwork for Stonewall
Tuesday marked 60 years since four gay activists held protest
While Stonewall is widely considered the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ rights movement in the U.S., a lesser-known protest inside a Greenwich Village bar three years earlier helped lay critical groundwork for what would follow.
Tuesday marked 60 years since the Julius’ Bar “sip in.”
On April 21, 1966, four gay rights activists — Dick Leitsch, Craig Rodwell, John Timmons, and later Randy Wicker — walked into Julius’ Bar and staged what would become known as a “sip-in” to challenge state liquor regulations on serving alcoholic beverages to gay men — with a drink.
Modeled after the sit-ins that challenged racial segregation across the American South, the protest was designed to confront discriminatory practices targeting LGBTQ patrons in public spaces.
At the time, the Mattachine Society — one of the country’s earliest gay rights groups — was actively pushing back against policies enforced by the New York State Liquor Authority. One of those policies could have resulted in the loss of liquor licenses for serving known or suspected gay men and lesbians. The participants had visited multiple establishments, openly identified themselves as homosexual, and requested a drink — with the anticipation of being denied.
Their final stop was Julius’, where reporters and a photographer had gathered to document the moment. When Leitsch declared their identity, the bartender covered their glasses and refused service, reportedly saying, “I think it’s against the law.” The next day, the New York Times ran a story with the headline, “3 Deviates Invite Exclusion by Bars,” cementing the moment in the public record.
Though initially framed with disrespect — the term “sip-in” itself was coined as a play on civil rights protests — the action marked a turning point. It brought national attention to the systemic discrimination LGBTQ people faced and helped catalyze changes in how liquor laws were enforced. In the years that followed, the protest contributed to the emergence of licensed, more openly gay-friendly bars, which became central social and organizing spaces for LGBTQ communities.
The Washington Blade originally covered when the bar was officially added to the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places in 2016.
Today, historians and advocates increasingly recognize the “sip-in” as a key pre-Stonewall milestone. According to the New York City LGBTQ Historic Sites Project, the protest not only increased visibility of the early LGBTQ rights movement but also exposed widespread surveillance and entrapment tactics used against the community.
Marking the 60th anniversary of the event, commemorations have taken place in New York and across the country. Reflecting on its enduring legacy, Amanda Davis, executive director of the NYC LGBTQ Historic Sites Project, spoke about the event.
“Julius’ Bar is a place you can visit and viscerally connect with history,” said Davis. “We’re thrilled to have solidarity locations across the country join us in commemorating the ‘sip-in’’s 60th anniversary and the queer community’s First Amendment right to peaceably assemble.”
For current stewards of the historic bar, the responsibility of preserving that legacy remains front of mind.
“It’s a privilege and a responsibility to be the steward of a place so important to American and LGBTQ history,” said current owner of Julius’ Bar, Helen Buford. “The events of the 1966 Sip-In here at Julius’ resonated across the country and inspired countless others to stand proud for their rights.”
The timing couldn’t have come at a more important moment, Kymn Goldstein, executive director of the June L. Mazer Lesbian Archives, explained.
“At a time when our community faces renewed challenges, coming together in resilience and solidarity reminds us of the power in our collective resistance,” Goldstein said.
The American Civil Liberties Union, an organization dedicated to defending rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution, is currently tracking 519 anti-LGBTQ bills across the U.S. The majority are targeted at restricting transgender rights — particularly related to gender-affirming care, sports participation, and the use of public bathrooms.
Some additional groups and bars that held their own “sip-in” as solidarity events to uplift this historic milestone are from across the country include:
Alice Austen House at Steiny’s Pub, Staten Island, N.Y.
Bellows Falls Pride Committee at PK’s Irish Pub, Bellows Falls, Vt.
Brick Road Coffee, Mesa, Ariz.
Brick Road Coffee, Tempe, Ariz.
Dick Leitsch’s Family at Old Louisville Brewery, Louisville, Ky.
The Faerie Playhouse & LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana at Le Cabaret, New Orleans
Harlem Pride & John Reddick at L’Artista Italian Kitchen & Bar, New York
JOYR!DE KiKi at Loafers Cocktail Bar, New York
Matthew Lawrence & Jason Tranchida / Headmaster at Deadbeats Bar, Providence, R.I.
Mazer Lesbian Archives at Alana’s Coffee, Los Angeles
New Hope Celebrates at The Club Room, New Hope, Pa.
Queer Memory Project at the University of Evansville Multicultural Student Commons / Ridgway University Center, Evansville, Ind.
Sandy Jack’s Bar, Brooklyn, N.Y.
St. Louis LGBT History Project at Just John Club, St. Louis
The LGBTQ+ Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch was held at Salamander Washington DC on Sunday, April 19. Gov. Andy Beshear (D-Ky.) was presented with the Allyship Award.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
The umbrella LGBTQ sports organization Team D.C. held its annual Night of Champions Gala at the Georgetown Marriott on Saturday, April 18. Team D.C. presented scholarships to local student athletes and presented awards to Adam Peck, Manuel Montelongo (a.k.a. Mari Con Carne), Dr. Sara Varghai, Dan Martin and the Centaur Motorcycle Club. Sean Bartel was posthumously honored with the Most Valuable Person Award.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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