Arts & Entertainment
Dance: Lords of the dance
Gay creative energy abounds in season’s visiting performance troupes


A promo still from ‘The Rambler,’ a performance by the Joe Goode Performance Group. Goode, a gay San Francisco-based artist, will be in Rockville this weekend for two performances — Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at American Dance Institute (1570 E. Jefferson Street in Rockville). Visit americandance.org for details. (Photo courtesy Joe Goode Performance Group)
Last year at this time we were saying farewell to the famous D.C. Cowboys, but just because the Cowboys have performed their last dance doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of other important dance offerings in the region this spring. Many feature gay performers, gay themes or gay directors, so make sure to mark your calendar for your favorites.
Bowen McCauley Dance, led by dancer and choreographer Lucy Bowen McCauley performs at the Atlas Intersections Festival tonight at 10 p.m. at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H Street N.E.). This performance will combine dance and rock music and a live performance by Half Brother. On April 5-6, Bowen McCauley Dance performs at the Kennedy Center (2700 F Street N.W.) at 7:30 p.m. They will be celebrating the centennial anniversary of “Rite of Spring” and other pieces. Tickets range from $36-40.
On March 7-8, gay dancer and choreographer Helanius J. Wilkins performs his powerful piece “Closer” two final times at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H Street N.E.) as part of the Atlas Intersections Festival. In this piece, Wilkins navigates his way from questions to statements while exploring newfound realizations of dance. For more information visit hjwedgeworks.com.
David Burkholder is the artistic director of The Playground, which performs “The Chemistry of Lime Trees” at The Mead Theatre Lab @ Flashpoint (916 G Street N.W.) March 14-24. This piece explores the impact of real and perceived boundaries in our lives.
Gay helmed VT Dance/Vincent Thomas celebrates 10 years of dancing with VT Dance Looking Back, Moving Forward on March 16-17 at the Theatre Project Baltimore (45 W Preston Street, Baltimore). For more information visit www.theatreproject.org.
From March 20-24, The Washington Ballet performs “Cinderella.” which combines magnificent beauty with ravishing costumes in the retelling of this classic romance. This piece is choreographed by gay director and choreographer Septime Webre and will take place at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theatre (2700 F Street N.W.). Tickets are available starting at $25.
The New York City Ballet performs at The Kennedy Center Opera House March 26-31. The company will dance two signature mixed reparatory programs accompanied by the New York City Ballet Orchestra. For more information or tickets go to kennedy-center.org.
At Dance Place (3225 8th Street N.E.) on April 6-7, Abraham.In.Motion performs Pavements, which is “Boyz in the Hood” re-imagined as a dance work investigating the state of black America.
On April 13, gay choreographer Dana Tai Soon Burgess and his company dance at Episcopal High School (1200 North Quaker Lane, Alexandria Va).
The 2013/2014 season marks the 10th anniversary season for the gay lead dance outfit Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company. On April 13 and 14 they perform a mixed show of Sokolow work, classical Indian dance and fusion at Dance Place (3225 8th Street N.E.).
On May 3-5 at the Davis Performing Arts Center at Georgetown University (3700 O Street N.W.) Derek Goldman presents “Once Wild: Isadora in Russia” written by gay award-winning playwright Norman Allen and choreographed by Cynthia Word. This progressive multidisciplinary production offers a bold new vision of Isadora Duncan. For tickets or more information go to performingarts.georgetown.edu.
From May 8-12 the Washington Ballet performs Septime Webre’s newest exploration into American literature with Heminway’s “The Sun Also Rises.” Tickets start at $25 for this Kennedy Center performance. For more information on to purchase tickets visit kennedy-center.org.
The Washington Ballet also performs “Peter and the Wolf” at the THEARC Theater May 18-19. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit thearcdc.org.
Gay choreographer and artistic director Josh Beamish of Move presents “Pierced” at the American Dance Institute (1570 East Jefferson St, Rockville) May 18-19.
Edgeworks Dance Theater, lead by openly gay choreographer Helanius J. Wilkins, returns to the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center (2700 F Street NW) on June 3. This predominately African-American Dance Company will dance a mixed repertory program featuring signature and new works.
Dance Place (3225 8th Street N.E.) has many additional offerings throughout the spring including Revision Dance Company, Karen Sherman and Idan Cohen among others. For more information and a full listing of performances visit danceplace.org
The D.C. Lambda Squares, an LGBT square dance/social club, has numerous square dance events and class sessions coming up this spring including a community dance on March 9 with a Mardi Gras theme. Monday night beginner classes continue until May 20 from 7:30-9 p.m.
Arts & Entertainment
Must-attend D.C. Pride events for 2023
Don’t miss out on these fun events during D.C. Pride

Pride Month has arrived, bringing along a vibrant array of events to explore throughout the month of June. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to participate in our favorite events over the upcoming weeks!

PRIDE ON THE PIER & FIREWORKS | JUNE 10TH
The Washington Blade, in partnership with LURe DC and The Wharf, is excited to announce the 4th annual Pride on the Pier and Fireworks show during DC Pride weekend on Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 2-9 p.m.
The event will include the annual Pride on the Pier Fireworks Show presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation at 9 p.m.
3PM: Drag Show
4PM: Capital Pride Parade Viewing on the Big Screen
9PM: Fireworks Show presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation
PRIDE PILS LAUNCH PARTY | JUNE 1ST
Once again we’re celebrating Pride in DC with the release of Pride Pils!
The 2023 design has been created and donated by the talented Chord Bezerra of District CO/OP.
Attendance is “FREE” but please RSVP via this Eventbrite or donating at the event to further support our non-profit partners SMYAL and The Blade Foundation. 100% will be donated. As always, DC Brau and Red Bear Brewing Co. will be donating all profit from the sale of this year’s Pride Pils to our non-profit partners.

‘THE GROUND WE STAND ON’ OPENING RECEPTION | JUNE 2ND
Dupont Underground, in partnership with the Washington Blade presents The Ground We Stand On: Past and Present DC LGBTQ Changemakers. DC’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community stands as a testament to the unwavering spirit of countless individuals throughout the years. In recognition of their indomitable courage and resilience, an inspiring exhibition titled “The Ground We Stand On: Past and Present DC LGBTQ Changemakers” will showcase the remarkable journeys of both past and present changemakers who have left an indelible mark on the tapestry of Washington, DC. The exhibit underscores the enduring legacy of these remarkable individuals, serving as an inspiration for present and future generations. By shining a light on their remarkable contributions, this exhibition aims to empower and encourage the continuous evolution of the DC LGBTQ+ community and its influence that transcends boundaries.

DRAG UNDERGROUND | JUNE 2ND
Join Dupont Underground and the Washington Blade every Friday for Drag Underground. Featuring some of the best Drag Queens in DC!
Performers include Destiny B Childs, Elecktra Gee, Jane Saw, and Shi-Queeta Lee

SPIRTS & BEER SHOWCASE | JUNE 3RD
metrobar prides itself on serving locally-produced beer, wine and spirits. As part of this mission, we are hosting a curated tasting event featuring Civic Vodka & Assembly Gin from local, woman-owned and operated distillery, Republic Restoratives. We will also have a selection of beers from DC Brau, including their annual Pride Pils for tasting.

DRAG UNDERGROUND | JUNE 9TH
Join Dupont Underground and the Washington Blade every Friday for Drag Underground. Featuring some of the best Drag Queens in DC!
Performers include Cake Pop, GiGI Paris Couture, Kabuki Bukkake, Delila B. Lee
Arts & Entertainment
Washington Blade, Dupont Underground spotlight D.C. LGBTQ Changemakers with new exhibit
‘The Ground We Stand On’ highlights 25 queer pioneers during Pride month

The Washington Blade and Dupont Underground present “The Ground We Stand On: Past and Present DC LGBTQ Changemakers,” a new exhibit that highlights D.C. LGBTQ pioneers.
The exhibit, featuring 25 changemakers will be on view beginning Friday, June 2, through Sunday, June 25.
The inspiring exhibition will showcase the remarkable journeys of both past and present changemakers who have left an indelible mark on the tapestry of Washington, D.C. The exhibit underscores the enduring legacy of these remarkable individuals, serving as an inspiration for present and future generations.
The exhibition opens on June 2 at 5 p.m., where all the living honorees will be present for the opening reception, followed by Drag Underground starting at 8:30 p.m., featuring some of the best Drag Queens in DC such as Shi-Queeta Lee, Cake Pop, Jane Saw, and Destiny B Childs.
“By shining a light on their remarkable contributions, this exhibition aims to empower and encourage the continuous evolution of the D.C. LGBTQ+ community and its influence that transcends boundaries,” said Stephen Rutgers, director of Sales and Marketing for the Washington Blade.
“We are thrilled to highlight so many living changemakers who will visit us for opening night, and to honor the memories and work of those changemakers who are no longer with us,” said Ana Harvey, Dupont Underground CEO.
For more information about Dupont Underground, visit www.dupontunderground.org.


Us Helping Us and DC Black Pride held the annual Pride in the Park at Fort Dupont Park on Monday, May 29.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)















Covering DC Black Pride Festival in the Park for @WashBlade . pic.twitter.com/amw66FZ7gs
— Michael Patrick Key (@MichaelKeyWB) May 29, 2023
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