Arts & Entertainment

Calendar through April 11

Concerts, parties, gatherings and more to kick off your April showers

Published

11 years ago

April 4, 2013

Erin Durkin

Opera singer Diana Damrau performs at the Kennedy Center on Monday night. (Photo by Eric Richmond)

Friday, April 5

Bowen McCauley Dance returns to the Kennedy Center (2700 F St. NW) tonight at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The group, known for its commitment to live music and collaboration, presents some newly commissioned works along with some older ones, including “Before the Fall,” “Fire and Air,” “Tableau de Province” and a tribute to the centennial of Stravinsky’s work, “Le Sacre du Printemps.” Tickets are $36-$40. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.

NoVa Gay and Lesbian Professionals host a spring social at the Pinzimini restaurant in the Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel (801 N. Glebe Road) this evening at 6 p.m. There is no cover charge. For more information, visit meetup.com/novaglp.

Phase 1(1415 22^nd Street, NW) hosts the Isis Deverreoux Drag King Race tonight at midnight. Cover is $5. Visit phase1dupont.com for more details.

MOVA Lounge (2204 14^th St., NW) holds its “Catalyst” party with DJs TWiN and Kostas. Cover is $12 at the door. For details, visit cherryfund.org.

Saturday, April 6

Burgundy Crescent members volunteer this morning at Food and Friends (219 Riggs Road, NE) at 8 a.m. Volunteers will help with food preparation and packing groceries. The shifts are limited to 10 per shift. They’ll also be at 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.

Equality Virginia holds its Commonwealth Dinner at the Greater Richmond Convention Center (403 N. Third St., Richmond) this evening at 5 p.m. The night will include a silent auction and an after dinner dance. Attendees must register for the event. For more information, visit equalityvirginia.org.

Blowoff, a gay dance party featuring indie rocker Bob Mould and DJ Richard Morel, takes place tonight at the 9:30 Club (815 V St., NW) at 11:30 p.m. Tickets are $12. Visit 930.com for more details.

Bob Mould discusses the origins of Blowoff:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2pIa6PA6Qk

Code DC hosts a Cherry edition gear party tonight at 9 p.m. at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, NW). For more information, visit greenlanterndc.com.

Sunday, April 7

Victory Fund’s annual National Champagne Brunch takes place today at the Washington Hilton (1919 Connecticut Ave., NW) at 11 a.m. The organization works to elect LGBT leaders to help change America’s politics. Individual tickets range from $150-$200. Visit victoryfund.org for more information.

Monday, April 8

The 29^th Helen Hayes Awards takes place this evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Warner Theatre (513 13^th St., NW). The award celebrates the achievements of about 80 professional theaters throughout the Washington metropolitan area. Local gay theater professionals are always a big part of the event. Tickets are $400-$2,000. For more information, visit theatrewashington.org.

Opera star Diana Damrau performs for the Washington National Opera Celebrity Opera Series tonight at 8 p.m. at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., NW). Damrau will be accompanied by French harpist Xavier de Maistre. Tickets are $40-$180. For details, visit kennedy-center.org.

Diana Damrau:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmOgYjYYX6Q

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., NW) holds coffee drop-in for the senior LGBT community today at 10 a.m.-noon. The Center will provide complimentary coffee and a community to chat with. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

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.

Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14^th 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.

Tuesday, April 9

Fleetwood Mac performs at the Verizon Center (601 F St., NW) as part of its 2013 tour tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $60-$160. Visit verizoncenter.com for details.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LOCAL LGBT RESOURCES WITH OUR BRAND NEW GUIDE

The 2013 Youth Working Group Reception takes place at MOVA Lounge (22014 14^th St., NW) this evening at 5 p.m. The reception provides attendees with the opportunity to meet youth working group members and learn how they work to support the LGBT youth in the area. Tickets are $10. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

D.C. Bi Women meets tonight at 7 at Dupont Italian Kitchen (1637 17^th St., NW) in the upstairs room. For details, visit thedccenter.org.

Whitman-Walker (1701 14^th 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 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, April 10

The Big Gay Book Group meets tonight at 7 p.m. at 1155 F St., NW to discuss “Angels in America: Part II Perestroika” by Tony Kushner. For more information, visit biggaybookgroup.com.

Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14^th St., NW) holds its HIV+ Newly Diagnosed Support Group tonight at 7. It’s 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.

Thursday, April 11

Burgundy Crescent volunteers with this evening with Food and Friends (219 Riggs Road, NE) at 6 p.m. Volunteers will help with food preparation and packing groceries. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.

The Lambda Bridge Club meets at the Dignity Center (721 8^th St., SE) tonight at 7:30 p.m. No reservations are needed ad newcomers are welcome. For details, visit lambdabridge.com.

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.

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PHOTOS: Night of Champions

Team DC holds annual awards gala

Published

2 days ago

April 21, 2024

Michael Key

Team DC President Miguel Ayala speaks at the 2024 Night of Champions Awards on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Team DC, the umbrella organization for LGBTQ-friendly sports teams and leagues in the D.C. area, held its annual Night of Champions Awards Gala on Saturday, April 20 at the Hilton National Mall. The organization gave out scholarships to area LGBTQ student athletes as well as awards to the Different Drummers, Kelly Laczko of Duplex Diner, Stacy Smith of the Edmund Burke School, Bryan Frank of Triout, JC Adams of DCG Basketball and the DC Gay Flag Football League.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Photos

PHOTOS: National Cannabis Festival

Annual event draws thousands to RFK

Published

2 days ago

April 21, 2024

Michael Key

Growers show their strains at The National Cannabis Festival on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The 2024 National Cannabis Festival was held at the Fields at RFK Stadium on April 19-20.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Covering the @NatlCannaFest at RFK Stadium for @WashBlade . Stop by the LGBTQ+ booth and pick up a paper if you are here. pic.twitter.com/is7hnsaPns
— Michael Patrick Key (@MichaelKeyWB) April 20, 2024

Theater

‘Amm(i)gone’ explores family, queerness, and faith

A ‘fully autobiographical’ work from out artist Adil Mansoor

Published

3 days ago

April 20, 2024

Patrick Folliard

Adil Mansoor in ‘Amm(i)gone’ at Woolly Mammoth Theatre. (Photo by Kitoko Chargois)

‘Amm(i)gone’
Thorough May 12
Woolly Mammoth Theatre
641 D St., N.W.
$60-$70
Woollymammoth.net

“Fully and utterly autobiographical.” That’s how Adil Mansoor describes “Amm(i)gone,” his one-man work currently playing at Woolly Mammoth Theatre.

Both created and performed by out artist Mansoor, it’s his story about inviting his Pakistani mother to translate Sophocles’s Greek tragedy “Antigone” into Urdu. Throughout the journey, there’s an exploration of family, queerness, and faith,as well as references to teachings from the Quran, and audio conversations with his Muslim mother.

Mansoor, 38, grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and is now based in Pittsburgh where he’s a busy theater maker. He’s also the founding member of Pittsburgh’s Hatch Arts Collective and the former artistic director of Dreams of Hope, an LGBTQ youth arts organization.

WASHINGTON BLADE: What spurred you to create “Amm(i)gone”?

ADIL MANSOOR: I was reading a translation of “Antigone” a few years back and found myself emotionally overwhelmed. A Theban princess buries her brother knowing it will cost her, her own life. It’s about a person for whom all aspirations are in the afterlife. And what does that do to the living when all of your hopes and dreams have to be reserved for the afterlife?

I found grant funding to pay my mom to do the translation. I wanted to engage in learning. I wanted to share theater but especially this ancient tragedy. My mother appreciated the characters were struggling between loving one another and their beliefs.

BLADE: Are you more director than actor?

MANSOOR: I’m primarily a director with an MFA in directing from Carnegie Mellon. I wrote, directed, and performed in this show, and had been working on it for four years. I’ve done different versions including Zoom. Woolly’s is a new production with the same team who’ve been involved since the beginning.

I love solo performance. I’ve produced and now teach solo performance and believe in its power. And I definitely lean toward “performance” and I haven’t “acted” since I was in college. I feel good on stage. I was a tour guide and do a lot of public speaking. I enjoy the attention.

BLADE: Describe your mom.

MANSOOR: My mom is a wonderfully devout Muslim, single mother, social worker who discovered my queerness on Google. And she prays for me.

She and I are similar, the way we look at things, the way we laugh. But different too. And those are among the questions I ask in this show. Our relationship is both beautiful and complicated.

BLADE: So, you weren’t exactly hiding your sexuality?

MANSOOR: In my mid-20s, I took time to talk with friends about our being queer with relation to our careers. My sexuality is essential to the work. As the artistic director at Dreams of Hope, part of the work was to model what it means to be public. If I’m in a room with queer and trans teenagers, part of what I’m doing is modeling queer adulthood. The way they see me in the world is part of what I’m putting out there. And I want that to be expansive and full.

So much of my work involves fundraising and being a face in schools. Being out is about making safe space for queer young folks.

BLADE: Have you encountered much Islamophobia?

MANSOOR: When 9/11 happened, I was a sophomore in high school, so yes. I faced a lot then and now. I’ve been egged on the street in the last four months. I see it in the classroom. It shows up in all sorts of ways.

BLADE: What prompted you to lead your creative life in Pittsburgh?

MANSOOR: I’ve been here for 14 years. I breathe with ease in Pittsburgh. The hills and the valleys and the rust of the city do something to me. It’s beautiful, it’ affordable, and there is support for local artists. There’s a lot of opportunity.

Still, the plan was to move to New York in September of 2020 but that was cancelled. Then the pandemic showed me that I could live in Pittsburgh and still have a nationally viable career.

BLADE: What are you trying to achieve with “Amm(i)gone”?

MANSOOR: What I’m sharing in the show is so very specific but I hear people from other backgrounds say I totally see my mom in that. My partner is Catholic and we share so much in relation to this.

I hope the work is embracing the fullness of queerness and how means so many things. And I hope the show makes audiences want to call their parents or squeeze their partners.