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Calendar Through May 9

Pink & Purple Weekend, spring flings, drag shows, parties and more

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Denyce Graves, gay news, Washington Blade
Denyce Graves, gay news, Washington Blade

Mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves performs with the National Philharmonic this weekend at the Strathmore (Photo by Devon Cass Silver).

Friday, May 3

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force kicks off its Pink and Purple weekend tonight at 8 p.m. at the Hotel Helix Patio (1430 Rhode Island Ave., NW). The weekend honors community leaders who push for LGBT equality and educate local activists. Tonight’s event is “Dusk: for Women and their Friends,” which is $30 at the door. Later in the night starting at 10 p.m. is the Pink and Purple Party at Cobalt (1639 R St., NW). Tickets are not available ahead of time for this event. The weekend ends with the Pink and Purple Awards Brunch at the Mayflower Hotel (1127 Connecticut Ave., NW) on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. This year’s brunch will honor actor Jeffrey Wright, an LGBT advocate, Emmy, Golden Globe and Tony Award winner, as well as Robert Raben, an accomplished leader for the LGBT community who is the former assistant attorney general under President Bill Clinton. Tickets are $125. For details, visit thetaskforce.org.

NoVA Gay and Lesbian Professionals host a spring social at the Kora Lounge (2250 Crystal Drive, Arlington, Va.) this evening at 6 p.m. Visit gogaydc.com for more information.

The “A List Show” at Remington’s Nightclub (639 Pennsylvania Ave., SE) hosts with Ladi Lenore, “The Darling of the Empire” tonight at 10 p.m. Cover is $10. For more information, visit remingtonswdc.com.

The Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance presents the Miss Gay Arlington Pageant “The Glittery Rainbow Connection” at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant (555 23rd Street South, Arlington, Va.) at 8 p.m. The theme for this year’s pageant is “Priscilla Takes Arlington,” based on the film “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.” Contestant entry fee is $25. For details, visit agla.org.

Conductor Christoph Eschenbach leads the National Symphony Orchestra in the show “A Tribute to Slava” tonight at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., NW) at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10-$85. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.

Saturday, May 4

Denyce Graves, a famous mezzo-soprano, performs with the National Philharmonic at the Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Lane) tonight at 8 p.m. and tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. Grave will perform Brahm’s “Alto Rhapsody” under the direction of conductor Piotr Gajewski. Tickets are $28-$81. Visit nationalphilharmonic.org for details.

Burgundy Crescent Volunteers are invited to work the Around the World Embassy Tour today at 10 a.m. Volunteers will welcome residents and visitors while they experience the different Washington embassies. The tours will be between Massachusetts Ave. and P St., NW. They’ll also be at Food and Friends (219 Riggs Rd., NE) at 8 a.m. and again at 9:45 a.m. Volunteers will help with food preparation and packing groceries. The shifts are limited to 10 per shift. Others will be at 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.

Sunday, May 5

The Literary Hill BookFest kicks off today at 11 a.m. at the North Hall of Eastern Market (575 7th St., NW). The afternoon includes thought-provoking writers who will discuss, read and sign their works. Visit literaryhillbookfest.org for more information.

Monday, May 6

The GI Film Festival kicks off tonight with a black tie salute to James Bond and gala event at the Signature Theater (4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, VA) at 7 p.m. Tickets are $135. The festival is the only one to celebrate and commemorate the military through the medium of film. Part of their schedule includes a screening of the short documentary “Do Tell” on May 10 at 10 p.m. The film follows gay American military members stationed in an outpost in Japan pre and post “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Tickets to this event are $30. Attendees can buy passes for $50-$350. Visit gifilmfestival.com.

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.

Tuesday, May 7

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, May 8

Washington Ballet presents “The Sun Also Rises,” a show based of Ernest Hemingway’s classic novel, tonight at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., NW) at 7:30 p.m. Under the artistic direction of gay choreographer Septime Webre, the show tells the story of journalist Jake Barnes, a 1920s American expatriate in Paris, and his journey that leads him to the “running of the bulls” in Pamplona, Spain. Tickets are $25-$125. Visit kennedy-center.org for more details.

The Lambda 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, May 9

Rocker Beth Hart performs at the Birchmere Music Hall (3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Va.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. Hart’s initial fame, after a record-breaking stint on “Star Search,” was garnered from her hit “LA Song (Out of this Town)” that was used on “Beverly Hills, 90210.” Her music is influenced by blues, rock, gospel and jazz. Tickets are $25. For details, visit birchmere.com.

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Out & About

This queer comedy show will warm you up

Catfish Comedy to feature LGBTQ lineup

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(Promotional image via Eventbrite)

Catfish Comedy will host “2026 Queer Kickoff Show” on Thursday, Feb. 5 at A League of Her Own (2319 18th Street, N.W.). This show features D.C.’s funniest LGBTQ and femme comedians. The lineup features performers who regularly take the stage at top clubs like DC Improv and Comedy Loft, with comics who tour nationally.

Tickets are $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

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Arts & Entertainment

Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star and celebrated queer ally, dies at 71

Actress remembered for memorable comedic roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Home Alone’

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(Photo courtesy of Pop TV)

Catherine O’Hara, the varied comedic actor known for memorable roles in “Beetlejuice,” “Schitt’s Creek,” and “Home Alone,” has died at 71 on Friday, according to multiple reports. No further details about her death were revealed.

O’Hara’s death comes as a shock to Hollywood, as the Emmy award-winning actor has been recently active, with roles in both “The Studio” and “The Last of Us.” For her work in those two shows, she received Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and outstanding guest actress in a drama series.

In 2020, O’Hara won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a comedy series award for her work in the celebrated sixth and final season of “Schitt’s Creek.” She was also known as a queer ally and icon for her theatrical and often campy performances over multiple decades. In “Schitt’s Creek,” she played Moira Rose, the wig-loving mother of David Rose (played by series creator Dan Levy). David is pansexual, but the characters around him simply accept him for who he is; the show was embraced by the LGBTQ community with how naturally David’s sexuality was written and portrayed. That show ran from 2015 to 2020 and helped bring O’Hara and her co-stars into a new phase of their careers.

In a 2019 interview with the Gay Times, O’Hara explained why the show got LGBTQ representation right: “Daniel has created a world that he wants to live in, that I want to live in. It’s ridiculous that we live in a world where we don’t know how to respect each other and let each other be. It’s crazy. Other shows should follow suit and present the world and present humans as the best that we can be. It doesn’t mean you can’t laugh, that you can’t be funny in light ways and dark ways. It’s all still possible when you respect and love each other.”

Additional credits include “SCTV Network” (for which O’Hara won a writing Emmy), “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Six Feet Under,” “Best in Show,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” and “Dick Tracy.” O’Hara also lent her voice to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Chicken Little,” “Monster House,” and “Elemental.” O’Hara was expected to return for Season 2 of “The Studio,” which started filming earlier this month.

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Calendar

Calendar: January 30-February 5

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, January 30

Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).

Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. This event will be hosted by local drag queens TrevHER and Grey, who will provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Saturday, January 31

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.

Sunday, February 1

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, February 2

“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” 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 information, contact Adam (adamheller@thedccenter.org).

Tuesday, February 3

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 information, email [email protected]

Wednesday, February 4

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. 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 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website

Thursday, February 5

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm 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 Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.  

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