Arts & Entertainment
Calendar through June 6
As Pride Week approaches, get in the spirit with a bevy of events
Matthew Morrison, an LGBT ally, releases a new album called ‘Where It All Began’ Tuesday with partial proceeds going to Human Rights Campaign. (Photo courtesy the Karpel Group)
Friday, May 31
The Club (5268 Williamsport Pike, Martinsburg, W.Va.) hosts The Decardeza Dynasty: A Royal Family of Illusion Friday. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the drag show starts at 10:30. The cover is $5, or $20 for unlimited rail and draft beverages from 8:30-midnight. Visit the Facebook event, “The Club: The Decardeza Dynasty,” for more details.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts Bear Happy Hour Friday from 6-11 p.m. Admission is limited to guests 21 and over. There is no cover charge. For more information, visit towndc.com.
Whitman-Walker Health provides free HIV testing from 10 p.m-12:30 a.m. Friday at Glorious Health Club (2120 West Virginia Ave., N.E.). For more details, visit whitman-walker.org.
The AFI Silver (8633 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, Md.) hosts the opening screening of “We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks” Friday evening (no screening time had been announced by Blade press time). The documentary details Julian Assange’s creation of his controversial website and its facilitation of the largest security breach in U.S. history. Visit afi.com/silver for more information.
Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUbav0DiwRs
The D.C. Queer Theater Festival continues Friday and Saturday night at Flashpoint Theater (916 G St., N.W.) The festival features six short plays that chronicle joys and hardships faced by the LGBT community, as well as performances by D.C.-based slam poets. Tickets are $15 and the proceeds benefit The D.C. Center for the LGBT Community. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit dcqueertheatrefest.org.
Saturday, June 1
DJ Cottontail spins Saturday at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.), wearing his signature pink rabbit suit. Doors open at 10 p.m. and admission is limited to guests 21 and over. Cover is $8 from 10-11 p.m., and $12 after 11. Visit towndc.com for details.
The Dupont-Kalorama Museums Consortium starts its annual Museum Walk Weekend Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The event features free admission to nine neighborhood museums, including The Phillips Collection and Woodrow Wilson House, as well as a variety of special programs. If interested in volunteering, contact Katherine Neill Ridgeley at [email protected]. Visit dkmuseums.com for more information.
The Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) hosts “Hellmouth Happy Hour” Saturday at 7 p.m. One episode of the gay cult classic television show “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” screens and a drink special will be served. Admission is free. Visit blackcatdc.com for details.
Sunday, June 2
The Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8th St., S.E.) hosts karaoke Sunday from 9 p.m.-midnight. There will also be pool, video gaming systems and card games. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and admission is $3 after 9. For more information, visit bachelorsmill.com.
“Love Makes a Family,” a traveling exhibit of photos of LGBT families, has its opening reception Sunday evening at 7:45 p.m. at Arlington Central Public Library (1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington). The exhibit was arranged by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington. The exhibit will be on display during regular library hours throughout June.
The D.C. Center hosts the Stonewall Kickball Drag Ball Game Sunday afternoon from 2-6 p.m. in Stead Park (17th St. & P St., N.W.). Visit thedccenter.org or the event on Facebook for more details.
The Dupont-Kalorama Museums Consortium continues its annual Museum Walk Weekend Sunday from 1-5 p.m. The event features free admission to nine neighborhood museums, including The Phillips Collection and Woodrow Wilson House, as well as a variety of special programs. If interested in volunteering, contact Katherine Neill Ridgeley at [email protected]. Visit dkmuseums.com for more information.
Monday, June 3
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Monday’s a total drag [show]!” party starting at 9 p.m. with host Kristina Kelly. $4 vodka specials will be served until close. For more details, visit cobaltdc.com.
Mombian, an award-winning LGBT parenting website, posts all blog entries submitted for the eighth annual Blogging for LGBT Families Day today. The event, held each year during June, is run by Mombian and sponsored by Family Equality Council. The blog posts raise awareness about the diversity of LGBT families and the prejudices they face. Visit mombian.com to view posts and participate.
Tuesday, June 4
Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) features performances by jazz musician Bill “Magic” Lavender Bey from 8-11 p.m. this evening. Admission is free. Visit blackfoxlounge.com for details.
Melissa Ferrick releases her new album “the truth is” today. Known for her indie-rock sound, Ferrick experiments with an alternative-country approach on this album. For more information and to pre-order an autographed copy of “the truth is,” visit melissaferrick.com.
Matthew Morrison releases his new album “Where It All Began” today. Partial proceeds for the pre-sale of the album will benefit Human Rights Campaign. Morrison features classic standards, many from Broadway musicals, on the album. For more information, visit matthewmorrison.com.
The D.C. Trans Coalition hosts its monthly planning meeting tonight from 7:30-9 p.m. at Casa Ruby (2822 Georgia Ave., N.W.). For more information, visit dctranscoalition.org.
Wednesday, June 5
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St., N.W.) holds its HIV+ Newly Diagnosed Support Group tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. It’s a confidential support group for anyone recently diagnosed with HIV and is inclusive of all genders and sexual orientations. Attendees must call 202-797-3580 or email [email protected] to register. Visit whitman-walker.org for more information.
The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for social bridge. No partner needed. Visit lambdadc.org, or call 301-345-1571 for more details.
Bookmen D.C., an informal literature group for gay men, discusses Michael Cunningham’s novel “By Nightfall” this evening at 7:30 p.m. at Tenleytown Library (4450 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.). All are welcome. For more information, visit bookmendc.blogspot.com.
The Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) presents “Story League Contest: Gay Love” tonight at 8 p.m. for guests 21 and over. Seven LGBT contestants tell seven-minute stories on their love relationships and four expert judges will decide who wins a $100 prize. Admission is $12. For more information and to pre-submit a story idea, visit blackcatdc.com.
Thursday, June 6
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts a hot body contest from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. tonight to kick off Pride. Contestants can win up to $200 in prizes. Admission is free and $2 rail drinks will be served from 9-11 p.m. Visit cobaltdc.com for details.
Two events are slated for a new book called “Your Queer Career: the Ultimate Career Guide for LGBTQ Job Seekers” by local gay author Riley Folds. Tonight there will be a book launch party and signing from 6-8 p.m. at MOVA Lounge (2204 14th Street, NW). RSVP is requested at [email protected]. And on Friday (June 7), Folds will conduct a reading and discussion on the topic at the D.C. Center (1318 U Street, NW) from 6:30-8 p.m. Folds is the founder of Out for Work, a national non-profit dedicated to educating, empowering and preparing LGBT students to transition into the workplace.
Phase 1 (525 8th St., S.E.) features “Rock the Rainbow Karaoke” at 9 p.m. this evening for Pride week. Admission is free and limited to guests 21 and over. For more information, visit the Phase 1 Facebook page or phase1dc.com.
The Fireplace (2161 P St., N.W.) hosts a happy hour today from 1-8 p.m. Admission is free and limited to guests 21 and over and $3 rail liquor drinks and domestic beer will be served. For more details, visit fireplacedc.com.
a&e features
Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington held the annual Spring Affair gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The theme for this year’s fete was “Sapphire & Sparkle.” The chorus celebrated 45 years in D.C. with musical performances, food, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Executive Director Justin Fyala and Artistic Director Thea Kano gave welcoming speeches. Opening remarks were delivered by Spring Affair co-chairs Tracy Barlow and Tomeika Bowden. Uproariously funny comedian Murray Hill performed a stand-up set and served as the emcee.
There were performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington groups Potomac Fever, 17th Street Dance, the Rock Creek Singers, Seasons of Love, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus.
Anjali Murthy, a member of the chorus and a graduate of the GenOUT Youth Chorus, addressed the attendees of the gala.
“The LGBTQ+ community isn’t bound by blood ties: we are brought together by shared experience,” Murthy said. “Being Gen Z, I grew up with Ellen [DeGeneres] telling me through the TV screen that it gets better: that one day, it’ll all be okay. The sentiment isn’t wrong, but it’s passive. What I’ve learned from GMCW is that our future is something we practice together. It exists because people like you continue to show up for it, to believe in the possibilities of what we’re still becoming”
The event concluded with the presentation of the annual Harmony Awards. This year’s awardees included local drag artist and activist Tara Hoot, the human rights organization Rainbow Railroad as well as Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director, Dr. Chipper Dean.
(Washington Blade photos and videos by Michael Key)
Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Photos
PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
Ashley Biden accepts award for Beau Biden at annual Rehoboth fundraiser
The 19th annual Blade Foundation Summer Kickoff Party was held on Friday, May 15 at Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach, Del. An award presentation was held for former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Ashley Biden accepted the award on her brother’s behalf and gave remarks. Other speakers included Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff. The event was a fundraiser for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
