Arts & Entertainment

Calendar through July 11

Just because the 4th is over, doesn’t mean the fun stops

Published

12 years ago

July 4, 2013

Friday, July 5

Town (2009 8^th St., N.W.) hosts Bear Happy Hour tonight from 6-11 p.m. There is no cover charge and admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For details, visit towndc.com.

NoVa Gay and Lesbian Professionals host a social this evening from 6-8 p.m. at Kora Lounge (2250 Crystal Dr., Arlington, Va.). For more information, visit gogaydc.com.

Town (2009 8^th St., N.W.) hosts its monthly “So You Think You’re a Drag Queen?” contest tonight to find the region’s newest drag talent. Doors open at 10 p.m., and the competition starts at 10:30. Cover is $5 from 10-11 and $10 after 11 for guests 21 and over, and $10 all night for guests 18-20. For details, visit towndc.com.

Saturday, July 6

Phase 1 of Dupont (1415 22^nd St., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Booty Beach Ladies Dance Party.” The winner of the party’s bikini and board shorts contest will receive cash and prizes. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and admission is $5. Visit phase1dc.com for more information.

Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts a “Rumba Latina” party tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. The theme is “boys in heels.” Admission is limited to guests 21 and over and there is no cover charge. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.

Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers today for the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation at the Falls Church PetSmart (6100 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, V.A.) from 11:45 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit burgundycrescent.org for more information.

The WKP Jazz Trio perform from 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. tonight at Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.). Admission is free. For more details, visit blackfoxlounge.com.

Sunday, July 7

The Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8^th St., S.E.) hosts karaoke tonight from 9 p.m.-midnight. Cover is $3 and there will also be pool, video gaming systems and cards. For more information, visit bachelorsmill.com.

Perry’s (1811 Columbia Rd., N.W.) hosts its weekly Sunday Drag Brunch today from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The cost is $24.95 for an all-you-can-eat buffet. For details, visit perrysadamsmorgan.com.

The Big Gay Book Group meets tonight at 7 p.m. at Suite 200, 1155 F St., N.W. The book for discussion is “Full Service: My Adventures in Hollywood and the Secret Sex Lives of the Stars,” by Scotty Bowers and Lionel Friedberg. For more details, visit biggaybookgroup.com.

Adventuring, a gay and lesbian outdoor group, tours the site of the Battle of Bladensburg today. The battle was the biggest engagement during the War of 1812 with the British. Participants will meet at the West Hyattsville Metro Station (Chillum, Hyattsville, M.D.) at 9 a.m. For more information, visit adventuring.org.

Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) hosts its weekly Drag Brunch with Shi-Queeta Lee today at 11 a.m. The buffet is $24, including one free mimosa. For more information, visit nelliessportsbar.com.

Monday, July 8

Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Monday’s a Total Drag [Show]” party tonight from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. An episode of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” screens at 9, and then a live drag show will be featured. Admission is 18 and older and free. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.

The DC Center (1318 U St., N.W.) hosts coffee drop-in hours this morning from 10 a.m.-noon for the senior LGBT community. Older LGBT adults can come and enjoy complimentary coffee and conversation with other community members. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) hosts a Youth Working Group meeting tonight from 6-7:30 p.m. The group is committed to improving the lives of local LGBT youth. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.

Tuesday, July 9

Whitman-Walker Health and Trans Legal Advocates of Washington host a Name and Gender Change Clinic tonight from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Whitman-Walker Health (1701 U St., N.W.) for assistance in legal name changes and changing gender on various legal documents. A fund for low-income individuals who need service will be provided. For more information, visit thedccenter.org or Whitman-walker.org.

Dupont Italian Kitchen (1637 17^th St., N.W.) hosts a bi-women discussion group tonight from 7-9 p.m. Visit dccenter.org for more details.

A touring production of ‘Book of Mormon’ opens Tuesday at the Kennedy Center. (Photo by Joan Marcus; courtesy Kennedy Center)

“The Book of Mormon” premieres tonight at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) at 7:30 p.m. The musical won nine Tony awards in 2011 and features gay themes. Tickets range from $43-250. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit kennedy-center.org.

Wednesday, July 10

Heist (1802 Jefferson Pl., N.W.) hosts its weekly open bar party tonight from 10-11 p.m. There is no cover charge and admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For details, visit heistdc.com or the Heist DC Facebook page.

Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8^th St., S.E.) hosts drag bingo during happy hour tonight from 5-7:30 p.m. All drinks are half price and there will also be pool, video gaming systems and cards. Admission is free. For details, visit bachelorsmill.com.

The Dupont Drawing Group meets tonight at 7 p.m. at The Church of the Pilgrims (2201 P St., N.W.) to draw from a live model. The session is self-directed with no formal instruction and no materials are provided. Drawing spots and easels are available on a first come-first serve basis, so guests should arrive anytime after 6:45. No reservations are required, and a modest fee to pay the model will be collected. For more information, visit paulreuther.com.

The Lambda Bridge Club meets at 7:30 p.m. tonight for social bridge at the Dignity Center (721 8^th St., S.E.). No reservations are needed, and newcomers are welcome. Call 703-407-6540 for more information or if a partner is needed.

Thursday, July 11

MOVA Lounge (2204 14^th St., N.W.) hosts “GLBT College Night” this evening, with a vodka open bar for guests who have a college ID from 9-10 p.m. Admission is free and 18 and older. Visit movalounge.com for more details.

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) hosts a meeting for the D.C. Crystal Meth Working Group tonight from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The group advocates education and treatment surrounding the use of methamphetamine. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

Whitman-Walker Health provides free HIV testing tonight at Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8^th St., S.E.) at 10 p.m. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.

Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers tonight for Food & Friends (219 Riggs Rd., N.E.) at 6 p.m. The group will help with food preparation and packing groceries for people living with AIDS in the Washington area. Visit burgundycrescent.org for more information.

She & Him, fronted by Indie film star Zooey Deschanel and folk artist M. Ward, play Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd., Vienna, Va.) this evening at 8 p.m. with special guest Camera Obscura. Tickets range from $30-40. For details, visit wolftrap.org.

Books

A boy-meets-boy, family-mess story with heat

New book offers a stunning, satisfying love story

Published

14 hours ago

May 4, 2025

Terri Schlichenmeyer

(Book cover image courtesy of Random House)

‘When the Harvest Comes’
By Denne Michele Norris
c.2025, Random House
$28/304 pages

Happy is the bride the sun shines on.

Of all the clichés that exist about weddings, that’s the one that seems to make you smile the most. Just invoking good weather and bright sunshine feels like a cosmic blessing on the newlyweds and their future. It’s a happy omen for bride and groom or, as in the new book “When the Harvest Comes” by Denne Michele Norris, for groom and groom.

Davis Freeman never thought he could love or be loved like this.

He was wildly, wholeheartedly, mind-and-soul smitten with Everett Caldwell, and life was everything that Davis ever wanted. He was a successful symphony musician in New York. They had an apartment they enjoyed and friends they cherished. Now it was their wedding day, a day Davis had planned with the man he adored, the details almost down to the stitches in their attire. He’d even purchased a gorgeous wedding gown that he’d never risk wearing.

He knew that Everett’s family loved him a lot, but Davis didn’t dare tickle the fates with a white dress on their big day. Everett’s dad, just like Davis’s own father, had considerable reservations about his son marrying another man – although Everett’s father seemed to have come to terms with his son’s bisexuality. Davis’s father, whom Davis called the Reverend, never would. Years ago, father and son had a falling-out that destroyed any chance of peace between Davis and his dad; in fact, the door slammed shut to any reconciliation.

But Davis tried not to think about that. Not on his wedding day. Not, unbeknownst to him, as the Reverend was rushing toward the wedding venue, uninvited but not unrepentant. Not when there was an accident and the Reverend was killed, miles away and during the nuptials.

Davis didn’t know that, of course, as he was marrying the love of his life. Neither did Everett, who had familial problems of his own, including homophobic family members who tried (but failed) to pretend otherwise.

Happy is the groom the sun shines on. But when the storm comes, it can be impossible to remain sunny.

What can be said about “When the Harvest Comes?” It’s a romance with a bit of ghost-pepper-like heat that’s not there for the mere sake of titillation. It’s filled with drama, intrigue, hate, characters you want to just slap, and some in bad need of a hug.

In short, this book is quite stunning.

Author Denne Michele Norris offers a love story that’s everything you want in this genre, including partners you genuinely want to get to know, in situations that are real. This is done by putting readers inside the characters’ minds, letting Davis and Everett themselves explain why they acted as they did, mistakes and all. Don’t be surprised if you have to read the last few pages twice to best enjoy how things end. You won’t be sorry.

If you want a complicated, boy-meets-boy, family-mess kind of book with occasional heat, “When the Harvest Comes” is your book. Truly, this novel shines.

The Blade may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via this post.

Photos

PHOTOS: Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch

LGBTQ politicians gather for annual event

Published

3 days ago

May 2, 2025

Michael Key

Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) speaks at the 2025 Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Music & Concerts

Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’

Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.

Published

3 days ago

May 2, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Singer Tom Goss is back. (Photo by Dusti Cunningham)

Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.

Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.

For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.