Arts & Entertainment

Calendar through August 8

Concerts, parties, support groups, gallery openings and more

Published

13 years ago

August 1, 2013

Staff reports

‘Geometrics’ by Paul McCutchen, on display this summer at Touchstone Gallery. (Image courtesy Touchstone)

Friday, Aug. 2

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) hosts a trans support group this evening from 7-8:15 p.m. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

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.

Gay District, a community-based organization that builds understanding of gay culture and personal identity, meets from 8:30-9:30 p.m. at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.). The group specifically promotes awareness of community events and civil rights for LGBT men ages 18-35. For more information, visit thedccenter.org or gaydistrict.org.

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.

Delta Elite (10 St., N.E.) hosts ladies night tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. For more details, visit deltaelite.net.

Studio Theatre (1501 14^th St., N.W.) presents “The Rocky Horror Show,” directed by Keith Alan Baker and Alan Paul, at 8 p.m. tonight. The production has been extended through Aug. 11 and will include shows at 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission ranges from $40-45. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit studiotheatre.org.

Saturday, Aug. 3

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.

Burgundy Crescent Volunteers, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers today at Chesapeake Pride (4150 Honeysuckle Dr.) near Annapolis from noon-6 p.m. Volunteers will help at the front gate, sell wine and beer and help direct traffic into the parking lot. Visit burgundycrescent.org for more information.

Sunday, Aug. 4

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.

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.

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.

Monday, Aug. 5

The D.C. 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.

Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Golden Girls Watch Party” tonight from 5 p.m.-midnight featuring $5 drink specials inspired by the Golden Girls characters. Visit nelliessportsbar.com for details.

The Fort Reno Summer Music Series continue tonight at Fort Reno Park (Chesapeake St. and Nebraska Ave., N.W.) from 7:15-9:30 p.m. Tonight’s local bands include Mary Christ and Sunwolf. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, visit fortreno.com.

A sampling of Sunwolf

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.

Tuesday, Aug. 6

Us Helping Us (3636 Georgia Ave., N.W.) hosts a focus group for gay black men, organized by the D.C. HIV Prevention Planning Group, from 5:30-8 p.m. this evening. Visit thedccenter.org or uhupil.org for more details.

MOVA Lounge (2204 14^th St., N.W.) screens “Will & Grace” reruns tonight from 5 p.m.-3 a.m. Half-priced “Karen Walker Martinis” and “Just Jack Cocktails” will be served. There is no cover. For more information, visit movalounge.com.

A little Karen & Jack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vDHKxAK9Ds

Wednesday, Aug. 7

Lambda Bridge Club meets at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Dignity Center (721 8^th St., S.E.) for social bridge. Newcomers are welcome and a partner is not needed. For more information, call 301-345-1571.

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 Smithsonian National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) features “Gorilla Day” from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. today in the Great Ape House. The event is family friendly and free and includes animal demonstrations and talks with zookeepers. At 11:15 and 1:15, there will be “knuckle-walking races” kids can compete in. For more information, visit nationalzoo.si.edu.

Thursday, Aug. 8

Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers this evening for Food & Friends (219 Riggs Rd., N.E.), which helps to feed about 1,100 living with AIDS in D.C. Burgundy Crescent members will pack groceries and chop vegetables. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.

The Fort Reno Summer Music Series continue tonight at Fort Reno Park (Chesapeake St. and Nebraska Ave., N.W.) from 7:15-9:30 p.m. Tonight’s local bands include Paint Branch and Quiverd. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, visit fortreno.com.

Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Ripped Hot Body Contest” tonight from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Lena Lett hosts the event and contestants can win up to $200 in prizes. $2 rail drinks will be served from 9-11 p.m. Admission is 18 and older and free. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.

Finn and Porter (900 10^th St., N.W.) hosts speed dating for women in their 30s and 40s from 7-9 p.m. tonight. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

JR.’s Bar and Grill (1519 17^th St., N.W.) hosts an “All-U-Care-2-Drink” happy hour for $15 from 4-8 p.m. this evening. For details, visit jrsbardc.com.

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Photos

Center for Black Equity honors leaders, activists at BE. Gala

Miyake-Mugler, Oakes co-host annual awards ceremony

Published

20 hours ago

October 11, 2026

Michael Key

Center for Black Equity President and CEO Kenya Hutton speaks at the 2026 BE. Gala on Saturday. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Center for Black Equity held its annual BE. Gala at Conrad Washington, D.C. on Saturday, Oct. 5. Lolita Leopard Miyake-Mugler and Anthony Oakes co-hosted the awards ceremony.

Honorees included journalist and producer Justin Stewart; nonprofit leader Nikki Alexander; HIV advocate Marlene McNeese; the nonprofit organization FreeLux Project; actress Monroe Alise; public health advocate Tori Cooper; Manassas Park Vice Mayor Darryl G. Moore; Rev. Dr. Carmarion D. Anderson; Bishop Steven Sawyer; government relations professional Courtney Snowden; Senior Deputy Director of HAHSTA at D.C. Health, Clover Barnes; and Texas state Rep. Venton C. Jones.

The event was sponsored by Gilead.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Books

In ‘The Lost Brontë,’ a complicated lie can lead to danger

New book features sweetly romantic girl-meets-girl twist

Published

1 day ago

October 11, 2026

Terri Schlichenmeyer

(Book cover image courtesy of Bywater Books)

‘The Lost Brontë’
By Catherine Friend
c.2026, Bywater Books
$22.95/335 pages

Mom always said to tell the truth.

One lie leads to another and another and you have to remember them all until pretty soon, you’re caught. Fibs are hard, mistruths are messy, even little white social lies can destroy trust. Worst of all, as in the new novel, “The Lost Brontë” by Catherine Friend, a complicated lie can lead to danger.

Though Lilianne Loxley was very young when she lost her parents, she understood that her uncle didn’t really want her. As time passed, though, Lily made herself useful to Uncle, writing and signing letters for him and she became a good companion, helping him with his collection of Brontë memorabilia. Uncle was a keen enthusiast.

She had no idea that his obsession was out of control and he was deeply in arrears. The day Lily learned of his debt was the day she learned that he’d agreed to send her to his debtor’s home to work off the money owed.

It was so sudden. One minute, Lily was at Loxley House, happy and loved by Uncle’s staff … and five hours later, she was at Crag Thorn Manor, home of Lord Bexton, who informed her that she’d be working on his ledgers – work that seemed routine, but Lily tackled it.

Uncle always did say she was headstrong.

But would headstrong be enough to survive, when she was restricted from most of the Manor, when she was forced to dine with Brexton and his slimy friend, or – the worst! – when Brexton told Lily that her next task was to forge a letter from Emily Brontë? And then an entire manuscript?

Lily struggled to do what was right. She had to get Uncle out of debt but this last order horrified her. Did she dare refuse Brexton’s orders and commit a crime? It was unthinkable!

The only brightness in the whole situation was Wren, the ladies’ maid assigned to Lily’s room. Wren was adorable with freckles and the sweetest smile. But with everything else happening at Crag Thorn Manner, could Lily act upon her feelings?

This time of year, you may come to crave dark, spooky stories, and “The Last Brontë” fits those needs perfectly with its Gothic deliciousness. Think: Daphne du Maurier-type, stormy-night squirms with a dangerously chaste, sweetly romantic girl-meets-girl twist for fun.

If it’s been awhile since you’ve read a Gothic novel, you’re in for a nice reminder of why you love them here. You can almost tick off the must-haves: a novel like this is nothing without a foreboding stone manor with damp walls; stone steps to a dank basement; a mysterious portrait; and a nearby bog, and author Catherine Friend gives readers every one of them. You’d be disappointed if there was no ghost, wouldn’t you? Ha. You can practically feel the cold blow through the attic, right? Yeah, it’s that kind of book.

If you’re a fan of the Brontës, you’ll like this novel. If you love Gothic mysteries or Victorian romances, ditto. “The Lost Brontë” is good, no lie.

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

Out & About

CAMP Rehoboth Block Party returns Oct. 18

Expect performances, vendors and more at annual celebration

Published

1 day ago

October 11, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

CAMP Rehoboth’s annual Block Party returns next weekend. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

CAMP Rehoboth will host its annual Block Party celebration on Sunday, Oct.18 at 11 a.m. on the second block of Baltimore Avenue in downtown Rehoboth Beach.

CAMP Rehoboth invites all community members to join in the festivities and to expect magnificent performances and dozens of vendors, including artists, craftspeople, non-profits, businesses, and more.

The event started in 2015 in celebration of CAMP Rehoboth’s 25th anniversary. This year, attendees can expect to shop sea glass art, pottery, jewelry, Pride merch, body care, clothing, and learn more about local non-profit causes and businesses.

Attendance is free. For more details, visit CAMP Rehoboth’s website.