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Calendar: Feb. 7-13

Parties, exhibits, concerts and more for the week ahead

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Honey Soundsystem, calendar, gay news, Washington Blade
Honey Soundsystem, calendar, gay news, Washington Blade

Honey Soundsystem, a San Francisco gay DJ collective, spins at Flash this weekend. (Photo by Shanna Doherty, courtesy the group)

LGBT events calendar for the week ahead in Washington.

Friday, Feb. 7

Larry Cohen hosts a free social anxiety workshop for the LGBT community at (4808 43rd Pl., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. The workshop covers what social anxiety is, what causes and maintains it and the cognitive-behavioral therapy approach to overcoming it. Attendees are not required to speak or interact. Registration is required. For details and to register, visit socialanxietyhelp.com.

The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) hosts a trans support group meeting tonight at 7 p.m. The facilitated group discussion is open to all members of the community including partners, friends and allies. For details, visit thedccenter.org.

Gay District, a facilitated group discussion focused on building understanding of gay culture and personal identity for men ages 18 through 35, meets at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 8:30-9:30 p.m. For details, visit thedccenter.org.

Team D.C., Capital Pride, Human Rights Campaign and Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies are sponsoring a “Pride House International” event tonight to watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympics at HRC headquarters (1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.) at 7 p.m. Former pro hockey player Sean Avery will be a guest. RSVP at action.hrc.org. There is a $10 suggested donation to benefit the Russia LGBT Sports Foundation.

The 9 Songwriter Series is tonight from 7:30-10 p.m. at Ebenezer’s Coffeehouse (201 F Street, N.E.) and features performances by local gay songwriters such as Stewart Lewis, Tom Goss and more. Cost is $10. Details at facebookcom/wearethe9 or ebenezerscoffeehouse.com.

Otter Crossing is tonight at Green Lantern (just off Thomas Circle at 1335 Green Court, N.W.) with DJ Tommy Cornelis. For ages 21 and up. $5 cover after 10 p.m. Find the event on Facebook for details.

Saturday, Feb. 8

The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) holds free and confidential HIV testing today from 4-7 p.m. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.

Duplex Diner and the Dupont Social Club present “Valentine’s Day is a Drag!” at Duplex Diner (2004 18th St., N.W.) tonight from 6:30-11 p.m. There will be drag queen waitresses and bartenders, DJs, raffles and performances all night long. Dinner seatings are at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. There is a $20 suggested donation to benefit SMYAL.

RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant MiMi Imfurst performs at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) tonight. Doors open at 10 p.m. Cover is $8 from 10-11 p.m. and $12 after 11 p.m. Drinks are $3 before 11 p.m. Drag show starts at 10:30 p.m. Admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For details, visit towndc.com.

Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts “Bearzerk” tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Music will be by Dean Douglas Sullivan, Tommy Cornelis and more. Well and domestic drinks are $5 and Jameson, Jager and fireballs are $6. Doors open at 10 p.m. Covr is $5 and $7 after midnight. Admission is limited to guests 21 and over.

GLOV hosts the second annual Deoni Jones memorial and rally today at 4 p.m. at St. Luke’s Church (4925 East Capital Street, S.E.). Jones was a victim of an anti-trans hate crime.

Sunday, Feb. 9

Chick Chat, an ages 50-and-over lesbian singles group, meets at the Walters Art Museum (600 North Charles St., Baltimore) at the main entrance near Centre and Cathedral streets today at 1 p.m. For details and to RSVP, email [email protected].

Fairlington United Methodist Church (3900 King St., Alexandria, Va.) hosts “God’s Love Spoken Here,” a special service celebrating its one-year anniversary as a reconciling congregation, this morning at 9:30 and 11 a.m. For details, visit fairlingtonumc.org.

The NeedlExchange presents Honey Soundsystem, a queer DJ collective from San Francisco, at Flash (645 Florida Ave., N.W.) tonight from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Admission is limited to guests 21 and over. Tickets are $15. To purchase tickets, visit tnxandhny.eventbrite.com.

Monday, Feb. 10

Us Helping Us  (3636 Georgia Ave., N.W.) holds a support group for gay black men to discuss topics that affect them today, share perspectives and have meaningful conversations. For details, visit uhupil.org.

Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) hosts poker night tonight at 8 p.m. Win prizes. Free to play. For more information, visit nelliessportsbar.com.

Tuesday, Feb. 11

The D.C. Center hosts a “Center Arts Reception” at MOVA Lounge (2204 14th St., N.W.) this evening from 5:30-8 p.m. Hosted by Regie Cabico, the reception celebrates art and cultural programs at the D.C. Center. There is a $10 suggested donation. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.

D.C. Bi Women hosts its monthly meeting in the upstairs room of Dupont Italian Kitchen (1637 17th St., N.W.) from 7-9 p.m. tonight. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.

A Kiss for Gabriela,” a HIPS film screening in honor of the late Gabriela Leite, is tonight at 6 p.m. at Busboys and Poets (2021 14th St., N.W.). RSVP to [email protected] for details.

Wednesday, Feb. 12

The Lambda Bridge Club hosts duplicate bridge at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) at 7:30 p.m. tonight. No reservations needed and newcomers welcome. If you need a partner, call 703-407-6540.

Big Gay Book Group meets tonight at 1155 F St., N.W. Suite 200 at 7 p.m. to discuss “The Days of Anna Madrigal” by Armistead Maupin, a story about Anna Madrigal, a 92-year-old transgender landlady who embarks on a road-trip to reconnect to her past. For details, email [email protected].

Rainbow Response, an LGBT intimate partner violence prevention group, meets in the third floor conference room at 5 Thomas Circle N.W. today from 6-7 p.m. For details, visit thedccenter.org.

Thursday, Feb. 13

Washington National Opera Bravo Club presents “An Evening with Jake Heggie” at 1915 17th St., N.W. tonight at 7 p.m. Heggie has composed operas including “Dead Man Walking,” “The End of the Affair” and “Moby-Dick.” Wine and hors d’oeuvres begin at 7 p.m. The conversation begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20. To purchase tickets, go here.

The 15th Annual Washington D.C. International Wine and Food Festival begins at Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) today through Saturday. Enjoy tastings of high quality food and wine, food pairings and wine education. Tickets range from $45-120. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit wineandfooddc.com.

Allied in Greek,” an amateur drag competition and Trevor Project fundraiser, is tonight from 7-9 p.m. at Lisner Auditorium (730 21st Street, N.W.). Allied in Pride, the George Washington University LGBT student advocacy organization, and the GW Greek Community are joining efforts on the event which will feature contestants in drag who will lip sync to a song. Chanel Devereaux, a local drag queen, will be on the judging panel. Half of the proceeds will go to the Trevor Project. Tickets are $5 general admission. Find out more by searching for “Allied in Greek” on Facebook.

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Movies

‘Things Like This’ embraces formula and plus-size visibility

Enjoyable queer romcom challenges conventions of the genre

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Max Talisman and Joey Pollari star in 'Things Like That.' (Image courtesy of MPX Releasing/Big Picture Collective)

There’s a strange feeling of irony about a spring movie season stacked with queer romcoms – a genre that has felt conspicuously absent on the big screen since the disappointing reception met by the much-hyped “Bros” in 2022 – at a time when pushback against LGBTQ visibility is stronger than it’s been for 40 years.

Sure, part of the reason is the extended timeline required for filmmaking, which tells us, logically, that the numerous queer love stories hitting theaters this year – including the latest, the Manhattan-set indie “Things Like This,” which opened in limited theaters last weekend – began production long before the rapid cultural shift that has taken place in America since a certain convicted fraudster’s return to the White House. 

That does not, however, make them any less welcome; on the contrary, they’re a refreshing assertion of queer existence that serves to counter-balance the hateful, politicized rhetoric that continues to bombard our community every day. In fact, the word “refreshing” is an apt description of “Things Like This,” which not only celebrates the validity – and joy – of queer love but does so in a story that disregards “Hollywood” convention in favor of a more authentic form of inclusion than we’re ever likely to see in a mainstream film

Written, starring, and directed by Max Talisman and set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City, it’s the story of two gay men named Zack – Zack #1 (Talisman) is a plus-sized hopeful fantasy author with a plus-sized personality and a promising-but-unpublished first novel, and Zack #2 (Joey Pollari) an aspiring talent agent dead-ended as an assistant to his exploitative “queen-bee” boss (Cara Buono) – who meet at an event and are immediately attracted to each other. Though Zack #2 is resigned to his unsatisfying relationship with longtime partner Eric (Taylor Trensch), he impulsively agrees to a date the following night, beginning an on-again/off-again entanglement that causes both Zacks to re-examine the trajectories of their respective lives – and a lot of other heavy baggage – even as their tentative and unlikely romance feels more and more like the workings of fate.

Like most romcoms, it relies heavily on familiar tropes – adjusted for queerness, of course – and tends to balance its witty banter and starry-eyed sentiment with heart-tugging setbacks and crossed-wire conflicts, just to raise the stakes. The Zacks’ attempts at getting together are a series of “meet-cutes” that could almost be described as fractal, yet each of them seems to go painfully awry – mostly due to the very insecurities and self-doubts which make them perfect for each other. The main obstacle to their couplehood, however, doesn’t spring from these mishaps; it’s their own struggles with self-worth that stand in the way, somehow making theirs more of a quintessentially queer love story than the fact that both of them are men.

All that introspection – relatable as it may be – can be a downer without active energy to stir things up, but fortunately for “Things Like This,” there are the inevitable BFFs and extended circle of friends and family that can help to get the fun back on track. Each Zack has his own support team backing him up, from a feisty “work wife” (Jackie Cruz, “Orange is the New Black”) to a straight best friend (Charlie Tahan, “Ozark”) to a wise and loving grandma (veteran scene-stealer Barbara Barrie, “Breaking Away” and countless vintage TV shows) – that fuels the story throughout, providing the necessary catalysts to prod its two neurotic protagonists into taking action when they can’t quite get there themselves.

To be sure, Talisman’s movie – his feature film debut as a writer and director – doesn’t escape the usual pitfalls of the romcom genre. There’s an overall sense of “wish fulfillment fantasy” that makes some of its biggest moments seem a bit too good to be true, and there are probably two or three complications too many as it approaches its presumed happy ending; in addition, while it helps to drive the inner conflict for Zack #2’s character arc, throwing a homophobic and unsupportive dad (Eric Roberts) into the mix feels a bit tired, though it’s hard to deny that such family relationships continue to create dysfunction for queer people no matter how many times they’re called out in the movies – which means that it’s still necessary, regrettably, to include them in our stories.

And in truth, “calling out” toxic tropes – the ones that reflect society’s negative assumptions and perpetuate them through imitation – is part of Talisman’s agenda in “Things Like This,” which devotes its very first scene to shutting down any objections from “fat shamers” who might decry the movie’s “opposites attract” scenario as unbelievable. Indeed, he has revealed in interviews that he developed the movie for himself because of the scarcity of meaningful roles for plus-sized actors, and his desire to erase such conventional prejudices extends in every direction within his big-hearted final product.

Even so, there’s no chip-on-the-shoulder attitude to sour the movie’s spirit; what helps us get over its sometimes excessive flourishes of idealized positivity is that it’s genuinely funny. The dialogue is loaded with zingers that keep the mood light, and even the tensest scenes are laced with humor, none of which feels forced. For this, kudos go to Talisman’s screenplay, of course, but also to the acting – including his own. He’s eminently likable onscreen, with wisecracks that land every time and an underlying good cheer that makes his appeal even more visible; crucially, his chemistry with Pollari – who also manages to maintain a lightness of being at his core no matter how far his Zack descends into uncertainty – isn’t just convincing; it’s enviable.

Cruz is the movie’s “ace in the hole” MVP as Zack #2’s under-appreciated but fiercely loyal bestie, and Buono’s hilariously icy turn as his “boss from hell” makes for some of the film’s most memorable scenes. Likewise, Tahan, along with Margaret Berkowitz and Danny Chavarriaga, flesh out Zack #1’s friend group with a real sense of camaraderie that should be recognizable to anyone who’s ever been part of an eclectic crew of misfits. Trensch’s comedic “ickiness” as Zack #2’s soon-to-be-ex makes his scenes a standout; and besides bigger-name “ringers” Roberts and Barrie (whose single scene is the emotional climax of the movie), there’s also a spotlight-grabbing turn by Diane Salinger (iconic as Francophile dreamer Simone in “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure”) as the owner of a queer bar where the Zacks go on one of their dates.

With all that enthusiasm and a momentum driven by a sense of DIY empowerment, it’s hard to be anything but appreciative of “Things Like This,” no matter how much some of us might cringe at its more unbelievable romcom devices. After all, it’s as much a “feel-good” movie as it is a love story, and the fact that we actually do feel good when the final credits role is more than enough to earn it our hearty recommendation.

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Calendar

Calendar: May 23-29

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, May 23

“Center Aging Monthly Luncheon and Yoga” will be at 12 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. For more details, email [email protected]

Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity and/or expression. For more details, email [email protected]

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at DIK Bar. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Saturday, May 24

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and 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.

Black Lesbian Mixer will be at 11 a.m. on Zoom. This is a support group dedicated to the joys of being a Black lesbian. For more details, email [email protected]

Sunday, May 25

“The Queen’s Table: A Women’s Empowerment Brunch” will be at 11 a.m. at Zooz. This event will celebrate queer women’s strength. For more details visit Eventbrite

Monday, May 26

“Center Aging Monday Coffee and Conversation” 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 details, email [email protected]

Tuesday, May 27

Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary. Whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know you’re not 100 percent cis — this is your group. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook

Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This support group is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook

Wednesday, May 28

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. 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.

Thursday, May 29

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fairer with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. 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 with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

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Photos

PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards

Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony

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Members of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington as well as local drag artists joined hosts Mike Millan and Felicia Curry with other performers for a WorldPride dance number at the Helen Hayes Awards on Monday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.

A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.

The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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