Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: Feb. 7-13
Parties, exhibits, concerts and more for the week ahead
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.
President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and activist Jeanne White-Ginder spoke at a commemoration of World AIDS Day at the White House on Sunday, Dec. 1. Panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt were displayed on the South Lawn for the first time in U.S. history.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
In need of a little cheer? Fortunately, there’s a fix. The DMV boasts a wealth of holiday-themed theater, music, and dance guaranteed to lift spirits and warm hearts. Here’s a sliver of what’s out there.
Arena Stage invites audiences “to step back into the holiday spirit with the joyful return of ‘Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show’ (Dec. 13-22) where the rich tradition of African-American stepping blends with the magic of the season.” DJ Nutcracker and his Arctic friends promise to amplify the festive atmosphere. Arenastage.org
Looking for a new way to experience a Christmas favorite? With the Kennedy Center’s “Elf in Concert: Film with Live Orchestra” (through Dec. 1), you can relive the endearing comedy on a giant screen as every note of John Debney’s wonderful score is played live by the National Symphony Orchestra.
Another Kennedy Center holiday treat is “Finn” (through Dec. 22). From Chris Nee, the out creator of TV’s “Doc McStuffins” and “Vampirina,” “Finn” is filled with vibrant sea creatures and catchy tunes. Hilarious and heartening, this world premiere musical chronicles the coming-of-age journey of a young shark following his dreams. Kennedy-center.org
For those in search of yuletide camaraderie and keyboards, there’s the National Cathedral Christmas Day Organ Recital (Dec. 25), a tradition featuring festive music performed (at the Cathedral) by Cathedral organist Thomas Sheehan, and organ scholar Ariana Corbin. Tickets not required. Livestream available. Nationalcathedral.org
At Baltimore Center Stage, ArtsCentric’s production of “Black Nativity” (Nov. 30-December 22) uses a fusion of blues, soul, jazz, spirituals, dance, and the powerful words of gay poet Langston Hughes, to tell the Christmas story through a wide-ranging African-American lens. Centerstage.org
For one night only, the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda presents “A Swingin’ Little Christmas!” (Dec. 4), a nostalgic, Christmas kitsch cabaret featuring out TV star Jane Lynch (“Glee,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”), alongside Kate Flannery (“The Office”), Tim Davis (“Glee’s” vocal arranger), and The Tony Guerrero Quintet.
The following night, Dave Koz and Friends celebrate the 27th anniversary edition of the longest running jazz-based Christmas tour at Strathmore on Dec. 5. Koz, a longtime out musician (primarily sax), has released eight holiday albums, including his most recent, “Christmas Ballads.” Strathmore.org
Round House Theatre presents the world premiere of “A Hannukah Carol” (through Dec. 29). The family-friendly musical comedy tells the story of millennial influencer Chava Kanipshin who in pursuit of more followers, shuns family, friends, and holiday traditions. But on the first night of Hanukkah, Chava is visited by the ghost of deceased social media star Mimi Marley and other spirits who warn her to change her ways — or live to regret it. Roundhousetheatre.org.
Historic Ford’s Theatre again presents “A Christmas Carol” (through Dec. 31), a popular Washington tradition for decades. Conceived by Michael Baron, this dynamically staged take on the Dickens’ classic features Craig Wallace as the miserly Scrooge who after a night of ghostly visits, rediscovers Christmas joy. In case you haven’t seen it, do. Fords.org
At Olney Theatre, award-winning out actor Michael Russotto is stepping into the shoes of Paul Morella to star in this year’s edition of Morella’s celebrated solo adaptation of “A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas” (Dec. 29). Russotto portrays more than 50 characters, from the miserly Scrooge to the haunting spirits, to the entire Cratchit family, including, of course, Tiny Tim. Olneytheatre.org
The adage that music can transport you to another time with just a couple of notes proves true at the Folger Library where Folger Consort, the estimable early music ensemble-in-residence, marvelously upholds a glorious Washington holiday tradition with “A Mass for Christmas Eve: Baroque Music for the Season” (Dec. 6-15). Folger.edu
In Falls Church, Creative Cauldron presents “Madeline’s Christmas” (Dec. 6-22), a charming show based on the classic book by author and illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans. It’s Christmas Eve and taking care of 11 flu infected little girls and Miss Clavel isn’t easy, but when Madeline finds help from a magical rug merchant, all that’s miserable is brushed away, and the girls embark on an unforgettable Christmas journey. Matt Conner directs. Creativecauldron.org
The Washington Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” at the glittering, gilded Warner Theatre (through Dec. 30). Featuring Tchaikovsky’s instantly familiar music and splendid choreography by Septime Weber, this Georgetown circa 1882-set production features historical figures ranging from George Washington to King George III, along with the usual suspects like children, rats, fairies, and a mysterious godfather. Washingtonballet.org
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington is back with its annual holiday extravaganza “The Holiday Show” (Dec. 4, 14, and 15) at Lincoln Theatre. This year’s uplifting lineup includes eclectic songs with exciting rhythms and beautiful harmonies, and features the high-kicking, bedazzled 17th Street Dance as well as small ensembles and the GenOUT Youth Chorus! Songs include “See Amid the Winter’s Snow,” “Feliz Navidad,” “Love is Christmas,” and “Silent Night.” Gmcw.org
Capital Pride/World Pride will host Rainbow Masquerade at Hook Hall, a New Year’s Eve party featuring drag shows, silk aerial acts, private lounges and the venue’s Hot Tub Cabana. According to Brandon Bayton, Capital Pride executive producer, “Step into the Fabric of Freedom and toast World Pride 2025 in style—where every moment sparkles, every performance dazzles and every toast makes a difference. It’s going to be an amazing night!”
The party is Tuesday, Dec. 31, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. at Hook Hall, 3400 Georgia Ave., N.W. Proceeds benefit Capital Pride D.C. and tickets are available on Eventbrite.
PHOTOS: World AIDS Day at the White House
What LGBTQ buyers, sellers need to know about new real estate rules
Antony Blinken, USAID mark World AIDS Day
India’s Transgender Welfare Boards fail to meet trans people’s basic needs
D.C. holiday theater preview 2024
A D.C. AIDS story: ‘I couldn’t have survived without you guys’
Will Trump try to rain on World Pride in D.C.?
He loves Annie’s and will until the end
Trump administration is set to abandon LGBTQ Africans
