Arts & Entertainment
SPRING ARTS PREVIEW EVENTS: Notes to self …
D.C.’s LGBT spring social calendar swirling as always
Helen Hayes Awards (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
SPRING ARTS PREVIEW 2015: Some upcoming events don’t fit in our regular spring arts categories. Here are a few to mark on your calendar.
• The Miss Gaye Universe D.C. Ball is Sunday at 4 p.m. at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.).
• The Capital Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CAGLCC) has its seventh annual mega networking event on March 25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.). It’s free.
• Allied in Pride, an LGBT group at George Washington University, hosts Trans Day of Visibility with Laverne Cox on March 31 at 7 p.m. at the Lisner Auditorium (730 21st St., N.W.). The event is sold out.
• Brother Help Thyself has a town hall meeting on March 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Place Baltimore Inner Harbor (511 South Central Ave.). Another is planned for Washington. The mission is to discuss community needs and available resources.
• Family Equality Council and the D.C. Center are co-hosting a “family dance” on April 3 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Center (2000 14th St., N.W.). It’s part of the Council’s “family weekend in D.C.” event running April 3-5.
• The Helen Hayes Awards for local theater are April 6.
• The Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch is April 19 at 11 a.m. at the Marriott Marquis (901 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.).
• The Equality Virginia Commonwealth Dinner is April 18 in Richmond.
The Equality Virginia Commonwealth Dinner in Richmond, Va. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
• The Gay & Lesbian Activists Alliance has its annual Distinguished Service Awards on April 23 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Policy Restaurant and Lounge (1904 14th St., N.W.). Tickets are $55. Chuck Hicks, Alexandra Andrea Beninda and Anne Phelps will be honored.
• Comedian Judy Gold will headline the CAMP Rehoboth Women’s FEST April 9-12.
• Cherry is April 16-19 at various locations.
• Pride at Work has its third LGBT Labor Leadership Training April 17-18 at the AFL-CIO Building (815 16th St., N.W.).
• Dining Out for Life is April 30. Details on participating D.C. restaurants at its site.
• Gay Day at the Zoo is May 3 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave. N.W.).
• Youth Pride is May 3 from noon-5 p.m. in Dupont Circle. Details at youthpridedc.org.
• The Blade’s annual Rehoboth summer kick-off party is May 15. Details coming soon.
• Hagerstown Hopes Pride 2015 is May 16 from noon-4 p.m. at Doubs Woods park (1307 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown, Md.).
• Miss Gay Maryland America is May 16 at the Hippo (1 W. Eager St., Baltimore).
• Capital Trans Pride is May 16 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Reeves Center (2000 14th St., N.W.).
• The 53rd annual Gay Golden Boy Awards for the Academy of Washington are June 6 at Town (2009 8th St. N.W.) at 4 p.m.
• The GenOUT Chorus, a new youth chorus spin-off of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, makes its debut May 15-16 at the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.).
• D.C. Black Pride weekend is May 21-25. Wet Dreamz 2015 from Daryl Wilson Promotion and Omega Entertainment is the same weekend.
Black Pride Picnic at Fort Dupont Park. (Washington Blade file photo by Damien Salas)
• The Capital Pride Heroes Gala is June 3 at 7 p.m. at the Carnegie Library (801 K St., N.W.). Many other Pride-related events are also planned for June 5-14. Details at capitalpride.org/pride-2015.
• The Capturing Fire Queer Spoken Word Summit & Poetry Slam is June 4-6. Details at capturingfire.org.
Friday, April 17
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7:00p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Saturday, April 18
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & 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.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Sunday, April 19
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Lunch” at 11 a.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. 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.
Monday, April 20
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” 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 information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, April 21
Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Senior Self Defense Class with Avi Rome will be at 12:30 p.m. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Wednesday, April 22
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. 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.
Asexual and Aromantic Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, April 23
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm 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 Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Out & About
Team DC’s annual gala set for this weekend
LGBTQ sports organization to hold annual ‘Night of Champions’
Team DC will host “Night of Champions Gala” on Saturday, April 18 at 6 p.m. at the Georgetown Marriott.
This will be an evening of celebration and inspiration as Team DC honors remarkable individuals and supports the next generation of LGBTQ student-athletes.
There will be opportunities to support Team DC through auctions. The Silent Auction items will offer an array of unique goods and experiences. Additionally, Team DC will feature an exclusive selection of live auction items for those looking to make a significant impact.
This year, Team DC will recognize six outstanding awardees who have made significant contributions to the LGBTQ community and sports:
- Trailblazer Award – Adam Peck, District Wrestling
- Most Valuable Person Award – Sean Bartel (posthumously)
- Champion Award – Dan Martin
- Clark Ray Horizon Award – Manuel Montelongo, aka Mari Con Carne
- Bernard Jude Delia Award – Dr. Sara Varghai
- Platinum All Star Award – Centaur Motorcycle Club
To purchase tickets, visit Team DC’s website.
Television
‘The Pitt’ stars discuss what season two gets right about queer representation
Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden spoke with Blade in LA
As season two of “The Pitt” comes to a close this Thursday, stars Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden are looking back on what this season got right about queer representation.
“There is some intentionality behind it, but it’s not necessarily for the representation to be anything other than human or ubiquitous to anyone that would come into an emergency room,” Noah Wyle, who plays Dr. Robby, told the Los Angeles Blade at PaleyFest event in Los Angeles on April 12. “I know that we’ve done some storylines with some gay couples, and we did a storyline in season 1 where a woman comes in who’s cut her arm, who’s trans. But in both of those storylines, that wasn’t the point.”
Wyle continues, “In doing it that way, and not making a point of orientation being part of the problem that brings you to the emergency room, we have been told in feedback that that has been extremely revolutionary, almost, and extremely appreciated. But that’s true whether we do storylines with any kind of minority or a person with a disability. We try to have a cosmology of cast and representation on the show that’s indicative of what you find in Pittsburgh.”
Dearden, who plays Dr. Mel King, echoed Wyle’s sentiment: “I think constantly battling tropes is always important. It’s not a show about romance; it’s a show about real life and a shift in the ER. The more we represent everyday people going through everyday life, they just happen to be queer, they just happen to be trans, and making it not the plot, is putting everyone on equal playing [field]. You don’t have to have a big coming out scene.”
Queer representation on “The Pitt” is also notable through the actual actors themselves, including openly queer actor Supriya Ganesh, who plays Dr. Samira Mohan (who didn’t attend PaleyFest after the news that she is not returning for season three), and Amielynn Abellera, who plays Perlah Alawi.
“Doctors don’t put value judgments on who they treat,” Wyle concludes. “That’s not a luxury extended to them, and so that’s not part of our storytelling.”
The season two finale will air Thursday, April 16, on HBO Max, while season three has already been confirmed and is currently being written.
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