Arts & Entertainment
Area museums offer wide-ranging exhibits
Hot summer days are a great time to stay cool indoors while learning about a range of topics


One of the photos in the ‘SHARKS: On Assignment with Brian Skerry.’ (Photo by Brian Skerry; courtesy National Geographic)
Hot summer days are a great time to stay cool indoors while learning about a range of topics including science, art and history. Whether it’s with kids, friends, a significant other or even a solo trip there are plenty of museum options to take advantage of in the city.
Renwick Gallery is offering “Parallax Gap,” designed by architectural design practice FreelandBuck through Feb. 11, 2018. The piece will be suspended from the ceiling and surround the length of the Renwick. The installation combines both Eastern and Western perspectives in nine depictions of famous American buildings. For more details, visit amercianart.si.edu/exhibitions.
National Building Museum (401 F St., N.W.) hosts Hive, a large-scale model built from 2,700 wound paper tubes, from July 4-Sept. 4. The installation is 60 feet tall with a reflective silver exterior and magenta interior. Other Hive summer programming include behind-the-scenes construction tours and an after-hours program for teens on Aug. 10. Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for students and seniors and $5 for Blue Star children ages 3 and up.The museum will also host Hill Country Backyard Barbecue on the West Lawn on Thursdays and Fridays from 4-9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.For more information, visit nbm.org/exhibition/hive.
Foundry Gallery (2118 8th St., N.W.) presents, “A Mathematically Transformed World,” an exhibit by artist Allen Hirsh, through July 30. Hirsh distorted images, ranging from abstract landscapes to President Donald Trump, using mathematical programs he designed himself. Admission is free. Visit foundrygallery.org for more details.
“Connecting the Dots” by Claudia Samper, an exhibit consisting of drawings, paintings and transparencies, is on display at Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave., N.W.) from July 5-30. Samper’s work uses avian imagery to examine human communication. Touchstone Gallery will also present its Touchstone Gallery Member Show and work from youth and adults from New Community ArtSpace. Free admission. For more information, visit touchstonegallery.com.
The National Museum of Natural History (10th St. and Constitution Ave., N.W.) opens “Narwhal: Revealing an Arctic Legend” on Aug. 3 through 2019. The exhibit will explore the connection between narwhals and the Inuit. Guests can see real narwhal tusks and skulls, Inuit artwork and cultural artifact. An 18-foot, life-sized model of a narwhal will be suspended above the first floor. For more information, visit naturalhistory.si.edu/exhibits/narwhal.
The National Museum of American History (14th St. and Constitution Ave., N.W.) presents “JFK Centennial Celebration,” a commemoration of John F. Kennedy’s 100th birthday anniversary, through Aug. 27. The showcase will display nine photographs of Kennedy and his family taken in 1961. It will be included as part of the American Presidency exhibit. Visit americanhistory.si.edu/exhibitions for more details.
Artechouse D.C. (1238 Maryland Ave., S.W.) presents “XYZT: Abstract Landscapes,” an interactive, sensory experience, through Sept. 3. Visitors can experience walking on grass or touching sand using modern technology to create a realistic, virtual reality. Guests can view the exhibit during daytime hours from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. or evening hours from 5:30-10 p.m. Guests six and up are invited to the daytime showing. Visitors must be 21 and over for evening hours. General admission tickets are $15. Tickets for children, students and seniors is $10. For more information, visit artechouse.com.
U.S. Botanical Garden Conservatory (100 Maryland Ave., S.W.) hosts You Can Grow It through Oct. 15. Visitors can explore the outdoor and indoor gardens while learning the basics of growing plants and how to solve plant problems. The exhibit is recommended for both advanced and beginner gardeners. For more details, visit usbg.gov/youcangrowit.
National Geographic Museum (1145 17th St., N.W.) presents “SHARKS: On Assignment with Brian Skerry” through Oct. 15. Skerry is an Award-winning National Geographic photographer who documented sharks using photography. His work highlights the importance of sharks in the ecosystem and explores why they should be protected and appreciated. The exhibit also includes models, large-scale images, videos, artifacts, and interactive experiences. Skerry’s new National Geographic book “SHARK” is an accompanied piece to the exhibit. Regular tickets are $15. Member, student, military and senior tickets are $12. Children tickets are $10. Tickets also give entry into “National Geographic Presents: Earth Explorers,” an interactive exhibit that lets visitors emulate National Geographic explorers in the field. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.org/dc/exhibitions/sharks.
“Drawing Justice: the Art of Courtroom Illustration” is at the Library of Congress (101 Independence Ave., S.E.) through Oct. 28. Original art depicting courtroom dynamics from cases in the last 50 years are on display in the Thomas Jefferson Building. For more details, visit loc.gov/exhibitions.
Movies
‘Things Like This’ embraces formula and plus-size visibility
Enjoyable queer romcom challenges conventions of the genre

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.

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.
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony

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)

























