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Shop local! Fun, affordable gifts from D.C. vendors

Places to shop without breaking the bank

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If you missed out on Black Friday shopping because you were still recovering from eating mounds of turkey and pumpkin pie — or you were too busy catching up with work to purchase something on Cyber Monday — don’t stress! Below is a quick list of gift ideas from local stores where you can purchase something sentimental for your loved ones. 

If your “giftee” has a sweet tooth, consider JOYCO chocolate-covered dried fruits or some Sipan apricot jam — made from fruits, vegetables and petals — sold at Yerevan DC, an Armenian store located at 2204 18th St., N.W. 

“Diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” according to the old adage. However, jewelry is any gay’s best friend. Robert Laurence Jewelers is located at 1202 G St., N.W. and has a huge selection of jewelry including unset sterling silver bracelets going for $77. 

A piece from Robert Laurence Jewelers.

Miss Pixie’s DC has a 7-inch Orrefors Precious vase going for $110. Head over to 1626 14th St., N.W. to snag this unique, in-demand gift. 

For only $1, you can purchase tickets to “Colors: R&B Only,” a journey of R&B music throughout history at The Fillmore on Friday, Dec. 31. Tickets are available at washingtondc.rnbonly.com

Nubian Hueman has a “GAMBA gender-free” denim jacket for $110. This brand, located at 1231 Good Hope Rd., S.E., is a Black, female, and queer-owned brand amplifying a narrative of inclusion and equality within Black culture. It creates “exclusive collections and one-of-a-kind pieces for those looking to turn heads and make a statement.”

The Nubian Hueman denim jacket

Lee’s Flower and Card Shop, located at 1026 U St., N.W., has a $55 chicken noodle soup gourmet gift set. This gift set is a comforting gourmet selection of artisan chicken noodle soup mix, along with hummus, crackers, bread sticks, mixed olives, Himalayan salt & grinder, and cookies. This gift set also includes an oversized soup bowl, bamboo spoon, and serving tray.

To add extra flavor to any kitchen, the spice bag with lemon pepper hot sauce from The Spice Suite, located at 6902 4th St. NW, make for a perfect stocking stuffer. For $45, you get herbes de Provence and peri peri spices, and lemon pepper hot sauce. 

Frères Branchiaux Candle Co. — located in White Plains, Md. — offers a variety of scented experiences including hand-made candles, bath salts, room sprays and diffusers. For $25, you can get one of their holiday collection candles that range in scents from vanilla spice to whiskey sweet.

Take a walk at Black Pepper Paperie Co., located at 1353 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., to find unique craft pieces. For about $45, you can buy wallpapers designed by artists Hadiya Williams that are inspired by The Great Migration.

For the beer lover on your list, Red Bear Brewing has The Krampus Shuffle – Abbey Style Quad that has dark ale has notes of raisins, toffee, plum, vanilla, cinnamon, and clove. You can order a 16oz four pack for $18.75 and pick it up in-person at 209 M St., N.E.

Most popular oven mitt collection from Naked Decor. From People We Admire collection. They can take the heat! Choose from Madam Vice President, RBG, Dr. Fauci and more. Handmade with Love. $15 each at nakeddecor.com or visit their pop-up store at booth# 27 at Downtown Holiday Market. (Now until Dec. 23).

Oven mitts that can take the heat at Naked Décor.
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This queer comedy show will warm you up

Catfish Comedy to feature LGBTQ lineup

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(Promotional image via Eventbrite)

Catfish Comedy will host “2026 Queer Kickoff Show” on Thursday, Feb. 5 at A League of Her Own (2319 18th Street, N.W.). This show features D.C.’s funniest LGBTQ and femme comedians. The lineup features performers who regularly take the stage at top clubs like DC Improv and Comedy Loft, with comics who tour nationally.

Tickets are $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

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Arts & Entertainment

Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star and celebrated queer ally, dies at 71

Actress remembered for memorable comedic roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Home Alone’

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(Photo courtesy of Pop TV)

Catherine O’Hara, the varied comedic actor known for memorable roles in “Beetlejuice,” “Schitt’s Creek,” and “Home Alone,” has died at 71 on Friday, according to multiple reports. No further details about her death were revealed.

O’Hara’s death comes as a shock to Hollywood, as the Emmy award-winning actor has been recently active, with roles in both “The Studio” and “The Last of Us.” For her work in those two shows, she received Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and outstanding guest actress in a drama series.

In 2020, O’Hara won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a comedy series award for her work in the celebrated sixth and final season of “Schitt’s Creek.” She was also known as a queer ally and icon for her theatrical and often campy performances over multiple decades. In “Schitt’s Creek,” she played Moira Rose, the wig-loving mother of David Rose (played by series creator Dan Levy). David is pansexual, but the characters around him simply accept him for who he is; the show was embraced by the LGBTQ community with how naturally David’s sexuality was written and portrayed. That show ran from 2015 to 2020 and helped bring O’Hara and her co-stars into a new phase of their careers.

In a 2019 interview with the Gay Times, O’Hara explained why the show got LGBTQ representation right: “Daniel has created a world that he wants to live in, that I want to live in. It’s ridiculous that we live in a world where we don’t know how to respect each other and let each other be. It’s crazy. Other shows should follow suit and present the world and present humans as the best that we can be. It doesn’t mean you can’t laugh, that you can’t be funny in light ways and dark ways. It’s all still possible when you respect and love each other.”

Additional credits include “SCTV Network” (for which O’Hara won a writing Emmy), “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Six Feet Under,” “Best in Show,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” and “Dick Tracy.” O’Hara also lent her voice to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Chicken Little,” “Monster House,” and “Elemental.” O’Hara was expected to return for Season 2 of “The Studio,” which started filming earlier this month.

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Calendar

Calendar: January 30-February 5

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, January 30

Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).

Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. This event will be hosted by local drag queens TrevHER and Grey, who will provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Saturday, January 31

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.

Sunday, February 1

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, February 2

“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 (adamheller@thedccenter.org).

Tuesday, February 3

Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more information, email [email protected]

Wednesday, February 4

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.

Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website

Thursday, February 5

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.  

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