Arts & Entertainment
Array of queer events on tap for D.C. this spring
Art, music, and Rehoboth’s Women’s+ Fest among options
After such a blisteringly cold winter, spring is almost here, which means it’s time to hit the streets for unmitigated fun. Below is a list of some of the events you should absolutely check out.
Flower Factory Party will host a colorful, queer dance party on Sunday, March 16 at Zebbie’s Garden. Sweet Spot (aka Chris & Andre), a Baltimore-based DJ, will perform. If you love all things pop music, pop culture, and queer icons — you’ll love their sets. They produce a queer dance party in Baltimore, also called Sweet Spot, and have a monthly residency at Trade in D.C. Tickets are $10 and more details are available on Flower Factory’s Instagram.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington D.C. will perform on Saturday, March 15 at 8 p.m. at the Lincoln Theatre as part of its international tour, “Passports.” The group is travelling the globe in song, celebrating diversity in culture and identity in the name of Pride. The show will feature GMCW, along with the smaller ensembles Potomac Fever, Rock Creek Singers, and Seasons of Love, plus GenOUT Youth Chorus, and 17th Street Dance. From African folk songs and South American dance rhythms to American jazz, you’ll be dancing in your seats. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Chorus’s website.
Art with Tosca will host “Queer Icons & Trailblazers: An Art Tour for WorldPride DC 2025” on Sunday, May 18 at 2 p.m. at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Art historian and licensed tour guide Tosca Ruggieri will lead an unforgettable exploration of LGBTQ history, identity, and artistic expression at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. Expect to celebrate the vibrant history and culture of the LGBTQ+ community through compelling portraits and groundbreaking works that highlight the power of queer artistry. Tickets start at $50 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Allumé Entertainment Group Xclusive will host “For Men Only Weekend” starting on Friday, April 11 at 8 p.m. at an undisclosed location. There will be “Guys & Gaymes” on Friday, which will include a spades tournament, Uno, and more. On Saturday, there will be “Deep Strokes Sip ‘N’ Paint.” For this event, presale tickets are priority over door tickets. By purchasing at the door you run the risk of not being able to attend as there are a limited number of seats based on the number of art supplies. This is an indoor event, ticket sales are final (refunds only if event is cancelled). Tips encouraged, and this event is for those 21 and over with valid ID. The weekend will end with “Men & Mimosas” on Sunday. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Skye Marinda will host “Femme Art Market” on Saturday, March 22 at The Coupe. One dozen local makers will come together to celebrate the Spring Equinox, Women’s History Month, and have fun. Come check out local arts and crafts, tarot readings, and more. Plus, you can enter a raffle for a chance to win goods from our artists. All proceeds to benefit the D.C. Abortion Fund. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Caged Bird Productions will host “GAY Soul Food” during the weekend beginning on Friday, March 14 at 7 p.m. at Anacostia Arts Center. Guests are encouraged to come celebrate a special dedication to the mothers, grandmothers and aunts who love their LGBTQ+ family members unconditionally. Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
The Howard Theatre will host “Electric Feels: Indie Rock + Indie Dance Party” on Saturday, March 29 at 10:30 p.m. This is an experiential dance party that features all your favorite Indie Rock + Indie Dance songs all night with amazing DJs, stage production and more. Tickets start at $18 and can be purchased on the Howard Theatre’s website.
9:30 club will host “Gimme Gimme Disco – A Dance Party Inspired by ABBA” on Friday, April 11 at 9 p.m. This is a DJ dance party playing all your favorite ABBA tracks, plus plenty of other disco hits from the 70s & 80s like The Bee Gees, Donna Summer, Cher, and so much more. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased on 9:30 club’s website.
UpCycle Creative Reuse Center will host “Art Therapy: Neurographic Drawing” on Wednesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. Starting with a short meditation, they will use markers and up-cycled inks to follow intuitions and work through emotions. This workshop is open to anyone ages 8 and up. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
The Pancakes & Booze Art Show is coming to Washington D.C. on Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m. at Hook Hall. This is one of the largest pop-up art movements to hit North America over the past decade. Guests are encouraged to come celebrate the group’s 10th year serving free pancakes and introducing you to some of the nation’s leading emerging artists. There will be local artists exhibiting over 750+ pieces of work, free “All-U-Can Eat Pancakes,” live audio performances from local DJs and music producers, and live body painting and art. This event is for those 21+. Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Women’s+ Fest returns to Rehoboth Beach April 10-13 with a weekend packed full of events, including a golf tournament, art reception, pickleball tournament, a literary pop-up bookstore, and more. The Friday night headliner is Be Steadwell with Gwen LaRoka at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. Col. Grethe Cammermeyer speaks on Saturday morning at 9:30 in the Sands Hotel ballroom. Saturday’s dance party features GirlsRoom and DJ Peggy Castle. There’s a range of ticket options available at camprehoboth.org.
Theater
A hilarious ‘Twelfth Night’ at Folger full of ‘elegant kink’
Nonbinary actor Alyssa Keegan stars as Duke Orsino
‘Twelfth Night’
Through June 22
Folger Theatre
201 East Capitol St., S.E.
$20-$84
Folger.edu
Nonbinary actor Alyssa Keegan (they/them)loves tapping into the multitudes within.
Currently Keegan plays the melancholic Duke Orsino in Folger Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy “Twelfth Night.” Director Mei Ann Teo describes the production as “sexy, hilarious, and devastating” and full of “elegant kink.”
Washington-based, Keegan enjoys a busy and celebrated career. Her vast biography includes Come From Away at Ford’s Theatre; Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Helen Hayes Award, Best Actress) and Paula Vogel’s How I Learned to Drive, both at Round House Theatre; Diana Son’s Stop Kiss directedby Holly Twyford for No Rules Theatre Company; and Contractions at Studio Theatre, to name just a few.
In addition to acting, Keegan works as a polyamory and ethical non-monogamy life and relationship coach, an area of interest that grew out of personal exploration. For them, coaching seems to work hand in hand with acting.
WASHINGTON BLADE: You’re playing the lovesick Orsino in Twelfth Night. How did that come about?
ALYSSA KEEGAN: The director was looking to cast a group of actors with diverse identities; throughout auditions, there were no constraints regarding anyone’s assigned sex at birth. It was really a free for all.
BLADE: What’s your approach to the fetching, cod-piece clad nobleman?
KEEGAN: Offstage I identify as completely nonbinary; I love riding in this neutral middle space. But I also love cosplay. The ability to do that in the play gives me permission to dive completely into maleness.
So, when I made that decision to play Orsino as a bio male, suddenly the part really cracked open for me. I began looking for clues about his thoughts and opinions about things like his past relationships and his decision not to date older women.
Underneath his mask of bravura and sexuality, and his firmness of feelings, he’s quite lonely and has never really felt loved. It makes sense to me why his love for Olivia is so misguided and why he might fall in love with the Cesario/Viola character.
BLADE: As an actor, do you ever risk taking on the feelings of your characters?
KEEGAN: Prior to my mental health education, yes, and that could be toxic for me. I’ve since learned that the nervous system can’t tell the difference between real emotional distress and a that of a fully embodied character.
So, I created and share the Empowered Performer Project. [a holistic approach to performance that emphasizes the mental and emotional well-being of performing artists]. It utilizes somatic tools that help enormously when stepping into a character.
BLADE: Has changing the way you work affected your performances?
KEEGAN: I think I’m much better now. I used to have nearly debilitating stage fright. I’d spend all day dreading going onstage. I thought that was just part of the job. Now, I’ve learned to talk to my body. Prior to a performance, I can now spend my offstage time calmly gardening, working with my mental health clients, or playing with my kid. I’m just present in my life in a different way.
BLADE: Is Orsino your first time playing a male role?
KEEGAN: No. In fact, the very first time I played a male role was at the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, Va. I played Hipolito in Thomas Middleton’s The Revenger’s Tragedy.
As Hipolito, I felt utterly male in the moment, so much so that I had audience members see me later after the show and they were surprised that I was female. They thought I was a young guy in the role. There’s something very powerful in that.
BLADE: Do you have a favorite part? Male or female?
KEEGAN: That’s tough but I think it’s Maggie the Cat. I played the hyper-female Maggie in Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at Round House. In the first act she didn’t stop talking for 51 minutes opposite Gregory Wooddell as Brick who barely had to speak. That lift was probably the heaviest I’ve ever been asked to do in acting.
BLADE: What about Folger’s Twelfth Night might be especially appealing to queer audiences?
KEEGAN: First and foremost is presentation. 99% of the cast identify as queer in some way.
The approach to Shakespeare’s text is one of the most bold and playful that I have ever seen. It’s unabashedly queer. The actors are here to celebrate and be loud and colorful and to advocate. It’s a powerful production, especially to do so close to the Capitol building, and that’s not lost on any of us.
The Washington Blade hosted the inaugural WorldPride Boat Parade at The Wharf DC on Friday, June 6. NBC4’s Tommy McFly served as the emcee.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
The 2025 Capital Pride Honors awards ceremony and gala reception was held at the National Building Museum on Thursday, June 5. Honorees included Cathy Renna, Jerry St. Louis, Ernest Hopkins, Lamar Braithwaite, Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Kriston Pumphrey, Gia Martinez, Kraig Williams and SMYAL. Presenters and speakers included U.S. Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Amber Ruffin, Raven-Symoné and Paul Wharton.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
South African activists demand action to stop anti-LGBTQ violence
Gay pharmacist’s murder sparks outrage in Chile
D.C. police investigating threat of shooting at WorldPride festival
Capitalism, patriarchy, and neocolonialism are repackaging the scramble for Africa
WorldPride wraps up after epic weekend of events
I interviewed Biden in late 2024 and he was attentive, engaged
Delaware Gov. Meyer announces LGBTQ commission
PHOTOS: Capital Pride Honors
U.S. Park Service closes Dupont Circle Park for WorldPride weekend
