Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: Dec. 31

Events through Jan. 8

Published

15 years ago

December 30, 2010

New Years Eve Parties

Ziegfeld’s/Secrets (1824 Half St., S.W.) New Years Eve party tonight will feature a cash balloon drop, party favors and a free split of champagne.

Lace Lounge’s (2214 Rhode Island Ave., N.E.) New Year’s Eve party “Midnight Kiss” is tonight from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. There will be a complimentary breakfast buffet and champagne and a cash drop at midnight. Pre-sale ticket holders will get express VIP entry. Pre-sale tickets are $12 and can be purchased at lacedc.com. Tickets at the door start at $20.

Apex (1415 22nd St., N.W.) presents New Years Eve tonight with two parties. DJ Melissa will be in the main arena with Michael Brandon with Caliente in the east wing lounge. There will be complimentary champagne and assorted party favors. Cover charge is $15 and doors open at 9 p.m.

Eatonville Restaurant (2121 14th St., N.W.) presents “A New Orleans New Year’s Eve” tonight with two dinners. The first beings at 6:30 and features a three-course dinner. The second seating begins at 10 p.m. with a four-course meal, champagne toast, party favors, live jazz and the official ball drop on the big screen. Tickets are $39 for the first seating and $59 for the second. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit eatonvillerestaurant.com.

Remington’s (639 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E.) New Year’s Eve Country Masquerade Ball will begin at 8 p.m. There will be dancing, party favors, a balloon drop, midnight champagne toast and more. Cover is $10. For more information, visit RemingtonsWDC.com.

Wicked Jezabel presents Wicked New Year’s Even Bash tonight starting at 9 p.m. at Second Chance Saloon (5888 Robert Oliver Place) in Columbia with an opening performance by Triple Goddess Tribal Middle Eastern Dance. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at wickedjezabel.com. Ten percent of the ticket sales will be donated to the Mautner Project.

Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) will have a New Years Eve party starting at 10 p.m. Djs BacK2bACk will be counting down the top 10 video of 2010 and Tatianna of RuPaul’s Drag race will perform live in the drag show at 10:30 p.m. X-Faction and the Ladies of Town will also be performing live. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advanced at Universal Gear or online at groovetickets.com and at the door.

Ultrabar D.C. will having a New Year’s party tonight at 10 p.m. with six bars, four DJs, a champagne toast at midnight, buffet, midnight balloon drop, party favors and more. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at ultrabardc.com.

The Lodge will have a New Year’s Eve party tonight from 7 to 2 a.m. There will be a best dressed contest with cash and bar tab prizes, champagne fountain, party favors and more. Tickets are $25 for two or $15 per person in advanced until Dec. 27., $30 for two or $20 per person at the door. and can be purchased at thelodgemd.com.

Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar (1104 H St., N.E.) and Jimmy Valentines Lonely Hearts Club (1103 Bladensburg Rd., N.E.) will be hosting a “Double Whammy,” with a sponsored shuttle service between the two bars every half hour and drop-offs at Union Station starting at 12:30 a.m. Attendees must be 25 or older. An open bar ticket with access to both bars is $90 and access to either one bar is $25. Tickets are limited.

A few of Andy Warhol's cheeky variations on 'The Last Supper' are on display at the Baltimore Museum of Art as part of 'Warhol: the Last Decade.' (Image courtesy of the Andy Warhol Museum)

Friday, Dec. 31

Special Agent Galactica with Christopher Wingert starring in “The Only Gal in Town,” will be at go mama go! (1809 14 St., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. The show will feature songs written by or made famous by Stephen Sondheim, Quincy Jones, Ray Stevens, Richard Rodgers, Ann-Margaret, Dust Springfield, Mary Rodgers, Cy Coleman and more. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or at ganymedearts.org.

BYT presents DJs and beer tonight from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. at the Bohemian Caverns entertainment/hospitality complex. DJs Chris Burns and friends will be on the second floor in LIV Nightclub. A dozen local bands will play cover songs on the first floor in Hominy and Homo Erectus DJs and friends will be in the Gay Jamboree Opium Den with Stalactights in the basement. Early bird tickets are $55. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit brightestyoungthings.com.

The American City Diner (5532 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) will be showing the film “Dr. Strangelove” starring Peter Sellers and George C. Scott tonight. The movie starts at 8 p.m. The full menu will be available. Admission is free. For more information, visit americancitydiner.com.

The Baltimore Museum of Art (10 Art Museum Drive) is hosting “Warhol: the Last Decade,” an exhibit featuring more than 50 large-scale works that marked Andy Warhol’s last decade. This is the last stop of a national tour. Some of the works shown include fright wig self-portraits and three variations on Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission ranges from free for children 5 and younger to $15 for adults. For more information, visit warhol.artbma.org.

Four college football bowl games will be on today at Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) today: the Meineke Car Care Bowl with South Florida and Clemson starts at noon. The Hyundai Sun Bowl with Notre Dame and Miami starts at 2 p.m. The AutoZone Liberty Bowl with George and UCF starts at 3:30 p.m. and the Chick-fil-A Bowl ends the night with South Carolina and Florida State at 7:30 p.m. and DJ Wesley D will be playing music and videos all night.

Saturday, Jan. 1

Homo/Sonic is tonight at 9:30 p.m. at the Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) featuring DJs Natty Boom and Zack and Michael of the New Gay. This is an event is all ages and has a $10 cover.

Johnny Vicious will be at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) tonight. Doors open at 10 p.m. The cover charge is $8 before 11 p.m. and $12 after.

Refresh is tonight from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Lodge (21614 National Pike) in Boonesboro. Drink specials include $1 Busch Light cans and $5 XXL ReFresher all night long. There’s a $5 cover before 11 p.m. and $8 after.

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue will be performing at 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at 930.com.

Sunday, Jan. 2

The Kinsey Sicks will be performing “Oy Vey in a Manger” today at 3 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. at the Theater J in the Washington DCJCC’s Aaron and Cecile Goldman Theater (1529 16th St., N.W.). Tickets range from $35 to $60 and can be purchased by calling 800-494-TIXS or visiting boxofficetickets.com.

The Baltimore Museum of Art (10 Art Museum Drive) will be holding its first free family Sunday of the year today from 2 to 5 p.m. This week’s activity is making “magical mobiles.” All materials are provided.

Monday, Jan. 3

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) will have its volunteer night tonight from 6:30 to 8 p.m. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

The National Portrait Gallery is showing an exhibit that focuses on sexual differences in the making of modern American portraiture. “Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture” is the first major museum exhibit of its kind. The museum is open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and admission is free.

Tuesday, Jan. 4

Join Burgundy Crescent Volunteers to help pack safer sex kits from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at FUK!T’s new packing location Green Lantern, 1335 Green Ct., N.W.

Nellie’s (800 U St., N.W.) will have drag bingo featuring Shi-Queeta-Lee tonight at 8 p.m. and Beat the Clock happy hour from 5 to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 5

“Shear Madness,” a comedy whodunit, will be performed at the Kennedy Center Theater Lab (2700 F St., N.W.) at 8 p.m. “Madness” takes place in present-day Georgetown, in the Shear Madness Hair Styling Salon. Visit kennedy-center.org for more information and to purchase tickets.

The Baltimore Museum of Art (10 Art Museum Drive) will have a collection tour today at 2 p.m. showcasing art that inspires contemplation.

Thursday, Jan. 6

The Lincoln Center Theater presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific” today at the Kennedy Center opera house (2700 F St., N.W.) at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $39 to $150 and can be purchased at kennedy-center.org.

Friday, Jan. 7

The Dance Party will be at 9:30 Club with Wallpaper, K-Flay, Ra Ra Rasputin and lowercaseletters at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at 930.com.

The D.C. Center will have its monthly open mic night tonight from 8 to 10 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and performer can sign up until 8. This night will feature the work of the Brother Tongue Poetry Workshop participants.

Saturday, Jan. 8

The NSO Teddy Bear Concert: “Fancy That!” will have three performances of a one-woman show with NSO violinist Marissa Regini today at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 5 p.m. in the Kennedy Center’s Family Theatre (2700 F St., N.W.).

The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop will hosts its fifth annual photography exhibit and reception tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. at CHAW (545 7th St., S.E.) featuring works from local and regional artists. Admission to the opening and exhibition is free and will continue until Feb. 4.

Photos

PHOTOS: Montgomery County Pride in the Plaza

LGBTQ celebration held in downtown Silver Spring

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2025

Michael Key

Montgomery County Pride in the Plaza included the live 'LIYT Nights & Drag Duels!' season finale. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Montgomery County Pride in the Plaza was held on Sunday, June 29 at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring, Md.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Photos

PHOTOS: Fredericksburg Pride

Fifth annual festival held at Riverfront Park

Published

23 hours ago

June 30, 2025

Michael Key

The Fredericksburg Pride March wound through downtown Fredericksburg, Va. and ended at Riverfront Park on Saturday, June 28. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The fifth annual Fredericksburg Pride march and festival was held on Saturday, June 28. A march through the streets of downtown Fredericksburg, Va. was followed by a festival at Riverfront Park.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

India

Anaya Bangar challenges ban on trans women in female cricket teams

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar’s daughter has received support

Published

1 day ago

June 30, 2025

Ankush Kumar

Anaya Bangar (Photo courtesy of Anaya Bangar's Instagram page)

Anaya Bangar, the daughter of former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar, has partnered with the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport in the U.K. to assess her physiological profile following her gender-affirming surgery and undergoing hormone replacement therapy.

From January to March 2025, the 23-year-old underwent an eight-week research project that measured her glucose levels, oxygen uptake, muscle mass, strength, and endurance after extensive training.

The results, shared via Instagram, revealed her metrics align with those of cisgender female athletes, positioning her as eligible for women’s cricket under current scientific standards. Bangar’s findings challenge the International Cricket Council’s 2023 ban on transgender athletes in women’s cricket, prompting her to call for a science-based dialogue with the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the ICC to reform policies for transgender inclusion.

“I am talking with scientific evidence in my hand,” Bangar said in an interview posted to her Instagram page. “So, I hope, this makes an impact and I will be hoping to BCCI and ICC talking with me and discussing this further.”

On Nov. 21, 2023, the ICC enacted a controversial policy barring trans women from international women’s cricket. Finalized after a board meeting in Ahmedabad, India, the regulation prohibits any trans player who has experienced male puberty from competing, irrespective of gender-affirming surgery or hormone therapy. Developed through a 9-month consultation led by the ICC’s Medical Advisory Committee, the rule aims to safeguard the “integrity, safety, and fairness” of women’s cricket but has drawn criticism for excluding athletes like Canada’s Danielle McGahey, the first trans woman to play internationally. The policy, which allows domestic boards to set their own rules, is slated for review by November 2025.

Bangar shared a document on social media verifying her participation in a physiological study at the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, conducted from Jan. 20 to March 3, 2025, focused on cricket performance. The report confirmed that her vital metrics — including haemoglobin, blood glucose, peak power, and mean power — aligned with those of cisgender female athletes. Initially, her fasting blood glucose measured 6.1 mmol/L, slightly above the typical non-diabetic range of 4.0–5.9 mmol/L, but subsequent tests showed it normalized, reinforcing the study’s findings that her physical profile meets female athletic standards.

“I am submitting this to the BCCI and ICC, with full transparency and hope,” said Bangar. “My only intention is to start a conversation based on facts not fear. To build space, not divide it.”

In a letter to the BCCI and the ICC, Bangar emphasized her test results from the Manchester Metropolitan University study. She explained that the research aimed to assess how hormone therapy had influenced her strength, stamina, haemoglobin, glucose levels, and overall performance, benchmarked directly against cisgender female athletic standards.

Bangar’s letter to the BCCI and the ICC clarified the Manchester study was not intended as a political statement but as a catalyst for a science-driven dialogue on fairness and inclusion in cricket. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing empirical data over assumptions to shape equitable policies for trans athletes in the sport.

Bangar urged the BCCI, the world’s most influential cricket authority, to initiate a formal dialogue on trans women’s inclusion in women’s cricket, rooted in medical science, performance metrics, and ethical fairness. She called for the exploration of eligibility pathways based on sport-specific criteria, such as haemoglobin thresholds, testosterone suppression timelines, and standardized performance testing. Additionally, she advocated for collaboration with experts, athletes, and legal advisors to develop policies that balance inclusivity with competitive integrity.

“I am releasing my report and story publicly not for sympathy, but for truth. Because inclusion does not mean ignoring fairness, it means measuring it, transparently and responsibly,” said Bangar in a letter to the BCCI. “I would deeply appreciate the opportunity to meet with you or a representative of the BCCI or ICC to present my findings, discuss possible policy pathways, and work towards a future where every athlete is evaluated based on real data, not outdated perceptions.”

Before her transition, Bangar competed for Islam Gymkhana in Mumbai and Hinckley Cricket Club in the U.K., showcasing her talent in domestic cricket circuits. Her father, Sanjay Bangar, was a dependable all-rounder for the Indian national cricket team from 2001 to 2004, playing 12 test matches and 15 One Day Internationals. He later served as a batting coach for the Indian team from 2014 to 2019, contributing to its strategic development.

Cricket in India is a cultural phenomenon, commanding a fanbase of more than 1 billion, with more than 80 percent of global cricket viewership originating from the country.

The International Cricket Council, the sport’s governing body, oversees 12 full member nations and more than 90 associate members, with the U.S. recently gaining associate member status in 2019 and co-hosting the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The BCCI generated approximately $2.25 billion in revenue in the 2023–24 financial year, primarily from the Indian Premier League, bilateral series, and ICC revenue sharing. The ICC earns over $3 billion from media rights in India alone for the 2024–27 cycle, contributing nearly 90 percent of its global media rights revenue, with the BCCI receiving 38.5 percent of the ICC’s annual earnings, approximately $231 million per year.

Women’s cricket in India enjoys a growing fanbase, with over 300 million viewers for the Women’s Premier League in 2024, making it a significant driver of the sport’s global popularity. The International Cricket Council oversees women’s cricket in 12 full member nations and over 90 associate members, with the U.S. fielding a women’s team since gaining associate status in 2019 and competing in ICC events like the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup qualifiers. The BCCI invests heavily in women’s cricket, allocating approximately $60 million annually to the WPL and domestic programs in 2024–25, while contributing to the ICC’s $20 million budget for women’s cricket development globally. India’s media market for women’s cricket, including WPL broadcasting rights, generated $120 million in 2024, accounting for over 50 percent of the ICC’s women’s cricket media revenue.

“As a woman, I feel when someone says that they are women, then they are, be trans or cis. A trans woman is definitely the same as a cis woman emotionally and in vitals, and specially, when someone is on hormone replacement therapy. Stopping Anaya Bangar from playing is discrimination and violation of her rights. It is really sad and painful that every transwoman need to fight and prove their identity everywhere,” said Indrani Chakraborty, an LGBTQ rights activist and a mother of a trans woman. “If ICC and BCCI is stopping her from playing for being transgender, then I will say this to be their lack of awareness and of course the social mindsets which deny acceptance.”

Chakraborty told the Blade that Bangar is an asset, no matter what. She said that the women’s cricket team will only benefit by participation, but the discriminating policies are the hindrance.

“Actually the transgender community face such discrimination in every sphere. In spite of being potent, they face rejection. This is highly inhuman. These attitudes is regressive and will never let to prosper. Are we really in 2025?,” said Chakraborty. “We, our mindset and the society are the issues. We, as a whole, need to get aware and have to come together for getting justice for Anaya. If today, we remain silent, the entire community will be oppressed. Proper knowledge of gender issues need to be understood.”

The BCCI and the International Cricket Council have not responded to the Blade’s repeated requests for comment.