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Calendar: March 11

Concerts, parties, club meetings and more through March 17

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Washington National Opera’s production of ‘Madama Butterfly’ is at the Kennedy Center this week. (Photo by Scott Suchman, courtesy of Washington National Opera)

Tonight

Ziegfeld’s presents Long Island Heat as Latino night returns tonight. There’s a $5 cover from 9 to 10:30 p.m. and a $10 cover after 10:30.

Women in Their Twenties, a social discussion and dinner group, will be meeting tonight from 8 to 9 p.m. at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.).

Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave., N.W.) presents “Inspiration” with paintings by Betsy Forster and “Surfaces” with paintings by Michelee Cormier. Forster paints landscapes, particularly uninhabited areas. Cormier “captures the deterioration of urban surfaces over time.” The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the exhibits will be on display through March 27.

Lace Lounge (2214 Rhode Island Ave., N.E.) presents Social Climax tonight from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. There’s a $10 cover all night and free drinks before 11:30 p.m.

The D.C. Independent Film Festival continues today with two sessions at the Gala Theatre (3333 14th St., N.W.). The first session at 7 p.m. will feature movies about life and liberty and the second session at 9:45 p.m. will feature comedies. Tickets to individual sessions are $10 for general admission or $7 for students and seniors. Other ticket packages are available. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit dciff.org. The festival will continue through Sunday.

Saturday, March 12

Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) launches its new monthly event, “Just Circuit” at 10 p.m. featuring all house music with DJ Wayne G upstairs and DH Kuhmeleon downstairs. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com or justcircuit.com.

Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) presents Funkytown, a retro dance party on the main floor with DJ Ed Bailey playing music from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. There will also be live performances by x-faction and the Ladies of Town. Doors open at 10 p.m. There is an $8 cover before 11 p.m. and $12 afterward. All attendees must be 21 or older.

Also at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) is the Team D.C. Fashion Show and Model Search. This event benefits the Team D.C. College Scholarship program. There is a $10 cover. Doors open at 7 p.m. Show starts at 8 p.m. For more information, visit teamdc.org.

plan b gallery (1530 14th St., N.W.) is hosting an opening reception for its exhibit of paintings by Kathy Beynette, Patrick Campbell and Michelee Montalbano from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight. Beynette’s narrative paintings are “fun and whimsical.” Campbell’s paintings are complex and saturated with color and Montabano creates a “ghost-like presence” in her paintings.

Sunday, March 13

As part of “maximum INDIA,” the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) hosts Bhangra class with DJ Rekha at 3 p.m. on the Millennium Stage. This is a free event.

The D.C. Kings continue their 11th anniversary celebration with a Best of show at Phase 1 (525 8th St., S.E.) tonight at 10 p.m. The cover ranges from $5 to $10 and money raised will go to Chris Hara, a former king who was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident.

Flip-Out, D.C.’s LGBT flip cup league, has its weekly games today at 5 p.m. at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.). For more information, visit flipoutdc.com.

Monday, March 14

The Washington National Opera presents “Madama Butterfly” tonight at 7 p.m. at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) with Catherine Naglestad playing the role of Cio-Cio-San. The performance is in Italian with English supertitles. There will be an artist Q&A following the performance. Tickets range from $55 to $300 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.

Bears do Yoga at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court N.W.) tonight at 6:30 p.m. Class lasts for an hour and serves as an introduction to yoga for people of all different body types and physical abilities. It’s taught by Michael Brazell. For more information, visit dccenter.org.

Tuesday, March 15

Mautner Project is having a volunteer orientation today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ideal volunteers should have access to a car, good driving record and a commitment to the needs of cancer patients. For more information, call 202-332-5536 or e-mail [email protected].

Druid Ireland presents the opening of Penelope at Studio Theatre (1501 14th St., N.W.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. Penelope is a riff on Homer’s Odyssey and is about four suitors dressed in Speedos and terrycloth robes trying to woo a young woman. Tickets range from $35 to $50. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit studiotheatre.org.

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.

Wednesday, March 16

D.C. Ice Breakers host their monthly open skate tonight from 8:15 to 9:15 p.m. at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex, on top of the Ballston Common Mall parking garage (627 N Glebe Rd.) in Arlington. After skating the group will hit a local bar for a social hour. Skating is $8 plus $3 for skate rental. For more information, visit dcicebreakers.com.

The American Humanist Association presents “Humanism — An Introduction,” a one hour overview of the progressive, nontheist philosophy and an introduction to related local groups. This overview will be held at 1777 T St., N.W., at 2 p.m. It’s gay led but not gay specific. For more information, e-mail [email protected] or call 202-238-9088.

The Tom Davaron Social Bridge Club will meet at 7:30 tonight at the Dignity Center, 721 8th St., S.E., (across from Marine Barracks) for social bridge. No partner is needed. Visit lambdabridge.com and click on “Social Bridge in Washington” for more information.

Thursday, March 17

As part of “maximum INDIA,” the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) hosts a performance at 6 p.m. in the Eisenhower Theater of “Ticket to Bollywood,” showcasing the song and dance movie genre live on stage with artistic direction by Shubhra Bhardwaj. This is a free event.

Nellie’s is opening at 11 a.m. today for “Kegs and Eggs” as part of its St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Some other St. Patrick’s day specials include green beer, Irish car bombs, shepherd’s pie and green mini Maria cupcakes.

FotoDC and the Crystal City Business Improvement District present the opening of Flash, a month-long even showcasing photography. There will be two separate exhibits, a library of photography books and a lounge for refreshments and discussion. The penthouse gallery (2450 Crystal Drive) in Arlington is open from 5 to 10 p.m. The exhibit will run through April 17.

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Books

A boy-meets-boy, family-mess story with heat

New book offers a stunning, satisfying love story

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(Book cover image courtesy of Random House)

‘When the Harvest Comes’
By Denne Michele Norris
c.2025, Random House
$28/304 pages

Happy is the bride the sun shines on.

Of all the clichés that exist about weddings, that’s the one that seems to make you smile the most. Just invoking good weather and bright sunshine feels like a cosmic blessing on the newlyweds and their future. It’s a happy omen for bride and groom or, as in the new book “When the Harvest Comes” by Denne Michele Norris, for groom and groom.

Davis Freeman never thought he could love or be loved like this.

He was wildly, wholeheartedly, mind-and-soul smitten with Everett Caldwell, and life was everything that Davis ever wanted. He was a successful symphony musician in New York. They had an apartment they enjoyed and friends they cherished. Now it was their wedding day, a day Davis had planned with the man he adored, the details almost down to the stitches in their attire. He’d even purchased a gorgeous wedding gown that he’d never risk wearing.

He knew that Everett’s family loved him a lot, but Davis didn’t dare tickle the fates with a white dress on their big day. Everett’s dad, just like Davis’s own father, had considerable reservations about his son marrying another man – although Everett’s father seemed to have come to terms with his son’s bisexuality. Davis’s father, whom Davis called the Reverend, never would. Years ago, father and son had a falling-out that destroyed any chance of peace between Davis and his dad; in fact, the door slammed shut to any reconciliation.

But Davis tried not to think about that. Not on his wedding day. Not, unbeknownst to him, as the Reverend was rushing toward the wedding venue, uninvited but not unrepentant. Not when there was an accident and the Reverend was killed, miles away and during the nuptials.

Davis didn’t know that, of course, as he was marrying the love of his life. Neither did Everett, who had familial problems of his own, including homophobic family members who tried (but failed) to pretend otherwise.

Happy is the groom the sun shines on. But when the storm comes, it can be impossible to remain sunny.

What can be said about “When the Harvest Comes?” It’s a romance with a bit of ghost-pepper-like heat that’s not there for the mere sake of titillation. It’s filled with drama, intrigue, hate, characters you want to just slap, and some in bad need of a hug.

In short, this book is quite stunning.

Author Denne Michele Norris offers a love story that’s everything you want in this genre, including partners you genuinely want to get to know, in situations that are real. This is done by putting readers inside the characters’ minds, letting Davis and Everett themselves explain why they acted as they did, mistakes and all. Don’t be surprised if you have to read the last few pages twice to best enjoy how things end. You won’t be sorry.

If you want a complicated, boy-meets-boy, family-mess kind of book with occasional heat, “When the Harvest Comes” is your book. Truly, this novel shines.

The Blade may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via this post.

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Photos

PHOTOS: Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch

LGBTQ politicians gather for annual event

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Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) speaks at the 2025 Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Music & Concerts

Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’

Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.

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Singer Tom Goss is back. (Photo by Dusti Cunningham)

Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co. 

Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.

For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.

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