Arts & Entertainment
Calendar for March 19
Friday, March 19
Gay District meets at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 1820 Connecticut Ave., N.W., from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Gay District is a weekly, non-church affiliated discussion and social group for GBTQ men between 18 and 35. For more information, e-mail [email protected].
Friday night Erev Shabbat Services are held 8:30-10 p.m. at the Washington, D.C. Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St. Services are followed by a social event. Please use the Q Street entrance.
St. Patrick’s Hangover bear party at Motley Bar above EFN Lounge, 1318 9th St., N.W., 6 p.m.-3 a.m. with host Tim Woody and DJ Jim Gade. There will be prizes, green beer and more.
Excursion at Fly Lounge: The Cherry Fund marks National Women’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day with a happy hour to benefit the Women’s Collective and their work. From 6:30-9:30 p.m., 1802 Jefferson Place, N.W. Tickets are $10 with comp admission for Fresh members and Cherry pass holders.
Brodeo: A DC Cowboys event, 10 p.m.-1 a.m. at Remingtons, 639 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E. Proceeds benefit the DC Cowboys on their mission to provide free entertainment for HIV/AIDS charity organizations.
“Grease,” the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington presents a fully staged, all-male production of the Broadway musical at Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St., N.W. (See full story on page 28)
Saturday, March 20
Volunteer opportunity, 9 a.m.-noon, at the Capital Area Food Bank, 645 Taylor St., N.E. Volunteers will go through orientation, watch a short film then work will most likely involve sorting and packaging donated food.
Team DC Fashion Show at Town Danceboutique, 2009 8th St., N.W., 8 p.m.-3 a.m. $10 cover benefits Team DC college scholoarship. Models will have four clothing changes representing club wear, swimsuit, underwear and leather/sports/fetish. The model with the highest score wins $500, a professional photo shoot with Robert Mercer photography and becomes an automatic finalist to be considered for the 2011 Ripped Genes calendar.
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network holds its annual national dinner featuring Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) at the National Building Museum, 401 F St., N.W. Tickets start at $250; reception at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:45 p.m. Visit sldn.org for information.
BARE-Military Style, presented by the Ladies of LURe at Cobalt, 1639 R St., N.W. Fundraising event benefiting Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services organization dedicated to ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Come dressed in camo, war paint or just come out to show support. Doors at 10 p.m. (free admission with ticket from the SLDN National Dinner); 21 and up with ID. For more information visit sldn.org.
Misstallica, an all-girl tribute to Metallica, plays the 9:30 club, 815 V St., N.W. Doors at 8 p.m. For tickets, call 877-435-9849 or visit 930.com.
Oscar winning actress Mo’nique performs standup at DAR Constitution Hall, 18th & C streets, N.W., 8 p.m. Tickets start at $39.50; visit ticketmaster.com.
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley shows off his biceps and his singing voice as O’Malley’s March plays the Recher Theatre, 512 York Rd., Towson, MD. Show is at 8 p.m.; tickets $20. For information, call 410-337-7178 or visit rechertheatre.com.
Sunday, March 21
Gay favorite “Hairspray” is performed at Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia, Route 29 & Little Patuxent Parkway, 10:30 a.m. and again at 5 p.m. Tickets start at $46; call 301-596-6161.
Nurse Jackie season two premiere party at Public Bar, 1214 B 18th St., N.W. Join HRC and Showtime for a screening of the Nurse Jackie season one finale and the season two premiere, followed by an after party. Buy tickets at hrc.org/nursejackiedc. General admission, $10 suggested donation; VIP tickets, $75 (includes two drink tickets and private VIP viewing area)
Monday, March 22
Whitman-Walker Clinic substance abuse support group at the Max Robinson Center, 2301 MLK Ave., SE, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Marc Maron, well-known comedic performer who has appeared on HBO, David Letterman and Comedy Central, hits the main stage at Black Cat, 1811 14th St., N.W., 8 p.m. Tickets are $20, call 202-667-4490 or visit blackcatdc.com.
Tuesday, March 23
Packing party at EFN Lounge/Motley Bar, 1318 9th St., N.W., from 7-8 p.m. Volunteers will assemble safer sex kits and enjoy drink specials.
Wednesday, March 24
Hollaback Transgender Support Group meets from 6:30-8 p.m. in the DC Center activity room. Hollaback is a program of the DC Community AIDS Network and meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. The DC Center is located at 1810 14th St., N.W., convenient to the U Street/Cardozo Metro stop.
Secrets monthly amateur dancer contest night at the Ziegfeld’s/Secrets entertainment complex, 1824 Half Street, S.W., from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Participant sign-up starts at 10 p.m., contest begins at 11 p.m. First prize is $300 cash; hosted by Destiny B. Childs with music by DJ tim-e.
Thursday, March 25
Career development at the DC Center, 1810 14th St. N.W., 4:30–6:30 p.m., brings trained volunteer human resource professionals to offer support with job searches, interviews skills, resume writing and individual career goal counseling. For more information, contact the Center at 202-682-2245 or careerdevelopmentthedccenter.org.
The Washington Blade held the seventh annual Pride on the Pier at The Wharf DC on Saturday, June 13.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
The 2026 Lost River Pride Festival was held on the scenic grounds of the Lost River Farmers Market in Lost City, W.Va. on Saturday, June 13. Headliner Tom Goss performed at the festival and gave a second performance at the nearby Guesthouse Lost River.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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Books
David Archuleta on Mormon faith, ‘Idol,’ more in new book
Unique memoir details religious upbringing, coming out
‘Devout: Losing My Faith to Find Myself’
By David Archuleta
c.2026, Gallery Books
$29/290 pages
So just make up your mind already.
The decision is very much in your control – or, at least that’s how it’s supposed to be. It’ll be your future, your path, and seizing it may not just be necessary, but mandatory. It’s your life, and no one can live it for you. As in the new memoir “Devout” by David Archuleta, that goes for career and for love, too.
Born to parents who both had musical careers before they wed, David Archuleta remembers an early childhood growing up in a Hispanic Mormon community in Florida, where kin was always nearby. He was six when his parents moved the immediate family to Utah; the first thing he remembers about that is the snow, and how it was so cold, it burned.
Because music was in his blood, Archuleta grew up singing and dancing, often with his mother whom he calls “my rock.” It was his father, however, who encouraged him to perform; first, with a gentle push, then a shove toward a career Archuleta didn’t really want.
But he did want to make his father happy, so he went along with the contests, embarrassing meet-and-greets with stars, and uncomfortable introductions. Slowly, though, performing became more fun, and Archuleta made friends.
Meanwhile, back home, everything was breaking apart. A “family friend” whom Archuleta refuses to name accused his father of abuse. He was exonerated, but it affected the family’s closeness and they stopped being affectionate.
That was a painful backdrop to Archuleta’s soaring career, his appearances on Star Search, friendships with other rising stars, his runner-up spot on “American Idol,” tours, and recording contracts. His father kept pushing him.
But there was one thing missing.
Since he was a boy, Archuleta had known that he was attracted to men, but his Mormon faith taught him that that was unacceptable. Kissing, his abuelita said, was wrong. He tried hard to date girls, in the most chaste way. Anything past that was against God – and anything at all with a man was unthinkable.
Though it absolutely favors his personal life and dwells on it a bit too much, “Devout” strikes an otherwise nice balance between that, author David Archuleta’s career, his sexuality, and his faith. The latter two are loaded with controversy.
You don’t need to be Mormon to fully understand the faith part; Archuleta offers non-Mormons a brief education, so readers can see the importance of the Church’s teachings in his life and why he felt the need to abandon it as his understanding of his bisexuality grew. It’s emotionally raw and honest, but also so respectful that it almost bears re-reading. Such candor and the heart-on-his-sleeve tone you’ll sense are features in the entire book, alongside Archuleta’s family’s struggles and his learning to strike out alone.
It’s harmonious in more ways than one, and fans will be happy.
So, too, will anyone who wants a unique memoir with a dose of faith, or someone who’s an “American Idol”watcher. Find “Devout” and be sure to share. You won’t mind.
The Blade may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via this post.
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