Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: Oct. 12
Parties, exhibits, concerts and more through Oct. 18
A firefly metal that is part of the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival this weekend in Gaithersburg. (Photo courtesy Sugarloaf)
TODAY (Friday)
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts Bear Happy Hour tonight from 6-11 p.m. This event is for people 21 and older. There is no cover charge. For details, visit towndc.com.
Landmark’s E Street Cinema (555 11th St., NW) presents “How to Survive a Plague” tonight at 7. Attendees can get free vouchers at brownpapertickets.com. When free vouchers run out or for more information, visit landmarktheatres.com.
Women in their Twenties meets tonight at 8 p.m. at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., NW). The group is for lesbian, bisexual, transgender and other interested women in Washington. For details, visit thedccenter.org.
The Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8th St., S.E.) is having its happy hour tonight starting at 5 p.m. All drinks are half off until 7:30 p.m. After 9 p.m., admission is $10. The dance floor opens at 11 p.m. with DJ Tim-Nice and DJ Cameron. For details, visit thebachelorsmill.com.
Special Agent Galactica plays at Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) tonight from 6-9. Her guests tonight are performers from the Hope Operas, which is running on Mondays this month in Arlington (see below). Admission is free. For more information, visit pinkhairedone.com.
Phase 1 (528 8th St. SE) has its weekly dance party with DJ Jay Von Teese tonight starting at 7:30. Cover is $10. For more information, visit phase1dc.com.
The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival begins today and runs through Sunday at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds (16 Chestnut Street, Gaithersburg). Today and Saturday, the fair is open from 10 a.m.-6 pm. On Sunday, the fair runs until 5 p.m. The festival includes fashion, fine art, jewelry, glass and pottery. For details, visit sugarloafcrafts.com.
The Spooky Movie International Horror Film Festival continues tonight at 9:20 pm at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center (8633 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring). Tickets start at $11 and a festival pass can be purchased for $125-$150. For more information, visit thespookymovie.com.
Saturday, Oct. 13
The Team D.C. 2012 Champions Awards Reception takes place at the HRC Equality Forum Hall (1127 Connecticut Ave., NW) tonight from 6-8 pm. The annual event celebrates local leaders and supporters of LGBT sports. Awards included are the MVP Award, the Trailblazer Award and the Community Support Award. For more information, visit teamdc.org.
Whitman-Walker offers HIV Testing at D.C. Center (1318 U St. NW) today from 4-7:30 pm. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W) hosts Djs Shea Van Horn and Matt Bailer as they bring their party “Mixtape” tonight at 10. The cover is $8 before 11 pm and $12 after. For details, visit towndc.com.
Sunday, Oct. 14
Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers this morning for D.C. Central Kitchen (425 2nd St. NW) at 9 a.m. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.
Founder and owner of Busboys and Poets, Andy Shallal, holds a discussion about how to affect social change through entrepreneurship today from 10:25-11:15 a.m. at River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation (6301 River Road, Bethesda). This event is free and open to everyone. For details, visit rruuc.org.
“Being Home,” an art exhibit by Patricia Tice, is being shown at River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation (6301 River Road) today from 3-5 p.m. This event is free and open to everybody. For more information, visit rruuc.org.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) holds its weekly Martini Sundays and Homowood Karaoke tonight. Karaoke starts at 10 p.m. and there is no charge for admission. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.
Lambda Sci-fi hosts its monthly meeting for science fiction, fantasy and horror fans today at 1425 S St. NW. The meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. and the social begins at 2. Attendees should bring a snack or a non-alcoholic beverage. For more information, visit lambdascifi.org.
Monday, Oct. 15
The Hope Operas continue tonight at 8 p.m. at the Comedy Spot on the third floor of the Ballston Mall (4238 Wilson Blvd. Arlington) as a series of original musicals and cliffhangers that run each Monday night this month. Founder Chris Griffin is gay as are several of the performers. Audience members get to vote for their favorite serial and money raised from the performances will go to a local charity. Performances are by local theater professionals. Tickets are $13 per show or $50 for the month. Find the group on Facebook for details.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts its Martini Monday tonight at 10 p.m. There is no cover charge and martinis are $5. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St., NW) holds its HIV+ Newly Diagnosed Support Group tonight at 7. It is a confidential support group for anyone recently diagnosed with HIV and the group welcomes all genders and sexual orientations. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.
Tuesday, Oct. 16
Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) hosts its Safer Sex Kit-packing program tonight from 7-10:30. The packing program is looking for more volunteers to help produce the kits because they say they are barely keeping up with demand. Admission is free and volunteers can just show up. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W) hosts its Flashback dance night with DJ Jason Royce starting at 10 p.m. There is no cover charge. For more details, visit cobaltdc.com.
Wednesday, Oct. 17
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St., NW) holds its HIV+ Newly Diagnosed Support Group tonight at 7. It is a confidential support group for anyone recently diagnosed with HIV and the group welcomes all genders and sexual orientations. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.
The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE). A partner is not needed. For more information, visit lambdabridge.com.
“Dirt,” by Bryony Lavery, opens tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Studio Theatre (1501 14th, St. NW). The play chronicles people’s relationships and how they can make a mess of them. Tickets are $20. For more information, visit studiotheatre.org.
Thursday, Oct. 18
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St., NW) holds its gay men over 50 support group this evening at 6:30 pm. The group is for gay men entering a new phase of life. Registration is required to attend. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W) hosts its weekly Best Package Contest tonight at 9 p.m. There is a $3 cover and there are $2 vodka drinks. Participants in the contest can win $200 in cash prizes. The event is hosted by Lena Lett and music by DJ Chord, DJ Madscience, and DJ Sean Morris. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.
Whitman-Walker Health provides HIV Testing this evening at Miriam’s Kitchen (2120 West Virginia Ave., NE) beginning at 4 p.m. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.
Celebrity News
Brazilian police arrest two men who allegedly targeted Lady Gaga concert
Authorities say suspects wanted to target LGBTQ Brazilians
Brazilian police have arrested two people who allegedly sought to detonate explosives at a free Lady Gaga concert that took place on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach on Saturday.
The Associated Press reported Felipe Curi, a spokesperson for the city’s Civil Police, told reporters the men who authorities arrested hours before the concert took place wanted to target LGBTQ Brazilians. Civil Police Chief Luiz Lima said the men posted hate speech and violent content online “aimed at gaining notoriety in order to attract more viewers, more participants — most of them teenagers, many of them children.”
“They were clearly saying that they were planning an attack at Lady Gaga’s concert motivated by sexual orientation,” said Cury, according to the AP.
An estimated 2.5 million people attended the concert.
A Lady Gaga spokesperson told the AP the singer learned about the threats on Sunday from media reports.
“Prior to and during the show, there were no known safety concerns, nor any communication from the police or authorities to Lady Gaga regarding any potential risks,” said the spokesperson. “Her team worked closely with law enforcement throughout the planning and execution of the concert and all parties were confident in the safety measures in place.”
Lady Gaga in an Instagram post thanked her Brazilian fans.
“Nothing could prepare me for the feeling I had during last night’s show — the absolute pride and joy I felt singing for the people of Brazil,” she wrote. “The sight of the crowd during my opening songs took my breath away. Your heart shines so bright, your culture is so vibrant and special, I hope you know how grateful I am to have shared this historical moment with you.”
“An estimated 2.5 million people came to see me sing, the biggest crowd for any woman in history. I wish I could share this feeling with the whole world — I know I can’t, but I can say this — if you lose your way, you can find your way back if you believe in yourself and work hard,” added Lady Gaga. “You can give yourself dignity by rehearsing your passion and your craft, pushing yourself to new heights — you can lift yourself up even if it takes some time. Thank you Rio for waiting for me to come back. Thank you little monsters all over the world. I love you. I will never forget this moment. Paws up little monsters. Obrigada. Love, Mother Monster.”
An estimated 1.6 million people attended Madonna’s free concert on Copacabana Beach last May.
Books
A boy-meets-boy, family-mess story with heat
New book offers a stunning, satisfying love story
‘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.
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)
ILGA World reinstates Israeli LGBTQ rights group
Brazilian police arrest two men who allegedly targeted Lady Gaga concert
Hidden hazards at home
A boy-meets-boy, family-mess story with heat
Australian prime minister re-elected
TRAITOR: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has blood on his hands
LGBTQ activist murdered in Lesotho
Theatre Prometheus spreads queer joy with ‘Galatea’
English soccer bans transgender women from women’s teams
