Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: Nov. 16
Parties, events, concerts and more through Thanksgiving Day
The Washington Chorus presents ‘The Essential Bernstein’ Sunday at 5 at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. The late composer/conductor Bernstein was gay. (Photo courtesy of the Washington Chorus)
TODAY (Friday)
Gay Districts hosts its fourth Thanksgiving potluck dinner at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1830 Connecticut Ave., NW) tonight at 8:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring food and drink. For details, visit gaydistrict.org.
Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave., NW) presents “Drag Illusion”, a photo essay about drag queens by Michael Lang. Lang particularly focused on Town and the process the performers went through. The gallery is opened today from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit touchstonegallery.com.
The Speakeasy Shorts Film Challenge ends tonight at the U.S. Navy Memorial Heritage Center (701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW). The challenge was to write, shoot and edit a film based off of eight local storytellers in five days. The first day is when the filmmakers learned about their story. Now it is time to see their product. Tickets are $20. For more information, visit speakeasydc.com.
The Music Center at Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda) presents Olivia Newton-John tonight at 8 p.m. In her most recent tour she is revisiting some her classics such as “Physical” and “Hopelessly Devoted to You” along with some of her more recent pieces. Tickets range from $48 to $78. For more information, visit Strathmore.org.
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.
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.
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.
Saturday, Nov.17
The D.C. Center (1318 U St., NW) holds Transgender Community Discussion today at 3 p.m. The goal of the meeting is to discuss the needs of transgender community. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, needs volunteers for the MLK Library (901 G St., NW) in the morning from 9:30 to noon. Approximately 12-15 volunteers are needed. If volunteers want to go to lunch at Potbelly or California Tortilla, they should bring $7-$10. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.com. Members also volunteer at Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation at the Petsmart (6100 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church) today from 11:45 a.m.-3 p.m. For details, visit burgundycrescent.com.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) celebrates its fifth anniversary tonight at 10 p.m. The club is celebrating with DJ Chris Cox and performances by its dance troupe The Dance Camp. Cover is $8 before 11 p.m. and $12 after. There are $3 drinks before 11 p.m. The drag show starts at 10:30 p.m. For more information, visit towndc.com.
Sunday, Nov. 18
The Washington Chorus presents “The Essential Bernstein” today at 5 at Kennedy Center Concert Hall (2801 Upton St., NW). The concert is presenting music of the legendary Leonard Bernstein, featuring music from “Candide,” “West Side Story” and “Chichester Psalms.” Tickets are $15-$65. For more information, visit thewashingtonchorus.org.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) holds its weekly Martini Sundays and Homowood Karaoke, which starts at 10 p.m. No charge for admission. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.
Monday, Nov. 19
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, Nov. 20
Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to commemorate those who have been killed as a result of transphobia. It began in 1998 when transgender activist Gwendolyn Ann Smith memorialized Rita Hester who was killed for being transgender. Metropolitan Community Church of Washington (474 Ridge St. NW) is holding a service this evening at 6 p.m. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
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.
Wednesday, Nov. 21
The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE) for social bridge. A partner is not needed. For more information, visit lambdabridge.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.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts “WTF: Thanksgiving in Space” party tonight at 10. The celebration includes cosmo-nauts and pumpkin moonpies. Cover is $5. For more information, visit towndc.com.
Thursday, Nov. 22
Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, helps with the Thanksgiving Dinner for the homeless and needy at Rosemary’s Thyme restaurant (18 & S St., NW) today from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is expected that 500-600 homeless and needy people will be served. For details, visit burgundycrescent.com.
The DC Center for the LGBTQ Community, SMYAL and Rainbow Families sponsored Gay Day at the Zoo on Sunday at the Smithsonian National Zoo. The Smithsonian marked International Family Equality Day with special exhibits and an event space.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Covering Gay Day at the Zoo for @WashBlade . Here at @NationalZooDC pic.twitter.com/LqgGNOOAiM
— Michael Patrick Key (@MichaelKeyWB) May 5, 2024
Photos
PHOTOS: Taste of Point
Annual fundraiser held for LGBTQ youth scholarship, mentorship organization
The Point Foundation held its annual Taste of Point fundraiser at Room & Board on May 2.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Theater
Miss Kitty tackles classical mythology in ‘Metamorphoses’
Folger production seen through the lens of the African diaspora
‘Metamorphoses’
May 7-June 16
Folger Theatre
201 East Capitol St., S.E.
$20-$84
Folger.edu
Miss Kitty’s words are thoughtful and measured, occasionally punctuated by flamboyant flourishes and uplifting proclamations. Her tried and tested tagline is “live in fierce not fear.”
She describes herself as “AMAB (assigned male at birth), nonbinary, genderqueer, transfemme” as well as “chanteuse, noble blacktress, and dancer.”
Currently, Miss Kitty is testing her talents in Mary Zimmerman’s “Metamorphoses” at Folger Theatre on Capitol Hill.
At 90 minutes, “Metamorphoses,” is made up of interwoven vignettes from classical mythology including the tales of Midas and his daughter, Alcyone and Ceyx, and Eros and Psyche.
“It’s all stories that relate to the human condition: the follies, the happiness, the love, the loss,” Miss Kitty explains. “And a thorough knowledge of mythology isn’t a requirement for enjoyment.”
The language is contemporary and with its 11-person ensemble cast – comprised exclusively of Black or indigenous people of color – they’re adding their own spin to its present-day feel, she adds.
In Zimmerman’s famously staged premiere production, the actors performed in and around a pool of water. At Folger, director Psalmayene 24 has ditched actual aquatics; instead, he suggests the element by introducing Water Nymph, a new character constructed around Miss Kitty.
Water Nymph doesn’t speak, but she’s very visible from the opening number and throughout the play on stage and popping up in unexpected places around the venue.
“It’s a lot of dancing; I haven’t danced the way Tony Thomas is choreographing me in a very long time. At 40, can she still make theater with just my body as her instrument?
The name “Miss Kitty” was born over a decade ago.
Miss Kitty recalls, “She was still presenting as male and going by her dead name. Someone commented that with the wig she was wearing for a part, she looked like Eartha Kitt whom she deeply admires.”
Her penchant for illeism (referring to oneself in third person) isn’t without good reason. She explains, “It’s to reiterate that however she might look, she’s always there; and if you misgender, she will let you know.”
Initially, the moniker was a drag persona at Capital Pride or the occasional fabulous cabaret performance at a nightclub.
But as time passed, she realized that Miss Kitty was something she couldn’t take off. She had always been a part of her.
“She’s helped me to grow and flourish; she’s given me the strength that I never would have had before. I’m so proud of myself for realizing that before it was too late.”
Bringing Miss Kitty into her theatrical career presented some concerns. Would theater folks be open to the new her, especially those she’d worked with before?
Not always, but she’s found new companies who’ve welcomed Miss Kitty with open arms including Avant Bard, Spooky Action Theater, and now Folger.
Last fall, Miss Kitty appeared in Spooky Action’s Agreste (Drylands), a stunning queer story penned by gay Brazilian playwright Newton Moreno.
After being invited to audition and reading the script, Miss Kitty was determined to be a part of the production.
A work dealing with love and being trans, and transphobia, and how people can turn on a dime once they learn the truth about someone, resonated deeply with the actor.
“The play speaks to the idea that if people just let people be who they are and love who they want to love we’d all be a lot happier,” she says.
For her sublime efforts, Miss Kitty nabbed a Helen Hayes Award nomination in the Outstanding Lead Performer category (winner to be determined on Monday, May 20 during a ceremony at The Anthem).
It’s her first time nominated and first time attending. She’s thrilled.
Miss Kitty grew up in Oxen Hill, Md., and now lives near Washington Harbor. Her entry into performance was through music followed by high school plays. She graduated from Catholic University with a degree in music/concentration in musical theater, and from there dove directly into showbiz.
Looking back, Miss Kitty says, “being a person of color AND queer can be a double whammy of difficulty. You have to live in light and do the things you’re afraid to do. That’s the game changer.”
Presenting “Metamorphoses” through the lens of the African diaspora (the cast also includes Jon Hudson Odom and Billie Krishawn, among others) helps us to realize that every story can be universal, especially for marginalized people — South Asian, Native American, or fully queer perspectives, she says.
“Having an all-Black ensemble opens all new worlds for everyone.”
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