Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: events through Nov. 29
Parties, concerts, exhibits and more for the coming week
‘1980s Sparklers’ by Andrew Acquandro is on display now at Studio Gallery (Image courtesy Studio)
TODAY (Blade Friday)
Studio Gallery (2108 R St. NW) hosts the exhibitions “Mindscapes” by Andrew Acquadro and “Meditation On The Rocks” by Suzanne Goldberg today through Dec. 22. For more information, visit studiogallerydc.com.
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 pm with DJ Tim-Nice and DJ Cameron. For details, visit thebachelorsmill.com.
Code hosts its “XXX: Anything Goes” party tonight at The Crucible (16 M St., N.E.) at 10 p.m. The event is men only. Admission is $30. For details, visit codedc.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.
Special Agent Galactica plays Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) tonight from 6-9. Music includes pieces by Pat Benatar, Judy Garland, Stevie Nicks, Nancy Sinatra and Ray Stevens. Admission is free. For more information, visit pinkhairedone.com.
Saturday, Nov. 24
Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, is helping in food preparation and packing groceries for Food and Friends (219 Riggs Road, NE) this morning at 8 and again at 9:45. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.
Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8th St., S.E.) opens at 5:30 this evening with a pool, video gaming systems and card tournaments. The dance floors open at 11 p.m. Admission is free until 9 and it is $10 after. For more information, visit thebachelorsmill.com.
Phase 1 (525 8th St., SE) holds its party “Pop Rocks” with DJ LS tonight starting at 7. Cover is $10. For more information, visit phase1dc.com.
Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, NW) holds its “Tainted Love: ‘80s Dance Party” starting at 10 p.m. Cover is $5. For more information, visit greenlanterndc.com.
The Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) hosts, “Right Round,” its ‘80s alternative-pop dance night with DJ Lil’e. Tickets are $7 and doors open at 9:30. For more information, visit blackcatdc.com.
Sunday, Nov. 25
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) holds its weekly Martini Sundays and Homowood Karaoke. Karaoke starts at 10 p.m. and there is no charge for admission. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.
Monday, Nov. 26
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.
Primetimers and SAGE Metro DC are celebrating LGBT veterans this evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Residence at Thomas Circle (1330 Massachusetts Ave., NW). There will be a panel discussion with food and drink. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
The Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8th St., S.E.) offers half-price drinks all night long, a free pool and NFL, NBA and NCAA games will be on the flat screen TVs. Dance floor opens at 10. Admission is free. For details, visit thebachelorsmill.com.
Banana Café (500 8th St., SE) has its open mike night from 7 p.m. to closing. Admission is free and there are $3 mojitos after 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit bananacafedc.com.
Tuesday, Nov. 27
Whitman-Walker (1701 14th St., NW) holds its “Starting Over for Women” meeting tonight 7- 8:30 p.m. It’s a 10-week confidential discussion group for women whose long-term relationship is over. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
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.
The D.C. Center (1318 U St., NW) holds its GenderQueer D.C. support group tonight from 7-9 p.m. This is a new group for people who identify outside the gender binary. For details, visit thedccenter.org.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W) presents its Flashback dance night with DJ Jason Royce starting at 10 p.m. There is no cover charge. For more details, visit cobaltdc.com.
The D..C Center holds its “Freedom from Smoking Class” for members of the community who are trying to quit smoking this evening starting 6:30. The class is an adaptation of the American Lung Association’s group clinic that has helped thousands of smokers, however it has been modified to be more relevant to the LGBT community and people living with HIV/AIDS. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
MOVA (2204 14th Street, NW) shows “Will & Grace” reruns tonight and has $7 Karen Walker Finlandia martinis and $8 “Just Jack” Jack Daniels cocktails. The bar has complimentary champagne from 5-6 p.m. as it does most evenings. Movalounge.com for details.
Wednesday, Nov. 28
HIV Prevention Working Group, an HIV/AIDS prevention outreach, volunteer and education program, meets tonight at 7 p.m. at the DC Center (1318 U St. NW). For details, visit thedccenter.org.
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.
Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE). Newcomers are welcomed and no reservations are needed. For more information, visit lambdabridge.com.
Thursday, Nov. 29
The Rainbow History Project, Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company and the Washington D.C. Humanities Council presents “Persistent Voices: An Anthology of Poets Lost to AIDS” this evening at 6:30 p.m. at Westminster Church (400 I St., NW). Edited by Philip Clark and David Groff, the performance features poets who died of AIDS. Performers include Chris August, Gowri Konewsaran and Jaysen Wright.
Whitman-Walker offers HIV Testing at World AIDS Day at the University of the District of Columbia-Community College (801 North Capitol, NE) today from 9:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
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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