Arts & Entertainment
Calendar through Feb 14
From parties to theater to gallery openings and volunteer opportunities
Jared Shamberger performs as ‘Boo Kitten,’ a character he created for the show ‘Balancing Acts,’ that will be performed Friday at the Sitar Arts Center by Brave Soul Collective. (Photo by Omar Miguel)
TODAY (Feb. 8)
Special Agent Galactica welcomes singer, actor and co-founder of the cabaret series La-Ti-Do, Don Michael H. Mendoza to the Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) tonight from 6-9 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit pinkhairedone.com.
Brave Soul Collective in collaboration with the D.C. Center presents “Balancing Acts: Tales of Triumph, Trial & Error” tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m. in honor of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which was observed this week. The performance will take place at the Sitar Arts Center (1700 Kalorama Rd., NW). The performance tackles a range of topics such as religion and spirituality, family, divorce, relationships, sex, dating and relationships through theatrical pieces and personal testimonies from people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
The Bethesda Art Walk returns this evening from 6-9 p.m. in downtown Bethesda. The galleries feature painting, sculpture, photography, pottery and mixed media. Attendees are invited to enjoy free refreshments and peruse the diverse pieces of art. Participating art galleries include Artworks (7740 Old Georgetown Road), Consider It Done (7806 Old Georgetown Road), Gallery B (7700 Wisconsin Ave., Suite E), L’Eclat de Verre (7015 Wisconsin Ave.), “Tunnel Vision” Public Art Exhibition (Metro Tunnel, Bethesda Metro Station) and Waverly Street Gallery (4600 East-West Highway). For more information, visit Bethesda.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 Washington, D.C. International Food and Wine Festival continues tonight at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW). The Wine Tasting Room is free and open to the public from 4-8 p.m. every day of the event, which ends Saturday.The festival also holds signature events every day as well as seminar series events. The festival offers individual tickets to the events as well as a combination of packages. Tickets vary from $35 to $200. The signature event for this evening is the International Tasting Day Two where around 100 wineries provide two samples of their wine and answer questions. The cost of this particular event is $75. For more information, visit wineandfooddc.com.
Saturday, Feb. 9
Town (2009 8th St., NW) hosts its Mardi Gras party with DJ Theresa, who plays live percussion while she spins, tonight starting at 10 p.m. Cover is $8 before 11 pm and $12 after.
Whitman-Walker provides free HIV Testing at the D.C. Center(1318 U St.) today from 4-7:30 p.m. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
The annual Scarlet’s Foundation Bake Sale happens this evening starting at 5 p.m. at the D.C. Eagle (639 New York Ave., NW). There will be a competition before the auction of baked goods. Winners will be chosen in five categories: Best Individual Entry, Best Commercial Entry, Best Club Entry, Most Creative Entry and the Directors Award. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Sunday, Feb. 10
Burgundy Crescent volunteers at the D.C. Central Kitchen (425 2nd St., NW) this morning from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will prepare food along the D.C. Central Kitchen checks to help find hunger. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.
Monday, Feb. 11
Bears do Yoga takes place this evening 6:30 p.m. as part of a series at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, NW). This is part of a basic yoga series that takes place every Monday and is open to people of varying body types and experience. There is no charge. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
The D.C. Lambda Squares holds an open house tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. at National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, NW). The only square dance club located in Washington, this free open house invites everybody to meet members and to give square dancing a try. Experience is not needed. Food and door prizes will be included. For more information, visit dclambdasquares.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.
Tuesday, Feb. 12
Whitman-Walker (1701 14th St., NW) holds its group Starting Over for Women tonight at 7. The group is for women whose long-term relationship with another woman. Registration is required. 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.
Wednesday, Feb. 13
Equality Maryland holds its Lobby Day on Lawyer’s Mall in front of the State Capitol in Annapolis this evening at 6 p.m. One hour prior to the event, attendees can gather the Sly Fox Pub (7 Church Circle) for light appetizers. Registration is not required. For more information, visit equalitymaryland.org.
The Big Gay Book Group meets tonight at 7 p.m. at 1155 F St., NW, Suite 200 to discuss “King of Angels: A Novel About the Genesis of Identity and Belief” by Perry Brass. For more information, visit biggaybookgroup.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.
The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE) at 7:30 p.m. for duplicate bridge. Newcomers are welcome and no reservations are needed. For more information or if you need a partner, visit lambdabridge.com.
Thursday, Feb. 14
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St., NW) holds its gay men over 50 support group this evening at 6:30 p.m. The group is for gay men entering a new phase of life. Registration is required to attend. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
Burgundy Crescent volunteers this evening at Food and Friends (219 Riggs Rd., NE) at 6 p.m. Volunteers will help with food preparation and packing groceries. The shifts are limited to 10 per shift. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.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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