Arts & Entertainment
Art, books, bar parties, concerts and more make for busy Rehoboth summer
Voices from Stonewall, Best Shots from Africa among events planned
As D.C.’s signature sweltering summer approaches, make plans to take a mini-vacation in Rehoboth Beach, Del. From book signings and art auctions to dance parties, there’s plenty of upcoming events for your ultimate gay beach getaway.
Blue Moon (35 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del.) presents its Legends Show every Saturday at 9:30 p.m. The cast will portray legendary singer such as Patti Labelle, Aretha Franklin, Elton John and Etta James. Each week is a different show with original choreography. Admission is free. For more information, visit bluemoonrehoboth.com.
Blue Moon (35 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del.) hosts Sunday Tea with singer Pamala Stanley every Sunday at 6 p.m. For details, visit bluemoonrehoboth.com.
The Pines (56 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del.) has Wine Mondays all summer long with wines by the glass half off. For details, visit thepinesrb.com.
Purple Parrot Grill (134 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del.) has karaoke every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday night at 9 p.m. Every Sunday at 10 p.m. there will be the “Birdcage Girls Drag Show” hosted by Julia Sugarbaker. For more information, visit ppgrill.com.
Diego’s Hideaway presents a Memorial Day weekend party. On Thursday, May 23 from 9 p.m.- 2 a.m. DJ Steve Sidewalk will play music. DJ Riddic and DJ Biff will play music on Saturday and Sunday. For more details, visit diegosbarnightclub.com.
Browseabout Books hosts an author luncheon with “Queen of the Beach Reads” author Mary Kay Andrews at the Crab House (19598 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach, Del.) on Saturday, May 25 from noon-3 p.m. Andrews will discuss her new book “Sunset Beach,” answer questions and take photographs with attendees.Tickets are $55 and include an autographed copy of her book “Sunset Beach,” lunch and a non-alcoholic beverage and a Browseabout canvas tote bag. For more information, visit browseaboutbooks.com.
Browseabout Books (133 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del.) hosts an author signing with Jackson Coppley for “The Code Hunters” on Saturday, May 25 from 2-5 p.m. “The Code Hunters” tells the story of a group of scientists who discover a 10,000-year-old tablet with mysterious codes from the future. They must race from the western U.S. to the Mediterranean to search for missing pieces while being tracked by men who want the codes. Visit browseaboutbooks.com for more details.
CAMP Rehoboth (37 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del.) presents “Best Shot from Africa,” a photography exhibit, on display from June 8-30. Forty people joined Murray Archibald for safaris in South Africa and Botswana. Every traveler selected their best “shot from Africa” which will be displayed. There will also be a reception with the photographers on June 22 from 1-3 p.m. Proceeds from photo sales will benefit Camp Rehoboth’s arts programming with a portion of proceeds being donated to converge indigenous wildlife that was observed on the safaris. For more information, visit camprehoboth.com.
“Voices from Stonewall,” a theatrical tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, will have performances at CAMP Rehoboth (37 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del.) on Saturday, June 22 at 4 and 7 p.m. The show, written by Michael Gilles and Fay Jacobs, will star Michael and Sally Giles, Eloise Ullman and more as they bring the words of the bar patrons, protestors and the stories of reporters who witnessed the uprising to life. Tickets are $20 and benefit Camp Rehoboth. Visit camprehboth.com for details.
CAMP Rehoboth (37 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del.) hosts Families Pride Weekend on June 28-30. The weekend begins with Parents Night Out on Friday with babysitting offered by the YMCA. On Saturday, families can enjoy a boat ride, story time from Rehoboth Public Library, beach bonfire and dinner and a group trip to Funland on the boardwalk. Sunday kicks off with brunch, free time to explore Rehoboth, dinner and drag bingo at Camp Rehoboth Community Center followed by an evening trip to Funland. Adult tickets are $50 and include one Camp Families Pride Weekend T-shirt and admission to the family welcome party at Camp Rehoboth, beach bonfire and dinner, brunch at Camp Rehoboth and dinner and bingo. Child tickets are $35 and include one T-shirt and admission to the family welcome party at Camp Rehoboth, beach bonfire and dinner, brunch at Camp Rehoboth and dinner and drag bingo. The boat ride takes place on Saturday, June 29 from 10 a.m.-noon. Boat ride tickets are $20 and sold separately. Babysitting provided by YMCA is also a separate fee for Parents Night Out. For more details, visit camprehoboth.com.
The Kinsey Sicks perform at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center (229 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del.) on Saturday, July 20 at 8 p.m. The Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet’s new musical will delve into Trumpism, racism, AIDS, Bette Midler and more.Tickets range from $35-500 and proceeds benefit CAMP Rehoboth. For more information, visit camprehoboth.com.
Gay Women of Rehoboth meet for coffee and conversation at Java Jukebox (37169 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del.) on Sunday, July 28 from 10 a.m.-noon. This is an open event for attendees to meet other Gay Women of Rehoboth members. For details, go here.
CAMP Rehoboth hosts Sundance 2019: Ultraviolet Disco Day-Glo Sunrise for a two-night event at Rehoboth Beach Convention Center (229 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth, Beach, Del.) on Saturday, Aug. 31 and Sunday, Sept. 1. The Sundance Auction is on Saturday from 6-9 p.m. There will be an open bar, silent and live auction with music provided by Stephen Strasser. On Sunday, the Sundance, which includes two parties, is from 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Open bar runs all night. DJ Joe Gauthreaux will spin tracks for one party. Studio54 DJ Robbie Leslie will also play music for the Sundance Disco Twilight Tea which also starts at 7 p.m. Admission is $90 for both the dances and auction or $50 for one event. Proceeds will benefit Camp Rehoboth. For more details, visit camprehoboth.com.
Rehoboth Beach Bear Weekend is at the Atlantic Sands Hotel & Conference Center (1 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del.) is Sept. 19-22. On Thursday, there will be a meet and greet cocktail reception. Tickets are $25. On Friday at 7 p.m., there will be a dance party at the Atlantic Sands Hotel and Convention Center Ballroom. Tickets are $25. Saturday, the group will jump on the bear bus to spend a day at the beach and travel to Gordon’s Pond. Tickets are $25. Saturday night there will be a comedy show ($40) at 7 and 9 p.m. Sunday closes out the weekend with a closing party ($5). A full weekend pass is $115. Details here.
Friday, May 1
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Silver Diner Ballston. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
“Illusions The Drag Queen Show Washington, D.C.” will be at 7 p.m. at 2323 18th St., N.W. Come see this amazing D.C. drag show and laugh all night long while being amazed by the stellar performances in tribute to some of your old-time favorite classics as well as the latest pop favorites. Come see the likes of Madonna, Cher, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, Beyoncé, Pink, and many more. Tickets are $12.97 and are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 2
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11:00a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Drag Queen Sip and Paint Washington DC will be at 4 p.m. at Town Tavern DC. This event combines the joy of painting with the lively energy of a drag queen, offering an hour and a half of fun, creativity, and entertainment. Participants paint a canvas while enjoying cocktails, all under the guidance of a glamorous drag queen host. Tickets are $47.19 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, May 4
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, May 5
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, May 6
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more information, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 7
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
The new monthly 90’s Flashback Drag Brunch premiered at Red Bear Brewing Co. on Sunday, April 26. Performers included Logan Stone, Tiffany D. Carter and Charlemagne Chateau.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Celebrity News
Madonna makes rare club appearance in West Hollywood
Gay icon brought ‘Confessions II’ to The Abbey
A line of celebrities, “Drag Race” queens, influencers, media, and West Hollywood socialites lined the block around West Hollywood’s The Abbey, all clamoring to get into the invite-only celebration of owner Tristan Schukraft’s birthday. The rumor, which became verified gossip, was that Madonna, the Queen of Pop herself, would be taking the stage. Of course, the Blade had to be there.
With disco balls and Abbey statues covered in pink chiffon, it was clear. This party was a direct tie-in to Madonna’s much-anticipated “Confessions on A Dance Floor” album sequel, “Confessions II.” That night, the Abbey also unveiled its remodeled dance floor, a fitting collaboration.
The club was filled to capacity with a completely open bar, keeping the crowd liquored up. Go-go dancers in black leather collars and thongs lined the room, and celebrities that included Lilly Allen, Bebe Rexha, Tori Spelling, Julia Fox, Sam Asghari, Daniel Frenzese, Cynthia Bailey, Meredith Marks, Tom Daley, and more filled the VIP booths alongside World of Wonder personalities. It was a veritable who’s who of queer folk and allies.
The lights began to dim, the dance floor began to rumble, and Madonna graphics hit the screens. At around 1 am, it was time. Introduced by Addison Rae, Madonna grabbed the mic and started chanting, welcoming her “gays.” The venue resounded in thunderous chants of “freedom,” “mother,” and “bitch.”
Madonna was not there to perform. She was there to dance. She took the stage for about 15 minutes, keeping the crowd going with her naughty and fun commentary. There is no list that needs to be provided on how Madonna’s career has become part of queer culture. Going back to her dance music roots and going back to her gay fans is smart.
Released in 2005 (yes, it has been that long), “Confessions on a Dance Floor” was an instant hit, with four singles from the album being released. The album’s lead single, “Hung Up,” topped the charts in 41 countries with Billboard calling it the most successful dance song of the decade. The album had hints of 60s and 70s flair, mixed in with dance music prevalent at that time. The music still dominates at queer clubs across the globe.
Madonna knows we need a little queer joy; she also knows that fans miss the Madonna we all knew and loved. With the nation in such turbulence, we all need some comfort, and going back to a time when we felt safer and had more to celebrate just feels good. For the new album release, she has even partnered with Grindr for a limited edition vinyl release and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
Her night at The Abbey presented snippets of her new music mixed in with some of her classics. The new material sounded good, sounded familiar in an exciting way, and shows that this diva has still got it.
“Confessions II” releases on July 3.
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