Arts & Entertainment

Calendar through August 8

Concerts, parties, support groups, gallery openings and more

Published

13 years ago

August 1, 2013

Staff reports

‘Geometrics’ by Paul McCutchen, on display this summer at Touchstone Gallery. (Image courtesy Touchstone)

Friday, Aug. 2

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) hosts a trans support group this evening from 7-8:15 p.m. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

Town (2009 8^th St., N.W.) hosts Bear Happy Hour tonight from 6-11 p.m. There is no cover charge and admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For details, visit towndc.com.

Gay District, a community-based organization that builds understanding of gay culture and personal identity, meets from 8:30-9:30 p.m. at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.). The group specifically promotes awareness of community events and civil rights for LGBT men ages 18-35. For more information, visit thedccenter.org or gaydistrict.org.

Town (2009 8^th St., N.W.) hosts its monthly “So, You Think You’re a Drag Queen?” contest tonight to find the region’s newest drag talent. Doors open at 10 p.m., and the competition starts at 10:30. Cover is $5 from 10-11 and $10 after 11 for guests 21 and over, and $10 all night for guests 18-20. For details, visit towndc.com.

Delta Elite (10 St., N.E.) hosts ladies night tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. For more details, visit deltaelite.net.

Studio Theatre (1501 14^th St., N.W.) presents “The Rocky Horror Show,” directed by Keith Alan Baker and Alan Paul, at 8 p.m. tonight. The production has been extended through Aug. 11 and will include shows at 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission ranges from $40-45. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit studiotheatre.org.

Saturday, Aug. 3

Phase 1 of Dupont (1415 22^nd St., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Booty Beach Ladies Dance Party.” The winner of the party’s bikini and board shorts contest will receive cash and prizes. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and admission is $5. Visit phase1dc.com for more information.

Burgundy Crescent Volunteers, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers today at Chesapeake Pride (4150 Honeysuckle Dr.) near Annapolis from noon-6 p.m. Volunteers will help at the front gate, sell wine and beer and help direct traffic into the parking lot. Visit burgundycrescent.org for more information.

Sunday, Aug. 4

Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8^th St., S.E.) hosts karaoke tonight from 9 p.m.-midnight. Cover is $3 and there will also be pool, video gaming systems and cards. For more information, visit bachelorsmill.com.

Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) hosts its weekly Drag Brunch with Shi-Queeta Lee today at 11 a.m. The buffet is $24, including one free mimosa. For more information, visit nelliessportsbar.com.

Perry’s (1811 Columbia Rd., N.W.) hosts its weekly Sunday Drag Brunch today from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The cost is $24.95 for an all-you-can-eat buffet. For details, visit perrysadamsmorgan.com.

Monday, Aug. 5

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) hosts coffee drop-in hours this morning from 10 a.m.-noon for the senior LGBT community. Older LGBT adults can come and enjoy complimentary coffee and conversation with other community members. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Golden Girls Watch Party” tonight from 5 p.m.-midnight featuring $5 drink specials inspired by the Golden Girls characters. Visit nelliessportsbar.com for details.

The Fort Reno Summer Music Series continue tonight at Fort Reno Park (Chesapeake St. and Nebraska Ave., N.W.) from 7:15-9:30 p.m. Tonight’s local bands include Mary Christ and Sunwolf. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, visit fortreno.com.

A sampling of Sunwolf

Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Monday’s a Total Drag [Show]” party tonight from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. An episode of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” screens at 9, and then a live drag show will be featured. Admission is 18 and older and free. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.

Tuesday, Aug. 6

Us Helping Us (3636 Georgia Ave., N.W.) hosts a focus group for gay black men, organized by the D.C. HIV Prevention Planning Group, from 5:30-8 p.m. this evening. Visit thedccenter.org or uhupil.org for more details.

MOVA Lounge (2204 14^th St., N.W.) screens “Will & Grace” reruns tonight from 5 p.m.-3 a.m. Half-priced “Karen Walker Martinis” and “Just Jack Cocktails” will be served. There is no cover. For more information, visit movalounge.com.

A little Karen & Jack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vDHKxAK9Ds

Wednesday, Aug. 7

Lambda Bridge Club meets at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Dignity Center (721 8^th St., S.E.) for social bridge. Newcomers are welcome and a partner is not needed. For more information, call 301-345-1571.

Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8^th St., S.E.) hosts drag bingo during happy hour tonight from 5-7:30 p.m. All drinks are half price and there will also be pool, video gaming systems and cards. Admission is free. For details, visit bachelorsmill.com.

The Smithsonian National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) features “Gorilla Day” from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. today in the Great Ape House. The event is family friendly and free and includes animal demonstrations and talks with zookeepers. At 11:15 and 1:15, there will be “knuckle-walking races” kids can compete in. For more information, visit nationalzoo.si.edu.

Thursday, Aug. 8

Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers this evening for Food & Friends (219 Riggs Rd., N.E.), which helps to feed about 1,100 living with AIDS in D.C. Burgundy Crescent members will pack groceries and chop vegetables. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.

The Fort Reno Summer Music Series continue tonight at Fort Reno Park (Chesapeake St. and Nebraska Ave., N.W.) from 7:15-9:30 p.m. Tonight’s local bands include Paint Branch and Quiverd. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, visit fortreno.com.

Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Ripped Hot Body Contest” tonight from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Lena Lett hosts the event and contestants can win up to $200 in prizes. $2 rail drinks will be served from 9-11 p.m. Admission is 18 and older and free. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.

Finn and Porter (900 10^th St., N.W.) hosts speed dating for women in their 30s and 40s from 7-9 p.m. tonight. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

JR.’s Bar and Grill (1519 17^th St., N.W.) hosts an “All-U-Care-2-Drink” happy hour for $15 from 4-8 p.m. this evening. For details, visit jrsbardc.com.

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Television loses a legend, longtime ‘Will & Grace’ director James Burrows

Iconic hitmaker leaves behind a legacy of telling LGBTQ stories

Published

1 day ago

June 23, 2026

Christian Cintron

James Burrows (Photo by kathclick/Bigstock)

You don’t have to be a pretentious film major to name 10 movie directors. But naming television directors is not that simple. They’re the unsung heroes of your favorite shows, and the late James Burrows was the television director. He passed on June 19, but his DNA runs through television history.

He directed over 1200 episodes of television and over 50 pilots. He co-created “Cheers” and directed many episodes of long-running series like “Friends,” “Taxi,” “Frasier,” “The Big Bang Theory,” and “Two and a Half Men.” You also may remember him from playing a heightened version of himself on the Lisa Kudrow comedy “The Comeback.”

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A post shared by James Burrows (@therealjamesburrows)

He has left an indelible mark on the LGBTQ community. As recently as last year, he directed the series run of “Mid-Century Modern” starring Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, and Linda Lavin. He was also a longtime director of “Will & Grace” and directed every episode of the series revival. He even directed the unaired “Absolutely Fabulous” pilot with Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Johnston, and Zosia Mamet.

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Not to mention he’s worked with queer icons throughout history, including Betty White and Stockard Channing on their single-season series, and Jennifer Coolidge in “2 Broke Girls.”

He started his career on shows like “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Rhoda,” “Laverne & Shirley,” and the first four seasons of “Taxi.”

He continued to work steadily and directed successful pilots that went to series for “Roc,” “3rd Rock From the Sun,” “Dharma & Greg,” and “Wings.” He directed multiple episodes of “Friends,” “Caroline in the City,” and “Frasier.”

This magic continued into the 2000s with him directing the pilots for “Two and a Half Men,” “The Big Bang Theory,” and multiple episodes of “Mike & Molly,” and the entire return series of “Will & Grace.”

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What was the secret to his success? He’d enact the “fun clause” in his contract. In his words, “Life is too short to deal with obnoxious leads,” he shared. “So as long as the writing is good and the cast is fun, I’m going to enjoy the experience.”

He had the magic touch, having multiple pilots turned into long-running series. He was nominated for an Emmy 24 times in 26 years and worked consistently until a year before his death.

The secret was the way he brought the cast together. He describes, “it was my job to mold them into an ensemble, and they did round into a group of people who loved each other.”

This earned him 11 Emmy Awards and five Directors Guild of America Awards, including being awarded the inaugural DGA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Television Direction.

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In a 2003 interview by the Television Academy, he was asked how he wants to be remembered, and he said, “That every night forever you can tune in somewhere, and there’ll be a show I did.”

He’s survived by his wife, Debbie, four daughters, seven grandchildren, and the countless people whose careers he launched and the countless viewers he inspired with his television legacy.