Out & About
Joshua Johnson named SMYAL Fall Brunch featured speaker
Virtual event to take place on Oct. 11
SMYAL announced that MSNBC journalist Joshua Johnson will be a featured speaker at this year’s Fall Brunch on Oct. 11. As a Black, gay journalist, Johnson has covered diversity in the media, the intersections of being Black and queer, and the Black Lives Matter movement. Johnson at the brunch will discuss the importance of gay representation in the media. This year’s fall brunch will be the first brunch to take place virtually.
Johnson has been at MSNBC since 2019 after leaving his previous job hosting WAMU’s “1A”. Tickets for the brunch can be purchased at smyal.org.
Washington DC History and Culture is hosting a free, live streamed event Sunday from 7-8:30 p.m. titled “The Motown Sound of the 1960’s”. This program will examine over a dozen songs from the 1960’s and provide the historical context for them. Songs include “Where Did Our Love Go” by the Supremes, “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye and “Fingertips” by Little Stevie Wonder. The session will be hosted by Robert Kelleman, the founder and director of Washington DC History and Culture. For more information, go to the organization’s Facebook page.
Playbill and The Broadway League joined forces this year to hold “¡Viva Broadway! Hear Our Voices” a digital concert to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month. The event will premiere on Playbill.com, Playbill’s YouTube Channel, and on the Broadway League’s website on Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. It will remain there for viewing until Oct. 5 at 8 p.m.
The concert will seek to celebrate Latinx artists and their contributions to Broadway by showcasing their talent. The show will be directed and choreographed by Olivier and Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Sergio Trujillo. It will feature performances from famous Latinx artists from Broadway including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Antonio Banderas, Anthony Ramos and Karen Olivo.
The show will also showcase new and upcoming talent by featuring performances from Broadway-bound musicals and new works including Arrabal, Passing Through and John Leguizamo’s Kiss My Aztec!
Friday, Sept. 25
Friday Tea Time is a virtual social gathering at 2 p.m. for older LGBTQ adults via Zoom. Participants are encouraged to bring their beverage of choice while socializing with friends. For more information, visit thedccenter.org/events.
The D.C. Center is hosting a virtual Trans Support Group session today at 7 p.m. The support group is designed as a safe space for transgender people and those who may be questioning their gender identity or expression. For more details, visit the dccenter.org/events.
Women in their Twenties and Thirties is a social discussion group for queer women in the D.C. area. They are meeting at 8 p.m. via Zoom. For the link to the meeting, email [email protected].
Bet Mishpachah is hosting Shabbat Shuva at 8 p.m. led by Rabbi Jake Singer-Beilin. For more details, visit betmish.org.
The Library of Congress is holding its 2020 National Book Festival online starting at 11 a.m. The event will feature 120 of the nation’s most-renowned writers, poets and artists during the showcase. Virtual stages will offer on-demand videos, live author chats and discussions, and options to personalize your own journey through the festival with particular themes. For more information, visit loc.gov/bookfest.
Saturday, Sept. 26
The LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will meet at 1 p.m. to provide an outlet for LGBTQ people of color to talk about anything affecting them. For the Zoom link to the meeting, email [email protected].
The DC Center and the Rainbow History Project are holding a Queer Womxn Creating Spaces virtual panel at 1 p.m. The panel is designed to bring together organizers from different generations of Black and Latinx LGBTQ women in the DC area. For more information, visit thedccenter.org/events.
The D.C. Center is encouraging members of the LGBTQ community to join them in volunteering at Food and Friends at 9 a.m. Food and Friends is located 219 Riggs Road, N.E. If any volunteers need a ride from the Fort Totten Metro, call the Food and Friends shuttle at (202) 669-6437.
Bet Mishpachah is hosting Shabbat Shuva Morning Service at 10 a.m. led by Paula Morris and Elke Martin. For more details, visit betmish.org.
Online Yoga at the Garden is being hosted by the U.S. Botanical Gardens today at 10:30 a.m. An instructor from WithLoveDC will guide participants through a one-hour meditation and yoga practice via Zoom. There will only be enough room in the Zoom for 100 participants. The sessions are free but registration is required. More information can be found on The U.S. Botanic Garden’s Facebook page.
Sunday, Sept. 27
Bet Mishpachah is hosting Kol Nidrei at 7 p.m. led by Scott Reiter and Rachel Hamberger. For more details go to betmish.org.
Monday, Sept. 28
LGBTQ older adults and friends are invited to join the D.C. Center at 10 a.m. for a Center Aging Coffee Drop-In. For more information visit thedccenter.org and Center Aging on social media.
Bet Mishpachah is hosting several services today. A Yom Kippur Morning Service will take place at 10 a.m. led by Rabbi Jake Singer-Beilin and Alex Carter. Bet Mishpachah is hosting a Yizkor Service at 2 p.m. led by Allan Armus and Elke Martin. A Rabbi’s Study Session led by Rabbi Jake Singer-Beilin will take place at 3 p.m. Bet Mishpachah is hosting Havdalah at 6 p.m. led by Larry Neff and Ruth Potts. This service will be sign language interpreted. For more details go to betmish.org.
Tuesday, Sept. 29
The DC Center is hosting its monthly support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary over Zoom at 7 p.m. Meetings are on the fourth Tuesday and third Mondays of each month. More information can be found at thedccenter.org/events.
Wednesday, Sept. 30
The D.C. Center’s Virtual Job Club meets today at 6 p.m. via Zoom. This weekly support program helps jobseekers improve their self-confidence, resilience and motivation needed for effective job searching and networking. Discussions include strategies, techniques and goal plans needed to find meaningful and satisfying employment. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Thursday, Oct. 1
Asian Pacific Islander Queer Society DC is holding a support group meeting for the Asian and Pacific Islander Queer Community at 7 p.m. The meeting is co-hosted by the D.C. Center and Asian Queers United for Action. Visit thedccenter/org/events for more details.
Out & About
Blade Summer Kickoff Party returns to Rehoboth
Politicians slated to speak at annual Blue Moon party
The Washington Blade’s 17th annual Summer Kickoff Party returns Friday, May 17, 5-7 p.m. at the Blue Moon (35 Baltimore Ave.) in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
It’s an exciting election year in Delaware, which is poised to elect its first Black woman senator (Lisa Blunt Rochester) and the nation’s first transgender member of Congress (Sarah McBride).
McBride is scheduled to speak at the party along with several politicos from the area. With the retirement of longtime state Rep. Peter C. Schwartzkopf, a staunch LGBTQ ally, three strong contenders are running to replace him. All three — Marty Rendon, Kathy McGuiness, and Claire Snyder-Hall — are slated to speak at the party. A representative from Blunt Rochester’s campaign is scheduled to speak, along with Kim Leisey, the new executive director of CAMP Rehoboth.
Tax-deductible tickets are $20 and available on Eventbrite or via the Blade’s Facebook page. The party is sponsored by Justin Noble of Sotheby’s, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Blue Moon.
Andy Cohen, executive producer of “The Real Housewives” franchise and host of “Watch What Happens Live,” will return to Sixth & I on Wednesday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m.
This event will be his fifth appearance at the venue to celebrate the paperback release of his New York Times bestselling memoir, “The Daddy Diaries,” talk about the latest Housewives happenings, and answer audience questions about everyone’s favorite Bravolebrities.
Cohen will be in conversation with Rep. Robert Garcia, who represents California and is the first LGBTQ immigrant to win a congressional seat. Rep. Garcia has also been known to quote from “The Real Housewives” in congressional hearings.
Tickets start at $12 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Friday, May 3
Center Aging Friday Tea Time will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social” at 7 p.m. at The Commentary. 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.
Saturday, May 4
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ people of color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Sunday, May 5
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Dinner” at 7 p.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
AfroCode DC will be at 4 p.m. at Decades DC. This event will be an experience of non-stop music, dancing, and good vibes and a crossover of genres and a fusion of cultures. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Monday, May 6
Center Aging: Monday Coffee & Conversation 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 their choice. For more details, email [email protected].
The Pride Center of Maryland will host “Transend: transgender & Nonbinary Support Group” at 4 p.m. at its offices. This is a safe place for hot topics, food, resources, information, image consulting and community. This event is free to attend and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Tuesday, May 7
Pride on the Patio Events will host “LGBTQ Social Mixer” at 5:30 p.m. at Showroom. Dress is casual, fancy, or comfortable. Guests are encouraged to bring their most authentic self to chat, laugh, and get a little crazy. Admission is free and more details are on Eventbrite.
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 8
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. 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.
Thursday, May 9
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 with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
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