Metro Weekly - 06-09-11 - Play Ball

JUNE 9, 2011 6 METROWEEKLY
DADTs Six-Month Mark

From Hill to Pentagon, continued reminders that military ban
is still on the books
Gates
by Chris Geidner
O
n DeC. 22, 2010, Pres-
ident Barack Obama signed
the Dont Ask, Dont Tell
repeal Act into law. Despite
the almost six months that have passed
since, and despite the fact that half the
military has gone through the militarys
repeal training, the law remains on the
books causing legislative, military and
political fallout.
On April 29, more than four months
after Obama signed the repeal act and
declared [t]his is done, an airman was
discharged under the policy although
the discharge was not made public until
June 2 after Metro Weekly requested
information from the Pentagon about
DADT-related discharges.
An Air Force spokesman told report-
ers on June 3 that the Airman 1st Class
made a statement that he was a homo-
sexual, but would not specify further
about the circumstances surrounding
the statement or the servicemembers
later requests that the resulting dis-
charge proceedings be handled expedi-
tiously.
On May 26, between the time of the
discharge and the announcement of it,
the House of representatives passed
the national Defense Authorization Act
with three amendments opposed by
LGBT advocates, including one that
would amend the DADT repeal Act
and could delay repeal.
Proposed in the House Armed
services Committee by rep. Duncan
Hunter (r-Calif.), the amendment
expands the required certifcation pro-
cess for repeal which already includes
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G
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LGBTNews
METROWEEKLY 8 JUNE 9, 2011
Defense secretary robert Gates, which
is expected to happen on June 30, some
advocates have been pushing to see the
certification step happen before Gates
resigns.
On June 3, servicemembers Legal
Defense network executive Director
Aubrey sarvis said in a statement, At
sLDn, we have clients facing adminis-
trative board hearings right now. some
of these clients have 10 to 18 years of
military service and are not looking to be
separated under Dont Ask, Dont Tell.
His conclusion: Its critical that certi-
fcation happen in the month of June.
When asked about concerns that
waiting until Obamas nominee to suc-
ceed Gates current CIA Director Leon
Panetta takes offce could lead to delay,
White House press secretary Jay Carney
appeared to minimize hopes for a pre-
July certifcation, stating that the White
House does not share that concern.
Carney also reiterated a statement
previously released by the White House
in April that repeal will be implement-
ed regardless of who is secretary of
defense.
According to nathaniel Frank, the
author of Unfriendly Fire, the certifca-
tion could happen under Gates. every
indication is that certifcation is ready
to happen, which raises some concern
about they delay, he told Metro Weekly
in an email.
As Gen. Peter Chiarelli, vice chief of
staff for the Army, told reporters accord-
ing to an Associated Press report this
week, so far this seems to be a non-
event. With roughly half of the mili-
tary having gone through the militarys
DADT-repeal training, he added, This
is not going to happen without incident
Id be crazy to say that. somewhere along
the line something is going to occur. But
were doing everything we can to head
that off in training.
According to Frank, though, Chiarellis
concerns could be realized under a more
delayed process just as easily.
research shows again and again that
a change like this is done best when its
done quickly and simply; it shouldnt
be dragged out, which only allows for
confusion and obstruction, he wrote.
This comes from rAnDs 1993 study
and has been echoed in research across
the board.
As a Palm Center report issued in
December 2010 stated, Any claim that
DADT cannot be repealed until after
the completion of exhaustive training
the president, defense secretary and
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff to
include the sign-off of the service branch
chiefs of the Army, navy, Marine Corps
and Air Force. Two other amendments
reaffrm or expand upon the Defense of
Marriage Act.
Prior to the House passage, the White
House had announced that it strongly
opposed the provisions but stopped
short of recommending a veto if they
remained. Moreover, as Metro Weekly
reported this past week, LGBT organiza-
tions did not push House members to
oppose the provisions believing that
the senate and subsequent conference
committee would be the best chances for
having them removed.
Among the 90 Democrats to oppose
the nDAA were rep. Barney Frank
(D-Mass.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.),
Jared Polis (D-Colo.) and David Cicilline
(D-r.I.) the four out LGBT members of
Congress.
On Jun 6, the four wrote to Obama
about the nDAA, asking him to go a step
further and declare that he would veto
the bill if the provisions stay.
stating that they appreciate the
statement of administration policy oppos-
ing the bill, they note the lack of the veto
language and state, We believe it would
therefore be extremely useful for you to
make clear that if the fnal bill presented
to you does include these sections, which
would undermine the end to discrimina-
tion in the military, that you will veto the
bill on that ground.
Asked if the president has responded
to the letter, White House spokesman
shin Inouye wrote, The President has
been clear that repeal of Dont Ask, Dont
Tell will occur as soon as possible, con-
sistent with the standards set forth in
the repeal bill. He called for this change
in his frst state of the union address
and is committed to seeing the process
through.
Questions about delay would be
avoided if the 1993 law was off the
books, but under the repeal act the
president, defense secretary and chair-
man of the Joint Chiefs of staff cer-
tify that the changes needed to imple-
ment repeal are consistent with the
standards of military readiness, mili-
tary effectiveness, unit cohesion, and
recruiting and retention of the Armed
Forces. Then, a 60-day congressional
review period must pass before the law
actually is repealed.
In light of the pending resignation of
is inconsistent with [Department of
Defense] history and not based on mili-
tary necessity.
examining other military policy
change implementation, the reports
author, Aaron Freed, concluded, These
case studies demonstrate that training
can take place quickly, even in combat
zones, and that policies are generally
implemented before or concurrent with
training. Freed, a combat veteran, is the
former deputy chief of military training
for the Air Force and was discharged
under DADT in 2005.
As Frank wrote this week, For its
part, the military itself seems to feel it
should happen quickly, moving forward
in good faith, as [Gates] has called for
implementing repeal as quickly as possi-
ble. Its President Obama, who ultimately
moved decisively to end this policy, who
now needs to fnish the job.
The need to fnish the job was high-
lighted this past week when the April
discharge of the airman was revealed by
the Pentagon.
The discharge, according to Pentagon
spokeswoman eileen Lainez, is the
only such discharge since the Pentagon
directed on Oct. 21, 2010, that DADT
discharges would require the approval of
the service branch secretary.
The news came, however, just as two
documents put out by the White House
earlier in the week pointed to the passage
of the DADT repeal Act as one of the
administrations successes for advancing
LGBT equality.
Obamas proclamation for 2011
LGBT Pride Month, which was issued
on May 31, and a White House fact
sheet released on June 1 detailing The
Obama Administrations Commitment
to Winning the Future for the LGBT
Community both discuss the repeal,
with Obama stating in the proclamation,
I was proud to sign the repeal of the
discriminatory Dont Ask, Dont Tell
policy.
With DADT still on the books, repeal
training well under way with no real
bumps, the House version of the nDAA
containing repeal-amending language
and the White House having confrmed
on June 7 that it will be hosting an LGBT
Pride Month reception later this month,
there are plenty of reasons to certify
repeal.
And, in nathaniel Franks words, writ-
ten in reference to the April 29 discharge:
Continued discharges for whatever
reason serve no one. l
9 METROWEEKLY.cOM
LGBTNews
LGBT community or the movement in
the past.
Wojahn says the organization was
given a few days to make the decision.
We felt that if we were going to con-
sider such an offer, and unfortunately
there was a very short time to consider it,
that we shouldnt do so without further
communications and dialogue with the
community about the proposal.
Wojahn says the offer required that
Carrington and two other individuals
take over both boards. Like Carrington,
Wojahn would not disclose the names of
the other two individuals, citing a request
made by them.
Im surprised, Carrington says of the
decision. Im disappointed. I know the
board wants to save equality Maryland
to the best of the their ability and Im
really rooting for them. I hope that they
will do so.
The developments came less than a
week after Charles Butler, board presi-
dent of equality Maryland Inc., resigned.
The remaining equality Maryland
Inc. board consists of at-large members
David Lublin and Mark Yost Jr.; treasur-
er rosemary nicolosi; and secretary and
vice chair Lisa Polyak. The foundation
board is composed of Wojahn as chair
and nicolosi as treasurer.
equality Maryland also announced
last week that interim executive Director
Lynne Bowmans focus has shifted as
a result of the organizations fnancial
crisis.
Bowman says leadership at equality
Maryland is currently crafting a plan to
save the organization.
Im more positive about the future
of equality Maryland today than I was
when I walked in the door on May 1st,
she said, speaking to Metro Weekly June
2 from her home in Columbus, Ohio.
Thats not a load of b.s. for you. Thats
the truth. everybody is very, very focused
on making sure that they create an orga-
nization that the community can support
that has the fnancial funding structure to
move it forward successfully.
According to Bowman, the current
staff at equality Maryland two contrac-
tors and three full-time employees will
be there at least until the end of June.
Our goal in the month of June is to
keep the resources to keep folks involved
in the operations of the organization,
hopefully to the same degree that they
are right now. Its really going to depend
on whether or not the fnancial support
is available.
Maryland Deal
Declined
Equality Maryland board member
resigns after group rejects condi-
tional $500,000 donation
by Yusef najaf
DArreLL CArrInGTOn, An AT-
large board member of equality Maryland
Inc., the lobbying arm of equality
Maryland, met with other board mem-
bers of the organization on Thursday,
June 2, with an offer.
I had presented a proposal to the
board to try to, in my estimation, save the
organization, Carrington says.
Its well-known and its well-doc-
umented that weve been having some
fnancial diffculties, and I came up with
a plan which I thought was going to be
effective. I had a donor who was willing to
contribute a substantial amount of money
$500,000 but there were some condi-
tions. One of those conditions would be for
the current board members to step down
and bring in a new management team.
Carrington announced his resigna-
tion on Monday, June 6, after Patrick
Wojahn, board chair of equality Maryland
Foundation, the organizations educa-
tional arm, advised him by phone that the
organization had rejected the offer.
The reasons they gave for rejecting
the proposal was because they said they
wanted to work within the community
to try to fnd some solutions, Carrington
says. While Im a straight person, I think
Ive demonstrated over the years my
commitment to the issues, so that was a
little disappointing. You can only do so
much. I did the best I could. I gave this
solid proposal, but it was rejected.
Wojahn confrms that both equality
Maryland boards, voting jointly, rejected
the offer, pointing to a number of rea-
sons.
The primary one is that weve been
hearing a lot from the community over
the past few weeks about how the organi-
zation needs to be more transparent and
more accountable to the community,
he says.
The offer that was presented to us
basically consisted of a wholesale take-
over of the organization from a number
of people who, with the exception of
Darrell, had not been involved with the
Bowman adds that she herself is
working on a month-to-month contract
as a result of the fnancial crisis.
At the end of June we will re-eval-
uate where we stand, she said, adding
that she will be working from her home
in Columbus for half of the month, and
the other half in Baltimore at equality
Marylands headquarters.
My goal right now with the organi-
zation and with the board is to create an
immediate short-term strategic plan to
get the organization through the end of
the year that will address governance,
board nominations and the process by
which new members will come on the
board, fundraising, internal operations
and external relations, community build-
ing. Thats our immediate focus.
When she joined equality Maryland
on May 1, Bowman was hired at a month-
ly rate of about $7,000. Her focus was to
serve as equality Marylands full-time
executive director, to keep the trains
moving, she said at the time, and to
help the board grow and bring in a new
executive director.
With some of the fnancial informa-
tion that came to light towards the end of
May, the focus has had to shift.
Its not about keeping the trains mov-
ing anymore. Its about building a new
organization both fnancially as well as
with the board, and internal operations,
she said, adding that her monthly con-
tractual amount has also been reduced
to $5,000.
Bowman said she knew the organiza-
tion was not at a place where it wanted
to be. And while some fundraising was
done in April and May, Bowman said last
week that it still has a ways to go.
I dont think anybody knew at that
point, including previous staff, previous
or current board members, I dont think
anybody had a real solid sense of what
11 METROWEEKLY.cOM
LGBTNews
tity. More recently, equality Maryland
announced that it is in the midst of a
fnancial crisis and that its future is
uncertain.
Amid the turmoil, two new LGBT
advocacy groups have emerged in
Maryland.
One of them is Gender rights
Maryland.
This past [legislative] sessions expe-
rience has awakened the trans commu-
nity in a political sense in Maryland,
says Gender rights Maryland executive
Director Dr. Dana Beyer. As a result,
we now have a critical mass with which
to move forward. Weve never had that
before. I tried, but was never able to fnd
enough interested people.
While the gender-identity bill did not
pass, Beyer adds that the political com-
promise that stripped public accom-
modations protections from the bill also
helped to get her group off the ground.
suddenly, a whole bunch of people
who were not politically engaged, they
simply got all agitated, got angry and they
got involved, she explains. We sudden-
ly had this critical mass of people with
whom we could form an organization.
Beyer says that Gender rights
Maryland, launched in May, is less
about whats happening with equality
Maryland and more about the awaken-
ing of the trans political consciousness.
The transgender community was also
spurred to greater action in the wake of the
April attack on Chrissy Polis, a transgender
woman, at a Baltimore area McDonalds
restaurant, Beyer says. That attack also
prompted Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley
(D) to pledge to work with legislators to
enact gender-identity protections during
the 2012 legislative session.
The dynamic has changed and it was
an opportunity that none of us wanted to
see go by, Beyer says. Then you layer
the real urgency of the fnancial situation
was, she said.
One of the challenges with equality
Marylands funding model has been a
heavier reliance than other statewide
LGBT organizations in the nation on
large sums of money from foundations,
national organizations and funders, rath-
er than building up a really strong base of
state-based individual donors.
Bowman said that piece needs to
be increased in order to build a strong,
stable, Maryland-supported statewide
equality organization.
I think this organization has an
opportunity to create something that is
truly community-based, that has the buy-
in and support of the entire statewide
pro-equality community. l
Grassroots
Growth in
Maryland
Two new organizations launched to
tackle LGBT rights
by Yusef najaf
eQuALITY MArYLAnD HAs serveD
as Marylands LGBT-advocacy organiza-
tion for more than two decades, launched
in 1990 as Free state Justice.
Today, the group is facing serious
challenges. It was unable to pass two bills
during the 2011 legislative session that
would have enhanced LGBT equality in
the state. One would have brought mar-
riage equality to the state, and the other
would have provided some statewide
protections on the basis of gender iden-
on top of that the dysfunction of equality
Maryland. It became obvious to us that
not only would it be to our advantage
to do this, but that we didnt really have
much choice anymore.
As of today, [Gender rights
Maryland] is probably the most credible
LGBT organization in the state, and I say
that because of the momentum we have
and because of our board.
Gender rights Maryland Inc., the
lobbying arm of the organization, has
an eight-person board, while the educa-
tional arm, the Gender rights Maryland
Foundation, has nine people. The orga-
nization also functions with a Policy
Advisory Board of 11 members.
Its a pretty diverse bunch of folks,
Beyer says. Weve got trans men and
trans women, gay men and gay women,
straight men and straight women.
Were really trying to have a very broad
overview of the community so we get
everyones input on the political issues.
And while Beyer says Gender rights
Maryland did not form directly as a
result of equality Marylands instability,
that doesnt seem to be the case with
Marryland etc.
We call it Marryland etc. because
marriage is just part of what we need,
says sama Bellomo, a transgender
Howard County resident and founder of
the organization, which released a char-
ter document describing the organization
and its mission on June 6.
That mission is to organize volun-
teers to serve as ambassadors of equality
for LGBT and related causes by making
the most of the time and talents volun-
teers already possess for the betterment
of LGBT people of Maryland and the
united states.
During the 2011 legislative session,
she was in Annapolis frequently to volun-
teer with equality Maryland.
13 METROWEEKLY.cOM
LGBTNews
One of the goals of the exhibit, Ott
says, is to provide a context of what it
was like to live in those early years of the
epidemic.
For younger people our goal is to
show them a little piece of history theyre
probably not aware of. For people who
lived through the 80s, who were part of
it, or for people who were part of it and
became infected and are alive and thriv-
ing, we would like them to revisit that
history and also see how that story is an
important part of the history of science,
of medicine and politics in the u.s. l
educational tool for young people who
may be unaware of AIDss origins.
Were now almost the second gen-
eration of people since the frst reports,
she says. so young people really dont
understand what it was like in the early
80s if you were a gay person or if you
were infected or exposed to the virus
and how dramatic it was. Because before
they knew what was causing it, let alone
have any kind of treatment, it was a death
sentence, and it was very contentious
because of the marginality of gay men
and gay people generally.
regardless of [equality Marylands]
issues, we still have a problem to solve,
Bellomo says. since equality Maryland
has hit its fnancial crisis, people have
lost sight of what were all here to do,
regardless of the agency that we come
with.
My goal was to make use of the vol-
unteers that we have. There are people
who just say, I have no idea what to do
because I dont know anything about
how politics work, but I have plenty of
time on my hands. I want to be a clear-
ing house or landing space for individuals
and groups to get together based on the
task at hand.
Bellomo says he hopes in coming
weeks to develop a board and executive
team for the organization.
The most important thing is that we
are not out to trump any agency, he says.
We want to fll in the gaps. Thats the
goal. I dont want to take over the cam-
paign [for marriage]. We just want to do
what we can.
For more information about Gender Rights
Maryland, visit genderrightsmaryland.
org; for more about Marryland Etc., visit
marryland.org. l
30 Years Later
Smithsonian opens exhibit
illustrating AIDS epidemic

by Yusef najaf
IT s Been 30 YeArs sInCe HIv
and AIDs frst emerged in America.
To mark that sad anniversary, the
smithsonians national Museum of
American History is presenting a three-
part exhibit and website titled HIv and
AIDs 30 Years Ago.
The showcase is focused on the very
early years, the frst stage, historical
phase of the epidemic, 1981 to 87, says
project coordinator Katherine Ott.
The exhibit includes brochures, health
informational materials that were gener-
ated by AIDs service organizations, gov-
ernment publications informing people
about how to be safe, and lab equipment
from Dr. Jay Levy, one of the scientists
who isolated HIv.
Ott says theres been ample support
from the museum in organizing this
exhibit, and shes hoping it serves as an
marketplace - real estate
marketplace - real estate
17 METROWEEKLY.cOM
LGBTNews
METROWEEKLY.cOM 21
now that hes here, hes meeting with supportive congres-
sional members and offces, thanking them for their sponsor-
ship of snDA or urging them to sign onto the bill. Hes talking
with the administration, pushing it past general support on
the issue and asking for outright endorsement of legislation.
Hes meeting with the offces of less supportive members like
speaker John Boehner (r-Ohio), where he met with legislative
and policy aides.
There have been tangible results. More than fve members
have signed onto the bill after Laieski met with their offces,
including one senator Kay Hagan (D-n.C.) and several
House members.
A lot of people just dont know about the bill, he says.
rep. stephen Lynchs (D-Mass.) legislative director emailed
Laieski on June 6, writing, My boss is on the bill now. Thanks
again for coming in it was great meeting you!
even for the meetings that dont result in sponsorship,
Laieski is upbeat.
I think theyre all very positive in different ways. I mean,
every single meeting has been a victory Im either educating
somebody or theyre willing to help out on the issue.
Talking about a meeting with rep. rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.),
Laieski says, she told me, if I ever have a bad day that theres
always somebody on the other end of the phone.... she almost
made me cry.
It was Laieski, however, who got to the Health and Human
services secretary. sharing his story at the Department of
educations LGBT youth summit on June 6, sebelius respond-
ed, As a mother, it breaks my heart. And it stiffens my spine.
speaking about her departments involvement in LGBT
youth issues, sebelius told the summit attendees, Caleb told
me hes here to speak for LGBT youth who cant speak for
themselves, and asked him to stand and be recognized.
Caleb, and young people like him, she continued, should
not have to stand alone.
It was really incredible, he says of sebelius singling him
out. she is remarkable. she makes me smile. And she men-
tioned the bill.
Asked about his experience of the past month he heads
back to Arizona on June 10 and what he brings to advocacy
on behalf of the snDA, he says, every days a learning process
for all of us, and story by story, we learn more. everybodys
experience is different, and I know that theres not another
Caleb out there.
I have the courage to bring it to who I need to, and I dont
mess around. l
C
ALeB LAIesKI Is DeTerMIneD.
On Wednesday night, June 1, Laieski sat at a
Dupont Circle coffee shop reviewing the days
meetings. It would have been an impressive sched-
ule for a senior lobbyist. It included a cabinet member Health
and Human services secretary Kathleen sebelius members of
Congress and several staffers.
Laieski, however, is no ordinary lobbyist. He has come
to D.C. for a month from Arizona to lobby Congress and the
administration by telling his story.
Im 16, he says. I dropped out of school in January after
somebody drove onto the sidewalk and said, eff you, you effn
faggot. somebody threatened to stab me. And, I lost a close
friend of mine to suicide. And then I go into the bill.
The bill is the student non-Discrimination Act, legislation
introduced by rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) and sen. Al Franken
(D-Minn.) that is modeled after Title IX to prohibit sexual orien-
tation and gender identity discrimination in education.
After dropping out when school offcials didnt take action
to stop the bullying, Laieski earned his GeD and moved on
to activism, frst at his school and then around the state. His
work got him noticed by equality Arizona, and he attended
the White House Bullying Conference in March on the orga-
nizations behalf.
Walking the halls of the Hart senate Offce Building on June
2, he says, I know how it feels to be bullied, to lose a friend to
suicide and to not have the support network that a lot of people
do have and that, obviously, a lot of people dont have.
right after the White House conference, it kind of inspired
me to think more about how we can tackle the issues of bullying
and suicide, and homelessness as well the three biggest issues
that Im passionate about.
I just kind of got the spark one night that I needed to go
fght for this bill and here I am. It was all put together in maybe
three weeks, tops.
not working with any national organizations to set up his
trip, Laieski has a calendar and trail of emails with congres-
sional offces that as of June 6 resulted in meetings with
nearly 150 offces. The June 2 schedule included a meeting with
Minority Leader nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
Asked how he organized a month-long trip to D.C. that
led to a meeting with the former speaker of the House of
representatives, Laieski is blunt.
Fundraised. stayed up very late, and got here, he says,
detailing online fundraising, and Phoenix restaurants and oth-
ers who donated to help fund the trip.
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True Sage
Just 16, Caleb Laieski has met with surprising success
as he lobbies Congress for LGBT protections]
by Chris Geidner
Putting the Bus in Business
Billed as the upscale bus, the popular, gay-owned DC2NY has had signifcant
infuence in upgrading the market
Green and Ohana
by Doug rule
T
Here Are TIMes WHen
we have to make sure to
turn the business off in our
personal life, says richard
Green, referring to his relationship
both personal and professional with
Asi Ohana.
The gay couple runs DC2nY, one of
the many bus companies to spring up
over the past few years offering inex-
pensive direct travel between major
east Coast markets. But DC2nY is the
only gay-owned company among its 12
major competitors, says Green. DC2nY
bills itself as the upscale bus.
Its hard to overstate the companys
infuence in just four years time in
upgrading the market. What started as
a means to cheaply connect workers in
urban Chinatowns has morphed into
a mainstream mode of affordable and
appealing passenger travel.
Ohana hatched the idea for DC2nY
while working as a manager for the
discount bus line vamoose. He sensed
a need for a more customer service-
oriented company. Green, a long-
time executive at hotel chain Marriott
International, utilized his expertise
in the hospitality industry to help put
Ohanas ideas into action.
Among other advances, DC2nY
helped to cultivate a younger, more tech-
savvy crop of bus passengers by becom-
ing the frst to offer free WiFi service
on its buses, now standard operating
procedure across the market. DC2nY
also pioneered other customer-friendly
frills, from providing passengers bottles
of water, to polling them about whether
to stop for a 15-minute break at a rest
area or show a movie along the way.
All of Ohanas upscale ideas have
paid off. The company was an instant
hit. We were sold out for the frst
month before we even opened [in July
2007], marvels Ohana. DC2nY has
now carried almost half a million pas-
sengers annually.
Ohanas foresight coupled with
Greens experience would not have
amounted to much, were it not for
another company that brought the two
together in the frst place.
We met on Match.com, says Green,
laughing. seriously. We started chat-
ting in the fall of 2005, and met in
January of 2006. At the time, Ohana
had just moved from his native Israel
to new York, and had also started the
coming out process. He moved to D.C.
to live with Green.
The fact that Im Jewish, adds the
54-year-old Green, [has] made it easier
for Asis frst relationship with a man.
The 32-year-old Ohana is a twin, one
of 11 children, and the only one of his
Orthodox Jewish family living outside
of Israel. Ohana is out to some of his
siblings, and his parents are aware of his
relationship with Green, whom they see
once a year. But they dont discuss it.
nonetheless, Green and Ohana see
nothing but blue skies ahead for the rela-
tionship and especially for DC2nY.
We see a huge opportunity for
expanded bus travel, says Green.
Helping fuel the market in part is the
recent spike in gas prices, as drivers
opt to travel by alternative means, such
as bus lines. Of course, the increased
gas costs also eats into DC2nYs rev-
enue. And while the company has only
raised its rates once in four years, Green
acknowledges it may be forced to do it
again in the near future.
Green is confdent in the safety of the
companys buses, even in light of last
months deadly crash of a discount sky
express bus in virginia. Our current
[bus] supplier, new World Tours, has a
23 METROWEEKLY.cOM
L
G
B
T
Business
fawless safety record, he says. Id
hold it up against any company.
DC2nY, which currently departs from
union station and two virginia Metro
stops in addition to its original stop in
Dupont Circle, is also in its second year
of operating a popular weekend service
to rehoboth and Dewey beaches. And
the company is considering branching out
with other city pairs a development that
may inspire a name change down the line.
One thing that wont change is the level
of direct involvement that Ohana has with
customers.
I may be the president of the compa-
ny, he says, but I still go through loading
the buses on weekends, to keep in touch
with my costumers and to hear feedback,
what recommendations they have. And to
make sure that everything is on time and
clean.
For more information or to book a trip,
visit dc2ny.com.l
25 METROWEEKLY.cOM
nights and game nights. For details contact
Leandrea Gilliam at Leandrea.gilliam@smyal.org.
TRaNsGeNdeR HealTH eMPOWeRMeNT
Diva Chat support group. From 6-8 p.m. at 1414
North Capitol St. NE. Snacks provided. Call 202-
636-1646.
Saturday, June 11
adVeNTuRiNG outdoors group bikes 42 back-
road miles on Chesapeake Bay. Lunch at dockside
restaurant. Bring helmet, beverages, about $13 for
fees. Carpools form at 8:30 a.m. For details: Lee,
703-625 8858. adventuring.org.
BuRGuNdy CResCeNT VOluNTeeRs helps
with National Cherry Tree pruning. burgundy-
crescent.org.
dC FRONT RuNNeRs holds Pride 5K Fun Run
and Walk. Run/walk starts at P Street Beach, 23rd
& P Streets NW, 10 a.m. Souvenir Pride racing
bibs, refreshments afterward. dcfrontrunners.org.
THe 2011 CaPiTal PRide PaRade steps
off from 22nd & P Streets NW, 5:30 p.m.
MetroWeekly.com/prideguide.
WEEkly EvENts
aNdROMeda TRaNsCulTuRal HealTH
offers free HIV testing, 9-5 p.m., and HIV services
(by appointment). Call 202-291-4707, or visit
andromedahealthcenter.org.
BeT MisHPaCHaH, founded by members of
the LGBT community, holds Saturday morning
Shabbat services at 10 a.m., followed by a kiddush
luncheon. Services in the Community Room of
the DCJCC, 1529 16th St. NW. betmish.org.
BRaziliaN GlBT GROuP, which includes
people of other nationalities who have an interest
in Brazilian culture, meets. For details, including
location and time, e-mail BrazilianGayGroup@
yahoo.com.
dC aquaTiCs CluB (DCAC) practice session at
Marie Reed from 8-9:30 a.m. Visit swimdcac.org.
dC FRONT RuNNeRs, a running, walking and
social club, welcomes all levels for exercise in a
fun and supportive environment, with socializing
afterward. Meets 9:30 a.m. at 23rd & P Streets
NW, for a walk, or 10 a.m. for fun run. For more,
e-mail info@dcfrontrunners.org or visit dcfront-
runners.org.
dC THiRTy sOMeTHiNG, a social group for gay
guys in their 30s that includes dinners, concerts,
sporting events and more, meets every Saturday. To
join, or for more information, send your name and
e-mail address to dcthirtysomething@yahoo.com.
diGNiTy NORTHeRN ViRGiNia sponsors a
mass each Saturday for the LGBT community,
family and friends. 6:30 p.m., Immanuel Church-
on-the-Hill, 3606 Seminary Road, Alexandria. All
are welcome. Call 703-912-1662 or e-mail digni-
tynova@gmail.com.
dC seNTiNels basketball team meets at Turkey
Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Ave.
us HelPiNG us hosts a Narcotics Anonymous
Meeting from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at 3636 Georgia Ave.
NW. The group is independent and not a program
of UHU. For details, call 202-446-1100.
Friday, June 10
THe TReVOR PROJeCTs second annual
Capital Pride event runs 7-9:30 p.m., at Long View
Gallery, 1234 9th St. NW. Tickets $50 online or
$75 at door. trevorproject.org.
THe laTiNO GlBT HisTORy PROJeCT pres-
ents its Fifth Annual DC Latino Pride celebration
on the frst foor of Town Danceboutique, 2009
8th St. NW, 6-9 p.m. latinoglbthistory.com.
WEEkly EvENts
BeT MisHPaCHaH, founded by members of the
GLBT community, holds Friday night Shabbat
services followed by an oneg social hour at 8:30
p.m. Services in the Community Room of the
DCJCC, 1529 16th St. NW. Visit betmish.org.
Gay disTRiCT, a weekly, non-church-affliated,
discussion and social group for GBTQ men
between 18 and 35, meets at 8:30 p.m. at St.
Margarets Episcopal Church, 1820 Connecticut
Ave. NW; E-mail gd@gaydistrict.org or visit gay-
district.org.
Gay MaRRied MeNs assOCiaTiON
(GAMMA) is a peer-support group that meets in
Dupont Circle every second and fourth Friday
at 7:30 p.m. Visit gay-married.com or e-mail
GAMMAinDC1@yahoo.com.
HiV TesTiNG at Whitman-Walker Health. D.C.:
Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center, 1701 14th St.
NW, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For an appointment call
202-483-TEST. Visit whitman-walker.org.
NaTiONal CiTy CHRisTiaN CHuRCH, an
inclusive congregation, hosts Noon-time Pipe
Organ Recital events weekly, from 12:15-1 p.m., at
5 Thomas Circle NW. For details, call 202-797-
0103. nationalcity.org.
sMyals ReC NiGHT provides a social atmo-
sphere for GLBT and questioning youth every
Friday night, featuring dance parties, movie
CaPiTal PRide events are scheduled to
run through June 12. For a list of events, visit
thurSday, June 9
BuRGuNdy CResCeNT VOluNTeeRs, a gay
volunteer organization, helps out at Food and
Friends and during the Log Cabin Republicans
frst annual Pride Social. For details, visit burgun-
dycrescent.org.
WEEkly EvENts
CaReGiVeRs CONNeCT is a support group for
those caring for a loved ones living with HIV/
AIDS or a recent cancer diagnosis. Co-sponsored
by Whitman-Walker Health and Mautner Project.
Registration required. Contact peersupport@
wwc.org.
CaReGiVeR suPPORT GROuP is a safe
space for LBT women who are caregivers. Free.
Registration required. 202-332-5536 or directser-
vices@mautnerproject.org for registration/
details.
dC aquaTiCs CluB (DCAC) practice session
at the Takoma Aquatic Center, 7:30-9 p.m. Visit
swimdcac.org.
dC laMBda squaRes gay and lesbian square-
dancing group features mainstream through
advanced square dancing at the National City
Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle NW, 7-9:30
p.m. Singles and couples welcome; casual dress.
E-mail info@dclambdasquares.org, call 301-257-
0517 or visit dclambdasquares.org.
The dulles TRiaNGles Northern Virginia
social group meets for a weekly happy hour at the
Sheraton in Reston, 11810 Sunrise Valley Drive, in
the bar on the second foor, 7-9 p.m. Members and
non-members welcome. E-mail info@dullestri-
angles.com or visit dullestriangles.com.
HiV TesTiNG at Whitman-Walker Health. The
Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center, 1701 14th St.
NW, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max Robinson
Center, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, from 9 a.m.-4:30
p.m. Call 202-483-TEST. Visit whitman-walker.
org.
Metro Weeklys Community Calendar highlights important events in the
gay community, from alternative social events to volunteer opportunities.
Event information should be sent by e-mail to calendar@metroweek-
ly.com; by fax to 202-638-6831; or by mail to Metro Weekly, Attn:
Community Calendar, 1012 14th Street NW, Suite 209, Washington, D.C.
20005. Deadline for inclusion is noon on the Friday before publication.
Announcement submissions that are not date-specifc may run for two
weeks, with the option for listing organizations to resubmit if appropriate.
Questions about the calendar can be directed to the Metro Weekly offce
at 202-638-6830.
LGBTCommunityCalendar
27 METROWEEKLY.cOM
ADverTIseMenT
NE, 2-4 p.m. The gathering is for players of all lev-
els, gay or straight. Visit teamdcbasketball.org.
us HelPiNG us hosts Exercise Group: Stretching
and Low Impact Aerobics, 10-11 a.m., at 3636
Georgia Ave. NW. $15. Call 202-446-1100.
Sunday, June 12
PFlaGs aRliNGTON suPPORT GROuP and the
aRliNGTON lGBTq yOuTH GROuP meet 3-4:30
p.m., Arlington Unitarian Universalist Church, at
George Mason Drive & Route 50. arl.pfag@gmail.
com.
THe 2011 CaPiTal PRide FesTiVal runs
11 a.m.-6 p.m., on Pennsylvania Avenue. NW.
WEEkly EvENts
dC aquaTiCs CluB (DCAC) practice session
at the Takoma Aquatic Center, 9-10:30 a.m. Visit
swimdcac.org.
BeTHel CHuRCH-dC is a progressive and radi-
cally inclusive church with services weekly at 2 p.m.
in the St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 1525 Newton
St. NW. betheldc.org.
BelieVeRs COVeNaNT FellOWsHiP Sunday
worship, meet 10:45 a.m., Worship and Ministry
Center, 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300, McLean.
bcfchurch.us.
diGNiTy WasHiNGTON offers Roman Catholic
Mass for the LGBT community. 6 p.m., St.
Margarets Church, 1820 Connecticut Ave. NW.
All welcome. Sign interpreted. Call 202-546-2235,
e-mail dignity@dignitywashington.org, or visit dig-
nitywashington.org.
FiRsT CONGReGaTiONal uNiTed CHuRCH
OF CHRisT welcomes all to 1 p.m. service, at First
Trinity Lutheran, corner of 4th and E Streets NW.
Visit fccuccdc.org or call 202-628-4317.
FRieNds MeeTiNG OF WasHiNGTON meets for
worship, 10:30 a.m., 2111 Florida Ave. NW, Quaker
House Living Room (next to Meeting House on
Decatur Place), 2nd foor. Special welcome to lesbi-
ans and gays. At 10:30 a.m., in the Meeting House,
gathering of Spiritual Light. Handicapped acces-
sible from Phelps Place gate. Hearing-assistance
system. Visit fmw.quaker.org.
FReedOM FellOWsHiP CHRisTiaN CHuRCH,
a Christ-centered, affrming church, offers worship
service, 10 a.m., 4649 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave.
NE. Visit ffccdc.org.
HOPe uNiTed CHuRCH OF CHRisT welcomes
GLBT community for worship. 10:30 a.m., 6130 Old
Telegraph Road, Alexandria. hopeucc.org
MeTROPOliTaN COMMuNiTy CHuRCH OF
NORTHeRN ViRGiNia services at 11 a.m., led by
Rev. Kharma Amos. Childrens Sunday School, 11
a.m. 10383 Democracy Lane, Fairfax. For more infor-
mation, call 703-691-0930 or visit mccnova.com.
WasHiNGTON, d.C. services at 9 a.m. (ASL inter-
preted) and 11 a.m. Childrens Sunday School at
29 METROWEEKLY.cOM
HIV testing and counseling, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 703-
823-4401 for details.
WasHiNGTON, d.C., sponsors an HIV-positive
support group at 7 p.m., 474 Ridge St. NW. The
group is open to all. For more information contact
Matt at ndc20003@yahoo.com.
sMyal offers free HIV Testing, 5-7 p.m., by
appointment for youth 21 and under, at the Youth
Center, 410 7th St. SE. Call 202-567-3155 or e-mail
HIVprevention@smyal.org.
us HelPiNG us hosts a black gay mens affnity
group tonight at 3636 Georgia Ave. NW. For details
call 202-446-1100.
WasHiNGTON WeTskiNs Water Polo Team
practices, 7-9 p.m. at Takoma Community Center
Pool, 300 Van Buren St. NW. Inexperienced and
newcomers with at least basic swimming ability
are always welcome. Visit wetskins.org, call Tom at
703-299-0504 or e-mail secretary@wetskins.org.
Whitman-Walker Health HiV/aids suPPORT
GROuP for newly diagnosed individuals, meets at
7 p.m. For details, call 202-939-7671; hivsupport@
wwc.org.
tueSday, June 14
adVeNTuRiNG outdoors group bikes 19 miles of
paths/residential streets to Lake Barcroft. Bring
helmet, beverage, $2 fee. Dinner follows. Meet 6:25
uNiVeRsalisT NaTiONal MeMORial
CHuRCH, is a welcoming and inclusive church of
the UUAC. GLBT Interweave social/service group
meets monthly. Services at 11 a.m., Romanesque
sanctuary. 1810 16th St. NW. 202-387-3411, univer-
salist.org.
Monday, June 13
WEEkly EvENts
aNdROMeda TRaNsCulTuRal HealTH offers
free HIV testing, 9-5 p.m., and HIV services (by
appointment). Call 202-291-4707 or visit androm-
edatransculturalhealth.org.
CaPiTOl PRide syMPHONiC BaNd meets
for rehearsal at the Lutheran Church of the
Reformation 212 East Capitol St., NE; contact David
membership@dcdd.org or visit dcdd.org.
Marie Reed, 8-9:30 p.m. Visit swimdcac.org.
dC RadiCal FaeRies weekly dish-and-discus-
sion potluck, 7-10 p.m. Visit dcradfaes.org.
Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,
from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. At the Max Robinson Center,
2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an
appointment call 202-483-TEST. Visit wwc.org.
kaRiNG WiTH iNdiVidualiTy (k.i.) seRViCes,
at 3333 Duke St., Alexandria, offers free rapid
11 a.m. 474 Ridge St. NW. Visit mccdc.com or call
202-638-7373.
NaTiONal CiTy CHRisTiaN CHuRCH, inclusive
church with GLBT fellowship, offers gospel wor-
ship, 8:30 a.m., and traditional worship, 11 a.m.
5 Thomas Circle NW. Call 202-232-0323 or visit
nationalcitycc.org.
RaiNBOW FaMilies dCs Maybe Baby series
for single men and couples considering parenthood
meets 3-5 p.m. For details, e-mail info@rainbow-
familiesdc.org.
RiVeRside BaPTisT CHuRCH, a Christ-centered,
interracial, welcoming-and-affrming church, offers
service at 10 a.m. 680 I St. SW. Call 202-554-4330
or visit riverside-dc.org.
sT. sTePHeN aNd THe iNCaRNaTiON, an
interracial, multi-ethnic Christian Community
offers services in English, 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., and
in Spanish at 5:15 p.m. 1525 Newton St. NW. 202-
232-0900, saintstephensdc.org.
uNiTaRiaN CHuRCH OF aRliNGTON, an
LGBTQ welcoming-and-affrming congregation,
offers services at 10 a.m. Virginia Rainbow UU
Ministry leads and participates in all UUCA activi-
ties to promote LGBTQ equality. 4444 Arlington
Blvd. contactvaruum@yahoo.com.
uNiTaRiaN uNiVeRsalisT CHuRCH OF
silVeR sPRiNG invites LGBTQ families and indi-
viduals of all creeds and cultures to join the church.
Services 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. 10309 New Hampshire
Ave., Silver Spring. uucss.org.
LGBTCommunityCalendar
p.m., Clarendon Metro, elevator entrance. Lee, 703-
625-8858. adventuring.org
Gay aNd lesBiaN aCTiVisTs alliaNCe,
a local nonpartisan political lobbying group,
meets at 7 p.m., Room 120, Wilson Building, 1350
Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202-667-5139, glaa.org.
WEEkly EvENts
aNdROMeda TRaNsCulTuRal HealTH offers
free HIV testing, 9-5 p.m., and HIV services (by
appointment). Call 202-291-4707, or visit androm-
edahealthcenter.org.
asiaNs aNd FRieNds weekly happy hour and
dinner afterward, kicks off at 6:30-7:30 p.m., at
Cobalt/30 Degrees Lounge, 1639 R St. NW. Visit
afwashington.net.
the Takoma Aquatic Center from 7:30-9 p.m. Visit
swimdcac.org.
dC FRONTRuNNeRs is a running, walking and
social club serving greater Washingtons LGBT
community and its allies. The group hosts an eve-
ning run/walk today. dcfrontrunners.org.
Whitman-Walker Healths Gay MeNs HealTH
aNd WellNess/sTd CliNiC opens at 6 p.m., at
1701 14th St. NW. Patients are seen on walk-in basis.
No-cost screening for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and
Chlamydia. Hepatitis and herpes testing available
for fee. whitman-walker.org.
Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,
9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max Robinson Center, 2301
MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appoint-
ment call 202-483-TEST. Visit whitman-walker.org.
THe HiV WORkiNG GROuP of the dC CeNTeR
hosts its Packing Party, where volunteers work to
assemble safe-sex kits consisting of condoms and
lube, at the Green Lantern, 1335 Green Court NW,
at 7 p.m. thedccenter.org.
kaRiNG WiTH iNdiVidualiTy (k.i.) seRViCes,
at 3333 Duke St., Alexandria, offers free rapid
HIV testing and counseling, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 703-
823-4401 for details.

sMyal offers free HIV Testing, 5-7 p.m., by
appointment for youth 21 and under, at the Youth
Center, 410 7th St. SE. Call 202-567-3155 or e-mail
HIVprevention@smyal.org. l
FOR MORe CaleNdaR lisTiNGs
Please VisiT
WWW.MeTROWeekly.COM
33 METROWEEKLY.cOM
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37 METROWEEKLY.cOM
Ive never been
asked our stalwart
Coverboy ques-
tion, What posi-
tion do you play
in the big baseball
game of life? But,
in case you were
wondering, I play
third base.
I dont mean that in a jokingly ironic
sense. I actually was, lo these many years
ago, the third baseman for my Little
League baseball team, the Fredonia
Cardinals. I still have the little baseball
hat and a trophy for our undefeated
1980 season. Of course, this was a teeny
town in western Kentucky where we
had a total of three teams I mostly
remember them as the red team, the
blue team and the green team so a
10-0 season just meant that we beat
the other two teams fve times over the
course of the summer.
still, that little baseball diamond with
its faded wooden bleachers under a
corrugated-tin roof and a chicken-wire
backstop was the social center of the
town every summer. Kids not playing
ball ran rampant around the neighbor-
hood, hopped up on the graveyards
we ordered from the rickety snack shack
by the feld (a blend of Pepsi, 7-up and
Dr. Pepper that only a 9-year-old could
fnd delicious). Farmers talked weather
and crops in between innings, mothers
talked about PTA meetings, teenagers
drove their cars in endless loops around
the neighborhood.
Baseball was a centerpiece of life.
so its fun for me this year to have Metro
Weekly joining up with Team DC as one
of the sponsors for this years night Out
at the nationals. June 21 at nationals
Park will be just like those community
nights of my youth. except bigger. And
louder. And light years gayer.
seeing thousands of LGBT people gath-
ered in the stands of a stadium for an
event produced in cooperation with a
professional sports team is really one of
those moments when you realize how
far weve come. As always, its not nearly
far enough, but its something to be
proud of.
Fitting, then, that the night Out hap-
pens so soon after the culmination of
Capital Pride, this weekends parade
and festival. If theres ever a moment
when we can fnd comfort and solidarity
in the sheer numbers of our community,
its when we fnd ourselves flling the
streets in celebration.
As always, youll fnd all of us from
Metro Weekly at the festivities. Were
looking forward to riding the parade
route, along with some special guests:
our next Generation Award winners
Gregory Cendana, victoria Kirby,
Daniel Oneill and sadie ryanne vashti;
and our Coverboy of the Year Franklin
Caintic. And we hope to see everyone
at our booth at the festival, where well
be meeting and greeting with all of our
friends, new and old, as well as serving
as the hub for our reporters, photog-
raphers and videographers wholl be
keeping the focus on the weekend that
serves as our communitys own, special
centerpiece.
After all, Pride isnt really about the
booths that line the festival grounds
and the carefully calibrated messages
that futter overhead on banners and
balloons. Pride is about the people who
fll the streets, the energetic groups of
LGBT youth, the toddler-toting families,
the glittered and the glowing.
Pride is about you. l
Community Spirits
In the stadium and on the streets, this gayest of
months in D.C. is a time for our community to
shine with Pride
JuNe 9, 2011
VOluMe 18 / issue 6
PuBlisHeRs
Sean Bugg
Randy Shulman
EdiToRiaL
ediTOR-iN-CHieF
Randy Shulman
aRT diReCTOR
Todd Franson
MaNaGiNG ediTOR
Will oBryan
sTaFF WRiTeR
Yusef Najaf
seNiOR POliTiCal WRiTeR
Chris Geidner
seNiOR PHOTOGRaPHeR
Jeff Code
CONTRiBuTiNG PHOTOGRaPHeR
Ward Morrison
CONTRiBuTiNG WRiTeRs
Tom avila, Billy Masters, Carrie Megginson,
Tim Plant, Richard Rosendall,
doug Rule, Kate Wingfeld
WeBMasTeR
david Uy
MulTiMedia
aram Vartian
adVERTiSiNG & SaLES
diReCTOR OF sales
Randy Shulman
NaTiONal adVeRTisiNG RePReseNTaTiVe
Rivendell Media Co.
212-242-6863
disTRiBuTiON MaNaGeR
dennis Havrilla
PaTRON saiNT
Glenn Burke
COVeR PHOTOGRaPHy
Todd Franson
COVeR MOdel
dylan davis
MeTRO Weekly
1012 14th Street NW, Suite 209
Washington, dC 20005
202.638.6830 fax: 202.638.6831
www.metroweekly.com
All material appearing in Metro Weekly is protected by federal copyright law and may not be
reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publishers. Metro Weekly assumes no
responsibility for unsolicited materials submitted for publication. All such submissions are subject
to editing and will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Metro Weekly is supported by many ne advertisers, but we cannot accept responsibility for claims
made by advertisers, nor can we accept responsibility for materials provided by advertisers or
their agents. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles or
advertising in Metro Weekly is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of
such person or organization.
2011 Jansi LLC.
LGBTopinion
by sean Bugg
June 5 MArKeD
the 30th anniversa-
ry of the frst report
of what became
known as AIDs,
when the Centers
for Disease Control
described cases of
pneumocystis car-
inii pneumonia in fve Los Angeles gay
men. Coincidentally, in the same month
in 1981, a few dozen people started the
Gay Mens Chorus of Washington, D.C.
(GMCW). On that frst night at the old
Gay Community Center, we were full of
hope and enthusiasm, unaware of the
devastation the new disease would bring.
That seems a Thirty Years War ago.
Here we are, survivors. On sunday
Guest artist Jennifer Holliday, chat-
ting between songs, said she was glad
to reach 50 after the mess she made of
her 20s and 30s. At a sunday brunch for
veterans of GMCWs frst decade, some
brought old chorus photos that were
flled with vanished friends.
In the course of our lives, each of
us builds his own collection of familiar
ghosts those close to us whom we have
lost. They speak to us in our memory. But
life is for the living. The new generation
of men who have replenished GMCWs
ranks never knew most of the men on the
In Memoriam list in the chorus pro-
gram. Like the old fles I am disposing at
my federal job as I prepare to retire after
32 years, most of what we do is lost and
forgotten with time.
not forgotten are the stories we pass
between generations, and the values they
embody. What keeps the chorus selling
tickets is not just the quality of its sing-
ers but how it touches people. GMCWs
music can provide a welcome escape,
but it can also help us cope with loss and
celebrate our endurance.
Other examples of survival were on
view saturday at the Capital TransPride
festival. Jeri Hughes, a transgender activ-
ist who helped me staff the Gay and
Lesbian Activists Alliances information
table, observed with amazement that,
having reached her 60th birthday, she
will not die young, despite all she has
faced including a savage beating years
ago by police.
Julian Harris, a resilient young
transman, is active with the DC Area
Transmasculine society, a support group
that offers mentoring for people new to a
wide range of transgender identities.
Kadeem swenson, who became home-
less at 16 when he was thrown out by his
parents after they learned he was gay, is
now 19 and has graduated from D.C.s
Wanda Alston House for LGBT and
questioning youth. He is studying at the
university of the District of Columbia,
where he is full of plans.
These testimonials of strength are lost
on groups that sow fears of gay and trans-
gender people to deny us equality. Our
stories nonetheless bear the message that
if we can survive all this, we can over-
come anything. sometimes we just need
a reminder, a helping hand, and maybe a
ghostly whisper.
Richard J. Rosendall is a writer and
activist. He can be reached at
rrosendall@starpower.net. l
morning actress sharon stone, glob-
al chair of amfAr, told Cnns sanjay
Gupta that gay people are the ones rais-
ing money to fght AIDs, which means
that women and children with HIv will
live thanks to those who were once ostra-
cized. This brought to mind singer and
AIDs activist Michael Callen, who wryly
called himself a diseased pariah after
a Flirtations concert in 1993, even as he
was surrounded by well-wishers. The
eulogy I wrote for him is 17 years old.
At GMCWs 30th anniversary con-
certs on June 4 and 5, survival and
renewal were themes. Included was a
new one-act musical, Alexanders House,
with music and lyrics by composer
Michael shaieb. It concerns a gay man
whose death leads to his partner and
friends meeting his estranged son, and
carries echoes of beloved GMCW found-
ing member Michael Baker, who died in
March 2010.
LGBTopinion
Tales of Survival
Disease, Death and Discrimination have forged a community that
has turned sadness into strength
by richard J. rosendall
39 METROWEEKLY.cOM
ALMOsT THree
decades before
stonewall, a gay
African-American
man, Bayard
rustin, organized
a 1941 March on
Washington so suc-
cessful that it never
even took place. exactly 70 years ago
this month, President Franklin roosevelt
signed the executive order barring military
contractors from discriminating against
African-American workers. His signature
was conditioned on a promise from civil
rights leaders that they would cancel a
massive march rustin and others had
planned.
According to historian Conrad Black,
roosevelt became upset when he learned
protections in order to avoid the pro-
test. roosevelt signed the executive order
on June 25, 1941.
rustin, however, was not invited to
that White House meeting, even though
he was among the lead organizers of the
march. sadly, rustin faced discrimination
because of his sexual orientation through-
out his career. His bigoted enemies, from
sen. strom Thurmond (r-s.C.) to rep.
Adam Clayton Powell (D-n.Y.), repeatedly
tried to use his sexual orientation to dis-
credit his leadership. rustin was regularly
purged by other African-American leaders
from meetings or appearances out of prej-
udice or fear that his homosexuality would
distract from the civil rights movement.
John Demilios biography of rustin is
titled Lost Prophet, because rustins legacy
is largely unknown despite his masterful
work as movement strategist. He orga-
nized the frst Freedom rides and served
as chief logistical strategist for the 1963
March on Washington.
Toward the end of his career and life,
rustin advocated for new York Citys
enDA law barring discrimination based
on sexual orientation. In the mid-1980s, he
wrote to a group of African-American new
York City Council members, telling them
that their refusal to vote the enDA pro-
posal out of committee was tantamount to
the flibustering that succeeded in blocking
the Civil rights Act in the u.s. from 1876
until 1964. Later in 1986, and within a year
of his death at age 75, rustin gave his frst
and only interviews about how homopho-
bia had curtailed his infuence in the civil
rights movement.
now, 70 summers after rustin orga-
nized a national march to focus Americas
attention on workplace discrimination,
LGBT Americans and their straight allies
are calling on President Barack Obama
to sign an enDA executive order barring
anti-LGBT discrimination by federal con-
tractors.
Based on the current administrations
strong record promoting LGBT equality, I
have hope that Obama will sign an enDA
executive order by Pride month of next
year, or perhaps even sooner certainly
before the 2012 elections. In doing so,
our nations frst African-American presi-
dent will bring this civil rights history full
circle, building on what roosevelt started
70 years ago, and creating the basic work-
place protections that rustin deserved and
fought for throughout his life.
Tico Almeida served as ENDAs lead coun-
sel in the U.S. House from 2007 to 2010.l
that African-Americans planned to pro-
test his slow movement on civil rights,
and even began grumbling self-impor-
tantly about not negotiating with a gun
at my head. The president frst asked his
wife, eleanor, and new York City Mayor
Fiorello LaGuardia to persuade African-
American leaders to cancel the protest.
When they refused to cancel the march,
roosevelt summoned LaGuardia and a
small number of African-American leaders
to the White House on June 18, 1941. One
leader was A. Phillip randolph, the presi-
dent of the Brotherhood of sleeping Car
Porters, the labor union that frst called for
the march and had worked closely with
rustin to organize it.
At the White House, randolph declined
another request to cancel the protest and
predicted that 100,000 African-Americans
would march on Washington. After a terse
debate, the parties brokered a deal for
roosevelt to enact the new workplace
LGBTopinion
History of Pride
Rustins lifelong campaign to end workplace discrimination
offers ENDA lessons
by Tico Almeida
DurInG THe FIrsT THree DeCADes OF
HIv and AIDs, more than 575,000
Americans lost their lives. This week, as
we mark the 30th anniversary of HIvs
identifcation, an estimated 56,000 people
continue to become infected with HIv
annually. Almost half of all Americans
know one of the more than 1.1 million
citizens who now live with HIv.
In July 2010, President Obamas National
HIV/AIDS Strategy outlined the
administrations goals for slowing the
spread of HIv infection while improving
the health of people living with HIv. Its
vision calls for a more coordinated national
response to the epidemic. The plans
objectives are clear: reduce the number
of people who become infected with HIv,
increase access to care while improving
health outcomes for people living with HIv,
and reduce HIv-related health disparities.
Though we served as AIDs policy leaders
that the number of new infections is on
track to increase to more than 75,000
annually, increasing the number of
Americans living with HIv to more than
1.5 million.
As we each refect upon our own work
during the past three administrations,
we are confdent that this trend can
be reversed, and we remember those
individuals who captured the hearts and
minds of Americans, galvanizing a decades-
long effort to fght the spread of HIv.
The story of Indiana teen ryan White,
a hemophiliac who contracted the HIv
virus from a 1984 blood transfusion, made
a lasting impact on the American publics
awareness and understanding of HIv and
AIDs. similarly, Los Angeles Lakers point
guard and nBA MvP Magic Johnson
helped remove much of the stigma
surrounding HIv and AIDs. Other voices
joined to forge a common consciousness
focused on fghting the spread of HIv and
ending AIDs. Diana, Princess of Wales,
became among the worlds most visible
supporters of the fght.
In fact, the 1990 passage of the ryan
White Care Act under George H.W. Bush,
later reauthorized by Presidents William
Clinton and George W. Bush, can be
credited to individuals willingness to tell
their stories. Yet, much of this historic
momentum built upon the stories of
individual heroes seems to have been lost.
The Obama administration is right
to prioritize efforts that educate all
Americans about the threat of HIv and
how to prevent its spread. But such
initiatives are only as effective as the
publics perception of HIv as an enduring,
consequential force. It is the responsibility
of those organizations that have served
on the front lines for decades to tell and
retell the stories of how HIv and AIDs
has impacted and continues to shape
American lives.
Together, we mark the 30th anniversary
of HIv and AIDs by asking people to tell
the stories of their personal heroes whose
lives were forever changed by this disease.
It is through the preservation of these
stories that we can renew the publics
commitment to join in a unifed, concerted
effort to end AIDs once and for all.
A. Cornelius Baker worked in the National AIDS
Program Offce under George H.W. Bush and is
a former executive director of Whitman-Walker
Clinic. Scott H. Evertz served as director of the
White House Offce of National AIDS Policy
under George W. Bush. Both served as co-hosts
of the World AIDS Institutes Evening of Sharing
and Honoring our Heroes. l
for three consecutive presidents from two
parties, we speak with one voice when we
say that these objectives are realistic. Yet,
with todays American consciousness that
is markedly less focused on fghting the
spread of HIv, our nation today faces a
different set of challenges. In many ways,
the prevailing lack of urgency among
Americans may be among the strongest
hindrances facing efforts to stanch HIvs
spread.
As recently as 2009, the Kaiser Family
Foundations Survey of Americans on HIV/
AIDS found that the American publics
sense of urgency associated with combating
the epidemic was in decline. In 1995, 44
percent of the general public indicated that
HIv and AIDs was the most urgent health
problem facing the nation, compared to
only 6 percent in March 2009.
While HIv transmission rates have been
reduced substantially over time and people
with HIv are living longer and more
productive lives, the Journal of Acquired
Immune Defciency Syndromes estimates
LGBTopinion
To Remember and Renew
Preserving the stories of those who lives were touched by HIV/AIDS
can help regain urgency on the epidemic
by scott H. evertz and A. Cornelius Baker
43 METROWEEKLY.cOM
45 PURcHASE YOUR PHOTO AT WWW.METROWEEKLY.cOM/ScENE/
Capital Prides
drag kickball
Sunday, June 5
Stead Park
PhotograPhy by
Ward Morrison
scene
46 SEE PHOTOS fROM THiS EvENT AT WWW.METROWEEKLY.cOM/ScENE
JUNE 9, 2011
50
O
nCe uPOn A TIMe, THere WAs A seCTIOn OF
the Anacostia waterfront that thrived with businesses
catering to the gay community. In 2006, those busi-
nesses began closing, as the District pushed forward to
build a ballpark on exactly that block of southeast. Yet
the gay community still visits the site in droves.
Tuesday, June 21, will mark the seventh night Out at the nationals,
which now sees thousands of LGBT locals heading out to the ball game
for a gay, pro-sports event billed as the nations largest, thanks to Team
DC, the areas LGBT sports organization and primary sponsor of the
night Out. And, as Team DC President ryan Bos puts it, despite the loss
of the adult-oriented gay venues lost to make way for nationals Park, that
nightlife feel has not been lost.
METROWEEKLY
tiple trips right down to the diamond all
the more ironic.
The only time I go to the game is the
night Out, says rosen, describing him-
self as not particularly a fan of baseball,
certainly not a jock, and not a member
of Team DC. As one of the two produc-
tion managers of the Gay Mens Chorus
of Washington, D.C., however, his par-
ticipation in the night Out is crucial. The
chorus, after all, is a fxture of night Out
at the nationals, offering their pipes in
the service of the national anthem, The
star-spangled Banner.
Team DC approached the chorus
the frst time, and it worked out so well,
recalls rosen. We got such a good reac-
tion. The players in the dugout made a
point of saying how good we sounded.
While GMCW consists of about 300
singers, their appearance at night Out
at the nationals is a chorus segment of
around 100 singers. rosen, who joined
the chorus in 1993, is not one of them.
Hes only ever worked on the produc-
tion end of things. still, hes out there
on the feld with his teammates, mov-
ing everyone into position and keeping
things running.
Its quite amazing, he says, recount-
ing the thousands of cheering baseball
fans and the chorus projected on the
stadiums Jumbotron. Its just quite a
lot of fun.
Aside from the thrill of looking up
For some, its a nightclub in a base-
ball park, Bos says of the festive night
Out, which brought about 3,500 LGBT
and allied revelers and sports fans to
the ball park for last years event. Its a
crazy atmosphere, tons of fun. Its a huge
sporting event where its very safe and
comfortable for people who identify as
gay. Its also for hardcore fans who can
enjoy the game with other LGBT fans.
Its a huge, fun time.
Its no surprise that Bos enjoys the
night Out games. not only is he happy to
welcome the Team DC contingent to the
park, hes also a pretty sporty guy. since
2001, hes been a member of the LGBT
Capital & Potomac softball League
(CAPs). For about six years, hes swum
with the District of Columbia Aquatics
Club, and for two hes been running with
the DC Front runners, both gay clubs.
Athleticism is obviously a big part of
Boss life, making him feel right at home
watching a nats game even if he has a
competing loyalty to the Chicago Cubs,
the team he grew up with.
But Boss level of sportiness is by
no means a prerequisite for enjoying a
night Out at the nationals. Just look
at suzanne McArdle, who worked just
down the street from the stadium for
years before learning of the night Out.
I couldnt believe Id never heard
of it, says McArdle, a government car-
tographer who quickly went from night
Out rookie to all-star, joining Team DC
as marketing chair of the 2011 night Out
committee. It was pretty awesome, she
remembers of the 2010 night Out. A lot
of LGBT families come out. Its really
neat to see two gay dads walking with
their little daughter and not get a second
glance. Last year, it absolutely poured
and everybody still had a big smile on
their face.
The experience led McArdle, who had
not belonged to one of the many sports
teams under the Team DC umbrella, to
get involved when Brent Minor, past
Team DC president and its current pro-
gram director, sent out the call last year
for volunteers.
Its maybe 10 to 15 folks, and weve
been meeting in person, doing confer-
ence calls, she says of her committee
work. Its just been really neat to work
with those guys. I had no idea who Team
DC was, and its been really neat to get to
know them.
While McArdle more or less stum-
bled upon Team DC and the night Out
at the nationals, Larry rosen may be
even more surprised to fnd himself in
nationals Park on June 21. Although he
remembers plenty of happy childhood
outings to see the Washington senators
(the nationals predecessors) play ball,
he was just happy to be doing something
with the family. As for the ball game, he
could take it or leave it, making his mul-
51 METROWEEKLY.cOM
into the stands as thousands cheer back,
rosen says the primary motivation for
the chorus to participate in night Out at
the nationals is to further their mission
to entertain through excellent musical
performances, to affrm the place of gay
people in society, and to educate about
the gay experience. With those points
in mind, the night Out is obviously a
triple play for the GMCW.
The guys were enthusiastic about
singing in front of an audience that
wouldnt normally get to hear us per-
form, rosen says. We really jump at
those opportunities.
From what Minor has seen, its def-
nitely worth the choruss while for the
sake of their mission and of the whole
community. He remembers one night
Out a few years back when the nationals
were still playing at D.C.s rFK stadium
in northeast, awaiting the completion
of nationals Park. A few men sitting in
the row in front of him were clearly not
part of the Team DC group, or likely
even aware of its existence. When the
stadium announcer asked the crowd
to rise for the Gay Mens Chorus of
Washington to sing the anthem, Minor
could see the shock and distress on the
faces of the guys in front of him.
Of course, they stand for the nation-
al anthem, and the chorus was fantas-
tic, recalls Minor. At the end, they
were cheering.
Pat Griffn would be the frst to cheer
this kind of activism. shes worked for
years to help sports become more wel-
coming of LGBT people, frst as director
of It Takes a Team! the Womens
Night Out pre-game
ceremonies feature
GMCW and other
LGBT notables
by yusef Najaf
D
OnT Be LATe FOr nIGHT OuT
at the nationals. The festivi-
ties begin before the frst pitch, and
include a host of LGBT notables.
Team DC encourages attendees
to arrive no later 6:30 p.m. for the
pre-game ceremonies, including the
crowd-favorite Gay Mens Chorus
of Washington singing the national
anthem. And this year, Team DC has
invited Daniel Hernandez of Tucson,
Ariz., to throw out the frst pitch.
Hernandez, who will be honored
during the pre-game ceremonies,
gained national fame as the gay intern
who helped save the life of rep.
Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) after she
and several others were shot on Jan. 8.
Amanda simpson, the frst transgen-
der presidential appointee, will also be
on feld for the pre-game ceremonies.
As will Washington Post columnist
Jonathan Capehart, who will open the
game.
I get to say Are you ready
Washington? Lets play ball!
Capehart says. There are very few
things that civilians can do in sports.
You can throw out the frst pitch, you
can do a coin toss, and you can say
Lets play ball at a baseball game. The
fact that I get to do that just has me
super nerdy over-excited.
While he wouldnt describe himself
as a sports enthusiast, Capehart grew
up with baseball. When I was a kid I
used to go to baseball games at Yankee
stadium with my aunts and uncle in
the Bronx a lot. Theres just something
very nostalgic to me about baseball.l
OuT
On THe
FIeLD
T
HIs YeAr TeAM DCs nIGHT OuT MAKes A LeAP BeYOnD BAseBALL,
hosting three other night Out events, beginning with the July 21 night
Out at the Kastles tennis match, when Washington takes on the Philadelphia
Freedoms at the new Kastles stadium at the Wharf, 800 Waters st. sW.
We know that not everybody can make it on the night of the nationals game,
and this gives a different opportunity for people, and different kinds of sports,
says Brent Minor, program director for Team DC. some people may be inter-
ested in womens basketball or tennis, so it helps to attract a different audience
within in our own community.
The night Out events continue on July 26 at the verizon Center with the
night Out at the Mystics, womens basketball game, when D.C. goes head to head
with the san Antonio silver stars. On sept. 21, the games continue on the soccer
feld with a night Out at D.C. united at rFK stadium as Washington takes on the
Los Angeless Chivas usA.
Minor says the games help build strong connections between D.C.s LGBT
community and major professional teams.
More and more we see the importance of professional athletes setting
examples, whether its Ben Cohen or someone else, says Minor. We know that
athletes have impact far beyond our own community. If we can build a strong
relationship, maybe that can turn into setting a good example that goes beyond
just our own gay and lesbian sports teams. Yusef Najaf
Tickets are not yet available for the full Night Out series, but details will be forth-
coming at teamdc.org. l
Extra
Outings
sports Foundations education cam-
paign for LGBT issues and now as
director of the Gay, Lesbian & straight
education networks Changing the
Game project aimed at LGBT issues
in youth sports. shes also a profes-
sor emeritus in the social Justice
education Program at the university of
Massachusetts Amherst and authored
Strong Women, Deep Closets: Lesbians
and Homophobia in Sports. But far from
taking just an academic or advocacy
view, Griffn also won a bronze medal
in the 1994 Gay Games as a triathlete,
and gold in 1998 for the hammer throw.
Physically, cerebrally, politically, Griffn
knows sports.
sport has been a tough place for les-
bian and gay athletes, she says, empha-
sizing that sports are central not only to
schools, but to culture in general. Having
a public presence of LGBT sports fans
and athletes and coaches, whether at
the night Out or at the Olympics is very
important. It breaks down stereotypes,
for young people in particular.
Griffn will be contributing to that
public presence in a big way at the
upcoming night Out at the nationals.
The Montgomery County native
and, like rosen, a former Washington
senators fan will be coming down from
her adopted home of Massachusetts to
accept the nationals spirit Award on
behalf of GLsen.
GLsen is very honored, Griffn says
of the award. Its wonderful. The more
we can get the word out about Changing
the Game, the better it is. And what a
great venue to do it.
If its a matter of getting the word
out, Griffn should also be gratifed that
a technological tweak makes it likely
that the June 21 night Out should see a
spike in ticket sales. This is the frst year
that people can buy single tickets online
for the Team DC section of the park.
McArdle, while happy to have met Minor
when purchasing her groups tickets last
year, says the option to buy single tickets
online may be a game-changer.
I really think that the nationals stepped
up big when they decided to have online
ticket sales, she says, noting that single-
ticked sales in the past have been handled
directly by Minor and Gary Deinken, Team
DCs vice president for fnance. I think
thats going to be what sends us over the
number of fans from last year, she says.
And whats good for Team DC is also
good for the nationals.
53 METROWEEKLY.cOM
even using Team DC know-how to go
launch other groups night out events.
This is our single-most highly visible
event beyond the LGBT community.
And visibility is the name of the
game.
Thats how we make progress,
Minor says. This is activism in a very
fun and progressive way. sometimes
you have to march in the streets, or lie
down in front of the FDA. Ive done that.
But sometimes you have to be yourself
at a baseball game.
Team DCs Night Out at the
Nationals is Tuesday, June 21, vs.
the Seattle Mariners. Tickets, start-
ing at $16 (limited), are available at
Nellies Sports Bar, 900 U St. NW;
the HRC Store, 1633 Connecticut Ave.
NW; and online at washingtonnation-
als.com/nightout. For group sales
of 25 or more, email news@teamdc.
org. Guests are advised to arrive by
6:15 p.m. to hear the GMCW sing the
national anthem. The game is sched-
uled to begin at 7:05 p.m. l
Metro Weekly
made a double
play this week
with two special
Team DC covers.
Be sure to catch
them both!
Particularly, this night has been
a good one for us, confrms Chris
Gargani, the nationals vice president/
managing director of sales and client
services. A group of comparable size
would be something like Youth Baseball
and softball Day, or Labor union night.
Those are probably in the mid to high
four digits.
Gargani confrms another point, made
by Minor, that the night Out at the
nationals has been remarkably uncon-
troversial.
For the most part, we have not
received any big pushback, says Gargani,
granting that every event at the park is
bound to generate at least a complaint
or two.
By just about any reckoning, however,
the night Out at the nationals is a home
run. so much so that Team DC is look-
ing at ways to share the success beyond
Washington.
With the work that the [night Out]
committee and Brent have done over the
years, other cities have looked to D.C.,
says Bos, adding that Team DC is looking
at ways to offer guidance to LGBT groups
elsewhere, possibly onsite, and possibly
Heavenly Round-Up: Theres defnitely tension in the
air. Its not just your imagination causing the hair to stand
up on your arms. Youre experiencing a bona fde, Scooby-
Doo grade chill of anticipation and nerves. so what are
you doing about it? Are you meeting the challenge with
your gear strapped on? Are you embracing meditation to
put you back in touch with your still, small voice? Are you
undergoing a sea change in how you present to the world,
and what you share? Dont just sit there. Act.
Peace in your time; peace with honor.
Its what you want, but you may be as
far out of luck as old Chamberlain was
when he thought hed achieved his ends.
Its time to put down diplomacy and
start taking your targets by any means
necessary. Call again.
You know as much as you need to know
if youre not going to be the one in
charge this time. If, on the other hand,
youre going to be running the show,
then go ahead and interrogate all and
sundry to your hearts content. Its a
simple matter of defnitions.
Pensive is as pensive does. You can
think all the deep thoughts in the world,
but its not the same as taking action and
making all that knowing manifest and
useful. externals count in this round,
so plan how youll be using your energy
with foresight and contingency.
Look around you. seldom have you
possessed such clarity of perception,
such focus, such understanding of your
vista. Grasp the big picture. Admire the
many methods by which the details con-
nect themselves to each other to form a
greater whole. step back.
Youre a winner, but you kind of hate
the person you had to be to get what
it was that you thought you wanted.
now youre not as sure of your choices,
though you loathe regret and refuse to
grieve. Okay, your understanding and
compassion both have deepened.
Youre in a dream where you swim
through coral canyons chased by unseen
shadowed monsters. Youre in a dream
where the monsters turn out to be
friendly tortoises come to teach you new
games. Youre in a dream, and you get to
choose how it goes.
You like what you like when you like it.
And you like changing your mind. Its
complicated, but not past understand-
ing. Whats past understanding is where
you go when you drive yourself as you
have. Youre not made of kryptonite.
Draw a breath.
Once upon a time, you were all alone.
now youre not, though nothings ideal
by any means. Luckily, you wouldnt
have it any other way. You love the
challenge. You revel in the sweat of the
struggle. You delight in all your daily
battles. sing as you reap victory.
You can still back out. You can still
walk away. You can still call a time out.
You have so many delaying tactics and
options open to you even now. Take
a deep breath. remember to exhale.
repeat the cycle. Its time to look for-
ward instead of back. Leave early.
You have the patience to wear through
a pair of iron shoes walking to meet
your destiny. Dont stop in dismay now.
Youre closer than you think to the end
of the Yellow Brick road, and your
real adventures are just beginning. Get
grounded. Get going.
Youre on a roll, but youre not sure
when it started being so very steeply
downhill. Youre on a tear, but you still
cant quite believe the length of the fab-
ric in question. Youre in a bind, and its
getting tighter as you struggle. Feel your
inner James Bond Friday.
Aries
March 21 - April 19
tAurus
April 20 - May 20
GeMini
May 21 - June 20
cAncer
June 21 - July 22
leo
July 23 - August 22
virGo
August 23 - september 22
librA
september 23 - october 22
scorpio
october 23 - november 21
sAGittArius
november 22 - December 21
cApricorn
December 22 - January 19
AquArius
January 20 - February 18
pisces
February 19 - March 20
For information about a personal reading/classes call 301-891-3193 or send an e-mail to cmegginson@metroweekly.com.
Carrie Megginson
HOROsCOPe
Time and tide have washed more ran-
dom people up onto the shores of your
consciousness. You werent looking
for an expansion, but you dont have
any more room without one and that
doesnt seem to be an alternative. shop
with a buddy for support.
59 METROWEEKLY.cOM
all day
dJ sTeVe HeNdeRsON returns for his
sixth year to spin between acts on the
Mainstage as the Offcial DJ of Capital
Pride. Although now a resident of
Chicago, the Baltimore native still spins
regularly on the east Coast, including
monthly at Ziegfelds/secrets. He also
volunteers his time as the entertain-
ment chair for Pride.
11:30 a.m.
THe lOsT BOis
Born and raised in D.C., the two
young artists A.O. which stands for
Awkward Original and B. steady
teamed up a couple years ago as the Lost
Bois to make queer hip-pop, with a
little jazz thrown into the mix. The mis-
sion is to make wacky and silly music
for the most serious of strugglers.
sHadiNa
Goddaughter of Otis William, creator
and sole-surviving member of the
Temptations, shadina has r&B in her
roots. You could say she was Born For
This, to adapt her latest albums title.
shes opened for Mary J. Blige, Alicia
Keys and Trey songz, and now stops in
D.C. after past performances at Pride
events in Houston and Baltimore.
FiRe iN THe RiVeR
earlier this year D.C. songwriter-musi-
cians stina Janssen, Dahna Goldstein
and sumner Mcrae joined to create a
folk/indie-pop trio, with three-part har-
mony and a name that refects both the
bands rootsy sound and sensibility.
NooN
CRys MaTTHeWs
Combining elements of Jill scott and
Otis redding, along with a sprinkling
of Tracy Chapman, Matthewss mix of
Americana, blues, folk, r&B and jazz
adds up to her own original blend.
MaMas BlaCk sHeeP
singing guitarist Ashland Miller was
a member of the duo CommonbonD,
while singing drummer Laura Cerulli
has fronted her own band Cerulean
Groove and toured as part of sOniA
& disappear fear. Together, the
Baltimore-area twosome blurs the
boundaries of soul, country, pop and
folk-rock. violinist Helen Hausmann
joins them for a special Pride perfor-
mance.
BeTTiNa sCHelkeR
The John Lennon International
songwriting contest honored swiss
singer Bettina schelker for her ravish-
ing The Honeymoon is Over, the
title track to her recent album. The
song references the discrimination she
encountered in trying to book a honey-
moon celebrating her civil partnership
with the American former professional
basketballer Ina nicosia.
1 p.m.
MiCHelle RayMONd BaNd
raymond, also known as M-ray, won
Gay Pride virginias 2008 Battle of
the Bands. The richmond native now
resides in D.C. and has won locals over
to her acoustic folk with a little funk
and jam. This is her four-piece bands
second consecutive performance at
Capital Pride.
JONaTHaN BasCOPe
Well known as a dancer with the DC
Cowboys, singer-songwriter-pianist
Bascope is now drawing attention for
his catchy original dance-pop tunes,
such as the new nsync-styled, affrm-
ing single Live My Life (I just wanna
be free, I just gotta be me).
FORd & THe PsyCHONauTs
Aiming to merge new wave rock with
psychedelia and spirituality, Atlanta-
based music producer FOrDs band
echoes Depeche Mode, u2 and the
Cult, but with thought-provoking lyrics
exploring consciousness and the self.

2 p.m.
BlaiR MiCHaels
she may have recently moved to
Buffalo, but this Bowie, Md., native
spent nearly three decades donning
drag in D.C., a career capped off with a
2009 Capital Pride Hero award for all
her volunteer work and appearances.
no way would she miss Capital Pride.
This year will mark her 15th appear-
ance on the Pride Mainstage.
lil MO
The singer of many hit hip hop hooks
for the likes of Missy elliott (Hot
Boyz), Fabolous (superwoman) and
Ja rule (Put It On Me), Baltimore-
area-based Lil Mo hosted a daily radio
show on D.C.s WPGC-FM until ear-
lier this year. now, shes putting fnal
touches on a new album, P.S. I Love Me
and giving lots of love back to the gay
The
Mainstage Event
As of press time. Times, where noted, are approximate.
Performers and schedule subject to change without notice.
The Capital Pride Mainstage
3rd street & Pennsylania avenue NW
Compiled by Doug rule
61 METROWEEKLY.cOM
fans who have supported her from the
beginning.
dRaG CiTy dC
shi-queeta-Lees in-the-works reality
series goes behind the scenes of drag.
stars Lacountress Farrington, Chanel
Deveraux and Tyria Iman and Lee her-
self will take over the Pride Mainstage.
JeNNa dRey
The clearly ABBA-infuenced, Miami-
based dance-pop singer has won many
pop songwriting contests, including
vH-1 save the Musics song of the Year
Competition. shes been churning out a
steady stream of sturdy songs for years,
from Killin Me to By The Way, as
well as a few surprising dance covers,
including Air supplys All Out of Love
and 70s ballad Were All Alone.
dC GuRly sHOW
Having grown out of local drag king
organization the DC Kings and still
performing with them monthly the
DC Gurly show isnt your grandfathers
burlesque. Its focused more on play-
ing with gender than teasing with sex.
Anybody can perform, as any gender,
no matter how they identify. The focus
is on expression and creativity.
Gay MeNs CHORus OF WasHiNGTON, d.C.
The largest gay mens chorus in the
country, with more than 275 singers,
and one of the best choral groups in
a city chock-a-block with them, the
30-year-old chorus is a local social
institution that often takes a cheeky
approach to its choral repertoire, and
extravagantly dresses the part.
3 p.m.
FReddies FOllies
The fercest drag queens in northern
virginia step out of the beach bar and
travel across the river to perform at
Pride, led by show creator Destiny B.
Childs, a 2010 Capital Pride Hero.
CONseulO COsTiN
An aspiring dance-pop singer with a
soft, whispery voice, the Los Angeles-
based Costin, born into the vanderbilt
family, comes to Capital Pride to per-
form her recent singles Feel so Alive
and naked.
e-CleFF
Formerly a performer with the DC
Drag Kings and rOCKeTT, ebone
Bells male alter-ego is a popular enter-
tainer who energizes everyone in the
crowd (although, she notes, its always
for the ladies!).
sue NaMi
With the beauty of a goddess and
the talent of a Broadway star, its no
surprise sue nami has taken D.C. by
storm. right now, her wave has crested
as Miss Ziegfelds 2011. But shes sure
to peak even higher.
ella FiTzGeRald
Creator of the 28-year-old Ladies of
Illusion show at Ziegfelds and called
by some a Hurricane on Heels,
Fitzgerald is D.C.s First Lady of Drag.
sometimes the smallest big mouth in
town can impart the biggest treasure.
she has performed at every pride but
one.
zieGFelds ladies OF illusiON
D.C.s longest-running drag show,
Ziegfelds Ladies of Illusion have
been wowing crowds for nearly three
decades. They even manage to get gay
boys to take a break every now and
then from gawking at naked secrets
dancers no mean feat.
4 p.m.
VeNus d liTe
Adam Guerra as drag queen venus
D Lite has dedicated his career to
expressing himself as the worlds lead-
ing Material Girl impersonator. He
just released his debut single Im not
Madonna, which relates his main mes-
sage: Impersonation is the sincerest
form of idolatry.
JeN CuNeTa
Cuneta sings the hook to venus D Lites
new single Im not Madonna, and
shell join him at Capital Pride to do
just that. But the Filipino-American
will also sing her own new dance-pop
tunes, including I Want That Man.
THe dC COWBOys
The cowboy boot-wearing dance troupe
kicks up a choreographed Broadway-
tinged, country-western storm. But its
their often-shirtless performances and
suggestive moves that get the Capital
Pride crowd swooning. Like the chorus
and ella, theyre an annual Pride tradi-
tion.
zayRa
The Puerto rican Zayra is better
known to many as an aspiring lead
singer for heavy-metal supergroup
supernova. she was eliminated from
CBss Rockstar Supernova competition
in week seven, but not before the Los
Angeles Times called her the shows
most intriguing contestant. Her latest
single is Baby Likes to Bang.
THe ladies OF TOWN aNd X-FaCTiON
As seen every week at Town
Danceboutique these drag queens and
dancers perform choreographed, lip-
synched routines to dance-pop num-
bers that would make Britney spears
and Kei$ha green with envy.
5 p.m.
saBRiNa JOHNsTON
sabrina Johnston is responsible for the
infectious, indelible dance song Peace
(In The valley), a big club hit in 1992
a version was even included on the
AIDs-benefting compilation Red Hot
+ Dance that year and it still gets
steady play today. Johnston also sang
backup for Lauryn Hill on To Zion on
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. shes
working on new material.
JeNNiFeR HOlliday
The original dreamgirl brings her
thousand-watt voice to the pride
Mainstage, and is certain to end things
on a high note. shell be joined by the
legendary DJ Tony Moran, and the pair
will present the worldwide debut of
the new dance single, Magic. Were
telling you, were not going anywhere
until Miss Holliday is done singing for
the day.
This information originally appeared
in the 2011 Capital Pride Guide. Read
features with Lil Mo, Bettina Schelker,
The Lost Bois, Jonathan Bascope,
Mamas Black Sheep and Venus D Lite
in the Capital Pride Guide or online at
MetroWeekly.com. l
June 9 - 16, 2011
SPotlight
aiNT MisBeHaViN
The Washington Savoyards presents a production
of this rollicking, swinging, fnger-snapping revue,
a tribute to the music of 1930s Harlem, where
Thomas Fats Waller and the Cotton Club reigned.
Adventure Theaters Michael Bobbitt directs a cast
including Iyona Blake, Nova Tate, Lauren Du Pree,
Cliff Walker and Daryl Spiers. To June 19. Atlas
Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. Tickets are
$15 to $40. Call 202-399-7993 or visit atlasarts.org.
BeGiNNeRs
Take one disconnected man (Ewan McGregor), the
sort who overanalyzes his place in the universe.
Add an aloof French beauty (Mlanie Laurent), who
may or may not be his salvation. Stir the pot with an
elderly widower dad (Christopher Plummer) who
has just come out as gay, and who will soon be fac-
ing down terminal cancer. These are rich favors,
courtesy of Mike Mills (Thumbsucker), whos craft-
ed a cerebral, entertaining and charming examina-
tion of existence. Millss story light-handedly makes
viewers feel at once insignifcant, reminding us of
the brevity and silliness of life; and central to the
universe, indirectly illustrating that our day-to-day
momentum, our relationships, thoughts and desires
are, for each of us, totality. After viewing, some
may be left wondering how what at frst seems an
expression of untethered post-modernism and fatal-
ism can leave one feeling optimistically satisfed
and ironically happy. Besides, you know a direc-
tor is onto something when he can make a sitting
dog a believable swami. Opens Friday, June 10, at
Landmarks E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW, 202-
452-7672, landmarktheatres.com. (Will OBryan)
BRiGHT eyes, M. WaRd
Conor Oberst has reunited with his indie-rock outft
Bright Eyes and is touring to support its new album,
The Peoples Key. Joining the band is M. Ward,
whose ethereal guitar-picking has won him fans,
solo and in the duo She & Him with actress Zooey
Deschanel. Saturday, June 11, at 7 p.m. The Barns at
Wolf Trap, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna. Tickets are $28
to $32. Call 703-255-1900 or visit wolf-trap.org.
duNCaN sHeik
Duncan Sheik is working again with Steven Sater,
with whom he created the Tony-winning 2006 sen-
sation Spring Awakening, this time on an adaptation
of Hans Christian Andersens The Nightingale as
well as Lewis Carrolls Alice In Wonderland. Sheik
is also working independently on a musical adapta-
tion of Bret Easton Elliss American Psycho. All
three shows should see full productions in the next
year or two. In the meantime, the indie-rock singer-
songwriter has released a new studio set, Covers
80s, featuring acoustic reinterpretations of 80s
synth-pop hits by Depeche Mode, New Order and
The Cure when he stops by Alexandrias Birchmere
next Saturday, June 11. Hell also perform from his
own hit repertoire (1997s Barely Breathing, for
example, and 2003s On A High and Half-Life).
And hell throw in a few musical theater numbers
Compiled by doug Rule
Classic Grace
Hillwood and One In Ten present
their annual Diva-ish flm series
L
eTs Be CLeAr: DInA MerrILL Is
not a diva.
she is extremely gracious and sophis-
ticated, says Lynn rossotti of Hillwood
estates. And yet, Merrill is the namesake
presenter for this years annual Divas
Outdoors flm series, presented with One
In Ten, the D.C. nonproft that produces
the LGBT flm festival reel Affrmations.
The Divas Outdoors series, says rossotti,
is one in which we try to pick [flms]
that appeal to the LGBT community
and really have that Hollywood diva-ish
quality.
Merrill was Washington social-
ite and Hillwood founder Marjorie
Merriweather Posts youngest daugh-
ter, and a featured actress in several
Hollywood flms. This years series
screens two classics co-starring Merrill:
1957s Desk Set, starring Katherine
Hepburn and spencer Tracy, and
1959s Operation Petticoat, starring
Cary Grant and Tony Curtis.
Also this month, Hillwood opens an
exhibition of wedding gowns and appar-
el that prominently feature Merrill
Wedding Belles: Bridal Fashions form
the Marjorie Merriweather Post Family,
1874-1958. And Hillwood is once again a
Community Partner of Capital Pride.
rossotti notes that Divas Outdoors is
special event apart from the flms. Were
not open evenings very often, and its
always a really wonderful treat to be able
to enjoy Hillwood on a summer evening,
she says. People are encouraged to stroll
the mansion and the gardens, and have a
picnic on the grounds before the screen-
ings. There will even be a contest for
best picnic spread. Among the prizes:
a copy of a DvD autographed by Merrill.
Doug Rule
Desk Set screens Friday, June 10, while
Operation Petticoat is saturday, June 18.
Gates open at 6:30 p.m. both nights, with
screenings at sunset. Hillwood estate,
Museum and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave.
nW. Tickets are $15. Call 202-686-5807
or visit HillwoodMuseum.org. l
65 METROWEEKLY.cOM
too, of course. Saturday, June 11, at 7:30 p.m. The
Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria.
Tickets are $29.50. Call 703-549-7500 or visit birch-
mere.com.
MaRk WalTeR BRasWells TWO Guys
CaBaReT
Composer Mark Walter Braswell, a Washington
lawyer by day, has been playing the piano since
the age of six, drawn early to standards by the
likes of George and Ira Gershwin and Cole Porter.
Singers Ryan Burke and Sam Ludwig, along with
Jacqueline Grabois, will perform a new cabaret of
songs written by Braswell, Two Guys. Sunday,
June 12, at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Monday, June 13,
at 8 p.m. Black Fox Lounge, 1723 Connecticut Ave.
NW. Cover is $13 in advance or $15 at the door. visit
blackfoxlounge.com.
THe ROyal daNisH BalleT
Led by artistic director Nikolaj Hbbe, this world-
renowned ballet company returns to the Kennedy
Center for the frst time since 2004 to offer produc-
tions of August Bournonvilles A Folk Tale and his
signature and enduring masterpiece Napoli. The last
performance of A Folk Tale is Thursday, June 9, at
7:30 p.m. Napoli runs Friday, June 10, and Saturday,
June 11, at 7:30 p.m., and also Saturday, June 11, and
Sunday, June 12, at 1:30 p.m. Kennedy Center Opera
House. Tickets are $29 to $99. Call 202-467-4600
or visit kennedy-center.org.
VeNus iN FuR
Inspired by Leopold von Sacher-Masochs notorious
erotic novel, which frst shocked readers in 1870,
David Ivess saucy and sensational play Venus in Fur
is a crackling exploration of desire and control. The
play pits actress against playwright in a virtuosic
display of seduction, cruelty and gamesmanship.
Christian Conn and Erica Sullivan star in Studio
Theatres production, directed by David Muse. To
July 3. Studio Theatre, 14th & P Streets NW. Call
202-332-3300 or visit studiotheatre.org.
Stage
25TH aNNual PuTNaM COuNTy sPelliNG Bee
Six young people in the throes of puberty learn that
winning isnt everything and losing doesnt neces-
sarily make you a loser in the Tony-winning musical
from Rachel Sheinkin and William Finn. Its never
a static piece, as the scripts topical references are
altered at least twice weekly to remain relevant and
fresh, and four audience volunteers are selected
to participate at each show. Christina A. Coakley
directs Keegan Theatres production. An adults-
only Dirty Bee is set for Saturday, June 25, at 11
p.m. To July 3. Church Street Theater, 1742 Church
67 METROWEEKLY.cOM
St. NW. Tickets are $40. Call 703-892-0202 or visit
keegantheatre.com.
aMadeus
Peter Shaffers Tony-winning play (which became
an Oscar-winning flm) depicts the famboyant
genius of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as seen
through the eyes of his desperately jealous con-
temporary, composer Antonio Salieri. Edward
Gero stars as Salieri and Sasha Olinick as Mozart
in a production directed by Fords Theatres Mark
Ramont. Closes this Sunday, June 12. Round House
Theatre, 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda.
Tickets are $25 to $60. Call 240-644-1100 or visit
roundhousetheatre.org.
CaNTO al PeRu NeGRO
Gala Hispanic Theatre presents a world premiere
production from Gabriel Garcia that promises an
evening of song, dance and dramatic scenes depict-
ing the origins and experiences of Afro-Peruvians,
whether in Peru or in D.C. Hugo Medrano directs
the show, in Spanish with English surtitles. To June
26. GALA Theatre at Tivoli Square, 3333 14th St.
NW. Tickets are $20 to $38. Call 202-234-7174 or
visit galatheatre.org.
eiNsTeiNs dReaMs
Rebecca Holderness directs an adaptation of Alan
Lightmans international bestselling book by Kipp
Erante Cheng, about how Einstein came to be
Einstein. Elver Ariza-Silva, Frank Britton, Jonathan
Fitts, Hilary Kacser, Jade Wheeler and Wendy
Wilmer are among the large cast. Now to June 26.
Spooky Action Theater, 1810 16th St. NW. Tickets
are $15 to $20. Call 301-920-1414 or visit spookyac-
tion.org.
i WisH yOu lOVe
Penumbra Theatre Company presents a new play
with music that follows a moment in the life of Nat
King Cole, and looks at the African-American
community of 1957, before the Civil Rights Act was
enacted and when Cole was the rare black man wel-
comed into white houses every week. Lou Bellamy
directs this play, written by Dominic Taylor, which
was the 2011 recipient of the Kennedy Center Fund
for New American Plays. Before the Civil Rights
Act was enacted, and equality was still a dream, one
black man was welcomed into white houses every
week, on television and radio.
Many performances are already sold out; frst show
with tickets still available is Sunday, June 12, at 7:30
p.m. Runs to Sunday, June 19, at 7:30 p.m. Kennedy
Center Terrace Theater. Tickets are $34 to $40.
Call 202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.
WiCked
Ah, yes, Stephen Schwartzs hit musical, with book
by Winnie Holzman, is fnally returning to the
Kennedy Center, after its record-selling, sold-out
run fve years ago. Popular! Joe Mantello directs
a cast including Dee Roscioli as Elphaba, Amanda
Jane Cooper as Glinda, Randy Danson as Madame
Morrible and Mark Jacoby as the Wizard. Opens
Wednesday, June 15, at 7:30 p.m. To Aug. 21.
Kennedy Center Opera House. Tickets are $37 to
$250. Call 202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.
WHy TORTuRe is WRONG, aNd THe PeOPle
WHO lOVe THeM
American Ensemble Theater presents a new black
comedy from Christopher Durang (Beyond Therapy,
Laughing Wild, The Marriage of Bette and Boo), fol-
lowing a young woman in crisis, worried that her
husband and her father could be a terorrist and
a spy, respectively. Closes this Saturday, June 11.
CHAW, 545 7th St. SE. Tickets are only $8. Call
800-838-3006 or visit AmericanEnsemble.org.
T
O
D
D

F
r
A
n
s
O
n
Trail Blazer
Bob Mould offers up his life story, set to music
I
thought that I hadnt really lived that much, says the 48-year-old legendary
punk-rocker Bob Mould about being approached by a publisher in 2001 to pen
his memoir. At the time Mould was going through some personal troubles. By 2008,
he had his life in order and reconsidered the notion of examining his life story for
public consumption.
Two and a half years and a lot of soul searching later, Little, Brown has released
See A Little Light: The Trail of Rage and Melody, which Mould wrote with noted rock
author Michael Azerrad.
Mould describes the book as a pretty no-holds-barred account of his rough child-
hood, as well as his struggles with coming out in the public spotlight, and then fnd-
ing his way and starting the gay dance sensation Blowoff in D.C.
Mould, who moved to san Francisco in late 2009, mostly relied on his own
memories for the book. When I would consult with people [who were part of his
experiences], he says, they would have completely different [and contradictory]
stories. At that point, I realized it was best to go with what I know.
This Friday, June 10, Mould stops by The Birchmere for a hybrid book signing/
concert, a storytellers kind of format. On saturday, June 11, Mould spins with
Blowoff cohort rich Morel for a Pride Blowoff at the 9:30 Club. The bear-popular
party, started in 2003, is still going rocking solid, with regular events in new York,
san Francisco and san Diego. In D.C., Mould says theres a new, younger crop of
partygoers since Obama came to offce. some nights its all sweat, some nights its
more cologne, he laughs, adding that the enduring beauty of Blowoff is that every-
bodys welcome and everybody seems to get along quite well. Doug Rule
Bob Mould performs Friday, June 10, at 7:30 p.m. The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon
Ave., Alexandria. Tickets are $25. Call 703-549-7500 or visit birchmere.com. Blowoff
is Saturday, June 11, at 11:30 p.m. Nightclub 9:30, 815 V St. NW. Tickets are $12. Call
202-265-0930 or visit 930.com. l
69 METROWEEKLY.cOM
lez zePPeliN
The lez in the name may be short for lesbian,
but the four women in this New York-based Led
Zeppelin tribute band dont publicly disclose their
sexual orientations. Keeping a little bit of mystery
to a group is very old fashioned, but in my opinion,
its much more intriguing, Steph Paynes, the bands
lead guitarist, told Metro Weekly several years back.
The women are as intense and powerful and sexy
as youd expect performing from the Page-Plant
Companys hard-rock songbook. If nothing else, the
crowd should be publicly lezzie. Saturday, June 18,
at 9 p.m. The State Theatre, 220 N. Washington St.,
Falls Church. Tickets are $20 at the door. Call 703-
237-0300 or visit thestatetheatre.com.
MaNdy PaTiNkiN
The Emmy-winning TV star and Tony-winning
Broadway legend offers a powerful passionate eve-
ning of popular song, from Irving Berlin to Stephen
Sondheim, from Cole Porter to Harry Chapin, part
of this years Washington Jewish Music Festival.
Mandy Patinkin is in the business of showstop-
ping, raves the New Yorker. Thursday, June 9,
and Friday, June 10, at 8 p.m. Music Center at
Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.
strathmore.org.
MesHell NdeGeOCellO
In Gett Off, the queer bass-playing virtuoso,
whose albums have skipped all over the musical
genre map plus some spoken word thrown in for
good measure offers a tribute to one of her great-
est infuences Prince. Thursday, June 16, at 8:30
p.m. The State Theatre, 220 North Washington St.,
Falls Church. Tickets are $31 at the door. Call 703-
237-0300 or visit thestatetheatre.com.
year, and is touring in support of the album xxx,
which blends rock with Jamaican dub to create a
special kind of soul music. Tuesday, June 14. Doors
at 7 p.m. Nightclub 9:30, 815 V St. NW. Tickets are
$25. Call 202-265-0930 or visit 930.com.
eddie PalMieRi aNd THe dC Jazz FesTiVal
The nine-time Grammy Award-winner Eddie
Palmieri will receive the Lifetime Achievement
Award along with saxophonist Jimmy Heath at
the DC Jazz Festival, going on at various perfor-
mance venues until Monday, June 13. Palmiere will
receive the award and perform with his 11-piece
All-Star Salsa Orchestra to conclude the Jazz on
the National Mall extravaganza this Sunday, June
12, at 6:20 p.m. National Malls Sylvan Theater, 15th
St. and Independence Ave. SW. Call 202-619-7222.
Visit dcjazzfest.org for more information.
iNdiGO GiRls
Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have been at it for well
more than two decades now. The popular Grammy-
winning gay icons return to Wolf Trap for the unof-
fcial end to Pride weekend call that Closer to
Fine, if youd like. Sunday, June 12, at 8 p.m. Wolf
Trap, 1645 Trap Rd., Vienna. Tickets are $25 to $42.
Call 703-255-1900 or visit wolf-trap.org.
JOsH GROBaN
The modern-day crooner, a pop-classical crossover
act, stops by the Verizon Center in support of his
ffth studio album, Illuminations, about the quest
and failure of love and recorded with Groban on
piano accompanied by some of Johnny Cashs for-
mer backup musicians. Tuesday, June 14, at 7:30
p.m. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. Tickets are $65
to $75. Call 202-628-3200 or visit verizoncenter.
com.
MuSiC
BalTiMORe syMPHONy ORCHesTRa
Marin Alsop conducts the BSO in a program that
concludes the season in as big a way as possible:
with Verdis Requiem, an extraordinary tribute to
Italian poet and novelist Alessandro Manzoni and
featuring soprano Angela Meade, mezzo-soprano
Eve Gigliotti, tenor Garrett Sorenson and bass-
baritone Alfred Walker, along with the Washington
Chorus. Thursday, June 9, and Friday, June 10,
at 8 p.m., and Sunday, June 12, at 3 p.m. Joseph
Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St.,
Baltimore. Also Saturday, June 11, at 8 p.m. Music
Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North
Bethesda. Tickets are $33 to $93. Call 410-783-8000
or visit bsomusic.org.
BOB MOuld
He may now call San Francisco home, but Bob
Mould still stops in his former D.C. stomping
grounds regularly, for the dance party Blowoff and
an occasional rock concert, such as his stop next
Friday, June 10, at the Birchmere. Hell perform
from his storied repertoire and his most recent
studio set Life & Times, the 2009 album flled with
songs as pithy and tight as ever. Hes also tour-
ing in advance of the release of his autobiography,
See A Little Light: The Trail of Rage and Melody,
due a week later. Friday, June 10, at 7:30 p.m. The
Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria.
Tickets are $25. Call 703-549-7500 or visit birch-
mere.com.
daNiel laNOis BlaCk duB
Super-producer Daniel Lanois (U2, Bob Dylan,
Willie Nelson), also a legendary guitarist and com-
poser formed the three piece band Black Dub last
marketplace
71 METROWEEKLY.cOM
marketplace - body
73 METROWEEKLY.cOM
NaTasHa BediNGField
The Unwritten and Pocketful of Sunshine pop
singer, sister to Daniel, tours in support of her less-
than-successful third studio set, Strip Me, released
last December. Monday, June 13, at 7:30 p.m. The
Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria.
Tickets are $35. Call 703-549-7500 or visit birch-
mere.com.
NaTiONal syMPHONy ORCHesTRa
Vladimir Ashkenazy conducts the NSO, with Steven
Isserlis, the cellos best ambassador, accord-
ing to the Times of London, in a performance of
Waltons Cello Concerto, plus Waltons overture
Portsmouth Point and Shostakovichs Symphony No.
10. Thursday, June 16, at 7 p.m. Also Friday, June
17, and Saturday, June 18, at 8 p.m. Kennedy Center
Concert Hall. Tickets are $20 to $85. Call 202-467-
4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.
PaTTi laBelle
The Grammy-winning soul singer, an infuence
to everyone from Mary J. Blige to Alicia Keys and
Christina Aguilera and billed by Rolling Stone as
one of the Greatest Singers of All Time, performs
a crowd-pleasing show of her hits, from Lady
Marmalade to The Right Kind of Lover to New
Attitude. And maybe, if were really lucky, some-
thing from her Broadway turn last year in Fela!
Tuesday, June 14, at 8 p.m. Wolf Trap, 1645 Trap
Road, Vienna. Tickets are $25 to $42. Call 703-255-
1900 or visit wolf-trap.org.
siGNaTuRe THeaTRes BROadWay dueTs
CaBaReT seRies
Felicia Curry, James Gardiner, Jake Odmark and
Bayla Whitten will unite to close out Signatures
season with an eclectic evening of the greatest duets
ever written for the Broadway stage, accompanied
by pianist Howard Breitbart. The show takes place
in the intimate Ark theater space, transformed
into a cabaret venue, complete with small tables,
candlelight and a full-service bar. Thursday, June
9 through Saturday, June 11, at 8:30 p.m. Signature
Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Tickets are
$35. Call 703-820-9771 or visit signature-theatre.
org.
THaO & MiRaH
Quirky folk-pop, sometimes edgy or austere just for
the sake of novelty, though generally amusing, with
Thaos appealingly girlyish voice and lyrics that just
might make you laugh. Friday, June 10, at 9 p.m.
Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. Tickets are $19. Call
202-667-4490 or visit blackcatdc.com.
THe deCeMBeRisTs
The Decemberists have been one of the few bands
to perform on Comedy Centrals The Colbert
Report, and their complex sound and elaborate
lyrics are as easy to spoof as to love. They return
to Merriweather Post for a second year in a row.
Monday, June 13. Doors at 6 p.m. Merriweather
Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway,
Columbia. Tickets are $30 to $40. Call 800-551-
SEAT or visit ticketmaster.com.
THe GO-GOs
The 80s pop hitmakers got the beat to unoffcially
kick off Capital Pride weekend, out at Wolf Trap. As
part of a Ladies Gone Wild Tour. Sounds like time
for a mini-vacation. Friday, June 10, at 8 p.m. Wolf
Trap, 1645 Trap Rd., Vienna. Lawn seats are still
available for $25 to $42. Call 703-255-1900 or visit
wolf-trap.org.
THe keNNedy CeNTeR OPeRa HOuse
ORCHesTRa
Members of the Kennedy Center Opera House
Orchestra play a free Millennium Stage concert,
playing Vincent Gambaros Quartet No. 3 and
Rossinis Andante, and Theme and Variations for
Flute, Clarinet, Horn and Bassoon. Tuesday, June 14,
at 6 p.m. Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. Tickets
are free. Call 202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.
org.
danCe
CiTydaNCe
Strathmores CityDance Center presents two con-
certs: One, a Children and Youth Concert, with
a performance of The Dreaming Tree, an original
story created from various legends of the Amazon
Rainforest with dances drawn from ballet, mod-
ern, jazz, Asian/Afro-fusion and hip hop; and the
Conservatory Concert, when young talent takes
the stage in a mixed program on the theme of
seeing with our hearts. The Children and Youth
Concert is Saturday, June 18, at 1 p.m., while the
Conservatory Concert is Saturday, June 18, at 7:30
p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman
Lane, North Bethesda. Tickets are $15. Call 301-581-
5100 or visit strathmore.org.
NeXT ReFleX daNCe COlleCTiVe
Places in Space is a collaborative performance
presenting work from seven different local D.C.-
based choreographers, each exploring an outdoor
location. The themes were developed through
exploration and improvisation, and result in an eve-
ning of choreographed works involving movement,
voice and technology. Saturday, June 18, at 8 p.m.,
and Sunday, June 19, 7 p.m. Dance Place, 3225 8th
St. NE. For more details and ticket information, call
202-269-1600 or visit danceplace.org.
CoMedy
CHelsea HaNdleR
The comic and talk show hosts humor is edgier
and racier than even Kathy Griffns; little wonder
the gays have focked to her as well. Friday, June 11,
at 8 p.m. D.A.R. Constitution Hall, 1776 D St. NW.
dar.org/conthall.
THe laMPsHades MusiCal sTaNd-uP
sHOW
Kate Flannery, who plays the fery redhead booze-
hound Meredith Palmer on NBCs The Offce, has
been performing in L.A. for nearly a decade now
with fellow actor/comedian Scot Robinson, as the
best fake lounge act ever. For example: Flannery
dons a red poly jumpsuit to sing Donna Summers
Last Dance while Robinson reads a list of the
recent Hollywood dead. Everyone from New York
Magazine to LA Weekly has raved about it, so we
assume its funnier in person. Thursday, June 16,
at 7:30 p.m. and 9:55 p.m. Arlington Cinema N
Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington. Tickets
are $20 to $25. Call 703-486-2345 or visit arlington-
drafthouse.com.l
FOR MORe OuT ON THe TOWN lisTiNGs
Please VisiT
WWW.MeTROWeekly.COM
dining
75 METROWEEKLY.cOM
77 METROWEEKLY.cOM
I
n reALITY, A MAn WAs rAIseD In A nuCLeAr FAMILY
in California. He grew up with a mother and a father
and two sisters. When he was an adult, his mother
died. not long after, his father came out as gay. After
his fathers death, he fell in love.
In fction, a man grew up as a single child, raised by a
mother and a father. When he was an adult, his mother died.
not long after, his father came out as gay. After his fathers
death, he fell in love.
There are other similarities, as well as other differences. In a
nutshell, however, the fction is Beginners, and the reality is that
of the flms writer and director Mike Mills. And, as he explains
it, making the movie gave him a way to continue the discourse
with his father that he never got the chance to fnish.
Thats what made me want to write this script, Mills
says. I really enjoyed thinking about my dad more, and all
the conversations we had after he came out, these wonderful
arguments we were having about love: What I could ask for.
What I could hope for. What he did. What his choices were.
I wasnt done having this conversation. He wasnt there any-
more, but the relationship was still kicking around in me.
And it was also just a great story. I thought my dad
wouldve liked that: to have seen a movie with a 75-year-old
gay guy that just came out. I thought that was a pretty amaz-
ing, positive story to put out in the world. Because I was such
a close witness of it, I felt like I had the details to tell it in an
interesting way.
Choosing just the right actors for a story so intimately a
part of him was obviously important. Goran visnjic steps out
of steamy slavic character to play Andy, the much younger
lover of fctional father Hal. French actress Mlanie Laurent
plays gorgeous vulnerability to sometimes heartbreaking,
sometimes uplifting perfection. Mary Page Keller, as the fc-
tional mother, appearing only in the protagonists childhood
fashbacks, nearly steals the movie. From frustrated accep-
tance at having married a man she knew to be gay, to her
artistic edginess restrained by domestic convention, Keller
captivates in every scene.
But casting ewan McGregor as Oliver, the character
modeled on himself, and Christopher Plummer as Hal, Mills
scored a cinematic coup.
I cant really think of an actor while Im writing, or Ill end
up doing a bad version of them, says Mills, who also wrote
and directed 2005s Thumbsucker. It just limits me. I just
write, and then after theres this horrible moment of like, Oh,
fuck, whos going to play this? The tricky thing about this is
I had to cast a father and a son together. There are so many
actors that could play each of those roles, but they wouldnt
have been good together. When the idea of those two came
up, I was like, Holy shit, thats really good.
Whether Beginners is a comedy is debatable. There are
very amusing moments. There are moments for tears and
moments for introspection. not an easy mix for the marketing
team, surely.
I just did a Tv [interview], says Mills. You have two
minutes and they want you to encapsulate [the plot]. When
Im in that corner, Ill say its about love, which is an incred-
ibly vague answer. But its not untrue. It really is about love
and relationships.
While making Beginners didnt provide the resolution that
might have comforted his soul, it did give Mills new insights.
I knew about the Mattachine society, but I didnt know
that Harry Hays house was right across silver Lake from
mine. I didnt know that [Allen] Ginsberg was writing Howl
blocks from where my parents got married, the same summer,
the same year. I didnt know that Gilbert Baker did the [gay
pride] fag in 78.
The flmmakers sensibility about gay relationships, how-
ever, likely has far more to do with his relationship with his
father than with his movie.
This is such a backwards world that this is an issue. But
where that really becomes crazy and violent is where you
dont have rights to be with your partner in a hospital. Or
your partnership is discredited when someones sick, or with
health insurance. Just in the basic, legal way that youre not
considered equal. That is crazy. Its not just crazy, its cruel.
Beginners opens Friday, June 10, at Landmarks E Street
Cinemas, 555 11th St. NW. Call 202-452-7672.l
Father-Son Outing
Mike Mills pulls from his own backstory
to make a movie about life and death and love
Photography by Todd Franson
by Will OBryan
T
Heres nO ABBA
turd in the Broadway
version of Priscilla,
Queen of the Desert.
In fact, in transporting stephan
elliotts beloved 1994 flm to the
stage, elliott and co-book writer
Allan scott completely scrubbed
reference to the swedish dance-
pop darlings, replacing them with
Madonna.
And thats the funny thing
about Broadway. The Great White
Way can take something you love,
change it in a way that seems sus-
picious Did ABBA deny them
permission or something? and
then win you over anyway.
no doubt, Priscilla will win you
over in a big way. Its not the best
musical youll ever see neither
the story nor the music is original,
for starters. But it just may be the
most endearing, and possibly the
most fun you can currently have at
a Broadway show.
If nothing else, your smile mus-
cles will be sore as you walk out
of the large Palace Theatre. As in
the movie, the story here is that
of a gay man meeting his young
son and reconnecting with his ex-
wife. shes hired her ex-husband
and his fellow sydney-based drag
performers to put on a show in
the sticks of Australia. The story
follows the girls as they travel
through the Australian outback,
confronting homophobes and
thugs along the way.
But never fear: The tough and
tender moments are far outnum-
bered by those providing sheer
delight, joy and bawdy humor, not
to mention spectacle. From ross
Colemans rousing choreography
to Brian Thomsons over-the-top
sets to nick schliepers fantastical
lights, the production team goes all
out in making sure you walk away
dazzled. not to mention covered
in glitter. (And hopefully youll be
untouched by the projectile ping-
pong balls.)
Its a bit puzzling that only the
costume designers got a nod for
a Tony. Tim Chappel and Lizzy
Gardiners work here is, in fact,
every bit as high-camp and awe-
inspiring Halloween-inspiring,
too as the costumes they designed
for the flm. And every bit as wor-
thy of an award. (They won an
Oscar for the flms costumes.)
But probably the most stunning
aspect of the entire show is the
rotating LeD bus, which displays
a rainbow of colors, and serves as a
scene-chewing backdrop for most
of the production.
Priscilla also failed to nab Tony
nominations for its spot-on chip-
per cast, save for Tony sheldon,
who plays transsexual character
Bernadette with oodles of sweet-
ness and sensitivity. Meanwhile,
Keala settle all but steals the
show performing just one num-
ber (I Love The nightlife) as a
rural pubs ugly tomboy shirley,
who doesnt like the visiting drag
queens one bit. settles brief, bra-
vura performance is the stuff of
legend.
The shows music comes
straight, so to speak, from an
80s-era gay mans jukebox, heavy
on disco and early dance-pop:
Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Thelma
Houston, Pet shop Boys, Donna
summer. I said it was fun, right?
say what you might about Priscilla
lacking in originality. You cant
deny its audience-pleasing charm.
Its got real heart.
MOvInG FrOM the desert to the
possibly divine, it certainly seems
blasphemous to create a musi-
cal outwardly spoofng one reli-
gious group and its sacred text.
ultimately, however, The Book of
Mormon will speak to anyone, of
any denomination or faith, whos
Priscilla and Mormon are two of the most enjoyable shows on Broadway
right now and are both must-see musicals for gays
Bussing Beauties: The cast of Priscilla
PRISCILLA,
QUEEN OF THE
DESERT
The Palace Theatre
1564 Broadway
1-877-250-2929
priscillaonbroadway.com
THE BOOK OF
MORMON
eugene Oneill Theatre
230 W. 49th St.
800-432-7250
bookofmormonbroad-
way.com
Queen Machines
Doug rule sTaGe
continues on page 82
79 METROWEEKLY.cOM
T
he work should
be work, admon-
ishes playwright-
director robert
OHaras semi-autobiographical
avatar in Bootycandy, a collection
of 10 short plays receiving a snaz-
zy, saucy world-premiere produc-
tion at Woolly Mammoth.
The character, portrayed by
Phillip James Brannon, is speak-
ing his mind during a conference
panel with other black writers
who are equally weary of easy,
limiting labels based on race,
gender, sexuality, what have you
used to defne them and their cre-
ations. Its a mantra that exudes
from Bootycandy itself, a bracingly
in-your-face provocation that is as
comfortable and confdent draw-
ing hearty laughs from minstrel-
esque racial stereotypes as it is
hurtling headfrst into disturbing
realms of human desire and cru-
elty.
Yet even the lightest moments
dont let you off easy. When seem-
ingly poor, trash-talking black
women (Jessica Frances Dukes
and Laiona Michelle) are hootin
it up at the expense of ones sis-
ter, who has decided that theres
no more beautiful name for her
unborn child than Genitalia, just
try holding back your snorts and
giggles. But is it really okay to
laugh? shouldnt you shouldnt
someone be offended?
The playwright apparently
isnt, just as hes fne with intro-
ducing Genitalia later as a gruff,
grown-up, shaved-head bull dyke
(Michelle again; out of fve actors,
she and Dukes are the only women)
who has returned to her beach-
front commitment-ceremony site
to exchange much less civil vows:
a breakup ritual with her foozy
of a femme partner. The verbal
sparring is a stitch, but again, no
laugh comes without a residue of
unease.
Its not that OHara is incapable
of subtlety. As his stand-in, known
as sutter, Brannon frequently has
to command the stage with a dead-
serious dramatic grip, which never
falters. The character is introduced
on a relatively silly note: as a 70s,
Michael Jackson-loving child in
superman underoos, unwittingly
terrorizing his mother (Dukes)
with a litany of questions about his
penis, which he has been taught to
refer to as bootycandy.
Later, though, we see sutter as
a famboyant 80s teen trying to
articulate to his family the threat
he senses from a man who has
begun following him home from
school. The response is a different
litany: all the things sutter should
give up watching Star Search and
Entertainment Tonight, avoiding
sports, reading Jackie Collins nov-
els that are surely contributing
to the effeminacy that makes him
appealing prey to a street-stalking
chickenhawk.
And the adult sutter wades
into deeper waters, still, when he
becomes embroiled in a gay affair
that explodes boundaries of race,
marital fdelity, familial allegiance
and more. sean Meehan, as the
paramour, roy, is the shows lone
white actor, who has to match
Brannon at every dramatic turn,
and he does so impeccably.
Brannon has to strip himself
emotionally, excruciatingly bare in
the toughest scenes; and Meehan,
as another character, Clint, has
to strip himself physically bare as
well, exposing himself literally
in an outrageous way that would
certainly make lesser actors finch
(and will certainly make audience
members of lesser constitutions
finch, too).
The caliber of the cast is noth-
ing short of impeccable, really.
Robert OHaras snazzy, saucy Bootycandy is a bracingly in-your-face
provocation that is as funny as it is disturbing
Paradise lost: The cast of Bootycandy
BOOTY CANDY
HHHH
To June 26
Woolly Mammoth
Theatre Co.
641 D St. nW
$35-$65
202-393-3939
woollymammoth.net
Candy Land
Jonathan PaDget sTaGe
81 METROWEEKLY.cOM
sTaGe
continued from page 78
ever tried to believe in a higher power as
well as those who actually do.
From the creators of South Park and
Avenue Q, Book of Mormon focuses on a
group of Mormon missionaries as they
try to convert a hard-knock tribe of
ugandans, whove all but given up on
religion. (They repeatedly sing a popu-
lar, Lion King-spoofng chant, Fuck You
God.) The shows naive, white-bread,
gay-yet-repressed American Mormons are
ill-prepared to win over such hardened
skeptics. They only break through when
the bumbling elder Cunningham, played
by the riotously funny Josh Gad (Comedy
Centrals The Daily Show), goes making
things up again, in this case wildly adapt-
ing Mormon scripture to ft the modern
African context.
The seasons most-buzzed about musi-
cal, sure to rake in a good portion of
its near-record 14 Tony nominations, The
Book of Mormon tackles religion and belief
in a pretty remarkable way. We humans
seem to have an ingrained need to believe
in something, anything, even if so much of
what were told to believe doesnt make
sense. Therefore we doubt. Creators Trey
Parker, robert Lopez and Matt stone
explore this conundrum while offering no
easy solutions, in the process actually side-
stepping the musical tradition of offering
concrete resolution. This is sort of what
God is going for, goes a common refrain
about leaving things open for interpreta-
tion. And so they effectively do.
The Book of Mormon drags a bit in the
second act, most notably with spooky
Mormon Hell Dream, which becomes a
sci-f abyss. And the trios music and lyrics
are both catchy and cute, but not entirely
clever and certainly not groundbreak-
ing. The musical is a real ensemble piece,
with an across-the-board strong cast. As
nabalungi, the ugandan girl who so des-
perately wants to escape her rough life
shell practically believe anything, nikki
M. James just may break your heart. The
production team is also universally up to
snuff, though scott Pasks work with sce-
nic design seems to stand out a bit more
than the rest.
At times, it almost looks like the prom-
ised land. l
Lance Coadie Williams rounds out the
ensemble in roles including a fery preach-
er with quite a surprise for his conserva-
tive congregation, and in an effective bit
of gender twisting sutters equally fery
grandmother.
If the boundaries in sutters life
between right and wrong, pain and plea-
sure have perhaps blurred to the point
of imperceptibility, so, too, for the play-
wright, have the very boundaries of the-
ater itself. The most troubling scene, about
sutter and Clints involvement in a casual
encounter that goes wretchedly wrong,
pushes the actors to the point of stop-
ping the play, throwing up a big Dont go
there in a work that otherwise seems to
boast that theres nowhere it wont go.
so, what gives? sutter resets the play on
a different track, and if its easy answers
youre after, look elsewhere. remember:
The work should be work. Piece together
the threads of the same characters who pop
up throughout the show. Are they always
literally the same people? (Im still mulling
over roy and Clints brotherly connection
and how it fts into the tragic situation that
stops the show in its tracks.)
Yes, Bootycandy is work for the actors,
for the audience but it feels like playtime
for everyone.l
83 METROWEEKLY.cOM
85 METROWEEKLY.cOM
A
FTer One OF THe PerFOrMAnCes, sOMeOne
asked, You do this a lot?
Thats a typical response Christopher
Gillespie is getting playing a woman in
Dominion stages Psycho Beach Party.
For the record, Gillespie, whos acted locally in plays
at Keegan Theatre and American Century Theater in
addition to Dominion, has only ever acted in drag once
before, in Dominions Reefer Madness. For the last show
at Dominion, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, he played a
macho sheriff.
The cast is hitting it out of the park, says Dave Moretti,
Dominion stages volunteer president and producer of Psycho
Beach Party. Chris, whos playing Mrs. Forrest, is just hys-
terical to watch. A phenomenal choice.
But wait a minute. Dominion stage, a community theater
in virginia, is staging Charles Buschs campy, edgy Off-
Broadway play from 1987?
We really strive to pull in edgier, more thought-provok-
ing types of shows [for] a more sophisticated audience, says
Moretti. stuff that you would not normally see from a vol-
unteer community theater organization.
Dominion stage has been around for over 60 years, origi-
nally founded as the Fairlington Players. When Moretti, a
local actor who works for a healthcare IT network by day,
came on board over four years ago, Dominion was putting on
safe, family friendly fare like Tom Sawyer. He immediately
changed course.
We focus more on adult themes [now], he says. We
dont shy away from the nudity, we dont shy away from the
profane language or adult situations. From Whorehouse to
Love! Valour! Compassion! to Jeffrey to, next fall, Take Me
Out, pretty much all of Dominions shows have some level of
gay appeal. The board consists of both gay and straight mem-
bers, says Moretti, whos gay.
Moretti notes that since the shows are staged at a middle
school theater, Dominion is voluntarily careful to alter show
titles listed on the marquee (no Whorehouse or Reefer, for
example). But whatever happens on the stage, he says, has
always been very well supported and very well received by
the folks in Arlington.
[Psycho Beach Party] is a real good show to just go and
have a little bit of campy fun, especially on Pride week-
end, says Moretti. The play, which mashes up 60s-era
beach movies and Hitchcockian suspense thrillers, focuses
on Chicklet Forrest, a teenage tomboy with split personalities
who desperately wants to be part of the popular surf crowd.
In most productions of the play, Chicklet is played by a man.
Dominions director emily Ann Jablonski switched the script,
casting a woman (Ashley Bacon) in the role, and Gillespie as
her mother.
It was just one of those things where you look at your tal-
ent that comes out, explains Moretti, and you ask yourself,
whats going to be the best ft and mix for this? [Gillespie as
Mrs. Forrest] was the right ft.
[Mrs. Forrest] is a little bit like Joan Crawford, Gillespie
says. shes got some major intensity. Mrs. Forrest is very
controlling and very uptight, especially when it comes to
sexuality and her daughter.
Gillespie is very familiar with Pscyho Beach Party. Hes
twice directed student versions of the play at the high school
in Arlington where he teaches theater. We did like a cleaned-
up version of the show, he says.
In Dominions production, Gillespie is playing Mrs. Forrest
as more of a gender-bending actor than as a drag queen. (Think
Divine as edna Turnblad in Hairspray.) Its a bit toward over
the top, but still within the limits of believability.
Call it a psychotic edge.
Psycho Beach Party runs this weekend and next at the
Gunston Arts Center, 2700 South Lang St. Arlington. Tickets
are $15. Call 571-377-4697 or visit dominionstage.org. l
Psychotic Edge
With Psycho Beach Party, the community theater Dominion Stage
continues its mission to produce edgier shows
Photography by Todd Franson
by Will OBryan
T
Here Are TWO WAYs
to consider synetics
humorously sincere
Don Quixote. The
frst is for those who have yet to
sample the strange and wonder-
ful waters of synetics innovative
physical theater. And the second
is for those who have immersed
themselves regularly. If you have
never taken a seat in synetics spa-
cious Crystal City venue where,
more often than not, you will be
greeted by a stage that awaits its
dancers with an enticingly dark,
sometimes slightly foggy, expec-
tancy, then Quixote is a fne pro-
duction in which to dip your toes.
If you, like many, have been avidly
following this exciting and original
company, you will be entertained
and occasionally transported, but
not necessarily wowed.
still, packed full of the things
synetic does best, Quixote fully
embraces the companys unique
brand of holistic storytelling in
which dance, movement, sound
and voice play equal part. With
his usual clarity, director Paata
Tsikurishvili draws these textures
together into a strong, resonant
narrative, even as he courts the
surreal. Thus, you will recognize
the milestones of Cervantess tale
as Quixote chases his phantoms
and pines for the ever-elusive
Lady, Dulcinea, but you will also
never have seen a windmill battle
as fascinating as this one.
As carefully structured as
Tsikurishvili keeps it, a charismat-
ic Quixote is an essential. Giving
his errant knight a striking physi-
cal presence and a memorable
blend of virtue, human resilience,
and comic appeal, Dan Istrate
offers a symbolically compel-
ling man de La Mancha. Without
overdoing Tsikurishvilis obvious
intent, he most credibly suggests
a madness that, seen in the right
light, challenges the worlds idea
of sanity. More about movement
than dance here, Istrate is a lithe
and attractively precise mover
and his pas de deux with the
Dulcinea (danced with delicacy by
Francesca Jandasek) are under-
stated and effective.
As earnest as all this may sound,
comedy is never more than a blink
away. And although the produc-
tion in general may be a tad too
vaudevillian for some, at his best,
Istrate delivers a rare expres-
sive humor reminiscent of Jack
MacGowrans hilarious professor
in the Fearless Vampire Killers.
As sancho Panza, Quixotes
loyal squire, ryan sellers carries
much of the slapstick and one-
liners, and does so with compel-
ling warmth and athleticism, if not
the nuance of Istrate. In the role of
Freston, Quixotes inner demon/
alter ego, Alex Mills displays nice
control and fair, showing Irina
Tsikurishvilis choreography at its
dark and wonderful best. As the
peasant Aldonza and the courte-
san Altisidora, natalie Berk offers
spark and energy, if not quite
enough dimension to get beyond
costumes that are more cheeky
than they are witty. In several key
roles, ryan Tumulty works hard to
capture a kind of hipsters carni-
val humor, though he never quite
nails it. Finally, as with virtually all
synetic works, this is an ensemble
piece and the dancers who create
not just the crowds and minor
characters but sometimes the very
sets themselves, do a stellar job.
Many of these complicated, yet
visually cohesive segments are
superbly choreographed and exe-
cuted by a team working together
with seemingly effortless power
and fuidity.
still, having said all that, for the
veteran of many a synetic season
this production might feel just the
tiniest bit recycled and just a smid-
ge too long. Where the simulated
horse-riding in 2009s Dracula was
powerfully original and dramatic,
Synetics Don Quixote is theater that engages the soul
with a magical daring you wont fnd elsewhere
surreal Windmill: The cast of don quixote
DON QUIXOTE
To July 3
Synetic Theater
2788 S. Arlington Mill
Drive
Arlington
$40 to $50
703-824-8061
synetictheater.org
Restless Knight
Kate WingfielD sTaGe
87 METROWEEKLY.cOM
seen here again, it loses oomph. Where the
edginess of the demons in Dante (also 2009)
was spectacularly dark, here Freston feels
slightly derivative. And despite his strong
signature, this time around, Tsikurishvili
occasionally allows the production to lin-
ger over scenes that do not pay off. In
particular, when the disreputable residents
of an inn take advantage of Quixote (who
believes the inn is a castle peopled with
nobles), the hijinks feel belabored and the
effect is diluted. And although the pen-
ultimate scene between Quixote and the
windmill is phenomenal on every level,
the fnale, by contrast quiet and thought-
ful, fails to create its own lasting mood and
sense of completion.
similarly, as spectacular as Irina
Tsikurishvilis choreography is in some
moments, such as the dream sequences,
the carousing crowd scenes at the Dukes
castle lack her usual originality and paint-
erly control.
Of course, not every production can
break the artistic sound barrier, and even
with these caveats there are moments here
that will astound, if not transport. And,
thus, for newcomers and addicts alike, this
remains, without any doubt, theater that
engages the soul with a magical daring you
wont fnd elsewhere. l
night
life
89 METROWEEKLY.cOM
listings
Destinations Map pages 98-99
THURSDAY, 06.09.11
ANNIES
4@4 Happy Hour, 4pm-
7pm $4 Small Plates,
$4 Stella Artois, $4 House
Wines, $4 Stolichnaya
Cocktails, $4 Manhattans
and Vodka Martinis
Upstairs open 5-10pm
APEX
College Night, 10pm-4am
DJ Randy White VJ
Frenchie Free with col-
lege ID, $5 without 18/21
BANANA CAF
Piano Bar Happy Hour,
4-7:30pm $3 rail margari-
tas, rail drinks and domes-
tic beers $3.95 Cuervo
margaritas Chuck Smith
on piano, 7:30pm-close
$3 off Mojitos after 7:30pm
COBALT/30 DEGREES
DJ Menorah, DJ
MadScience Best
Package contest at mid-
night $1 vodka drinks,
9-11pm 21+ No cover
DC EAGLE
Open 4pm Power Hour:
$1 off Rail and Domestic,
4-6pm Gear Night: Men
in full gear get extra spe-
cials, 2nd foor Leather,
Shirtless, Uniform, Hanky
Code Specials Beer Bar:
DC Center for DC Leather
Pride
DIK BAR
Happy Hour, 4-9pm Rail
Drinks and Select Beers,
$3 Absolut and Premium
Beers, $4
FIREPLACE
Rail Vodka $2, 9-11pm
VJ Dina Valentine,
downstairs DJ Brooklyn,
upstairs
t
91 METROWEEKLY.cOM
For addresses, phone numbers and locations of individual clubs, bars, parties, and special events, please refer to our Destinations map on pages 98-99.
t
Mr & Miss Capital Pride Pageant
Saturday, June 4
Town
PhotograPhy by
Ward Morrison
scene
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-8pm
Karaoke, 9pm
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm
Shirtless Men Drink Free,
10-11pm Best Of
Contest, 11:30pm DJ
Back2bACk
HIPPO
1 W. Eager St.
Baltimore, Md.
Hip Hop DJ Kuhmeleon
$6 from 10-11pm, $8
after 11pm 25+
JR.S
Happy Hour, 4-8pm $11
All You Can Drink Rail
(upgrade to a better liquor
for $20) Power Hour,
8-9pm $4 Rail $2 JR.s
drafts, 9pm to close
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Cherry Pre-Game, 6:30-
9:30pm DJ Nick Centrik
Purcell Beat The Clock
Happy Hour $1 - 5-6pm,
$2 - 6-7pm, $3 - 7-8pm
Buckets of Beer $12
NUMBER NINE
1435 P St. NW
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 Drinks,
5-9pm No Cover www.
numberninedc.com
OMEGA
Happy Hour, 4-9pm
Karaoke with Howard,
10pm $3 Vodka, all night
PHASE 1
Karaoke starting at 7pm
DJ LS or Drag King hosted
21+ No cover
PWS SPORTS BAR
9855 Washington Blvd. N
Laurel, Md.
301-498-4840
Karaoke in the Lounge
SO ADDICTIVE LOUNGE
733 Elden St.
Herndon, Va.
The L Night Karaoke, all
night Burger Specials
No Cover
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Shirtless men drink free
(rail & domestic), 10-11pm
and Midnight to 12:30am
All nude male dancers
Dancing w/ DJ tim-e, 9pm-
close Cover
FRIDAY, 06.10.11
ANNIES
4@4 Happy Hour, 4-7pm
$4 Small Plates, $4 Stella
Artois, $4 House Wines,
$4 Stolichnaya Cocktails,
$4 Manhattans and Vodka
Martinis Upstairs open
5-11pm
APEX
Bounce, 9pm DJ Randy
White Caliente DJ
Michael Brandon $10
18/21
BANANA CAF
4-7:30pm $3 rail mar-
garitas, rail drinks and
domestic beers $3.95
Cuervo margaritas
Gordon Kent on the Piano,
8:30pm-12:30am
COBALT/30 DEGREES
DJ Keenan Orr DJ Jason
Horswill Performances
by Jeanna Drey and Venus
D Lite of RuPauls Drag
Race $4 rail drinks til
midnight Doors at 8pm
$10 21+
DC BEAR CRUE
@Town Bear Happy Hour,
6-11pm $3 Rail, $3 Draft,
$3 Bud Light, $7 Pitchers
Free Pizza, 7pm DJ
Christian Gerard Hosted
by Charger Stone No
cover before 9:30pm 21+
DC EAGLE
Power Hour, $1 Off Rail
and Domestic, 4-6pm
Shirtless and Leather
Specials until Midnight
Beer Bar: C.O.M.M.A.N.D.
of Baltimore
DIK BAR
Beers, $4
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-8pm
Karaoke, 9pm
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-10pm
All-U-Can-Drink Smirnoff
Buffet, $16, 10pm-2am
Mamas Trailer Park, 10pm
HIPPO
Baltimore, Md.
Allegro Reunion Show,
10pm Karaoke, 9pm
JR.S
Corona $6 Red Bull and
vodka, 10pm-close
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Beat The Clock Cocktails, $1,
5-6pm, $2, 6-7pm, $3, 7-8pm
Buckets of Beer $12
NUMBER NINE
1435 P St. NW
5-9pm No Cover www.
numberninedc.com
OMEGA
Happy Hour, 4-9pm DJ
Darryl Strickland, 8pm
PHASE 1
DJ Luz Dancing, 9pm-
close $5 cover 21+
phase1dc.com
PWS SPORTS BAR
Laurel, Md.
301-498-4840
Drag Show in lounge
Half price burgers and fries
SO ADDICTIVE LOUNGE
733 Elden St.
Herndon, Va.
Music, Videos and Dancing
No Cover soaddic-
tivelounge.com
SOMEWHERE
@The Newseum
555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Offcial Pride Dance Party,
9pm-1am DJ Ultra Nate
DJ Lauren Flax DJ
Natty Boom DJ MAJR
Performance by Sherell
Rowe Presented by BYT
$15 Visit capitalpride.org
TOWN
Special appearance by
Cazewell and his Ice Cream
Truck Boys Downstairs:
DJ BacK2bACk Upstairs:
DJ Wess Doors open
10pm Drag Show starts
at 10:30pm Hosted by
Lena Lett and featuring
Tatianna, Shi-Queeta-
Lee, Jessica Spaulding
Deverreoux and BaNaka
$3 rail drinks from
10-11pm $15 Advance
ticket holders skip the
line Advance tickets at
grovetickets.com 18+
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Inferno: Offcial Capital
Pride Mens Kick-Off Party
DJ Tim-e All male,
nude dancers in Secrets
Ladies of Illusion Cover
SATURDAY, 06.11.11
APEX
Fuse: Offcial Capital Pride
Womens Party Presented
by The Ladies of Lure and
B.O.I. Marketing DJ
Rosie Go-Go Dancers and
Entertainers 18/21 $15
BANANA CAF
4-7:30pm $3 rail mar-
garitas, rail drinks and
domestic beers $3.95
Cuervo margaritas
8:30pm-12:30am
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Dirty Pop Pride, 10pm DJ
Drew G DJ Kuhmeleon
Special appearance by
Jonathan D. Lovitz of Logos
Setup Squad $10 21+
DC EAGLE
Happy Hour Leather
Specials Power Hour
4-6pm Beer Bar: Onyx
DIK BAR
Beers, $4
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Breakfast buffet, 10am-
2pm Crazy Hour, 4-8pm
Karaoke, 10pm
FUEGO
@Aqua
1818 New York Ave. NE
Live performances by Gigi
Paris Couture DJ Xtasis
$3 Vodka & Miller Lite
until 11:30pm Male
Dancers Shooter Boys
Free private parking
Cover
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm with
Beat the Clock Specials
on Rolling Rock and Rail
Vodka starting at 50 cents
All-U-Can-Drink Bacardi
Buffet, $18, 10pm-2am
Underwear Party, 11pm-
close (upstairs)
HIPPO
Baltimore, Md.
DJ Brian Mongeon, 10pm
JR.S
$3 Coors Light, $4 rail
vodka highballs, all day and
night Showtunes from
4-8pm
NELLIES
Zing Zang Bloody Marys,
Nellie Beer, House Rail
Drinks and Mimosas, $3,
93 METROWEEKLY.cOM
11am-5pm Buckets of
Beer, $12
NUMBER NINE
1435 P St. NW
5-9pm No Cover www.
numberninedc.com
OMEGA
DJ Tre, 8pm Pool tourna-
ment, 9pm
PHASE 1
DJ LS Dancing, 9pm-
close phase1dc.com
PWS SPORTS BAR
Laurel, Md.
301-498-4840
Karaoke in the lounge
Charity Bingo with Cash
Prizes 3rd Sat. of Every
Month
SO ADDICTIVE LOUNGE
733 Elden St.
Herndon, Va.
College Night VJ Q
Dancing 18 to enter, 21
to drink No Cover over 21
TOWN
Upstairs: DJ Chris Cox
Downstairs: BacK2bACk
The Ladies of Town
at 10:30pm Hosted by
Lena Lett and featuring
Tatianna, Shi-Queeta-
Lee, Jessica Spaulding
Deverreoux and BaNaka
$3 rail drinks, 10-11pm
$15 Advance
ticket holders skip the
line Advance tickets at
grovetickets.com Doors
at 9pm 21+
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
The Ladies of Illusion host-
ed by Ella Fitzgerald, frst
show at 11pm DJ Spyke
in Ziegfelds $5 before
10:30pm, $10 after
SUNDAY, 06.12.11
BANANA CAF
margaritas Karaoke,
6:30pm-close Emceed
by Zoe
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Offcial Capital Pride
Festival Afterparty, 6pm
DJ Drew G DJ
MadScience $5 to ben-
eft Capital Pride 21+
DC EAGLE
Open 4pm Torn jeans,
shirtless and underwear
specials, 9pm-midnight
Barbeque and Cookout
hosted by the Centaur
MC, 5pm
DIK BAR
Happy Hour, all night Rail
Beers, $4
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Champagne Brunch Buffet,
11am-3pm Crazy Hour,
4-8pm Drag Show
hosted by Destiny B. Childs,
featuring performances
by a rotating cast, 9pm
Karaoke No cover
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm with
$3 Smirnoff (all favors)
Trailer Park Karaoke with
Mama, 9:30pm Bears
Can Dance, 5:30pm
HIPPO
Baltimore, Md.
Saloon open 4pm-2am
Tony Awards Live, 6pm
$5 advance, $8 at door
JR.S
$2 SKYY Highballs and $2
Coors Light Bottles, all day
and night
LACE
Happy Hour, 6-8pm Half-
price Cocktails & Appetizers
No cover 21+
NELLIES
Drag Brunch, hosted by
Shi-Queeta-Lee, 11am-3pm
$20 Brunch Buffet
House Rail Drinks, Zing
Zang Bloody Marys, Nellie
Beer and Mimosas, $3,
11am-close Buckets of
Beer, $12 $2 Nellie Beer
Blast, 3-8pm
NUMBER NINE
1435 P St. NW
5-9pm No Cover www.
numberninedc.com
OMEGA
Church Lady Bingo with
Chanel Devereux Doors
at 7pm $3
PHASE 1
Live Music all night
$3.50 Coronas and Bud
Lights Drag King show
every second Sunday, 9pm
PWS SPORTS BAR
Laurel, Md.
301-498-4840
Happy Hour all night
TRUCK STOP
@District
2473 18th St. NW
Pride Closeout Party DJ
Barney Philly and Sean
Mac Special Guest
Michael Brandon Doors
open 6pm $5 Svedka
Drinks $5 Cover $10
Valet 21+
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Retro Night Retro videos
Complimentary drinks
with trivia quiz All nude
male dancers upstairs in
Secrets Drink and Beer
specials Cover
MONDAY, 06.13.11
ANNIES
4@4 Happy Hour, 4-7pm
$4 Small Plates, $4 Stella
Artois, $4 House Wines,
$4 Stolichnaya Cocktails,
$4 Manhattans and Vodka
Martinis
BANANA CAF
Open Mike, 7pm-close
Emceed by Zoe $3 off all
Mojitos after 7:30pm
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour, $1 rail
drinks, $2 beers, $5 call
drinks, 4-7pm $3 rail
drinks and beers, $5 call
drinks, 7-10pm Martini
Mondays, 10pm $5 any
martini 21+ No cover
95 METROWEEKLY.cOM
DC EAGLE
Open 4pm Power Hour
4-6pm Happy Hour,
4pm-close
DIK BAR
Happy Hour, all night Rail
Beers, $4
FREDDIES
Crazy Hour, 4-8pm
Singles Night, 8pm
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4pm-close
Karaoke, 9:30pm Bears
Do Yoga, 6:30pm (Upstairs)
HIPPO
Miss Gay Maryland Finals,
7pm Saloon open 4pm
3 drafts for $5 $2 Rails
JR.S
Vodka Highballs and $1
JR.s Drafts Buy 1 Get
1 Free, 7-9pm Monday
Night Showtunes
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Beat The Clock Happy Hour,
$1 - 5-6pm, $2 - 6-7pm,
$3 - 7-8pm Buckets of
Beer $12 Poker Texas
Holdem, 8pm
NUMBER NINE
1435 P St. NW
5-9pm No Cover www.
numberninedc.com
OMEGA
Happy Hour 4-9pm
Rouge Drag Show, 10:30pm
$3 Light Beer, all night
PWS SPORTS BAR
Laurel, Md.
301-498-4840
Buzztime Trivia competition
75 cents off bottles and
drafts
TUESDAY, 06.14.11
ANNIES
Stella Artois, $4 House
and Vodka Martinis
BANANA CAF
Piano Bar Happy Hour, all
night $3 rail margaritas,
rail drinks and domestic
beers $3.95 Cuervo mar-
garitas Gordon Kent on
the Piano, 7:30pm-close
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour, $1 rail drinks,
$2 beers, $5 call drinks,
4-7pm $3 rail drinks
and beers, $5 call drinks,
7-10pm Treatment (new-
est pop) in 30 Degrees
with DJ MAJR, 10pm
Flashback, 10pm DJ
Kuhmeleon 2-4-1 rail
drinks $2 Millers and
drafts 21+ No cover
DC EAGLE
4-6pm 2-4-1 Specials
Rail and Domestic on both
Floors
DIK BAR
Beers, $4
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-8pm
Karaoke, 9pm
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour Prices, 4pm-
close FUK!T Packing
Party, 7-9pm
HIPPO
Baltimore, Md.
Showtune Video Madness,
9pm-1am
JR.S
JR.s Drafts Buy 1 Get 1
Free, 7-9pm
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
$1 - 5-6pm, $2 - 6-7pm, $3
- 7-8pm Buckets of Beer
$12 Drag BINGO hosted
by Shi-Queeta Lee, 8pm
OMEGA
Happy Hour, 4-9pm Bear
Encounters $2 Drafts and
$5 Cosmos Real Men of
Omega, 9:30pm
PWS SPORTS BAR
Laurel, Md.
301-498-4840
75 cents off bottles and
drafts Movie Night
SO ADDICTIVE LOUNGE
733 Elden St.
Herndon, Va.
Drag Bingo 8pm with
Ophelia Bottoms Pizza
Specials No Cover
WED., 06.16.11
ANNIES
Stella Artois, $4 House
and Vodka Martinis
BANANA CAF
Happy Hour, all night
7:30pm-close
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour, $1 rail drinks,
$2 beers, $5 call drinks,
4-7pm $3 rail drinks
and beers, $5 call drinks,
7-10pm Absolut cock-
tails, $6, 10pm Pride
Idol fnals and Pride Mens
Underwear Fashion Show
& Auction Party, 9-10:30pm
$5 $15 VIP 21+
DC EAGLE
Open 4pm Power
Hour $1 off Rail and
Domestic, 4-6pm
DIK BAR
Beers, $4

FIREPLACE
Humpday Prices, $2.50
Domestic Beers All Night
Long
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-8pm Drag
Bingo, 9pm
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour Prices, 4pm-
Close POZ DC Happy Hour,
9pm-Midnight (Upstairs)
HIPPO
Baltimore, Md.
Easter Bonnet Bingo, 9pm
$2 Domestic Bottle Beer
JR.S
JR.s Drafts Buy 1 Get 1
Free, 7-9pm
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
$1 - 5-6pm, $2 - 6-7pm, $3
- 7-8pm Buckets of Beer
$12 SmartAss Trivia, 8pm
NUMBER NINE
1435 P St. NW
5-9pm No Cover www.
numberninedc.com
OMEGA
10-11pm Men of Omega,
10pm DJ Joey-O
PWS SPORTS BAR
Laurel, Md.
301-498-4840
Free Pool 75 cents off
Bottles and Drafts
RETROFIXE
@TATTOO Bar
1413 K St. NW
80s and 90s Mash-up
Dance Party music Video
by DJ Benny C Host:
Nikolas Groshans $1
Ketel One, 9-10pm
Champagne Open Bar,
10:30-11:30pm Kettle One
VIP Table Specials 21+
SO ADDICTIVE LOUNGE
733 Elden St.
Herndon, Va.
Drag Show with
LaCountress Farrington at
9pm No Cover
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
New Meat Night Dancer
auditions Happy Hour
Prices, all night All nude
male dancers DJ tim-e,
9pm-close Drink and
Beer Specials Cover
THURSDAY, 06.16.11
ANNIES/ANNIES
UPSTAIRS
4@4 Happy Hour, 4pm-
7pm $4 Small Plates,
$4 Stella Artois, $4 House
and Vodka Martinis
Upstairs open 5-10pm
BANANA CAF
margaritas Chuck Smith
on piano, 7:30pm-close
$3 off Mojitos after 7:30pm
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour, $1 rail
drinks, $2 beers, $5 call
drinks, 4-7pm $3 rail
drinks and beers, $5
call drinks, 7-10pm $1
Vodka Drinks, 9-11pm
Underwear Contest w/
Lena Lett, midnight
DJ Chord Bezerra DJ
Mad Science No Cover
21+
DC EAGLE
4-6pm Gear Night: Men
in full gear get extra spe-
cials, 2nd foor Leather,
Shirtless, Uniform, Hanky
Code Specials Beer Bar:
Renegades
DIK BAR
Beers, $4
FIREPLACE
Happy Hour, $2.50 Rail and
Domestic, 1-9pm Rail
Vodka $2, 9-11pm VJ
Dina Valentine, downstairs
DJ Brooklyn, upstairs
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-8pm
Karaoke, 9pm Royal
Bachelor Party, 8pm
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm
10-11pm Best Of
Contest, 11:30pm DJ
Back2bACk
HIPPO
1 W. Eager St.
Baltimore, Md.
Hip Hop DJ Rosie $6
from 10-11pm, $8 after
11pm 25+
JR.S
All You Can Drink Rail
(upgrade to a better liquor
for $20) Power Hour,
8-9pm $4 Rail $2 JR.s
drafts, 9pm to close

NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Beat The Clock Happy Hour
$1 - 5-6pm, $2 - 6-7pm,
$3 - 7-8pm Buckets of
Beer $12 DADT Service
Members United/Active
Duty, 8pm
NUMBER NINE
1435 P St. NW
5-9pm No Cover www.
numberninedc.com
OMEGA
Happy Hour, 4-9pm
Karaoke with Howard,
10pm $3 rail vodka, all
night
PHASE 1
Karaoke starting at 7pm
DJ LS or Drag King hosted
21+ No cover
PWS SPORTS BAR
Laurel, Md.
301-498-4840
Karaoke in the Lounge
SO ADDICTIVE LOUNGE
733 Elden St.
Herndon, Va.
The L Night Karaoke, all
night Burger Specials
No Cover soaddic-
tivelounge.com
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Shirtless men drink free
(rail & domestic), 10-11pm
Dancing w/ DJ tim-e, 9pm-
close Cover l
97 METROWEEKLY.cOM
7 DELTA ELITE
3734 10th Street NE
(202) 529-0626
Brookland Metro
m d
8 DITOS BAR @
FLORIANA
1602 17th Street NW
(202) 667-5937
Dupont Circle Metro
m&w r
11 THE FIREPLACE
22nd & P Streets NW
(202) 293-1293
Dupont Circle Metro
m v
13 FUEGO
1818 New York Ave. NE
www.clubfuegodc.com
m d t
14 GLORIOUS
HEALTH CLUB
2120 W. VA Ave. NE 20002
(202) 269-0226
m o s
15 GREEN LANTERN
1335 Green Court NW (behind
1335 L St.)
(202) 347-4534
McPherson Square Metro
m l
17 JR.S
1519 17th Street NW
(202) 328-0090
Dupont Circle Metro
m v
LACE
2214 Rhode Island Ave. NE
(202) 832-3888
w r d
19 NELLIES
SPORTS BAR
900 U Street NW
(202) 332-6355
U Street / Cardozo Metro
m&w r
D.C.
1 18th & U
DUPLEX DINER
2004 18th Street NW
(202) 265-7828
Dupont Circle Metro
r
9 9:30 CLUB
815 V Street NW
(202) 265-0930
2 APEX
1415 22nd Street NW
(202) 296-0505
Dupont Circle Metro
m d v t
3 BACHELORS MILL
1104 8th Street SE
(202) 546-5979
Eastern Market /
Navy Yard Metro
m d
4 COBALT/30 DEGREES
17th & R Street NW
(202) 462-6569
Dupont Circle Metro
m d t
5 CREW CLUB
1321 14th Street NW
(202) 319-1333
McPherson Square Metro
m o s
6 DC EAGLE
639 New York Ave. NW
(202) 347-6025
Convention Center /
Gallery Place /
Chinatown Metro
m l
37 NUMBER NINE
1435 P Street NW
Dupont Circle Metro
20 OMEGA
2122 P Street NW (rear)
(202) 223-4917
Dupont Circle Metro
m v
21 PHASE ONE
525 8th Street SE
(202) 544-6831
Eastern Market Metro
w d
22 REMINGTONS
639 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
(202) 543-3113
m cw d v
23 TOWN
2009 8th Street NW
(202) 234-TOWN
m d v t
24 ZIEGFELDS /
SECRETS
1824 Half Street SW
(202) 863-0670
Navy Yard Metro
m d v t gg
MARYLAND
CLUB HIPPO
1 West Eager Street
Baltimore, MD
(410) 547-0069
THE LODGE
21614 National Pike
Boonsboro, MD
(301) 591-4434
PWS SPORTS BAR
9855-N Washington, Blvd.
Laurel, MD
(301) 498-4840
VIRGINIA
12 FREDDIES
BEACH BAR
555 South 23rd Street
Crystal City, VA
(703) 685-0555
Crystal City Metro
m&w r
MAJESTIC NIGHTCLUB
2922 Annandale Rd
Falls church, VA
(703) 538-8888
SO ADDICTIVE LOUNGE
733 Elden Street
Herndon, VA
(703) 481-0010
25 1409 PLAYBILL CAF
1409 14th Street NW
(202) 265-3055
Dupont Circle Metro
m&w r v

26 ALBERTOS
2010 P Street NW
2438 18th Street NW
(202) 986-2121
Dupont Circle Metro

27 ANNIES PARAMOUNT
STEAK HOUSE
1609 17th Street NW
(202) 232-0395
Dupont Circle Metro

28 BANANA CAF &
PIANO BAR
500 8th Street SE
(202) 543-5906

Destinations
m mostly men w mostly women m&w men and women r restaurant l leather/levi
d dancing v video t drag cw country western gg go-go dancers o open 24 hours s sauna
BARS & CLUBS
RESTAURANTS
29 BEACON BAR & GRILL
1615 Rhode Island Ave. NW
(202) 872-1126
Dupont Circle Metro

30 CAF BERLIN
322 Massachusetts Ave. NE
(202) 543-7656
Union Station Metro

31 D.C. NOODLES
1410 U Street NW
(202) 232-8424
U Street-Cardoza Metro
32 DIK
1637 17th Street NW
(202) 328-0100
Dupont Circle Metro
m r

4 LEVEL ONE
1639 R Street NW
(202) 745-0025
Dupont Circle Metro

33 M STREET BAR & GRILL
2033 M Street NW
(202) 530-3621
Foggy Bottom Metro

34 CAPITOL VIDEO
SALES
1729 Connecticut Ave. NW
(202) 265-9226
Dupont Circle Metro
35 CAPITOL VIDEO
SALES
514 8th Street SE
(202) 544-2808
36 HRC
ACTION CENTER
& STORE
1633 Connecticut Ave. NW
(202) 232-8621
Dupont Circle Metro
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35
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8 27
RETAIL
99 METROWEEKLY.cOM
Capital Pride
kick-Off Party
Friday, June 3
Ziegfelds / Secrets
PhotograPhy by
Ward Morrison
scene
103 METROWEEKLY.cOM
leather Pride Fest
Sunday, June 5
DC Eagle Adjacent Lot
PhotograPhy by
Ward Morrison
scene
107 METROWEEKLY.cOM
leather Pride Night
Saturday, June 4
DC Eagle
PhotograPhy by
Ward Morrison
scene
111 METROWEEKLY.cOM
was his brilliant writing).
I dont want to give it all
away, but if youre looking
for something to read thats
fun, thoughtful and pro-
vocative, have I got a book
for you....
FORMER FLAME... While
I was re-examining my
life, I wondered why I
am so often attracted to
people and situations that
can (and often do) lead
to nothing but doom and
destruction? This point
was driven home while I
had The Bachelorette
on in the background and
recognized, much to my
surprise, one of my former
paramours! They do tend to
spring up when one least
expects it. First I thought
that maybe since Id been
re-evaluating my romantic
choices, maybe he was
doing the same. But, given
his sexual proclivities with
moi, I somehow think that
Ashleys equipment will
not be able to deliver quite
the impact of mine -- not to
toot my own horn. I usually
left that to him....
LISAS GRAND 50... In
these days of political cor-
rectness, many people take
issue with Lisa Lampanelli
and her brand of non-
discriminatory insult humor.
I am not one of those
people. I adore Lisa. And
she just gave the gay com-
munity another reason to
love her. When comedys
loveable Queen of Mean
heard that Fred Phelps
and his cronies from the
Westboro Baptist Church
planned to picket her show
in Topeka, Kansas because
of her pro-gay stance, she
encouraged them to come
out in droves. In fact, she
promised to personally
donate $1,000 to the Gay
Mens Health Crisis for
every picketer. Her motives
were simple -- the more
people from Westboro who
showed up spewing hate,
the more money theyd
raise for the very people
they purport to hate. Kinda
clever. There seemed to be
some discrepancy over the
number of picketers. Lisa
said, My driver counted 44
people, but the next day,
someone from those assh-
oles said they had 48. Im
not going to quibble, so I
said, Lets make it an even
50 grand. And if they dont
like that, they can suck my
dick....
JAKES PHOTOS... A
photo has been circulat-
ing of Jake Gyllenhaal in
his underwear, striking a
one-legged pose similar to
Grace Jones on the cover
of her self-titled CD. It looks
fake to me, so I didnt plan
to mention it. Then Jakes
lawyers got involved.
Apparently theyve con-
tacted a few websites
demanding that the photo
be removed because its
defamatory and that it is
portraying him in a false
light, violating his right of
publicity and constituting a
false designation of origin.
Which I think means he
doesnt like Grace Jones.
More interesting is that
only a few months ago,
another alleged fake photo
of Jake circulated -- purport-
edly an outtake from Love
and Other Drugs -- showing
him lying on his back, tak-
ing off his undies. No one
led any lawsuits over that
-- perhaps because that per-
son looked even hotter than
Jake (if thats possible)....
COOL LL... Former trans-
sexual prostitute Toni
Newman is making quite
a splash with her auto-
biography I Rise - The
Transformation of Toni
Newman. In the book, Toni
talks about some former
clients, and one of the big-
gest is rapper LL Cool J. In
an interview with Hip Hop
Weekly, she talks openly
about the encounter: I had
sex with LL Cool J. At that
point, he had been one of
the top ve dates I ever
had. I made over ve-hun-
dred dollars. For a street
prostitute doing fty-dollar
blow jobs and hundred
dollar hotel dates, he gave
me ve times more than I
had already made. I wasnt
aware until we got into the
encounter and the glasses
came off that he was in
fact LL Cool J. We were a
versatile group, and when
I say versatile, that means
the other person gives and
receives. In another inter-
view, she says that LL was
fully aware that she was a
man prior to them having
sex. LLs manager calls the
book pure comedy. But
I like to laugh, so I know
what Ill be taking to the
beach this summer....
CREEPY MARIE... Im
only sharing this next
story because I nd it
odd. Recently, Marie
Osmond re-married her
rst husband whom she
divorced 26 years ago.
Nothing perplexing about
that. In fact, its the kind
of romantic fairytale that
I like to believe in. Then
you learn that Marie picked
the date of the ceremony
because it was the birth-
day of her mother and her
son Michael, who tragi-
cally committed suicide last
year. But okay, shes put-
ting a positive spin on a
tough day. Fine. After the
ceremony, Marie and her
new husband posed with all
of their assorted children...
and brother Donny. Why
was Donny in the photo?
Because Marie plans to
Photoshop the head of
Michael onto Donnys body
so that she can be sur-
rounded by all her kids and
call it a family photo. Now
is it just me or is that a little
creepy?....l
SCI-FI BOB... Over the last
year or so, Ive gone on
a little trip down memory
lane. Ive looked up old
friends. I now regularly get
together with my grade
school classmates -- people
I was with day in, day out
for many years. Ive even
mused some what ifs by
reconsidering old relation-
ships. Ive revisited many
old beaus and tried to learn
what worked and what
didnt. So in a way, Ive
developed my own little
time machine. Ive always
wondered what Id do if I
could return to my earlier
self. Would I make some
different decisions? Would
I treat certain people differ-
ently? Would I give myself
a break? Or, better yet, just
appreciate what my life
was, and is?
I bring this up apropos
of Bob Smiths new book
Remembrance of Things
I Forgot. Certainly no one
would expect a sci- novel
from one of the founding
members of Funny Gay
Males. But in a way, thats
what hes written. The
boyfriend of Bobs central
character has developed
this time machine and the
hero inadvertently travels
back 20 years and meets
up with -- and irts with
-- his former self. Ive often
said Im dating myself, but
I never meant it literally!
Theres so much more to
this book: its a science c-
tion adventure, a political
thriller, a road trip saga, and
a gay love story. Take out
the sci- angle and I could
be describing Oprah and
Gayle! Seriously, this book
is completely unique and
written in that personable
and familiar style that Bob
has perfected for years
onstage. If you know him
as a performer, you can
almost hear him saying this
story aloud (Ive always
felt that Smiths biggest
strength as a comedian
B
Y

B
I
L
L
Y

M
A
S
T
E
R
S
:
d
i
s
g
u
s
t
i
n
g
l
y

o
f
f
e
n
s
i
v
e

d
i
r
t
,

g
a
r
b
a
g
e
,

a
n
y
t
h
i
n
g

v
i
e
w
e
d

a
s

g
r
o
s
s
l
y

i
n
d
e
c
e
n
t

o
r

o
b
s
c
e
n
e
f
i
l
t
h
113 METROWEEKLY.cOM
no, in fact, sexuality is just one very small part of it its so interesting to see how people latch on to words.
You say the word gay in a song and suddenly
all the other words foat away.
lady GaGa, in an interview with gay actor Stephen Fry, on the response to her song, Born This Way,
which has been both perceived and promoted as a gay anthem.
(Financial Times)
I want them to basically believe in the Constitution of the united states of America, so, yep,
I dont have a problem with appointing
an openly gay person.
Republican presidential candidate HeRMaN CaiN on whether he would appoint openly gay staffers if he were elected.
In March, Cain told Think Progress that he would not hire a Muslim because there is this creeping attempt,
there is this attempt to gradually ease Sharia law and the Muslim faith into our government.
(Des Moines Register)
If youre going to pass a marriage bill, real
religious exemptions and carveouts to protect
the Catholic Church
and other religious groups need to be included. short of that, I dont think youll see a marriage bill pass.
New York State Sen. GReG Ball (R), who argues that the states non-discrimination law would force churches to provide mar-
riage-related services (not marriage ceremonies) to same-sex couples should the marriage equality bill pass in its current form.
(New York Daily News)
[J]ust close the whole thing off and
do it in the evening and let them have
unbridled debauchery.
They dont have to do it during the day
where there are thousands of children around that have to be exposed to this behavior.
JOHN sTeMBeRGeR, president of the Florida Family Policy Council, lamenting the continuing existence of the annual Gay Days
celebration at Orlandos Walt Disney World. Another anti-gay group made news by fying a banner over Orlando that read
Warning Gay Day at Disney 6/4, which Stemberger called brilliant.
(Christian Post)
Last Word

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JUNE 9, 2011 6 METROWEEKLY

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