Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: March 9

Parties, support groups, concerts and more through March 15

Published

13 years ago

March 8, 2012

Juliette Ebner

Singer/songwriter Paula Cole performs at Wolf Trap on Saturday. (Photo courtesy Wolf Trap)

TODAY (Friday)

Kaiser Chiefs play 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) tonight with Walk the Moon and Transfer. Tickets are $30 and available online at 930.com. Doors open at 8 p.m.

Women in Their Twenties, a social discussion and dinner group, meets tonight from 8 to 9:30 p.m. at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.).

Siren presents “The Say-Something Hat Rave” tonight at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) featuring DJs Majr and Shea Van Horn. Doors open at 10 p.m. with an open vodka bar until 11 p.m. There will be a hat contest by Brightest Young Gays.

The Lodge (21614 National Pike, Boonsboro) presents “Glamour Girls: Miss Michaels’ Quest for Miss Gay Maryland” starring Stephanie Michaels tonight. There’s a $3 cover before 11:30 p.m. with no cover after.

Nana Projects and ellen cheery presents “Alonzo’s Lullaby,” a shadow puppet show based on the 1918 Hagenback-Wallace Circus train wreck at Theatre Project (45 W. Preston St., Baltimore) tonight at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $20 and can be purchased online at theatreproject.org.

The Maryland Shakespeare Festival presents its “Bare Bard” series opening tonight with “Merchant of Venice” at All Saint’s Episcopal Church (21 North Court St., Frederick) at 8 p.m. The series features a cast of professional actors that meets and rehearses for only three days before performing. There will also be performances of “All’s Well That Ends Well” on Saturday at 8 p.m. and “Much Ado About Nothing” on Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $18 to $22 and can be purchased online at mdshakes.com.

Saturday, March 10

Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 South 23rd St., Arlington) presents Miss Freddie’s 2012 tonight at 8 p.m. Categories include Greek goddesses, beach attire, self expression, talent and Q&A. There is a $10 cover. For more information, visit freddiesbeachbar.com.

Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Paula Cole plays Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd., Vienna) tonight at 7:30 p.m.

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S.h.e. productions presents ReHab, a monthly alternative dance party, featuring DJ Katrina tonight at Grand Central Disco and Sapphos (1001 N. Charles St.) in Baltimore. Doors open at 9 p.m. and there is a $5 cover for this 21-and-older event.

Mixtape D.C. is tonight at the Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.), a dance party for queer music lovers and their pals that features DJs Shea Van Horn and Matt Bailer playing an eclectic mix of electro, alt-pop, indie rock, house, disco, new wave and anything else danceable. There is a $10 cover for this event. Doors open at 9:30 p.m.

Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) and 495 Bears presents “Bears Can Dance: The St. Patrick’s Day Edition” tonight at 9 p.m. with DJ Bobby T. There is no cover for this event.

Phase 1 (525 8th St., S.E.) presents Hunter Valentine with Glitterlust tonight at 8:30 p.m. The crew of “The Real L World” will also be filming one of the newest editions to the cast tonight. There’s a $10 cover.

William Belli from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” performs at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) tonight. Doors open at 10 p.m. There’s an $8 cover before 11 p.m. that goes up to $12 afterward.

The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore is having a camera training session today at 1 p.m. for those interested in helping with a project to document and archive Baltimore’s LGBT stories. If interested, contact Marlene at [email protected] or 702-655-2146.

Sunday, March 11

The D.C. Kings are celebrating their 12th anniversary tonight with a benefit for the Deaf Abused Women’s Network at Phase 1 (525 8th St., S.E.) hosted by Rocky and Ken Vegas with performances by Mason Tunite, Randy Ryder and more. For more information on DAWN, visit deafdawn.org. This show will be ASL interpreted. Doors open at 7 p.m.

The Washington Area Theatre Community Honors are tonight at the Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria) at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and available online at ticketmaster.com.

LGBT science fiction, fantasy and horror group Lambda Sci-Fi is having its monthly meeting today, including election of officers and social with annual blind book exchange at 1425 S St., N.W., at 1:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring a snack or a non-alcoholic drink to share. For more information contact James at 202-232-3141 or Peter and Rob at 202-483-6369, e-mail to [email protected], or visit the group’s website at lambdascifi.org.

Monday, March 12

The Washington National Opera presents “Così fan tutte” tonight at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) at 7 p.m. The show, a modern-dress production, follows two friends as they make a bet about their fiancées fidelity. The opera is performed in Italian with English supertitles. Tickets range from $25 to $300 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.

Busboys & Poets presents Monday Night Open Mic Poetry hosted by Beny Blaq in the Robeson Room of its Shirlington location (4251 S. Campbell Ave., Arlington) at 8 p.m. Wristbands are $4 and will be sold in the Global Exchange store beginning at 10 a.m.

Tuesday, March 13

D.C. Bi Women will have its monthly dinner at Dupont Italian Kitchen (1637 17th St., N.W.) tonight from 7 to 9 p.m.

GLAA is having a membership meeting tonight in the second floor community room at the Reeves Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 14

Uncle Kracker plays 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) tonight with Sonia Leigh and Ty Stone. Tickets are $25 and available online at 930.com. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Rainbow Response is holding its monthly meeting tonight at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) from 7 to 8 p.m.

Busboys & Poets’s Beltway Drama Series presents “The Accidental Activist” by Rebecca Gingrich-Jones at its Hyattsville location (5331 Baltimore Ave., Suite 104) at 6 p.m. The play takes a look at the relationship between Newt Gingrich and his lesbian sister featuring Candace Gingrich-Jones as herself. There is a $10 suggested donation at the door.

The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE — across from Marine Barracks) for duplicate bridge. No reservations needed; newcomers welcome. Visit lambdabridge.com if you need a partner.

Thursday, March 15

Jenny Owen Young plays the Red Palace (1212 H St., N.E.) tonight at 8 p.m. with Beach Week and Marian McLaughlin. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 day of the show. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit redpalacedc.com.

Cal State Pride Happy Hour is tonight at Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) from 6 to 9 p.m.

Comedian Barry Rothbart performs at Riot Act Comedy Theater (801 E St., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $17 and available online at riotactcomedy.com.

Arts & Entertainment

Win a pair of tickets to Grace Jones & Janelle Monáe @ The Anthem on June 5, 2025!

Published

23 hours ago

April 14, 2025

Staff reports

Enter by filling out the form below or by clicking HERE. Purchase tickets HERE.

Photos

PHOTOS: Cherry “Fire”

Detox of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ meets with fans

Published

1 day ago

April 13, 2025

Michael Key

Cherry's "Fire" party is held at Betty on Saturday, April 12. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Cherry Weekend main event party was “Fire” at Betty (1235 W Street, N.E.) on Saturday, April 12. Detox of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” met with fans.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Theater

STC’s ‘Vanya’ puts pleasing twist on Chekhov classic

Hugh Bonneville shines in title role

Published

2 days ago

April 13, 2025

Patrick Folliard

Hugh Bonneville and Melanie Field in ‘Uncle Vanya’ at STC. (Photo by DJ Corey Photography)

‘Uncle Vanya’
Through April 20
Shakespeare Theatre Company
Harman Hall
610 F St., N.W.
Shakespearetheatre.org

Shakespeare Theatre Company’s “Uncle Vanya” freshly rendered by director Simon Godwin and starring Hugh Bonneville in the title role, puts a pleasing twist on Chekhov’s tragicomic classic.

As disheveled, disheartened, and overworked Vanya, Bonneville is terrific. Though very different from the actor’s fame making role as Downton Abbey’s Lord Grantham, a proud, fastidiously turned-out aristocrat who presides over a manicured country estate peopled by a large staff, his Vanya is equally compelling

For “Uncle Vanya,” Chekhov imagines a house on a ragged estate in the Russian forest whose inhabitants display varying degrees of discontent brought on by the realization that they’re leading wasted lives. Middle-aged Vanya’s dissatisfaction and disappointment have been tempered by years of hard work. But all of that is about to be challenged.

With his plain and steadfast niece Sonya (Melanie Field), Vanya keeps the place going. And while barely putting aside a kopek for himself, he’s ensured that proceeds have gone to Sonya’s father Alexandre, a querulous academic (Tom Nelis), and his alluring, much younger second wife Yelena (Ito Aghayere) who live in the city.

When called to retire, the self-important professor and his wife economize by joining the family in the country. Overcome by the intense boredom brought on by provincial isolation, they’re not happy. Turns out, life in the sticks isn’t for them.

At the same time, the urban couple’s presence generates quite an effect on the rural household, changing the mood from one of regular work to idleness. What’s more, Vanya and family friend Mikhaíl Ástrov (John Benjamin Hickey), an unusually eco-aware, country doctor, are both bewitched by Yelena.

Meanwhile, young Sonya, who’s long carried an unrequited torch for Ástrov grows increasingly smitten. And while Yelena, who’s bored with her aging husband, expresses teasing tenderness with Vanya, she feels something more serious for Ástrov. It’s a whole lot for one house.

Superbly staged by Simon Godwin, STC’s artistic director, and performed by a topnotch cast, the very human production begins on an unfinished stage cluttered with costume racks and assorted props, all assembled by crew in black and actors in street clothes. We first see them arranging pillows and rugs for an outside scene. Throughout the play, the actors continue to assist with set changes accompanied by an underscore of melancholic cello strings.

With each subsequent scene, the work moves deeper into Chekhov’s late 19th century Russian world from the kitchen to the drawing room thanks in part to scenic designer Robert Brill’s subtle sets and Susan Hilferty and Heather C. Freedman’s period costumes as well as Jen Schriever’s emotive lighting design.

In moments of stillness, the set with its painterly muted tones and spare furnishings is a domestic interior from a moment in time. It’s really something.

Adapted by contemporary Irish playwright Conor McPherson, the work is infused with mordant wit, ribald comedy, and sadness. Like McPherson’s 2006 play “The Seafarer” in which the action unfolds among family, friends and others in a modest house filled with confrontation, laughter, resentment, and sadness. All on brand.

For much of “Uncle Vanya,” McPherson’s script leans into humor, funny slights, the professor’s pretentions, and Vanya’s delicious snarky asides; but after the interval, the play’s stakes become perilously heightened ready to explode with resentment and feelings of wasted potential, particularly frustrations expressed by Vanya and his intelligent but unfulfilled mother (Sharon Lockwood).

When it appears that mismatched couple Alexandre and Yelena are poised to depart, the house is struck with a sense of both relief and gloom.

Not everyone is disturbed. In fact, the family’s old nanny Nana (Nancy Robinette), and Waffles (Craig Wallace), a former landowner and now lodger on the estate, are elated. Both are eager to return to the pre-professor schedule of an early breakfast and midday lunch, and menus featuring simpler fare. They long for the return of the humble Russian noodle.

“Uncle Vanya”melds cynicism and hope. Like life, it’s a grasp at fulfillment.