Just weeks ago, things were looking grim for Washington-area lesbians. The closing of Apex's Liquid Ladies left Phase One as the city's last established bastion of a girl's night out. Soon after New Year's, however, things began to look up. In addition to Penn 12's Femme Fatale night, Kitty Cat Lounge, a monthly party, is set to have its second go-round on Feb. 3. 

Called “Girls 'N Roses,” the pre-Valentine's Day installment of Kitty Cat Lounge will feature a DJ, dancers wearing pink and white, the occasional angel winged-waitress, a prize for the sexiest couple and an appearance from D.C.'s rose vendor, the older gentleman who can be seen offering roses for a pr ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2007/2-2/locallife/outindc/9950.cfm Fri, 2 Feb 2007 05:00:00 EST We are family
Gay bar in rural Md. draws close-knit clientele
By JOEY DIGUGLIELMO
Friday, January 26, 2007

BOONSBORO, Md. — Staff and regulars at Deer Park Lodge, the only gay bar in a tri-state area that includes parts of Western Maryland, are family — figuratively for the most part, but also literally in a few ways.

Brian Alexander is the manager. His mother, Sandy Lushbaugh, is the assistant manager. Sister Tina Alexander works the door taking covers and stamping hands, and the bar's owners, Tanya Bare and Catherine McNeil, dated several years ago but remain friends and business partners. They re-opened Deer Park in 1999 following a five-year period when it was closed. It first opened with different owners in the early '80s.

Located on a sparse stretch of Route 4 ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2007/1-26/locallife/outindc/fam.cfm Fri, 26 Jan 2007 05:00:00 EST Channeling a Broadway diva
Richard Skipper performs as legend Carol Channing in birthday tribute at National Theatre
By AMY CAVANAUGH
Friday, January 26, 2007

For Richard Skipper, 45, performing as Broadway star Carol Channing is more than just another role. Skipper, who is gay, feels a genuine connection with Channing, who is 85 and a long-time gay favorite.

“We're both Aquarians, and there are so many similarities between us,” Skipper says, “I'm [almost] exactly half her age, and we have the same sensibilities when it comes to people and performing.”

On Sunday, Jan. 29, Skipper brings his Channing tribute back to Washington in time for her birthday on Jan. 31, for a double engagement at the National Theatre. He has performed at many local venues and says Washington is one of his favorite places to perfo ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2007/1-26/locallife/outindc/outindc.cfm Fri, 26 Jan 2007 05:00:00 EST Filling the void
New bar Penn 12 is set on becoming a go-to spot for lesbian nightlife
By ZACK ROSEN
Friday, January 19, 2007

Since Apex ended its long-running “Liquid Ladies” night, there has been a serious lack of social outlets for D.C. lesbians. Penn 12, located just blocks from the Eastern Market Metro stop, is trying to reverse the trend.

“I think, as somebody who's in business, that there is always a need for something,” says Penn 12's owner Jason McCarther. “You look for that need and you fill it.”

Though the club has only been open since New Year's Eve, it has already instituted a weekly party called “Femme Fatale, now held on Saturday nights. “The event drew more than 70 women for its debut night and organizers say they are working to qua ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2007/1-19/locallife/outindc/outindc.cfm Fri, 19 Jan 2007 05:00:00 EST Celebrating the 'Beloved Community'
Area churches sponsoring events to commemorate MLK Day

By KATHERINE VOLIN
Friday, January 12, 2007

Local gays looking to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day have several options at area black churches.
 
“This year we're not doing anything in D.C.,” says Herndon Davis, communications director for the locally based National Black Justice Coalition, whose leaders are headed to Atlanta to join celebrations there. “That's where a lot of the major events are occurring, so we just wanted to make sure we have a presence down there as well.”
 
Black gay AIDS organization Us Helping Us will be joining a local celebration with Covenant Baptist Church, an inclusive church in Southeast D.C.
 
“We're collabo ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2007/1-12/locallife/outindc/outindc.cfm Fri, 12 Jan 2007 05:00:00 EST Get lost in time
Baltimore club's retro vibe offers further incentive to take a drive north
By ZACK ROSEN
Friday, January 05, 2007

For those looking to spend an evening out without a closing-time brawl or a dance floor packed with shirtless 19-year-olds, Baltimore's newly opened Club Gypsies might provide a well-needed respite from the Dupont standard.

“It's something where the mature crowd can come out and relax and have a good time,” says Lee West, co-owner of Club Gypsies. “[You don't] have to worry about a fight breaking out, gun play or any of that stuff.”

Intended to be reminiscent of Blues Alley or any other local jazz club, with brick walls, checkerboard floors and an overall quaint feel, Club Gypsies has already drawn a steady crowd of both locals and commuters. Open ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2007/1-5/locallife/outindc/outindc.cfm Fri, 5 Jan 2007 05:00:00 EST Gay Lang Syne
Variety of events promises to heat up New Year's Eve in D.C.  
By ZACK ROSEN
Friday, December 29, 2006

For anyone that doesn't want to stay home with grandma and watch the ball drop on TV, this New Year's Eve in D.C. brings more than enough late-night events to guarantee that the first person you kiss in 2007 won't be wearing dentures.

For those unable to get to the Big Apple in person, Be Bar is staging a New Year's party dubbed “A Night in Central Park.” Manhattan will be recreated in the bar, complete with snowfall. Detroit DJ Jase will be spinning and there are three different party packages available for patrons. There is also one more attraction for the event.

“Our bouncers are going to be dressed in some very suggestive New Year's Eve costumes,&rdq ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2006/12-29/locallife/outindc/outindc.cfm Fri, 29 Dec 2006 05:00:00 EST Untangling women's nightlife
Inhertwined splinters, providing local lesbians with fresh options

By
Friday, December 15, 2006
A split in a black lesbian entertainment company has increased the small number of local lesbian nightlife events.

In September, Jay Morrow, who used to head up the sports department of Inhertwined Entertainment, broke off from the group to found her own business.

“I just wanted to do something different, just wanted to branch out,” Morrow, 34, says. “There's no negative feelings. I still support IE's events.”

Her new company, titled Jamorr, will focus on four social aspects: youth, education, entertainment and sports.

One of Jamorr's first orders of business was to bring back First Fridays, a nightlife event ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2006/12-15/locallife/outindc/splinters.cfm Fri, 15 Dec 2006 05:00:00 EST Cruzing through D.C.
Gay actor Wilson Cruz to make appearance at Club Lime

By
Friday, December 15, 2006
Being an out gay actor in L.A. isn't easy, but with a successful career in television, openly gay actor Wilson Cruz, known for his roles on “My So-called Life” and the recent gay hit “Noah's Arc,” continues to work and play in Hollywood.

Taking a break from the West Coast gay club scene, Cruz will be appearing in D.C. at the Southwest dance spot Club Lime, on Friday, Dec. 22, at 11 p.m.
“I love D.C.,” Cruz says. “I love the fact that the African-American and Latino gay community are very active here. And for me, who is a little bit of a political junkie, visiting the Smithsonians and all the memorials is always a highlight.&rdq ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2006/12-15/locallife/outindc/cruzing.cfm Fri, 15 Dec 2006 05:00:00 EST Boys with toys
D.C. Boys of Leather holds third annual toy drive to benefit  Baltimore hospice
By ZACK ROSEN
Friday, December 08, 2006

It's better to give than to receive.

In the spirit of the season, the D.C. Boys of Leather, a local social club, is conducting its annual toy drive on Saturday, Dec. 9. Last year the boys collected several thousand dollars worth of toys in addition to cash gifts. All donations go to children of all ages at the Joseph Richey House, a Baltimore hospice.

The toy drive, which is now in its third year, takes place at the New York Avenue bar, the D.C. Eagle. The event is conducted like a normal Saturday club night, except those attending are encouraged to bring either toys or a cash donation. The Boys used to assist the D.C. Eagle with its own toy drive before taking over the e ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2006/12-8/locallife/outindc/outindc.cfm Fri, 8 Dec 2006 05:00:00 EST Don't Call it a comeback
Gay D.C. painter Andrew Hudson Exhibits work for first time in 10 years
By ZACK ROSEN
Friday, December 01, 2006

Longtime gay artist, teacher and former Washington Post art critic, Andrew Hudson, unveils his first art show in 10 years at the Geoffrey Diner Gallery, located at 1730 21st St., NW. Already underway, “Andrew Hudson: Paintings and Drawings from 2003,” displays a number of Hudson's works completed while he was on sabbatical from his teaching post at the Corcoran School of Art & Design.

The artist will be part of an interactive evening on Thursday, Dec. 7, from 6-8 p.m., at the gallery, during which he will give a brief talk about his work and host a question-and-answer session.

Like Hudson's past shows, the current exhibition features many works drawn from m ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2006/12-1/locallife/outindc/out.cfm Fri, 1 Dec 2006 05:00:00 EST 'Black Friday' comes early
Eat your turkey and run, because the shopping starts at midnight this yea
By ZACK ROSEN
Friday, November 24, 2006

As much a Thanksgiving tradition as cranberry sauce and stuffing, the lunacy of post-Thanksgiving shopping has recently increased in intensity.

“Black Friday,” the name given to the consumer frenzy that occurs the day after Thanksgiving, is one of the biggest shopping days of the year. In years past, stores have opened their doors at 5 a.m. to accommodate those eager to shop, but a new trend now has shops opening up at midnight, ensuring that you'll be signing credit card receipts before you're done digesting your mashed potatoes.

“Our expectations are high,” says Kelly Hanna, marketing manager for the Prime Outlets mall in Queenstown, Md., which ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2006/11-24/locallife/outindc/outindc.cfm Fri, 24 Nov 2006 05:00:00 EST Gay Turkey Day
An array of local Thanksgiving events ensures that no one spends the holiday alone
By ZACK ROSEN
Friday, November 17, 2006

THANKSGIVING, THE MOST family-oriented of all the major holidays, can create undue stress for those unwilling or unable to go home due to intolerance or outright lack of recognition by some conservative brethren. Luckily, there are enough local events this Turkey Day to ensure that those not returning home will have no shortage of things to do.

Food & Friends, a charitable, year-round meal-delivery service for local people with AIDS and others with terminal illnesses, provides Thanksgiving activities that are most in-line with the spirit of the holiday. The organization makes all of its normal deliveries in addition to preparing Thanksgiving meals, so volunteers are welcomed ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2006/11-17/locallife/outindc/outindc.cfm Fri, 17 Nov 2006 05:00:00 EST Operatic greatness
Gay opera event features a haunting 'Madama Butterfly'
By GREG MARZULLO
Friday, November 10, 2006

Opera has long held gay people in its epic sway, and in 2003, the Washington National Opera decided to honor that tightly knit relationship with its Out at the Opera series. For a discounted ticket price ($20 below the regular fee), gay men and lesbians can enjoy a special night at the opera that usually includes a special added event — receptions, backstage tours and dinners.

The latest installment takes place on Thursday, Nov. 16, in conjunction with the company's emotionally and visually gripping production of Giacomo Puccini's “Madama Butterfly.” The performance, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Art's opera house, inclu ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2006/11-10/locallife/outindc/outindc.cfm Fri, 10 Nov 2006 05:00:00 EST Edgeworks stages annual dance show
All-male dance company presents unique combination of new and signature work
By AMY CAVANAUGH
Friday, November 03, 2006

Edgeworks Dance Theater is D.C.'s first-ever all-male contemporary dance ensemble of predominately black men. Throw all those signifiers aside and you get a dance company set to break down stereotypes and celebrate their success in the D.C. dance world.

Saturday, Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m., marks the fourth annual performance by the company at the American Dance Institute, located at 1570 East Jefferson St. in Rockville, Md.

The company just kicked off its sixth season in September with performances at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the company won two awards at the Metro D.C. Dance Awards, also held in September.

Though not a retrospective, t ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2006/11-3/locallife/outindc/outindc.cfm Fri, 3 Nov 2006 05:00:00 EST Get your 'Freak' on
New haunted house at Warehouse aims to disgust, terrify and amuse

By KATHERINE VOLIN
Friday, October 27, 2006

If John Waters designed a haunted house, his vision might bear a striking resemblance to what the creators of “Freak House” have created for the Warehouse Arts Theater, located at 1021 7th St., NW.
 
“Freak House,” which is on display from Oct. 25-31, plans to present three floors of campy, frightening offerings that will include burlesque acts, an abortion simulation and a shark attack room.
 
“People are going to laugh around one corner and around the next corner, they're going to scream their heads off,” says Lucas Zarwell, co-creator of “Freak House.” “That's where we get you: psychologically.& ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2006/10-27/locallife/outindc/out.cfm Fri, 27 Oct 2006 05:00:00 EST Sultans of swing
14th annual Capital Classic tennis tournament to benefit local gay youth
By
Friday, October 20, 2006
Organizers of CapitAl Classic XIV, a long-running D.C. gay tennis tournament, are hoping to raise a record amount of money for this year's beneficiary, the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League. 

“It's going to be a pretty big deal,” says Walker Chaffin, current tournament director and 2005's tournament champion. “We're hoping to give [SMYAL] over $10,000. Right now with all the money going in and coming out we have no idea where it's going to be, but we know that we've done really well.”

This year's tournament is being held from Oct. 21-23 at two venues, the East Potomac Tennis Center at Hains Point in the District and the Tenni ... ]]> http://washblade.com/2006/10-20/locallife/outindc/outindc.cfm Fri, 20 Oct 2006 05:00:00 EST