From the top: Philadelphia, Studio Theater and Be Bar (Studio Theater and Be Bar photos by Henry Linser)
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Friday, October 05, 2007
Dining | People | Community | Nightlife
Maybe it’s because they’re located at 14th and P Streets, N.W. (what passes as gay central these days as the lingering queer spirit of Dupont Circle moves ever more eastward). Or because they’re opening their 30th anniversary season with a potent production of Athol Fugard’s heartfelt anti-apartheid play “My Children! My Africa!” (through Oct. 21). Or maybe it’s simply that they consistently deliver intelligent, thoughtfully produced, relevant theater. Whatever the reason, Studio Theater has been voted “Best Theater” by Blade readers for the second time in three years.
Studio’s strong production of Fugard’s 1989 play staged by Studio’s associate producing artistic Serge Seiden — whose big talent becomes more evident with his every endeavor — has received stellar reviews all around. Look for Studio to continue impressing audiences this season with, among others, productions of Irish playwright Conor McPherson’s ghost story “Shining City,” and gay playwright Alan Bennett’s Tony Award-winning, touching classroom comedy “The History Boys.”
1501 14th St., NW
202-332-3300
Be Bar’s owners are adamant that their establishment is to be a new sort of D.C. bar, one that functions as a chic lounge and a neighborhood joint, and by all accounts, they’ve succeeded. There are always places to sit at Be Bar, but more refreshingly there is always someone to talk to.
The bar’s dance floor is located at the back of the space, giving patrons ample time to meet and greet each other as they prepare to boogie.
The staff also contributes to the bar’s overall atmosphere. The bartenders are both cute and conversational, a D.C. rarity, and at least one of the owners can be frequently spotted mingling with his customers at the bar.
1318 9th St., NW
202-232-7450
www.Bebardc.com
For as much as everyone loves the District, D.C.’s gays spend a lot of time plotting how to get out of it for vacations. Luckily, the District is close to several fantastic weekend trip locations.
Only two hours away by car, Delaware’s charming beach town holds appeal for a wide range of gay tastes. Not the 24-hour party that places like Fire Island and Provincetown are widely reputed to be, Rehoboth retains a family charm while still being gay friendly and accommodating.
Gay bars like Cloud 9 and lesbian bars like the Frogg Pond provide the nightlife options, but a visitor doesn’t have to sleep over to get a good feel for the town. The beautiful beach is the main focal point, with Poodle Beach, the gay section, located at the far end of the boardwalk. The boardwalk itself provides a number of attractions, from fries to souvenir shops and bumper cars.
Though Rehoboth is most popular in the summer, the shops and bars stay open long past the warm weather, making it an autumn, winter or spring destination as well.
The City of Brotherly Love is another go-to destination, and it loves its gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. Philadelphia has put a lot of effort into courting the gay tourist, and given the friendly locals and the popularity of fabulous gay neighborhood Center City’s Washington Square West, it’s easy to see why.
Philly can certainly meet the needs of A-list gay namedroppers, but it’s also a great city for the alternative types who are fond of piercings and tattoos. Add to that the world-class museums and restaurants, and you have a perfect destination that’s a short drive away.
If a great musical act is coming to town, it’ll probably show up at the 9:30 Club’s door.
The club has graced D.C.’s music scene since the 1980s and it’s still going strong. Some patrons will find the standing-room only club a bit much to handle, but the single-tier tickets mean that anyone can get a good spot near their favorite act if they’re willing to arrive early and defend it from the inevitable side-longers.
Most of the show’s tickets are moderately priced, too, which means the young — traditional supporters of fresh music, anyway — have the financial opportunity to see their idols live and up close.
Beyond hosting great acts, the club also is used for dance nights like longtime monthly gay dance night, Blowoff, which is organized by gay musicians Bob Mould and Richard Morel.
815 V St., NW
202-265-0930
www.930.com
KENNEDY CENTER |
If Mom loves the ballet, the opera, the theater or the random delight of seeing what’s playing on the nightly Millennium Stage, the Kennedy Center is a sure-fire bet to at least entertain her for a few hours, and it might even serve as one of her favorite stops during her visit.
For those who want to introduce Mom to D.C.’s lively arts scene but are on a budget, each day brings a unique free act to Millennium Stage’s evening performances. Even the Opera House’s stage has become more affordable, with the Washington National Opera offering some $25 tickets to each show.
Even if Mom’s not around, the theater complex is always offering something gay-friendly or gay-created, with musicians, dancers and singers filling the stages each night.
2700 F St., NW
202-467-4600
www.kennedy-center.org
H&M |
There are two main reasons to shop at H&M: style and prices.
The Swedish mega-store has shops all over the world, and for good reason. Let’s say you’re getting ready to go to a princess party and, as luck would have it, you’re all out of pink tutus. With no time to go to the thrift stores in search of a lucky break, H&M is the next best thing. If you can’t find a tutu there, there could be fingerless gloves, a striking necklace or newsboy cap you can’t live without. Who said princesses can only wear pink?
The affordability of the clothes and the company’s fast turnaround means that all sorts of daring, fresh and affordable clothing cycles through the racks week after week. This is not the place to come for an investment coat, but for some fun layering pieces or a cute hat or two, there’s nowhere better.
Various locations
www.hm.com
LAMBDA RISING |
There’s no competing with Lambda Rising’s selection of gay books, magazines and other merchandise.
With an ideal location just north of Dupont Circle, this eternally rainbow-clad store has everthing for the gay bibliophile. From the latest gay pop novel to classic gay literature and a fully stocked porn area in back, the literary needs of Washington’s gays are fully met.
Beyond its bound offerings, Lambda Rising also carries plenty of amusing magnets, campy knickknacks, jewelry and art. The shop also serves as a sort of community center, featuring gay readings and ticket sales for the hottest gay events in town.
1625 Connecticut Ave., NW
202-462-6969
www.lambdarising.com
WEST ELM |
Showing how in-tune they are with the concept of home design, the new West Elm store at Metro Center provides a full feast for
the eyes before you’ve even spied the furniture. The flagship store opened in August and is located in the historic building that formerly housed the Woodward & Lothrop (Woodies) department store. The store features Woodies’ original stone façade, interior columns and imposing wrought iron staircase.
The furniture inside is just as striking, if less baroque, than the building that houses it. West Elm designs are both spare and comfortable at the same time, so a bed made up of a modern, interlocking-squares headboard and thin wooden frame can still look entirely inviting to sleep on.
The store is also doing its part to revitalize D.C.’s downtown, having received $4.9 million in city funding to restore the Woodies building and create a go-to spot in a revitalized area.
1020 G St., NW
202-347-8929
www.westelm.com
RESULTS |
Results the Gym has been a gay male playground since its U Street location opened in 1996.
The owners cornered the right market, obviously, as they’re opening a third location, at L Street and Connecticut Avenue, N.W., this fall.
With loads of classes ranging from ab workouts to yoga to cycling and kickboxing and plenty of cardio and weight machines, it’s no surprise that this gym packs ‘em in week after week. Friendly staff and clean facilities make the gym a pleasant place to be for that required weekly regimen.
Various locations
www.resultsthegym.com
When D.C. residents need to keep up on local events, art, sports, restaurants or pretty much anything else related to life in the District, they head to DCist.com. The local blog was launched in 2004 and is headed by editor Sommer Mathis. The blog is truly a community endeavor, with readers submitting photos and comments, links to other D.C. blogs and an extensive group of volunteers writing all the articles. Part of the Gothamist LLC network of local blogs, DCist is one of the 15 web sites in four countries dedicated to recording the quirks of living in a particular area. The site’s broad content includes articles ranging from morning news roundups to concert reviews to upcoming events.
www.dcist.com
Located just off Dupont Circle, Soho Coffee is a popular alternative to the ubiquitous Starbucks. The menu includes numerous teas and coffees, sandwiches, breakfast items, ice cream floats and practically every baked good you can think of. With free wireless (when you spend $5 on coffee or food), monthly art exhibits, open mic comedy nights and an outdoor patio, Soho is a neighborhood gathering place for the Dupont crowd. The cafe is open until 4 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and because of its proximity to Apex, Soho is a popular post-revelry destination for those who want to wind their evening down — or continue flirting with the people they met at the club.
2150 P St., NW
202-463-7646
Members of the District’s gay Rugby team are athletic and well traveled. Who could ask for anything more? The Renegades formed in 1998 and by the next year were already competing in tournaments as far away as London.
The team achieved some of its greatest victories in 2006 when it won two third place prizes at the Bingham Cup, an international gay rugby tournament named for Mark Bingham, a gay player who died aboard Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001.
The Renegades were the first men’s rugby club in the United States to actively recruit gay men. They are also active in volunteering with and fundraising for Food & Friends, the local non-profit that caters to HIV/AIDS patients.
www.dcrugby.com
FOOD AND FRIENDS |
Formed in 1998, Food & Friends is a local non-profit that delivers meals and groceries to more than 1,350 people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other illnesses throughout the District, Maryland and Virginia.
The fall season at Food & Friends kicked off on Sept. 29 with an open house and appreciation party. Oct. 25 brings a charity performance of “The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee” at the National Theatre and an early holiday shopping extravaganza will be held at Crate & Barrel on Dec. 5.
The biggest date on the Food & Friends calendar, however, would have to be Thanksgiving. In order to get meals to all of their beneficiaries, hundreds of volunteers aid in the preparation of 7,800 pounds of turkey, 1,040 pounds of mashed potatoes, and a staggering 130 gallons of gravy.
www.foodandfriends.org
If you’re gay, and particularly if you’re a gay male, Logan Circle is an easy place to love. Beyond the beautiful architecture and stately row homes that surround the neighborhood, the Circle itself is a great place to hang out on a sunny day.
Gay bar Halo, with its magical mojitos, and de facto gay meat market Whole Foods dominate P Street to the west of the Circle and little shops and restaurants line 14th Street. Developing neighborhood Shaw is to the east, with plenty of gay-friendly offerings like vegetarian restaurant Vegetate and gay bar Be Bar.
Of course, the real benefit of living in a neighborhood like Logan Circle is that you are likely to have gay neighbors. And nothing says “great block party” like a big gay get together.
www.logancircle.org
SKIN: Cosmetic Dermatology of Georgetown |
It’s not just a spa, it’s a mecca for those seeking cosmetic procedures. Judging by the votes in this category, it appears that some Blade readers have decided to skip massages altogether and head straight for the Botox.
As far as spa services go, SKIN does offer a few, including facials and waxing. The office lists its peels and microdermabrasion under spa services.
SKIN also offers a range of facials, including anti-aging, acne fighting, Vitamin C, a signature facial and a quick, lunch-time version of the basic facial.
2233 Wisconsin Ave., NW
202-298-7546
www.georgetownskin.com
BLONDIE'S |
It’s an easy spot to miss, but Blondie’s Spa and Salon second-floor location overlooking 18th Street makes for easy access for a lot of D.C.’s gay population. Just above Regent Thai Cuisine and a few blocks away from both Lauriol Plaza and Results the Gym, this is an easy place to hit after the gym or right before dinner.
The salon offers student discounts on haircuts. Blondie’s spa services, which, according to their web site, try to strike the right balance between therapeutic and indulgent, include manicures, pedicures, waxing and massage.
1910 18th St., NW, 2nd Floor
202-232-8338
www.blondiesspahairstudio.com
MCC OF WASHINGTON, DC |
Ever since Rev. Troy Perry founded the Metropolitan Community Church in California in 1968, one year before the Stonewall Riots, it has been a Christian church that specifically reaches out to gay men and lesbians, and the D.C. church has always been one of the strongest in the nation.
The local branch is headed up by Rev. Candace Shultis and a new associate pastor, Rev. Mark Bryd, who starts this month. Aside from its regular weekly services, the church also offers Sunday messages on its web site, where anyone can listen online or download the file to their iPod.
474 Ridge St., NW
202-638-7373
www.mccdc.com
UNIVERSAL GEAR |
Universal Gear, long an integral part of the bustling gay scene on 17th Street, is preparing to move to the increasingly popular 14th Street area.
Wherever it lands, Universal Gear still has what it takes to keep its gay male clients happy — scores of jeans, fancy underwear and plenty of urban clothing to outfit a Logan dweller for any occasion.
As Universal Gear, which started in D.C. back in 1993, continues to grow nationwide, one thing is for certain: it knows its market and has a good grasp on what works to make a business successful.
1601 17th Street, NW
202-319-0136
www.universalgear.com
Dining | People | Community | Nightlife
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