A fundraiser will be held for local bookstore owner Faye Williams. (Blade file photo)
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Friday, March 28, 2008
Sisterspace & Books was a local black lesbian gathering place until its closure several years ago. Its proprietor, Faye Williams had planned to reopen the store, previously located on U Street, NW, on Georgia Avenue until she suffered a debilitating stroke last December.
The community to whom she gave so much is giving back on March 29, when friend Sheila Alexander-Reid and others will host a fundraiser to help cover Williams’ medical expenses.
Alexander-Reid, who formerly hosted local lesbian nightlife events, has an artistic evening planned, featuring performances by musicians, poets and speakers. She says that all sorts of community leaders, from lesbian activists to gay non-profit heads and local straight politicians have said they’ll attend.
The event is pay-what-you-can, but a donation of $20 is recommended. Organizers hope to raise $25,000 for Williams. Saturday, March 29, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at All Souls Church Unitarian, 1500 Harvard St., NW.
A hard livin’ member of the Girls Rock camp. (Photo by Nicole Weingart) |
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Girls rock. The ’90s taught us that. But sometimes it’s hard to rock on in the male-dominated genre. Hence the creation of “Girls Rock,” the name of a music camp for girls and a documentary about the Portland, Ore., camp.
The film opens April 4 in D.C. at the Avalon Theatre, 5612 Connecticut Ave., NW, and features the girls, age 8-18, who attended the camp. “Girls Rock” primarily follows four of the girls: Laura, who loves death metal; Misty, who comes from a stormy background; Palace, an 8-year-old who can grimace like a professional rocker; and Amelia, who writes songs about her dog.
For more information on the movie, visit www.girlsrockmovie.com. D.C.’s first Girls Rock camp is also headed here this year, www.girlsrockdc.org.
Alan Held stars in ‘The Flying Dutchman.’ (Photo by Karin Cooper) |
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Richard Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman” continues its run at the Kennedy Center Opera House after opening on March 15.
The opera, which cribs considerably from a novel by Heinrich Heine, weaves the tale of a sailor condemned to sail until Judgment Day. As in all great dramatic works, however, there is a caveat. Once every seven years, the Dutchman is allowed to go ashore in order to seek a woman who will remain faithful until death.
Amazing baritone Alan Held, seen as Wotan in WNO’s fantastic “Die Walküre,” plays the title role. The two sopranos tag-teaming the role of Senta, Jennifer Wilson and Lori Phillips, are making their main stage WNO debuts with the role.
The opera runs through April 10. Tickets start at $45, www.dc-opera.org.
Sudarshan Belsare will be performing as part of Khush D.C.’s Women’s History Month celebration. (Photo by Kate Luchini) |
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Women’s History Month doesn’t get a lot of play, and neither do South Asian gender variants. Combining both overlooked experiences is Khush D.C., a local South Asian queer group, with a celebration of the two identities.
On March 29, the organization’s event includes discussion and dance performances from primarily Indian, Pakistani and Sri Lankan performers and speakers.
Sudarshan Belsare has been formally trained in Bharatanatyam, an ancient Indian style of dancing, and choreographs works that explore gender. Another performer, Bijli, is a Pakistani immigrant who lives in New York, where she performs drag. A transgender woman, sex worker scholar and comedic performer round out the day’s offerings.
The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. at RnR, 717 6th St., NW, www.khushdc.org.
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