Looking for something to do this weekend? Look no further. Stop by The Fridge to see this exhibit before it closes! Tiffany and Mia teamed up for this review/interview of our dear friend, Lisa Marie Thalhammer. Tiffany: “Is this real life!?” asked a colleague of mine shortly after walking into The Fridge for the opening reception of Lisa Marie Thalhammer’s “Intimate Network”. My sentiments were exactly that, peering around the room at all the beautiful people celebrating the woman of the hour and her newest exhibit. Lisa Marie’s work is as layered as it is striking. From the first look into the eyes of her subjects, their stories beckon you in. One wonders, “what are they thinking?” and each of Lisa’s brush strokes are a weighty and evocative answer. I had the opportunity to chat with a few of her subjects and friends there at the opening. I asked one...
Do you want to travel from Los Angeles County to Sri Lanka in the span of 15 minutes? How about on a Thursday night? D’Lo, a self-proclaimed Sri L.A.nkin-American is set to arrive in the District for SULU DC’s comedy showcase at Black Fox Lounge. Traversing more topics than your sophomore year sociology professor in half as much time with twice as many laughs, D’Lo opens up about what it means to be a transman, a performer and the child of immigrants born into the Tamil Sri Lankan Diaspora. D’Lo hooks his audience with his observational humor that brings you into his life and that of his many characters. How have you not heard about this show? Intergalactic and underground at the same time, Sulu DC ought to be on every D.C. hipster/art-lover/adventurer’s calendar. Nearly always at a different location, Sulu DC exposes its audience to new places to laugh, share a...
Hallmark and florists' favorite holiday is descending upon us--that's right, the big V Day is tomorrow. And somehow, it never seems to matter whether your single, coupled, or casually dating there's always SOME stress. Are you spending too much? Are you not spending enough? Is it too cheesy? Is it lame? Did she mean it wasn't a big deal? Is it a big deal? Well, as always, we're here to help you maybe get laid. Read on as Where The Girls Go share our favorite date spots, and our dating no-nos. Perfect for Valentines Day, and the other 364 days of the year. Valentine's Day Best Bets: Tabaq Bistro's Glass Terrace- Hands down. It's a three-story walk up some seriously narrow stairwells--or you can take the slightly creepy elevator that I'm pretty sure was part of the Underground Railroad. Brutal? Perhaps. It's also, the perfect opportunity to extend an arm...
By Mary Cass & Mia Di Okay, so lesbians don’t have a monopoly on the Mexican food market. But we do have a special place in our hearts for the taco (and Frida Kahlo.) Tacos are more than just the punchline to your favorite dirty joke. They are a protein-carb-veggie trifecta, and easily come in vegetarian and vegan options. They’re delicious. They’re cheap. They’re filling. And most importantly, they’re fun. Check out some of our favorite D.C. taco offerings – where to drink, where to plan your evening, and where to hide out from the office. Chow down. Best Lunch Spot: District Taco Work downtown? Feel like there’s not enough taco in your workweek? Fear not. District Taco opened in 2009 as a food truck, but they’re now open right in the heart of downtown. The taco fare is pretty standard, but they won us over with their expansive toppings...
D.C. is known for a lot of things—fratty happy hours, endless traffic, swampy summers—but trans-inclusivity has never been one of them. Transfolks, particularly transwomen, have long been targeted for violent attacks all across the city, and the MPD has all but turned a blind eye. Some local press outlets have straight-up ignored the hate crimes, some have underplayed them, and some have dishonored the victims or survivors by using names and pronouns that conflict with their gender identities. In response to this disturbing culture of anti-trans violence and disrespect, the D.C. Office of Human Rights launched a first-of-its-kind ad campaign to promote awareness around trans issues. The ads, which feature a series of brave (and completely adorable) local trans and gender nonconforming folks, have been plastered on city bus shelters and your Facebook feed since September 2012. We spoke with Policy and Public Affairs Officer Elliot Imse about the campaign's...
From the moment Tegan and Sara fire up the karaoke machine in the video for the opening track “Closer”, it’s very clear that Heartthrob is going to be different from anything the two have done up to this point. As soon as that synth hits, the message is clear: Tegan and Sara are back, and they’re ready to party. Gone are the raw, emotional, stripped-down instrumentals that defined 2007’s The Con. And although the new album echoes some of the same edge as 2009’s Sainthood,the sisters have mostly traded in their guitars for keyboards, synths, and earth-quaking beats. The result is an album that's, well, a total heartthrob. It’s bold, confident, daring, and practically begging you to join it on the dance floor. If some of the tracks sound like they came off a Top 40s radio station and not a Tegan and Sara album, there’s a good reason - the...
The Gossip have been captivating queer audiences since their first self titled EP release in 1999. Over the years the band has seen a lot of success, as well as changes in their sound. While their earliest albums combined elements of rock, blues and gospel with lead singer, Beth Ditto belting out vocals that made all the girls swoon with a nod to their Arkansas southern rock roots. Since then, the band has become wildly successful in Europe as their sound evolved to a more poppier dance and electronic vibe. The Gossip's early albums were released on Kill Rockstar Records and they toured with Sleater Kinney solidifying their fan base among post riot grrl audiences as they shared fans with bands like Le Tigre and The Butchies. As the band became more popular, The Gossip dropped "the" from their name to become just Gossip and signed with a major label....
So, we survived the apocalypse and another trip 'round the sun on this lonely, ever-spinning blue marble. Now what? We corralled all of our writers and editors to give you 10 of our top resolutions for 2013. What’s yours? Let us know in the comments section below or tweet at us with the hashtag #WTGGnewyear. If you see us out and about, hold us to these! 1. Every time I compare myself to someone else, think of something nice to say to myself. 2. Don't fall asleep on the computer. Paper, pen, and the pages of a good book are more than enough stimulation. Away with the needless clicking on every front-page NYT article and the forays into Wikipedia's cache of jazz artists, robber barons and miniature dog breeds! Make the most of midnight hours. 3. More fun, less fear. Dreams are comforting, and making new ones is intimidating. Make...
One of my first performances at The Red Palace, or as it’s affectionately called, “The Palace”, was with The FIERCE Burlesque Tour. I’d heard the tour was coming through DC, so I jumped at the chance to get my name on the performance bill. I walked into the dressing room to hear a shout from a fellow dancer, “Dainty. Gurl. Who you telling!? I knew you were queer! I’m so happy you’re here!” As a proud, and often invisible, peacock this was music to my ears- it is hands down my favorite Palace memory. Originally, The Palace was opened as a showroom. It’s intent was to create a venue fostering sideshow, vaudeville, bellydance and burlesque communities while showcasing their unique talent and style. “I’ve worked the palace stage since it opened. It was nice to have a place that you knew you could go anytime to see the burlesque or...
What is it, exactly, that makes Bay Area rapper K.Flay #1 on my highly competitive list of Girls I Have A Giant Crush On Right Now? Maybe it’s her undeniable swagger and kick-ass style. Or maybe it’s her skills. K.Flay (born Kristine Flaherty) is a Stanford grad whose raps touch on everything from cultural disillusionment to failed relationships to the advantages of not giving a fuck – but always over her own killer, dance-able beats. And maybe it’s her approach to music. K.Flay refuses to conform to stereotypes. Her music defies classification, touching on a little bit of everything – rock, pop, punk, old-school rap, even the blues. She has sampled The XX, Grizzly Bear, Gil-Scott Heron and the Black Eyed Peas, and her lyrics reference everything from Mad Men to Elle Fanning to TJ Maxx. But her songs are refreshingly honest, and totally real. K.Flay plays at the 9:30...
