Arts & Entertainment
Here comes the Pride
Bounty of black, Latino events through Memorial Day and beyond
Pride season is here and with it brings events, concerts and festivals for everyone.
The sixth annual Latino Pride starts Sunday and this yearās theme is āHistory, Celebration, Diversity and Identity.ā This is the first year Latino Pride is spread over multiple days.
Latino Pride begins with La Corona, the royal coronation and dance party at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. hosted by Jocelyn Carrillo. Thereās a $5 donation for this 21-and-older event.
āLa PlĆ”ticaā is May 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.) and features several components including a panel discussion and networking, a historical exhibition and community resource fair. Panelists include Gustavo Velasquez, director of D.C. Office of Human Rights, and Jack Harrison of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. HIV testing will also be available during this event.
A bilingual ecumenical service, āLa Misa,ā with Rev. Joseph Palacios is June 3 at St. Thomasā Parish Dupont Circle (1772 Church St., N.W.) from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
āThis will be the first time we have this,ā says David Perez, president of Latino GLBT History Project. āWeāre partnering with [St. Thomasā and Palacios] ⦠and weāre also partnering with the Dignity group ⦠focusing on a call to action of how we celebrate pride by giving back to others.ā
Latino Pride ends with the official Latino Pride dance party āLa Fiestaā at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) on June 7 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. There is a $5 donation for this 18-and-older event.
For more information on Latino Pride, visit latinoglbthistory.org.
Black Pride starts Thursday and runs through May 27.
D.C. Black Pride starts with a wine-and-spirits reception on Thursday at Madame Tussaudās Wax Museum (1001 F St., N.W.) from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Admission is $10.
The festivities continue on May 25 at the Hyatt Regency (400 New Jersey Ave., N.W.) with a hospitality suite open from noon to 9 p.m. and a game room open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. The opening reception is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. including a book signing for āKing Peggy.ā RainbowConnects will be running a speed dating event from 7 to 9 p.m.
Also on May 25 is a performance of āSheāBaltimoreā at The Warehouse Theater (1071 7th St., N.W.) at 8 p.m. Tickets to this performance are $25.
The hospitality suite is also open on May 26 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., but there are other events happening that day as well.
At 11 a.m. there is āWhy Do You Write/Read and How Do You Succeed?ā a panel sponsored by Fire & Ink featuring Rashid Darden, LaToya Hankins, J. Renee LaCour, Spectra Speaks, Red Summer and Dwayne Vernon. There are also various workshops running from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hyatt.
At 12:30 p.m., Angela Harvey presents āThe Key to the Perfect Orgasmā at the Hyatt.
At 2 p.m. is a film festival also at the Hyatt. Admission to the festival is $15. Also at 2 p.m. is a reading of āThe Four of Usā at Mead Lab Theater (916 G St., N.W.). Admission to the reading is $20 and includes a small reception.
Buttafly Soul is hosting a poetry slam at the Hyatt from 5 to 8 p.m. and from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. is the Soul Train Dance Party. Admission is $15 to both events.
Black Pride ends May 27 with a faith service organized by Courtney Williams, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Hyatt. At noon, āItās a Family Affair,ā the D.C. Black Pride Health and Wellness Expo begins. The expo will be held at Francis-Stevens Educational Campus (23 and O streets) featuring food, community vendors, childrenās play area, DJ and entertainment honoring Etta James, Whitney Houston and Vesta Williams.
For more information on Black Pride, visit dcblackpride.org.
Also starting Thursday is Chocolate City Pride with āThe Genesisā at Layla Lounge (501 Morse St., N.E.) on Thursday. Cover is $5 before midnight and $10 after.
On May 25, Omega Entertainment presents ā5000 Men Pride Mega Partyā at Fur Nightclub (33 Patterson St., N.E.) featuring R&B singer Ashanti. Doors open at 9 p.m.
May 26 brings the āTropical Heat Rooftop Partyā at Ibiza (1222 1st St., N.E.) from 3 to 8 p.m. Admission is $10. That night is the annual Manhunt party at Layla Lounge from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. featuring a surprise celebrity performance.
May 27 starts with the āInsomniac After-Partyā at Lace Nightclub (2214 Rhode Island Ave., N.E.) from 3:30 to 7:30 a.m. Then thereās the annual āIsland Inferno Pool Partyā at Cameron Run Regional Park (4001 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria) from 3 to 8 p.m. Admission is $10 but the first 500 get in free. The day ends with the āKlimax Mega Partyā at Love (1350 Okie St., N.E.) from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.
The last day of Chocolate City Pride is May 28 and starts with a cookout for all pass holders at Fort Dupont Park (3600 F St., S.E.) from noon until 7 p.m. That night is āThe Apocalypseā at Layla Lounge from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Admission is $10.
For more information and to purchase passes, visit omegapartydc.net.
Arts & Entertainment
Washington Bladeās Pride on the Pier returns bigger than everĀ with two-day WorldPride celebration

The Washington Bladeās Pride on the Pier will be extended to a two-day celebration in honor of WorldPride coming to D.C. this year. Taking place on Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 at The Wharf, this yearās event promises more entertainment, more community, and more pride than ever before ā all set against the stunning waterfront backdrop of our nationās capital.
With the addition of Friday, the party kicks off at 3 p.m., with the inaugural WorldPride Boat Parade at 7 p.m. As an Official WorldPride Partner event, the boat parade will feature 30 decorated boats parading along the Washington Channel. For information on signing up for the boat parade contact Stephen Rutgers at [email protected].
Saturdayās signature Pier Party kicks off at 12 p.m., featuring a drag show, DJ’s, streaming of the WorldPride Parade, and the iconic Fireworks Show Presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation ā one of D.C. Prideās most anticipated spectacles.
āWeāre expanding Washington Blade Pride on the Pier to reflect the excitement and momentum building for WorldPride in D.C.,ā said Blade publisher Lynne Brown. āItās a celebration of our communityās progress and a powerful reminder of the joy and visibility Pride brings to the heart of our city.ā
Now in its seventh year, Washington Blade Pride on the Pier extends the cityās annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Wharf waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older.
Pride on the Pier is free and open to the public, with VIP tickets available for exclusive pier access, hosted bars, and private viewing areas for the boat parade and the fireworks show. To purchase VIP tickets visit www.prideonthepierdc.com/vip.
Friday VIP: 5-9 p.m., enjoy an air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, cash bar and complimentary drink.
Saturday VIP Session #1: 2-5 p.m., enjoy an air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, catered food, and an open bar.
Saturday VIP Session #2: 6-9 p.m., enjoy the air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, catered snacks and dinner, and open bar with a front-row view of the fireworks.
Event Details:
š Location: District Pier at The Wharf (101 District Sq., S.W., Washington, D.C.)
š
Dates: Friday, June 6 & Saturday, June 7, 2025
š„ļøBoat Parade: 7 p.m. (June 6). š Fireworks Show: 9 p.m. (June 7)
šļø VIP Tickets: www.PrideOnThePierDC.com/VIP
Event sponsors include Absolut, Capital Pride, DC Fray, Infinate Legacy, Heineken, Leonard-Litz Foundation, Mayorās Office of LGBTQ Affairs, Relish Catering,Ā Washingtonian, and The Wharf. More information regarding activities will be released at www.PrideOnThePierDC.com
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(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)














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