Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: Aug. 12
Parties, events, meetings and more through the 18th


The cast of āGreaseā in Olney Theatre Center's production, which runs through Aug. 28. (Photo courtesy of Olney)
Don’t forget to check into each of these events through our Foursquare Tips page! Find all sorts of great things to do in DC atĀ https://foursquare.com/washingtonblade.
Friday
The Lodge (21614 National Pike) in Boonsboro presents the first Black and White AIDS Response Effort Music Benefit hosted by Jennifer Warner, Stephanie Michaels and Ashley Bannks with musical numbers by musicians of the Mercy Rock String Quartet, Chad D, Michael Ehlers and DJ Philly Cheze, tonight from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door and $25 after 11 p.m. VIP tickets are $50 and include table seating and open bar until 10 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit areblackwhiteparty.eventbrite.com.
Black Cat presents Right Round, an ā80s alt-pop dance night with DJ lil’e, backstage tonight at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 and available tonight.
Studio Theatre (1501 14th St., N.W.) presents āPop!ā a musical murder mystery by Maggie-Kate Coleman and Anna K. Jacobs which peeks inside the artistic revelry of Andy Warholās infamous Factory, today at 8:30 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $50 and can be purchased online. The show has been extended through Aug. 21. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit studiotheatre.org.
The fifth annual Take Five! Baltimore Improv Festival continues tonight with three sessions of improv performances at the Creative Alliance at the Patterson (3134 Eastern Ave.). Training 4 Prom, Mr. Licorice and Michael Loves Greg go on at 7 p.m. Pop 6, Plan B and Gus go on at 8:30 p.m. Hot and Modest, Student Driver and D.C. Comedy Sportz Blue Show go on at 10 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $15. The festival run through Sunday. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit baltimoreimprovfestival.org.
The GLBT Arts Consortium and the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (545 7th St., S.E.) present Gilbert and Sullivanās āPinaforeā at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling 202-547-6839 or e-mailing [email protected].
Busboys & Poets presents “The 11th Hour” poetry slam hosted by “2Deep” the Poetess, tonight at 11 p.m. in the Langston room at its 14th and V streets location (2021 14th St., N.W.). There is a $5 admission at the door starting at 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 13
Just Circuit will be at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) tonight featuring Twisted Dee with DJ Kuhmeleon at 10 p.m.
Girls Rock! D.C., a rock ‘n’ roll camp for girls ages 8 to 18, is having a Camper Band Showcase today at 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) at 11 a.m. Tickets are $10. Doors open at 10:30 a.m.
The D.C. Slutwalk is today starting with a rally at 11 a.m. in Lafayette Square. The walk will begin at noon, ending at the National Sylvan Theater where the event continues with several speakers including Dr. Ruth Neustifter, Maryland District 16 Delegate Ariana Kelly and more. There will also be booths set up after the speakers. Slutwalk is a protest, rally and demonstration of “frustration and anger” protesting the blaming of victims of sexual violence based on what they wear, who they associate with and who they are.
There will be free HIV testing at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) today from 4 to 7 p.m.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) presents “Madonnarama” featuring Madonna music and videos by Ed Bailey and a special live performance by the Ladies of Town and the Town Dancers tonight. Doors open at 10 p.m. There is a $8 before 11 p.m. and $12 after. Attendees must be 21 or older.
There will be two performances of the Olney Theatre Center’s (3001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd.) production of “Grease” directed by Bobby Smith today at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets range from $26 to $49 and can be purchased online at olneytheatre.org. The show has been extended to run through Aug. 28.
Sunday, Aug. 14
Chicago will be performing at Pier Six Pavilion (731 Eastern Ave.) in Baltimore, tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $75 and can be purchased online at tickets.piersixpavilion.com. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for this all ages show.
Lambda Sci-Fi, an LGBT science fiction, fantasy and horror group, is having its monthly meeting and social today starting at 1:30 p.m. at 1414 17th St., N.W.Ā Participants are asked to bring a snack or a non-alcoholic drink to share. For more information, call James at 202-232-3141, e-mail to [email protected], or visit the group’s website lambdascifi.org.
Zoom Urban Lesbian Excursions is hosting ladiesā kickball on the Mall today at 3 p.m. The group will be meeting between the National Museum of History and the Smithsonian Castle and will be identifiable by the purple balloons. This is a free event. For more information, visit phatgirlchic.com/zoom.
Monday, Aug 15
Celebrating their 30th anniversary, 10,000 Maniacs will be performing at the Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave.) in Alexandria, tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online at birchmere.com.
D.C. Lambda Squares is hosting an open house tonight from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Scott Hall of the National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.). Partners are not needed and no experience is necessary.
Tuesday, Aug. 16
The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) is having a special theater look-in for Sydney Theatre Company’s production of “Uncle Vanya” today at 5 p.m. featuring company members Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Richard Roxburgh, Hayley McElhinney and John Bell. There will be a performance at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the look-in are $12 and performance tickets range from $59 to $135. For more information and to purchase tickets to either event, visit kennedy-center.org.
Remington’s (639 Pennslyvania Ave., S.E.) is hosting D.C. Drag Idol tonight from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. hosted by Raquel Savage Black. Admission is $5.
Wednesday, Aug. 17
The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club meets at 7:30 p.m, at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) across from Marine Barracks, for social bridge. No partner is needed. For more informaiton, visit lambdabridge.com and click on āSocial Bridge in Washington.ā
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is tonight at Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar (1101 H St., N.E.) with The Machine and special guest DJs from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Attendees must be 21 or older for this cover-free event.
Thursday, Aug. 18
The musical āWickedā will be performed at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. āWickedā tells the story of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch, before Dorothy landed in Oz. Tickets range from $37 to $250 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.
Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave., N.W.) has two exhibits on display, MiniSolos@Touchstone, which features the work of 37 area artists and a small companion show, Summer Sampler, which features works by the gallery’s members, which will run through Aug. 27. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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
Arts & Entertainment
Win a pair of tickets to Grace Jones & Janelle MonƔe @ The Anthem on June 5, 2025!


The Cherry Weekend main event party was “Fire” at Betty (1235 W Street, N.E.) on Saturday, April 12. Detox of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” met with fans.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)














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