Black Pride Opening Reception (Washington Blade file photo by Blake Bergen)

Friday, May 23

Grand Hyatt Washington (1000 H St., N.W.) holds the opening reception and awards ceremony in the Independence Ballroom tonight from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Awards given will include the Ruth Ellis Award to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit. Local recording artist Rose Breyae will perform. There will also be hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

Kabin Lounge (1337 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) hosts “The Warmup!,” the opening reception, pass distribution and happy hour, 4-9 p.m. There is no cover charge. Music will be a mix of hip-hop, R&B, reggae and house.

Ibiza (1222 First St., N.E.) hosts 5000 Men Pride Mega Party with a performance by soul singer Elle Varner from 9:30 p.m.-3:30 a.m. “Real Housewives of Atlanta” cast member Marlo Hampton will host.

Vita Lounge (1318 9th St., N.W.) hosts “Gurl’s Play,” a dance party, from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. The night will be hosted by Dynce with music by DJ Jai Sincere and DJ Lady Mysterious. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 before midnight and $20 after midnight.

Rainbow Connects hosts speed dating and networking at the Grand Hyatt Washington (1000 H St., N.W.) from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Check in starts at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 24

Fitness trainer Coach G presents a Powercore workshop at the Grand Hyatt Washington (1000 H St., N.W.) from 10:30-11:30 a.m. The workshop teaches how to workout to define core muscles through a series of exercises focused on improving strength, flexibility, balance and mobility. Coach G has shared his fitness expertise on CNN, Fox News and writes a regular fitness column for the Blade.

There will be a writer’s forum at the Grand Hyatt Washington (1000 H St., N.W.) from 12:30-1:45 p.m. The moderator will be journalist Wyatt O’Brian Evans. Writers scheduled to appear are Buddah Desmond, La Toya Hankins, J. Omar and more.

Ballroom Community 101: Everything You Wanted to Know about the Ballroom Community, a workshop that explores the ballroom culture as shown in the documentary “Paris is Burning,” is at the Grand Hyatt Washington (1000 H St., N.W.) on the Independence level from 1-2 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring questions to discuss.

Are You Afraid of Aging: An Intergenerational Discussion is at the Grand Hyatt Washington (1000 H St., N.W.) from 2-3 p.m. The discussion will explore how each generation views aging.

Poet Tim’m West hosts D.C. Black Pride Poetry Slam at the Grand Hyatt Washington (1000 H St., N.W.) from 7-9 p.m. Sign up begins at 6 p.m. There will only be 15 spots available for the first round of poetry. Five audience members will be chosen to judge. The first place winner will receive $250, second place $100 and third place $50.

The Park on 14th (920 14th St., N.W.) hosts The Chill Out Super Day Party from 3-9 p.m. There will be three DJs on three levels spinning tracks. Free food is included for pass holders.

Echostage (2135 Queens Chapel Rd.,  N.E.) hosts the Wet Dream Mega Party from 9:30 p.m.- 4 a.m. R&B singer Amerie will perform.

Upscale Ballroom (3900 Bexlery Pl., Suitland, Md.) hosts the Insomniac Pride After Party from 3 a.m. until sunrise. There will be dancers and hip-hop, R&B and house music.

Sunday, May 25

There will be an interfaith service at the Grand Hyatt Washington (1000 H St., N.W.) from 9-11 a.m.

The Rock the Block Party will be held at the Fairgrounds (1299 Half St., S.E.) from 3-9 p.m. DJs will be playing hip-hop, R&B, reggae, and house music. Rapper Fly Young will perform.

The Health and Wellness Festival an HIV/AIDS awareness festival, is at Francis-Stevens School (2425 N St. N.W.) from noon-6 p.m There will be vendors, food and activities for children.

African-American Collective Theatre presents “Missing Pieces” at Anacostia Playhouse (2020 Shannon Pl. S.E.) with two performances at 6:30 and 8 p.m. The play tells the story of a veteran detective and his rookie partner who try to solve the murder of a popular gay activist.

Aqua Restaurant and Bar (1818 New York Ave., N.E.) holds its sixth annual House Rocker Female Dancer of the Year Competition from 9 p.m.-4 a.m. There will be a $1,000 cash prize.

Monday, May 26

The Annual Picnic will be held at Fort Dupont Park from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. There will be live music and entertainment.

Kabin Lounge (1337 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) hosts the Apocalypse Chapter V: The Close Out Party from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. There will be dancers and hip-hop, R&B, reggae and house music.

Tickets are available to become a pass holder at any of the parties and picnic for $130. They include perks such as free food, drinks, no cover charge and skipping lines.

2013 Black Pride Us Helping Us BBQ. (Washington Blade file photo by Damien Salas)