Out & About

Calendar: August 23-29

Concerts, dance parties and family events coming soon

Published

6 years ago

August 22, 2019

Philip Van Slooten

Dear Evan Hansen, Washington Blade, gay news — **Ben Levi Ross** and **Jessica Phillips** in ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ at the Kennedy Center. The cast will appear at a benefit for Broadway Cares Aug. 26. (Photo by Matthew Murphy; courtesy Kennedy Center)

Friday, Aug. 23

Tonight is the National Trans Visibility March Benefit Concert from 7:30 – 9 p.m. at the Community Church of Washington D.C. (1405 15th St., N.W.). There will be musical groups, guest performers and members of the NTVM organizing team on hand to discuss this important event. Featured guests include the Seasons of Love ensemble of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington D.C., the Voices of the Community, the Levites and Devoted Alo Dance. For more information, visit the center.org.

The Birds of Prey Drag Show and Dance Party with DJ Honey is tonight starting at 10 p.m. at the DC Eagle (3701 Benning Road, N.E.). Compete in the amateur drag contest in the show for a chance at $50 and a future paid booking at the bar. Showtime is 10:30 p.m. The party is hosted by Brooklyn Heights and features performances by Sasha Adams Sanchez, Iyana Deschanel, Katrina Colby, Crystal Edge and more. Tickets start at $5 and are available on eventbrite.com.

Saturday, Aug. 24

End of Summer Eighties Mayhem Dance Party returns to Black Cat D.C. (1811 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 9 p.m.-2:15 a.m. Tickets start at $12. Dedicated to the music of the ’80s pop era, this event features DJ Steve EP, DC Missguided and Killa K. and is presented by FYM productions. Visit ticketfly.com for tickets and information.

Chef Mikko Catering (1636 R St., N.W.) celebrates the 17th Street Festival with a special menu featuring wine and beer specials and more. The festival has celebrated 17th Street and its diverse shops and restaurants since 2010 and runs today from noon-8 p.m. Visit Facebook events for more information.

Neverending Summer Drag Bingo is today from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Orioles Nest 331 (1037 W. Patrick St., Suite A, Frederick, Md.). The event is presented by the Frederick Center and hosted by Miss Gay Maryland 2019, Chasity Vain and Chi Chi Ray Colby with music from DJ Sidekick. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and bingo begins at 1 p.m. Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door. For more information about this 21 and up event, visit summerdragbingomatinee.eventbrite.com.

Annapolis Pride presents Summertime Drag Brunch at Rams Head on Stage (31 West St., Annapolis, Md.) today starting at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for this 16-and-over event. Annapolis Pride is a grassroots organization celebrating gay life by engaging local residents, businesses and groups to unite in welcoming and embracing diversity in Annapolis. Tickets and information are available at ticketfly.com.

The Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth St., S.W.) kicks off the 2019/20 season with a free 70th Anniversary Season Community Day and Props Sale today from 1-6 p.m. The event features a prop sale, performances from award-nominated tap dancer Leo Manzari and a behind-the-scenes Q&A with the Arena Stage production team. Also enjoy free activities for all ages, including live music, dance performances, face painting and more. For more information, visit arenastage.org/communityday.

A Night of Class with Dionne Warwick and special guests Peabo Bryson and Deniece Williams is tonight at 8 p.m. at DAR Constitution Hall (1776 D St., N.W.). Tickets start at $70. The entertainer famous for the AIDS benefit song “That’s What Friends Are For” will perform her career spanning catalogue during this special event. Tickets are available via ticketmaster.com.

Sunday, Aug. 25

FreeState Justice presents LGBT Family Day at the Maryland Zoo (1 Safari Place, Baltimore) today from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. LGBTQ-plus families, friends and allies are invited to meet at the Waterfowl Pavilion where there will be lawn games and other family-friendly activities, including a scavenger hunt and face painting. Proceeds benefit FreeState Justice’s services to Maryland’s LGBT community. For more information, visit FreeState-justice.org.

Gayborhood Night Piano Bar continues tonight from 5-8 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 23rd St., S., Arlington, Va.). The event includes piano bar music with John Flynn, happy hour specials and a chance to meet LGBT neighbors and friends in a quiet atmosphere. Reserve a table online at opentable.com/freddies-beach-bar-and-restaurant.com.

Monday, Aug. 26

The touring companies of Disney’s “Aladdin” and “Dear Evan Hansen” invite guests to The Cast Party: a Fundraising Event tonight from 8-11 p.m. at Mr. Smith’s of Georgetown (3205 K St., N.W.). Throughout the event the cast of both shows will socialize with guests and perform some of their favorite songs. The one night only event is presented to raise money for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. Admission is a $10 suggested donation. For more information, visit mrsmiths.com.

Tuesday, Aug. 27

Sting, the Grammy-winning former lead singer of The Police, performs hits such as “Englishman in New York,” “Fields of Gold” and “Every Breath You Take” tonight at Wolf Trap (1551 Trap Road, Vienna, Va.) at 8 p.m. Sting is also a former headliner of 2017’s “Uprising of Love” concert benefiting LGBT rights worldwide. Tickets start at $55 and are available at wolftrap.org.

Wednesday, Aug. 28

The Big Gay Book Group meets tonight at 7 p.m. to discuss “Red, White and Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston. This New York Times bestselling romance pairs the handsome First Son with the Prince of Wales as rivalry turns to friendship turns to something more. Book discussions take place at 1800 K street, suite 1000. RSVP to [email protected]. Newcomers welcome.

The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for Duplicate Bridge. No reservations are needed and newcomers are welcome. Phone 202-841-0279 if you need a partner.

The American Society on Aging hosts “Understanding the Older LGBT Community and its Unique Needs” today from 1-2 p.m. at Rights at Home of Northern Virginia (8260 WillowOaks Corporate Dr., Suite 320, Fairfax, Va.). Learn the issues facing older LGBT populations and how they affect their ability to seek out services and report abuse. Sessions will describe the diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities and present findings from a recent needs assessment as well as identify actions to make care more LGBT-culturally competent. For more information visit asaging.org.

Thursday, Aug. 29

“Gone Fishin’” by Steve Langley opens tonight at 8 p.m. on the Silver Spring Stage (10145 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, Md.). A grieving father at his secluded fishing hole meets a stranger who forces him to face truths about a son he never really understood in an encounter that will change both of their lives forever. This performance is one of several one-act plays featured in the 2019 festival running until Sunday, Sept. 1. Tickets start at $22. For tickets and information, visit ssstage.org.

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Calendar

Calendar: April 18-24

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, April 18

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 6 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This will be a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.

Saturday, April 19

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including Allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.

“Spark Sapphic Social” will be at 8 p.m. at Spark Social House. This weekly sapphic social is an opportunity to mix and mingle with other sapphics in D.C.’s newest LGBTQ bar. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

“DC Drag Brunch on Rooftop – Penthouse (Formerly at Lima Twist)” will be at 12 p.m. at Baby Shank Rooftop. Hosted by Miss Capital Pride, this is the ultimate drag brunch experience in Washington, D.C., featuring the fiercest queens around. Prepare to be entertained by glamorous drag queens and celebrated celebrity impersonators, including Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, Whitney Houston, Cher and many more. Tickets cost $27 and are available on Eventbrite.

Sunday, April 20

Queer Crayon Club will host “Queer Sketch Social” at 3 p.m. at Sinners and Saints. This is a fun event for LGBTQ+ adults to come together and color. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, April 21

“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].

Tuesday, April 22

Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This support group is for people who identify outside of the gender binary. Whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis – this is your group. For more details, visit www.genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.

Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-facilitated discussion group and a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.

Wednesday, April 23

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Asexual and Aromantic Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].

Thursday, April 24

Virtual Yoga with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

DC Anti-Violence Project Open Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This meeting is open to anyone interested in learning more and getting involved in lessening violence both within and directed towards the LGBT communities. For more information, visit Facebook or Twitter.

Calendar

Calendar: April 11-17

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

1 week ago

April 11, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, April 11

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].

Women in their Twenties and Thirties will be at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area and a great way to make new friends and meet other queer women in a fun and friendly setting. For more details, join the group’s closed Facebook group.

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Crush. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, April 12

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Sunday, April 13

Firearm Safety & Protection Training for Queer Black Folks will be at 9 a.m. in Washington, D.C. Whether you’re seeking to obtain your Handgun Qualification License (HQL) or a Concealed Carry Permit, this training will provide you with the education, hands-on experience, and confidence needed to protect yourself and your community responsibly. More details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, April 14

Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis. For more information, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.

Tuesday, April 15

Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as bi individuals in a private setting. Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.

DC Pride Poets will host “Pride Poetry Workshop: Poetry in Translation, led by Saundra Rose Maley” at 6:30 p.m. at Arts Club of Washington. Participants will look at ghazals by Urdu master poet Ghalib, translated by a range of American poets into English. There will be discussions about how and why translations vary, and how reading poems in translation can affect a writer’s own poetry. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Wednesday, April 16

Thursday, April 17

Poly Group Discussion will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an inclusive, welcoming, virtual safer space to talk about all things polyamorous. The rapturous, the confused, the pure YIKES, we want to hear them all. For more details, email [email protected].

Lit Lovers: Book Club for Seniors will be at 2:00p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. The book selection for April is “Dancer from the Dance” by Andrew Holleran. There will be light refreshments. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be more fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.

Virtual Yoga with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

Out & About

Celebrate queer pageantry at drag brunch

Babychank Rooftop Bar and Lounge hosts lively gathering

Published

1 week ago

April 9, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Sasha Adams Sanchez (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Miss Capital Pride 2024 will host “DC Drag Brunch” on Saturday, April 19 at 12 p.m. at Babychank Rooftop Bar and Lounge.

Organizers promise a lively gathering full of joy, laughter, and connection. Indulge in delicious food and drinks while enjoying performances and entertainment. Tickets cost $27 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.