Arts & Entertainment

10 LGBTQ events this week

Pride month kicks off with a flurry of activities

Published

3 years ago

May 30, 2022

Pride Month begins this week! (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key and Vanessa Pham)

Below are our picks for some of the most fun and creative things to do this week in D.C. that are of special interest to the LGBTQ community.

Black Pride Us Helping Us Picnic

Us Helping Us Black Pride Picnic at Fort Dupont Park. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Monday, May 30
12-7 p.m.
Fort Dupont Park
Minnesota Avenue, S.E.
Website

The annual Us Helping Us Picnic in the Park is Monday at Fort Dupont Park and is free and open to the public. Games, performances and more in this community gathering.

Dragapella!

**The Kinsey Sicks** (Photo via Facebook)

Wednesday, June 1
8 p.m.
Rams Head on Stage
31 West Street
Annapolis, Md.
Facebook | Tickets

The Kinsey Sicks, America’s Favorite Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet, perform at Rams Head on Stage on Wednesday.

Kennedy Davenport at Pitchers

Wednesday, June 1
8 p.m.
Pitchers
2317 18th Street, N.W.
Facebook

RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni Kennedy Davenport performs at Pitchers and A League of Her Own on Wednesday. There is a free meet and greet hosted by Ba’Naka and a drag show with Venus Valhalla and Cake.

Pride Pils Dance Party

Thursday, June 2
6-11 p.m.
Dacha Navy Yard
79 Potomac Avenue, S.E.
Facebook | Eventbrite

Join the Washington Blade and DC Brau for the release of this year’s Pride Pils at a Dance Party at Dacha on Thursday.

Capital Pride Honors

Friday, June 3
7-10:30 p.m.
Penn Social
1519 17th Street, N.W.
$25-$60
Facebook | Tickets

The Capital Pride Alliance honors members of the community in an annual reception on Friday.

Drag Underground

Friday, June 3
8-10 p.m.
Dupont Underground
19 Dupont Circle, N.W.
$15-$20
Facebook | Eventbrite

See a popular drag show alongside the Underground’s newest exhibit, The Gender Within: The Art of Identity.

Pride!

Saturday, June 4

10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Eastern Panhandle Pride
downtown
Martinsburg, W.Va.
Facebook

12-5 p.m.
Annapolis Pride
West Street & Calvert Street
Annapolis, Md.
Website | Facebook

12-6 p.m.
Reston Pride
Lake Anne Plaza
Reston, Va.
Website | Facebook

Three regional prides are taking place on Saturday: Annapolis Pride in Maryland, Eastern Panhandle Pride in West Virginia and Reston Pride in Virginia. If you live to the west, south or north of the District, you have a place to celebrate!

Queer Beer Festival

Saturday, June 4
The Wharf
760 Maine Avenue, S.W.
Facebook | Tickets

Hop Culture x New Belgium present Queer Beer, a craft beer festival celebrating the unique, vibrant voices of the queer community in the industry including queer owned and/or operated breweries or breweries that have demonstrated a dedication to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community.

Two sessions available on Saturday:

VIP 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM
General Admission 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM

VIP 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
General Admission 6:30 PM– 10:00 PM

Bent: Pride Month Kickoff

Saturday, June 4
10 p.m.
9:30 Club
815 V Street, N.W.b
$25
Facebook | Ticketmaster

See performances by Sweet Pickles, KC B. Yoncé and We The Kingz at a Pride Month Kickoff Party at the 9:30 Club on Saturday.

Pride: Womxn’s Kickoff Party

Saturday, June 4
7 p.m.
500 8th Street, S.E.
Facebook

Join DJ Rosie for a Pride Womxn’s Kickoff Party on Saturday. Free admission.

If you would like to let us know about an upcoming event, email [email protected] with details.

Up Next

Margaret Cho on ‘Fire Island’ and the state of stand-up

Don't Miss

‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ signs off after 19 seasons

FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Arts & Entertainment

Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier returns bigger than ever with two-day WorldPride celebration

Published

21 hours ago

April 15, 2025

Staff reports

The Washington Blade’s 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 year’s event promises more entertainment, more community, and more pride than ever before — all set against the stunning waterfront backdrop of our nation’s 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].

Saturday’s 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 — one of D.C. Pride’s most anticipated spectacles.

“We’re expanding Washington Blade Pride on the Pier to reflect the excitement and momentum building for WorldPride in D.C.,” said Blade publisher Lynne Brown. “It’s a celebration of our community’s progress and a powerful reminder of the joy and visibility Pride brings to the heart of our city.”

Now in its seventh year, Washington Blade Pride on the Pier extends the city’s 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:

📍 Location: District Pier at The Wharf (101 District Sq., S.W., Washington, D.C.)
📅 Dates: Friday, June 6 & Saturday, June 7, 2025
🛥️Boat Parade: 7 p.m. (June 6). 🎆 Fireworks Show: 9 p.m. (June 7)
🎟️ VIP Tickets: www.PrideOnThePierDC.com/VIP

Event sponsors include Absolut, Capital Pride, DC Fray, Infinate Legacy, Heineken, Leonard-Litz Foundation, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, Relish Catering, Washingtonian, and The Wharf. More information regarding activities will be released at www.PrideOnThePierDC.com