Out & About
Calendar: May 17-23
Concerts, parties and events in the week to come
![](https://www.washingtonblade.com/content/files/2019/05/Alexis_Michelle_460x470_courtesy_APO.jpg)
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Friday, May 17
Gay District Meeting is at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 8:30-9:30 p.m. The meeting is for LGBTQ and intersex men between the ages of 18-35.The facilitated group discussions will discuss gay culture and personal identity. For more information, visit gaydistrict.org.
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) hosts its monthly game night tonight from 7-9 p.m. Card and board games will be available but feel free to bring your own games. All are welcome. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.
Saturday, May 18
American Pops Orchestra performs āI Am What I Am,ā a musical tribute to theater legend Jerry Herman, at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 6th St., S.W.) tonight at 8 p.m.The group will perform music from āHello, Dolly!ā āLe Cage aux Folles,ā āMack and Mabelā and more. Performers include āRuPaulās Drag Raceā alum Alexis Michelle, Kathy Najimy (“Sister Act”/”Hocus Pocus”) Paige Davis (TLCās āTrading Spacesā), Mauricio Martinez (āOn Your Feet!ā), Tracy Lynn Olivera (āRagtimeā) and Paul Roeckell from APOās NextGen competition. The Congressional Chorus and Congressional Chorus and Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington will also perform with piano accompaniment from Karen Walwyn, Scott Beard (an openly gay, West Virginia-based virtuoso) and Chris Urquiaga. Tickets range from $25-75. For more details, visit theamericanpops.org.
Capital Trans Pride is at Eaton D.C. (1201 K St., N.W.) today. The Workshop and Resource Fair is from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 25 organizations will offer services, information, employment opportunities and more. Educational workshops, seminars and panel discussions will run all day. The day ends with a happy hour with food, beverages and entertainment at Studio Theatre (1501 14th St., N.W.) from 5-8 p.m. Principal to Trans Equity Consulting Cecilia Gentil will give the keynote address. Registration is free. For more information, visit capitalpride.org/trans-pride-2019.
Tagg Magazine hosts Cookout Jam at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) today from 1-5 p.m. There will be food, drink specials, music from DJ Electr0x and more. Admission is $10 and includes food. An after-party at a League of Her Own (2319 18th St., N.W.) follows. For details, visit facebook.com/taggmagazine.
Sunday, May 19
Capital Trans Pride screens āThe Garden Left Behindā at Studio Theatre (1501 14th St., N.W.) tonight at 6 p.m. The film follows the relationships between Tina, a young transgender woman, and her grandmother, Eliana, as they juggle Tinaās transition and living as undocumented immigrants in New York City. After the screening, there will be a Q&A with some the cast and producers. Event is free. For details, visit facebook.com/capitaltranspride.
Alamo Drafthouse presents Champagne Cinema: ā9 to 5ā movie party today at 2 p.m. This is an interactive screening with quoting and singing along encouraged. Tickets are $14.30 and includes a themed ā9 to 5ā pen and āCup of Ambitionā mug. The party is at the Cinema One Loudon location (20626 Easthampton Plaza, Ashburn, Va.) and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Woodbridge (15200 Potomac Town Pl., Woodbridge, Va.). For more information, visit drafthouse.com.
Monday, May 20
The Board Room VA (925 B Garfield St., Arlington, Va.) hosts drag bingo tonight from 9-11 p.m. Crystal Edge and Katrina Colby host. There will be games and performances. Prizes include free drinks, free shots, free good, gift cards and more. Drink specials include $5 local beers and other all night drink specials. Cover is $5. Reserve a spot on Eventbrite. Walk-ins also welcome. For details, visit facebook.com/theboardroomva.
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W..) hosts coffee drop-in hours this morning from 10 a.m.-noon for senior LGBT people. Older LGBT adults can come and enjoy complimentary coffee and conversation with other community members. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Tuesday, May 21
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) hosts its Packing Party from 7-9 p.m. tonight. Volunteers will assemble safer sex kits to distribute to the LGBT community. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.
The Center Bi monthly roundtable is tonight from 7-8 p.m. at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.). The group will discuss issues related to bisexuality. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Wednesday, May 22
The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) and D&K Sounds host karaoke tonight from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Drink specials include $3 rail cocktails and domestic drafts and $4 wines. For more information, visit facebook.com/dceagle.
Washington National Opera and Capital Pride present Pride Night Out for a performance of āToscaā at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N..W) tonight at 7:30 p.m. The Puccini opera tells the story of a singer Tosca, who tries to protect her lover from the chief of police Scarpia. After the show, get a free drink at the post-performance Pride Night Out reception at the Kingbird bar at the Watergate Hotel (2650 Virginia Ave., N.W.). Tickets range from $35-300. For more details, visit facebook.com/washingtonnationalopera.
The Lambda Bridge Club meets at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for duplicate bridge. No reservations required and new comers welcome. If you need a partner, call 703-407-6540.
Thursday, May 23
The 2019 Trans Equality Now Awards are at the Willard InterContinental (1401 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) tonight from 6-9 p.m. There will be a reception, dinner, awards and after party honoring the leaders fighting for transgender equality. Nicole Maines will receive the Andy Cray Award for Health & Youth Advocacy; Earline Budd will be honored with he Community Builder Award; Masen Davis will receive the Julie Johnson Founderās Award and Lush Cosmetics will be be honored with the Ally Award. VIP tickets are $175 in advance and $200 at the door. After party tickets (8:30-11 p.m.) are $75 in advance and $85 at the door. It includes admission to the after party only with dessert bar and two complimentary drink tickets. For more details, visit act.transequality.org.
Venus Valhalla hosts Thirst Trap Thursdays at Pitchers (2317 18th St., N.W.) tonight from 11 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Local drag talent will perform. For more information, visit facebook.com/pitchersdc.
GPMC hosts Am I Gay Enough?, a panel discussion for gay people of color, at Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.) this evening at 6 p.m. The discussion will focus on who gay people of color are and how they want to be viewed. There will be speakers from academia, law, medicine, non-profit and the media. A networking and affirmation reception takes place after the discussion. Free admission. For more details, visit facebook.com/gpmc.dc.
Out & About
Celebrate July 4 with area fireworks displays
Festivities planned for National Mall, Baltimore, Rehoboth Beach
![](https://www.washingtonblade.com/content/files/2023/06/20120704_Independence_Day_fireworks_at_Washington_Monument_insert_c_Washington_Blade_by_Michael_Key.jpg)
The National Mall is the most popular place to watch the D.C. fireworks display; spread a blanket near the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, or the Lincoln Memorial. The 17-minute display starts at 9:09 p.m. and will be launched from both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
In Baltimore, the Inner Harbor Fourth of July festivities will begin at 6 p.m. and the fireworks and drone show will begin at 9:30 p.m. downtown at the harbor.
The fireworks in Rehoboth Beach, Del., will be held on Saturday, July 6.
Out & About
Smithsonian Folklife Festival underway
‘Indigenous Voices of the Americas’ program held on the Mall
![](https://www.washingtonblade.com/content/files/2024/06/2024_Smithsonian_Folklife_Festival_insert_courtesy_Smithsonain.jpg)
The 2024 Smithsonian Folklife Festival takes place on the National Mall June 26āJuly 1, with the program āIndigenous Voices of the Americas: Celebrating the National Museum of the American Indian.ā
Since 1967, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival has been held on the National Mall; events are free. Festival hours are 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m., with evening concerts Friday through Sunday from 5:30-7 p.m. For details on specific events, visit festival.si.edu/visit.
![](https://www.washingtonblade.com/content/files/2024/06/rainbow_Pride_flags_in_park_insert_by_Bigstock.jpg)
The 2024 Arlington Pride Festival will be held Saturday, June 29 at 12 p.m. at Long Bridge Park.
This event will be a gathering of the community showcasing local talent, food, and vibrant entertainment. The event will be a celebration of diversity and love.
Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.Ā
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