Arts & Entertainment
Calendar for July 23
Friday, July 23, to Thursday, July 29
Friday, July 23
Hirshhorn After Hours is tonight at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Independence Ave. at Seventh Street, S.W., from 8 p.m. to midnight. Come out for an outrageous night of campy drag and electrifying dance music hosted by drag performer Summer Camp. There will be live performances by Karl Marks, Brandon Joseph Neukam, and Sunrize Highway. DJs Matt Bailer (MIXTAPE, Peach Pit) and Bil Todd (RAW) will be spinning an eclectic mix of electro, alt-pop, disco, and house, with visual projections by Richard Sawka and Erik Loften. Catch the World Premiere of the latest, outrageous digital short from CRACK, featuring Summer Camp, Chris Farris, and Karl Jones and directed by Greg Price with original music by Bluebrain. Tickets are $18 and must be purchased in advance by going to hirshhorn.si.edu/afterhours.
In celebration of the landmark exhibition “Beat Memories: The Photographs of Allen Ginsberg” on view at the National Gallery of Art through Sept. 16, Busboys and Poets, 5th & K Sts., and Split This Rock present “Howl” in the City at 8 and 10 p.m. Renowned poet Anne Waldman, friend of Allen Ginsberg, will present three performances of his legendary poem Howl. Inspired by the spontaneous nature of the Beats, Matthew Hemerlein leads a string quartet in a musical improvisation to accompany the poem. Waldman will also perform her original poems and will be preceded by local poets Chris August, Kenneth Carroll, and Venus Thrash. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at brownpapertickets.com. Visit washingtonblade.com for more on this event.
The Faux-Real Theatre Company presents Queer in the USA tonight at the Goethe Institut, 812 7th St., N.w., at 11 p.m. as part of the Capital Fringe Festival. A teenage boy’s obsession with Bruce Springsteen leads him to New York City. Lovers, rockers, and gypsies challenge him to embrace his queerness. Does he have what it takes to rock it out like The Boss? Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at Fort Fringe, 607 New York Ave. N.W., or by phone at 866-811-4111.
Wet Girls tonight at Club Liv, 2001 11th St., N.W., from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Get drenched with everything from pop to not, featuring DJs K La Rock (You Ain’t Slick) and Junebullet (She.Rex/You Ain’t Slick). $5 cover and must be 18 or older to enter.
Celebrate Shabbat services, 8:30-10 p.m. at the Washington, D.C. Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St. Services are followed by an Oneg social.
Baltimore Beltway Divas Show at Ziegfeld’s, 1824 Half St., S.W., with Tatiyanna Voché, ChiChi Rae Colby, Phoenix Bloomingdale, JoAnna Blue, Sparkle Alexandria, and the comedy of Shawna Alexander with non-stop club dancing. $5 cover from 9 to 10:30 p.m. and $10 after 10:30 p.m. and always includes $1 off your first drink.
The first ever Mss Apex and Miss Apex Newcomer hosted by Kristina Kelly and Tony “I Thank You” Nelson is tonight at Apex at 10 p.m. Special guest entertainers include Destiny B. Childs, Serria Spaulding, Big Daddy, Isis Deverreoux, and Arione Decardea. There is a $10 cover and you must be 18 to enter, 21 to drink.
Saturday, July 24
Adams Morgan Gives Back is an all day event. Buy a Citizen Effect wristband for $10 at citizeneffect.org to receive free and discounted drinks, food, and more in the Adams Morgan neighborhood at participating businesses. All money raised will be matched by the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project and goes directly to building a foster home for abandoned youth in Cloetesville, South Africa.
The DC Women’s Dinner will be at Cafe Luna, 1633 P St., N.W., at 7 p.m. RSVP by sending an e-mail to [email protected]
DC Front Runners fun walk/run at Rock Creek Park is today from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The walk goes from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and the run goes from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, July 25
2nd Annual Bet Mishpachah Kugel Bakeoff at 5 p.m. at DC JCC, 1529 16th St. N.W. Bake and bring your favorite Kugel. Participants will vote on the best, and that recipe will be used to make the Kugels served at the Break the Fast.
Monday, July 26
The Capital Area Rainbowlers Association presents the LGBT Summer Bowling Social at AMF Annandale Lanes, 4245 Markham St., Annandale, Va., from 8 to 10 p.m. Bowling is just $1.99 per person per game plus the $4.46 shoe rental fee. There will be some free pizza and fun door prizes/raffles. You do not need to field a team. Just attend and bowl anywhere. RSVP to Les at [email protected]
SAGE Metro DC Monthly Meeting at the DC Center, 1318 U St., N.W., from 6:30-8 p.m. SAGE Metro DC provides support and advocacy for the aging LGBT population.
Tuesday, July 27
Adventuring presents Arlington Evening Bike Ride at 6:30 p.m. This ride continues the summer-long series of Arlington Evening Bike Rides. New riders and those who may be a little out of practice are welcome. The ride will go through Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood on a 17-mile loop using bike trails and quiet residential streets. Arrive by 6:25 p.m. at the Clarendon Metro station elevator entrance, Wilson Boulevard and Highland St., and the ride starts promptly at 6:30 p.m. Bring helmet, water and $2 for Adventuring.
Wednesday, July 28
DC Center Summer LGBT Intern Mixer at the DC Center, 1318 U St., N.W., from 7-9 p.m. Are you an intern in D.C. this summer? Know any interns that are LGBT or allies of the LGBT community? Please help spread the word about the first LGBT Intern Summer Mixer at the DC Center.
Mautner Project presents Mind-Body Wellness for Women who Partner with Women: Current Issues with Leslie Calman, Elizabeth Ide, and D Magrini at Equality Maryland, 1201 Sharp St., Baltimore, at 6:30 p.m. This is part of the Speakers Series.
Thursday, July 29
Atlas Performing Arts Center presents Summer Film Series: Gay 101 showing “Where the Boys Are” starring Dolores Hart and George Hamilton at the Paul Sprenger Theatre, 1333 H St., N.E., at 8 p.m. Buy tickets at atlasarts.org or at the box office one hour prior to the movie.
a&e features
Pride season has begun
LGBTQ parades, festivals to be held throughout region in coming months
LGBTQ Pride festivals, parades and other events have been scheduled in large cities and small towns throughout the region. Pride events around the world culminate in June, but organizers in some municipalities have elected to hold celebrations in other months.
Pride in the region has already begun with last weekend’s Mr., Miss, and Mx. Capital Pride Pageant held at Penn Social as well as Roanoke Pride Festival held in Elmwood Park in Roanoke, Va.
Below is a list of Pride events coming to the region.
MAY
Capital Trans Pride is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St., N.W.). The website for the event advertises workshops, panel discussions, a keynote address, a resource fair and more. transpridewashingtondc.org
Equality Prince William Pride is scheduled for 12-4 p.m. on May 18 at the Harris Pavilion (9201 Center St.) in historic downtown Manassas, Va. equalityprincewilliam.org
D.C. Black Pride holds events throughout the city May 24-27. Highlights include an opening reception, dance parties and a community festival at Fort Dupont Park. The Westin Washington, DC Downtown (999 9th St., N.W.) is the host hotel, with several events scheduled there. dcblackpride.org
NOVA Pride and Safe Space NOVA will hold NOVA Pride Prom from 7-11 p.m. on May 31 at Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Va. The event is open to all high school students throughout the region, regardless of identity, from rising ninth grade students to graduating seniors. novapride.org
Capital Pride Honors will be held on May 31. The Capital Pride Alliance has announced on its website that nominations are open for awardees. The Honors celebrates excellence in the LGBTQ community and its allies. capitalpride.org
JUNE
Downtown Sykesville Connection is sponsoring Sykesville Pride Day in downtown Sykesville, Md. on June 1 from 12-4 p.m. downtownsykesville.com
Reston Pride will be held at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston, Va. on June 1 from 12-6 p.m. restonpride.org
Fairfax Pride, hosted by the City of Fairfax and George Mason University, will be held at Old Town Hall (3999 University Drive, Fairfax, Va.) on June 1 from 5-7 p.m. The event will include children’s activities and more. fairfaxva.gov
OEC Pride celebrates Pride with “art, dance, education, and fun” in Old Ellicott City. The OEC Pride Festival is held along Main Street in Ellicott City, Md. on June 1 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. visitoldellicottcity.com
Annapolis Pride has consistently drawn a giant crowd for a parade and festival in the quaint downtown of the Maryland capital. “The Voice” star L. Rodgers has been announced to headline the 2024 festival. The parade and festival will be held on June 1. annapolispride.org
The Alexandria LGBTQ+ Task Force Alexandria Pride is scheduled to be held at Alexandria City Hall from 3 – 6 p.m. on June 1 in Alexandria, Va. alexandriava.gov
The Portsmouth Pride Fest will be held at Festival Park adjacent to the Atlantic-Union Bank Pavilion in Portsmouth, Va. on June 1 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. portsmouthprideva.com
The Delaware Pride Festival is a free event scheduled for June 1 at Legislative Hall in Dover, Del. from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.The event is billed as family friendly and open to people of all ages and sexual orientations. delawarepride.org
The City of Rockville is hosting Rockville Pride at Rockville Town Square (131 Gibbs St., Rockville, Md.) from 2-5 p.m. on June 2. The free event features live performances, information booths, and children’s activities. rockvillemd.gov
Equality Loudoun is hosting the ticketed Loudoun Pride Festival from 1-7 p.m. on June 2 at Claude Moore Park in Sterling, Va. The event features three stages, a “#Dragstravaganza,” a kid’s zone, an alcohol pavilion, a food hall and more. Tickets $5. eqloco.com
Culpepper Pride is slated to be held at Mountain Run Winery in Culpepper, Va. from 12-6 p.m. on June 2. The theme this year is “True Colors.” culpeperpride.org
The Southwest Virginia Pride Cookout Community Social is planned for 2 p.m. at the Charles R. Hill Senior Center in Vinton, Va. on June 2. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.
Capital Pride kicks off with the RIOT! Opening Party at Echostage starting at 9 p.m. on June 7. Tickets run from $27-$50 and can be purchased on the Capital Pride website. The event is set to feature Sapphire Cristál. capitalpride.org
Pride events continue over the weekend of June 8-9 in the nation’s capital with the Capital Pride Block Party featuring performers and a beverage garden, the massive Capital Pride Parade, Flashback: A totally Radical Tea Dance to be held at the end of the parade route, and the Capital Pride Festival and Concert. Visit capitalpride.org for more information. Other Pride events planned for the weekend in D.C. include a number of parties and the unforgettable (and free) Pride on the Pier & Fireworks Show at the Wharf sponsored by the Washington Blade from 2-10 p.m. prideonthepierdc.com
Pride in the ‘Peake will be held at Summit Pointe (580 Belaire Ave.) in Chesapeake, Va. on June 9 from 12-5 p.m. The family-focused Pride event does not serve alcohol, but will feature community organizations, food trucks and more in a street festival. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.
Celebrate with a drag show, dancing and a lot of wine at Two Twisted Posts Winery in Purcellville, Va. for a Pride Party from 2-5 p.m. on June 15. twotwistedposts.com
Baltimore Pride holds one of the largest Pride parades in the region on June 15 in Baltimore. (2418 Saint Paul St.). The parade concludes with a block party and festival. Pride events are scheduled from June 14-16. baltimorepride.org
The fourth annual Catonsville Pride Fest will be held at the Catonsville Presbyterian Church (1400 Frederick Rd.) in Catonsville, Md. on June 15 from 3-6 p.m. The event features a High Heel Race, pony rides, face painting, local cuisine and more. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.
The Ghent Business District Palace Shops have announced a Ghent Pride event from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on June 17 at the Palace Shops and Station (301 W 21st Street) in Norfolk, Va. ghentnorfolk.org
An event dedicated to celebrating the elders in the LGBTQ community, Silver Pride is scheduled for June 20 at 5:30-8:30 p.m. Location and more information to be announced soon. capitalpride.org
Visit the Hampton Roads PrideFest and Boat Parade for a truly unique Pride experience along the Elizabeth River. The full day of entertainment, education and celebration will be held on June 22 from 12-7 p.m. at Town Point Park (113 Waterside Dr.) in Norfolk, Va. hamptonroadspride.org
Frederick, Md. will hold its annual Frederick Pride Festival at Carroll Creek Linear Park on June 22 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Entertainers include CoCo Montrese of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” frederickpride.org
The fourth annual Pride at the Beach is scheduled for 2-10 p.m. on June 23 at Neptune’s Park (3001 Atlantic Ave.) in Virginia Beach, Va. The event features entertainment, community vendors, beachside DJ sets, food trucks and offers a “perfect conclusion to an unforgettable Pride weekend.” hamptonroadspride.org
Winchester Pride will hold its Mx. Winchester Pride Pageant at 15 N. Loudoun St. in Winchester, Va. on June 23 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance/$25 at the door. winchesterpride.com
The organizers of last year’s inaugural Ocean City Pride with a “parade” along the boardwalk in Ocean City, Md. have announced that they will be organizing a return this year with events from June 28-30. instagram.com
The third annual Arlington Pride Festival will be held at Long Bridge Park at National Landing (475 Long Bridge Dr.) in Arlington, Va. on June 29 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. arlvapride.com
FXBG Pride is holding its annual community Fredericksburg Pride March on June 29 from 10-11 a.m. at Riverfront Park (705 Sophia St.) in Fredericksburg, Va. Speeches begin at 10 a.m. and the procession starts at 10:30 a.m. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.
Salisbury Pride “90’s Edition” is scheduled for 3 – 7 p.m. on June 29 in Downtown Salisbury, Md. Magnolia Applebottom is listed as the headliner and grand marshal. salisburyprideparade.com
The 2024 Suffolk Pride Festival is scheduled for Bennett’s Creek Park in Suffolk, Va. on June 30 from 12-7 p.m. Visit the Facebook event page for more information.
Expect music, entertainment and drag performances in the picturesque mountain town of Cumberland, Md. at the Cumberland Pride Festival on June 30 from 12-4 p.m. at Canal Place. cumberlandpride.org
Montgomery County’s annual Pride in the Plaza will be held on June 30 from 12-8 p.m. at Veterans Plaza (1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, Md. liveinyourtruth.org
JULY
The sixth annual Westminster Pride Festival is scheduled for downtown Westminster, Md. on July 13 from 12-6 p.m. westminsterpride.org
Hagerstown Hopes is holding its annual Hagerstown Pride Festival in Doubs Woods Park (1307 Maryland Ave.) in Hagerstown, Md. on July 13 at 11 a.m. Visit the Facebook event page for more information.
The Rehoboth Beach Pride Festival will be held on July 20 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., with other Sussex Pride events scheduled throughout the weekend of July 18-21. sussexpride.org
Us Giving Us Richmond hosts Black Pride RVA in Richmond, Va. with events on July 19-21. ugrcrva.org
Photos
PHOTOS: On assignment in Hungary, Poland, and Germany
International News Editor Michael K. Lavers traveled to Eastern Europe this month
BERLIN — The Washington Blade was on assignment in Hungary, Poland, and Germany from April 2-16.
The Blade interviewed LGBTQ activists, government officials, and refugees from Ukraine who have resettled in Berlin and in Warsaw, the Polish capital. The Blade also visited Auschwitz in Oświęcim, Poland.
Drag queens entertain patrons of La Pose, a gay bar in Warsaw, Poland, on April 8, 2024, during a broadcast of an episode of “Czas na Show” or “Drag Me Out,” a reality show that features male Polish celebrities performing in drag with drag queens. (Washington Blade video by Michael K. Lavers)
Performers at SchwuZ on April 14, 2024. (Washington Blade video by Michael K. Lavers)
The 32nd annual Roanoke Pride Festival was held at Elmwood Park in Roanoke, Va. on Sunday, April 29.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
United Methodist Church removes 40-year ban on gay clergy
Republican state AGs challenge Biden administration’s revised Title IX policies
University students have a right to protest
Former CAMP Rehoboth official sentenced to nine months in prison
Christian Siriano to serve as grand marshal of Annapolis Pride Parade
Md. governor signs Freedom to Read Act
HHS reverses Trump-era anti-LGBTQ rule
4th Circuit rules gender identity is a protected characteristic
PHOTOS: Capital Pride Pageant
