Arts & Entertainment

Out & About: March 30

Events for both Washington and Baltimore

Published

14 years ago

March 29, 2012

Juliette Ebner

'Arias With a Twist' (Photo courtesy Woolly Mammoth)

Woolly unveils ‘Arias With a Twist’

Drag singer Joey Arias and master puppeteer Basil Twist will be performing “Arias With a Twist” at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company (641 D St., N.W.) starting Wednesday.

This is the D.C. premiere of the show, created in 2008, marking Arias’ return to New York after a six-year stint in a Cirque Du Soleil production in Las Vegas.

There will also be some special events through the show’s run. There will be four post-performance conversations on April 11, 15, 19 and 25. Woolly Mammoth will also be hosting a post-performance “Glamazon Pageant” on April 13 with local burlesque and vaudeville performers competing for a chance to be crowned as the ultimate “Glamazon.”

Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased online at woollymammoth.net. The show will run through May 6.

Rainbow Seder this weekend at HRC

GLOE Kurlander Program for GLBT Outreach and Engagement is having its fifth annual National Rainbow Seder on Sunday at the Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.) starting at 5 p.m.

This year, GLOE will be focusing on Heroes of Freedom, the leaders of freedom and equality movements throughout history.

There will be drinks and hors d’oeuvres and the Seder, led by Rabbi Toby Manewith, will start at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $36 for general admission, $24 for GLOE members, students, seniors and those with limited income, children 18 and under and volunteers can attend for free.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit washingtondcjcc.org.

MTV chooses gay venue for ‘Real World’ casting call

MTV’s “The Real World” is holding an open casting call for the 28th season on Saturday at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Casting directors from Bunim/Murray Productions will be looking for people with strong personalities who are not afraid to speak theirs minds. Past seasons have included an HIV/AIDS educator, an Iraq War vet, a recovering addict and many more.

They are particularly interested in cast members who have had to work hard to support themselves and move ahead in their lives.

Applicants are asked to bring a recent picture of themselves that will not be returned and a photo ID. Those interested must be 21 by March 1, 2013 and appear to be between the ages of 20 and 24.

For more information and to download the application form, visit bunim-murray.com/rwcasting.

BALTIMORE OUT & ABOUT

‘Bad Bunny Mansion Party’ at Grand Central

S.H.E. productions and Grand Central (1001 North Charles St.) present “The Easter Bunny Ball: A Bad Bunny Mansion Party” tonight at 9 p.m.

The evening will include free champagne cocktail and dessert bar from 9 to 10:30 p.m., a golden egg giveaway with special prizes, music by DJ Image and more.

Dress code is anything goes.

There is a $10 cover for this 21 and older event. For more information, visitsheproductionsevents.com or centralstationpub.com.

Film critics profiled in new documentary

The Maryland Institute College of Art (1301 W. Mt. Royal Ave.) has a few events of interest coming up this week.

On Monday, Kenyan artist Wangechi Mutu will be talking at the Brown Center at 10:30 a.m. about her work, which acts as commentary of a social and personal nature where the female body functions as a site of engagement and provocation. This event is free and open to the public.

Also Monday is a screening of “For the Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism,” a documentary that shows the story of American movie reviewing at 7 p.m. in Falvey Hall. Directed by Gerald Peary, the movie includes commentary by Roger Ebert, Liza Schwarzbaum and more. The screening will include a introduction by Peary and a Q&A about film criticism.

On Thursday, the play “Fat Pig” opens at BBox (1601 Mt. Royal Ave.) at 8 p.m. The show is about a stereotypical young man who falls in love with a plus-sized librarian and explores how society treats their romance. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students and are available online at store.mica.edu and brownpapertickets.com, as well as at the door.

WAMMFest at Towson this weekend

WAMMFest (Women and Minorities in Media) is celebrating its fifth anniversary tonight and Saturday at Towson University.

WAMMFest strives to celebrate and encourage women and minorities in media production by calling for works, talks and screenings by everyone from students to professionals in categories such as animation, documentary, music and more.

This year’s guest artists are director and actor Jamil Walker Smith and producer Brittany Ballard. They will be screening their new film “An American Dream” on Saturday at 6 p.m. in Van Bokkelen where they will also talk about their experiences. Tickets to the screening are $5.

The two will also teach a master class “Script to Screen” at on Saturday 3 p.m. in the Media Center. Following the class will be a critique/feedback session.

WAMM winners will be presented this evening at 6 p.m. in Van Bokkelen.

For more information and to RSVP, visit wammtu.com.

Miss Gay Maryland tonight at the Hippo

Club Hippo (1 West Eager St.) has two big events going on this week.

Josie & the PussyCats present “Miss Gay Maryland Contestant Show” tonight at 11 p.m.

The show will featuring Eva Couture, Miss Gay Central Maryland 2012, Victoria Blair, first alternate Miss Hippo 2012, Anastacia Amor, Miss Gay FreeState 2012, Charity Suade’, Miss Hippo 2012, Cha’Nel Von Cartier Couture, first alternate Miss Gay FreeState and LuLu La Diva, first alternate Miss Gay Central Maryland.

Tickets are $7. For tickets and more information, call 443-926-2678.

Doors open at 10 p.m.

On Wednesday, the club has its weekly bingo game at 8:30 p.m. The game will also serve as an album release party for Madonna’s “MDNA.” Participants could win copies of the album and more. Proceeds from the game will benefit the GLBT Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland.

For more information, visit clubhippo.com.

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FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Photos

PHOTOS: Fairfax City Pride

LGBTQ celebration held at Sherwood Center

Published

2 days ago

June 9, 2026

Michael Key

A scene from Fairfax City Pride on June 6. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Fairfax City Pride was held at the Sherwood Center (3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, Va.) on Saturday, June 6.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

a&e features

D.C. prepares to party as Pride celebrations kick off Saturday

Bars, clubs have busy lineups; Pride on the Pier returns

Published

2 days ago

June 9, 2026

Evan Caplan

The Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier returns June 13. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Capital Pride’s date change isn’t slowing down the festivities. Back in December, the Capital Pride Alliance shifted the calendar for Pride celebrations in the nation’s capital from the second weekend of June to two weeks later to the weekend of June 20-21 to not conflict with President Trump’s birthday and 250th anniversary of America celebrations, with the aim that “our community can gather safely and without unnecessary barriers… We are protecting our space and preserving Pride as a powerful act of visibility, solidarity, and resistance.”

On the heels of WorldPride last year, the city shows no sign of slowing down. Instead, restaurants, bars, clubs, and neighborhoods are taking the opportunity to be even more visible. The Blade has put together a (non-comprehensive) list of parties, activations, and activities across town:

Pride on the Pier returns on Saturday, June 13 to the Wharf on the Southwest waterfront. The event, sponsored and hosted by the Washington Blade, is free and runs from 4-9 p.m. There will be vendors, DJs, and drag performances all day. VIP tickets are $25 and come with air conditioned party room, private bathrooms, and free cocktail. More details at prideonthepierdc.com.

Capital Pride Official Opening Party: RIOT! is the official opening dance party of Capital Pride, taking place Friday June 19, 9 PM-3AM. The 2026 edition headlining performer is Myki Meeks, a finalist of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 18; Bob The Drag Queen will perform a special set. DMV-area DJs and performers include: Bambi, Baphomette, Bumper, Cake Pop!, Connor, DJ Ed Bailey, DJ Diyanna Monet, Evry Pleasure, Jakknife Complex, Mari Con Carne, Pussy Noir, WessTheDJ. Trade owner Ed Bailey is producing the event.

Kinetic Presents brings the heat across the entirety of Pride weekend as well. It again is partnering with Capital Pride Alliance to produce four events over four days this Pride, including the Official Main Event on Saturday (the Friday official event is at Echostage). Kinetic’s parties are splayed across various D.C. venues, with special performances, massive productions, shirtless dancers, play zones, dance-forward audio and visuals, and international DJ talent. Thursday, June 18 at 10 PM at District Eagle is Lust, with music by Dan Slater and TOMI. Friday, June 19 at 10 PM is UNCUT XXL Heavy Load, at A.i. Warehouse in Union Market District, with music by Alex Acosta, Felipe Lira & Mitch Ferrino; the party is a “high-octane night of muscular house and tribal rhythms.” Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM brings that official main event, Kinetic Toy Land, at Echostage, with music by GSP & Matt Suave. Alaska Thunderfuck headlines. Sunday evening June 21 at 10 PM closes with discoVERS at SAX. A portion of tickets supports the DC LGBTQ+ community through Capital Pride Alliance.

9:30 Club always comes in clutch for the LGBTQ community. Already in June, it produced Kitty Kat Ball on June 7, and Kiesza performed on June 8. On June 20 at 10 PM, the famed Mixtape party hits the stage, care of gay DJs Shea van Horn and Matt Bailer, who have spun together for coming up on two decades. Mixtape has been held at several venues across the city over those years, and now settled on 9:30 Club for Pride. On June 25 at 7 PM, Big Freedia – the bounce artist from New Orleans – hits the 9:30 Club scene for the eighth time, as part of the Big Freedom Tour.

Crush: New this year from the 14th Street bar is the Pride Pop-Up, sitting pretty in the parking lot at 1820 14th St., N.W., at the corner of Swann Street by the start of the Pride Parade route. Hours are Friday from 2-10 PM and Saturday from 12-10 PM. Friday evening features Grizzly Bear Happy Hour, a DJ will set up shop on Saturday, and for those needing another layer, there’s a Crush merch store. Co-owner Mark Rutstein “has always wanted to throw a party in that parking lot, so he did,” said co-owner Stephen Rutgers. Note that Crush (the bar) will have a cover on Friday and Saturday.

Kiki: Over at Kiki, there’s a full slate of Pride-themed programming all week. Tuesday, June 16 at 9 PM brings karaoke; Wednesday, June 17 at 7:30 PM is trivia; Thursday June 18 at 9PM is “Night of 1000 Tatianna’s Drag Show”, and Friday June 19 at 9 PM brings the Juneteenth Serve Drag Show. Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM, post-parade, is a Pride Dance Party with DJ Lemz. Sunday daytime at 5 PM is the Father Figures Daddy Issues Special Drag Show; and after the festival at 8 PM, DJ Tezrah hits the tapes.

Jane Jane: Right along the parade route, gay-owned Jane Jane has transformed its space into a “No Kings, Yas Queens” activation in a direct response to the America 250th commemorations happening downtown, from the colorful window installation, to merch (including a custom bandana and tank) to disco wig installations. Events include industry night on Mondays, donations to LGBTQ charities, and to-go cocktails during the Pride Parade.

Shaw’s Tavern: Gay-owned Shaw’s Tavern on Florida Avenue celebrates Pride week with a full lineup of themed events, entertainment, and specials, including Pride trivia on Monday, June 15 at 7:30 PM, bingo on Tuesday, June 16 at 8 PM, a cabaret on Thursday, June 18 at 9 PM, Juneteenth Drag Brunch on Friday, June 19 at 12:30 PM, and both a pre-parade brunch (10 AM-4 PM) and post-parade party (5-9 PM) on Saturday, June 20. Sunday, June 21 at 7 PM brings Mama’s Sunday Supper & Drag Pride Show in the evening for anyone who is still awake.

Trade: This classic has a weekend of events, starting on Thursday, with Tiburon Pride Edition, a Latin Dance party in the Shark Tank. On Friday, the bar opens early (at 2 PM), with all-day happy hour and the Jx&Evry Show. On Saturday, the bar opens at noon, offering a prime parade viewing spot from its windows. There will be the CLASH drag show hosted by Tatianna and Crimsyn, and Sweet Spot party that night. On Sunday, the bar opens for normal hours at 2 PM, with DJs Adam K, Alex Love, and WESSTHEDJ.

Pitchers: The multi-level bar in Adams Morgan is hosting a Pride-themed show on Thursday, June 18 at 10 PM, with drawstring bag giveaways – the only kind of bag that will be allowed into the bar during Pride weekend. The show features drag queen Kyle Sonique Love.

Barrel House Cafe and Bar: Also by the parade route on 14th Street, Barrel House Cafe takes advantage of its large patio to have a slate of events during Pride week, including Schism, a drag and burlesque show on June 18 at 10 PM, as well as an all-day Pride party coinciding on parade day.

Bunker: Bunker again plays host to a series of afters. Friday night (Saturday 3:30 AM) is Unhinged, and Saturday night (Sunday 3:30AM) is Unholy. The regular Saturday night party (10 PM) brings in Venetian and Tiara Missou. All parties have cover charges.

District Eagle: Beyond the Kinetic party on Friday, June 19 brings Gear Night at 10 PM; Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM is LOBO presents PRISM, and Sunday, June 21 is Sundaze wit Papi at 6 PM.

African Art Museum: On Thursday, June 18 at 5 PM, this Smithsonian museum is hosting a free event with artists and curators celebrating its exhibit, “Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art,” “based on years of close collaboration and dialogue with African visual art practitioners who claim belonging in the LGBTQ+ community, however they define those terms,” according to the museum.

KNEAD Hospitality & Design: The gay-owned KNEAD restaurant group (including spots like Gatsby, Mi Vida, Succotash The Grill) is featuring the GLITTERATI cocktail, made with Tito’s, St-Germain Elderflower, Butterfly Flower, ginger, and yes, glitter. A portion of proceeds from every Glitterati cocktail sold will benefit The Trevor Project. The cocktail will be sold throughout June.

The Fountain Inn is partnering with Rhodium spirits (Rhode Island’s first LGBTQ+ owned distillery) all month, making cocktails like gimlets and espresso martinis featuring Rhodium’s liquors. Proceeds benefit SMYAL, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ youth.

Hard Rock Cafe: Hard Rock DC is taking part in the chain’s annual “LOVE OUT LOUD” campaign, with Pride merch, specials on June 20, and a donation to The Trevor Project.