Arts & Entertainment

D.C. arts briefs: May 11

Blade hosts Rehoboth kick-off party, Mr./Miss Capital Pride contest and more

Published

14 years ago

May 10, 2012

Mr. and Miss Capital Pride this weekend

The Mr. and Miss Capital Pride event is Saturday night at Town (2009 8th Street, NW) starting at 6 p.m. There’s a $10 cover and proceeds from the event go to Capital Pride. The deadline to enter has passed but those wishing to watch the contest are welcome to attend. More information on this event and all Capital Pride festivities is here.

Blade summer kick-off in Rehoboth

Washington Blade will host its sixth annual summer kick-off party in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on May 18.

The party takes place from 5-7 p.m. at the Blue Moon, 35 Baltimore Ave. It’s open to the public and there’s no cover charge. Visitors who sign up for the Blade’s e-mail newsletter on-site receive two free drinks.

“We have many Delaware readers and D.C. readers who vacation in Rehoboth,” says Brian Pitts, Blade sales executive and co-owner. “It’s always a fun way to meet advertisers and readers and to kick off the summer season.”

Gay group has family events next weekend

Family Equality Council is hosting a Family Weekend in D.C. starting Thursday.

Zach Wahls, who spoke before the Iowa Legislature in 2011, will serve as honorary family ambassador, joining the Council and families for Families on the Hill, the Congressional lobbying visits that are part of the weekend events.

Families on the Hill will begin at 8:30 a.m. with training for kids and adults. The lobby visits will focus on three issues: adoption and foster care, repeal of DOMA and safe schools.

On May 18, families will have various tour options including the White House, Museum of Natural History, the National Zoo and more.

The events for May 19 include tours of the Capitol.

For more information, including how to register and a complete schedule, visit familyequality.org.

Bethesda Fine Arts Festival gathers wide-ranging talent

‘Red Light, Grace Street’ by Joseph Craig English, will be on display at the Bethesda Fine Arts Festival this weekend. (Image courtesy the Festival)

Artists representing 25 states and Canada will be showcasing their work at the ninth annual Bethesda Fine Arts Festival in downtown Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle this weekend.

The event will also feature live entertainment, children’s activities and restaurants including Haagen Dazs, BlackFinn American Saloon and more.

Some of the artists featured include Doug Blum, Kate Beck, Ivan Radojicic Tom Mcquaid, Lisa Stewart, Giampictro Filippetti and more.

The festival is open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Cooper to spin at Cobalt Saturday night

DJ Seth Cooper is coming to Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) for Just Circuit on Saturday from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.

In 2006, Gay Internet Radio Live asked Cooper to join its online radio network, putting his sets next to other big names like randy Bettie Lydia Prim and more. In 2009, Just Circuit named Cooper Best Up and Coming DJ, as well as nominated him for Best After Hours Party.

He’s headlined at Splash Days in Austin, Gay Days in Orlando, Pacha in Brazil and more in clubs across the U.S., Canada, Brazil and China.

The night will also include DJ Sean Morris will be in 30degreees, free vodka from 10 to 11 p.m. and a laser light show by Sound Sign.

Capital Pride Art Fair seeking submissions

Capital Pride is now accepting submissions from all LGBT artists in the D.C. area for the first Capital Pride Art Fair at the festival on June 10 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The fair will present 12 to 14 artists showing their work in one tent in the Arts Stage area.

To submit work, artists must fill out the form at capitalpride.kintera.org/artfair, providing price range, number of available pieces, samples via jpegs or website and contact information.

The fee for commercial arts is $50 for eight feet of display space. There are a limited number of spaces available for non-commercial artists

Artists may also be interested in donating work to the silent auction held at the Heroes Gala and Silent Auction on May 30.

For more information, contact Capital Pride at [email protected]. Submissions must be received by May 20.

Photos

PHOTOS: Fairfax City Pride

LGBTQ celebration held at Sherwood Center

Published

3 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

3 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.