Arts & Entertainment
D.C. arts briefs: July 27
Best of Gay D.C. voting up now, ‘Lay of the Land’ and ‘Thomas is Titanic’ at the Fringe
Ba’Naka with her trophies at last year’s Best of Gay D.C. awards. (Blade photo by Pete Exis)
Nominate your faves for Best of Gay D.C.
The opportunity to nominate local businesses, restaurants or people in the Blade’s 11th annual Best of Gay D.C. awards ends Wednesday.
The Blade has added a new step this year to the Best of Gay D.C. Awards by allowing readers to nominate their favorites before official voting starts Aug. 10. Readers can nominate businesses, venues and people in categories such as best new restaurant, best wine bar, best dance club, hottest stripper, best place of worship, best yoga studio, best realtor, best drag queen, best amateur athlete and many more.
The purpose of the awards is to bring reader’s attentions to establishments that they may not have known about prior to the contest.
To nominate a business or a person, or to see where to vote starting Aug. 10, go to bestofgaydc.com.
Running in Rehoboth
CAMP Rehoboth and Seashore Striders are planning the third annual “Sundance 5K: Run, Walk or Sashay!” event for Aug. 26 at 7:30 a.m. The race starts in front of the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center on Baltimore Avenue.
The 5K serves as the kick-off to “Sundance Week,” an annual benefit for Rehoboth’s gay community center. There’s also a one-mile “Fun Walk” and participants are encouraged to come in costume.
Prizes will be awarded to top finishers. Pre-registration runs through Aug. 14 and costs $25 (T-shirt guaranteed); register online by Aug. 24 for $30 or in person on race weekend also for $30 (T-shirts while supplies last). Visit seashorestriders.com to register. The Blade is an official media sponsor.
One man depicts the epic sinking of Titanic
Thomas Choinacky performs “Thomas is Titanic” with the Capital Fringe Festival tonight at 10:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 2:45 p.m. at Mount Vernon United Methodist Church (7th St. Mt. Vernon Square).
Choinacky is a gay performer whose obsession with Kate Winslet led him to play all the parts of the movie, including the iceberg.
General admission is $17. For more information, visit capitalfringe.org.
Laughs and controversy in the Capitol
Award-winning and controversial actor Tim Miller performs his piece “Lay of the Land” as part of the Association for Theater in Higher Education Conference on Aug. 3 at 10 p.m. The conference will take at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill (400 New Jersey Ave., NW).
Miller’s pieces have always explored his identity as a gay man and the civil rights of those in the LGBT community. Several of his pieces have caused controversies. Miller was one of the NEA 4, which were four artists who had their National Endowment of the Arts vetoed based on the content of their work.
“Lay of the Land” is no different, as it takes place during a “No on Prop. 8” protest in downtown L.A. In an interview with gay author William Mann, Miller said, “’Lay of the Land’ is a ‘lay’ in all kinds of ways: a sex-assignation, a queer citizenship map, and of course a narrative ballad with a recurrent refrain.”
Attendees don’t have to be registered for the conference in order to attend the performance. Individual registration costs range from $215-$435, but tickets for Miller’s performance are available for $10 at the door of the Hyatt ballroom just prior to the performance. For more information, visit athe.org or timmillerperformer.com.
Sports
Blade, Pride House LA announce 2028 Olympics partnership
Media sponsorship to amplify stories of LGBTQ athletes
The Los Angeles Blade and Washington Blade on Friday announced a media partnership with the Out Athlete Fund, which will produce Pride House LA for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Pride House is the home for LGBTQ fans and athletes that will become a destination during the L.A. Summer Games in West Hollywood in partnership with the City of WeHo. This 17-day celebration for LGBTQ athletes and fans will include medal ceremonies for out athletes, interactive installations, speakers, concerts, and more.
The Los Angeles Blade will serve as the exclusive L.A.-area queer media sponsor for Pride House LA and the Washington Blade will support the efforts and amplify coverage of the 2028 Games.
The Blade will provide exclusive coverage of Pride House plans, including interviews with queer athletes and more. The parties will share content and social media posts raising awareness of the Blade and Out Athlete Fund. The Blade will have media credentials and VIP access for related events.
“We are excited to partner with the Washington Blade, the oldest LGBTQ newspaper in the United States and the Los Angeles Blade, already a strong supporter of Out Athlete Fund and Pride House LA/West Hollywood,” said Michael Ferrera, CEO of Pride House LA. “Our mission is about increasing the visibility of LGBTQ+ athletes and fans to challenge the historical hostility toward our community in the sports world. Visibility is what publications like the Washington and Los Angeles publications are all about. We know they will play a key part in our success.”
“LGBTQ visibility has never been more important and we are thrilled to work with Out Athlete Fund and Pride House LA to tell the stories of queer athletes and ensure the 2028 Summer Games are inclusive and affirming for everyone,” said Blade Editor Kevin Naff.
Out Athlete Fund is a 501(c)3 designed to raise money to offset the training cost of out LGBTQ athletes in need of funding for training. The Washington Blade is the nation’s oldest LGBTQ news outlet; the Los Angeles Blade is its sister publication founded nine years ago.
In honor of Black History Month, the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host a series of events uplifting the histories, artistry, and resilience of Black LGBTQ+ communities through dialogue, film, and intentional gathering.
The series begins with “Ballroom Culture: Rhythms of Resilience,” a panel discussion on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 at 7 p.m. Artists, activists, and leaders from the ballroom community will explore ballroom’s historical, cultural, and political significance as a site of resistance, kinship, creative expression, and social justice within Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ communities.
On Friday, Feb. 13 at 12:30 p.m., the Center will host a screening of the groundbreaking documentary “Paris is Burning,” which chronicles New York City’s ballroom scene and house culture while examining themes of race, class, identity, and survival through the voices of legendary performers including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija, and Dorian Corey.
The month will conclude with “Soul Centered: A Black LGBTQ+ Gathering” on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. This free, RSVP-required event invites Black LGBTQ+ community members into a space of rest, connection, and reflection centered on love in all its forms. The gathering will feature a panel conversation with Black LGBTQ+ creatives, healers, and community members, followed by intentional speed connections and a closing social mixer.
For more details and to RSVP, visit the Center’s website.
Friday, February 6
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race Watch Party S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. Drag Entertainers TrevHER and Grey provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. The watch party takes place on our heated outdoor patio and cozy indoor space. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Silver Diner Ballston. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, February 7
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
LGBTQ People of Color will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, February 8
DMV Gay Dog Moms will host “Puppy Love” at 1 p.m. at Wunder Garten. This a Valentine’s pawty and market for dog lovers. Get gifts for your loved ones – both human & canine at this event. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, February 9
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Tuesday, February 10
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity or expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, February 11
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, February 12
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be more fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Spanberger signs bill that paves way for marriage amendment repeal referendum
Blade, Pride House LA announce 2028 Olympics partnership
D.C. non-profits find creative ways to aid the unhoused amid funding cuts
Celebrate Black History Month
Calendar: February 6-12
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