Arts & Entertainment

Tastes of fall

Lots of restaurant events slated for coming months

Published

14 years ago

September 6, 2012

The cooler weather is arriving and the summer weekends on the beach in Rehoboth are coming to an end. It’s a great time to check out some new restaurants, chefs and foodie eventsl And don’t worry — you have six months to fit into your speedos again.

Masa 14 (1825 14^th Street NW) announced a new executive Chef, Adam Goldman, on Aug. 22. Goldman has served as sous chef at Masa 14 for the past two years and he’s the one who created the opening menu for the new rooftop deck at Masa 14. A new chef and a new roof deck make Masa 14 an excellent fall escape option.

On Aug. 28, Lime Fresh Mexican Grill opened in Columbia Heights. Lime Fresh is famous for its fresh blend of Mexican-inspired dishes fused with the food conscious culture of South Beach. I recommend trying out Lime Fresh as an alternative to the mediocre food and service at Tortilla Coast.

Jose Andres of Zaytinya (701 9^th Street NW) has a special two-week promotion celebrating the iconic ingredient of Mediterranean food — the grape — from Sept. 3-16. Zaytinya head chef Michael Costa will offer grape-inspired dishes during “The Grape Festival.”

On Thursday, Uptown Ethiopian Fusion Cuisine (1608 7^th Street NW) was scheduled to open in Shaw. This restaurant will feature traditional Ethiopian Food as well as fusions of other ethnic cuisine.

On Sept. 20, Jeff Black is debuting his new Old Black Salts and Black Pearl Oysters at the one-year anniversary of Pearl Dive Oyster Palace (1612 14^th Street NW). Tickets are $175 per person and include unlimited fresh seafood and an open bar. Guests will also be the first to try these two new exclusive oysters. Proceeds raised at this event will be donated to Food & Friends.

If that isn’t enough seafood, The Blue Crab Summit will be hosted at Johnny’s Half Shell (400 N. Capitol Street NW) on Sept. 21-22. For $60 per person, Chef Ann Cashion will prepare guests five large Maryland Blue Crabs in the East Texas tradition “Sartin Style.”

The Park Hyatt Washington and Blue Duck Tavern (1201 24^th Street NW) will host the Master’s of Food and Wine on Sept. 22. The Autumn Mushroom Chef’s Table Dinner will feature recently foraged chanterelle and field mushrooms prepared by Chef Archambault, Chef Melfi and Bryan Irwin.

On Sept. 23, celebrity chef Mike Isabella, of Bandolero and Graffiato, will be signing his first cookbook, “Mike Isabella’s Crazy Good Italian” at Graffiato.

Taste of D.C. 2012 is taking place on Pennsylvania Avenue Oct. 6-8. It features tastings and dishes from about 80 of D.C.’s best restaurants, eateries and food trucks. This will provide an excellent opportunity to try out some restaurants you have been meaning to try out all year.

Gay Chef and restaurateur Art Smith (currently competing on Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters”) is bringing you Election Night at Art & Soul (415 New Jersey Ave NW) on Nov. 6, and Swing State Cocktails from Oct. 1 until Jan. 31. On election night guests will be able to watch results roll in on large televisions and enjoy happy hour prices until a decision is made. Swing State Cocktails include drinks like The Colorado Orchid, The Cardinal Cooler (Virginia), The Cheese Head (Wisconsin) and The Patriot (New Hampshire).

In late fall, the Matchbox Food Group will be opening the region’s fourth Matchbox (1907 14th Street NW). Matchbox is known for its pizza and sliders. Matchbox Food Group will also be bringing Ted’s Bulletin to 14th Street in the upcoming year. Ted’s is famous for its homemade pop tarts and will add a delicious brunch option to 14th

Pearl Dive Oyster Palace celebrates its anniversary Sept. 20 with two new varities. (Blade photo by Jonathan Ellis)

and Swann Street.

A new personal favorite for the fall is Taco El Chilango (1119 V Street NW). You can enjoy tacos like Al Pastor (beef tongue, pinapple and onion) and Mixto (chicken and pork sausage) and they have habanero salsa. These tacos are so good you may see Anastasia Beaverhausen chowing down in the corner — don’t make eye contact, just know she’s there.

With many more restaurants and events slated for the weeks and months to come there will always be a new bite that needs to be tried, a foodie’s dream.

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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.