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Best of Gay D.C. XIII: Community

Winners from the Blade’s readers poll

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community, gay news, Washington Blade

To see the winners of the Washington Blade’s Best of Gay D.C. readers poll in other categories, click here.

Best House of Worship

Foundry United Methodist Church

Lou Ann Sandstrom, Kathleen Kutschenreuter, Foundry United Methodist Church, wedding, same-sex marriage, gay marriage, marriage equality, gay news, Washington Blade

Lou Ann Sandstrom, left, and Kathleen Kutschenreuter at their wedding recessional at Foundry United Methodist Church on Sept. 28, 2013. (Photo by Paul Morse Photography; courtesy the couple)

1500 16th St., N.W.

202-332-4010

foundryumc.org

Runner-up: Metropolitan Community Church of Washington

Best Home Furnishings

Miss Pixies Furnishings & Whatnot

community, gay news, Washington Blade

Miss Pixie’s (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

1626 14th St., N.W.

202-232-8171

misspixies.com

Runner-up: Room & Board

Best Hotel

W Hotel

Community, gay news, Washington Blade

W Hotel (Photo courtesy of the W Hotel Washington, D.C.)

515 15th St., N.W.

202-661-2400

wwashingtondc.com

Runner-up: Hotel Palomar

Best Art Gallery

Winner: Phillips Collection

community, gay news, Washington Blade

The Phillips Collection (Photo by Max Hirshfeld; courtesy Phillips Collection)

1600 21st St., N.W.

phillipscollection.org

202-387-2151

Runner-up: Corcoran

Best Non-Profit

Whitman-Walker Health

Don Blanchon, Whitman-Walker Health, gay news, Washington Blade

Whitman-Walker Health CEO Don Blanchon (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

1701 14th St. N.W.

2301 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. S.E.

202-745-7000

whitman-walker.org

Runner-up: SMYAL

Best Salon/Spa

Bang Salon

community, gay news, Washington Blade

Bang Salon (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

1612 U St., N.W.

202-299-0925

bangsalon.com

Runner-up: Logan 14 Aveda

Best Fitness or Workout Spot

Vida Fitness

community, gay news, Washington Blade

Vida Fitness (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Locations vary

vidafitness.com

Runner-up: CrossFit DC

Best Theater

Kennedy Center

Kennedy Center, culture, gay news, Washington Blade

The Kennedy Center (Photo by Steve via Wikimedia Commons)

2700 F St. N.W.

800-444-1324

kennedy-center.org

Runner-up: Studio Theatre

Best Theater Production

“Avenue Q” (Olney Theatre )

Runner-up: “The Lion King” – Kennedy Center

Avenue Q, gay news, Washington Blade

Jason Loewith, right, with Bobby Smith in rehearsal for ‘Avenue Q.’ (Photo by Sonie Mathew; courtesy Olney Theatre Center)

Often described as Sesame Street meets “Rent,” “Avenue Q” is an angsty, coming-of-age comedy set on a city block inhabited by slutty, shy, straight, gay, and monstrous Muppet-like puppets, and the grown up child actor Gary Coleman imagined as building super. Olney’s terrific take on the delightfully raunchy Tony Award-winning musical was helmed by out artistic director Jason Loewith and featured a top notch cast including Sam Ludwig, Rachel Zampelli, and Stephen Gregory Smith. (PF)

Olney Theatre Center

2001 Olney Sandy Spring Rd.

Olney, Md. 20832

olneytheatre.org

Best LGBT Sports Team

Washington Generals D.C. Gay Flag Football League

Runner-up: D.C. Front Runners

community, gay news, Washington Blade

Washington Generals (Photo courtesy Washington Generals)

Washington Generals, part of the D.C. Gay Flag Football League, made it to the Gay Bowl last year. They lost the championship but the team was welcomed back to this year’s Gay Bowl. The team includes both straight and gay members. (MC)

Dcgffl.org

Best LGBT-owned Business

EatWell Restaurants

Runner-up: City Dogs Daycare

Josh Hahn, David Winer, EatWellDC, gay news, Washington Blade

Josh Hahn and David Winer of EatWell (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

EatWell is a restaurant management company committed to providing quality food and exciting environments. The company owns and operates a private farm in La Plata, Md., that provides produce for the company’s five restaurants: Commissary, Grillfish, The Heights, Logan Tavern and The Pig. (SMH)

Eat Well Restaurants

202-332-3710

eatwelldc.com

Best Comedy Club

D.C. Improv

1140 Connecticut Ave., N.W.

202-296-7008

dcimprov.com

Runner-up: Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse

Best Rehoboth Business

Purple Parrot

Runner-up: Blue Moon

community, gay news, Washington Blade

Purple Parrot (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

It’s not easy to sustain bar and restaurant success over more than 15 years, but Purple Parrot owners Hugh Fuller and Troy Roberts have managed to do just that by continually reinventing the space and improving on an already good thing. Last year brought a smart renovation of the front bar. The newer Biergarten in back has grown more popular over the past couple years, with standing-room-only crowds in summer. In addition to the food and drinks, there’s entertainment, including drag shows, karaoke and performances during Jazz Fest Weekend and other special events. Jamie Romano and the rest of the staff work hard to keep customers happy and coming back year-round. (KN)

Purple Parrot

134 Rehoboth Ave.

302-226-1139

ppgrill.com

Best LGBT Social Group

Stonewall Sports

Runner-up: NOVA Pride

community, Stonewall Kickball, sports, JR's, Cobalt, gay news, Washington Blade, Stead Park

Stonewall Kickball All-Stars Game (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Stonewall Sports, an LGBT and ally sports organization, does more than just play. In addition to its leagues, which include bocce and kickball, Stonewall Sports also gives to charities like the DC Center and SMYAL. (MC)

Stonewallsports.leagueapps.com

Best Pet Business

City Dogs Daycare

Runner-up: City Paws Animal Hospital

community, gay news, Washington Blade

City Dogs Daycare (Photo courtesy of City Dogs Daycare)

Located between Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan, City Dogs Daycare provides daycare, boarding, training, and grooming for all dogs over 10 lbs. Staff keep the dogs in their care constantly engaged. Grooming services are new for City Dogs and began earlier this month. (SMH)

City Dogs Daycare

1832 18th Street, N.W.

202-234-WAGS

city-dogs.com

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Out & About

Love board games and looking for love?

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(Image by VLADGRIN/Bigstock)

Quirk Events will host “Board Game Speed Dating for Gay Men” on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. at KBird DC. 

Searching for a partner can be challenging. But board games are always fun. So what if you combined board games and finding a partner?

Picture this: You sit down for a night of games. A gaming concierge walks you through several games over the course of the night. You play classics you love and discover brand new games you’ve never heard of, playing each with a different group of fun singles. All while in a great establishment. 

At the end of the night, you give your gaming concierge a list of the folks you met that you’d like to date and a list of those you met that you’d like to just hang out with as friends. If any two people put down the same name as each other in either column, then your gaming concierge will make sure you get each other’s e-mail address and you can coordinate a time to hang out.

Tickets cost $31.80 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

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Calendar

Calendar: January 16-22

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, January 16

Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).

Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This event is ideal for making new connections and community building or just to unwind and enjoy extended happy hour. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, January 17

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.

The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center and SMYAL will host a free film screening of “Mama Bears” celebrating queer youth, resilience, and the power of living authentically. Whether you’re a movie lover, looking to make new friends, or simply want a safe, affirming space to relax, this event is for you. Click this link to RSVP

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 will be all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.

Sunday, January 18

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, January 19

“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]).

Tuesday, January 20

Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.

Tae Kwon Do Class with Avi Rome will be at 12:30 p.m. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.

Wednesday, January 21

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, January 22

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. 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.  

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Sports

Capitals to host 10th annual Pride night

Pre-game block party planned at District E

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(Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

The Washington Capitals will host Pride Night on Saturday, Jan. 17, when they host the Florida Panthers at Capital One Arena. A special ticket offer featuring a Pride-themed Capitals rainbow jersey is available at washcaps.com.

Fans are invited to a pre-game Block Party at District E beginning at 5 p.m. The event will feature a performance by the band NovaKane. Specialty happy hour food and beverages will be available, as well as giveaways. There will also be a presence by several local LGBTQ+ community organizations.

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