Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: May 11
Parties, concerts, exhibits and more through May 17
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy performs with the National Symphony Orchestra tonight at the Kennedy Center. (Photo courtesy Big Voodoo Daddy)
TODAY (Friday)
The HIV Working Group will be doing outreach tonight at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) during Bear Happy Hour starting at 7 p.m. and continuing throughout the night until midnight. Volunteers are needed. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
The National Symphony Orchestra presents Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Steven Reineke tonight at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) at 8 p.m. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will be performing its brand of retro-swing with the NSO Pops and principal conductor, Reineke. Tickets range from $20 to $85 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org. There will also be a performance on Saturday at 8 p.m.
Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) is hosting the welcome and registration event for Police Week 2012 today from 2 to 6 p.m.
Busboys & Poets presents “The 11th Hour” poetry slam hosted by “2Deep” the Poetess, tonight at 11 p.m. in the Langston room at its 14th and V streets location (2021 14th St., N.W.). There is a $5 admission at the door.
Comedian Will Durst is at Riot Act Comedy Theater (801 E St., N.W.) tonight at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Tickets range from $15 to $18 and are available online at riotactcomedy.com. Durst will also be performing on Saturday at 8 and 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 12
Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) and 495 Bears presents “Bears Can Dance” tonight at 9 p.m. There is no cover for this event.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) presents Funkytown, a retro dance party on the main floor with DJ Ed Bailey playing music from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. Doors open at 10 p.m. There is an $8 cover before 11 p.m. and $12 afterward. All attendees must be 21 or older.
Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) Superhero Pub Crawl is tonight at 10 p.m.
Busboys & Poets is hosting a Zumba block party with Vida Fitness tonight at its 5th and K location (1025 5th St., N.W.) from 5 to 7 p.m.
Mixtape D.C. is tonight at the Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.), a dance party for queer music lovers and their pals that features DJs Shea Van Horn and Matt Bailer playing an eclectic mix of electro, alt-pop, indie rock, house, disco, new wave and anything else danceable. There is a $10 cover for this event. Doors open at 9:30 p.m.
The Washington Ballet presents “¡Noche Latina!” today at 2:30 and 8 p.m. The show celebrates Latina American music, dance and culture. It includes two world premieres by Edwaard Liang and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and the company premiere of Trey McIntyre’s “Like a Samba.” The tickets range from $20 and $125 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.
Sunday, May 13
D.C.’s LGBT anti-violence task force GLOV (Gays & Lesbians Opposing Violence) is hosting a two hour introduction to self-defense class at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) today at 5 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $10. For more information and to register for the class, visit thedccenter.org.
Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) is having its first Guil-Tea dance party of the season today at 3 p.m.
LGBT science fiction, fantasy and horror group Lambda Sci-Fi is having its monthly meeting today at 1425 S St., N.W., at 1:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring a snack or a non-alcoholic drink to share. For more information contact James at 202-232-3141 or Peter and Rob at 202-483-6369, email to [email protected], or visit the group’s website at lambdascifi.org.
Monday, May 14
Busboys & Poets presents Monday Night Open Mic Poetry hosted by Beny Blaq in the Robeson Room of its Shirlington location (4251 S. Campbell Ave., Arlington) at 8 p.m. Wristbands are $4 and will be sold in the Global Exchange store beginning at 10 a.m. They are also available for purchase online at busboysandpoets.com starting at midnight before the event.
Tuesday, May 15
The Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) is hosting a launch party for “The New Professional: Issue Three” tonight at 8 p.m. The event will feature live performances from Tray Chaney of HBO’s “The Wire” and more special guests. Admission is $12. For more information, visit blackcatdc.com.
Busboys & Poets presents “Louder Than a Bomb” fundraiser and film screening tonight at its Hyattsville location (5331 Baltimore Ave., Suite 104) at 7:30 p.m. hosted by the D.C. Youth Slam Team. “Louder Than a Bomb” is a documentary about the poets of Chicago’s city-wide youth slam. There is a suggested $10 donation. For more information, visit busboysandpoets.com.
Wednesday, May 16
The D.C. Crystal Meth Working Group meets tonight at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) at 7 p.m. The group, which has been dormant for about a year, is dedicated to education and treatment advocacy around methamphetamine. For more information, visit thedccenter.org or letstalkaboutmeth.org.
Studio Theatre (1501 14th St., N.W.) presents “The Big Meal” by Dan LeFranc tonight. The show follows a young couple through their life, from their first date to having kids and more at a single restaurant table. Tickets range from $46 to $59. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit studiotheatre.org.
Thursday, May 17
Professionals in the City and the D.C. Center are hosting a speed dating event for gay men in their 30s and 40s at Chi-Cha Lounge (1624 U St., N.W.) from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight. Attendees will date for about an hour and then be able to mingle with everyone. After the event, matches can be made online. Tickets are $30. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra SuperPops presents “The Beat Goes On!: The Music of the Baby Boomers” tonight at the Music Center at Strathmore (5301 Tuckermane Lane, North Bethesda) at 8 p.m. featuring music from television, movie themes and popular hits including music by Burt Bacharach and Frankie Valli.
Out & About
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community
Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.
The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.
This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.
For more details, visit the cemetery’s website.
Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.
The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.
There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events.
For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website.
Friday, June 12
Bet Mishpachah will host “Pride Shabbat Happy Hour” at 6 p.m. at Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center. This is an in-person happy hour with an open wine and beer bar, great company, and joyful conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Women in their Twenties and Thirties will meet at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area. For more details, visit Facebook.
Saturday, June 13
Out N Bad will host “SWEET WHINE: DC Pride Queer Caribbean Slow Whine Function” at 9 p.m. at Decades DC. This is a late-night escape into slow and steamy Dancehall & Kompa only. No splits. No headtops. No pressure. Tickets are $22.14 and are available on Eventbrite.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host a screening of “10s Across the Borders,” a bold pan-Asian queer film that confronts homophobia, transphobia, and racism while celebrating Southeast Asia’s underground ballroom scene. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Sunday, June 14
Beth A Wolfe Yoga will host “Pride Baby Goat Yoga” at 1 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington, Va. The goats will be decked out in their finest Pride apparel, and human participants are welcome to do the same. Proceeds from this event will go to the Trevor Project. Tickets cost $44.52 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, June 15
“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, June 16
“Self-Defense Class with Avi Rome” will be at 12:30 p.m. Rome is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and a full-time Martial Arts instructor with 25 years of teaching experience. He holds a 5th Degree Black Belt in Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do and is the director of the studio’s Adaptive Tae Kwon Do program for students with special needs. He has also run numerous self-defense workshops for various groups and situations. For more details, visit the center’s website.
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.
Wednesday, June 17
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, June 18
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. 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.
D.C. Council approves expanded grant funding for Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Baltimore Pride is here
Calendar: June 12-18
Gender-bending buddy film gets 4K restoration for 25th anniversary
‘Mighty Real’ explores history of LGBTQ music
D.C.’s housing reality: Cautious optimism meets landlord strain
Hundreds of thousands expected to attend D.C. Pride events
PHOTOS: Pride Run
