Don't miss the Best of Gay DC party Thursday, 6 p.m. at Hotel Helix.

Thursday night, don’t miss the party at Hotel Helix when we will release our annual Best of Gay DC edition with the readers’ choice poll that you picked!

Please join us at the Hotel Helix 1430 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005 at 6:00 p.m. to find out who your favorites where across gay DC.

Party sponsored by Hotel Helix and Eagle Bank.

Stay tuned to the website, Friday, for the release of our special Best of Gay DC online section, complete with biographies of the winners, photos and more.

What is gay DC’s favorite new restaurant? What about favorite veggie fare? When we cross over to Maryland and Virginia where do we like to chow down? Where is the best cocktail? Who makes our favorite music? What about the best house of worship? Which local non-profit do we love to support? Who is our local hero?

Learn all about it tomorrow at the Blade Best of Gay DC release party with special celebrity guests, a multimedia tribute to the winners, and a look back at the last 10 years of Best of Gay DC — along with food, drink and music provided by one of DC’s hottest DJs.

Kat Skiles (Blade photo by Michael Key)

Kat Skiles is starting to get the sense that she’s stumbled into something. Her new website lezgettogether.com — she built if over the hurricane weekend — is doing healthy early traffic.

A free Facebook-esque site for D.C.-area lesbians, it’s earned about 160 members in its first month and is adding more daily.

“Everybody who’s seen it has been like, ‘Oh my gosh, yeah, we’ve needed this,’” Skiles says.

She got the idea after struggling to make friends upon moving to Washington herself in 2008. She says her first few years here were spent “looking desperately” for a diverse gathering space. She kept coming up dry.

“Facebook is awesome, bars and nightlife are great, but I think there really is a need for a specific, separate space where lesbians of all different ages and demographics can mingle,” she says.

And why is this so hard with D.C.’s strong LGBT population? Why doesn’t it seem to be a problem for gay men?

“I don’t know,” Skiles says. “It’s a good question and I’m sure there all kinds of great conversations to be had about that.”

The upstart costs have been minimal but she hopes to soon have it up and running on its own through ad sales. She didn’t conceive of it as a business venture but she would like it to be self sustaining. The first gathering is planned for Oct. 21. Members will meet at 6:30 at Solly’s Tavern for the inaugural “lesbian attack,” a monthly event where they’ll gather at a straight bar for the evening.

Skiles, a 26-year-old Salt Lake City native, is an online communications director for the U.S. House. She loves working on the Hill and has long been fascinated by politics. She’s also the communications director for the LGBT Congressional Staff Association.

Skiles studied religion and politics at Northern California’s Dominican University but came to D.C. for an internship in 2006 and “fell in love with it.”

Skiles is in a relationship and lives in Columbia Heights. She enjoys pick-up basketball, working out, Scrabble and American history. (Blade photos by Michael Key)

How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?

I don’t know that I ever really “came out.” Being gay was just this thing I started doing one day.

Who’s your LGBT hero?

Tammy Baldwin.

What’s Washington’s best nightspot, past or present?

Chi Cha Lounge on U Street. It is second to none.

Describe your dream wedding.

The Jefferson Memorial. It is going to happen.

What non-LGBT issue are you most passionate about?

Veterans issues are near and dear to my heart. Three generations of my family have fought in wars with the United States Army, most recently my brother in Iraq.

What historical outcome would you change?

The legal institution of slavery in the earliest years of American history.

What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?

The night Nancy Pelosi took the Speakership. I’m a big fan of firsts for women in general and I really admire Pelosi, but I also campaigned myself ragged that election cycle. I felt so a part of the victory. It was all very moving.

On what do you insist?

Standing up for what’s right, even if it is awkward.

What was your last Facebook post or Tweet?

I’ve been working really hard to get the word out aboutLezGetTogether.com and so I’ve posted the link all over Facebook and Twitter a million times. You probably should too. Go on… go on…

If your life were a book, what would the title be?

“The Girl Who Preferred Her Hoodie to An Umbrella”

If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?

I would join the Tea Party in declaring science a hoax. Actually, no. I would just declare science a hoax.

What do you believe in beyond the physical world?

My views about the non-physical world are rooted in staying focused on the here and now. I read this beautiful book a few years ago called “Way of the Peaceful Warrior” that sums it up pretty well. My favorite section says, “Wake up! If you knew for certain you had a terminal illness — if you had little time left to live — you would waste precious little of it! Well, I’m telling you, you do have a terminal illness. It’s called birth. You don’t have more than a few years left. No one does! So be happy now, without reason or you will never be at all.”

What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders?

As we continue advancing equality, it’s important to recognize the value of lending a hand to others along the way. Our LGBT family is a canvas of diversity and that means we have to fight in every instance of discrimination — men for women, whites for minorities, rich for poor and so on. We pick up ourselves when we pick up others.

What would you walk across hot coals for?

A Democratic majority in the House of Representatives. If that option were to become unavailable I’d go for a jar of Nutella and a spoon.

What LGBT stereotype annoys you most?

I studied religion in college and grew up in a family of Irish Catholics so I have a particular irritation with those who mischaracterize the message of Christ and push forward with such ferocity that which is clearly hateful and discriminatory. I suppose I shouldn’t be too hard on those folks though, because when Jesus sees that the gays aren’t pulling their weight in contributing to overpopulation and dogs start marrying bunnies, Armageddon is likely to ensue — or something like that.

What’s your favorite LGBT movie?

“Kissing Jessica Stein”

What’s the most overrated social custom?

That it’s impolite to speak about religion or politics. Great. Let’s just talk about the weather or what time the mail comes. Why would I want to hear about the values and ideas that most significantly shape who you are? This social custom seems a bit ridiculous.

What trophy or prize do you most covet?

I’d like to run for D.C. City Council.

What do you wish you’d known at 18?

All that studying would actually pay off.

Why Washington?

I fell in love with this town a long time ago. I’ll grow old here.

With the U.S. Capitol as a dramatic backdrop, tens of thousands of LGBT people and their friends and families jammed Pennsylvania Avenue on Sunday for the District of Columbia’s 36th annual Capital Pride festival.

One day earlier, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and ten members of the 13-member D.C. City Council joined dozens of LGBT groups, colorful floats, marching bands, and thousands of individual marchers in the annual Capital Pride Parade, which snaked its way along city streets lined with thousands of spectators.

Gray also spoke at Sunday’s festival before introducing the day’s lead entertainer, Broadway actress and singer Jennifer Holliday, who debuted her new single “Magic,” marking the song’s word premiere.

Although city officials and police no longer provide official crowd estimates for large-scale events, Capital Pride organizers said they believe between 200,000 and 250,000 people turned out for the parade and festival.

“Everything was absolutely fantastic,” said Capital Pride spokesperson Scott Lusk. “All of our community partners and volunteers and attendees showed up in great numbers and with great enthusiasm. It was an absolute fantastic weekend.”

Eighteen-year-old Tiffany Johnson from Southeast D.C., who stood with a group of friends near the festival’s main stage just before Holliday began her performance, said this year’s festival represented the first time she had ever attended Capital Pride.

“It’s just awesome,” she said. “It’s just so great to be able to come out to something like this.”

Angelo Jimenez, 54, a resident of Richmond, Va., said this year’s festival marked the 31st consecutive year he has traveled to D.C. to attend the city’s Pride festival.

“I came for the first time in 1980 and haven’t missed a single year,” he said. “That tells you how much this means to me.”

Other festival attendees who approached the Blade’s booth identified themselves as residents of states up and down the mid Atlantic region as well as from the D.C. metropolitan area.

Gray and a contingent of city officials, including gay activist Jeffrey Richardson, director of the city’s Office of GLBT Affairs, walked along Saturday the entire parade route, which began at 22nd and P Streets, N.W., near Dupont Circle, and ended nearly two miles later at 14th and N Streets, N.W., near Thomas Circle.

Most of the Council members, including gay Council members David Catania (I-At-Large) and Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), also walked or rode in cars along the full parade route.

The other Council members participating in the parade included Council Chair Kwame Brown (D-At-Large) and Council members Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large), Michael Brown (I-At-Large), Vincent Orange (D-At-Large), Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3), Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4), and Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6).

Gray had invited the Council members to join his contingent, which he named the “D.C. 41,” in recognition of the 41 city officials and activists, including Gray and six Council members, who were arrested in April outside a Senate office building near the Capitol in a protest against congressional intrusion in D.C. affairs.

But most of the Council members chose to march or ride in their own contingents just behind the mayor’s contingent.

Following closely behind the D.C. elected officials’ contingents was Adam Ebbin, the openly gay member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Alexandria, who is running for a seat in the Virginia Senate.

The parade was led by an escort of D.C. police cars staffed by members of the department’s Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit.

Following closely behind the police escort was a contingent of leaders and supporters of the Trevor Project, a nationally recognized organization that works to prevent LGBT teen suicide. Capital Pride selected the Trevor Project contingent as the parade’s grand marshal.

A D.C. Public Schools contingent was among the parade contingents that attracted considerable attention and drew loud applause throughout the parade route. It included teachers, parents, and elementary school kids, with some waving rainbow flags.

Similar to past years, D.C.’s Different Drummers, the city’s LGBT marching band, and the Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps Marching Band of New York City marched and performed in the parade.

Capital Pride organizers said they were especially pleased with the wide diversity of groups and vendors that participated in both the parade in festival. In addition to a large number of national and local LGBT organizations, such as the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, and the Gay & Lesbian Activists Alliance, LGBT oriented religious, sports, and social groups participated in both event, organizers said.

A number of the city’s gay bars and nightclubs also had colorful floats in the parade. Bathing suit clad men danced to music blaring from a float from Nellie’s Sport Bar. Drag performers and male go-go dancers in bathing suites also danced to music broadcast from loud speakers atop two large flatbed trucks that made up the float for Ziegfeld’s-Secrets, the gay club in Southwest D.C. that features drag shows and male strippers.

A number of new commercial and corporate venders participated in this year at the festival, according to Capital Pride officials. Among them were the Saab automobile company and Macy’s department stores. Both were among this year’s Capital Pride corporate sponsors.

Among some of the others displaying their information at festival booths were the Goddard Space Flight Center Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Advisory Committee; the Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art; the Gay-Straight Alliance of Montgomery Blair High School in Montgomery County, Md.; the Embassy of Sweden; Amtrak; the Capital Cat Clinic; the D.C. Office of Human Rights and D.C. Child and Family Services Agency.

Capital Pride board president Michael Lutz said this year’s festival included expanded family related activities, with a special family section that provided children’s games and children’s entertainment.

The Washington Nationals Baseball Team also had a presence at the festival, with at least one of its “racing presidents,” actors dressed as past U.S. president with oversized puppet-like heads, walking through the festival grounds.

The Nationals are hosting the annual LGBT “Night Out at the Nationals” game on June 21, which is sponsored by the local LGBT sports group Team D.C.

Capital Pride officials have said it costs about $500,000 to put on the annual D.C. pride events, including the parade and festival. Lutz said contributions from corporate sponsors, at least 25 local and national LGBT and LGBT-supportive organizations who sign on as Pride Community Partners, and fundraising events generate the funds needed to pay for Capital Pride.

“We’re in great shape financially,” said Lutz, who noted that a full accounting of the group’s finances is released each year after an independent accountant completes the bookkeeping process.

Capital Pride presented its annual Heroes and Engendered Spirit Awards at a ceremony on Tuesday night at the Embassy of Sweden; see story for full list of winners. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

As many as 250,000 people are expected to turn out for the D.C. Capital Pride parade and festival set for Saturday and Sunday, marking the D.C. area and the mid-Atlantic region’s largest two LGBT events of the year, according to Capital Pride organizers.

The two events serve as the highlight of dozens of Pride-related events that began on June 1 and included a broad and diverse representation of the LGBT community, organizers said, including events celebrating the transgender community and the LGBT Latino and Asian and Pacific Islander communities.

“This is the community’s event and the community pitches in every year,” said Bernie Delia, vice president of the Capital Pride board. “They’re the ones who put together the parade contingents and the floats on Saturday. And on Sunday, at the festival, they’re the ones who are staffing all those booths,” he said.

“They line the parade route and they come out in support of everybody at the festival, and it truly is a community event and it’s just wonderful to see this each and every year.”

Capital Pride spokesperson Scott Lusk said the festival’s headline entertainer, singer and Broadway actress Jennifer Holliday, was expected to make news on the main stage during her 5 p.m. performance when she debuts her new single “Magic,” representing the song’s world premiere.

Nationally acclaimed DJ and re-mixer Tony Moran of New York will accompany Holliday on the stage, where he will perform a special mix with Holliday, according to an announcement by Capital Pride.

“We’re thrilled that Tony Moran will join us at the Capital Pride Festival,” said Michael Lutz, president of the Capital Pride board. “With Tony joining Jennifer Holliday, we are set to have an afternoon of outstanding entertainment that will appeal to a wide audience.”

Other entertainers will perform on the main stage prior to Holliday’s appearance. They include the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, popular drag performer Ella Fitzgerald, and the D.C. Cowboys dancing group. A full list of the entertainers is available at HYPERLINK “http://www.capitalpride.org/”capitalpride.org.

As of May 8, 79 contingents had signed up for participation in the June 11 parade. Organizers said additional contingents were expected to sign up.

And as of May 21, 206 organizations, businesses and vendors had reserved space for booths at the June 12 Capital Pride festival, which takes place on Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., between 3rd Street, near the U.S. Capitol, and 7th Street. As of Wednesday, the weather forecast looks good for the weekend with temperatures expected to be in the low 80s with only a chance of scattered storms on both days.

Similar to past years, dozens of LGBT organizations, both national and local, are slated to staff booths this year. Dozens of corporations and businesses seeking to do business with LGBT people also will have booths in this year’s festival.

Among them are America Online, Choice Hotels International, Geico, Walgreens pharmacies, Verizon Wireless, and Citibank, SunTrust, and Wachovia banks.

For the past four years, the Washington City Paper has named the Capital Pride Parade the city’s best parade of the year, and Delia said he expects this year’s parade to continue that tradition.

Delia and other Capital Pride organizers say a wide range of colorful floats and marching bands are slated to join the parade, which is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of 22nd and P Sts., N.W. next to P Street Beach Park.

Similar to past years, the parade will travel west on P Street to Dupont Circle, turn north along New Hampshire Avenue and take a right turn on R Street to 17th Street. It will travel south along 17th Street, passing several popular gay bars and restaurants, before returning to P Street, where it heads east to 14th Street. At that point, the parade travels south on 14^th before ending at 14th and N Streets, N.W., near Thomas Circle.

The main parade reviewing stand, where Capital Pride judges will select winners of different categories of parade contingents, is located on the 1400 block of P Street, near the Whole Foods supermarket.

At a ceremony on Tuesday night at the Embassy of Sweden, which is among this year’s Capital Pride sponsors, the group presented its annual Capital Pride Heroes and Capital Pride Engendered Spirit Awards.

Those honored this year as Pride Heroes are Bil Browning, LGBT activist and founder of the Bilerico Project blog; June Crenshaw, a local African-American lesbian activist involved in health issues; Tyrone Hanley, HIV prevention advocate for LGBT youth; Dr. Theo Hodge, infectious disease specialist working on HIV/AIDS treatment; Rev. Jill McCrory, interim pastor at Open Door Metropolitan Community Church in Boyds, Md. and marriage equality advocate; and Rebecca Roose, environmental advocate promoting  “green” Capital Pride events.

Engendered Spirit award recipients include: Terri Moore, youth activist associated with D.C.’s Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL); Gabby Thomas, HIV/AIDS activist associated with the D.C. groups Us Helping Us and Transgender Health Empowerment; Mara Keisling, founding executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality; Ruby Corado, advocate for transgender rights within the D.C. area Latino community and the broader LGBT community; Drs. Denis and Christine Wiley, co-pastors of the LGBT welcoming Covenant Baptist United Church in Southeast D.C.; and Joe Izzo, licensed social worker and longtime psychotherapist with Whitman-Walker Health specializing in transgender and substance abuse issues.

Ben Cohen (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

British rugby star Ben Cohen made an appearance at Town Danceboutique on Tuesday. Many members of the Washington Renegades rugby football club were joined by scores of fans to meet the world-class athlete. Cohen stopped in D.C. as a part of his “Acceptance Tour” for his new anti-bullying organization, the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation, Inc. The rugby World Cup champion met with each of his fans and then auctioned off various items, including his shirt. To the disappointment of many in the audience, he did not take his shirt off on stage, but the shirt still sold for several hundred dollars. Proceeds from the auction were to be donated to the HRC, the Trevor Project and other LGBT groups through Cohen’s foundation.

Cohen is straight, but has dedicated his philanthropic efforts to combat homophobia and bullying. As he states on his website, “In my view, rugby is a very inclusive sport. Everyone can get involved in one way or another, so I will be using it as a vehicle to drive my message of acceptance out to people from all walks of life, everywhere. There is a lot of work to be done. Attitudes need to change. Young people should not be bullied into taking their own lives. That is what is happening and it needs to stop.”

Chris Gorham at the Homo Climbtastic convention in Bishop, Calif. (Photo by Tim Kettering)

Being out in nature can be a peaceful experience and can bring a sense of calm for most people.

Being out in nature can also be a heart thumping experience depending on what you have chosen to do with your time with Mother Nature.

I once put in four days of climbing on the Appalachian Trail in the Shenandoah Valley. Considering how many rock faces I fell off during one particularly rainy day, I could have benefited by spending some time with Rainbow Climbing D.C.

This LGBT rock climbing group is a relatively new entity under the Team D.C. umbrella. Led by Chris Gorham, its members can usually be found at Earth Treks in Rockville on Tuesday and Thursday nights and sometimes on weekends. For beginners, this would be a great place to start. The club has no member dues, but the climbing fees at Earth Treks run around $20.

Rainbow Climbing D.C. has hosted two local outdoor climbs recently in Carderock, Md. The site is located on the Potomac and there is climbing available on both sides of the river. Carderock offers four top rope climbs and is a great place for beginners to try outdoor rock climbing.  Gorham says it’s also a great place to hang out and the group will be planning another trip to Carderock soon.

As is the case with all the local LGBT sports clubs, there is a national organization that helps network the athletes. In rock climbing, it’s Homo Climbtastic. Its people help LGBT climbers and their local clubs connect with other climbers and clubs. Its website is also a public blog I found pretty entertaining (homoclimbtastic.com or on Facebook).

Homo Climbtastic also hosts two climbs annually and taut those as the worlds largest queer-friendly climbing conventions. Gorham just returned from the most recent convention in Bishop, Calif. One of the attractions in Bishop were two multi-pitch lead climbs with vertical elevations of 120 to 200 feet.

The next Homo Climbtastic convention will be held from July 14-18 at New River Gorge in Fayetteville, W.V. New River Gorge is the most popular rock climbing and rappelling destination in the eastern United States. Also located nearby is Summersville Lake which is a 28,000 acre body of water known nationwide for its variety of sports attractions.

At the 2010 Gay Games in Cologne, sport climbing was one of the sports contested. While Cleveland/Akron has not announced its sports for 2014, there is a good possibility that sport climbing will be on the list. Sport climbing is a style of rock climbing wherein a climber ascends a route that already has permanent bolts and anchors attached on the rock wall.

Sport climbing is considered the safest style of climbing because the climber is able to clip to the bolts which are generally 8 feet apart. The chance of falling is greatly diminished. Since the element of danger is reduced, sport climbing emphasizes the gymnastic and athletic aspects of climbing. It focuses on the development of the climber’s stamina, strength and flexibility.

According to Gorham, the best way to catch the rock climbing vibe is to put yourself out there in different locales with different climbers. Besides the group’s usual climbing at Earth Treks and the occasional Carderock trip, the climbers will also be at Sport Rock in Alexandria on May 20. For more information, find the group on Facebook under Rainbow Climbing D.C.

'Trees at Lock 24' by Harvey Kupferberg is part of the photography exhibit, 'Infrared: The Invisible Light' at Touchstone Gallery. An opening reception is schedule for tonight.

TODAY (Friday)

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) is hosting an open mic night tonight from 8 to 10 p.m. hosted by Mike Brazell.

RAW, hosted by DJs Bil Todd and Shea Van Horn with special guest DJ Sirlinda, will be at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Free entry before 11 p.m. with a $5 cover after. There will be an open bar from 10 to 11 p.m. Attendees must be 21 or older.

DJ Tracy Young will be spinning at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) tonight at 10 p.m.

Aja Feen is giving same-sex argentine tango lessons at Ballet Teatro Internacional (1643 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) tonight from 8 to 9:30 p.m. with practice time and social dancing from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. For more information, call 202-588-8282.

Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave., N.W.) is hosting an opening reception tonight from 6 to 8:30 p.m. for its newest exhibit “Life Is Too Serious” featuring paintings and drawings by Marcia Coppel and “Infrared: The Invisible Light” featuring photographs by Harvey Kupferberg.

The Lodge (21614 National Pike) in Boonsboro is hosting May Madness featuring drag performers Stephanie Michaels, Nicole James, Sasha Renee, Chi Chi Ray Colby and Araya Sparxx tonight at 9 p.m. There is a $5 cover from 9 to 10:30 p.m. and an $8 cover after. For more information, visit thelodgemd.com.

Saturday, May 7

The Beltway Poetry Slam, The Fridge D.C. (516 8th St., S.E.) and the D.C. Center present two-time world poetry slam champion Buddy Wakefield tonight at 7:30 p.m.

DJ Drew G will be performing at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) tonight with music and video downstairs by Wess. Doors open at 10 p.m. There is an $8 cover before 11 and $12 after. All attendees must be 21 or older.

52 O Street Studios is holding open studios today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be workshops, discussions and performances. This event will continue on Sunday. For more information, visit 52ostreetstudios.org.

Cobalt’s (1639 R St., N.W.) second annual amateur DJ contest starts today at 4 p.m. The club will provide CDJs and turntables for participants to use. To enter, send your name, DJ name, phone number and e-mail to cobaltcontest@gmail.com. For more information, visit cobalt.com.

Code has its monthly installment tonight at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.). Gear, rubber, skin, uniform or leather dress code will be strictly enforced. Music provided by DJ Frank Wild. Admission is $10. All attendees must be 18 or older. There will be an open bar from 9 to 10 p.m.

The Lodge (21614 National Pike) in Boonsboro is hosting “Villains and Hos: The Slutty Party” tonight from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Prizes, including $40 cash, $20 bar tab and free drinks, will be given for best costume.

Sunday, May 8

Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) has its weekly drag brunch hosted by Shi-Queeta Lee today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The brunch buffet is $20, which includes a free mimosa.

The Capitol Hill Restoration Society’s 54th annual Mother’s Day House and Garden Tours are today from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 on the tour weekend. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit chrs.org.

Monday, May 9

Professionals in the City and the D.C. Center are hosting a speed dating event for lesbian and bisexual women at Chi-Cha Lounge (1624 U St., N.W.) from 7 to 9 p.m. 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 $20. For more information, visit prosinthecity.com.

Bears do Yoga at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court N.W.) tonight at 6:30 p.m. Class lasts for an hour and serves as an introduction to yoga for people of all different body types and physical abilities. It’s taught by Michael Brazell. For more information, visit dccenter.org.

Tuesday, May 10

Beeswax, a newly formed, Washington-based arts promotion and advisory service working with artists, dealers, collectors and galleries, is hosting its second monthly D.C. Artists Networking Happy Hour tonight at the Science Club (1136 19th St., N.W.) from 6 to 9 p.m. There is a $5 cover.

“Follies,” an award-winning musical starring Bernadette Peters, will be performed tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $45 to $150 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.

The Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance will hold a membership meeting tonight from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Charles Sumner School Museum and Archive (1201 17th St., N.W.).

DCBiWomen will have its monthly dinner at Dupont Italian Kitchen (1637 17th St., N.W.) tonight from 7 to 9:30 p.m. For more information, visit dcbiwomen.org.

Wednesday, May 11

Washington Wetskins Water Polo team is having its monthly happy hour at Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) tonight from 5 to 8 p.m.

The Academy is hosting a panel discussion featuring Mame Dennis, Destiny B. Childs and Carlton Stevens as part of its 50th anniversary tonight at the National Trust for Historic Preservation (1785 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.) from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The Big Gay Book Group will meet tonight at 7:00 p.m. at 1155 F Street, N.W., Suite 200.  The book discussed will be “The 19th Wife” by David Ebershoff. For more information, visit biggaybookgroup.com or e-mail biggaybookgroup@hotmail.com.

Thursday, May 12

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington has its monthly piano bar/open mic tonight from 7 to 10 p.m. at Black Fox Lounge (1723 Conn. Ave., N.W.). Singers of all levels are welcome to sing alone or with members of the Chorus.

Marcia's Coppel's 'I Have a Problem' is part of her new exhibit at Touchstone Gallery. An opening reception is schedule for May 6. (Image courtesy of Touchstone)

Today (Friday)

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) will be having an opening reception for an art display featuring works of Becca Kallem, tonight from 7 to 9 p.m.

Beat City, a rock ‘n’ roll lounge part for queer folks and their friends, will be tonight from 9 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. upstairs at Chief Ike’s Mambo Room (1725 Columbia Rd., N.W.). All attendees must be 21 or older and there is no cover.

Caliente Grande: White Party is tonight at Apex (1415 22nd St., N.W.) starting at 9 p.m. DJ Michael Brandon will be spinning the Latin dance party in the main hall. There is a $10 cover charge. Attendees wearing white will be let in for free until 11 p.m. Attendees must be 18 to enter, 21 to drink.

D.C. Sentinels will be having its monthly happy hour at Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 5 to 8 p.m.

Busboys & Poets will be hosting ASL open mic poetry tonight at 11 p.m. in the Langston Room at its 14th and V streets location (2021 14th St., N.W.). Anyone with sign language knowledge may sign up to recite a poem or sign a song by e-mailing djsupalee@aol.com. There is a $5 cover.

Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St., N.E.) is hosting a screening at 8 p.m. of “Break Ground,” which follows 40 teens from the D.C. Metro area that “limit themselves from experiencing relationships that could free them from their pasts.” Three additional screenings will be Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Saturday, April 30

The 15th annual Youth Pride Day will be celebrated today from noon to 5 p.m. at Dupont Circle. Following the festival will be the Infatuation Dance for those 21 and younger with DJ Keenan at U Street Music Hall (1115-A U St., N.W.) from 5 to 9:30 p.m. There is a $5 cover for the dance.

Dennis Miller will be at the Warner Theatre (1299 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $49.50 to $65 and can be purchased online at livenation.com.

Kylie Minogue brings her Aphrodite Tour to the Patriot Center (4500 Patriot Circle) in Fairfax tonight at 7 p.m. Town’s Ed Bailey will be the opening DJ on stage at the concert. Tickets range from $55 to $125 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com. Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) is hosting a “Aphterparty” at 10 p.m. There will be an $8 cover before 11 p.m. and $12 afterward. All attendees must be 21 or older.

The Lodge (21614 National Pike) in Boonsboro is hosting “Starry Night: The Lodge Prom” tonight from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. There is a $5 cover before 10:30 p.m. and $8 after. Prom royalty will be chosen at 11 p.m. The Frederick, Md., Rainbow GLBT Meetup Group will also be hosting a potluck dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. before the prom. Attendees to the dinner must RSVP to joe@thelodgemd.com.

Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) presents Hellmouth Happy Hour where every week an episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” will be screened and drink specials will be offered. This week the episode is “Nightmares.”

Irvine Contemporary is hosting an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. with the artist [dNASAb] for its newest exhibit, Dataklysmos, featuring multimedia sculptures. The exhibit will be on display through June 4.

Sunday, May 1

ZOOM Urban Lesbian Excursions presents Karaoke Idol tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. at Muzette Karaoke and Restaurant (2305 18th St., N.W.). Tickets are $15 and can be bought online at zoomexcursions.com.

Brendan Conway and Mila Naumova will be performing at the Church of the Holy City (1611 16th St., N.W.) today at 3:30 p.m. This is a free event.

Girls Rock! D.C. is hosting a volunteer kickoff event today at Hole in the Sky (2110 5th St., N.E.) from 3 to 5 p.m. The organization is looking for volunteers for camp week and year-round organizing. For more information, visit girlsrockdc.org.

Monday, May 2

There will be a public hearing on Bill 19-11: “Bullying and Intimidation Prevention Act of 2011” today from 10 a.m. to noon in room 120 of the John A. Wilson building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave.).

The D.C. Center’s (1318 U St., N.W.) monthly volunteer night is tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. with activities such as sorting book donations, taking inventory and more. Also at the center will be the Youth Working Group meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The Imperial Court of Washington, D.C. will be holding its meeting tonight at the Coldwell Banker building (1606 17th St., N.W.) from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. For more information, visit imperialcourtdc.org.

Novelist Alice Walker will be discussing and signing her new book “The Chicken Chronicles, A Memoir” tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Busboys & Poets 5th and K streets location (1025 5th St., N.W.).

Tuesday, May 3

“Shear Madness,” a comedy whodunit, will be performed twice tonight at the Kennedy Center Theater Lab (2700 F St., N.W.) at 5 and 8 p.m. “Madness” takes place in present-day Georgetown, in the Shear Madness Hair Styling Salon. Tickets are $42. Visit kennedy-center.org for more information and to purchase tickets.

Wednesday, May 4

Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave., N.W.) has two new exhibits opening today, Marcia Coppel’s “Life Is Too Serious” featuring paintings of people talking in cafes and parks inspired by Mexico and Harvey Kupferberg’s “Infrared: The Invisible Light” featuring black and white photographs. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Gallery plan b (1530 14th St., N.W.) has three exhibits featuring with paintings by Greg Minah, works on paper by Mars Tokyo and works in gold leaf by Andrew Wapinski. The gallery is open from noon to 7 p.m. and the works will be on display through May 15.

Thursday, May 5

Tonight is Team D.C. Night at the musical comedy, “National Pastime” at Keegan Theater (1742 Church St., N.W.). Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online. The theater is donating $10 from every ticket is Team D.C. For more information, visit teamdc.org.

ABBA – The Concert will be performed at Pier Six Pavilion (731 Eastern Ave.) in Baltimore, tonight at 6:30 p.m. Tickets range from $20 to $75 and can be purchased online at piersixpavilion.com.

E-mail calendar items to calendars@washblade.com two weeks prior to your event. Space is limited so priority is given to LGBT-specific events or those with LGBT participants. Recurring events must be re-submitted each time.

The D.C. Sentinels are on a winning streak with two major titles under their belt this year. (Photo courtesy of Kevin Majoros)

There are lots of great things happening with the D.C. sports groups in the coming month.

Congratulations to the D.C. Sentinels basketball team who have been on a tear this year winning two national tournaments. In January, the team won the A division of the Sin City Shootout in Las Vegas. Two weeks ago the Sentinels won the A division of the Coady Roundball Classic in Chicago. They will be celebrating with a happy hour party today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Black Fox Lounge. You can check out the Sentinels at www.teamdcbasketball.org.

The D.C. Strokes Rowing Club is offering Learn To Row sessions for men and women in the month of May.  All skill levels are welcome and you will be introduced to the basics of technique, equipment and language in a small class of 10-12 people. From April 30 to May 22, sessions will be offered on Saturdays in the mornings and afternoons. From May 2-25, sessions will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. From May 3-26, sessions are available from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. More information is available at www.dcstrokes.org.

Last year, about 3,500 members of the LGBT community attended Team D.C.’s Night OUT at the Nationals. Join them again this year on June 21 as the Nats take on the Seattle Mariners. Tickets start at $16 and are available at Nellie’s Sports Bar. In the coming weeks they will be available online at www.teamdc.org.

The D.C. Front Runners Spring Fling is scheduled for May 13-15 which includes socializing, walk/runs in Rock Creek Park and the Capitol Hill Classic 10K on Sunday. More info is available about Spring Fling and their weekly run/walks at www.dcfrontrunners.org.

The first practice for the Jolly Boozers Ultimate Frisbee Team was a few weeks ago and you can still get in on the action. Men and women of all skill levels are welcome and cleats are recommended. Contact Ben at schockb@gmail.com to learn more.

After a brief break, D.C. Cheer is getting back in the game with their cheer squad. They are looking for coaches and places to practice. If you are interested or can offer an opportunity, contact Greg at cheerdc@gmail.com.

The Lambda Links Golf Club has kicked off its season. The first tournament is a Scramble to be held at Glenn Dale on April 30. Weekly outings will continue until the next tournament which will be held on June 11. Stay current with the Links at www.lambdalinks.org.

The Rainbow Spinnakers Sailing Club has begun its weekly sails. You can ride along as a passenger or train to become a skipper. Get on its mailing list and receive weekly e-mails about openings on the sailboats. You can find them at www.rainbowspinnakers.org

Interested in scuba diving? Join members of the Lambda Divers Scuba Club on May 15 (and every third Sunday of the month) at Nellie’s Sports Bar between 5-7 p.m. for happy hour. Information on future diving trips will be on hand. More about them is available at www.lambdadivers.org.

The Adventuring Outdoors Group is sponsoring the Arboretum Azaleas Hike on Saturday. Last November, the National Arboretum announced that it was destroying most of its world-famous azalea collection due to budget constraints.

Ultimately, The Friends of the Arboretum secured a $1 million gift from an anonymous donor to “save the azaleas.” The group will take an easy 5-mile hike around the Arboretum, a 446 acre hidden gem in the middle of Northeast D.C. Established 65 years ago, the azaleas now blanket the hillside of Mount Hamilton, the third highest natural point in D.C.

The group will also visit a selection of other seasonal displays as well as some of the meadows, the forested areas and the famous original National Capitol Columns. Look for the trip leader’s orange cap at 9 a.m. at the top of the Q Street escalator at Dupont Circle Metro. They will carpool from there and return by 1:30 p.m. Bring water, lunch, sunscreen and $5 for trip fees. Drivers are needed. Contact Damon at damoncmiller@verizon.net for more information.

Teens gather at Youth Pride in 2007. (Blade file photo by Henry Linser)

Youth Pride is Saturday in Washington but there’s one big change this year — after several years at P Street Beach, the event is moving back to Dupont Circle where it started 15 years ago.

Nikisha Carpenter, president of the board of Youth Pride Alliance, says the board made the change so the event would have greater visibility.

“It’s just a visibility issue really truly,” the 32-year-old lesbian and D.C. resident says.

The event is open to any local LGBT youth 25 and younger. There is no minimum age to attend. Carpenter, who’s worked with the Alliance five years and has been board president of the all-volunteer agency for the last three, says tweens as young as 12 have come with their parents in past years. In a good year, about 500 youth attend, she says. Last year attendance was down because it rained on the planned day so it was postponed to the next Saturday.

That’s the group’s contingency plan if it rains this weekend but the weather forecast is calling for clear skies.

The non-profit Alliance produces the event with help from the D.C. Office of Human Rights. That government involvement led to a public awareness ad campaign in which Youth Pride promos were seen in Metro buses and stations.

Carpenter says last year’s spate of teen suicides has brought increased awareness to the need for LGBT youth resources, hence the ads.

“It’s really two different things but I do think there’s an increased sense of urgency about getting resources to the kids who need them,” she says. “We’ve even seen a lot more organizations singing up for booths this year who are really eager to service the youth.”

Usually there are about 50 booths, a concert stage, games and snacks. The event runs from noon to 5 p.m. in the circle. An “Infatuation Dance” for ages 21 and younger is from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at the U Street Music Hall (1115-A U Street, N.W.) with DJ Keenan who’ll spin house, electro, hip-hop, R&B and more. Admission is $5.

SMYAL, Whitman-Walker, the Trevor Project and others will be represented. Carpenter says it’s important to have a one-stop spot for resources.

“There are a lot of resources in D.C. but they don’t always know where to find them,” she says. “It’s important for them to have a fun, safe space to come to.”

The event typically draws a racially diverse group. Latino gay activist Jose Guttierez is spreading the word in the Latino community, Carpenter says, so black, white and Latino youth will likely be well represented.

And some teens are involved in the planning — a group of youth involved with the Office of State Superintendents volunteered their time to help with planning and will be on hand Saturday.

The Alliance welcomes donations, upon which it relies for its operating expenses. Visit youthpridealliance.org for more information.

“We hear some dramatic story at least every year,” Carpenter says. “There are kids who come and are really scared but are so excited and have a whole new group of friends by the end of the day. It’s really great to see.”