Arts & Entertainment
Calendar for March 12
Friday, March 12
“It’s Britney Bitch” features Britney look-a-likes, karaoke, trivia, music and more at Town, 2009 8th St., N.W., 202-234-TOWN or towndc.com. Doors open at 10 p.m., drag show at 10:30 p.m.; 18+. Cover is $5 from 10-11 p.m. and $10 after for those 21+ and $10 all night for 18-20.
Visit Apex, 1415 22nd St., N.W., for Caliente Grande! Expect the hottest Latin music from DJ Michael Brandon with doors opening at 9 p.m. 18 to get in and 21 to drink.
The second Friday of each month at the Green Lantern, 1335 Green Court, N.W., offers “Jacob’s Ladder,” music of the 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s. The DJs for the evening will be T&T Music Factory (DJ tim ē & DJ Timothy Mykael make up this electrifying team). Two DJs playing 90 minutes each. All you can drink Smirnoff Vodka flavors buffet for $15; $5 cover.
Gay District is a weekly, non-church affiliated discussion and social group for GBTQ men between 18 and 35. The group meets from 8:30-10:30 p.m at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 1820 Connecticut Ave., N.W. For more information, e-mail [email protected].
Women in their Twenties will meet at the DC Center, 1810 14th St. N.W., at 8 p.m. WiTT is a social discussion group for lesbian, bisexual, transgender and other interested women in the D.C. area. The group is led by several facilitators on a rotational basis. New participants are always welcome. The discussion is followed by dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Saturday, March 13
MIXTAPE at EFN Lounge/Motley Bar, 1318 9th St., N.W., from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. MIXTAPE is an alterna-gay-disco-electro-pop-indie dance party for queers, gays, lesbians, trans, queens, kings, boys, girls, and every combination thereof. 21 and over; $5 cover.
The second Saturday of each month Sean Morris presents “Fly” at Mova, 1435 P St., N.W. Expect music from 1990 through 1999, with your favorites from the decade that brought us grunge. Tracks from Nirvana, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots and, of course, your favorite divas in their prime like Whitney Houston, Madonna and even Amy Grant! 99 cent shot special from 10-11 p.m.; no cover, 21 and up.
Black Cat, 1811 14th St., N.W., 202-667-4490, hosts its long-running Mousetrap, a Brit-pop dance night, on the main stage beginning at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 general admission. Visit blackcatdc.com for information.
National ShamrockFest, billed as the largest St. Patrick’s Day festival in the mid-Atlantic, features 40+ bands, including the Roots and Train. Held at RFK Stadium, 2400 E. Capital St. (Stadium-Armory Metro). Gates open at 11:30 a.m.; tickets start at $24.99. Call 877-77-CLICK or visit shamrockfest.com.
The Washington Wizards take on the Orlando Magic, 7 p.m. at Verizon Center. Tickets start at $10. Visit ticketmaster.com for information.
Women Artists/Women Healing II: “Healing Power of Myth, Ritual & Celebration,” features mostly women artists, writers and healers for workshops in dance/movement, storytelling and more. Free, open to the public, 12:30 p.m., 1420 Columbia Rd., N.W. Visit womenartistswomenhealing.com or call 202-332-4200 x1041 for information.
Sunday, March 14
“Turner to Cezanne: Masterpieces from the Davies Collection” continues at the Corcoran Gallery, 17th Street and New York Avenue, N.W. Tickets are $10; $8 for students. And if you can’t get enough Cezanne, don’t miss the BMA’s “Cezanne and American Modernism” now through May 23, 10 Art Museum Dr., Baltimore, 443-573-1700, artbma.org. Tickets are $15.
Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers today for D.C. Central Kitchen. To participate, visit burgundycrescent.org.
Check out Cobalt, 1639 R St. N.W., for X and party the winter blues away by welcoming daylight savings time. This Month: DJ Glanson (NYC) with opening Set by DJ Pete Glow. Dancers, live drag performance by Isis Deverreoux; 21 and up, $7 cover ($5 from 10-11 p.m.).
Monday, March 15
Acclaimed singer John Hiatt performs at the Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Va., 7:30 p.m. Visit ticketmaster.com for tickets or call the Birchmere at 703-549-7500.
Jacob Nathaniel Pring and Alphonso Wilson present the premiere of “Indigo” at Tabaq Bistro, 1336 U St., N.W. Local DJ and producer A-Ron.The.DJ (http://www.subwaystate.com/) will conjure the atmosphere for the inaugural Indigo. Doors open at 9 p.m.
Tuesday, March 16
“The Light in the Piazza” continues at Arena Stage in Crystal City, 1800 South Bell St., Arlington, Va. (Crystal City Metro). Show at 7:30 p.m.; tickets $62-67. Visit arenastage.org for information.
Packing Party at EFN Lounge/Motley Bar, 1318 9th St., N.W., from 7-8 p.m. Volunteers will be assembling safer sex kits and enjoying drink specials, 7-10:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 17
The Tom Davaron Social Bridge Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center, 721 8th St., S.E. No partner needed. Visit lambdabridge.com; click “Social Bridge in Washington, D.C.”
Thursday, March 18
“American Idol” favorite Daughtry performs at 1st Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, 7:30 p.m. For info or tickets, call the box office at 410-347-2010 or ticketmaster.com.
Alpha Drugs invites you to attend its Survival Forum VII, a lecture on new therapies for Hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS, finding the strongest possible regimen with the fewest side effects, at 6:30 p.m., Hotel Palomar in the Phillips Ballroom, 2121 P St., N.W. Registration will begin at 6:30, and the lecture and dinner will start at 7 p.m. To RSVP, or for more information, contact [email protected] or call 202-265-5757.
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
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.
The D.C. Front Runners held the 14th annual 5K Pride Run at Congressional Cemetery on Saturday, June 6.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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