Arts & Entertainment
Capital Pride events
Friday, June 4, to Thursday, June 10
D.C. Cowboys Dance Company (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Friday, June 4
Taste of Pride at Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse, 1609 17th St., N.W., from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from 5-8 go to benefit Capital Pride.
Mr. & Miss Capital Pride at Town Dance Boutique, 2009 8th St., N.W. from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. $10 cover.
B.O.I. & The Ladies of LURe present Fuse – Capital Pride’s Official Women’s Kick-Off Party at Apex, 1415 22nd St., from 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. $12 cover. 18+ to enter.
Men’s Party at Mova, 1435 P St., N.W., from 9 p.m. with music by DJ Keith Hoffman. $10 suggested donation to Pride (includes free drink).
DC Leather Pride – Dungeon 101 at The Crucible, 1812 Half St., S.W., from 8 p.m. – 9 p.m., hosted by the Black Rose. 19+ to enter. Directly following will be an “Exploratorium” event from 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. Entry to the “Dungeon 101” hour is $10 if you’ve attended the previous Gateway (you will be given a card). Visit www.DCLeatherPride.com for more information.
Mr. & Ms. Capital Pride Leather Step-Down Party at Motley Bar of the EFN Lounge, 1318 9th St., N.W., from 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. Matt Bamford and Jackie Thompson step down.
Saturday, June 5
Taste of Pride at Comet Ping Pong, 5037 Connecticut Ave., N.W., from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from 11 – 5 go to benefit Capital Pride.
Divas at GWU’s Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St., N.W., at 8 p.m. produced by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington. Tickets go from $20-50, go to www.gmcw.org.
Pride Forum on Intimate Partner Violence focusing on LGBTQ Youth and Transgender Communities at DC Center, 1810 14th St., N.W., from 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. produced by the Rainbow Response Coalition and the DC Center.
DC Leather Pride 2010 Education Colloquy, a hands-on concurrent classes for beginners and experts to ensure safe, sane, and consensual encounters, at DC Center, 1810 14th St., N.W., from 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. produced by MTTA, Black Rose, and DC Leather Pride Committee. 18+ to enter. Visit www.DCLeatherPride.com for more information.
DC Leather Pride Code Party, a hands-on fetish and gear party with a strict dress code, guest appearances, and live entertainment, at Motley Bar of the EFN Lounge, 1318 9th St., N.W., from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. 18+ to enter. Visit www.DCLeatherPride.com for more information.
CAB presents DC Leather Pride All Colors Night, a celebratory gathering of all Metro DC leather clubs, at DC Eagle, 639 New York Ave., N.W., from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. Visit www.DCLeatherPride.com for more information.
Sunday, June 6
Pride in the Park at Six Flags America with special guest DC Cowboys! Tickets $26 at www.sixflags.com/america and use the promo code “CAPPRIDE” for discount.
Divas at GWU’s Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St., N.W., at 3:00 PM present with ASL, produced by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington. Tickets $20-50, go to www.gmcw.org.
Kick-Off with Freddie’s at Freddie’s Beach Bar, 555 23rd St. St., Crystal City, at 9 p.m.
Taste of Pride – Nellie’s “Tea Dance” and/or BBQ (Post Six Flags) at Nellie’s Sports Bar, 900 U St., N.W., from 5pm – 9pm.
I Do! GLBT Wedding Expo at Hotel Palomar, 2121 P St., N.W., from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. $10 at www.sayidoexpo.com.
Stonewall Regatta XVII at Potomac River at Thompson’s Boat Center in Georgetown from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Only rowers pay to participate. Visit www.dcstrokes.org for more information.
Taste of Pride at Comet Ping Pong, 5037 Connecticut Ave., N.W., from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from 11 – 5 go to benefit Capital Pride.
Taste of Pride at Bucks Fishing & Camping, 5031 Connecticut Ave., N.W. from 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from 5 – 9:30 to benefit Capital Pride.
DC Leather Pride 2010 Committee presents DC Leather Pride Street Festival and Fair at DC Eagle Parking Lot, 639 New York Ave., N.W., from 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. Visit www.DCLeatherPride.com for more information.
Defenders LLC presents Dignity Catholic Mass at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 1820 Connecticut Ave., N.W. at 6 p.m.
Monday, June 7
Town Hall – Aging Proudly at DC Center, 1810 14th St., N.W. at 7:00 p.m. Growing older has its own challenges, especially for the LGBT community. Bills? Wills? Night chills? All of that, and more, will be discussed in this town hall meeting on the issues we face as we grow older. \Featuring panelists Joseph Kapp from SAGE DC, Imani Woody from AARP, Courtney Williams from the DC Office on Aging, and Dr. Ray Martins from the Whitman-Walker Clinic. Moderated by Washington Blade editor Kevin Naff.
Rouge at Omega, 2122 P St., N.W. (REAR). Show at 10:30 p.m. $5 cover.
Taste of Pride at Floriana, 1602 17th St., N.W., from 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. A portion of the proceeds between 5 – 7:30 p.m. go to benefit Capital Pride.
Seth Rudetsky’s Deconstructing Broadway [DC Premiere] at Jewish Community Center, 16th St. and Q St., N.W. at 8:00 p.m. $15; $12 for Members/Seniors/ Under 25; purchase tickets at www.washingtondcjcc.org/gloe.
Tuesday, June 8
Capital Trans Pride Happy Hour at Mova, 1435 P St., N.W., from 6 – 8 p.m. Suggested donation to Capital Trans Pride.
Capital Pride Interfaith Service at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 I St., S.W., at 7:30 p.m.
Capital Pride Underwear Fashion Show and Auction at JR.’s, 1519 17th St., N.W., at 10 p.m. Brought to you by JR’s and Universal Gear.
Twilight Tuesday at Donovan House, 1155 14th St., N.W., from 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Taste of Pride at Floriana, 1602 17th St., N.W., from 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. A portion of the proceeds between 5 – 7:30 p.m. go to benefit Capital Pride.
Queers in the Arts: A Panel Discussion Across Artistic Disciplines at The Fridge, Rear Alley, 516 8th St., S.E., from 7 – 9 p.m. Produced by Alt.DC.Pride
Wednesday, June 9
35th Anniversary Party at Donovan House, 1155 14th St., N.W., from 6:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. $10-20 Suggested Donation. Brought to you by Donovan House, Zentan Restaurant, Amtrak and Booz | Allen | Hamilton
Women’s Jello Wrestling at Phase I, 525 8th St., S.E., from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. $10 Cover, 21+
Taste of Pride at Cabana’s Restaurant, 3050 K St., N.W., from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. go to benefit Capital Pride.
Capital Pride Champions of Equality Reception at 6:30 p.m. RSVP online at http://www.steindemocrats.org/events/2010capitalpride. $25 requested donation to The Gertrude Stein Club. Produced by the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club.
Thursday, June 10
Women’s Spoken Word at HRC Equality Forum, 1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W., from 7 -9 p.m. Visit the calendar of activities at http://www.capitalpride.org/ to send in a submission.
Viva Equality Featuring Pop Icon Fangoria! at Town Dance Boutique, 2009 8th St., N.W., at 9:00 p.m. Produced by HRC. $10 at the door.
Taste of Pride – Burgers at Nellie’s at Nellie’s Sports Bar, 900 U St., N.W., from 5 – 9 p.m.
Homo Hotel Happy Hour from 6 – 9 p.m. Location to be determined.
Women’s Happy Hour at Black Squirrel, 2427 18th St., N.W., from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Taste of Pride at Level One, 1639 R St., N.W., from 5 – 11 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from 5 – 11 p.m. go to benefit Capital Pride.
Panel Discussion with Obama’s LGBT Appointees at the National Press Club, 14th and F St., N.W., from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Hosted by the DC Chapter of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association; sponsored by the Washington Blade.
June Networking Thursday at I. Gorman Jewelers Showroom, 1133 20th St., N.W., at 6:30 p.m. Produced by CAGLCC.
Latin@s En Accion Open House at DC Center, 1810 14th St., N.W., from 4 – 9 p.m.
Northern Virginia LGBT Pride Interfaith Service at MCC of Northern VA, 10383 Democracy Lane, Fairfax, VA, at 7:00 p.m.
Basics of Buddhism at SGI-USA Culture Center, 3417 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., 7 – 8:30 p.m. Produced by Rainbow Buddhas
Queers in the Media: A Panel Discussion at DC Center, 1810 14th St., N.W., from 7 – 9 p.m. Produced by Alt.DC.Pride
Out at Arena – R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE! at Arena Stage in Crystal City, 1800 S Bell St. Show Starts at 8 p.m. $31 Front Orchestra Seats! 50% off tickets! Visit http://www.arenastage.org to buy tickets. Use discount code BUCKYBALLS! After Party immediately following at Freddie’s Beach Bar, 555 S. 23rd St.
Meet Sahara Davenport at Macy’s Metro Center, Men’s Department on 2nd Floor, 1201 G St., N.W. from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Theater
Reggie White relishing first season as artistic director of Woolly Mammoth
First five shows a reminder that ‘pressure is a privilege’
Madly talented and preternaturally energetic, Reggie D. White, 38, is about to launch his first season as artistic director of D.C.’s boundary-pushing Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company.
White brings a lot to the job. As actor, playwright, and director, his varied resume includes a 2019 Broadway acting debut in Matthew López’s Tony Award–winning play “The Inheritance,” his semi-autobiographic play “Fremont Ave.” that opened to acclaim last season at Arena Stage, and a number of exciting regional directing credits.
A longtime admirer of Woolly, the out theater-maker was selected from a pool of candidates before receiving the offer last November and starting work in January. His season of five world premieres kicks off with gay playwright Steve Yockey’s “Venus” (Sept. 9-Oct. 4), a darkly funny study of modern relationships told through two lesbians looking back on their first encounter.
White was introduced to Woolly Mammoth as a pre-law student at Cal State Hayward in the San Francisco Bay Area, long before he foresaw a life in the arts. “As part of a random theater history course, I was assigned to write a paper on a counterculture company called Woolly Mammoth,” he recalls “Strange name. I was like what the hell is that?”
Nineteen-year-old White was intrigued. Research acquainted him with Howard Shalwitz who co-founded Woolly in 1980, and the company’s commitment to living playwrights and new work. He also learned how theater could be used as a tool for difficult conversations and shape the way people thought about social issues by employing imagination and rigor.
“Never in a million years did young me envision that one day I’d be Woolly’s third artistic director in its 46-year history,” says White. “It’s kind of serendipitously insane.”
WASHINGTON BLADE: Was there a moment when the enormity of the job hit you?
REGGIE D. WHITE: After I’d signed my contract and finished all the paperwork, I got my keys and sat in the theater by myself in the dark and thought about what an incredible honor it is to be trusted with what happens in this beautiful space [in D.C.’s Penn Quarter]. I might have cried. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to remember it’s real.
BLADE: Are you curating the upcoming 2026–2027 season?
WHITE: Yes, I am. It’s very rare that an incoming artistic director gets to program their first season, but I was lucky in terms of time. After being hired late last year, I asked Woolly’s managing director Kimberly E. Douglas, if she thought it would be crazy if I programmed the season. She warned me it would be hard.
I invoked tennis legend Billie Jean King’s maxim “pressure is a privilege” and got to work.
These plays [dubbed White’s “first five”] represent both the kind of theater that Woolly can do really well and speak directly to my voice as curator and how I want to contribute to the larger theatrical conversation in the DMV.
Getting here has meant a lot of late nights. But I knew the juice would be worth the squeeze.
BLADE: As a queer artistic director, what makes you unique?
WHITE: When I was playing in “Inheritance” on Broadway, after a performance, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sotomayer came backstage to meet the cast. She spoke about how her lens on the world as a Puerto Rican woman shapes her decisions. Similarly, because I’m a queer Black man I see through a lens that shapes my work.
I know I’m not the only queer artistic director in town. For me, it influences how I make editorial decisions. Out of this season’s five plays there are explicitly queer characters in four [“Venus,” “Chanukkah Spectacular,” “Ten Grand,” and “Love I Awethu Further”] and I’m directing two [“Venus,” “Ten Grand”].
BLADE: Will we see familiar faces?
WHITE: Every show this season will feature a Woolly Mammoth company member in its cast. Our company also includes designers and directors who we’ll include. I’m invested in continuing to provide a showcase for their work.
BLADE: How do you think queer audiences will receive the season?
WHITE: Very well, I think. For queer people who’ve had to navigate the world subversively and solve problems in unique ways, I think it will be especially interesting. I find theater a potent place for questions.
Like all artistic directors. I’ll show up for the job in my own way. I’m just excited that I’ve been invited to bring the fullness of myself to the role.
Photos
PHOTOS: Amsterdam Pride Canal Parade
Annual LGBTQ celebration held in Dutch city during World Pride
Editor’s note: International News Editor Michael K. Lavers and Photo Editor Michael Key are on assignment in the Netherlands through Aug. 10.
AMSTERDAM — The 2026 Amsterdam Pride Canal Parade was held on Saturday, Aug. 1.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key and Michael K. Lavers)
View on Threads
The LGBTQ organization Lambda Legal held its annual “Lambda Legal in the Pines” fundraiser on Saturday, July 25. The event was held at a house on Fire Island featured in Ryan Murphy’s 2014 HBO film, “The Normal Heart.”
Organizers say over $500,000 was raised to support Lambda Legal’s national litigation and advocacy work.
(Photos by Santiago Felipe)
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