Arts & Entertainment

Calendar for July 23

Friday, July 23, to Thursday, July 29

Published

16 years ago

July 22, 2010

Friday, July 23

Hirshhorn After Hours is tonight at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Independence Ave. at Seventh Street, S.W., from 8 p.m. to midnight. Come out for an outrageous night of campy drag and electrifying dance music hosted by drag performer Summer Camp. There will be live performances by Karl Marks, Brandon Joseph Neukam, and Sunrize Highway. DJs Matt Bailer (MIXTAPE, Peach Pit) and Bil Todd (RAW) will be spinning an eclectic mix of electro, alt-pop, disco, and house, with visual projections by Richard Sawka and Erik Loften. Catch the World Premiere of the latest, outrageous digital short from CRACK, featuring Summer Camp, Chris Farris, and Karl Jones and directed by Greg Price with original music by Bluebrain. Tickets are $18 and must be purchased in advance by going to hirshhorn.si.edu/afterhours.

In celebration of the landmark exhibition “Beat Memories: The Photographs of Allen Ginsberg” on view at the National Gallery of Art through Sept. 16, Busboys and Poets, 5th & K Sts., and Split This Rock present “Howl” in the City at 8 and 10 p.m. Renowned poet Anne Waldman, friend of Allen Ginsberg, will present three performances of his legendary poem Howl. Inspired by the spontaneous nature of the Beats, Matthew Hemerlein leads a string quartet in a musical improvisation to accompany the poem. Waldman will also perform her original poems and will be preceded by local poets Chris August, Kenneth Carroll, and Venus Thrash. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at brownpapertickets.com. Visit washingtonblade.com for more on this event.

The Faux-Real Theatre Company presents Queer in the USA tonight at the Goethe Institut, 812 7th St., N.w., at 11 p.m. as part of the Capital Fringe Festival. A teenage boy’s obsession with Bruce Springsteen leads him to New York City. Lovers, rockers, and gypsies challenge him to embrace his queerness. Does he have what it takes to rock it out like The Boss? Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at Fort Fringe, 607 New York Ave. N.W., or by phone at 866-811-4111.

Wet Girls tonight at Club Liv, 2001 11th St., N.W., from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Get drenched with everything from pop to not, featuring DJs K La Rock (You Ain’t Slick) and Junebullet (She.Rex/You Ain’t Slick). $5 cover and must be 18 or older to enter.

Celebrate Shabbat services, 8:30-10 p.m. at the Washington, D.C. Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St. Services are followed by an Oneg social.

Baltimore Beltway Divas Show at Ziegfeld’s, 1824 Half St., S.W., with Tatiyanna Voché, ChiChi Rae Colby, Phoenix Bloomingdale, JoAnna Blue, Sparkle Alexandria, and the comedy of Shawna Alexander with non-stop club dancing. $5 cover from 9 to 10:30 p.m. and $10 after 10:30 p.m. and always includes $1 off your first drink.

The first ever Mss Apex and Miss Apex Newcomer hosted by Kristina Kelly and Tony “I Thank You” Nelson is tonight at Apex at 10 p.m. Special guest entertainers include Destiny B. Childs, Serria Spaulding, Big Daddy, Isis Deverreoux, and Arione Decardea. There is a $10 cover and you must be 18 to enter, 21 to drink.

Saturday, July 24

Adams Morgan Gives Back is an all day event. Buy a Citizen Effect wristband for $10 at citizeneffect.org to receive free and discounted drinks, food, and more in the Adams Morgan neighborhood at participating businesses. All money raised will be matched by the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project and goes directly to building a foster home for abandoned youth in Cloetesville, South Africa.

The DC Women’s Dinner will be at Cafe Luna, 1633 P St., N.W., at 7 p.m. RSVP by sending an e-mail to [email protected]

DC Front Runners fun walk/run at Rock Creek Park is today from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The walk goes from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and the run goes from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Sunday, July 25

2nd Annual Bet Mishpachah Kugel Bakeoff at 5 p.m. at DC JCC, 1529 16th St. N.W. Bake and bring your favorite Kugel. Participants will vote on the best, and that recipe will be used to make the Kugels served at the Break the Fast.

Monday, July 26

The Capital Area Rainbowlers Association presents the LGBT Summer Bowling Social at AMF Annandale Lanes, 4245 Markham St., Annandale, Va., from 8 to 10 p.m. Bowling is just $1.99 per person per game plus the $4.46 shoe rental fee. There will be some free pizza and fun door prizes/raffles. You do not need to field a team. Just attend and bowl anywhere. RSVP to Les at [email protected]

SAGE Metro DC Monthly Meeting at the DC Center, 1318 U St., N.W., from 6:30-8 p.m. SAGE Metro DC provides support and advocacy for the aging LGBT population.

Tuesday, July 27

Adventuring presents Arlington Evening Bike Ride at 6:30 p.m. This ride continues the summer-long series of Arlington Evening Bike Rides. New riders and those who may be a little out of practice are welcome. The ride will go through Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood on a 17-mile loop using bike trails and quiet residential streets. Arrive by 6:25 p.m. at the Clarendon Metro station elevator entrance, Wilson Boulevard and Highland St., and the ride starts promptly at 6:30 p.m. Bring helmet, water and $2 for Adventuring.

Wednesday, July 28

DC Center Summer LGBT Intern Mixer at the DC Center, 1318 U St., N.W., from 7-9 p.m. Are you an intern in D.C. this summer? Know any interns that are LGBT or allies of the LGBT community? Please help spread the word about the first LGBT Intern Summer Mixer at the DC Center.

Mautner Project presents Mind-Body Wellness for Women who Partner with Women: Current Issues with Leslie Calman, Elizabeth Ide, and D Magrini at Equality Maryland, 1201 Sharp St., Baltimore, at 6:30 p.m. This is part of the Speakers Series.

Thursday, July 29

Atlas Performing Arts Center presents Summer Film Series: Gay 101 showing “Where the Boys Are” starring Dolores Hart and George Hamilton at the Paul Sprenger Theatre, 1333 H St., N.E., at 8 p.m. Buy tickets at atlasarts.org or at the box office one hour prior to the movie.

Photos

PHOTOS: Fairfax City Pride

LGBTQ celebration held at Sherwood Center

Published

2 days ago

June 9, 2026

Michael Key

A scene from Fairfax City Pride on June 6. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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

Published

2 days ago

June 9, 2026

Evan Caplan

The Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier returns June 13. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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.