Arts & Entertainment

Calendar for Sept. 17

Published

16 years ago

September 16, 2010

Friday, Sept. 17

Servicemembers United present “Beyond Repeal,” a rooftop gala and fundraiser tonight at the Servicemembers United office, 1725 I St., N.W., from 6:30 to 9 p.m. There will be an open bar and light hors d’oeuvres. Standard admission tickets are $50 and can be purchased at servicemembersunited.org. There are other packages available as well.

Wolf Trap presents “ABBA – The Music” tonight at the Filene Center, 1551 Trap Rd., in Vienna, at 8 p.m. Waterloo, an ABBA cover band, keep’s the group’s music alive with their “uncanny” resemblance and quality performances. Tickets are $25 for the lawn and $38 in-house and can be purchased at wloftrap.org.

Caliente Grande 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 must be 18 to enter, 21 to drink.

The D.C. Cowboys host Brodeo tonight at Remingtons, 639 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E., from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. The party will feature country/western and disco/club music, live performances, giveaways, jello shots and an auction.

Saturday, Sept. 18

CBS Radio of Washington presents its signature event, HFSTIVAL, “We’re Taking You Back” today at Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pky., in Columbia. This year’s lineup includes Billy Idol, Everclear, Third Eye Blind, Marcy Playground and more, including 18 local bands. Festival gates open at 10 a.m. and the concert goes from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $50 and can be purchased at whfs.radio.com.

Burgundy Crescent Volunteers is holding a photo scavenger hunt today starting at the Taras Shevchenko monument at 22nd and P streets, N.W., at 10 a.m. BCV Social Committee members will be greeting participants as they arrive. Come with a group or alone. Everyone will end up in a group of three to six members with at least one camera. Each group will have two hours to take as many digital photographs from the supplied list of subjects as they can. The hunt will be done at noon and photos will be shared over lunch. Visit burgundycrescent.org for more information.

Merrifield Garden Center presents its latest weekly gardening seminar today. At the Merrifield location, 8104 Lee Highway, Renatta Holt will be talking about gardening in small spaces using container gardens and more. At the Fair Oaks location, 12101 Lee Highway, Peg Bier will be talking about creating gorgeous combinations of bulbs and perennials for long-lasting displays. At the Gainesville location, 6895 Wellington Rd., David Yost will be talking about building the lawn of your dreams. All seminars being at 10 a.m.

MIXTAPE D.C.’s two year anniversary party is tonight at the Rock & Roll Hotel, 1353 H St., N.W., from 8 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. MIXTAPE is a dance party for queer guys and gals 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 you can dance to. $5 cover for 21 and over.

Allie Wilson and Jacob Pring present Cotton Candy, Green Lantern’s first 18 and older party. DJs David Merrill and Bryan Yamasaki will be providing the music. Green Lantern is located at 1335 Green Court, N.W. and the party will be held upstairs. There is a $10 cover fee.

Town is hosting its biggest theme party of the year tonight with its Red Party. The party will feature music by Tracy Young with music and video downstairs by Wess. Drag show starts at 10:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to wear red. Doors open at 10 p.m. with $3 rail drinks until 11. Cover is $8 before 11 p.m. and $12 after. Must be 21 and over to enter.

Sunday, Sept. 19

Pocket Gays present Pocket Rocket Sunday School: Summer Send-Off is tonight on the rooftop of Local 16, 1602 U St., N.W., from 3 to 9 p.m. Music will be by DJ Majr (SHIFT, Siren). There will be $5 Smirnoff drink specials, prizes and games. There’s no cover.

Monday, Sept. 20

Celebrity photographer, Adam Bouska, will bring the national NOH8 photo shoot to D.C., tonight at Cobalt, 1639 R St., N.W., from 4 to 7 p.m.

Bears do Yoga will meet at Green Lantern, 1335 Green Court, N.W., at 6:30 p.m. and last for an hour. This class serves as an introduction to yoga for people of all body types and physical abilities. To RSVP for the class, email [email protected].

Tuesday, Sept. 21

Drag Bingo will be at Nellie’s Sports Bar, 900 U St., N.W., tonight hosted by Shi-Queeta Lee, starting at 8 p.m. It’s free to play and there will be prizes.

Wednesday, Sept. 22

Mautner Project presents its speakers’ series Financial and Medical Planning with Michele Zavos and Mark Scurti at Mautner Project office, 1875 Connecticut Ave., N.W., at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 23

CAGLCC presents Thursday Morning MasterMind GROUP Meetings facilitated by Jay Vilar from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Intelligent Office, 1425 K St., N.W., Ste. 350. The agenda belongs to the group and each person’s participation is key. Peers give you feedback, help you brainstorm and set up accountability structures to keep you focused and on track.

Mautner Project presents its speakers’ series Financial and Medical Planning with Michele Zavos and Mark Scurti at Equality Maryland, 1201 Sharp St., in Baltimore at 6:30 p.m.

Phasefest 2010 kicks off tonight at Phase 1, 525 8^th St., S.E., with Wicked Jezebel, Melissa Li, Kit Yan, Jenny Grind, Nikki Smith and Alex Voegele. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at phasefestdc.com. This event continues through Saturday.

Photos

PHOTOS: Fairfax City Pride

LGBTQ celebration held at Sherwood Center

Published

3 hours 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

7 hours 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.