Arts & Entertainment

Sounds of the season

Local holiday concert offerings wildly eclectic

Published

16 years ago

November 18, 2010

The Kinsey Sicks, a drag singing ensemble, will be at the D.C. JCC in December. (Photo courtesy of the Kinsey Sicks)

The Duke Ellington School of Arts (3500 R St., N.W.) will be performing “Dreamgirls” in December. Evening performances will be at 7:30 from Dec. 2 through Dec. 18. There will be afternoon performances at 2 p.m. on Dec. 4, 11 and 18. A special gala night will be held Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. featuring original Dreamgirl, Jennifer Holliday. Tickets for the evening and afternoon shows are $25, $30 or $35 and can be purchased by calling 202-337-4825 or visiting ww.ellingtonschool.org. Tickets for the gala can be purchased by emailing [email protected] or by calling 202-333-2555, ext. 2101.

The Kinsey Sicks, a “dragapella beautyshop quartet,” will be performing “Oy Vey in a Manger” from Dec. 18 to Jan. 2 at Theater J in the Washington DCJCC’s Aaron and Cecile Goldman Theater (1529 16th St., N.W.). Regular performances will be on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 and 7:30 p.m. There will be two preview shows, one on Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. and the other on Dec. 19 at 3 p.m. There will also be a special matinee before the official opening on Nov. 26 at 2 p.m. Other performances will be on Dec. 21 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $60 and can be purchased by calling 800-494-TIXS or visiting boxofficetickets.com.

The Washington National Cathedral has several holiday events happening this season. On Nov. 22, its annual “O Come Let Us Adore Him” exhibit of nativity scenes opens to the public. It will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Cathedral’s choirs will also be performing Handel’s “Messiah” on Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 4 and Dec. 5 at 4 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $85. The Cathedrals Joy of Christmas concert will be Dec. 11 and 12 at 4 p.m. featuring a grand procession and several well-known favorites from holiday standards. Tickets range from $25 to $85. A Christmas pageant will be held on Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. That same day, the Cathedral will be hosting carols by candlelight at 6 p.m. as well as on Dec. 19 at 4 p.m. Visit nationalcathedral.org to purchase tickets for any event.

Strathmore has many holiday events coming up this season. On Nov. 27, at the Music Center at Strathmore, the Mormon Orchestra and Chorus of Washington will be performing their holiday concert, “O Come Let Us Adore Him.” A sold out Hanukkah tea will be served at the Mansion at Strathmore on Nov. 30 at 1 p.m. Dec. 1 brings the King’s Singers to the Music Center at 8 p.m. with a holiday program. The 2010 Kenny G Holiday Show is on Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. at the Music Center. A child-friendly “Mrs. Claus Tea” will be served on Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Mansion. “A Smooth Jazz Christmas” will be at the Music Center on Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. with Dave Koz and Friends. For tickets information for all events, visit strathmore.org.

The Hylton Performing Arts Center has two holiday events coming up. First up is “A Rockapella Holiday” on Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. in Merchant Hall. Rockapella is a five-man a cappella group best known for its “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” theme song. This program features classics such as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” as well as popular new pieces like “Little Mary Snowflake” and a funky new version of “The Dreidel Song.” On Dec. 5 at 4 p.m. in Merchant Hall, the Center presents “Christmas in Ireland: An Nollaig in Eirinn” featuring the band, Danu. Tickets for both events are $28, $36 or $44 and can be purchased by visiting hyltoncenter.org.

Many different venues will be hosting a production of “The Nutcracker.” The Kennedy Center Opera House will hosts the Joffrey Ballet on Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m. The Warner Theatre hosts the Washington Ballet performing the family classic on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. The Music Center at Strathmore has another production by the Moscow Ballet on Dec. 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. The Manassas Ballet Theater will be performing the show on Dec. 11 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. The Gay Men’s Chorus will perform its own rendition of the Nutcracker, “Men in Tights: A Pink Nutcracker” at the Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University on Dec. 17 at 8 p.m., Dec. 18 at 3 and 8 p.m. and Dec. 19 at 3 p.m.

The Metropolitan Community Church of Washington will have its Christmas concert on Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. The Church will have two Christmas Eve worship services, one at 8 p.m. and the other at 11 p.m.

D.C.’s Different Drummers will be marching in Fredericksburg, Va., holiday parade on Dec. 4 at noon. They will also have a holiday concert on Dec. 12 from 3 to 5 p.m. A location for the concert has not been announced yet.

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.