Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: events through Dec. 9
Friday, Dec. 10
The International Gay and Lesbian Leadership Conference continues today at the Mayflower Hotel (1127 Connecticut Ave., N.W.). To register for the conference, visit glli.org. The conference runs through Sunday.
RAW will be at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. with guest DJ Zack Rosen. Free entry before 11 p.m. with a $3 cover after. There will be an open bar from 10 to 11 p.m. Attendees must be 21 or older.
Gloss presents Ladies Night Holiday Party tonight at Apex (1415 22nd St., N.W.) with music by DJ Rosie in the main room and shows by D.C. Kings and the D.C. Gurly Show starting at midnight. There’s a $10 cover and attendees must be 18 or older.
The D.C. chapter of Ski Bums will be holding a happy hour at Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. For more information visit ski-bums.org.
NOVA GL Professionals and D.C. Ice Breakers are co-hosting their annual holiday social tonight at Pinzimi Lounge in the Westin Arlington Gateway (801 N. Glebe Road) at 6 p.m. Business casual attire is suggested.
BrightestYoungThings presents “NEWSEUM: All Access, A Holiday Party” tonight from 8 to 11 p.m. The party will feature exclusive after-hours access to the Newseum, cash bar with cocktails and holiday treats provided by Wolfgang Puck Catering and the unveiling of a photo installation by BYT photographers. Tickets are $15 presale or $20 at the door. The Newseum is located at 555 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. For more information, visit brightestyoungthings.com.
Four Bitchin’ Babes will be at Birchmere (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave.) in Alexandria, tonight at 7:30 p.m. The group has revolved through many members, but this showing will feature founding member Sally Fingerett as well as Debi Smith, Deirdre Flint and Nancy Moran.
Saturday, Dec. 4
Crack presents BudhaKwanzaRamFestivusXmaHanaSolstice tonight at 9 p.m. at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.). Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. There will be a repeat performance Sunday at 5 p.m. and tickets for that show are $8.
Gallery plan b (1530 14th St., N.W.) will be having an opening reception with the artists featured in it Year End Group Show tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. The show will run through Dec. 24. For more information, visit galleryplanb.com.
Zoom Urban Lesbian Excursions will be at All Fired Up (3413 Connecticut Ave.) today at 6 p.m. for its “Pick n’ Paint.” Cost of pottery ranges from $16 to $55 and it takes seven to 10 days to fire an item. A $5 donation to Martha’s Table is expected. Visit zoomexcursions.com for more information.
AGLA will be at Artisphere (1101 Wilson Blvd.) in Arlingtong today shooting for Holiday Hugs and Kisses at 11 a.m. There will be video shoots at 11:30 a.m., noon, 12:30 and 1 p.m. There will be a safe observing space for those who do not want to appear in the video. For more information, visit agla.org.
City Gallery (804 H St., N.E.) will be having an opening reception for its new exhibit “Wally Szyndler: a retrospective” tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. For more information, visit citygallerydc.com.
Sunday, Dec. 5
Philip Clark, co-editor of “Persistent Voices: Poetry by Writers Lost to AIDS,” and local authors will be at an open door reading in celebration of the book today at 2 p.m. at the Writer’s Center (4508 Walsh St.) in Bethesda. This is a free event.
The D.C. Arts Center presents Cherry Red Productions’ “Wifeswappers,” written by Justin Tanner tonight at 3 p.m. The play follows a couple as they throw a sex party for the holidays. Tickets are $25 for general admission or $20 for groups of six or more and can be purchased online at cherryredproductions.com/tickets. The show continues through Dec. 18.
Monday, Dec. 6
Watch the New York Jets (9-2) take on the New England Patriots (9-2) for the second time this season in Foxboro, Mass., tonight at Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.). The game starts at 8:30 p.m. Also tonight is Beat the Block Happy Hour and Poker Face.
The National Portrait Gallery is showing an exhibit that focuses on sexual differences in the making of modern American portraiture. “Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture” is the first major museum exhibit of its kind. The museum is open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and admission is free.
Tuesday, Dec. 7
Holiday ornaments come to life in Cirque Dreams “Holidaze,” which opens tonight at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) at 7:30 p.m. Directed by Neil Goldberg, the show features about 30 artists performing.
Join Burgundy Crescent Volunteers to help pack safer sex kits from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at FUK!T’s new packing location Green Lantern, 1335 Green Ct., N.W.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Sunset Blvd.” makes its Washington premiere tonight at Signature Theatre (4200 Campbell Ave.) in Arlington at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are either $66.30 or $71.45 and can be purchased on ticketmaster.com. The show continues through Feb. 13.
Wednesday, Dec. 8
Rainbow Response will be holding its monthly meeting tonight from 7 to 8 p.m. at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.).
Better than Ezra brings its “Road to Mardi Gras” tour to the 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at 930.com.
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company presents “A Girl’s Guide to Washington Politics” written and performed by the Second City, a comedy theater group from Chicago, which opens tonight with a pay-what-you-can performance at 8 p.m. Lines begin forming around 5 p.m. The show will run through Jan. 9. For more information, visit woollymammoth.net.
Thursday, Dec. 9
DCBiWomen will be having its monthly dinner at Café Luna (1633 P St., N.W.) tonight from 7 to 8 p.m For more information, visit dcbiwomen.org.
NSO Pops present Happy Holidays with Marvin Hamlisch conducting tonight at 7 p.m. at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.). The program includes songs like “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” “Part of Your World” from “The Little Mermaid,” “O Holy Night” and more classic holiday music. Immediately following this performance is “More with Marvin!”
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington is hosting a piano bar open mic night at the Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) tonight from 7 to 10 p.m.
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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