Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: events through Jan. 20

Events through Thursday include exhibits, concerts, plays and more

Published

15 years ago

January 13, 2011

'Where Now' is part of the exhibit 'Off-Kilter' by artist Leslie Nolan on display through Jan. 30 at the newly reopened Touchstone Gallery. (Image courtesy of Touchstone)

Friday, Jan. 14

DJ Joshua and TheNewGay present “Balls!” tonight from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. at Velvet Lounge (915 U St., N.W.) featuring the debut DJ set of Steve Scarlata. There is no cover for this event. Drink specials include $3 Natty Boh and $4 kamikazes.

Gross National Product returns with “The Sound of Palin” at Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St., N.E.) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $20 and can be purchased at atlas arts.org.

Exposed Tattoo and Baller Inc., present the D.C. Tattoo Arts Expo starting today at the Crystal City Doubletree Hotel (300 Army Navy Drive) in Arlington with a VIP welcome party in the Sky Dome from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. The expo will continue through the weekend.

The Mid Atlantic Leather Weekend starts today at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill (400 New Jersey Ave., N.W.). Registration will be in the ballroom level foyer from 4 to 10:30 p.m. There will be an exhibit hall from 5 to 11 p.m. The opening reception will be in the Yorktown Ballroom from 9 to 11 p.m. with a cash bar and the MAL Bar Crawl will be from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Events will continue through Sunday.

Women in their Twenties will be meeting tonight at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) from 8 to 9:30 p.m.

DJ Matheus, 5ive, Keep It Terror and Forever the Win will be at Jammin’ Java tonight at 10 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at jamminjava.com.

Metropolitan Community Church of Washington’s fundraising team is hosting a bingo night tonight at 7 p.m. at the church (474 Ridge St., N.W.). The evening begins with four early bird games which costs $2 for four cards or $3 for eight cards. This is followed by 17 regular and special games which are packaged for as low as $25. There will be homemade refreshments available.

Saturday, Jan. 15

Jonathan Katz, co-curator of the “Hide/Seek” exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery, will be giving a lecture today at the Foundry Gallery (1314 18th St., N.W.) titled “Artistic Representation of Gay Life.” This event is free and admittance is on a first-come, first-serve basis. One of Foundry’s current exhibits is a juried show titled “Celebrate Gay Marriage.”

Blowoff, a dance party featuring gay DJs Bob Mould and Richard Morel, will be at 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) tonight. Doors opens at 11:30 p.m. Attendees must be 21 or older. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at 930.com.

Bellflur, Mobius Strip, Archivists and Southern Problems will be performing at St. Stephen’s Church (1525 Newton St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. as part of “100 Shows for Haiti.” Tickets are $8 and the money raised will be split between two organizations, One Hundred for Haiti and Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees.

The Lodge (21614 National Pike) in Boonsboro, Md., hosts Rewind with DJ Jerrbear and special host, the Mirror Ball Lady tonight from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Best decade costume will win a cash prize. There will be a $5 cover before 11 p.m. and an $8 cover after.

Bare celebrates its second anniversary tonight at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Admission is $25 for VIP and $10 for general.

Ziegfeld’s celebrates Ella Fitzgerald’s birthday with Leather and Lace tonight with the Ladies of Illusion performing at 11:15 p.m. There’s a $5 cover before 10:30 p.m. and $10 after.

Today starts the Phillips Collection (1600 21st St., N.W.) “90 Years of New” free weekend today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The kick-off event will feature special art installations, art-inspired cake designs by some of D.C.’s top pastry chefs and complimentary champagne by FoodArts. The weekend continues Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Bach Sinfonia presents its annual chamber concert featuring Cut, Wind and Wire tonight at 8 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center (7995 Georgia Ave.) in Silver Spring. The program will include works by Francis Cuttinge, William McGibbon and others. Tickets range from $15 to $30 and can be purchased online at bachsinfonia.org or by calling 301.362.6525. There will be a free pre-concert discussion at 7:15 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 16

Family band In Layman Terms and singer Holly Montgomery will be performing at Jammin’ Java today at 1:30 p.m. as Montgomery releases her new CD. Tickets are $10 in advance and $13 same day and can be purchased at jamminjava.com.

Lace Lounge (2214 Rhode Island Ave., N.E.) presents “The Dream,” a MLK Pride celebration tonight from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Cover is $5 before 10 p.m. and $10 after.

Today is the last day to see the exhibit “Side by Side: Oberlin’s Masterworks” at the Phillips collection (1600 21st St., N.W.)

This month for its Sunday School event, Pocket Gays is teaming up with WTF for the “Straightest.Sunday.Ever” at Local 16 (1602 U St., N.W.) today from 3 to 9 p.m. Aaron Riggins will be DJing from 7 to 9 p.m. There will be prizes including entrance to WTF at Town later tonight.

Monday, Jan. 17

The Starry Mountain Trio (Suzannah Park, Gideon Crevoshay and Avery Book) presents an eclectic mix of sacred and secular folk songs from the U.S., British Isles, Corsica, Republic of Georgia and honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. in song tonight at Church of the Holy City (1611 16th St., N.W.).

Tuesday, Jan. 18

Partners in Recovery will be having a facilitated discussion about addiction, recovery and relationships at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) tonight from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The GLBT Arts Consortium will be hosting a remembrance of Martin Luther King, Jr., tonight at 7 p.m. at the Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church. This is a free event.

Wednesday, Jan. 19

Bookmen D.C., an informal group of men interested in gay literature, meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Charles Sumner School and Archives (1201 17th St., N.W.) to discuss “Persistent Voices: Poetry by Writers Lost to AIDS,” edited by David Groff and Philip Clark.” All are welcome.

The Tom Davaron Social Bridge Club will meet at 7:30 tonight at the Dignity Center, 721 8th St., S.E., (across from Marine Barracks) for social bridge. No partner is needed. Visit lambdabridge.com and click on “Social Bridge in Washington” for more information.

Thursday, Jan. 20

DJ Chris Nitti will be a special guest at this month’s Maison at Napoleon Bistro and Lounge (1847 Columbus Rd., N.W.) tonight from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Cosi Restaurant (1350 Connecticut Ave.) is hosting “Let’s get cozy …” for single women tonight from 5 to 8 p.m.

Washington Project for the Arts 2011 Experimental Media Series will be at the Phillips Collection (1600 21st St., N.W.) tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. with an appearance by Paul D. Miller, also known as DJ Spooky.

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.