Arts & Entertainment

Arts news in brief

Center hosting stand-up benefit, Ginger Rogers tribute planned and more

Published

15 years ago

February 3, 2011

Comedian Ben Lerman will perform a Center benefit at the Source Monday night with Jessica Halem. (Photo courtesy of Ben Lerman)

Center hosts gay comedy night Monday

The idea is simple — laugh your butt off when two New York City stand-up comics double up the gender jokes for one-night only in D.C. – Monday at the Source Theatre, 1835 14th Street N.W.

And it’s all for a good cause, says David Mariner, director of the Center, D.C.’s LGBT community center. “They’re both fabulous and funny,” he says.

The event is a Center fundraiser. Expect bawdy humor as both comics are well-known for leaving no possible humor in LGBT life unexplored,

Listen for Ben Lerman’s hilariously autobiographical rap-song, “Ben Lerman Plays Ukelele,” and “Tough Love Lesbo” with its girl-group vibe, and “Chubby Chaser,” the thumping disco shout-out to the skinny folks who “like ’em plump.” Called both “sick and brilliant” by Time Out New York, he’s a regular guest on XM Sirius satellite radio shows and made his TV debut in 2009 on HERE-TV’s Hot Gay Comix.”

Then there’s Jessica Halem, described as a “funny on-your-face queer feminist comic,” who explains it all this way: “My parents were two crazy radical Jewish hippies who must have taken some bad acid, got in their VW van, and (then) decided to raise a girl — me.”

Tickets are $20 and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Center. Seating at the Source Theater will be limited, so advance purchase recommended through www.brownpapertickets.com/event/145229.

Whitman-Walker partners for black HIV/AIDS event

Whitman-Walker Clinic will join other local health organizations to present National Black HIV-AIDS Awareness Day for a community event at Metropolitan Community Church, 474 Ridge Road, just north of 5th and K Streets N.W., from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday.

The event includes free HIV testing and counseling, workshops, food and entertainment.

The Clinic plans to offer needed ongoing primary care for those diagnosed and information for others on prevention.

Whitman-Walker will off free HIV testing at both its sites Monday. Hours at the Elizabeth Taylor Center (1701 14^th Street, N.W.) are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and at the Max Robinson Center (2301 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., S.E.) from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. A Rogers film tribute is planned at the AFI Silver. (Still courtesy of 20th Century Fox)

AFI Silver plans Ginger Rogers centennial festival

Yes, this year she’d be 100. And yes, what she did with dance partner, on stage and silver screen, Fred Astaire was harder, because she did do it with him but “backwards and in high heels,” as the adage goes.

To honor the centenary of her birth, highlights of all 10 of Ginger Rogers’ films with Astaire will be shown starting today through April 6 at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Coleville road in Silver Spring, Md.

Also, Rogers’ most memorable non-dancing performances will be shown — many notable for their first-rank directors and co-stars – such as “The Major and the Minor” on March 26 and 29 (with Cary Grant and directed by Billy Wilder) and “Monkey Business” on March 18, 19, 23 and 24 (costarring again screen idol Cary Grant but also Marilyn Monroe and directed by Howard Hawks).

The series begins with “Flying Down To Rio” today at 5:30 p.m. and again at 6 p.m. Sunday and 5:30 and 9:30 p.m. Monday. Other highlights include “The Gay Divorcee” at 7:20 p.m. on Tuesday and 9 p.m. Wednesday and a cascade of other great hits like “Top Hat,” “Swing Time” and “Stage Door” follows. “Kitty Foyle,” for which she won the Best Actress Oscar, is slated for March 27 and 28. For a complete list of films and days and times, go to www.afi.com/silver.

Wizards Night Out Saturday at Verizon Center

After continuously coming up short and winless on the road at 0-24, the third-worst road start in NBA history, the losing-streak-away Wizards will play a home game against the Atlanta Hawks at 7 p.m. Saturday at Verizon Center, 601 F Street N.W.

So if you like the bouncing round ball, the dribbling, the passing, the jump shots, the fouls and the rebounds — and yes, we’re talking basketball here, not romance — Saturday is a good night to come out for this game, which is sponsored by Team D.C., the Blade, Nellie’s Sports Bar, and Youth Pride Alliance.

A portion of the proceeds — $10 of every ticket purchased — will benefit Capital Queer Prom and Youth Pride Alliance. Nellie’s will host the official after party. For more information, visit verizoncenter.com/wiz/2011wiznightout.

Photos

PHOTOS: Fairfax City Pride

LGBTQ celebration held at Sherwood Center

Published

24 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

1 day 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.