Arts & Entertainment
Proud and black
Memorial Day weekend events targeted to local African-American LGBT crowd
Raceen Pendarvis and ButtaFlySoul at last year's Black Pride. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Next weekend, in its usual Memorial Day weekend slot, comes D.C. Black Pride celebrating its 21st year.
The local event, which founder Earl Fowlkes used as a springboard to launch the International Federation of Black Prides, has a slightly different schedule this year but is still focused on building a stronger black LGBT community in Washington. The event typically draws about 25,000 attendees from many states on the East Coast and beyond.
Events kick off Thursday and run through May 30 (Memorial Day). The Blade is a sponsor.
The Hamilton Crowne Plaza Hotel (24th and K streets, N.W.) is the official host hotel for out-of-town visitors.
On Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m., the “hospitality suite” is open at the Hamilton. From 7 to 9 p.m., a Black Pride town hall meeting will be held at the hotel. Admission is free. The discussion is entitled “’Til Death Do Us Part: a Discussion of Domestic Violence in the Black LGBT Community.”
On May 27 from 7 to 10 p.m., an opening reception and awards ceremony will be held. Admission is free. The Welmore Cook Community Service awards will be given to out local activists Ron Collins and Khadijah Tribble.
Workshops will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 28. A film festival will be held from 1 to 4:30 p.m. in the Sphinx Club Grand Ballroom. Admission is $20. A “poetry slam” will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. also in the ballroom hosted by “Buttaflysoul.” Cash prizes will be awarded. Contestants must sign up in advance.
At 10 p.m., a retro dance will be held at the hotel. Admission is $15.
On Sunday, a church service will be held, again at the hotel. It’s free.
Unlike years past, the main festival with booths and entertainment will be held on Memorial Day at Fort Dupont Park. The event will be held in conjunction with Us Helping Us, a local AIDS charity that specializes in the black LGBT community.
Visit dcblackpride.org for more information.
A for-profit event also targeting the local black LGBT community is also slated for Memorial Day weekend called Chocolate City Pride. Its organizers — McGregory Williams, Donald Desprett and Kurtis Perminter of Omega Entertainment — have no connection to Chocolate City Festival, a now-defunct event local gay event promoter Darryl Wilson held a few years ago. Its organizers also say it has no connection to the D.C. gay bar Omega.
Its host hotel is sold out but an overflow hotel has been established at the Hyatt Regency on Capital Hill. It has several events slated for the weekend. Visit omegapartydc.com for details. The Blade is not sponsoring Chocolate City Pride.
Friday, May 23
“Center Aging Monthly Luncheon and Yoga” will be at 12 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. For more details, email [email protected].
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity and/or expression. For more details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at DIK Bar. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 24
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including Allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Black Lesbian Mixer will be at 11 a.m. on Zoom. This is a support group dedicated to the joys of being a Black lesbian. For more details, email [email protected].
Sunday, May 25
“The Queen’s Table: A Women’s Empowerment Brunch” will be at 11 a.m. at Zooz. This event will celebrate queer women’s strength. For more details visit Eventbrite.
Monday, May 26
“Center Aging Monday Coffee and Conversation” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, May 27
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary. Whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know you’re not 100 percent cis — this is your group. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This support group is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Wednesday, May 28
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, May 29
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fairer with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony
The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Calendar: May 23-29
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