Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: July 29

Parties, events, meetings and more through Aug. 4

Published

15 years ago

July 28, 2011

Tom Story in ‘Pop!’ at Studio 2nd Stage. This Andy Warhol-themed show has been extended. Visit studiotheatre.org for details. (Photo by Scott Suchman; courtesy of Studio)

TODAY

Ziegfeld’s/Secrets (1824 Half St., S.W.) presents Badlands/Apex Appreciation Night tonight hosted by Kristina Kelly with Apex’s own DJ Joey O. Doors open at 9 p.m. There is a $5 cover until 10:30 and a $10 afterward.

Busboys & Poets will be having an American Sign Language open mic night tonight at 11 p.m. in the Langston room at its 14th and V streets location (2021 14th St., N.W.). Anyone with sign language knowledge may sign up by e-mailing [email protected]. There is a $5 admission at the door.

This week’s Bear Happy Hour at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) will feature Johnny Scruff, the creator of the Scruff app. For more information on the app, visit scruffapp.com. Happy hour begins at 6 p.m.

The Blackberry Belles are having a record release party at Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) tonight to benefit Girls Rock! D.C., an organization aimed to create a space for girls to develop self-confidence and more. Ugly and Spoonboy and the Papas will be performing. Doors open at 9 p.m. and tickets are $10.

D.C. Lambda Squares, an LGBT square dancing group, will be dancing at Thoreau Middle School (2505 State Route 698) in Vienna, tonight from 8 to 10 p.m. Ett McAtee will be calling.

The Lodge (21614 National Pike) in Boonsboro presents Araya Sparxx’s All American Drag Off with specials guests Monica Moore and India Ferrah. Seven contestants will be competing for a prize package worth more than $1,000 including six guaranteed bookings at The Lodge, promo photo shoot by RAB2 Imaging and $500 cash prize. For more information, visit thelodgeMD.com/dragoff.

Saturday, July 30

The Black Eyed Peas will be performing at Merriweather Post Pavilion (10475 Little Patuxent Parkway) in Columbia, Md., tonight. Tickets range from $45 to $125 and can be purchased online at merriweathermusic.com. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd.) in Vienna, presents “Casablanca” tonight at 8:30 at the Filene Center with the National Symphony Orchestra playing the score live as the movie plays on large screens. Tickets range from $20 to $52 and can be purchased online at wolftrap.org.

This season’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner Raga will be performing live at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) tonight at 10:30 p.m. There is an $8 cover from 10 to 11 p.m. which then goes up to $12. All attendees must be 21 or older.

Studio Theatre (1501 14th St., N.W.) presents “Venus in Fur” a play by David Ives which tells the story of an actress who arrives unscheduled for an audition and ends up in a battle for power, today at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets range from $46 to $57 and can be purchased online. The play’s run has been extended through July 31. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit studiotheatre.org.

“Shear Madness,” a comedy whodunit, will be performed twice tonight at the Kennedy Center Theater Lab (2700 F St., N.W.) at 3 and 7 p.m. “Madness” takes place in present-day Georgetown, in the Shear Madness Hair Styling Salon. Tickets are $42. Visit kennedy-center.org for more information and to purchase tickets.

Sunday, July 31

Britney Spears brings her “Femme Fatale North American Summer Tour” to D.C. at tonight at the Verizon Center (601 F St., N.W.) with special guests Nicki Minaj and opening acts Jesse and the Toy Boys and Nervo. Tickets range from $29.50 to $350 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Dolly Parton brings her “Better Days World Tour” to Wolf Trap tonight at 8 p.m. at the Filene Center (1645 Trap Rd.) in Vienna, Va. Tickets are $35 for the lawn, $60 for in-house and can be purchased online at wolftrap.org.

Red Palace (1212 H St., N.E.) presents Tall Tales, a series of cocktail classes that delve into the stories behind the cocktails, tonight at 8 p.m. This week’s featured cocktail is the martini. Tickets are $25 and include three cocktails. All attendees must be 21 or older. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit redpalacedc.com.

Monday, Aug. 1

Bears do Yoga at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court N.W.) tonight at 6:30 p.m. Class lasts for an hour and serves as an introduction to yoga for people of all different body types and physical abilities. It’s taught by Michael Brazell. For more information, visit dccenter.org.

Tuesday, Aug. 2

The musical “Wicked” will be performed at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. “Wicked” tells the story of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch, before Dorothy landed in Oz. Tickets range from $37 to $250 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.

Join Burgundy Crescent Volunteers to help pack safer sex kits from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.).

Wednesday, Aug. 3

Citizen Effect is having its second annual Yoga Challenge’s free yoga in the park today at Meridian Hill Park (2500 16th St., N.W.) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The organization has partner with yoga studios around the city to give deals to anyone who signs up to raise $250 for Becky’s Fund, a nonprofit organization addressing domestic violence in the District. For more information, visit citizeneffect.org.

“From the Back of the Room,” a documentary that chronicles the last 30 years of female involvement in DIY punk, will have its D.C. premiere at the E Street Cinema (555 11th St., N.W.) at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online. For more information, visit fromthebackoftheroom.com.

Thursday, Aug. 4

Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) is hosting a happy hour tonight at 6 p.m. for Team Red Bowl, an organization created to help feed children in Africa. For more information, visit teamredbowl.com.

Studio Theatre (1501 14th St., N.W.) presents “Pop!” a musical murder-mystery by Maggie-Kate Coleman and Anna K. Jacobs which peeks inside the artistic revelry of Andy Warhol’s infamous Factory, today at 8:30 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $50 and can be purchased online. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit studiotheatre.org.

Photos

PHOTOS: Fairfax City Pride

LGBTQ celebration held at Sherwood Center

Published

1 day 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.