Arts & Entertainment

9-11 concerts kick off fall season

Lauper, Dayne, Amos also headed our way

Published

15 years ago

September 8, 2011

Pink Martini, a retro-fabulous combo featuring gay pianist Thomas Lauderdale, plays the Strathmore in December. (Photo courtesy Heinz Records)

The fall concert season gets off to a somber start with several 9-11 memorial concerts planned for this weekend.

A concert by the Festival Choir of the Lutheran Church of the Reformation under the direction of Thea Kano (who also conducts the Gay Men’s Chorus) and dedicated to the victims of 9-11 will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 212 East Capitol Street N.E. (across from the Folger Library). Admission is free but a free-will offering will be taken. The concert will feature the “Requiem of Paul Leavitt,” as well as John Tavener’s “Song for Athene.”

Metropolitan Community Church of Washington (474 Ridge Street, N.W.) also has a 9-11 memorial concert planned for Sunday at 3 titled “Faith in Love” featuring the church’s highly regarded gospel choir. Details are at mccdc.com. MCC is the region’s largest mostly gay church and prides itself on inclusion.

And the World Doctors Orchestra plays a memorial concert Sunday at 7 at the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda as a benefit for Whitman-Walker Health. Conducted by Stefan Willich, Mahler’s “Resurrection” symphony, a Mozart violin concerto and Barber’s famous “Adagio for Strings” will be performed. Tickets range from $25-$75. Go to Strathmore.org for details.

Switching gears drastically, gay-friendly Taylor Dayne will headline the 15th annual Delaware Pride Festival at Rehoboth Beach on Sept. 17. The festival runs 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 day of event. Dayne is a multi-million-selling performer with several top-10 Billboard pop hits to her credit.

Out singer/songwriter Melissa Ferrick will perform at the Birchmere Music Hall (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave) in Alexandria, Va., on Sept. 24 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $25 and are going fast. Some of her lyrics deal with lesbian themes. Ferrick’s album “Everything I Need” was named 1999 Album of the Year by the Gay and Lesbian American Music Association.

The multi-talented singer and actress Audra McDonald is scheduled to perform at the Kennedy Center on Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $85. She has earned two Grammy Awards and an unprecedented four Tony Awards. She also stars in the ABC television drama “Private Practice” as Dr. Naomi Bennett.

Openly gay country singer Chely Wright will perform at the Birchmere Music Hall Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. Wright came out in 2010.

Grammy Award-winning LGBT rights supporter Cyndi Lauper plays the 9:30 club on Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $45. Lauper has released 11 albums and about 40 singles, and as of 2008 had sold more than 30 million records worldwide. Lauper’s sister, Ellen, is a lesbian and Lauper considers her a role model.

American Grammy Award-winning singer, guitarist, poet and songwriter, Ani DiFranco, will perform at Ram’s Head Live in downtown Baltimore on Oct. 22 at 8. Tickets are $40.

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington (GMCW) will perform “Home Cooked Cabaret” on Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Danceboutique. Tickets range from $75-$100 and include both show and dinner. GMCW is one of the oldest LGBT choral organizations in the United States and has 225 singing members.

Out songwriter and singer Catie Curtis will perform at Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd.) in Vienna, Va., on Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $22 each.

Tori Amos will perform on Dec. 5 at DAR Constitution Hall starting at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $45. As of 2005, Amos had sold 12 million albums worldwide.

Pink Martini plays the Music Center at Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Ln. N.) in Bethesda, Md., on Dec. 12 at 8. Tickets start at $55. This 13-member band, often titled, “little orchestra” draws its inspiration from music from all over the world, including pop, classical and jazz. Pianist Thomas Lauderdale is gay.

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PHOTOS: Fairfax City Pride

LGBTQ celebration held at Sherwood Center

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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.