Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: March 23
Parties, exhibits, concerts and more through March 29

Evolve Urban Arts Project is hosting an opening reception on Thursday for its newest exhibit featuring the work of Dilip Sheth, including this painting. The show runs through May 4. (Image courtesy Evolve)
TODAY (Friday)
The Lodge (21614 National Pike, Boonsboro) and the Mason Dixon Roller Vixens presents a ladies’ night “Anything But Clothes” tonight hosted by Lucretia McEvil and co-host Scruff with beats provided by DJ Joey-O. Games and a fashion show begin at 10 p.m. There’s a $3 suggested donation.
Gay District is hosting “Pre-Mature Spring Fling” tonight at Bread and Brew D.C. (1247 20th St., N.W.) from 8 to 10:30 p.m. The night will feature games, happy hour prices and drink specials. There is a required $5 donation.
D.C. Women4Women presents “Tryst,” a monthly professional lesbian happy hour at Topaz Bar (1733 N St., N.W.) tonight from 7 to 10 p.m.
Destino Final, a night of freestyle, upbeat R&B, early house and more, is tonight at Dodge City D.C. (917 U St., N.W.) from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. featuring Alex DB and FLEG from Baltimore.
Pants vs. Pumps is taking over the original Phase 1 (525 8th St., S.E.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. for “Trouble,” a pre-game event with drink specials and games including flip cup and beer pong. There is a $5 cover with the mention of PvP.
Saturday, March 24
The 2012 Visions in Feminism conference is today at American University (4400 Massachusetts Ave.) in the Ward Building. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and ranges from $10 to $15. A.U. students get in free with student ID. Jeanne Flavin, a professor of sociology at Fordham University, will be the keynote speaker. For more information, look for the Facebook event page.
Tom From Prague brings “Tainted Love: An International ‘80s Dance Party” at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. There is a $5 cover.
Grammy nominee Katie Herzig plays Red Palace (1212 H St., N.E.) tonight at 9 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance at $15 day of the show. Doors open at 8 p.m.
Cocker Productions presents Miss Gay D.C. America pageant tonight at Town (2009 8th Street, N.W.), honoring Kirby Kolby, Miss Gay D.C. America 2011 and Miss Gay America 2012. Admission is $10. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Also tonight, Chad Michaels of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will perform. Doors open at 10 p.m. for this event (those who attend the pageant can stay all evening and don’t have to pay the regular Town cover). Admission is $8 before 11 p.m. and $12 after. Attendees must be 21 or older.
Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) presents Hellmouth Happy Hour where every week an episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” will be screened and drink specials will be offered. This week the episode is “Choices.” Doors open at 7 p.m. The Black Cat is also hosting “Disco in the Dark” with Mr. Bonkerz, DJ Remote CTRL and Sneakers in the Dryer. Doors open at 9:30 for this and tickets are $5.
Sunday, March 25
The Black Men’s XChange D.C. is having a brunch at the Howard University Blackburn Center honoring the “same gender-loving” elder community today at the Howard University Blackburn Center (2397 6th St., N.W.) from noon to 3:30 p.m. There is a $4 suggested donation.
Studio Theatre (1501 14th St., N.W.) presents “Sucker Punch,” a play by Roy Williams, directed by Leah C. Gardiner, today at 2 and 7 p.m. The play follows two British teenagers and their rise from “would-be vandals” to boxing champions. Tickets range from $46 to $59 and can be purchased online at studiotheatre.org. The show runs through April 8.
Monday, March 26
Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) presents a “RuPaul’s Drag Race” watch party tonight at 9 p.m.
The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) will be holding an information session about the Mobile Homecoming Project, an initiative to promote intergenerational dialogue in the community, tonight from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Following the presentational will be a mixer at Mova (2204 14th St., N.W.) from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Tuesday, March 27
GLAA is having a membership meeting tonight in the second floor community room at the Reeves Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
The Chesapeake Squares, a gay square dancing group, are having a mainstream-through-advanced club night tonight at the Waxter Center (1000 Cathedral St.) in Baltimore from 8 to 10 p.m. For more information, visit chesapeakesquares.org.
Wednesday, March 28
Secrets (1824 Half St., S.W.) is holdings its monthly amateur dance contest hosted by LaTroya Nichole tonight beginning at 11 p.m. Contests must sign up at the main bar starting at 10 p.m.
The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE — across from Marine Barracks) for duplicate bridge. No reservations needed; newcomers welcome. Visit lambdabridge.com if you need a partner.
Busboys & Poets presents Sparkle Open Mic Poetry, a queer-friendly reading series hosted by Regie Cabico and Danielle Evennou in the Cullen room of its 5th and K location (1025 5th St., N.W.) at 9 p.m. Wristbands are $4 and will be sold in the Global Exchange store beginning at 11 a.m.
Thursday, March 29
Evolve Urban Arts Projects (1375 Maryland Ave., N.E.) is having an opening reception tonight from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for its newest exhibit “The Moon and Landscapes, etc.” featuring the work of local artist, Dilip Sheth.
KHUSH D.C. and OutWrite present “God Loves Pavement: Two Brown Authors Hit the Road” tonight at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) at 7 p.m. Farzana Doctor, a Toronto-based author and recipient of the Writers’ Trust of Canada’s Dayne Ogilvie Grant for emerging gay Canadian author in 2011 and Vivek Shraya, a Toronto-based artists, arts educator and author, will be at this joint book reading.
Sports
Jason Collins dies at 47
First openly gay man to actively play for major sports team battled brain cancer
Jason Collins, the first openly gay man to actively play for a major professional sports team, died on Tuesday after a battle with brain cancer. He was 47.
The California native had briefly played for the Washington Wizards in 2013 before coming out in a Sports Illustrated op-ed.
Collins in 2014 became the first openly gay man to play in a game for a major American professional sports league when he played 11 minutes during a Brooklyn Nets game. He wore jersey number 98 in honor of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student murdered outside of Laramie, Wyo., in 1998.
Collins told the Washington Blade in 2014 that his life was “exponentially better” since he came out. Collins the same year retired from the National Basketball Association after 13 seasons.
Collins married his husband, Brunson Green, in May 2025.
The NBA last September announced Collins had begun treatment for a brain tumor. Collins on Dec. 11, 2025, announced he had Stage 4 glioblastoma.
“We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma,” said Collins’s family in a statement the NBA released. “Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Collins’s “impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA, and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations.”
“He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador,” said Silver. “Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others.”
“To call Jason Collins a groundbreaking figure for our community is simply inadequate. We truly lost a giant today,” added Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson in a statement. “He came out as gay — while still playing — at a time when men’s athletes simply did not do that. But as he powerfully demonstrated in his final years in the league and his post-NBA career, stepping forward as he did boldly changed the conversation.”
“He was and will always be a legend for the LGBTQ+ community, and we are heartbroken to hear of his passing at the young age of 47,” she said. “Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones. We will keep fighting on in his honor until the day everyone can be who they are on their terms.”
The Washington Blade will update this article with additional reaction when it becomes available.
Glitterati Productions held the “Studio 69” party at Bunker on Friday, May 8.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

















Arts & Entertainment
Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier returns June 13 to kick off D.C. Pride week
Pride on the Pier officially launches Pride Week in D.C.
The Washington Blade’s annual Pride on the Pier celebration returns to The Wharf on Saturday, June 13, 2026 from 4-9 p.m., bringing thousands of LGBTQ community members and allies together for an unforgettable waterfront celebration to kick off Pride week in Washington, D.C.
Now in its eighth year, Washington Blade Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Wharf waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older.
“Pride on the Pier has become one of the signature moments of Pride in D.C.,” said Lynne Brown, publisher of the Washington Blade. “There’s nothing like watching our community come together on the waterfront with live music and incredible energy as we kick off Pride week.”
Pride on the Pier is free and open to the public, with VIP tickets available for exclusive pier access to the Dockmaster Building. To purchase VIP tickets visit www.prideonthepierdc.com/vip.
Additional entertainment announcements, sponsor activations, and event details will be released in the coming weeks.
Event Details:
📍 Location: District Pier at The Wharf (101 District Sq SW, Washington, DC)
📅 Dates: Friday, 13, 2026
⏱️ 4-9PM
🎟️ VIP Tickets: www.PrideOnThePierDC.com/VIP

