Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: May 4

Parties, concerts, exhibits and more through May 10

Published

14 years ago

May 3, 2012

‘100 Years of Blossoms D.C. 2012’ is one of the paintings by Kate McConnell on display at Touchstone Gallery. There is an opening reception for the gallery's newest exhibits today. (Image courtesy Touchstone)

TODAY (Friday)

George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic play Rams Head Live (20 Market Place, Baltimore) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40 and available online at tickets.ramsheadlive.com.

Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave., N.W.) is hosting an opening reception for its newest exhibits, “It’s My Nature” featuring works by Kate McConnell and “Vivid Horizon: Color and Light” featuring works by Colleen Sabo, tonight from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

The D.C. Eagle (639 New York Ave., N.W.) presents “Otter Crossing” tonight at 10 p.m. to celebrate the arrival of 13 new otters at the National Zoo. For more information, visit otterdendc.com.

Drag singer Joey Arias and master puppeteer Basil Twist perform “Arias With a Twist” at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company (641 D St., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased online at woollymammoth.net. The show will run through May 6.

Studio Theatre (1501 14th St., N.W.) presents “The Big Meal” by Dan LeFranc tonight. The show follows a young couple through their life, from their first date to having kids and more at a single restaurant table. Tickets range from $46 to $59. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit studiotheatre.org.

Busboys & Poets presents First Fridays: A Local Arts Exploration today at 5:30 p.m. in the Zinn room at its Hyattsville location (5331 Baltimore Ave., Suite 104). This event combines a reception, artist talk and the opportunity to meet local artists and see their work. This month will feature Victor Ekpuk and Cobaya Dance Theater. Light refreshments will be served. This is a free event.

Saturday, May 5

Gay/Bash!, a “queer night of rock and pop gems” with DJs Joshua and Junebullet is tonight at the Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.). Admission is $5 and doors open at 10 p.m.

Code has its monthly installment tonight at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.). Gear, rubber, skin, uniform or leather dress code will be strictly enforced. Music provided by DJ Frank Wild. Admission is $10. All attendees must be 18 or older. There will be an open bar from 9 to 10 p.m.

The D.C. Jewish Community Center (1529 16th St., N.W.) is screening the film “Love Free or Die” tonight at 7 p.m. The film looks at New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay individual elected to serve as bishop. Bishop Robinson will be at the screening, giving opening remarks and doing a Q&A after the film.

Perry Center’s Young Leadership Council hosts the fourth annual Kentucky Derby event at the Iron Horse Tap Room (507 7th St., N.W.) today from 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 and available at the door. There will be drink specials, hors d’oeuvres, raffle prizes and more.

The Lodge (21614 National Pike, Boonsboro) presents “Madonna Gagarama Dance and Costume Party” tonight with DJ Keith Hoffman and Madonna and Gaga impersonators as guest bartenders and “shot girlz.” There’s a $5 cover after 10 p.m. Doors open at 9 p.m.

Sunday, May 6

The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) presents its spring gala event with Grammy Award-winner David Foster tonight at 8 p.m. Also scheduled to appear are Christ Botti, Jewel, Barry Manilow and more. Tickets range from $35 to $150 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.

Rainbow Wedding Network presents its third annual gay and lesbian wedding expo in D.C. at the Renaissance Washington (1143 New Hampshire Ave., N.W.) today from 1 to 4 p.m. The expo will feature more than 30 gay-friendly exhibitors including event planners, DJs, photographers and more. This is a free event, but attendees are asked to pre-register for tickets. For more information, visit samelovesamerights.com.

There will be a benefit for the Hagerstown Community Free Clinic today at Turner’s Skate Palace (17333 Virginia Ave., Hagerstown) starting at 4:30 p.m. featuring performance on roller skates by Ashley Bannks, Jayden Elyse, Sasha Renee and more. Presale tickets are $7 and tickets ate the door are $10. There will be a free skate from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. following be the performances and an auction.

Monday, May 7

Busboys & Poets presents Monday Night Open Mic Poetry hosted by Rich Hanks in the Robeson Room of its Shirlington location (4251 S. Campbell Ave., Arlington) at 8 p.m. Wristbands are $4 and will be sold in the Global Exchange store beginning at 10 a.m. They are also available for purchase online at busboysandpoets.com starting at midnight before the event.

Tuesday, May 8

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.

D.C. Bi Women will have its monthly dinner at Dupont Italian Kitchen (1637 17th St., N.W.) tonight from 7 to 9 p.m.

Southern Universities Alumni is having a happy hour at Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) tonight at 5 p.m.

The Go-Gos play Rams Head Live (20 Market Place, Baltimore) tonight at 7 p.m. The show will feature all the original members including Belinda Carlisle, Charlotte Caffey, Gina Schock, Jane Wiedlin and Kathy Valentine. Tickets are $45 and available online at tickets.ramsheadlive.com.

Wednesday, May 9

Rainbow Response has its monthly meeting tonight at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) from 7 to 8 p.m.

The D.C. Queer Theatre Festival has a happy hour at MOVA (2204 14th St., N.W.) tonight at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit dcqueertheatrefest.org.

IMP presents Feist, best known for her song “1234” tonight at the Music Center at Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Besthesda) at 8 p.m. Tickets are $45 and are available online at ticketmaster.com or through the Strathmore ticket office. For more information, visit strathmore.org.

The Big Gay Book Group meets tonight at 7 at 1155 F Street, N.W., Suite 200 to discuss “Jack Holmes and His Friend” by Edmund White. Newcomers welcome. Visit biggaybookgroup.com for more information.

Thursday, May 10

Matt Howe presents his newest cabaret show “I’m Hip!” tonight at the Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) at 8 p.m. The show will feature Howe singing a mix of show tunes, standards and comedy songs with Daniel Sticco on piano. There is a $10 cover. There will be another performance on May 12.

Photos

PHOTOS: Cupid’s Undie Run

Annual fundraiser for NF research held at The Wharf DC

Published

13 hours ago

February 21, 2026

Michael Key

A dance party was held at Union Stage before Cupid's Undie Run on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Cupid’s Undie Run, an annual fundraiser for neurofibromatosis (NF) research, was held at Union Stage and at The Wharf DC on Saturday, Feb. 21.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Out & About

Sweat DC expands to Shaw

Community workout and social planned for March 14

Published

15 hours ago

February 21, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Sweat DC is officially expanding to Shaw, opening a new location at 1818 7th St., N.W., on Saturday, March 28 — and they’re kicking things off with a high-energy, community-first launch event.

To celebrate, Sweat DC is hosting Sweat Fest, a free community workout and social on Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at the historic Howard Theatre. The event features a group fitness class, live DJ, local food and wellness partners, and a mission-driven partnership with the Open Goal Project, which works to expand access to youth soccer for players from marginalized communities.

For more details, visit Sweat DC’s website and reserve a spot on Eventbrite.

Calendar

Calendar: February 20-26

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

2 days ago

February 20, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, Feb. 20

Center Aging Monthly Luncheon with Yoga will be at noon at the D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.

Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the D.C. Center. This will be a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome! We’ll have card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the Center’s website.

Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, Feb. 21

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & 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.

LGBTQ People of Color will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.

Sunday, Feb. 22

Queer Talk DC will host “The Black Gay Flea Market” at 1 p.m. at Doubles in Petworth. There will be more than 15 Black queer vendors from all over the DMV in one spot. The event’s organizers have reserved the large back patio for all vendors, and the speak easy for bar service, which will be serving curated cocktails made just for the event (cash bar.) DJ Fay and DJ Jam 2x will be spinning the entire event. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Monday, Feb. 23

“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” 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 information, contact Adam at [email protected].

Tuesday, Feb. 24

Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.

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 that you’re not 100 percent cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.

Wednesday, Feb. 25

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. 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.

Asexual and Aromantic Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].

Thursday, Feb. 26

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center. To be more fair 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 Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.