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Calendar: May 4

Parties, concerts, exhibits and more through May 10

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‘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.

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Photos

PHOTOS: Baltimore Pride Parade

Thousands attend city’s 50th annual LGBTQ celebration

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Baltimore Pride Parade (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The 2025 Baltimore Pride Parade was held on Saturday, June 14. 

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Books

Celebrate Pride month by reading these books

History, pop culture, and more

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(Photo courtesy of Terri Schlichenmeyer)

You’ve done your share of marching.

You’re determined to wring every rainbow-hued thing out of this month. The last of the parties hasn’t arrived yet, neither have the biggest celebrations and you’re primed but – OK, you need a minute. So pull up a chair, take a deep breath, and read these great books on gay history, movies, and more.

You probably don’t need to be told that harassment and discrimination was a daily occurrence for gay people in the past (as now!), but “American Scare: Florida’s Hidden Cold War on Black and Queer Lives” by Robert W. Fieseler (Dutton, $34) tells a story that runs deeper than you may know. Here, you’ll read a historical expose with documented, newly released evidence of a systemic effort to ruin the lives of two groups of people that were perceived as a threat to a legislature full of white men.

Prepared to be shocked, that’s all you need to know.

You’ll also want to read the story inside “The Many Passions of Michael Hardwick: Sex and the Supreme Court in the Age of AIDS” by Martin Padgett (W.W. Norton & Company, $31.99), which sounds like a novel, but it’s not. It’s the story of one man’s fight for a basic right as the AIDS crisis swirls in and out of American gay life and law. Hint: this book isn’t just old history, and it’s not just for gay men.

Maybe you’re ready for some fun and who doesn’t like a movie? You know you do, so you’ll want “Sick and Dirty: Hollywood’s Gay Golden Age and the Making of Modern Queerness” by Michael Koresky (Bloomsbury, $29.99). It’s a great look at the Hays Code and what it allowed audiences to see, but it’s also about the classics that sneaked beneath the code. There are actors, of course, in here, but also directors, writers, and other Hollywood characters you may recognize. Grab the popcorn and settle in.

If you have kids in your life, they’ll want to know more about Pride and you’ll want to look for “Pride: Celebrations & Festivals” by Eric Huang, illustrated by Amy Phelps (Quarto, $14.99), a story of inclusion that ends in a nice fat section of history and explanation, great for kids ages seven-to-fourteen. Also find “Are You a Friend of Dorothy? The True Story of an Imaginary Woman and the Real People She Helped Shape” by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Levi Hastings (Simon & Schuster, $19.99), a lively book about a not-often-told secret for kids ages six-to-ten; and “Papa’s Coming Home” by Chasten Buttigieg, illustrated by Dan Taylor (Philomel, $19.99), a sweet family tale for kids ages three-to-five.

Finally, here’s a tween book that you can enjoy, too: “Queer Heroes” by Arabelle Sicardi, illustrated by Sarah Tanat-Jones (Wide Eyed, $14.99), a series of quick-to-read biographies of people you should know about.

Want more Pride books? Then ask your favorite bookseller or librarian for more, because there are so many more things to read. Really, the possibilities are almost endless, so march on in.

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Music & Concerts

Indigo Girls coming to Capital One Hall

Stars take center stage alongside Fairfax Symphony

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The Indigo Girls are back in the area next week. (Photo courtesy of Vanguard Records)

Capital One Center will host “The Indigo Girls with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra” on Thursday, June 19 and Friday, June 20 at 8 p.m. at Capital One Hall. 

The Grammy Award-winning folk and pop stars will take center stage alongside the Fairfax Symphony, conducted by Jason Seber. The concerts feature orchestrations of iconic hits such as “Power of Two,” “Get Out The Map,” “Least Complicated,” “Ghost,” “Kid Fears,” “Galileo,” “Closer to Fine,” and many more.

Tickets are available on Ticketmaster or in person at Capital One Hall the nights of the concerts. 

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