Arts & Entertainment
Baltimore arts briefs: May 11
‘Ruined’ continues at Fells Point, Charm City Roller Girls gear up for battle and more
Erika Jones, Chevee’ Crafton, Dionne Johnson and Yakima Rich star in Fells Point Corner Theatre’s production of ‘Ruined,’ running through June 3. (Photo by Ken Stark; courtesy Fells Point Corner Theatre)
‘Ruined’ continues at Fells Point Corner Theatre
Fells Point Corner Theatre (251 South Ann St.) is presenting its production of “Ruined,” a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Lynn Nottage, this weekend and throughout the month.
The play, which opened May 4, follows Mama Nadi, a businesswoman in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as she shelters women during the Civil War.
The show runs through June 3 with performances on Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $12. There will be two performances on May 24 and 31.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit fpct.org.
Charm City Roller Girls battle Nashville rivals
The Charm City Roller Girls, a local roller derby league, have a bout on Saturday at DuBurns Arena (1301 S. Ellwood Ave.) from 5:30 to 10 p.m.
The CCRG Female Trouble will be making their 2012 debut when they take on the Salisbury Rollergirls.
Immediately following that bout, the CCRG All Stars, ranked third on the East Coast, will be taking on the Nashville Rollergirls, ranked third in their region.
Tickets to the bout are $12 for adult general admission, $5 for children under 12 general admission and $25 for VIP.
For more information on the Charm City Roller Girls and to purchase tickets, visit charmcityrollergirls.com.
Hippo packed with events, parties
Club Hippo (1 West Eager St.) has several events this week.
Friday, Josie & the PussyCats presents “A Night of Whitney: A Whitney Houston Tribute Show” hosted by Josie Foster. There will be performances by Foster, Chi Chi Ray Colby, Sue Nami and more. Doors open at 10 p.m. Tickets are $7.
Saturday brings what’s being touted as Baltimore’s hottest queen dance party with DJ Jayson Royce. Doors open at 10 p.m. Admission is $6 and attendees must be 21 or older.
Tuesday is Showtunes Video Madness at 8 p.m. with VJ Brian Mongeon.
Wednesday is gay bingo at 8:30 p.m. hosted by Roger Dimick. Participants can win prizes from The Wanted. Proceeds from bingo will benefit the GLCCB.
Thursday is hip hop night with DJ Rosie. Admission is $6 before 11 p.m. and $8 afterward. Doors open at 10 p.m.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit clubhippo.com.
Monthly alt dance party at Grand Central
S.h.e. productions presents ReHab, a monthly alternative dance party, featuring DJ Katrina at Grand Central Disco and Sapphos (1001 N. Charles St.) on Saturday.
The night will include a power hour and a half featuring $2.50 domestics, rail drinks and wine until 10:30 p.m. There will also be $2 shots all night.
Doors open at 9 p.m. and there is a $5 cover for this 21-and-older event.
For more information, visit facebook.com/sheproductions.
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.”
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
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