Arts & Entertainment
Out & About: D.C. and Baltimore
‘Normal Heart’ production opens, ‘Pariah’ screening planned and more
Arena Stage presents ‘The Normal Heart’ running from June 8-July 29. Photo by Carol Rosegg; courtesy Arena)
Kramer classic ‘Normal Heart’ opens D.C. run
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater’s production of the 2011 Tony-awaring winning production of Larry Kramer’s “The Normal Heart,” directed by George C. Wolfe, opens today.
The cast includes original cast members Patrick Breen and Luke MacFarlane, returning in new roles, and original production understudy Jon Levenson, as well as Patricia Wettig from ABC’s “Brothers & Sisters” and “thirtysomething,” Broadway stars Tom Berklund, Michael Berresse, Christopher J. Hanke, Nick Mennell, Chris Dinolgo and John Procaccino.
“The Normal Heart” tells the story of a group of friends struggling with the mysterious disease ravaging New York’s gay community, looking at sexual politics during the AIDS crisis.
This production is an Affiliated Independent Event of AIDS 2012, the biennial International Conference, to be held in D.C. from July 22-27. To spread awareness of the ongoing fight against AIDS, Arena will be holding related events and partnering with organizations throughout the production’s run.
Sections of the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display in the Mead Center along with images from the HIV/AIDS relation collections of the Archives Center at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Local clinics and HIV testing providers will have HIV testing vans parked outside the Mead Center on select weekends and panel discussions with guest speakers will follow select matinees.
Arena Stage and the Washington AIDS Partnership will host a benefit performance on July 23. The evening will include a pre-performance VIP cocktail hour, intermission champagne toast and a dance party following the performance.
Tickets range from $40-$94. Tickets for the benefit performance events start at $75.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit arenastage.org.
Wolf Trap features bounty of summer shows
Wolf Trap’s summer season is heating up with a week full of concerts.
World-renowned contemporary instrumentalist Yanni begins the week tonight at 8 p.m. The concert will include music from his previous shows as well as songs from his newest album, “Truth of Touch.” Tickets range from $30-$55.
Gavin DeGraw and Colbie Caillat come together on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The duo has performed several duets during previous joint tours. Tickets range from $25-$40.
Wolf Trap has its 23rd annual Louisiana Swamp Romp on Sunday at 2 p.m. The concert will feature Allen Toussaint Band, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Big Sam’s Funky Nation. Southern dishes will also be available on the plaza. Tickets are $25.
Country superstar Martina McBride comes to Wolf Trap on Wednesday with Grammy-nominated David Nail. McBride is a four-time Country Music Awards Female Vocalist of the Year and dedicated her single, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” to cancer survivors, performing on a pink-li Empire State Building to raise breast cancer awareness. Tickets range from $35 to $48.
Bonnie Raitt plays Thursday with special guest Mavis Staples. Tickets range from $30-$48.
For more information on the concerts and to purchase tickets, visit wolftrap.org.
‘Drag Race’ alums at Town this weekend
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) is kicking off Pride weekend with performances from the stars of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Sharon Needles, Phi Phi O’Hara and Dida Ritz will all be performing during the club’s drag show starting at 10:30 p.m. They will also be sticking around to sign autographs and take pictures after the show.
The club is continuing its Pride celebration with a dance party on Saturday featuring DJ Manny Lehman, the Ladies of Town and Tha Dance Camp.
The Town drag show is hosted by Lena Lett and stars Tatiana, Shi-Queeta–Lee, Epiphany B Lee, Ba’Naka and special guests.
Doors open at 9 p.m. and admission is $20. Friday night attendees must be 18 or older and Saturday night attendees must be 21 or older.
For more information and future events, visit towndc.com.
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‘Pariah’ screenings at Busboys & Poets
Busboys & Poets is offering a free screening of the film, “Pariah” at each of its four locations throughout the month continuing Sunday at its 14th and V streets location (2021 14th St., N.W.) at 8 p.m.
Written and directed by Dee Rees, the film follows Alike, a 17-year-old African American woman who lives with her parents and younger sister in Brooklyn, as she embraces her identity as a lesbian and wonders how much she can confide in her family.
The film stars Adepero Oduye as Alike, Kim Wayans as her mother Audry, Charles Parnell as her father Arthur, Sahra Mellesse as her sister Sharonda, Pernell Walker as her friend Laura and Aasha Davis as Bina, a potential love interest.
The other screenings will be June 17 at the Shirlington location at 7 p.m. and June 24 at the 5th and K streets location at 8 p.m.
— JULIETTE EBNER
Bock’s minimalist play is journey of self-discovery
Iron Crow Theatre Company’s “The Typographer’s Dream,” a play by Adam Bock, runs through June 16 at the Johns Hopkins University’s Swirnow Theatre (33rd St. and Charles St., Baltimore).
The play centers on a three characters: a stenographer, geographer and typographer. As the play progresses, the characters reveals how they’re defined by their jobs and the meaning and notions of their lives are called into question.
Bock is gay and has been nominated for two Outer Critics Circle Awards.
The play runs every night at 8 p.m. Regular tickets are $17 while students and seniors are $12. For more information, go to ironcrowtheatre.com
Mount Vernon club starts Baltimore Pride celebrations
S.H.E. Productions is kicking off Baltimore Pride at Grand Central (1001 North Charles St., Baltimore) with a party event on Thursday at 9 p.m.
S.H.E. Productions is an event production company in the Baltimore area that specializes in LGBT events of various types. Its staff often performs at clubs but they also host high energy boot camps for fitness and outings/excursions.
Grand Central is surrounded by several eateries and is within walking distance of the Inner Harbor and the Walters Art Museum.
Cover is $5 at the door. For details, visit centralstationpub.com or visit sheproductionsevents.com.
Baltimore Hons commemorates ‘60s culture
HonFest, an annual festival that celebrates the historic working women of Baltimore, is this weekend on 36th Street in the Hampden neighborhood.
Started in 1994, HonFest has grown into a nationally recognized festival. Women can participate to become Baltimore’s Best Hon by sporting beehive hairdos, bright-blue eye shadow and spandex pants. Exhibitions include local musicians and artists.
The event is free but it will be $5 to park. For more information, visit honfest.net.
Twilight on the Terrace starts Pride weekend
Twilight on the Terrace benefit cocktail party will be held at Gertrude’s Restaurant at the Baltimore Museum of Art (10 Art Museum Drive) on June 15 from 7-11 p.m.
The evening will include a silent auction including artwork, gift certificates to restaurants and shops, themed gift baskets, a Myrtle Beach vacation, an autographed photo of Doris Day and dates with local celebrities. Guests will also be able to meet Baltimore actor Vincent de Paul.
There will be hors d’oeuvres, a four-hour open bar and dancing to DJ Alex Funk.
Tickets are $100. For details, visit baltimorepride.org.
— ERIN DURKIN
Fairfax City Pride was held at the Sherwood Center (3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, Va.) on Saturday, June 6.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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D.C. prepares to party as Pride celebrations kick off Saturday
Bars, clubs have busy lineups; Pride on the Pier returns
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.
The D.C. Front Runners held the 14th annual 5K Pride Run at Congressional Cemetery on Saturday, June 6.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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