Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: June 22
Parties, events, concerts and more through June 28
The New Wave Singers, a choir of gay and straight members, performs Saturday afternoon in Westminster, Md. (Photo courtesy New Wave)
Today, Friday, June 22
D.C. Center is doing outreach at Town’s Bear Happy Hour (2009 8th St., N.W.) tonight at 6:30. There is no cover charge. For details, visit thedccenter.org.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) is hosting its weekly Boy’s Life party tonight at 11. There is no cover charge and the party includes a open bar until midnight. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.
Whitman-Walker Health clinic is having HIV testing at Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8th St., S.E.) tonight at 10:30. Admission is $3 after 11. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.
Special Agent Galactica is playing Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) tonight from 6-9. Music includes pieces by Pat Benatar, Judy Garland, Stevie Nicks, Nancy Sinatra and Ray Stevens. Admission is free. For more information, visit pinkhairedone.com.
Phase 1 ( 525 8th St., S.E.) is holding its Vixen Variety Games of Thrones show tonight at 9 p.m. Admission is $10. For details, visit phase1dc.com.
Millennium Stage Performances presents, “Just Tap,” a performance by a D.C.-based tap dance company, tonight at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) starting at 6 p.m. The event is free. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.
Saturday, June 23
The New Wave Singers, a chorus of LGBT and straight singers, perform today at Diversity Awareness Weekend hosted by St. Paul’s United Church of Christ (17 Bond St., Westminster) at 3. For more information, visit newwavesingers.org.
Burgundy Crescent is volunteering to set up for the Equality Garden Party: Celebrating Family and Friends today at the Samet Chateau (1000 Parrs Ridge Dr., Spencerville). The party is a fundraiser event by Equality Maryland. Volunteers are needed to set up from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and to work the actual event from 4-10 p.m. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.com.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) celebrates DJ Randy Bettis’ newest GayDays CD tonight at 10. Cover is $8 before 11 pm and $12 after. For more information, visit towndc.com.
Club Hippo (1 West Eager St., Baltimore) hosts a dance party with DJ Jayson Royce tonight at 10. Cover charge is $6. For more information, visit clubhippo.com.
Sunday, June 24
PrimeTimers of D.C. are hosting an evening on the rooftop of the residences at Thomas Circle (1330 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.) from 4-7 p.m. There is complimentary valet parking and the evening will include drinks and hors d’oeuvres. This event requires attendees to RSVP. For more information, visit thedccenter.org
Busboys and Poets (1025 5th St., N.W.) is hosting a free screening of the film “Pariah” tonight at 8. The movie is focused on a adolescent African-American girl who is accepting her identity as a lesbian. For more information, visit busboysandpoets.com.
Monday, June 25
Author Ezra Nepon appears for a reading and discussion of the people’s history of progressive Jewish activism in the 1980s tonight at 7. The discussion will be at the DCJCC Library (1529 16th St., N.W.). The event is free but RSVP is requested. For details, visit thedccenter.org.
Whitman-Walker Health clinic (1104 8th St., S.E.) is holding its HIV Newly Diagnosed Support Group tonight at 7. Registration is required to attend. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
Tuesday, June 26
A community conversation about how to promote pride in health is being hosted by the Whitman-Walker Health clinic tonight at the Metropolitan Community Church (474 Ridge Street, NW) starting at 7. The event is free. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.
Millennium Stage presents Serenade! Washington, D.C. Choral Festival at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) tonight at 6 p.m. The performance showcases the best talent from around the world including Countermeasure and Imilonji KaNtu Choral Society. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.
The FUK!T packing party is tonight at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring friends and see how many FUK!T or TOOLK!TS they can pack in two hours. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) is hosting its weekly Flashback party with DJ Jason Royce tonight. There is no cover; 21 and older. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.
Wednesday, June 27
Whitman-Walker Health clinic is holding HIV testing at Walgreens (3524 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) in honor of National HIV Testing Day today from 3-7 p.m. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.
Hillyer International Arts and Artists (9 Hillyer Court, N.W.) is hosting a panel discussion of distinguished artists and curators about the Richard Prince legal case tonight at 7, a photo-related case about copyright issues. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit [email protected].
An HIV Prevention Working Group meeting tonight at 7 at the D.C. Center for the LGBT Community (1318 U St., N.W). This event is free. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Chi Cha Lounge (1624 U St., N.W.) is hosting speed dating for gay men in their 20s and 30s tonight at 7. You must be at least 21 to attend. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Lambda Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th Street, S.E., across from the Marine Barracks). No reservations needed and newcomers are welcome. Those needing a partner should visit lambdabridge.com.
Thursday, June 28
Millennium Stage presents “Quetzal” at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) tonight at 6 p.m. The L.A. group blends Mexican and Afro-Cuban rhythms, jazz, R&B and rock. This event is free. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.
Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence (GLOV) meets tonight at 7 at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.). The goal of this group is to reduce violence against members of the LGBT community. For details, visit thedccenter.org.
The Lambda Sci-Fi book group meets tonight to discuss “God’s War” by Kammeron Hurley. Bring a snack and/or non-alcoholic drink to share. The group meets at 1425 S Street N.W. at 7 p.m. For details, visit lambdascifi.org.
The play “Cut/Uncut” by Steve Langley is being presented tonight at 7 p.m. at the Blackburn Center on the campus of Howard University (2397 Sixth Street, N.W.). It explores how the HIV/AIDS crisis brought disparate people together in the early ‘90s. It’s part of the D.C. Black Theater Festival which continues through July 1 and features several LGBT-themed productions. Ticket information and festival details are at dcbtf.org.
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
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