Arts & Entertainment
Summer sizzle
Gay pop culture offerings abound in region and beyond
Openly gay saxophonist Dave Koz plays Wolf Trap Aug. 22. (Photo by Greg Allen; courtesy Wolf Trap)
Summer has officially started and there is so much to do. Here’s a preview of things to come during these hot months.
MUSIC
July 4th brings the annual National Symphony Orchestra concert “A Capitol Fourth” at 8 p.m. on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The broadcast will have a new host, Tom Bergeron, and will feature performances by Matthew Broderick, Megan Hilty, Kool & the Gang and more. There will also be a special tribute to Team USA, hosted by Apolo Anton Ohno. Gates open at 3 p.m. for this free event.
The 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) has several concerts coming up this summer. The Scissor Sisters will be there on July 2-3. Tickets are $40. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones will be there on Aug. 7. Tickets are $30. Bob Mould performs on Sep. 8. Tickets are $25. Tickets to all shows are available online at 930.com.
The National Symphony Orchestra has several concerts happening this season at Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd., Vienna). On July 6, the Orchestra will be performing “Broadway ROCKS!” at 8:15 p.m. The show will feature Rob Evan, Morgan James, LaKisha Jones and Doug LaBrecque singing Broadway showstoppers from musicals such as “Mamma Mia!,” “Hairspray” and more. Tickets for this concert range from $20 to $52.
On July 14, NSO will be playing the score to “The Wizard of Oz” as the movie is shown on the huge screens in-house and on the lawn. Tickets for this concert range from $20 to $52. On Aug. 3, NSO will be backing of Broadway star Idina Menzel in a one-night-only exclusive performance with Steven Reineke conducting. The show is at 8:15 p.m. and tickets range from $20-$55.
Wolf Trap will be hosting a bevy of other concerts as well.
The B-52s return to the area on July 19 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $25-$42. Rufus Wainwright and Ingrid Michaelson perform back-to-back on July 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $30-$40. On Aug. 22 at 8 p.m., Dave Koz, who’s openly gay, will be performing with BeBe Winans and special guest Average White Band. Tickets range from $25 to $42.
Tickets for Wolf Trap events are available online at wolftrap.org.
Shawn Colvin plays the Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria) with Kat Edmonson on July 19 and 20. Ticket are $49.50 and available online at birchmere.com. Kenny Loggins plays there July 26. Tickets are $79.50. Melissa Ferrick will also be playing Birchmere on Sept. 8 with special guest Astra via. Tickets are $25. These concerts are all at 7:30 p.m.
Indie band “Girl in a Coma,” featuring two openly lesbian members, play the Red Palace (1212 H St., N.E.) on July 13 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 day of show. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Don’t forget the pop music icon Madonna is coming to the D.C. area on Sept. 23-24 for two concerts at the Verizon Center (601 F St., N.W.) at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $93-$358 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com.
Concerts are always fun, but sometimes its nice to just sit at home and listen to some new music.
Maroon 5’s newest album, “Overexposed,” with the single “Payphone,” is slated to be released June 26.
Chris Brown has a new album, “Fortune,” coming out July 3. Passion Pit’s “Gossamer” is schedule to be released July 24 and Deadmau5’s “The Veldt” will be released July 25.
MOVIES
There are some big movies coming out this summer.
Channing Tatum’s “Magic Mike,” based on his brief stint as a stripper before getting into acting, opens June 29. The movie also stars Matt Bomer, who recently came out.
The Spider-Man series isn’t over yet. “The Amazing Spider-Man,” starring Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, opens July 3.
Another comic book hero, Batman, also gets another movie with “The Dark Knight Rises,” starring Christian Bale and Anne Hathaway as Catwoman, opening July 20.
August 17 brings the opening of “Sparkle,” starring Jennifer Hudson and the late Whitney Houston.
Ellen DeGeneres may not be getting the sequel to “Finding Nemo” that she wanted, but the film is to be re-released in 3D on Sep. 14.
There’s also the Capital Fringe Festival coming up July 12-29. This year’s festival will feature films such as “Despertar,” “Bareback Ink,” “Stopgap” and more. For a complete list of films, venues and prices, visit capfringe.org.
TELEVISION
A few of the summer series have already started, like ABC Family’s “Pretty Little Liars,” TNT’s reboot of “Dallas” and HBO’s “True Blood,” but there are a few that have yet to premiere.
Eric McCormack of “Will & Grace,” takes on a new role as an eccentric professor helping the FBI in the new TNT series “Perception,” premiering July 9.
Bomer will also be on the small screen when the USA series “White Collar,” premieres July 10 as well as “Covert Affairs” starring Piper Perabo. USA also has a new series “Political Animals,” which premieres July 15 starring Sigourney Weaver playing a former first lady-turned-secretary of state.
Those with DirecTV can watch Chloe Sevigny play a transgender assassin in “Hit and Miss” starting July 11.
For those fans of science fiction, “Warehouse 13” and “Alphas” both premiere their new seasons on SyFy on July 23.
A few reality series also start up over the summer. CBS’s competition “Big Brother” premieres July 12, as does Showtime’s “The Real L Word.”
THEATER
The traveling production of “The Addams Family” comes to D.C. by way of the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.). The show will run from July 10-29, including a theater look-in on July 17 prior to that days performance. Tickets range from $39 to $115. Tickets are available online at kennedy-center.org.
Keegan Theatre (1742 Church St., N.W.) concludes its 2011-2012 season with “August: Osage County” directed by Mark A. Rhea and starring Stan Shulman, Rena Cherry Brown and more. The show runs from Aug. 3-26.
Signature Theatre (4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington) is putting on its own production of “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” opening Aug. 14 and running through Oct. 7.
Kathleen Turner brings her one-woman show “Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins” to Arena Stage (1101 6th St., S.W.) starting Aug. 23. The show will run through Oct. 28. This is the first show of Arena’s 2012/13 season. For more information, visit arenastage.org.
OTHERS
The Queer Queens of Qomedy will be at the Birchmere on Aug. 16 at 7:30 p.m. featuring Poppy Champlin, Zoe Lewis and Michele Balan. Tickets are $25 and available online at birchmere.com.
The D.C. Center’s (1318 U St., N.W.) OutWrite LGBT Book Fair will run Aug. 3-4 and will feature reading by Wayne Hoffman, David Pratt, Sampson McCormick and more. There will also be discussions on social justice and intersectional activism and gay pulp fiction. For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit outwritedc.org.
Fairfax City Pride was held at the Sherwood Center (3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, Va.) on Saturday, June 6.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
a&e features
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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