Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: July 6

Parties, events, concerts and more through July 12

Published

14 years ago

July 5, 2012

Will Owen

DJ Oren Nizri spins at Town this weekend. (Photo courtesy Nizri)

TODAY (Friday)

The HIV Working Group does outreach tonight for Bear Happy Hour at Town (2009 8^th St., N.W.) from 7-10 p.m. For more information, visit thedccenter.org or towndc.com.

Phase 1 (525 8^th St., S.E.) hosts a dance party tonight for guests 21 and older with DJ Jay Von Teese from 7:30 p.m.-3 a.m. For more details, visit phase1dc.com.

CaShandra J, a jazz and blues singer, performs tonight at Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 6-9 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit blackfoxlounge.com.

Saturday, July 7

DJ Oren Nizri, an Israeli DJ, spins tonight at Town (2009 8^th St., N.W.). Doors open for guests 21 and older at 10 p.m. and the drag show starts at 10:30. Admission is $8 from 10-11 p.m. and $12 after 11; $3 drinks will be served before 11. For details, visit towndc.com.

Phase 1 (525 8^th St., S.E.) hosts a “Pop Rocks” party with DJ LS tonight for guests 21 and older from 7:30 p.m.-3 a.m. For details, visit phase1dc.com.

The Mayu Saeki Trio (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.), an alternative Jazz ensemble, perform tonight at Black Fox Lounge from 8-11 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit blackfoxlounge.com.

Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers today for the Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation at the Falls Church, Va., PetSmart (6100 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church) from 11:45 a.m.-3 p.m. If interested, email [email protected] or visit burgundycrescent.org for more information.

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) has free HIV testing today from 4-7 p.m. today. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

The Black Cat hosts Hellmouth Happy Hour tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. One episode of the gay cult classic series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” screens and a drink special is served. Admission is free. For more details, visit blackcatdc.com.

The Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) hosts Code tonight from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Code is a leather, jock gear, uniforms and skin gear party with a strictly enforced dress code. For details, visit codedc.com.

Sunday, July 8

The D.C. Kings perform tonight at Phase 1 (525 8^th St., S.E.). Doors open at 7 p.m. and the performances begin at 9. Tickets are $10 and limited to guests 21 and over. For more information, visit phase1dc.com or dckings.com.

Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers today for the D.C. Central Kitchen (425 2^nd St., N.W.) from 9 a.m.-noon. The activity is limited to 15 volunteers. Volunteers will help cook alongside D.C. Kitchen chefs, but prior cooking experience is not required. If interested, email [email protected] or visit burgundycrescent.org for more information.

The Lambda Sci-Fi club hosts its monthly meeting for LGBT science fiction, fantasy and horror fans at 1:30 p.m. this afternoon at 1425 S St., N.W. Guests are encouraged to bring a snack and non-alcoholic drink to share. For more information, visit lambdascifi.org or email [email protected].

Monday, July 9

The D.C. Lambda Squares Beginner Class starts tonight from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.). No prior square dancing experience, special outfits or partners are required to participate. The cost is $100 in advance or $125 at the door for the 16 classes. For details, visit dclambdasquares.org or thedccenter.org.

The Goethe-Institut German Cultural Center (812 7^th St., N.W.) screens “The Complaint of an Empress,” a film directed by Pina Bausch, tonight at 6:30 p.m. The film features a collage of scenes of the city of Wuppertal, Germany, and focuses on the human quest for love. For more information, visit goethe.de/washington.

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (200 N Boulevard, Richmond) hosts a textile design workshop today from 9 a.m.-noon. Enrollment is limited to 10 people and costs $135 per workshop ($120 for VMFA members). For more information, visit vmfa.museum.

Tuesday, July 10

Dupont Italian Kitchen (1637 17^th St., N.W.) hosts the monthly D.C. Bi Women meeting from 7-9 p.m. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

The D.C. Center hosts a FUK!T Packing Party tonight from 7-9 p.m. at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.). Volunteers will help make FUK!T packets and TOOLK!Ts. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.

Cobalt (1638 R St., N.W.) hosts Flashback tonight with DJ Jason Royce from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Dance jams from the ‘70s, ‘80s and early ‘90s play all night. Admission is free and $2 draft beer will be served all night. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.

The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) features the opening show of “The Addams Family,” a morbid musical comedy classic, tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $39-$115 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.

Wednesday, July 11

The Rainbow Response Coalition, a group that addresses intimate partner violence among LGBT people in the greater Washington area, meets tonight from 7-8 p.m. at the D.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.). For more information, visit rainbowresponse.org or thedccenter.org.

Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts karaoke tonight for guests 21 and older. Doors open at 10 p.m. and admission is free. $5 Absolut and Smirnoff cocktails will be served. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.

Thursday, July 12

The Art League Gallery (105 North Union St., Alexandria) hosts an opening reception with featured artist Cecily Corcoran for her “Genius Loci” solo exhibition tonight from 6:30-8 p.m. The exhibit has paintings of various Washington landscapes inspired by her daily commute to work. For more information, visit theartleague.org.

Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers tonight for Food & Friends (219 Riggs Road, N.E.). Volunteers will help with food preparation and chopping vegetables. If interested, email [email protected] or visit burgundycrescent.org for more information.

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington host an open mic tonight at Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 8-11 p.m. Admission is free. Participants receive a complimentary drink after their first song. For more details, visit blackfoxlounge.com.

Cobalt (1638 R St., N.W.) hosts its weekly best package contest at midnight this evening with DJ MadScience and DJ Sean Morris. Admission is $3 and limited to guests 21 and over. $2 rail drinks will be served from 9-11 p.m. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.

Sports

Jason Collins dies at 47

First openly gay man to actively play for major sports team battled brain cancer

Published

21 hours ago

May 12, 2026

Michael K. Lavers

Jason Collins (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

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.”

Photos

PHOTOS: ‘Studio 69’

Glitterati Productions hold party at Bunker

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2026

Michael Key

'Studio 69' was held at Bunker on Friday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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.

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2026

Staff reports

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