Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: Aug. 10

Concerts, exhibits, parties and more through Aug. 16

Published

14 years ago

August 9, 2012

Will Owen

Marina Diamandis plays the 9:30 Club Tuesday night. (Photo courtesy Fly-Life Inc.)

TODAY (Friday)

Arlington LGBTQ Youth, a metropolitan DC PFLAG youth group, hosts an LGBTQ teen concert tonight from 7-10 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington (4444 Arlington Blvd., Arlington, Va.). Cash donations are appreciated but not required for admission. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

Town hosts Bear Happy Hour tonight from 6-11 p.m. Admission is free and limited to guests 21 and over. For details, visit towndc.com.

The Black Cat hosts Disco in the Dark tonight at 9:30 p.m., a dance party with resident DJs Mr. Bonkerz, William Devon and Remote Ctrl. Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door. For more details, visit blackcatdc.com.

Remington’s Nightclub (639 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E.) hosts Lady Lenore’s A-List Party tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. The drag show begins at 11:30; early arrival is suggested. Admission is $10. For more information, visit remingtonswdc.com.

Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers today for the GLBT Arts Consortium and Capitol Hill Arts Workshop’s production of “The Gondoliers” operetta at 6:30 p.m. at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (545 7^th St., S.E.). Duties include working at the box office and concessions stand and ushering. Email [email protected] if interested and visit burgundycrescent.org for more information.

Saturday, Aug. 11

SlutWalk DC, a march against attitudes that promote slut shaming in U.S. culture, begins at Lafayette Square by the National Mall at 11 a.m. and lasts till 2 p.m. For more information, visit thedccenter.org or slutwalkdc.com.

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

DJ Twin spins tonight at Town. Doors open at 10 p.m. and the drag show starts at 10:30. Tickets are limited to guests 21 and over and are $8 from 10-11 and $12 after 11. $3 drinks will be served before 11. For more details, visit towndc.com.

Sunday, Aug. 12

The D.C. Kings perform tonight at Phase 1 (525 8^th St., S.E.). Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For more information, visit phase1dc.com.

Busboys and Poets hosts a singer-songwriter open mic night from 7:30-9:30 p.m. this evening. Songwriters Association of Washington (SAW), a non-profit that benefits aspiring and professional singer-songwriters, will be scouting for outstanding artists at the event. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at busboysandpoets.com or at the door if still available.

Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers today at the D.C. Central Kitchen (425 2^nd St., N.W.) from 9 a.m.-noon. No prior cooking experience is required. Email [email protected] if interested and visit burgundycrescent.org for more information.

Monday, Aug. 13

The Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) presents La-Ti-Do tonight from 8-10 p.m. La-Ti-Do is a spoken word and musical theater cabaret series produced by Regie Cabico and DonMike Mendoza. Admission is $10. For details, visit blackfoxlounge.com.

The Fireplace hosts happy hour starting at 9 p.m. tonight. Rail liquor and domestic beer can be purchased for $3. Admission is free and limited to guests 21 and over. Visit fireplacedc.com for more details.

GiveWell D.C., a charity organization that is part of EatWell D.C., invites guests to dine at any EatWell restaurant tonight. 15 percent of all money spent on dining and drinking goes to the City Dogs Rescue organization. EatWell D.C. restaurants include Grillfish (1200 New Hampshire Ave., N.W.), Logan Tavern (1423 P St., N.W.), Comissary (1443 P St., N.W.), The Heights (3115 14^th St., N.W.) and The Pig (1320 14^th St., N.W.).

Tuesday, Aug. 14

The D.C. Center’s Bi Women group meets tonight at Dupont Italian Kitchen (1637 17^th St., N.W.) from 7-9 p.m. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

The 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) presents Marina and the Diamonds tonight at 7 p.m. Marina Diamandis, the singer-songwriter of this one-woman show, pokes fun at the superficiality of American pop culture in her electro-pop music and cites gay icons like Britney Spears and Madonna as her biggest influences. Tickets are sold out. For more details, visit 930.com.

The Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8^th St., S.E.) hosts happy hour tonight starting at 5:30 p.m. Drink specials will be served all night. For details, visit thebachelorsmill.com.

Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, helps out with safer sex kit packing at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) from 7-10:30 p.m. Prior registration is not required. For more details, visit burgundycrescent.org or thedccenter.org.

Wednesday, Aug. 15

Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) has karaoke tonight starting at 10 p.m. Admission is free and limited to guests 21 and over. $5 Absolut and Smirnoff cocktails will be served. Visit cobaltdc.com for more details.

Jazz musician Jeron White performs tonight at the Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 8-11 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit blackfoxlounge.com.

The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. for social bridge at the Dignity Center (721 8^th St., S.E.). No partner is needed to participate. For more details, visit lambdabridge.com.

Thursday, Aug. 16

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) hosts a poly discussion group tonight from 7-9 p.m. The group is open to people of all sexual orientations and discusses polyamory and other non-monogamous relationships. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts its weekly best package contest tonight with hosts Lena Lett and BaNaka at midnight. Participants can win up to $200 in prizes. Admission is $3 and limited to guests 21 and over. $2 rail drinks will be served from 9-11. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.

Funk guitarist Kevin Robinson performs tonight at the Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 8-11 p.m. Tickets are free. For more details, visit blackfoxlounge.com.

Whitman-Walker Health provides HIV testing at Glorious Health Club (2120 West Virginia Ave., N.E.) from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.

Photos

PHOTOS: Fairfax City Pride

LGBTQ celebration held at Sherwood Center

Published

5 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Michael Key

A scene from Fairfax City Pride on June 6. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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

Published

8 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Evan Caplan

The Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier returns June 13. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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.