Arts & Entertainment
D.C. arts briefs: Sept. 21
17th Street Festival Saturday, Madonna plays two nights at Verizon Center and more

17th Street Festival Saturday
The third annual 17th Street Festival is Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. on the 17th Street N.W. corridor. The event is produced by the Urban Neighborhood Alliance and the Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets.
The event is designed as a community-building event showcasing the region’s shops, schools, restaurants, clubs, parks, art and residents. Streets will be closed from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Look for booths, exhibits, games, entertainment and more.
Details are at 17thstreetfestival.org.
Dana Tai Soon Burgess and Company cap 20th season
Dana Tai Soon Burgess premieres his new work “Caverns” tonight at 8 at the George Washington University Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre (800 21st St. NW). Tickets for students are $15, $22 for artists and $25 for general admission.
“Caverns” explores the topic of memory and shows a journey of a woman remembering certain moments in a relationship. It will be performed by dancers Katia Chupashko Norri, Felipe Oyarun and Connie Fink. The performance will also include other works from the Company and followed by a panel discussion with Burgess, who’s gay, and the dancers. For details, visit vendini.com.
Madonna brings ‘MDNA Tour’ to D.C.
Madonna is back at the Verizon Center (601 F. St. NW) for her first D.C. shows since her 2004 “Re-Invention Tour” this weekend. Both shows begin at 8 p.m. on Sunday and Monday. The Sunday night show is sold out but tickets may still be available for Monday.
Before the concert Town (2009 8th St. NW) is celebrating all things Madonna, including her music, her videos and live performances by Tha Dance Camp. They call it MadonnaRama. Doors open Saturday night at 10. The cover costs $8 from 10-11 p.m. and $12 after 11. All drinks are $3 before 11 and you must be 21 and older to enter. For details on MadonnaRama information, visit towndc.com.
Black Fox Lounge hosts gay-themed ‘Spill’
Thursday night at 8, the Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave. NW) is hosting “Spill — True Stories of Queer Sex, Desire and Romance,” a new monthly performance hosted by Jefferson. Every performance includes storytellers, comedians, sex educators and many others sharing their sexual experiences.
The host, Jefferson, is a sex educator and writer, who’s known for his blog, “One Life, Take Two.” It goes in depth of his life as a parent and his own sexual experiences. The bi New York resident also hosts a monthly series called “Bare! True Stories of Queer Sex, Desire and Romance.”
For more information on Spill, visit spillstories.wordpress.com.
Arts & Entertainment
Must-attend D.C. Pride events for 2023
Don’t miss out on these fun events during D.C. Pride

Pride Month has arrived, bringing along a vibrant array of events to explore throughout the month of June. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to participate in our favorite events over the upcoming weeks!

PRIDE ON THE PIER & FIREWORKS | JUNE 10TH
The Washington Blade, in partnership with LURe DC and The Wharf, is excited to announce the 4th annual Pride on the Pier and Fireworks show during DC Pride weekend on Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 2-9 p.m.
The event will include the annual Pride on the Pier Fireworks Show presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation at 9 p.m.
3PM: Drag Show
4PM: Capital Pride Parade Viewing on the Big Screen
9PM: Fireworks Show presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation
PRIDE PILS LAUNCH PARTY | JUNE 1ST
Once again we’re celebrating Pride in DC with the release of Pride Pils!
The 2023 design has been created and donated by the talented Chord Bezerra of District CO/OP.
Attendance is “FREE” but please RSVP via this Eventbrite or donating at the event to further support our non-profit partners SMYAL and The Blade Foundation. 100% will be donated. As always, DC Brau and Red Bear Brewing Co. will be donating all profit from the sale of this year’s Pride Pils to our non-profit partners.

‘THE GROUND WE STAND ON’ OPENING RECEPTION | JUNE 2ND
Dupont Underground, in partnership with the Washington Blade presents The Ground We Stand On: Past and Present DC LGBTQ Changemakers. DC’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community stands as a testament to the unwavering spirit of countless individuals throughout the years. In recognition of their indomitable courage and resilience, an inspiring exhibition titled “The Ground We Stand On: Past and Present DC LGBTQ Changemakers” will showcase the remarkable journeys of both past and present changemakers who have left an indelible mark on the tapestry of Washington, DC. The exhibit underscores the enduring legacy of these remarkable individuals, serving as an inspiration for present and future generations. By shining a light on their remarkable contributions, this exhibition aims to empower and encourage the continuous evolution of the DC LGBTQ+ community and its influence that transcends boundaries.

DRAG UNDERGROUND | JUNE 2ND
Join Dupont Underground and the Washington Blade every Friday for Drag Underground. Featuring some of the best Drag Queens in DC!
Performers include Destiny B Childs, Elecktra Gee, Jane Saw, and Shi-Queeta Lee

SPIRTS & BEER SHOWCASE | JUNE 3RD
metrobar prides itself on serving locally-produced beer, wine and spirits. As part of this mission, we are hosting a curated tasting event featuring Civic Vodka & Assembly Gin from local, woman-owned and operated distillery, Republic Restoratives. We will also have a selection of beers from DC Brau, including their annual Pride Pils for tasting.

DRAG UNDERGROUND | JUNE 9TH
Join Dupont Underground and the Washington Blade every Friday for Drag Underground. Featuring some of the best Drag Queens in DC!
Performers include Cake Pop, GiGI Paris Couture, Kabuki Bukkake, Delila B. Lee
Arts & Entertainment
Washington Blade, Dupont Underground spotlight D.C. LGBTQ Changemakers with new exhibit
‘The Ground We Stand On’ highlights 25 queer pioneers during Pride month

The Washington Blade and Dupont Underground present “The Ground We Stand On: Past and Present DC LGBTQ Changemakers,” a new exhibit that highlights D.C. LGBTQ pioneers.
The exhibit, featuring 25 changemakers will be on view beginning Friday, June 2, through Sunday, June 25.
The inspiring exhibition will showcase the remarkable journeys of both past and present changemakers who have left an indelible mark on the tapestry of Washington, D.C. The exhibit underscores the enduring legacy of these remarkable individuals, serving as an inspiration for present and future generations.
The exhibition opens on June 2 at 5 p.m., where all the living honorees will be present for the opening reception, followed by Drag Underground starting at 8:30 p.m., featuring some of the best Drag Queens in DC such as Shi-Queeta Lee, Cake Pop, Jane Saw, and Destiny B Childs.
“By shining a light on their remarkable contributions, this exhibition aims to empower and encourage the continuous evolution of the D.C. LGBTQ+ community and its influence that transcends boundaries,” said Stephen Rutgers, director of Sales and Marketing for the Washington Blade.
“We are thrilled to highlight so many living changemakers who will visit us for opening night, and to honor the memories and work of those changemakers who are no longer with us,” said Ana Harvey, Dupont Underground CEO.
For more information about Dupont Underground, visit www.dupontunderground.org.


Us Helping Us and DC Black Pride held the annual Pride in the Park at Fort Dupont Park on Monday, May 29.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)















Covering DC Black Pride Festival in the Park for @WashBlade . pic.twitter.com/amw66FZ7gs
— Michael Patrick Key (@MichaelKeyWB) May 29, 2023
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