Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: Sept. 28
Parties, concerts, exhibits and more through Oct. 4

TODAY
The National Gay HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Conference and reception are both held today. The Conference occurs from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at Barbara Jordan Conference Center: Kaiser Family Foundation (1330 G St. NW), while the Reception will take place at 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Number Nine (1435 P St. NW).
Arena Stage begins its “One Night with Janis Joplin” show tonight at the Kreeger Theater (1101 6th St. SW) at Arena Stage. The show continues through Nov. 4. For more information, visit arenastage.org.
Thank GLAAD It’s Friday, a networking event for young LGBT professionals, is tonight from 7-9 p.m. at the Penthouse (1612 U Street, NW). This is part of a national series offered by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Visit glaad.org for details.
Local gay singer/songwriter Stewart Lewis plays from 6-8:30 p.m. tonight at Beacon Bar & Grill (1615 Rhode Island Ave. NW) on its rooftop Sky Bar area. No cover. More information at stewartlewis.com.
The National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day events continue today with a conference today from 8:30 a.m. ti 4:30 p.m. at the Barbara Jordan Conference Center at the Kaiser Family Foundation (1330 G Street NW). A reception follows from 5:30-7:30 at Number Nine (1435 P Street NW). This is a National Association of People with AIDS event. Details are at napwa.org.
Saturday, Sept. 29
The Green Festival Eco Fashion Showcase is set today from 1-4 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (801 Mount Vernon Place NW). For more information, visit greenfestivals.org.
DJ Cottontail will be making his East Coast debut at Town (2009 8th St. NW) tonight at 10:30. There is an $8 cover charge from 10-11 p.m. and a $12 cover charge after 11 p.m. For details, visit towndc.org.
Biometric palm prints, known as “next generation identification” for this FBI-developed ID database, are being offered free today as part of a child safety program at Don Beyer Volvo (1231 West Broad Street, Falls Church, Va.) today from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Parents can have the palm prints, fingerprints, a color digital photo and a child safety journal — all free — on a disc. These are the only copies that are kept — prints and photos are not made part of a database. These are provided for parents whose children go missing. Organizers say about 40 percent of prints left are palm prints so having these on file can be an added resource in helping police find missing children. Visit lifeprintevent.com to RSVP.
Opera in the Outfield is today at Nationals Park with a free simulcast of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.” Gates open at 5 p.m. Opera starts at 7. Details are at operaintheoutfield.org.
The D.C. Eagle (639 New York Ave.) is having a yard sale today from noon to 4 p.m. prior to its moving to a new location. Details at dceagle.com.
Sunday, Sept. 30
Dignity Washington, a local LGBT Catholic group, holds its weekly Sunday Mass tonight at 6 at St. Margaret’s Church (1820 Connecticut Ave. NW). For details, visit dignitywashington.org.
Joey Arias performs with drag legend Lady Bunny today at the Speak Easy at L’Enfant Café (2000 18th Street NW) in Adams Morgan tonight at 7 and 10:30 p.m. Details at laboumbrunch.com.
Monday, Oct. 1
Cobalt (1639 R St. NW) holds its weekly Martini Monday tonight at 10. There is no cover charge and you must be 21 and older to enter. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.
Nellie’s Sport Bar (900 U St. NW) hosts its daily Beat the Clock Happy Hour tonight starting at 5. This includes bottles of Miller Lite, and house vodka drinks. The specials are: 5-6 p.m. $2 drinks, 6-7 p.m. $3 drinks and 7-8 p.m. $4 drinks. For details, visit nelliessportsbar.com.
Tuesday, Oct. 2
Green Lantern (1335 Green Court NW) and Burgundy Crescent will team up for safer sex, during their weekly Safer Sex Kit packing session tonight from 7-10:30 p.m. Volunteers come together to pack kits and pass them out in as many bars, clubs and other venues in the D.C. area. It creates a way to make new friends in the LGBT community as well. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.
Treble Tuesdays are back at Mova Lounge (2204 14th St. NW) with special music of any request, all night. There will be no cover charge and $8 martini specials. For more information, visit movalounge.com.
Special Agent Galactica performs a rock show tonight at MOVA (2204 14th Street NW) from 8 to 10 p.m. She headlines there the first Tuesday of each month. Guests tonight are Thomas J and David Knight. Details at pinkhairedone.com.
Wednesday, Oct. 3
Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St. NW) will hold its weekly game of Smart Ass Trivia tonight at 8 and 9 p.m. Each game includes five questions per round that get progressively harder. The winning team receives $40 off of their bar tab, while second prize get $20 off their bar tab. Third prize receives $10 off. For details, visit nelliessportsbar.com.
BOGO nights at MOVA Lounge (2204 14th St. NW) are back in D.C. tonight from 5-close, everything is two for one. There is no cover charge and all of the specialty drinks can be found on their site. DJ Neekola will be spinning all night. For more information, visit movalounge.com.
The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club, an LGBT group, meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th Street, S.E.) across from the Marine Barracks for social bridge. No partner needed. Click on “social bridge in Washington DC” at lambdabridge.com for more information.
Bookmen D.C., an informal gay men’s literature group, meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. to discuss “The Unreal Life of Sergei Nabokov” by Paul Russell. The discussion will take place at Tenleytown Library (4450 Wisconsin Ave. NW). Visit bookmendc.blogspot.com for details.
Thursday, Oct. 4
The Rainbow History Project Pioneer Reception and Exhibit is tonight from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Thurgood Marshall Community Center (1816 12th Street NW). This year’s honorees are Robert Alfandre, Colevia Carter, Keith Monroe, Paulette Goodman, Jose Gutierrez, Susan Hester, Len Hirsch, Robert Miailovich, Bob Summersgill and Jessica Xavier. Now in its 12th year, the Rainbow History Project is dedicated to preserving LGBT history for the D.C. area. For more information, e-mail to [email protected] or call 202-431-9139. More information is at rainbowhistory.org.
The Adah Rose Gallery (3766 Howard Ave. Kensington, Md,) will showcase Thomas Drymon and Julie Wolsztynski works beginning today through early November. Drymon’s series “End of Empire” started his D.C.-based work in 2007.Wolsztynski’s series “New York Poetry” is a series of films. For more details, visit adahrosegallery.com.
Howard Theatre (620 T St. NW) hosts Peaches and DJ Extravaganza tonight at 9 p.m. The Toronto-born Peaches is known for her sexually progressive lyrics, rock and electro sound and bold performances. Her first single, “Fuck the Pain Away” is still circulating in the indie, fashion and queer circles. For details, visit howardtheatre.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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