Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: events through Oct. 25
Parties, concerts, exhibits and more for the coming week
Darius T. Epps as a Titanic crew member, Katharina Acosta as the Lorelei and gay actor Jefferson Farber as Clinch Wilmont, first class passenger in ‘Hemispheric Dysfunctionalism and the Cortical Titanic,’ which runs through Oct. 28. (Photo by DSharp Photography, courtesy Shawn Nelson)
TODAY (Friday)
Today is “Spirit Day,” a day for people to take a stand against bullying by wearing purple. For events or a way to pledge against bullying, visit glaad.org.
Kathy Griffin performs tonight at DAR Constitution Hall (8th and C St., NW) at 8. The double Emmy-winning comedian has been doing years of celebrity-skewering standup along with supplying voices to shows such as “Dilbert” and “Shrek Forever After.” Tickets range from $65-$75. For more information, visit kathygriffin.net
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts Bear Happy Hour tonight from 6-11 p.m. This event is for men 21 and older. There is no cover charge. For details, visit towndc.com.
Phase 1 (528 8th St. SE) has its weekly dance party with DJ Jay Von Teese tonight starting at 7:30. Cover is $10. For more information, visit phase1dc.com.
The Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8th St., S.E.) is having its happy hour this evening starting at 5 p.m. All drinks are half off until 7:30 p.m. After 9 p.m., admission is $10. The dance floor opens at 11 p.m. with DJ Tim-Nice and DJ Cameron. For details, visit thebachelorsmill.com.
Burgundy Crescent volunteers for the 25th anniversary year of the Miss Adams Morgan Pageant at the Hilton Washington & Towers (1919 Connecticut Ave, NW) today at 5 p.m. for loading and unloading equipment. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.
Whitman-Walker Health holds HIV Testing at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
Fort Fridge (607 New York Ave., NW) presents the “Hemispheric Dysfunctionalism and the Cortical Titanic” tonight at 8. Though the play takes place on the Titanic, it is not actually about the majestic ship. The play explores how people receive information and use the information in a rapidly changing world. The play runs Thursday-Sunday until Oct. 28. Tickets are $25. For more information, visit capitalfringe.com.
Prudential Gallo Realtors (37230 Rehoboth Avenue Ext, Rehoboth Beach) hosts 10 artists whose artwork features individuality and creativity tonight at 6. The exhibition will be up until Nov. 19. This event is free. For more information, contact Andrew Ratner at 302-227-6101.
Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave., NW) features the exhibitions “To Plant Flowers While Waiting” by Ai-Wen Wu Kratz and “Anything but Straight” by Rhona LK Schonwald tonight at 6. The exhibitions run through Oct. 28. For more information, visit touchstonegallery.com.
Saturday, Oct. 20
Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers today for the Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation at Falls Church PetSmart (6100 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, Va.) from 11:45 am-3 pm. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.
D.C. Meet Market, a community gathering with food, music and vendors where “culture and neighbors collide,” has its penultimate event of the season today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the area around 15th and P streets N.W. in Logan Circle. If it rains, it will be held Oct. 29. Visit dcmeetmarket.com for details.
Sunday, Oct. 21
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) holds its weekly Martini Sundays and Homowood Karaoke. Karaoke starts at 10 p.m. and there is no charge for admission. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.
Monday, Oct. 22
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St., NW) holds its HIV+ Newly Diagnosed Support Group tonight at 7. It is a confidential support group for anyone recently diagnosed with HIV and the group welcomes all genders and sexual orientations. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.
Tuesday, Oct. 23
Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) hosts its Safer Sex Kit-packing program tonight from 7-10:30. The packing program is looking for more volunteers to help produce the kits because they say they are barely keeping up with demand. Admission is free and volunteers can just show up. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W) hosts its Flashback dance night with DJ Jason Royce starting at 10 p.m. There is no cover charge. For more details, visit cobaltdc.com.
Wednesday, Oct. 24
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St., NW) holds its HIV+ Newly Diagnosed Support Group tonight at 7. It is a confidential support group for anyone recently diagnosed with HIV and the group welcomes all genders and sexual orientations. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.
Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE) for duplicate bridge. Newcomers are welcome. For more information, visit lambdabridge.com.
Thursday, Oct. 25
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St., NW) holds its gay men over 50 support group this evening at 6:30 p.m. The group is for gay men entering a new phase of life. Registration is required to attend. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W) is hosting its weekly Best Package Contest tonight at 9 p.m. There is a $3 cover and there are $2 vodka drinks. Participants in the contest can win $200 in cash prizes. The event is hosted by Lena Lett and music by DJ Chord, DJ Madscience, and DJ Sean Morris. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.
Whitman-Walker provides free HIV testing at Glorious Health Club (2120 West Virginia Ave., NE) tonight at 10 p.m. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
Lambda Sci-Fi book group meets tonight at 7 at 1425 S. Street, NW. Registration not required. For more information, visit lambdascifi.org.
Washington Blade hosts “2012 Best of Gay D.C. Party” at Capitale (1301 K St. NW) tonight at 6. Winners of the Blade’s annual reader’s poll will be announced at the party which runs until 9 p.m.
Kimpton’s Helix Lounge (1430 Rhode Island Ave., NW) holds its eighth annual Pumpkin Carving Contest and Happy Hour tonight from 6-9 p.m. Thirty pre-scooped pumpkins will be provided along with carving tools. Drink specials such as Pumpkin Martini and Starr Hill Pumpkin Porter will be available. There are prizes for “Most Ghoulish Gourd” and a special category has been added for the upcoming elections, “Most Political Pumpkin.” For more information, visit helixlounge.com.
Sports
Jason Collins dies at 47
First openly gay man to actively play for major sports team battled brain cancer
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.”
The Washington Blade will update this article with additional reaction when it becomes available.
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.
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
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