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.
Out & About
Love board games and looking for love?
Quirk Events will host “Board Game Speed Dating for Gay Men” on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. at KBird DC.
Searching for a partner can be challenging. But board games are always fun. So what if you combined board games and finding a partner?
Picture this: You sit down for a night of games. A gaming concierge walks you through several games over the course of the night. You play classics you love and discover brand new games you’ve never heard of, playing each with a different group of fun singles. All while in a great establishment.
At the end of the night, you give your gaming concierge a list of the folks you met that you’d like to date and a list of those you met that you’d like to just hang out with as friends. If any two people put down the same name as each other in either column, then your gaming concierge will make sure you get each other’s e-mail address and you can coordinate a time to hang out.
Tickets cost $31.80 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Friday, January 16
Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This event is ideal for making new connections and community building or just to unwind and enjoy extended happy hour. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, January 17
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center and SMYAL will host a free film screening of “Mama Bears” celebrating queer youth, resilience, and the power of living authentically. Whether you’re a movie lover, looking to make new friends, or simply want a safe, affirming space to relax, this event is for you. Click this link to RSVP.
LGBTQ People of Color will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ people of color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. There will be all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, January 18
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, January 19
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, January 20
Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Tae Kwon Do Class with Avi Rome will be at 12:30 p.m. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Wednesday, January 21
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, January 22
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
The Washington Capitals will host Pride Night on Saturday, Jan. 17, when they host the Florida Panthers at Capital One Arena. A special ticket offer featuring a Pride-themed Capitals rainbow jersey is available at washcaps.com.
Fans are invited to a pre-game Block Party at District E beginning at 5 p.m. The event will feature a performance by the band NovaKane. Specialty happy hour food and beverages will be available, as well as giveaways. There will also be a presence by several local LGBTQ+ community organizations.
