The Washington Chorus presents ‘The Essential Bernstein’ Sunday at 5 at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. The late composer/conductor Bernstein was gay. (Photo courtesy of the Washington Chorus)

TODAY (Friday) 

Gay Districts hosts its fourth Thanksgiving potluck dinner at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1830 Connecticut Ave., NW) tonight at 8:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring food and drink. For details, visit gaydistrict.org.

Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave., NW) presents “Drag Illusion”, a photo essay about drag queens by Michael Lang. Lang particularly focused on Town and the process the performers went through. The gallery is opened today from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit touchstonegallery.com.

The Speakeasy Shorts Film Challenge ends tonight at the U.S. Navy Memorial Heritage Center (701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW). The challenge was to write, shoot and edit a film based off of eight local storytellers in five days. The first day is when the filmmakers learned about their story. Now it is time to see their product. Tickets are $20. For more information, visit speakeasydc.com.

The Music Center at Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda) presents Olivia Newton-John tonight at 8 p.m. In her most recent tour she is revisiting some her classics such as “Physical” and “Hopelessly Devoted to You” along with some of her more recent pieces. Tickets range from $48 to $78. For more information, visit Strathmore.org.

Town (2009 8^th St., N.W.) hosts Bear Happy Hour tonight from 6-11 p.m.  This event is for people 21 and older. There is no cover charge. For details, visit towndc.com.

The Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8^th St., S.E.) is having its happy hour tonight 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.

Phase 1 (528 8^th 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.

Saturday, Nov.17

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., NW) holds Transgender Community Discussion today at 3 p.m. The goal of the meeting is to discuss the needs of transgender community. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, needs volunteers for the MLK Library (901 G St., NW) in the morning from 9:30 to noon. Approximately 12-15 volunteers are needed. If volunteers want to go to lunch at Potbelly or California Tortilla, they should bring $7-$10. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.com. Members also volunteer at Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation at the Petsmart (6100 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church) today from 11:45 a.m.-3 p.m. For details, visit burgundycrescent.com.

Town (2009 8^th St., N.W.) celebrates its fifth anniversary tonight at 10 p.m. The club is celebrating with DJ Chris Cox and performances by its dance troupe The Dance Camp. Cover is $8 before 11 p.m. and $12 after. There are $3 drinks before 11 p.m. The drag show starts at 10:30 p.m. For more information, visit towndc.com.

Sunday, Nov. 18

The Washington Chorus presents “The Essential Bernstein” today at 5 at Kennedy Center Concert Hall (2801 Upton St., NW). The concert is presenting music of the legendary Leonard Bernstein, featuring music from “Candide,” “West Side Story” and “Chichester Psalms.” Tickets are $15-$65. For more information, visit thewashingtonchorus.org.

Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.)  holds its weekly Martini Sundays and Homowood Karaoke, which starts at 10 p.m. No charge for admission. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.

Monday, Nov. 19

Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts its Martini Monday tonight at 10 p.m. There is no cover charge and martinis are $5. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.

Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14^th 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, Nov. 20

Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to commemorate those who have been killed as a result of transphobia. It began in 1998 when transgender activist Gwendolyn Ann Smith memorialized Rita Hester who was killed for being transgender. Metropolitan Community Church of Washington (474 Ridge St. NW) is holding a service this evening at 6 p.m. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts its Martini Monday tonight at 10 p.m. There is no cover charge and martinis are $5. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.

Wednesday, Nov. 21

The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8^th St., SE) for social bridge. A partner is not needed. For more information, visit lambdabridge.com.

Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14^th 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.

Town (2009 8^th St., N.W.) hosts “WTF: Thanksgiving in Space” party tonight at 10. The celebration includes cosmo-nauts and pumpkin moonpies. Cover is $5. For more information, visit towndc.com.

Thursday, Nov. 22

Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, helps with the Thanksgiving Dinner for the homeless and needy at Rosemary’s Thyme restaurant (18 & S St., NW) today from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is expected that 500-600 homeless and needy people will be served. For details, visit burgundycrescent.com.