Arts & Entertainment
D.C. Arts briefs through Dec. 13
Highlights from this week’s local arts calendar
Drag legend Joey Arias has his holiday show this weekend. (Photo by David Shankbone; courtesy of Arias)
Arias, Ratzke host holiday show
The Speakeasy at L ‘Enfant Café (2000 18th St., NW) presents Joey Arias and Sven Ratzke on Sunday at 7 p.m. for dinner and again at 10:30 p.m. for a late show.
Joey Arias is a cabaret singer, drag artist and performer from New York City. He was the host to Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity in Las Vegas for six years. Ratzke is a cabaret sensation from Berlin.
Tickets are $50 a person for dinner and $10 a person for cocktail show. For more information, visit laboumbrunch.com.
OutServe/SLDN host Sunday morning reception
OutServe-SLDN host DC 2012 Reception in benefit of the organization Sunday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at 425 L St., NW on the 13th Floor Club Room.
The goal of OutServ-SLDN is to provide LGBT service members information on what benefits are now available to them.
Attendees are expected to dress in business casual. For more information or to RSVP, visit outserve-sldn.org/dc2012.
Wanda Jackson is supporting her new album ‘Unfinished Business,’ a collaboration with producer Justin Townes Earle. (Photo courtesy Wanda Jackson Publicity)
Rockabilly legend Jackson brings tour to D.C.
“Queen of Rock” Wanda Jackson comes to the Hamilton (600 14th St.) on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m.
Jackson was born during the depression in Oklahoma in 1937. Her father bought her first guitar and gave her piano lessons. This was the beginning for Jackson, whose music rocked between country and rockabilly. She’s promoting her new album “Unfinished Business.”
Tickets are $22-$27. For more information, visit thehamiltondc.com.
D.C. gay journalist group holds party
The D.C. Chapter of NLGJA, the Association of LGBT Journalists, hosts its holiday party this Sunday evening at Busboys & Poets (2021 14th St., NW) from 5- 9:30 p.m.
NLGJA is an organization of journalists, professionals and students from within the news industry to provide accurate coverage of LGBT issues.
For more information, visit nlgja.org.
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony
The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Laverne Cox, Reneé Rapp, Deacon Maccubbin named WorldPride grand marshals
House passes reconciliation with gender-affirming care funding ban
PHOTOS: D.C. Trans Pride
Men convicted of murdering two men in NYC gay bar drugging scheme sentenced
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
WorldPride events round-up
Pope Leo XIV: Family based on ‘stable union between a man and a woman’
Wes Moore signs HIV decriminalization bill
