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D.C. Arts briefs through Dec. 13

Highlights from this week’s local arts calendar

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Joey Arias, gay news, Washington Blade
Joey Arias, gay news, Washington Blade

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, gay news, Washington Blade

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.

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Photos

PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards

Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony

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Members of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington as well as local drag artists joined hosts Mike Millan and Felicia Curry with other performers for a WorldPride dance number at the Helen Hayes Awards on Monday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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)

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Photos

PHOTOS: D.C. Trans Pride

Schuyler Bailar gives keynote address

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D.C. Trans Pride 2025 was held at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on May 17. (Washington Blade photo 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)

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a&e features

Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C

Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement

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Gay Pride Day 1976 (Washington Blade archive photo)

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.

D.C.’s Different Drummers march in the 2006 Capital Pride Parade. (Washington Blade archive photo by Adam Cuthbert)

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 1995 Lesbian and Gay Freedom Festival was held on Freedom Plaza on June 18. (Washington Blade archive photo by Clint Steib)

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.

The D.C. Black Gay Men & Women’s Community Conference table at Gay Pride Day in 1978. (Washington Blade archive photo by Jim Marks)
A scene from 1985 Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)
A scene from the 1988 Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)
A scene from the Capital Pride Block Party in 2018. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)
Keke Palmer performs at the 2024 Capital Pride Festival. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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