Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: events through Jan. 17
Concerts, parties, exhibits and more through Jan. 17
‘Detritus’ by Diane Wiencke is part of the ‘Art From the Hinterlands’ series. (Image courtesy the Series)
TODAY (Friday)
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The big news this weekend, of course, is Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend which has events tonight and through late Sunday night. All specifics are at leatherweekend.com.
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The Hong Kong Dance Company and the Guangdong Song and Dance ensemble present “Qingming Riverside” for a special performance tonight at 8 and Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater (2700 F St., NW). The show is inspired by the scroll painting “Along the River during the Qingming Festival,” which was painted between AD 1119 and 1125. Tickets are $10. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.
Whitman-Walker Health offers HIV testing at Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8th St., SE) tonight from 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.
Daryl Wilson hosts his monthly “First Fridays” party at the Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8th St., S.E.) starting at 10 p.m. DJ Bladerunner is on the upper level while DJ Sedrick is on the main floor on the lower level. Cover is $10. For more information, visit thebachelorsmill.com.
A special edition of CODE, a gear party with a strict dress code for anyone into leather, rubber, jock gear, etc., is tonight and Saturday from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. at the Crucible (16 M Street, NE). CODE is ordinarily the first Saturday of the month. XXX Code resumes Jan. 18 at 10 p.m. also at the Crucible. Visit codedc.com for details.
Gallery B (7700 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda) has its opening reception for a new show tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. The show features Patricia Affens, Ceci Cole McInturff, Alice Kresse, Maya Ormsby and Susan Tibolla Gray. For details, visit bethesda.org.
The Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) hosts “Dr. Who Happy Hour” tonight at 7. There will be one episode of “Dr. Who” and drink specials. Admission is free. For details, visit blackcatdc.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.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts Bear Happy Hour tonight from 6-11 p.m. (21 and up). There is no cover charge. For details, visit towndc.com.
Saturday, Jan. 12
Blowoff resumes tonight with its first dance party of the new year with gay DJs Bob Mould and Rich Morel. Expect lots of folks from Mid-Atlantic Leather to join the fun again this year. It’s at the 9:30 Club (815 V Street, NW) and starts at 11:30 p.m. Tickets are $12. A portion of the proceeds goes to Brother Help Thyself. Visit blowoff.us for details.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington has two performances of its “Showmen and Showstoppers” cabaret fundraiser today at Camp Rehoboth in Rehoboth Beach, Del. Soloists from the chorus will perform their favorite cabaret numbers, many with show business themes. Tickets are $20. Call 302-227-5620 to order. The performance is in the “big room” at Camp Rehoboth, located at 37 Baltimore Ave. in Rehoboth Beach. Visit camprehoboth.com or gmcw.org for details.
The year-long art series Art from the Hinterlands presents “Fragmented Musings” by Diane Wiencke at Stages Premier Realtors (1515 14th St., NW) this evening from 6-8 p.m. Wiencke’s work challenges the idea that artists need to be living in cities and metropolitan communities to create meaningful work. The series features artists living in remote regions. For details, call 202-449-8657.
Whitman Walker offers HIV testing at D.C. Center (1318 U St. NW) this afternoon 4-7:30 p.m. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
Burgundy Crescent needs 12-14 volunteers this morning from 9:30 a.m.-noon at the MLK Library for two enormous children’s book projects. For details, visit burgundycrescent.org.
The Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) hosts “Hellmouth Happy Hour” where attendees watch one episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” with drink specials. Cover is free and doors open at 7 p.m. For more information, visit blackcatdc.com.
Sunday, Jan. 13
Defenders Washington, part of Dignity Washington, offers a Roman Catholic Mass today at 6 p.m. for leather, levi and fetish community during Leather Weekend at St. Margaret’s Church (1820 Connecticut Ave., NW). Everyone is welcome. For details, visit dignitywashington.org.
Burgundy Crescent volunteers at D.C. Central Kitchen this morning from 9 a.m.-noon. Volunteers will help cook and prepare food. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.
Lambda Sci-fi has its monthly meeting at 1425 S St., NW for LGBT science fiction, fantasy and horror fans today at 1:30 p.m. The annual blind book exchange will be at the same time. For details, visit lambdascifi.org.
Monday, Jan. 14
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.
Banana Café (500 8th St., SE) has its karaoke night tonight from 7 p.m. to closing. Admission is free. For more information, visit bananacafedc.com.
Tuesday, Jan. 15
Whitman-Walker (1701 14th St., NW) holds its group Starting Over for Women tonight at 7. The group is for women whose long-term relationship with another woman. Registration is required. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
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.
Wednesday, Jan. 16
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.
The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club meets tonight at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE) at 7:30 p.m. Newcomers are welcome and no reservations are needed. For more information or if you need a partner, visit lambdabridge.com.
Thursday, Jan. 17
Club Heaven (2327 18th St., NW) hosts Indie Adams Morgan, a local indie music series, starting tonight with the band Funk Ark. Cover is $8. For more information, email [email protected].
Special Agent Galactica and her rock steady band play Cobalt (1639 R St., NW) tonight from 8-10 p.m. The show features classic and contemporary rock songs including music from Led Zeppelin, Romantics, Stevie Nicks, Pat Benatar, the Rolling Stones, Jefferson Airplane and Elton John. No cover. For more information, visit pinkhairedone.com.
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.
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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