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Calendar through Jan. 24

Events, parties and gatherings throughout the coming weekend and week

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WTF, Town Danceboutique, gay news, Washington Blade, LGBT nightlife, gay bar
WTF, Town Danceboutique, gay news, Washington Blade, LGBT nightlife, gay bar

WTF at Town Danceboutique (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

TODAY, Friday, Jan. 18

Club Heaven (2327 18 St., NW) hosts the inaugural launch party for Indie Adams Morgan, a local indie music series, featuring the band Ten Feet Tall, Chrissi Poland from The Scissor Sisters and Caleb Hawley from “American Idol” tonight at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance and $12 at the door. For more information, email [email protected].

Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd., Vienna) hosts Christopher Cross in the Barns tonight at 8 p.m. and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. Cross brings his fusion of rock and pop together that created his Grammy winning song “Ride like the Wind.” For more information, visit wolftrap.org.

Whitman-Walker Health offers free HIV testing at Town (2009 8th St., NW) tonight from 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m. For details, visit whitman-walker.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. This event is for people 21 and older. There is no cover charge. For details, visit towndc.com.

The Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8th 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 with DJ Tim-Nice and DJ Cameron. For details, visit thebachelorsmill.com.

Saturday, Jan. 19

Center Women, women from the D.C. Center, will have an outreach table at BARE at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W) tonight from 10 p.m. to midnight. BARE is a monthly dance party for women. First shift of volunteers will meet at 8 p.m. at D.C. Center (1318 U St., NW) to collect materials and then go to the club. The second shift begins at 10 and goes to midnight. If you are interested in volunteering, visit thedccenter.org. For more information about the party, visit cobaltdc.com.

Burgundy Crescent volunteers with the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation at the Petsmart in Falls Church (6100 Arlington Blvd.) today between 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers will be dog handlers for their adoption events. Each volunteer will be given a dog to be walk around the property and will be given basic information about the dog for people who ask. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.

Special Agent Galactica comes to Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 23rd St. S Arlington) tonight 8 p.m. The show features jazz and rock songs including music from Led Zeppelin, Romantics, Stevie Nicks, Pat Benatar, the Rolling Stones, Jefferson Airplane and Elton John. There is no cover for this event. For more information visit pinkhairedone.com.

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. 20

Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts “WTF: Glitter Ball,” described as the gayest inauguration party ever. Two floors will be open; DJs Kennan Orr, Aaorn Riggins and Ed Bailey will be doing the music; seven performers will be out on the floors with lots of glitter. Doors open at 10 and cover is $5. For more information, visit towndc.com.

Monday, Jan. 21

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 from 7 p.m. to closing. Admission is free. For more information, visit bananacafedc.com.

An Arc of Justice rally and parade is planned for today at 9 a.m. at Malcolm X Park at 16th and Euclid Street, N.W. The march, which starts at 10 a.m., will go to K and 15th streets N.W.

Organizers are calling the event a “determined but hopeful expression of our concern and dissent against the wars, occupations, loss of civil liberties, overwhelming corporate and big money power” and more. An LGBT contingent is planned so bring rainbow flags, issue signs, etc. E-mail to [email protected] for full details.

Tuesday, Jan. 22

Whitman Walker offers free HIV testing at Panam Supermarket (3552 14th St., NW) today from 4-7:30 p.m. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.

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. 23

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 Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE) at 7:30 p.m. for duplicate bridge. Newcomers are welcome and no reservations are needed. For more information or if you need a partner, visit lambdabridge.com.

Thursday, Jan. 24

The HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STI and TB Administration of the D.C. Department of Health presents “Enhanced Comprehensive HIV Prevention Planning Activities” today from noon to 1 p.m. at HAHSTA (899 North Capitol St., NE). For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

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.

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Sports

Jason Collins dies at 47

First openly gay man to actively play for major sports team battled brain cancer

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Jason Collins (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

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.”

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Photos

PHOTOS: ‘Studio 69’

Glitterati Productions hold party at Bunker

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'Studio 69' was held at Bunker on Friday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Glitterati Productions held the “Studio 69” party at Bunker on Friday, May 8.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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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.

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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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