Gay-themed movie ‘The Parade,’ screens at Filmfest D.C. on Friday. The movie follows a gay rights organizer as he links up with a prejudiced former soldier that he hires for security (Photo courtesy of Global Film Initiative).

Friday, April 12

Equality UUCF presents a one-night only staged reading of “8,” a play about California’s Proposition 8, tonight at 8 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax (2709 Hunter Mill Rd., Oakton, Va.). Written by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, who is responsible for “Milk” and “J. Edgar,” chronicles the landmark trial of Perry v. Schwarzenegger. The play pulls on actual court transcripts and first-hand interviews. Tickets are $10. Visit uucf.org for more information.

A trailer for the star-studded Hollywood reading of 8:

Special Agent Galactica returns with her happy hour show at the Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., NW) with LaTiDo alum pianist Zack Ford, Heather Nadolny, Christopher Harris, Alan Gendreau and Elizabeth Hallacy this evening at 6 p.m. Music includes pieces by Pat Benatar, Judy Garland, Stevie Nicks, Nancy Sinatra and Ray Stevens. Admission is free. For more information, visit pinkhairedone.com.

Filmfest D.C. continues tonight with the screening of the “The Parade” at the Avalon Theatre (5612 Connecticut Ave., NW) at 9:15 p.m. The film follows a gay-rights march organizer and the prejudiced former soldier that he hires to provide security for one the events. The film recently won the Panorama Audience Award at the Berlin International Film Festival. Tickets for this individual screening is $12. Attendees of the festival can buy individual tickets at each location’s box office, or they can purchase the Director’s Package, which is 10 tickets for $95, or the Weekday Package, which is four tickets for $39. For show times, locations and more information about the films, visit filmfestdc.org.

A trailer for The Parade:

Sugarloaf Crafts Festival returns to the Montgomery County Fairgrounds (16 Chestnut St., Gathersburg) today at 10 a.m. The festival features artists from around the country with their most recent works. It also offers seasonal and gourmet foods, including candies, chocolates, soups, artisan breads, jams, dips, syrups and olive oils. The celebration lasts until Sunday evening. Admission is $8 online and $10 at the door, and is good for all three days of the festival. For more information, visit sugarloafcrafts.com.

POZ hosts its invasion meet and greet at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Court NW) tonight at 7 p.m. POZ is an event for men who are HIV positive and for those who without hang ups on dating someone with HIV. There will be drink specials all night. Visit greenlanterndc.com or visit the POZ’s Facebook event for more information.

Phase 1 (1415 22^nd St., NW) hosts the opening party for Fuego, featuring DJ Flowers from “RuPaul Drag Race” tonight at 9 p.m. Cover is $15. For details, visit phase1dupont.com.

Saturday, April 13

Sampler #64 from MIXTAPEdc on 8tracks Radio.

The Junior League of Northern Virginia hosts its eighth annual Strides for Success 5K Race and 1K Family Fun Run/Walk today at 8:30 a.m. at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center (11950 Grand Commons Ave., Fairfax, Va.). The proceeds will benefit the organization’s mission to fight obesity in kids and promote healthy eating habits. The run is $30 for adults and $20 for children under age 10. The walk is $15 per person. Visit jlnv.org for details.

Town (2009 8^th St., NW) hosts the eclectic dance party “Mixtape” with DJs Shea Van Horn and Matt Bailer tonight at 10:30 p.m. Cover is $8 before 11 p.m. and $12 after. For details, visit towndc.com.

Burgundy Crescent volunteers this morning at Food and Friends (219 Riggs Rd., NE) at 8 a.m. Volunteers will help with food preparation and packing groceries. The shifts are limited to 10 per shift. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.

Sunday, April 14

Drag Salute to the Divas presents a drag performance of “The Color Purple Twisted,” a lip-synched play at the Howard Theatre (620 T Street, NW) at 8 p.m. Doors open at 6. The show is described as an “inspiring family saga that tells the unforgettable story of a women who, through love, finds the strength to triumph over adversity.” Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Visit thehowardtheatre.com for details.

The Arlington Philharmonic presents a free performance at the Washington-Lee Auditorium (1301 N. Stafford St.) this afternoon at 3 p.m. The performance will feature the “Overture to Iphigeneia” in Aulis by Wagner, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.2 in B-flat Major and the Brahms Symphony No.3 in F Major. For more information, visit arlingtonphilharmonic.org.

Lambda Sci-Fi meets today at 1:30 p.m. at 1425 S St., NW for its monthly social meeting. Attendees are asked to bring snacks or drinks. For more information, visit lambdascifi.org.

Monday, April 15

The D.C. Chapter of the National Lesbian Gay Journalists Association and the Human Rights Campaign host a post-argument discussion about the two gay marriage cases recently in front of the U.S. Supreme Court tonight at 8 p.m. at the Human Rights Campaign, Equality Forum (1640 Rhode Island Ave., NW). Veteran attorneys with years of Supreme Court experience Walter Dellinger and Paul M. Smith will offer their insights while Jonathan Capehart of The Washington Post and MSNBC will moderate.

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., NW) holds coffee drop-in for the senior LGBT community today from 10 a.m.-noon. The Center will provide complimentary coffee and a community to chat with. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

Bears do Yoga takes place this evening 6:30 p.m. as part of a series at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, NW). This is part of a basic yoga series that takes place every Monday and is open to people of varying body types and experience. There is no charge. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

Tuesday, April 16

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, April 17

Bookmen D.C., a men’s gay-literature group, meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. to discuss “The Lost Library: Gay Fiction Rediscovered” at the American Foreign Service Association (2101 E St., NW). All are welcome. For more information, visit bookmendc.blogspot.com.

The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club meets tonight for social bridge at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8^th St., SE). No partner is needed. Visit lambdabridge.com, for more information.

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. Registration is required and attendees must call 202-797-3580 or email [email protected]. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.

Thursday, April 18

Whitman-Walker Health presents the annual Partner for Life to U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin at its annual spring event “Be the Care” this evening at 6:30 p.m. at the National Museum of Women in the Arts (1250 New York Ave., NW). The event marks the organization’s 20^th year and raises fund for the large range of health care services provided. Tickets are $150. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.