Mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves performs with the National Philharmonic this weekend at the Strathmore (Photo by Devon Cass Silver).

Friday, May 3

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force kicks off its Pink and Purple weekend tonight at 8 p.m. at the Hotel Helix Patio (1430 Rhode Island Ave., NW). The weekend honors community leaders who push for LGBT equality and educate local activists. Tonight’s event is “Dusk: for Women and their Friends,” which is $30 at the door. Later in the night starting at 10 p.m. is the Pink and Purple Party at Cobalt (1639 R St., NW). Tickets are not available ahead of time for this event. The weekend ends with the Pink and Purple Awards Brunch at the Mayflower Hotel (1127 Connecticut Ave., NW) on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. This year’s brunch will honor actor Jeffrey Wright, an LGBT advocate, Emmy, Golden Globe and Tony Award winner, as well as Robert Raben, an accomplished leader for the LGBT community who is the former assistant attorney general under President Bill Clinton. Tickets are $125. For details, visit thetaskforce.org.

NoVA Gay and Lesbian Professionals host a spring social at the Kora Lounge (2250 Crystal Drive, Arlington, Va.) this evening at 6 p.m. Visit gogaydc.com for more information.

The “A List Show” at Remington’s Nightclub (639 Pennsylvania Ave., SE) hosts with Ladi Lenore, “The Darling of the Empire” tonight at 10 p.m. Cover is $10. For more information, visit remingtonswdc.com.

The Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance presents the Miss Gay Arlington Pageant “The Glittery Rainbow Connection” at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant (555 23^rd Street South, Arlington, Va.) at 8 p.m. The theme for this year’s pageant is “Priscilla Takes Arlington,” based on the film “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.” Contestant entry fee is $25. For details, visit agla.org.

Conductor Christoph Eschenbach leads the National Symphony Orchestra in the show “A Tribute to Slava” tonight at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., NW) at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10-$85. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.

Saturday, May 4

Denyce Graves, a famous mezzo-soprano, performs with the National Philharmonic at the Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Lane) tonight at 8 p.m. and tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. Grave will perform Brahm’s “Alto Rhapsody” under the direction of conductor Piotr Gajewski. Tickets are $28-$81. Visit nationalphilharmonic.org for details.

Burgundy Crescent Volunteers are invited to work the Around the World Embassy Tour today at 10 a.m. Volunteers will welcome residents and visitors while they experience the different Washington embassies. The tours will be between Massachusetts Ave. and P St., NW. They’ll also be at Food and Friends (219 Riggs Rd., NE) at 8 a.m. and again at 9:45 a.m. Volunteers will help with food preparation and packing groceries. The shifts are limited to 10 per shift. Others will be at Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation at Falls Church PetSmart (6100 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, Va.) starting at 11:45 a.m. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.

Sunday, May 5

The Literary Hill BookFest kicks off today at 11 a.m. at the North Hall of Eastern Market (575 7^th St., NW). The afternoon includes thought-provoking writers who will discuss, read and sign their works. Visit literaryhillbookfest.org for more information.

Monday, May 6

The GI Film Festival kicks off tonight with a black tie salute to James Bond and gala event at the Signature Theater (4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, VA) at 7 p.m. Tickets are $135. The festival is the only one to celebrate and commemorate the military through the medium of film. Part of their schedule includes a screening of the short documentary “Do Tell” on May 10 at 10 p.m. The film follows gay American military members stationed in an outpost in Japan pre and post “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Tickets to this event are $30. Attendees can buy passes for $50-$350. Visit gifilmfestival.com.

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., NW) holds coffee drop-in for the senior LGBT community today at 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, May 7

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, May 8

Washington Ballet presents “The Sun Also Rises,” a show based of Ernest Hemingway’s classic novel, tonight at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., NW) at 7:30 p.m. Under the artistic direction of gay choreographer Septime Webre, the show tells the story of journalist Jake Barnes, a 1920s American expatriate in Paris, and his journey that leads him to the “running of the bulls” in Pamplona, Spain. Tickets are $25-$125. Visit kennedy-center.org for more details.

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

Thursday, May 9

Rocker Beth Hart performs at the Birchmere Music Hall (3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Va.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. Hart’s initial fame, after a record-breaking stint on “Star Search,” was garnered from her hit “LA Song (Out of this Town)” that was used on “Beverly Hills, 90210.” Her music is influenced by blues, rock, gospel and jazz. Tickets are $25. For details, visit birchmere.com.