Arts & Entertainment

Calendar through May 30

parties, events and concerts for the end of May

Published

13 years ago

May 23, 2013

Erin Durkin

‘Drag Salute to the Divas’ returns to the Howard Sunday night. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Friday, May 24

The Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity hosts a retreat for LGBT Muslims and their partners starting today and lasting until Monday. The weekend will include workshops, art, talent show, plenaries, community building, prayer, politics and spirituality. The goal of this retreat is to reconnect with the community while creating a dialogue with one another. Costs for the retreat is $100. For more information, visit lgbtmuslimretreat.com.

“A Prairie Home Companion” with Garrison Keillor will be presenting a live broadcast in the Filene Center at Wolf Trap (1551 Trap Rd.,Vienna) tonight at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 5:45 p.m. Ticket prices for the event ranges from $25-$60. For more information visit walftrap.org.

Mystery Dinner Playhouse (located inside the Courtyard by Marriot Crystal City, 2899 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Va.) presents its new show “The Spy Who Killed Me” tonight and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Attendees can enjoy this comedic butler convention murder mystery during a four-course dinner. The show runs until Nov. 24, every Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The group is also available for private events. Tickets are $53. Visit mysterydinner.com for more information.

Special Agent Galactica returns with her happy hour show at the Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., NW) with repeat guest Nora Palka, who will be back to share her amazing vocals this evening at 6 p.m. Locals may know Palka from her performance in “Spring Awakening” at Keegan Theatre, “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” at Signature, and “Pygmalion” at the Washington Stage Guild. Admission is free. For more information, visit pinkhairedone.com.

Town (2009 8^th 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. Later, Town hosts DJ Mad Science on the main floor tonight at 10 p.m. The cover is $8 before 11 p.m. and $12. The drag show begins at 10:30 p.m. Visit towndc.com for more information.

Cobalt (1639 R St., NW) hosts its second annual “Mthr Fckn Pop Off!” where people can vote tournament style on the perfect song for summer. Voters can go on the Facebook event page to vote. That night, the club offers free rail vodka from 11 p.m-midnight. Cover is $10. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.

Saturday, May 25

Cobalt (1639 R St., NW) hosts “CTRL: Tank-Tacular Summer Kick-Off” tonight at 10 p.m. Cover is $5. Drink specials include $3 PBR Tallboys, $5 Rail and $4 Jameson shots. Visit cobaltdc.com for more information.

Burgundy Crescent volunteers this morning at Food and Friends (219 Riggs Rd., NE) at 8 a.m. and 9:45 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, May 26

The D.C. Center needs volunteers with the demolition of the new space today at 10 a.m. at the Reeves Center (2000 14^th St., NW). This will be the new permanent home of the Center, but they need help renovating.Volunteers are not required to bring supplies, just appropriate footwear and clothes that can get messy. They are also encouraged to bring water and snacks since there will be no formal lunch break. Visit thedccenter.org for more information.

The Howard Theatre (620 T St., NW) presents “A Drag Salute to the Divas” in honor of D.C. Black Pride tonight at 7 p.m. The show is lead by Shi-Queeta-Lee and several other of D.C.’s top illusionists as they bring Whitney Houston, Beyonce, Missy Elliott and many more to the stage. Tickets are $20. For more information, visit thehowardtheatre.com.

Monday, May 27

The Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8^th St., S.E.) hosts its annual Memorial Day Cookout with free food from the grill starting at 5:30 p.m. There will also be a pool, video gaming systems and cards. Karaoke starts at 6 p.m. and goes until 10 p.m. DJ Alchemy begins the party at 10 p.m. For more information, visit bachelorsmill.com.

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.

Tuesday, May 28

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 29

The Lambda Bridge Club meets at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Dignity Center (721 8^th St., SE) for Duplicate Bridge. Reservations are not needed and newcomers are welcome. Attendees can call 703-407-6540 if they need a partner. Visit lambdadc.org for more information.

Thursday, May 30

Rainbow Response Coalition kicks off its fundraiser for the D.C. Capital Pride season this evening at Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse (1609 17^th St., NW). The organization is committed to raise awareness and provide education on intimate partner violence in the LGBT community and hopes to broaden its network of dedicated members. Annie’s has offered to donate a portion of the proceeds for the night. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

The D.C. Center’s newest initiative, Center Global, a frank discussion on the challenges facing LGBT asylum seekers, takes place tonight at 7 p.m. Asylees, current asylum seekers and legal experts will talk about the difficult process LGBT asylum seekers face. The location is to be announced. Visit thedccenter.org for more information.

Up Next

Queer Theatre Festival returns for second year

Don't Miss

Snapshots from the stage

FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Photos

PHOTOS: Fairfax City Pride

LGBTQ celebration held at Sherwood Center

Published

2 days ago

June 9, 2026

Michael Key

A scene from Fairfax City Pride on June 6. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Fairfax City Pride was held at the Sherwood Center (3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, Va.) on Saturday, June 6.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

a&e features

D.C. prepares to party as Pride celebrations kick off Saturday

Bars, clubs have busy lineups; Pride on the Pier returns

Published

2 days ago

June 9, 2026

Evan Caplan

The Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier returns June 13. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Capital Pride’s date change isn’t slowing down the festivities. Back in December, the Capital Pride Alliance shifted the calendar for Pride celebrations in the nation’s capital from the second weekend of June to two weeks later to the weekend of June 20-21 to not conflict with President Trump’s birthday and 250th anniversary of America celebrations, with the aim that “our community can gather safely and without unnecessary barriers… We are protecting our space and preserving Pride as a powerful act of visibility, solidarity, and resistance.”

On the heels of WorldPride last year, the city shows no sign of slowing down. Instead, restaurants, bars, clubs, and neighborhoods are taking the opportunity to be even more visible. The Blade has put together a (non-comprehensive) list of parties, activations, and activities across town:

Pride on the Pier returns on Saturday, June 13 to the Wharf on the Southwest waterfront. The event, sponsored and hosted by the Washington Blade, is free and runs from 4-9 p.m. There will be vendors, DJs, and drag performances all day. VIP tickets are $25 and come with air conditioned party room, private bathrooms, and free cocktail. More details at prideonthepierdc.com.

Capital Pride Official Opening Party: RIOT! is the official opening dance party of Capital Pride, taking place Friday June 19, 9 PM-3AM. The 2026 edition headlining performer is Myki Meeks, a finalist of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 18; Bob The Drag Queen will perform a special set. DMV-area DJs and performers include: Bambi, Baphomette, Bumper, Cake Pop!, Connor, DJ Ed Bailey, DJ Diyanna Monet, Evry Pleasure, Jakknife Complex, Mari Con Carne, Pussy Noir, WessTheDJ. Trade owner Ed Bailey is producing the event.

Kinetic Presents brings the heat across the entirety of Pride weekend as well. It again is partnering with Capital Pride Alliance to produce four events over four days this Pride, including the Official Main Event on Saturday (the Friday official event is at Echostage). Kinetic’s parties are splayed across various D.C. venues, with special performances, massive productions, shirtless dancers, play zones, dance-forward audio and visuals, and international DJ talent. Thursday, June 18 at 10 PM at District Eagle is Lust, with music by Dan Slater and TOMI. Friday, June 19 at 10 PM is UNCUT XXL Heavy Load, at A.i. Warehouse in Union Market District, with music by Alex Acosta, Felipe Lira & Mitch Ferrino; the party is a “high-octane night of muscular house and tribal rhythms.” Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM brings that official main event, Kinetic Toy Land, at Echostage, with music by GSP & Matt Suave. Alaska Thunderfuck headlines. Sunday evening June 21 at 10 PM closes with discoVERS at SAX. A portion of tickets supports the DC LGBTQ+ community through Capital Pride Alliance.

9:30 Club always comes in clutch for the LGBTQ community. Already in June, it produced Kitty Kat Ball on June 7, and Kiesza performed on June 8. On June 20 at 10 PM, the famed Mixtape party hits the stage, care of gay DJs Shea van Horn and Matt Bailer, who have spun together for coming up on two decades. Mixtape has been held at several venues across the city over those years, and now settled on 9:30 Club for Pride. On June 25 at 7 PM, Big Freedia – the bounce artist from New Orleans – hits the 9:30 Club scene for the eighth time, as part of the Big Freedom Tour.

Crush: New this year from the 14th Street bar is the Pride Pop-Up, sitting pretty in the parking lot at 1820 14th St., N.W., at the corner of Swann Street by the start of the Pride Parade route. Hours are Friday from 2-10 PM and Saturday from 12-10 PM. Friday evening features Grizzly Bear Happy Hour, a DJ will set up shop on Saturday, and for those needing another layer, there’s a Crush merch store. Co-owner Mark Rutstein “has always wanted to throw a party in that parking lot, so he did,” said co-owner Stephen Rutgers. Note that Crush (the bar) will have a cover on Friday and Saturday.

Kiki: Over at Kiki, there’s a full slate of Pride-themed programming all week. Tuesday, June 16 at 9 PM brings karaoke; Wednesday, June 17 at 7:30 PM is trivia; Thursday June 18 at 9PM is “Night of 1000 Tatianna’s Drag Show”, and Friday June 19 at 9 PM brings the Juneteenth Serve Drag Show. Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM, post-parade, is a Pride Dance Party with DJ Lemz. Sunday daytime at 5 PM is the Father Figures Daddy Issues Special Drag Show; and after the festival at 8 PM, DJ Tezrah hits the tapes.

Jane Jane: Right along the parade route, gay-owned Jane Jane has transformed its space into a “No Kings, Yas Queens” activation in a direct response to the America 250th commemorations happening downtown, from the colorful window installation, to merch (including a custom bandana and tank) to disco wig installations. Events include industry night on Mondays, donations to LGBTQ charities, and to-go cocktails during the Pride Parade.

Shaw’s Tavern: Gay-owned Shaw’s Tavern on Florida Avenue celebrates Pride week with a full lineup of themed events, entertainment, and specials, including Pride trivia on Monday, June 15 at 7:30 PM, bingo on Tuesday, June 16 at 8 PM, a cabaret on Thursday, June 18 at 9 PM, Juneteenth Drag Brunch on Friday, June 19 at 12:30 PM, and both a pre-parade brunch (10 AM-4 PM) and post-parade party (5-9 PM) on Saturday, June 20. Sunday, June 21 at 7 PM brings Mama’s Sunday Supper & Drag Pride Show in the evening for anyone who is still awake.

Trade: This classic has a weekend of events, starting on Thursday, with Tiburon Pride Edition, a Latin Dance party in the Shark Tank. On Friday, the bar opens early (at 2 PM), with all-day happy hour and the Jx&Evry Show. On Saturday, the bar opens at noon, offering a prime parade viewing spot from its windows. There will be the CLASH drag show hosted by Tatianna and Crimsyn, and Sweet Spot party that night. On Sunday, the bar opens for normal hours at 2 PM, with DJs Adam K, Alex Love, and WESSTHEDJ.

Pitchers: The multi-level bar in Adams Morgan is hosting a Pride-themed show on Thursday, June 18 at 10 PM, with drawstring bag giveaways – the only kind of bag that will be allowed into the bar during Pride weekend. The show features drag queen Kyle Sonique Love.

Barrel House Cafe and Bar: Also by the parade route on 14th Street, Barrel House Cafe takes advantage of its large patio to have a slate of events during Pride week, including Schism, a drag and burlesque show on June 18 at 10 PM, as well as an all-day Pride party coinciding on parade day.

Bunker: Bunker again plays host to a series of afters. Friday night (Saturday 3:30 AM) is Unhinged, and Saturday night (Sunday 3:30AM) is Unholy. The regular Saturday night party (10 PM) brings in Venetian and Tiara Missou. All parties have cover charges.

District Eagle: Beyond the Kinetic party on Friday, June 19 brings Gear Night at 10 PM; Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM is LOBO presents PRISM, and Sunday, June 21 is Sundaze wit Papi at 6 PM.

African Art Museum: On Thursday, June 18 at 5 PM, this Smithsonian museum is hosting a free event with artists and curators celebrating its exhibit, “Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art,” “based on years of close collaboration and dialogue with African visual art practitioners who claim belonging in the LGBTQ+ community, however they define those terms,” according to the museum.

KNEAD Hospitality & Design: The gay-owned KNEAD restaurant group (including spots like Gatsby, Mi Vida, Succotash The Grill) is featuring the GLITTERATI cocktail, made with Tito’s, St-Germain Elderflower, Butterfly Flower, ginger, and yes, glitter. A portion of proceeds from every Glitterati cocktail sold will benefit The Trevor Project. The cocktail will be sold throughout June.

The Fountain Inn is partnering with Rhodium spirits (Rhode Island’s first LGBTQ+ owned distillery) all month, making cocktails like gimlets and espresso martinis featuring Rhodium’s liquors. Proceeds benefit SMYAL, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ youth.

Hard Rock Cafe: Hard Rock DC is taking part in the chain’s annual “LOVE OUT LOUD” campaign, with Pride merch, specials on June 20, and a donation to The Trevor Project.