Arts & Entertainment

Calendar through June 20

Events, parties, concerts and more this weekend and beyond

Published

13 years ago

June 13, 2013

Will Owen

Mova, gay news, Washington Blade, LGBT nightlife, bar guide

Mova hosts “GLBT College Night” on Thursday. (Washington Blade photo by Pete Exis)

Friday, June 14

Town (2009 8^th St., N.W.) hosts Bear Happy Hour Friday from 6-11 p.m. There is no cover charge and admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For details, visit towndc.com.

Special Agent Galactica performs Friday with her musical director, Aaron Myers, at Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 6-9 p.m. Admission is free. Visit blackfoxlounge.com or pinkhairedone.com for more information.

Jamorr Entertainment presents Fusion Friday, an all ladies happy hour, Friday at Capitale (1301 K St., N.W.) from 6-11 p.m. Tickets are $5 in advance or $10 at the door. For details and to purchase tickets, visit jamorr.com.

Delta Elite (10 St., N.E.) hosts ladies night Friday from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. For more details, visit deltaelite.net.

Saturday, June 15

Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) hosts a “Mister Beefcake Contest” tonight at 10 p.m., featuring DJ Kurt Jo. Admission is $7. Contestants can win $100. For details, visit greenlanterndc.com.

Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) hosts a Gemini Zodiac Party this afternoon from 3-7 p.m. Geminis should come early for free T-shirts. Visit nelliessportsbar.com or the event on Facebook for more details.

Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers today for Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation at the Falls Church PetSmart (6100 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, V.A.) from 11:45 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit burgundycrescent.org for more information.

Sunday, June 16

Perry’s (1811 Columbia Rd., N.W.) hosts its weekly Sunday Drag Brunch today from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The cost is $24.95 for an all-you-can-eat buffet. For details, visit perrysadamsmorgan.com.

The Capitol Hill Medical Center (700 2^nd St., N.E.) presents a Transgender Health care Dialogue this morning from9:30-10:30 a.m. Kaiser Permanente physicians, nurses, behavioral health professionals and member services professionals will be present to answer questions. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) presents an International Queer Poetry Panel this afternoon from 1-3 p.m.Admission is $10 or free with prior registration. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.

Monday, June 17

The Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8^th St., S.E.) hosts happy hour tonight from 5-7:30 p.m. All drinks are half price, and there will also be pool, video gaming systems and cards. Admission is free. For details, visit bachelorsmill.com.

The Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) hosts La-Ti-Do, a spoken word and musical theater show, tonight from 8-10 p.m. Admission is $10. Visit blackfoxlounge.com for more details.

The Open Society Institute (1730 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) hosts a panel discussion and film preview on LGBTI refugees with the Organization for Refuge, Asylum and Migration (ORAM) from 1-3 p.m. this afternoon. “No Place For Me,” a documentary that reveals the persecution of LGBT people in South Africa, Mexico and Uganda, will be previewed. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

Casa Ruby (2822 Georgia Ave., N.W.) provides a Spanish-Language Career Development tutorial from 4-6 p.m. today. Visit thedccenter.org for more information.

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) hosts coffee drop-in hours this morning from 10 a.m.-noon for the senior LGBT community. Older LGBT adults can come and enjoy complimentary coffee and conversation with other community members. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

Tuesday, June 18

Whitman Walker Health provides free HIV testing at Panam Supermarket (3552 14^th St., N.W.) tonight from 7-9 p.m.For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) hosts a Gender Queer Discussion Group for people who identify outside of the gender binary from 7-8 p.m. tonight. For details, visit thedccenter.org.

MOVA Lounge (2204 14^th St., N.W.) screens “Will & Grace” reruns tonight from 5 p.m.-3 a.m. Half-priced “Karen Walker Martinis” and “Just Jack Cocktails” will be served. There is no cover. For more information, visit movalounge.com or the Mova Lounge Facebook page.

The D.C. Trans Coalition hosts a group-planning meeting at Transgender Health Empowerment (1414 North Capitol St., N.W.) tonight from 7:30-9 p.m. For more information, visit dctranscoalition.org.

Wednesday, June 19

Heist (1802 Jefferson Pl., N.W.) hosts its weekly open bar party tonight from 10-11 p.m. There is no cover charge and admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For details, visit heistdc.com or the Heist DC Facebook page.

The Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8^th St., S.E.) hosts drag bingo tonight from 5:30-7 p.m. during happy hour. All drinks are half price and there will also be pool, video gaming systems and cards. Admission is free. For more information, visitbachelorsmill.com.

The AFI Docs Film Festival starts screening documentaries today at 10 a.m. at the AFI Silver Theater (8633 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, M.D.). Tickets for individual screenings are $13 and combo ticket packages for 10 screenings are $100. For more information on the festival’s documentaries, various screening locations and to purchase tickets online, visit afi.com.

The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8^th St., S.E.) for social bridge. Participants do not need a partner. For more details, call 301-345-1571.

Bookmen D.C., an informal men’s gay literature group, discusses “The Lost Library: Gay Fiction Rediscovered,” tonight at 7:30 p.m. at The American Foreign Service Association (2101 E St., N.W.). For more information, visitbookmendc.blogspot.com.

Thursday, June 20

Whitman-Walker Health provides free HIV testing tonight from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. at Glorious Health Club (2120 West Virginia Ave., N.E.). For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) hosts a polyamory discussion group tonight from 7-8 p.m. Visit thedccenter.orgfor more details.

MOVA Lounge (2204 14^th St., N.W.) hosts “GLBT College Night” this evening with a vodka open bar from 9-10 p.m. for guests with a college ID. Admission is 18 and up to enter and 21 and up to drink. For details, visit movalounge.com or the Mova Lounge Facebook page.

Up Next

Law of the land

Don't Miss

Time to settle down?

FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Photos

PHOTOS: Fairfax City Pride

LGBTQ celebration held at Sherwood Center

Published

3 hours 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

7 hours 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.