Arts & Entertainment
Calendar through July 18
Film screenings, parties, social groups, concerts and events
Tchaikovsky from Nutcracker Suite’ by Aina Nergaard-Nammack is on display now at Touchstone Gallery, one of the many things to do this week on the LGBT events calendar. (Image courtesy Touchstone)
Friday, July 12
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts Bear Happy Hour tonight from 6-11 p.m. There is no cover charge, and admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For details, visit towndc.com.
The Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) hosts its monthly “Gay/Bash!” party tonight at 10 p.m. DJs Joshua and Dean spin rock and pop favorites all night. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased the day of the party. For more information, visit blackcatdc.com.
Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave., N.W.) hosts an opening reception from 6-8:30 p.m. tonight for the “Fragments of Classical Music” exhibition by Aina Nergaard-Nammack, who creates each painting based on music by classical composers. For more information, visit touchstonegallery.com.
The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) hosts a “women in their twenties” meeting tonight from 8-9:30 p.m. Visit thedccenter.org for more information.
Sheryl Crow performs tonight with special guest Tyler Toliver in Central Park in Fredericksburg, Va., (1541 Carl D Silver Pkwy., Fredericksburg, Va.). Gates open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7. Admission ranges from $22.50-100. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit celebratevirginialive.com.
Special Agent Galactica performs tonight at Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 6-9 p.m. Admission is free and limited to guests 21 and over. For details, visit blackfoxlounge.com.
Saturday, July 13
Phase 1 of Dupont (1415 22nd St., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Booty Beach Ladies Dance Party.” The winner of the party’s bikini and board shorts contest will receive cash and prizes. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and admission is $5. Visit phase1dc.com for more information.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts “Latin Evolution” tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. DJ Willie and DJ k. Milko spin, and the party features performances by Tatianna from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” with the Divas of Evolution. Admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For details and to purchase tickets, visit cobaltdc.com.
The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) provides free HIV testing today from 4-7 p.m. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Indie rock trio Soundacity perform tonight at Black Fox Lounge from 9:30-10:45 p.m. Admission is $10. Visit blackfoxlounge.com for more details.
Sunday, July 14
Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8th St., S.E.) hosts karaoke tonight from 9 p.m.-midnight. Cover is $3, and there will also be pool, video gaming systems and cards. For more information, visit bachelorsmill.com.
Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) hosts its weekly Drag Brunch with Shi-Queeta Lee today at 11 a.m. The buffet is $24 including one free mimosa. For more information, visit nelliessportsbar.com.
The Lambda Sci-Fi group for LGBT science fiction, fantasy and horror fans meets this afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at 1425 S St., N.W. Attendants are encouraged to bring a snack and non-alcoholic drink to share. For more details, visit lambdascifi.org.
Hand Poured, an LGBT sketch comedy group, performs this evening at Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 6-9 p.m. There will be an extended happy hour, with $7 “Sketch-tinis.” Admission is free. For details, visit blackfoxlounge.com.
Monday, July 15
The Fort Reno Summer Music Series continues tonight at Fort Reno Park (Chesapeake St. and Nebraska Ave., N.W.) from 7:15-9:30 p.m. This week’s local bands include Thundermilk, The Obsessives and Joy Buttons. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, visit fortreno.com.
Casa Ruby (2822 Georgia Ave., N.W.) provides a spanish-language career development workshop today from 4-6 p.m. Visit thedccenter.org for more information.
The AFI Silver screens footage of “La Sylphide,” performed by the world-famous Russian Bolshoi Ballet, today at 12:45 p.m. “La Sylphide” is one of the oldest surviving ballets from the Romantic period, dating back to August Bournonville’s 1836 original. Admission is $11.50. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit afi.com/silver.
Tuesday, July 16
The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) hosts a genderqueer discussion group from 7-8 p.m. tonight for people who identify outside of the gender binary. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) hosts a “FUK!T Packing Party” tonight from 7-9 p.m. Volunteers will help make FUK!T packets and TOOLK!Ts. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.
Wednesday, July 17
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 D.C. Facebook page.
Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8th St., S.E.) hosts drag bingo during 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 Dupont Drawing Group meets tonight at 7 p.m. at The Church of the Pilgrims (2201 P St., N.W.) to draw from the live model. The session is self-directed with no formal instruction and no materials are provided. Drawing spots and easels are available on a first come first serve basis, so guests should arrive anytime after 6:45. No reservations are required and a modest fee to pay the model will be collected. For more information, visit paulreuther.com.
The Lambda Bridge Club meets at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for social bridge. Participants do not need a partner. For more information, call 301-345-1571.
The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) provides career development for LGBT individuals during its weekly “Job Club” event from 4-6 p.m. today. Visit thedccenter.org for more details.
Thursday, July 18
MOVA Lounge (2204 14th St., N.W.) hosts “GLBT College Night” this evening, with a vodka open bar for guests who have a college ID from 9-10 p.m. Admission is free and 18 and up. Visit movalounge.com for more details.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Ripped Hot Body Contest” tonight from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Lena Lett hosts the event and contestants can win up to $200 in prizes. $2 rail drinks will be served from 9-11 p.m. Admission is 18 and up and free. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.
The Fort Reno Summer Music Series continue tonight at Fort Reno Park (Chesapeake St. and Nebraska Ave., N.W.) from 7:15-9:30 p.m. This week’s local bands include Bearshark and Washington Bach Consort. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, visit fortreno.com.
Sports
Jason Collins dies at 47
First openly gay man to actively play for major sports team battled brain cancer
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.”
Glitterati Productions held the “Studio 69” party at Bunker on Friday, May 8.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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.
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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