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.
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony
The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Laverne Cox, Reneé Rapp, Deacon Maccubbin named WorldPride grand marshals
House passes reconciliation with gender-affirming care funding ban
PHOTOS: D.C. Trans Pride
Men convicted of murdering two men in NYC gay bar drugging scheme sentenced
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
WorldPride events round-up
Pope Leo XIV: Family based on ‘stable union between a man and a woman’
Wes Moore signs HIV decriminalization bill
