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Calendar through July 25

Capital Fringe Fest continues in a packed week

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Brandi Carlile, Wolf Trap, Gay News, Washington Blade
Brandi Carlile, Wolf Trap, Gay News, Washington Blade

Much to do in Washington D.C. including more Capital Fringe Fest and Brandi Carlile plays Wolf Trap Wednesday night. (Photo courtesy Wolf Trap)

Friday, July 19

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 Capital Fringe Festival features “Songs From an Unmade Bed,” directed by Josh Redford, tonight at 11:45 p.m. at Fort Fringe (607 New York Ave., N.W.). The musical theater and opera show is a solo performance that explores a gay man’s struggles with city life. Visit capitalfringe.org for more information.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04_d4vlYiWE

Whitman-Walker Health provides HIV testing at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) this evening from 8 p.m.-midnight. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.

Saturday, July 20

Phase 1 of Dupont (1415 22nd St., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Booty Beach Ladies Dance Party” tonight. 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.

DJ Drew G spins tonight at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) at 10 p.m. He and his DJ partner, Brian Cua, are currently working on official remixes for Lady Gaga and have done work for other huge stars like Britney Spears, Whitney Houston and Mary J. Blige. Cover is $8 from 10-11 and $12 after 11. Admission is 21 and over. For details, visit towndc.com.

Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts “BARE” by LURe, a ladies dance party, tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Admission is limited to guests 21 and over. Tickets are $7 before and $10 after midnight. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.

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

NovaSalud, a non-profit that offers free HIV testing in Northern Virginia, hosts “Breaking the Cycle of Stigma: Transgender Fashion Show,” tonight from 7-10 p.m. at the V3 Lounge (6763 Wilson Blvd., Falls Church, Va.). Tickets are $15 and can be bought in advance on transfashion.eventbrite.com. For details, visit thedccenter.org.

Whitman-Walker Health provides HIV testing at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) this evening from 8 p.m.-midnight. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.

Sunday, July 21

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 Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) hosts “Tula’s Cabaret,” a drag show with lip-sync performances, this evening from 8-11 p.m. Admission is free and limited to guests 21 and over. For details, visit blackfoxlounge.com.

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 Team D.C. Freedom Sports Festival, a continuation of Capital Pride, finishes with a “Pride Splash and Ride” party today from 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. at Six Flags (13710 Mitchellville, Md.). In addition to theme park activities, the event will also feature a private water park party from 7-10:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit capitalpride.org.

Monday, July 22

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. Tonight’s local bands include Southern Problems and The Mauls. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, visit fortreno.com.

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.

The Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) hosts “La-Ti-Do DC,” a spoken word and musical theater show, tonight from 8-10 p.m. Admission is $10 and limited to guests 21 and over. For more information, visit blackfoxlounge.com.

Tuesday, July 23

The Capital Fringe Festival features “Polaroid Stories,” a musical theater and opera show by Naomi Iizuka, at 9:30 p.m. tonight at Fort Fringe (607 New York Ave., N.W.). The play intertwines Roman mythology from Ovid’s “Metamorphoses” with stories of homeless youth. For more information, visit capitalfringe.org.

The Chi Cha Lounge (1624 U St., N.W.) hosts speed dating for gay and bisexual men from 7-9 p.m. tonight. Tickets are $30. For details and to purchase tickets, visit thedccenter.org.

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

Wednesday, July 24

The 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 tonight at 7 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for duplicate bridge. Reservations are not needed and newcomers are welcome. Call 703-407-6540 for more details and if you need a partner.

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) hosts Job Club today from 4-6 p.m. tonight for LGBT individuals seeking employment. For details, visit thedccenter.org.

Brandi Carlile, a lesbian alternative country and folk rock singer-songwriter, performs tonight at 8 p.m. at Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd., Vienna, Va.) with special guests Justin Townes Earle and The Lone Bellow. The show will feature tracks from her latest album release “Bear Creek” (2012). Admission ranges from $30-40. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit wolfrap.org.

Thursday, July 25

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. Tonight’s local bands include The Buss and Capital Ghost. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, visit fortreno.com.

The Lambda Sci-Fi Group meets tonight at 7 p.m. at 1425 S St., N.W. for LGBT fans of science fiction, horror and fantasy. This month’s book to discuss is “Redshirts” by John Scalzi. For more information, visit lambdascifi.org.

Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence (GLOV) meet from 7-8:30 p.m. this evening at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.). The organization provides community outreach, education and legal oversight for LGBT victims of violence. Visit thedccenter.org for more information.

Whitman-Walker Health provides HIV testing at Miriam’s Kitchen (2401 Virginia Ave., N.W.) from 4-6 p.m. this evening. For more details, visit whitman-walker.org.

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Photos

PHOTOS: Independence Day Weekend in Rehoboth

Wicked Green Pool Party, fireworks among festivities

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A fireworks show was held in Rehoboth Beach, Del. on Saturday, July 5. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)

Vacationers and residents alike enjoyed Independence Day Weekend activities in Rehoboth Beach, Del. The Wicked Green Pool Party drew hundreds to the CAMP Rehoboth fundraiser on Saturday. That evening, revelers went to the rooftops to watch the fireworks display.

(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)

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Music & Concerts

Red, White, and Beyoncé: Queen Bey takes Cowboy Carter to D.C. for the Fourth of July

The legendary music icon performed on July 4 and 7 to a nearly sold-out Northwest Stadium.

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Beyoncé performs on July 7. (Washington Blade photo by Joe Reberkenny)

Just in time for Independence Day, Beyoncé lit up Landover’s Commanders Field (formerly FedEx Field) with fireworks and fiery patriotism, bringing her deeply moving and genre-defying “Cowboy Carter” tour to the Washington, D.C. area.

The tour, which takes the global icon across nine cities in support of her chart-topping and Grammy-winning country album Cowboy Carter,” landed in Prince George’s County, Maryland, over the Fourth of July weekend. From the moment Beyoncé stepped on stage, it was clear this was more than just a concert — it was a reclamation.

Drawing from classic Americana, sharp political commentary, and a reimagined vision of country music, the show served as a powerful reminder of how Black Americans — especially Black women — have long been overlooked in spaces they helped create. “Cowboy Carter” released in March 2024, is the second act in Beyoncé’s genre-traversing trilogy. With it, she became the first Black woman to win a Grammy for Best Country Album and also took home the coveted Album of the Year.

The record examines the Black American experience through the lens of country music, grappling with the tension between the mythology of the American Dream and the lived realities of those historically excluded from it. That theme comes alive in the show’s opening number, “American Requiem,” where Beyoncé sings:

“Said I wouldn’t saddle up, but
If that ain’t country, tell me, what is?
Plant my bare feet on solid ground for years
They don’t, don’t know how hard I had to fight for this
When I sing my song…”

Throughout the performance, Beyoncé incorporated arresting visuals: Black cowboys on horseback, vintage American iconography, and Fox News clips criticizing her genre shift — all woven together with voiceovers from country legends like Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson. The result was a multimedia masterclass in storytelling and subversion.

The “Cowboy Carter” tour has been a social media sensation for weeks, with fans scrambling for tickets, curating elaborate “cowboy couture” outfits, and tailgating under the summer sun. At Commanders Field, thousands waited in long lines for exclusive merch and even longer ones to enter the stadium — a pilgrimage that, for many, felt more like attending church than a concert.

One group out in full force for the concert was Black queer men — some rocking “denim on denim on denim on denim,” while others opted for more polished Cowboy Couture looks. The celebration of Black identity within Americana was ever-present, making the concert feel like the world’s biggest gay country-western club.

A standout moment of the night was the appearance of Beyoncé’s 13-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy Carter. Commanding the stage with poise and power, she matched the intensity and choreography of her mother and the professional dancers — a remarkable feat for someone her age and a clear sign that the Carter legacy continues to shine.

It’s been nearly two decades since Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child parted ways, and since then, she’s more than lived up to her title as the voice of a generation. With Cowboy Carter,” she’s not just making music — she’s rewriting history and reclaiming the space Black artists have always deserved in the country canon.

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a&e features

From Prohibition to Pride: Queering the District podcast reveals local LGBTQ history

The new podcast explores the hidden history and enduring impact of queer spaces in Washington, D.C.

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From left, Ellie Stuckrath and Abby Stuckrath (Photo courtesy of Queering the District Podcast)

On June 25, as Pride month inched toward its end, three queer creators launched an ambitious project to honor the spaces that built D.C.’s LGBTQ community—and connect them to today’s queer life. The first episode of their podcast, Queering the District, hit streaming platforms that day, aiming to spotlight what host and co-creator Abby Stuckrath calls “third places”: bars, clubs, and gathering spots that have served as hubs for queer life across the city.

Each episode of the 10-part series delves into a different piece of D.C.’s queer past—from landmark clubs to untold personal stories—told through the voices of drag legends, activists, DJs, historians, and patrons who lived it. The show also threads together personal experiences from today’s community, bringing the listener on an auditory journey from Prohibition-era speakeasies to contemporary nights out at places like As You Are or Saints & Sinners.

Abby Stuckrath, alongside her sibling Ellie Stuckrath, and producer Mads Reagan, make up the podcast’s creative team. A recent journalism graduate of American University, Abby told the Blade that her passion for queer storytelling began during college—and that D.C. itself played a defining role in shaping her queer identity.

“I went to American University. I graduated last year and studied journalism. When I was in school, I always wanted to focus on queer stories – especially in D.C., because I’m from Denver, Colorado, I’ve never lived in a place like this before. D.C. has always just kind of been a place I call home when it comes to my queer identity.”

But breaking into the media to tell those stories wasn’t easy. Stuckrath quickly learned that editorial support—and funding—for queer-focused projects is limited. So she decided to do it her own way.

“I kind of found out that if you want to tell stories, you kind of have to do it on your own– especially when it comes to queer stories. There’s not a lot of people begging for us to talk about queer people and to pay you for it. So I was like, ‘Okay, let’s just do it on my own.’”

The idea for the podcast first took root in conversations with Ellie, Abby’s sibling and biggest supporter. Ellie had also moved to D.C. to find more space to explore and express their queer and gender identities. Together, the two began shaping a vision that would combine storytelling, sound design, and grassroots community input.

“I was like, ‘I don’t know what exactly I want to do yet, but I want it to be queer, and I want it to be about D.C., and it’s going to be called Queering the District, and we’re going to find out what that means.’ And Ellie is my biggest supporter, and my best friend. And they were like, ‘Hell yeah. Like, let’s do this.’ And so we decided to just do it together.”

The name stuck—and so did the mission. The team began researching queer D.C. history and found a city overflowing with stories that had rarely been documented, especially in mainstream archives.

“We started looking up the history of queer culture in D.C., and it kind of just clicked from there,” Stuckrath said. “I did not know anything about how rich our history is in the city until one Google search, and then I just kept learning more and more. I was kind of pissed because I studied gender studies in school in D.C. and didn’t learn shit about this.”

Season one focuses on the role of third places—non-work, non-home spaces where queer people could gather, exist fully, and build community.

“Third places have always been the epicenter of queer life… places outside of just your own personal home, because sometimes that isn’t a safe place. And of course, the work most commonly in the past and still today, isn’t a safe place for queer people to be full of themselves. So like, bars were the first place for queer people to really thrive and meet each other.”

To make the show participatory, Queering the District includes a twist: a voicemail line where anyone can call in and share a memory or question. The team calls the phone “Fifi”—a nod to the kind of retro guestbooks often used at weddings, but reimagined for queer nightlife and history.

“We wanted to find a way for people to share their stories with us anonymously… so even though we start in Prohibition, we wanted to connect it to now—like, those people who were singing jazz to each other in a white queer bar are connected to you singing karaoke on a Sunday night at your favorite gay bar. We’re all interconnected by this third place of queer bars in D.C.”

Those connections are emotional as well as historical. While building the series, one realization hit Stuckrath particularly hard: the immense loss of queer spaces in D.C., especially in neighborhoods that have since been heavily redeveloped.

“Every time I go to a Nats game, I think about, well, this just replaced five gay bars that used to be here. It used to be the home of Ziegfeld’s… Tracks, which was almost 2,000 square feet, with a volleyball court in the back, a fire pit, and iconic light show. I just didn’t know that we had that, and it made me sad for the queer elders that are in our city now who walk the streets and don’t see all those places they used to call home.”

That sense of loss—alongside the joy and resilience of queer community—is what the show aims to capture. As the podcast continues, Abby hopes it serves as both a celebration and an educational tool, especially for young LGBTQ people arriving in D.C. without realizing the queer foundations they’re walking on.

“D.C. is a unique city, and specifically young queer people who are hoping to move to the city—to know that you’ve got to know your history to be here. I hope this serves as an easier way for you to consume and learn about queer history, because queer history defines how we move in life.”

And for all the voices still left out, Abby is clear: this podcast is an open door, not a final word.

“This is a perfectly imperfect podcast. We should just be a starting point. We shouldn’t be the ending point.”

New episodes of Queering the District drop every Wednesday on all major platforms.

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