Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: Dec. 6
Concerts, parties, exhibits and more through Dec. 12
JD Samson & Men, a queer band, play Comet Ping Pong Sunday. (Photo courtesy BMF Media)
Friday, Dec. 6
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) hosts a trans support group, a peer-facilitated discussion group, tonight at 7 p.m. The group is open to all members of the transgender community as well as partners, friends and allies. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.
Gay District, a facilitated group discussion focused on building understanding of gay culture and personal identity for men ages 18 through 35, at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 8:30-9:30 p.m. For details, visit thedccenter.org.
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 more information, visit towndc.com.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts free vodka Friday tonight from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Free rail vodka 11 p.m.-midnight. Two DJs on two floors. Cover is $10. Admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.
Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8th St., S.E.) holds a happy hour from 5-7:30 p.m. tonight with all drinks half price. Music begins at 11 p.m. Enjoy pool, video games and cards. Admission is $5 after 9 p.m. Must be 21 and over. For more details, visit bachelorsmill.com.
“Best of Burlesqueer: The Queerlesque Revue” is tonight at 8:45 and 11 p.m. at the Black Cat (1811 14th Street, N.W.) with a show called “Down and Dirty Holigay Blues.” Performers Cherie Nuit, Glam Gamz, DoctorGinger Snapz, Velvet Kensington and Dutch Oven will perform. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Ages 21 and up. Visit blackcatdc.com for details.
Saturday, Dec. 7
Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers for Food and Friends (219 Riggs Rd., N.E.) tonight from 8-10 a.m. Volunteers will chop vegetables and pack groceries. To volunteer, email [email protected]. For more details, visit burgundycrescent.org.
SMYAL (410 7th St., S.E.) provides free and confidential HIV testing drop-in hours today from 1-3 p.m. For more information, visit smyal.org.
SMYAL (410 7th St., S.E.) hosts “World AIDS Day Drag Show” from 1-4 p.m. This annual drag show for youth welcomes beginner and veteran drag performers for a make over and chance to perform on stage. For details, visit smyal.org.
Wolf Trap has its annual Holiday Sing-A-Long today at 4 p.m. at the Filene Center (1551 Trap Road, Vienna, Va.) featuring the U.S. Marine Band along with several choral groups from the region. Guests are encouraged to bring a candle, a bell and a “Toys for Tots” gift. This is a free event. Visit wolftrap.org for details.
Broadway performer Jackie Hoffman brings her one-woman show “Jackie Hoffman’s A Chanukah Charol” to the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia (8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax) tonight at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $34. Visit jccnv.org for details.
Sunday, Dec. 8
JD Samson & MEN perform at Comet Ping Pong (5037 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) tonight at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15. For details, go to cometpingpong.com.
The D.C. Center hosts “A Question of Marriage: Financial, Legal and Practical,” a discussion that looks at marriage’s federal and state implications for people in the DMV, at 6901 Rockledge Dr., Bethesda, Md. today from 1-3 p.m. Refreshments and child care will be provided. There is free parking. For details, visit thedccenter.org.
KhushDC and The D.C. Center present a film screening of “My Brother…Nikhil” in honor of World AIDS Day at The Dunes (1402 Meridian Pl., N.W.) today from 1-3 p.m. Donations accepted at the door. For details, visit thedccenter.org.
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 more details, visit perrysadamsmorgan.com.
Monday, Dec.9
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.
Us Helping Us (3636 Georgia Ave., N.W.) holds a support group for gay black men to discuss topics that affect them today, share perspectives and have meaningful conversations. For details, visit uhupil.org.
Brave Soul Collective (BSC) performs “Passages” at the Warehouse Theater (645 New York Ave., N.W.) tonight from 8-10 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. For details and to purchase tickets, visit thedccenter.org.
Tuesday, Dec. 10
A Transgender Community Celebration is at MOVA Lounge (2204 14th St., N.W.) with a happy hour reception from 5:30-8 p.m. Enjoy free champagne from 5-6 p.m. and happy hour prices until 8 p.m. Proceeds go to support Maryland Trans Unity. For more information visit movalounge.com.
D.C. Bi Women hosts its monthly meeting in the upstairs room of Dupont Italian Kitchen (1637 17th St., N.W.) from 7-9 p.m. tonight. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.
SMYAL (410 7th St., S.E.) hosts a “Rap Group” today from 5-6:30 p.m. Discuss stressful issues like school, bullying, getting into college or finding a job in this support group. For more details, visit smyal.org.
Wednesday, Dec. 11
Big Gay Book Group meets tonight at 1155 F St., N.W. Suite 200 at 7 p.m. to discuss ”Gypsy Boy: My Life in the Secret World of the Romany Gypsies by Mike Walsh, a story about a boy growing up in a Roman Gypsy family and deciding whether to stay in that secluded community or venture elsewhere. For details, email [email protected].
SMYAL (410 7th St., S.E.) provides free and confidential HIV testing drop-in hours today from 3-5 p.m. For more information, visit smyal.org.
Rainbow Response, an LGBT intimate partner violence prevention group, meets in the third floor conference room at 5 Thomas Circle N.W. today from 6-7 p.m. For details, visit thedccenter.org.
Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th Street, S.E., across from the Marine Barracks) for duplicate bridge. No reservations needed and newcomers welcome. Call 703-407-6540 if a partner is needed.
Thursday, Dec. 12
Ama tu Salud, a Latino-focused health fair, is at Casa Ruby (2822 Georgia Ave., N.W.) today from 5:30-8 p.m. The community health fair will have panel discussions, STD testing, health screenings and LGBT and Latino focused health resources. There will be food and giveaways. For details, visit thedccenter.org.
Rude Boi Entertainment hosts “Tempted 2 Touch,” a ladies dance party, tonight at Fab Lounge (2022 Florida Ave., N.W.). Doors open at 10 p.m. Drink specials $5 and vodka shots $3 all night. No cover charge. Admission limited to guests 21 and over. For more details, visit rudeboientertainment.wordpress.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
