Arts & Entertainment
STAYCATION: Step back in time
Washington region rich with historical sites
The Octagon House was the former residence of President James Madison during the War of 1812. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
D.C. boasts a burgeoning music, arts and nightlife scene for all generations to step back in time. But the city is also known for its rich history, spanning nearly three centuries. This summer, visit some of the District’s most colorful and time-tested landmarks.
Start at the Congressional Cemetery (1801 E St., S.E.) along the Anacostia River, open every day from dawn to dusk for tourists. There’s also a popular dog-walking club but there’s a waiting list to join. Call ahead and schedule a visit to the 30-acre cemetery, established in 1807 and named a National Historic Landmark in 2011. When you get there, scout out the tombstones of J. Edgar Hoover, the first director of the FBI long rumored to be gay, and Leonard Matlovich, the first gay soldier to publicly out himself in protest of the military’s ban on gay members. For more information, visit congressionalcemetery.org
If you live in the area, chances are you’ve already visited Arlington Cemetery. But this time, make sure you take a tour of the Arlington House (321 Sherman Dr., Fort Myer, Va.), the former residence of Robert E. Lee, commander of the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Schedule some time to tour the house, built by slaves between 1802 and 1818, as well as the flower garden and the slave quarters on the plantation grounds. For more information, visit nps.gov.
If one Civil War-themed outing isn’t enough, head to Ford’s Theatre (511 10th St., N.W.), the site of former President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination shortly after the conclusion of the war. Book tickets in advance for “One Destiny,” a 35-minute reconstruction of the sequences of events the night Lincoln was shot, showing at various times this summer. Walk across the street to the Petersen House, which showcases Lincoln’s deathbed. For details about show times and museum hours, visit fords.org.
For a step even further back in time, visit the Octagon House (1799 New York Ave., N.W.) the temporary residence of President James Madison and his wife during the War of 1812 where they sought refuge after the White House was burned to the ground by British soldiers. The home, designed by the original architect of the U.S. Capitol, now serves as the home of the American Institute of Architects. To schedule a private or group tour, visit theoctagon.org.
Christ Church (620 G St., S.E.), built in the late 1700s, is where presidents including James Madison and Thomas Jefferson and renowned American composer John Philip Sousa spent their Sunday mornings. And you can too: the District’s first Episcopal church hosts Sunday services at 9 and 11 a.m. To learn more about one of the oldest places of worship in the city, visit washingtonparish.org.
The recently renovated Howard Theatre (620 T St. N.W.) has been a Mecca for D.C. black theatergoers for decades. Recently, the performance hall has hosted renowned celebrities including Wanda Sykes and Chaka Khan. The venue has been a community mainstay through the ages, featuring jazz age performers like Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington and Motown legends like Stevie Wonder and the Supremes. Originally built in 1910, the theatre has a jam-packed list of shows and events to choose from, including R&B singer Carl Thomas and weekly Sunday soul food brunch featuring the Harlem Gospel Choir. For information about events and ticket prices, visit thehowardtheatre.com.
Stop by the Heuric House (1307 New Hampshire Ave., N.W.), a Victorian-style house and museum built in the late 1890s by German immigrant Christian Heuric, who ran his own brewing company. Tours of the building are offered Thursdays through Saturday. The house and museum also hosts History and Hops featuring beer from local brewery Devil’s Backbone, Thursday (July 17) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Guests must be at least 21 years old. Tickets are $30. Sign up at heurichhouse.org.
While we’re on the subject of beer, don’t forget to grab a drink at local historic bars, including the Round Robin and Scotch Bar (1401 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.), where civil rights activist Martin Luther King scripted his “I Have a Dream Speech,” and Off The Record (800 16th St., N.W.), the stomping grounds for famous politicians and journalists, located just one block away from the White House. For a slightly younger crowd, visit The Tombs (1226 36th St., N.W.), popular among Georgetown University students since its construction in the 1960s. The dark interior features pictures from the World War I era. The bar is located in the basement of Restaurant 1789, a classier spot with a more expensive menu.
People looking to escape the Beltway for an afternoon should visit former President George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate in Mount Vernon, Va., a 500-acre expanse along the Potomac River. To sign up for a small tour, which also stops in Old Town Alexandria, visit dctours.us.
Tourists who can’t settle on just one historic site should sign up for a walking ghost tour, a historic, theatrical and slightly scary guided trip through D.C. To sign up for a 90-minute Capitol Hill tour, visit scarydc.com. For a tour along Georgetown’s historic cobblestone sidewalks, sign up for a walking tour, starting at the Old Stone House (3051 M St. N.W.) and concluding at the famed steps featured in “The Exorcist” at freetoursbyfoot.com.
Fairfax City Pride was held at the Sherwood Center (3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, Va.) on Saturday, June 6.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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D.C. prepares to party as Pride celebrations kick off Saturday
Bars, clubs have busy lineups; Pride on the Pier returns
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.
The D.C. Front Runners held the 14th annual 5K Pride Run at Congressional Cemetery on Saturday, June 6.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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