Arts & Entertainment
Best of Gay D.C. XIII: Community
Winners from the Blade’s readers poll

To see the winners of the Washington Blade’s Best of Gay D.C. readers poll in other categories, click here.
Best House of Worship
Foundry United Methodist Church

Lou Ann Sandstrom, left, and Kathleen Kutschenreuter at their wedding recessional at Foundry United Methodist Church on Sept. 28, 2013. (Photo by Paul Morse Photography; courtesy the couple)
1500 16th St., N.W.
202-332-4010
Runner-up: Metropolitan Community Church of Washington
Best Home Furnishings
Miss Pixies Furnishings & Whatnot

Miss Pixie’s (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
1626 14th St., N.W.
202-232-8171
Runner-up: Room & Board
Best Hotel
W Hotel

W Hotel (Photo courtesy of the W Hotel Washington, D.C.)
515 15th St., N.W.
202-661-2400
Runner-up: Hotel Palomar
Best Art Gallery
Winner: Phillips Collection

The Phillips Collection (Photo by Max Hirshfeld; courtesy Phillips Collection)
1600 21st St., N.W.
202-387-2151
Runner-up: Corcoran
Best Non-Profit
Whitman-Walker Health

Whitman-Walker Health CEO Don Blanchon (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
1701 14th St. N.W.
2301 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. S.E.
202-745-7000
Runner-up: SMYAL
Best Salon/Spa
Bang Salon

Bang Salon (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
1612 U St., N.W.
202-299-0925
Runner-up: Logan 14 Aveda
Best Fitness or Workout Spot
Vida Fitness

Vida Fitness (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Locations vary
Runner-up: CrossFit DC
Best Theater
Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center (Photo by Steve via Wikimedia Commons)
2700 F St. N.W.
800-444-1324
Runner-up: Studio Theatre
Best Theater Production
“Avenue Q” (Olney Theatre )
Runner-up: “The Lion King” – Kennedy Center

Jason Loewith, right, with Bobby Smith in rehearsal for ‘Avenue Q.’ (Photo by Sonie Mathew; courtesy Olney Theatre Center)
Often described as Sesame Street meets “Rent,” “Avenue Q” is an angsty, coming-of-age comedy set on a city block inhabited by slutty, shy, straight, gay, and monstrous Muppet-like puppets, and the grown up child actor Gary Coleman imagined as building super. Olney’s terrific take on the delightfully raunchy Tony Award-winning musical was helmed by out artistic director Jason Loewith and featured a top notch cast including Sam Ludwig, Rachel Zampelli, and Stephen Gregory Smith. (PF)
Olney Theatre Center
2001 Olney Sandy Spring Rd.
Olney, Md. 20832
Best LGBT Sports Team
Washington Generals D.C. Gay Flag Football League
Runner-up: D.C. Front Runners

Washington Generals (Photo courtesy Washington Generals)
Washington Generals, part of the D.C. Gay Flag Football League, made it to the Gay Bowl last year. They lost the championship but the team was welcomed back to this year’s Gay Bowl. The team includes both straight and gay members. (MC)
Best LGBT-owned Business
EatWell Restaurants
Runner-up: City Dogs Daycare

Josh Hahn and David Winer of EatWell (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
EatWell is a restaurant management company committed to providing quality food and exciting environments. The company owns and operates a private farm in La Plata, Md., that provides produce for the company’s five restaurants: Commissary, Grillfish, The Heights, Logan Tavern and The Pig. (SMH)
Eat Well Restaurants
202-332-3710
Best Comedy Club
D.C. Improv
1140 Connecticut Ave., N.W.
202-296-7008
Runner-up: Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse
Best Rehoboth Business
Purple Parrot
Runner-up: Blue Moon

Purple Parrot (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
It’s not easy to sustain bar and restaurant success over more than 15 years, but Purple Parrot owners Hugh Fuller and Troy Roberts have managed to do just that by continually reinventing the space and improving on an already good thing. Last year brought a smart renovation of the front bar. The newer Biergarten in back has grown more popular over the past couple years, with standing-room-only crowds in summer. In addition to the food and drinks, there’s entertainment, including drag shows, karaoke and performances during Jazz Fest Weekend and other special events. Jamie Romano and the rest of the staff work hard to keep customers happy and coming back year-round. (KN)
Purple Parrot
134 Rehoboth Ave.
302-226-1139
Best LGBT Social Group
Stonewall Sports
Runner-up: NOVA Pride

Stonewall Kickball All-Stars Game (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Stonewall Sports, an LGBT and ally sports organization, does more than just play. In addition to its leagues, which include bocce and kickball, Stonewall Sports also gives to charities like the DC Center and SMYAL. (MC)
Stonewallsports.leagueapps.com
Best Pet Business
City Dogs Daycare
Runner-up: City Paws Animal Hospital

City Dogs Daycare (Photo courtesy of City Dogs Daycare)
Located between Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan, City Dogs Daycare provides daycare, boarding, training, and grooming for all dogs over 10 lbs. Staff keep the dogs in their care constantly engaged. Grooming services are new for City Dogs and began earlier this month. (SMH)
City Dogs Daycare
1832 18th Street, N.W.
202-234-WAGS

The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

















Music & Concerts
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.

Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.
For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.

Friday, May 2
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 3
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, May 4
“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, May 5
“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, May 6
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, May 7
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 8
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected].
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