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
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
