Out & About
Pride, Pride and more Pride
Weekend packed with dance parties, parade, festival, concerts and more

Capital Pride Festival (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Friday, June 12
Congregation Bet Mishpachah hosts a National Pride Shabbat at 6th and I Historic Synagogue (600 I St., N.W.) from 6:30-10 p.m. today. After the service there will be a dinner served.
The third annual D.C. Front Runners Pride Run 5K begins at Congressional Cemetery (1801 E St., S.E.) at 7 p.m. tonight. Admission to the race is sold out. After the race there will be a finish line party with beer for race participants, a DJ, entertainment and an awards ceremony for the top runners.
Capital Pride and Brightest Young Things present Flashback Opening Dance Party, Pride’s official opening party, at Arena Stage (1101 6th St., S.W.) tonight at 8:30 p.m. Adore Delano from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and Frenchie Davis from “American Idol” and “The Voice” will perform. Birdie LaCage, Pussy Noir and more will also make appearances. DJ Shea Van Horn, DJ Matt Bailer and many more will play music for the night. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the party. There is no dress code but staying on theme with ‘80s workout clothing is encouraged.
Saturday, June 13
Rainbow History Project hosts a historic gay D.C. walking tour beginning at the Dupont Circle Fountain today from 10-11:30 a.m. Brock Thompson will guide the tour to visit bars, homes and protest sports that held significance to LGBT activism in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
Dupont Circle Hotel (1500 New Hampshire Ave., N.W.) hosts Crack of Noon: Parade Day Pride Brunch today from noon-3 p.m. There will be a gourmet buffet, complimentary mimosa and cash bar featuring Stoli cocktails. There will also be a meet and greet with special guests. Tickets are $65 and must be purchased in advance.
There will be a Family Fun Zone during the Capital Pride Parade at Stead Park (1625 P St., N.W.) today from 3-8 p.m. There will be crafts, water inflatables, yard games, balloon art, snacks, face painting and much more.
The Capital Pride Parade starts at 22nd and P Streets and moves through the Dupont and Logan Circle neighborhoods today from 4:30-7:30 p.m. There will be floats, entertainment, drag queens, local businesses, politicians and much more.
SMYAL hosts Queer and Now, a youth dance party, at National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Cir., N.W.) tonight from 6-10 p.m. There will be food, dancing and HIV testing. Admission is free.
The Ladies of Lure, TAGG Magazine and Capital Pride present F.U.S.E., a women’s dance party, at Howard Theatre (620 T St., N.W.) tonight from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Tickets are $15.
Scorpio Entertainment and Troyal Events host #Undergroundthrowdown at Dance Loft (4618 14th N.W.) tonight from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Music will be focused on the past four decades of gay culture in celebration of Pride’s 40th anniversary. Admission is 18 to enter and 21 to drink.
Mixtape ,a gay dance party, is at 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) tonight at 11 p.m. DJ Matt Bailer and DJ Shea Van Horn will play music for the night. Tickets are $15.
Sunday, June 14
Scandal D.C. hosts Ladies Tea, a ladies dance party, at Penn Social (801 E St., N.W.) from 4 p.m.-midnight.
The Capital Pride Festival is today from noon-7 p.m. along Pennsylvania Ave. between 3rd and 7th streets. There will be vendors, food, music, entertainment and much more.
The Pride Concert presented by Hot 99.5 is at the Capitol Concert Stage in front of the U.S. Capitol Building today from 1-9 p.m. Performers include Wilson Phillips, En Vogue, Katy Tiz and Carly Rae Jepson.
The Cherry Fund and Capital Pride host an after hours charity dance event at Tropicalia (2001 14th St., N.W.) from 3:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. DJ X Gonzalez and Sean Morris will play techno and house music. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door.
Flower Party, Pride’s official closing party, is at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Tickets are $5.
Friday, December 12
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 12 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W. To RSVP, visit the DC Center’s website or email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. 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.
Women in Their Twenties and Thirties will be at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area. For more details, go to Facebook.
Saturday, December 13
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 12 p.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.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. D.C.’s queer community will gather for good food, laughter, and community. For more information, email [email protected].
Sunday, December 14
SADBrunch will host “HokiSlay Drag Brunch” at 12 p.m. at Throw Social. This festive affair brings fierce performances, over-the-top holiday looks, and more sparkle than a tinsel explosion. Expect powerhouse lip-syncs, laughter, and cheer hotter than your spiked cocoa. Cake Pop will host the event. Tickets cost $28.52 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, December 15
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” 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 information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Tuesday, December 16
Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather and discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting. Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Self-Defense Class with Avi Rome” at 12:30 p.m. Rome is a proud member of the LGBTQ community and a full-time martial arts instructor with 25 years of teaching experience. He holds a Fifth Degree Black Belt in Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do and is the director of the studio’s Adaptive Tae Kwon Do program for students with special needs. He has also run numerous self-defense workshops for various groups and situations. For more details, visit the center’s website.
Wednesday, December 17
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. 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.
Asexual and Aromantic Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, December 18
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. 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 Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Team DC will host its annual holiday party on Monday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. at Trade. This event will celebrate Team DC’s sports community, athletes, and Team DC’s accomplishments this past year. Food will be catered by Seasons, and there will be a clothing drive to benefit the DC Center for the LGBT Community.
To RSVP, visit Team DC’s Instagram page.
Friday, December 5
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 12 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W. To RSVP, visit the DC Center’s website or email [email protected].
The DC Anti-Violence Project at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host its second annual open mic event, “Queer Voices: Unwavering” at 7 p.m. This event aims to create a space that allows the LGBTQ community to honor queer siblings of all communities, mourn those lost, and celebrate the power and love in our community. If you are interested in attending or performing, visit this link.
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Silver Diner Ballston. 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, December 6
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 12 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Fueling Our Future” at 7 p.m. This will be a night of purpose, community, and impact and an evening filled with good food, great music, and even better company. Guests will get to enjoy a delicious menu from Right Proper Brewing Company, sip your favorite drinks at the open bar, and enjoy live performances by the amazing Preston Hawes, Tetyana Royzman, Dan Zhang, and Susanna Mendlow. Tickets cost $110 and are available on the DC Center’s website. Funds raised will support the DC Center’s Social and Human Services.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. 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 judgement 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.
Monday, December 8
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” 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 information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
“Soulfully Queer: LGBTQ+ Emotional Health and Spirituality Drop-In” will be at 3 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This group will meet weekly for eight weeks, providing a series of drop-in sessions designed to offer a safe, welcoming space for open and respectful conversation. Each session invites participants to explore themes of spirituality, identity, and belonging at their own pace, whether they attend regularly or drop in occasionally. For more details visit the DC Center’s website.
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Tuesday, December 9
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, December 10
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. 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.
“Movement for Healing with Felicia Taliaferro” will be at 3 p.m. This is a space for nervous system nourishment and embodied restoration. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Thursday, December 11
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. 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 Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
