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.
Out & About
CAMP Rehoboth Block Party returns Oct. 18
Expect performances, vendors and more at annual celebration
CAMP Rehoboth will host its annual Block Party celebration on Sunday, Oct.18 at 11 a.m. on the second block of Baltimore Avenue in downtown Rehoboth Beach.
CAMP Rehoboth invites all community members to join in the festivities and to expect magnificent performances and dozens of vendors, including artists, craftspeople, non-profits, businesses, and more.
The event started in 2015 in celebration of CAMP Rehoboth’s 25th anniversary. This year, attendees can expect to shop sea glass art, pottery, jewelry, Pride merch, body care, clothing, and learn more about local non-profit causes and businesses.
Attendance is free. For more details, visit CAMP Rehoboth’s website.
Friday, October 9
Go Gay DC will host “Out in DC LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This is a chance to relax, new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, October 10
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.
“Nellie’s DC Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Nellie’s Sports Bar. Come get served like a queen by a queen. Join Sapphire Blue, Deja Diamond and their team of amazing drag performers for the most fun you’ll have all weekend. Tickets cost $58.51 and are available on Eventbrite.
Sunday, October 11
Spark Coffee Club will be at 12 p.m. at Spark Social. This is a laid-back daytime hangout built entirely around making new connections. Whether you’re new to the city, new to the community, or just looking to expand your social circle, this is an easy, low-pressure way to spark up a conversation with the person next to you. Come solo or with a friend — you never know who you might meet. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Tuesday, October 13
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event 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].
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.
Wednesday, October 14
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 www.thedccenter.org/careers.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host “Movement for Healing” at 3 p.m. This trauma- and yoga therapy–informed class is designed to help guests gently reconnect with their body and their breath. Through mindful movement, somatic awareness, and grounding practices, guests will explore how to release tension, increase mobility, and cultivate a deeper sense of safety and ease within. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Thursday, October 15
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the Center. 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.
Out & About
Equality Chamber hosts Pride in Business Expo and Profits & Pours
Entrepreneurs, business leaders, professionals to meet at Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs
The Equality Chamber of Commerce is bringing together LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, business leaders, professionals, advocates, and community partners on Thursday, Oct. 15 at 2:30 p.m. at the D.C. Mayor’s Office for LGBTQ Affairs (899 N. Capitol Street, NE).
This is an afternoon and evening focused on one essential question: How do we build businesses and a business community that can thrive? The Pride in Business Expo and Profits & Pours with Stephanie will create a powerful forum for connection, practical knowledge, and economic opportunity at the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs. The Pride in Business Expo, taking place from 4-7 p.m., brings the region’s LGBTQ+ business community together to showcase businesses, build relationships, discover resources, and create new opportunities.
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