Connect with us

Out & About

SUMMER IN THE CITY 2016: events

Concert, parties, food trucks and more pepper regional calendar

Published

on

events, gay news, Washington Blade
events, gay news, Washington Blade

Patrons enjoy a ride at Brew at the Zoo. (Photo courtesy the National Zoo)

As summer gets into full swing, lots of activities and events are happening in the District to pack in those long summer days and nights. Free outdoor concerts, movie screenings, beer and food festivals and pool parties in the coming weeks will give plenty to do in the local area.

The Alden and the McLean Community Center hosts Summer Sundays in the Park at McLean Central Park (1468 Dolley Madison Blvd., McLean, Va.) every Sunday in July at 5 p.m. Tribute bands will play including the English Channel, a British invasion tribute band; the Reflex, an ā€˜80s tribute band; Still Surfinā€™, a Beach Boys tribute band; and more.

Downtown Silver Spring (908 Ellsworth Dr., Silver Spring, Md.) holds live concerts on the Fountain Plaza every Friday night this summer from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Genres include new swing, latin, pop-rock, classic rock, blues, Motown and pop.

Mansion at Strathmore (10701 Rockville Pk., North Bethesda, Md.) holds free summer outdoor concerts every Wednesday this summer at 7 p.m. Performances are held at the Gudelsky Gazebo. Upcoming performers include Ken &Brad Kolodner, the Wild Reeds, Aztec Sun, Cissa Paz and more. Picnic blankets, low beach chairs and small coolers are welcome. Food is available for sale on site.

Truckeroo, a monthly food truck festival, is held through October at the corner of Half Street and M Street, S.E. The next Truckeroo date is July 8 from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Participating food trucks include Bonmi, Surfside, Tapas, D.C. Slices, Feelinā€™ Crabby and more. There will also be live music and cold drinks.

Brew at the Zoo is at the National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) on Thursday, July 21 from 6-9 p.m. This beer festival features unlimited tastings from more than 70 breweries, food trucks and live music from the Reagans. Animal encounters and brew games are also included. Early admission tickets are $85, general admission tickets are $65 and VIP tickets are $100. VIP tickets include a VIP area at Great Cats Circle, complimentary food tastings, lion and tiger keep talks and a takeaway gift. Proceeds benefit Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

Signature Theatre (4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, Va.) hosts an open house on Saturday, July 23 from noon-8:30 p.m. There will be performances every 15 minutes, master classes, family cabarets, season preview concerts and a Broadway on the Plaza finale concert. Games and crafts will also be on the plaza all day.

Kegs and Corks Fest, a craft beer and Maryland wine festival, is at Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds (1450 General Hwy., Crownsville, Md.) starting at noon on Saturday, Aug. 20. There will be unlimited craft beer samples, unlimited wine samples, beer trucks and live music. Lawn chairs and blankets are permitted. Regular admission tickets are $40. VIP tickets are $100 and include private seating under tent, private bathrooms, unlimited beer and wine and a catered reception with food and drinks.

Mer Events hosts a pool party at Vida Fitness Penthouse and Pool Lounge (1212 Fourth St., S.E.) on Saturday, July 30 from 7:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Tickets are $25 until Tuesday, July 26. Tickets are $30 between July 26-30.

Splash Sunday pool parties are every Sunday this summer from noon-6 p.m. at Capitol Skyline Hotelā€™s rooftop pool (10 I St., S.W.) There will be two outdoor bars and one indoor bar. An outdoor grill will be running all day. DJ Antonio Ernesto plays music. There is a free burger and beer with ticket. Tickets are $15.

Various outdoor movie screenings occur all over the District this summer.

Congressional Cemetery (1801 E St., S.E.) screens ā€œSinginā€™ in the Rainā€ on Friday, July 22. There is a suggested $10 donation.

Dumbarton House Jane Austen Film Festival screens ā€œEmmaā€ on Wednesday, July 13 and ā€œPride and Prejudiceā€ on Wednesday, July 27 at Dumbarton House (2715 Q St., N.W.). Films begin at sunset and admission is $6.

Films at the Stone presents ā€œZootopiaā€ on Thursday, July 21 at 8:15 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial (1964 Independence Ave., S.W.). ā€œRaceā€ screens on Thursday, Aug. 25 at 8:15 p.m.

Golden Cinema Series screens films every Friday through July at Farragut Park (Connecticut Ave., and K St., N.W.) at 7:30 p.m. Upcoming films include ā€œClear and Present Danger,ā€ ā€œManchrian Candidate,ā€ ā€œNational Treasure: Book of Secretsā€ and ā€œMars Attacks!ā€

Georgetown Sunset Cinema screens movies at Georgetown Waterfront Park at sundown. ā€œClose Encounters of the 3rd Kindā€ is on Tuesday, July 12; ā€œETā€ is on Tuesday, July 19; ā€œThelma & Louiseā€ is Tuesday, July 26; and ā€œInto the Wildā€ is Tuesday, Aug. 2.

Mitchell Park Films in the Field screens films at S and 23rd St., N.W. ā€œTo Kill a Mockingbirdā€ is on Thursday, July 21 at 8:30 p.m.; ā€œIndiana Jones and the Last Crusadeā€ is on Thursday, Aug.18 at 8 p.m.; and ā€œGhostbustersā€ screens on Friday, Sept 9 at 7 p.m.

Family Night at Sursum Corda is on the plaza at L and First streets N.W. ā€œUpā€ screens on Friday, July 19 and ā€œZootopiaā€ is on Friday, Aug. 16. Movies start at sunset.

Union Market (1309 Fifth St., N.E.) hosts a drive-in movie for ā€œRatatouilleā€ on Friday, Aug. 5 and ā€œGreaseā€ on Friday, Sept. 2. Movies start at 8 p.m. and include captioning. Drive-in parking is $10. Ground seating is free.

U Street Movie Series hosts its film screenings at Harrison Field (1330 V. St., N.W.). ā€œPee Weeā€™s Big Adventureā€ is on Friday, Aug. 17; ā€œFinding Nemoā€ is on Saturday, Sept. 17;Ā  and ā€œThe War Roomā€ is on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

events, gay news, Washington Blade

Truckeroo, a monthly food tasting event, returns July 8 in Southeast Washington. (Photo courtesy Georgetown Events)

Advertisement
FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM
SIGN UP FOR E-BLAST

Calendar

Calendar: March 21-27

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

on

Friday, March 21

ā€œCenter Aging Friday Tea Timeā€ 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].Ā 

Go Gay DC will host ā€œLGBTQ+ Community Social in the Cityā€ at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. 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.Ā 

Saturday, March 22

Go Gay DC will host ā€œLGBTQ+ Community Brunchā€ at 11 a.m. at Freddieā€™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.

Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 11 a.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black lesbian. You do not need to be a member of the Beta Kappa Chapter or the Beta Phi Omega Sorority in order to join, but they do ask that you either identify as a lesbian or are questioning that aspect of your identity. For more details, email [email protected].Ā 

Sunday, March 23

Go Gay DC will host ā€œLGBTQ+ Community Coffee and Conversationā€ at 1:30 p.m. at As You Are. This event is for someone looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ community. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, March 24

ā€œCenter Aging Monday Coffee & Conversationā€ 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].Ā 

Queer Book Club will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This monthā€™s read is ā€œAristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universeā€ by Benjamin Alire SĆ”enz. For more information, email [email protected].Ā 

Tuesday, March 25

Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This support group is for people who identify outside of the gender binary ā€“ whether youā€™re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that youā€™re not 100% cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.Ā 

Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-facilitated discussion group and a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so. For more details, visit the groupā€™s Facebook.Ā 

Wednesday, March 26

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 ā€” allowing participants to move away from being merely ā€œapplicantsā€ toward being ā€œcandidates.ā€ For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

LGBTQ Senior Spring Fling Dinner and Dance will be at 6 p.m. at the True Reformer Building. Join Capitol Hill Village, DACL, The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center, Iona, and Seabury for its first-ever event of this kind, where thereā€™ll be a DJ, special party favors, and lots of good food. To RSVP, visit the DC Centerā€™s website.Ā 

Thursday, March 27

The DC Centerā€™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.Ā 

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 Communityā€™s website.

Continue Reading

Arts & Entertainment

Array of queer events on tap for D.C. this spring

Art, music, and Rehobothā€™s Womenā€™s+ Fest among options

Published

on

Be Steadwell performs Friday, April 11 at Womenā€™s+ Fest in Rehoboth Beach.

After such a blisteringly cold winter, spring is almost here, which means itā€™s time to hit the streets for unmitigated fun. Below is a list of some of the events you should absolutely check out. 

Flower Factory Party will host a colorful, queer dance party on Sunday, March 16 at Zebbieā€™s Garden. Sweet Spot (aka Chris & Andre), a Baltimore-based DJ, will perform. If you love all things pop music, pop culture, and queer icons ā€” youā€™ll love their sets. They produce a queer dance party in Baltimore, also called Sweet Spot, and have a monthly residency at Trade in D.C. Tickets are $10 and more details are available on Flower Factoryā€™s Instagram.Ā 

The Gay Menā€™s Chorus of Washington D.C. will perform on Saturday, March 15 at 8 p.m. at the Lincoln Theatre as part of its international tour, ā€œPassports.ā€ The group is travelling the globe in song, celebrating diversity in culture and identity in the name of Pride. The show will feature GMCW, along with the smaller ensembles Potomac Fever, Rock Creek Singers, and Seasons of Love, plus GenOUT Youth Chorus, and 17th Street Dance. From African folk songs and South American dance rhythms to American jazz, youā€™ll be dancing in your seats. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Chorusā€™s website.Ā 

Art with Tosca will host ā€œQueer Icons & Trailblazers: An Art Tour for WorldPride DC 2025ā€ on Sunday, May 18 at 2 p.m. at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Art historian and licensed tour guide Tosca Ruggieri will lead an unforgettable exploration of LGBTQ history, identity, and artistic expression at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. Expect to celebrate the vibrant history and culture of the LGBTQ+ community through compelling portraits and groundbreaking works that highlight the power of queer artistry. Tickets start at $50 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.Ā 

AllumĆ© Entertainment Group Xclusive will host ā€œFor Men Only Weekendā€ starting on Friday, April 11 at 8 p.m. at an undisclosed location. There will be ā€œGuys & Gaymesā€ on Friday, which will include a spades tournament, Uno, and more. On Saturday, there will be ā€œDeep Strokes Sip ā€˜Nā€™ Paint.ā€ For this event, presale tickets are priority over door tickets. By purchasing at the door you run the risk of not being able to attend as there are a limited number of seats based on the number of art supplies. This is an indoor event, ticket sales are final (refunds only if event is cancelled). Tips encouraged, and this event is for those 21 and over with valid ID. The weekend will end with ā€œMen & Mimosasā€ on Sunday. For more details, visit Eventbrite.Ā 

Skye Marinda will host ā€œFemme Art Marketā€ on Saturday, March 22 at The Coupe. One dozen local makers will come together to celebrate the Spring Equinox, Womenā€™s History Month, and have fun. Come check out local arts and crafts, tarot readings, and more. Plus, you can enter a raffle for a chance to win goods from our artists. All proceeds to benefit the D.C. Abortion Fund. For more details, visit Eventbrite.Ā 

Caged Bird Productions will host ā€œGAY Soul Foodā€ during the weekend beginning on Friday, March 14 at 7 p.m. at Anacostia Arts Center. Guests are encouraged to come celebrate a special dedication to the mothers, grandmothers and aunts who love their LGBTQ+ family members unconditionally. Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.Ā 

The Howard Theatre will host ā€œElectric Feels: Indie Rock + Indie Dance Partyā€ on Saturday, March 29 at 10:30 p.m. This is an experiential dance party that features all your favorite Indie Rock + Indie Dance songs all night with amazing DJs, stage production and more. Tickets start at $18 and can be purchased on the Howard Theatreā€™s website.Ā 

9:30 club will host ā€œGimme Gimme Disco – A Dance Party Inspired by ABBAā€ on Friday, April 11 at 9 p.m. This is a DJ dance party playing all your favorite ABBA tracks, plus plenty of other disco hits from the 70s & 80s like The Bee Gees, Donna Summer, Cher, and so much more. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased on 9:30 clubā€™s website.Ā 

UpCycle Creative Reuse Center will host ā€œArt Therapy: Neurographic Drawingā€ on Wednesday, March 19 at 7 p.m.Ā  Starting with a short meditation, they will use markers and up-cycled inks to follow intuitions and work through emotions. This workshop is open to anyone ages 8 and up. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.Ā 

The Pancakes & Booze Art Show is coming to Washington D.C. on Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m. at Hook Hall. This is one of the largest pop-up art movements to hit North America over the past decade. Guests are encouraged to come celebrate the groupā€™s 10th year serving free pancakes and introducing you to some of the nation’s leading emerging artists. There will be local artists exhibiting over 750+ pieces of work, free ā€œAll-U-Can Eat Pancakes,ā€ live audio performances from local DJs and music producers, and live body painting and art. This event is for those 21+. Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.Ā 

Womenā€™s+ Fest returns to Rehoboth Beach April 10-13 with a weekend packed full of events, including a golf tournament, art reception, pickleball tournament, a literary pop-up bookstore, and more. The Friday night headliner is Be Steadwell with Gwen LaRoka at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. Col. Grethe Cammermeyer speaks on Saturday morning at 9:30 in the Sands Hotel ballroom. Saturdayā€™s dance party features GirlsRoom and DJ Peggy Castle. Thereā€™s a range of ticket options available at camprehoboth.org.Ā 

Continue Reading

Out & About

Queer a capella group to celebrate rainbow history

‘Not What You Think’ to perform at Heurich House Museum

Published

on

(Image by orson/Bigstock)

The Rainbow History Project will host ā€œNot What You Think,ā€ an a capella performance group supporting queer history on Sunday, March 16 at 12:30 p.m. at Heurich House Museum.

This performance will celebrate the museumā€™s exhibit progress and mark the two months until the exhibitā€™s ribbon cutting. Not What You Think is a group comprised of all gay performers that performs “songs of social justice and humor.”

The museum will accept donations at its event. For more details, visit Eventbrite.Ā 

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement

Sign Up for Weekly E-Blast

Follow Us @washblade

Advertisement

Popular