Bars & Parties
D.C. region gears up for Mardi Gras
Parades, theme parties and more among Fat Tuesday fun

CTRL: Mardi Gras is at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 11 p.m.-4 a.m. Mardi Gras-themed décor, bead queens and surprise guests will give this CTRL party a Fat Tuesday twist. Kalorama Photography and David Claypool will provide a flashing Photo Booth for the event. Drag show begins at 10:30 p.m. Cover is $12. For more information, visit facebook.com/ctrldc.
The IVy Project presents a Mardi Gra edition of MasQUEERade at Big Chief (2002 Fenwick St., N.E.) on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Masks will be provided while supplies last. Costumes are encouraged. There will be drink specials all night and games such as Big Jenga, Corn-hole, Flip cup and more. Electrox and Milko provide music for the nigh. There is no cover. For details, visit facebook.com/ivyprojectdc.
Fall’s Church’s will have a Mardi Gras parade begins at 100 W Broad St., Falls Church, Va. on Sunday, Feb. 26 from 5-6 p.m. Locally owned, small businesses will participate in the parade which will run from Brown’s Hardware to Little Falls Street. There will be beads, candy and more. For details, search “Fall’s Church Mardi Gras parade” on Facebook.
Bars & Parties
Music festival to celebrate house music DJ
Salute to Sam The Man Burns include performances from Oji, Tantra and more

Capital House Music Festival will host “Capital House Music Festival Salutes Sam The Man Burns” on Saturday, May 27 at 11 a.m. at Franklin Park D.C.
This ode to the legendary house music DJ will feature performers such as DJ Spen, Oji, Tantra, Sedrick and many others. There will also be opportunities for vendors.
This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Bars & Parties
25 LGBTQ events this week
Mr./Miss/Mx. Capital Pride, Trans Pride and Con Acento among highlights

Below are our picks for some of the most fun and creative things to do this week in the DMV that are of special interest to the LGBTQ community.
DC Boys of Leather May Happy Hour

Thursday, May 18
6-9 p.m.
Trade
1410 14th Street, N.W.
Facebook
The DC Boys of Leather hold its monthly happy hour at Trade tonight.
LIYT Nights and Drag Duels

Thursday, May 18
6:30-10 p.m.
Veterans Plaza
1 Veterans Place
Silver Spring, Md.
Facebook | Eventbrite
Catch a drag duel with “music, comedy performances, choreographed dance, and more” in Silver Spring tonight at Veterans Plaza.
Potomac Motorcycle Club Bar Night

Thursday, May 18
7-11 p.m.
The Green Lantern
1335 Green Court, N.W.
Facebook
The Potomac MC holds its bar night at the Green Lantern at 7 p.m. tonight.
Mr./Miss/Mx. Capital Pride Pageant

Thursday, May 18
7-11 p.m.
Penn Social
801 E Street, N.W.
$17.01+
Facebook | Tickets
The long tradition of a Capital Pride pageant returns after a few dormant years tonight at Penn Social.
LGBTQ+ Social at Puro Gusto

Friday, May 19
7 p.m.
Puro Gusto Cafe
1345 F Street, N.W.
Eventbrite
Go Gay DC welcomes you to a night out of conversation and dinner at Puro Gusto Cafe on Friday.
DTF

Friday, May 19
8 p.m.-3 a.m.
Bunker
2001 14th Street, N.W.
No cover before 10 p.m.
Website
Bunker holds a leather and pup happy hour with no cover from 8-10 on Friday, with a party featuring Boomer Banks into the morning.
“RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 8” Viewing Party

Friday, May 19
8-9:30 p.m.
JR.’s Bar
1519 17th Street, N.W.
Facebook
Watch “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 8” with other fans at JR.’s Bar on Friday at a show hosted by Citrine.
Dirty Dancin’

Friday, May 19
10 p.m.-2 a.m.
UPROAR Lounge and Restaurant
639 Florida Avenue, N.W.
No cover / 21+
Facebook
DJ Popperz brings the music to Dirty Dancin’ at UPROAR Lounge on Friday.
Trans Pride

Saturday, May 20
9:30 a.m.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library
901 G Street, N.W.
Facebook | Eventbrite | Website
There is a full day of workshops planned at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday for Trans Pride.
LGBTQ+ Brunch

Saturday, May 20
10 a.m.
Freddie’s Beach Bar
555 23rd Street S
Arlington, Va.
Eventbrite
Hang out with friends new and old at a brunch in Arlington, Va. on Saturday.
Class Act Brunch

Saturday, May 20
Doors 11:30 a.m. / Show 12:30 a.m.
Sign of the Whale
1525 M Street, N.W.
Eventbrite
Tiffany D. Carter hosts the Class Act Drag Brunch at Sign of the Whale on Saturday and Sunday.
PrEP for Pride

Saturday, May 20
12-7 p.m.
4545 Crain Highway
White Plains, Md.
Eventbrite
Head out to Charles County for a day of Pride activities.
Team DC Night OUT at Washington Prodigy Women’s Football

Saturday, May 20
6 p.m.
Anacostia Senior High School
1601 16th Street, N.W.
$10-$15
Tickets
Catch the Washington Prodigy vs. the Tennessee Trojans at a Team DC Night OUT game on Saturday.
The Mx. Tater Tot Pageant

Saturday, May 20
6 p.m.
Crazy Aunt Helen’s
713 8th Street, S.E.
Webstite
DJ Phil Reese spins the tunes as Logan Stone and Tara Hoot find a new Mx. Tater Tot.
Trans Pride After Party

Saturday, May 20
6:30-8:30 p.m.
As You Are
500 8th Street, S.E.
Facebook | Eventbrite
Trans Pride finishes up with an afterparty on Saturday at As You Are.
Freddie’s Follies

Saturday, May 20
9 p.m.
Freddie’s Beach Bar
555 23rd Street S
Arlington, Va.
Facebook
The weekly drag show, consistently one of the best in the city, always draws a crowd.
The Bear Cave

Saturday, May 20
9 p.m.-2 a.m.
The Green Lantern
1335 Green Court, N.W.
No cover
Facebook
The Bear Cave features DJ Popperz and dancers Kobra, Ricardo and Marshall on Saturday.
Con Acento

Saturday, May 20
9:30 p.m.
JR.’s Bar
1519 17th Street, N.W.
Facebook
Evry Pleasure leads a drag show celebrating hispanic heritage with Domingo, Labianna and Osiris Romanov on Saturday.
Elevate Drag Brunch

Sunday, May 21
11 a.m.
Officina at the Wharf
1120 Maine Avenue, S.W.
$25
Facebook
Chanel Belladonna hosts a drag brunch with Druex Sidora, Citrine and Jasmine Blue at Officina at the Wharf on Sunday.
Equality Prince William Pride

Sunday, May 21
12-4 p.m.
Harris Pavilion
9027 Center Street
Manassas, Va.
Facebook
Meet at Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. for Equality Prince William Pride 2023 on Sunday.
The Nail Salon

Sunday, May 21
4:30 p.m. lounge / 6 p.m. curtain
St. Vincent Wine
3212 Georgia Avenue, N.W.
$15
Instagram
Check out an evening of queer cabaret at St. Vincent Wine on Sunday.
LGBTQ+ Dinner and Conversation

Sunday, May 21
7-11 p.m.
Federico Ristorante Italiano
219 23rd Street S
Arlington, Va.
Eventbrite
The folks at Go Gay DC invite everyone to meet up at Federico for an evening of dinner and conversation.
DC Rawhides: Country Western Dancing

Sunday, May 21
7-11 p.m.
Eastern Market
225 7th Street, S.E.
Facebook
Practice your country line dancing skills at Eastern Market on Sunday.
Drag Show for Charity

Sunday, May 21
8 p.m.
Freddie’s Beach Bar
555 23rd Street S
Arlington, Va.
Eventbrite
Join up with others to give money to charity at a drag show at Freddie’s on Sunday.
Reign Drag Variety Show

Monday, May 22
8:30 p.m.
Dupont Italian Kitchen Bar
1637 17th Street, N.W.
Second floor
Logan Stone hosts “Reign” at DIK Bar on Monday.
Bars & Parties
20 LGBTQ events this week
Taste of Point, Cinco de Mayo parties, Gay Day at the Zoo among highlights

Below are our picks for some of the most fun and creative things to do this week in the DMV that are of special interest to the LGBTQ community.
Goldilocks Trivia

Tuesday, May 2
8-9:30 p.m.
JR.’s Bar
1519 17th Street, N.W.
Facebook
Meet up with friends for a game of trivia with questions in the Goldilocks zone.
(Opening Reception) Survive, Glamorously: Images of Drag in the District

Wednesday, May 3
6-9 p.m.
Ron David Studio at Union Market
1262 5th Street, N.E.
Facebook
The opening reception to the exhibition, “Survive, Glamorously: Images of Drag in the District” will be held at the Ron David Studio in Union Market. Haus of bambi Director Banbi Woofter says, “’Survive, Glamorously’ brings together portraits depicting the breadth of DC’s queerness to remind us of the belligerent tenacity of drag particularly during this second culture war.”
Taste of Point

Wednesday, May 3
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Room & Board
1840 14th Street, N.W.
$150
Facebook | Tickets
Raise money for the Point Foundation to provide scholarships and mentorships to LGBTQ students by attending Taste of Point.
Mocktail Night

Wednesday, May 3
6-10 p.m.
The Dugout at Pitchers DC
2317 18th Street, N.W.
Instagram
Enjoy a night with those who celebrate sobriety at a non-alcohol mocktail night at The Dugout in Pitchers DC.
Pagina Heals at Pitchers

Wednesday, May 3
Meet & greet 9 p.m. / Showtime 10 p.m.
Pitchers DC
2317 18th Street, N.W.
Free show / 21+
Facebook
Cake Pop! and Venus Valhalla host a drag show with Citrine, Labella Mafia and Washington Heights. Pangina Heals of “Drag Race Thailand” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs. the World” will be on hand at the show and ahead of time for a meet & greet.
Daddy Issues

Wednesday, May 3
9 p.m.
Kiki
915 U Street, N.W.
Instagram
Crystal Edge leads a weekly drag show at Kiki on Wednesdays.
Electro POP Thursdays

Thursday, May 4
8 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Bunker
2001 14th Street, N.W.
No cover
Instagram
Electrox brings ElectroPOP Thursdays alive.
ThurSLAY with KC B. Yoncé

Thursday, May 4
9 p.m.
Number Nine
1435 P Street, N.W.
Instagram
KC B. Yoncé leads a show with Bootsy Omega and Orpheus Rose on Thursday at Number Nine. DJ Sean McClafferty brings the music.
Kinky Bears

Friday, May 5
6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
UPROAR Lounge & Restaurant
639 Florida Avenue, N.W.
No cover
Facebook
DJ Popperz entertains the bears on Friday at UPROAR.
We Are: A Benefit Concert for NCTE

Friday, May 5
7:30-10:30 p.m.
Songbyrd Music House
540 Penn Street, N.E.
$12.88+
Facebook | Tickets
The Hello, We Are benefit for the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) is Friday at Songbyrd Music House.
La Loca: Cinco de Mayo

Friday, May 5
8 p.m. – 3 a.m.
Bunker
2001 14th Street, N.W.
Instagram
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at a La Loca party at Bunker on Friday. The drag show starts at 9:30 and dancing goes late into the night.
Osos de Mayo!

Friday, May 5
10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
UPROAR Restaurant & Lounge
639 Florida Avenue, N.W.
No cover / 21+
Facebook
Party with the bears at Osos de Mayo at Uproar on Friday.
Drag Brunch

Saturday, May 6
Showtime 11:30
City Tap
1250 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Reservations
Crystal Edge hosts a drag brunch at City Tap on Saturday.
Underwear Party

Saturday, May 6
8 p.m. – 3 a.m.
Bunker
2001 14th Street, N.W.
8-10 happy hour no cover, Priority tickets available here.
Instagram
Check your heavy clothes at an Underwear Party at Bunker on Saturday. Music by Deanne.
Song Birds Drag Cabaret

Saturday, May 6
9 p.m.
Shaw’s Tavern
520 Florida Avenue, N.W.
$15
Facebook | Eventbrite
Anja Dick hosts the hit sensation Song Birds live music drag cabaret.
Freddie’s Follies

Saturday, May 6
9 p.m.
Freddie’s Beach Bar
555 23rd Street S
Arlington, Va.
Facebook
Destiny B. Childs leads Freddie’s Follies drag show at Freddie’s Beach Bar on Saturday.
Brunch 4 Mother’s Day

Sunday, May 7
11 a.m. / 3 p.m.
Lost Ark Distilling Co.
9570 Berger Road
Columbia, Md.
$30
Eventbrite
Take out mom for Brunch 4 Mother’s Day with Dustyn Dawn, De’ior Koture, Chanel Belladonna and Javon Love at Lost Ark Distilling Co. on Sunday.
Sisters Bingo

Sunday, May 7
1 p.m.
Red Bear Brewing Company
209 M Street, N.E.
Facebook
The DC Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence lead a game of bingo at Red Bear Brewing Company on Sunday.
Invisible History: The Collected Poems of Walta Borawski

Sunday, May 7
6:30 p.m.
Little District Books
737 8th Street, S.E.
Facebook | Eventbrite
Editor Philip Clark holds a reading and Q&A signing of “Invisible History” at Little District Books on Sunday.
Gay Day at the Zoo

Sunday, May 7
10 a.m.
Smithsonian National Zoo
3001 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Free / must reserve ticket
Website | Tickets | Facebook
This annual event has become a popular LGBTQ family destination over the years. Enjoy a day out at the Smithsonian National Zoo.
Daddy Disco

Sunday, May 7
7 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Bunker
2001 14th Street, N.W.
No cover
Instagram
Aytonh brings the music to Daddy Disco Sunday at Bunker.
Dirtee Disco

Sunday, May 7
10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
The Green Lantern
1335 Green Court, N.W.
Facebook
Clothes check is available for this “dirtee” underwear party at Green Lantern on Sunday.
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