Out & About
SPRING ARTS 2017 EVENTS: Dances, dinners, drag & drama
Mega Networking, GLAA awards, Women’s Fest among spring events
Ba’Naka (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Some events don’t fit in our other spring arts categories. Here are a few to note:
Rainbow Families has a family dance on Saturday, March 4 at Washington Ethical Society (7750 16th St., N.W.). Details at rainbowfamilies.org.
The Coven and GLOE present “Pride of Purim: a Queer Masquerade” on Saturday, March 11 at 10 p.m. at Ten Tigers Parlour (3813 Georgia Ave., N.W.). Tickets at thejdc.convio.net.
Ba’Naka’s “Bigg Gurrl Birthday Bash” with Darienne Lake (of “Drag Race” fame) is Saturday, March 11 at Town at 10 p.m. Details at towndc.com.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival has its Pink Tie Party at the Reagan Building (1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) on Thursday, March 16 from 7-11 p.m. Tickets at nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.
(Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
FIST 2017 — the Fighting Improv Smackdown Tournament is March 16-April 15 at Source (1835 14th St., N.W.). Details at witdc.org.
The Imperial Court of Washington has its Black & Blue Ball on Saturday, March 18 from 6-9:30 p.m. at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.). Details at imperialcourtdc.org.
The “Queen of the Night” drag competition is Saturday, March 18 at Town. Details at towndc.com.
BARE Military Style by the Ladies of LURe is Saturday, March 18 from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.). Details on the event’s Facebook page.
The Capital Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce has its ninth annual Mega Networking and Social Event on Wednesday, March 22 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.). Details at caglcc.org.
CAGLCC Mega Networking Event. (Washington Blade file photo by Joe Tresh)
OutWrite presents Warrior Poets, Speaking as Resistance on Wednesday, March 22 from 7-9 p.m. at Petworth Citizen (829 U St., N.W.) featuring readings from Taylor Johnson, Danielle Reed and PeaceJah.
The third annual ONYX Mid-Atlantic Code Red fundraiser is Saturday, March 25 from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) and is a benefit for local LGBT non-profits. Details on the event’s Facebook page.
Meat Market, a night of “hot tracks and old-school leather” is Saturday, March 25 at 9 p.m. at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.). Details at dceagle.com.
Light City Baltimore, a “festival of light, music and innovation” is March 31-April 8 at the Baltimore Inner Harbor. Tickets and details at lightcity.org.
The 14th annual Equality Virginia Commonwealth Dinner is Saturday, April 1 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center (403 N. 3rd St., Richmond, Va.). Details at equalityvirginia.org.
The Cherry Blossom Wine & Beer Festival is April 1-2 at the Yards Park (255 Water St., S.E.). Tickets at cherryblossombeerandwine.com.
The Family Equality Council will have a “family building session” on Saturday, April 1 from 3-6 p.m. at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.). Tickets at familyequalitycouncil.com.
“The Ask Rayceen Show” continues with installments April 5 and May 10 at the HRC Equality Center (1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.). Details on the event’s Facebook page.
The Pancakes & Booze Art Show is at Penn Social (801 E St., N.W.) on Thursday, April 6 from 7 p.m.-2 a.m. It’s billed as D.C.’s “largest underground art show” featuring body painting, DJs, a pancake bar and more. Details at pancakesandbooze.com/washingtondc.
The CAMP Rehoboth Women’s Fest is April 6-9. Details at camprehoboth.com.
Dining Out for Life, an annual Food & Friends benefit, is Thursday, April 6. Details at foodandfriends.org.
The D.C. Rawhides have their Town & Country anniversary dance on Saturday, April 15 at 6 p.m. at Union Market D.C. (1309 5th St., N.E.). Details here.
Team D.C.’s “A Night of Champions” is Saturday, April 15 at the Washington Hilton (1919 Connecticut Ave., N.W.). Tickets are $100 at teamdc.org/champions.
Todrick Hall returns to Washington with his “Straight Outta Oz Tour” April 18-19 at the Howard Theatre (620 T St., N.W.). Details at todrickhall.com.
GLAA has its 2017 Distinguished Service Awards on Thursday, April 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Policy Restaurant & Lounge (1904 14th St., N.W.). Details at glaa.org.
The 16th annual Georgetown Day is Friday, April 28 at 8 a.m. at Copley Lawn. Details on the event’s Facebook page.
The 2017 Mister & Miss Gay Arlington Pageant is Friday, April 28 at Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 S. 23rd St., Arlington, Va.). Details at freddiesbeachbar.com or search for the event on Facebook.
The D.C. Chocolate Festival is Saturday, April 29 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park (2660 Woodley Road, N.W.). Tickets at dcchocolatefestival.com.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington has its spring affair “A Night at the Moulin Rouge” on Saturday, May 6 at the Mayflower Hotel (1127 Connecticut Ave., N.W.). Details at gmcw.org.
The AIDS Walk & Run Baltimore is Sunday, May 7 at the Maryland Zoo. Details at chasebrexton.org.
The Capital Pride Heroes Gala is early this year — it will be Saturday, May 13 from 7-11 p.m. at the Carnegie Library (801 K St., N.W.). Details at capitalpride.org.
The Helen Hayes Awards for local theater are Monday, May 14 at the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.). Details at theatrewashington.org.
(Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
A Night Out for Trevor, a benefit for the Trevor Project, is Friday, May 19 from 7-10 p.m. at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco (700 F St., N.W.). Details at capitalpride.org.
Trans Pride is Saturday, May 20 at Studio Theatre (1501 14th St., N.W.). Details at capitalpride.org/events/capital-trans-pride.
Capital Trans Pride (Washington Blade photo by Tyler Grigsby)
The Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch is Sunday, May 21 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel (2500 Calvert St., N.W.) at 11 a.m. Details at victoryfund.org.
JFK Centennial Week is May 23-29 (various events) at the Kennedy Center. Details at jfkc.org.
Black Planet: a Black Pride Celebration is Sunday, May 28 from 4-8 p.m. at Tropicalia (2001 14th St., N.W.). Tickets at blackplanet.splashthat.com.
D.C. Black Pride is Memorial Day weekend (May 26-29) with many events. Details at dcblackpride.org.
No word as of Blade press time on 2017 installments of Gay Day at the Zoo, Youth Pride or the Charm City LGBT Film Festival, events usually held in May.
Out & About
Documentary about Blade reporter to premiere this month
Panel discussion to follow ‘Lou’s Legacy’ screening
“Lou’s Legacy: A Reporter’s Life at the ‘Washington Blade’” will premiere on Thursday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.
This new documentary from Emmy-nominated D.C. filmmaker Patrick Sammon tells the story of the legendary Blade news reporter, Lou Chibbaro Jr., as he works on an article about the return of drag icon Donnell Robinson – also known as Ella Fitzgerald — to the Capital Pride stage.
The documentary follows Chibbaro as he works on a story about Ella’s triumphant return to the Pride stage after three years away because of COVID. Donnell and Chibbaro reflect on their careers and discuss the ongoing backlash against the LGBTQ community, including laws targeting drag performers.
After the screening, there will be a panel discussion moderated by D.C. journalist Rebekah Robinson and featuring Blade Publisher Lynne Brown. This event is free and more details are available at the DC Public Library website.
Friday, May 16
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St. NW. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” 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.
Trans Genderqueer Game Night will be at 6 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This will be a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Saturday, May 17
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.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. 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.
Sunday, May 18
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Pride Kickoff FunDay Social” at 4 p.m. at Moxy. This event is ideal for making meaningful new connections and informal community building. Or just to unwind and enjoy the group happy hour. Fabulous people from all over the world are expected and nametags will be provided. This event is free to attend and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Art with Tosca will host “Queer Icons & Trailblazers: An Art Tour for World Pride DC 2025” at 2:00p.m. at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. This will be an unforgettable exploration of LGBTQ+ history, identity, and artistic expression at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. Celebrate the vibrant history and culture of the LGBTQ+ community through compelling portraits and groundbreaking works that highlight the power of queer artistry. Tickets cost $48 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Monday, May 19
“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” 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].
“Pickets, Protests and Parades Exhibit Tour” will be at 7 p.m. at Freedom Plaza. This exhibition honors the courage, resistance, and resilience of D.C.’s LGBTQ+ community. Tickets start at $10 and are available on Eventbrite.
Tuesday, May 20
Center Bi+ Roundtable Discussion will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as bi individuals in a private setting. For more details, visit Facebook or Meetup.
Wednesday, May 21
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 — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 22
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 with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
DC Anti-Violence Project Open Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. These are open meetings, and we would love to see anyone who is interested in learning more and getting involved in lessening violence both within and directed towards the LGBT communities. For more details, visit Facebook and Twitter.
Out & About
DJs to hold panel discussion on music, identity
Featured artists include DJ Chord, Tezrah and Jake Maxwell
Promethean Fundraising will host “Circuit Music: A LGBTQ+ Cultural Identifier,” an exclusive panel featuring influential LGBTQ DJs in the music industry, on Thursday, May 29 at 7 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBTQ Community (1828 Wiltberher St., N.W.).
The event will provide a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with these groundbreaking artists as they share their journeys, discuss the cultural significance of circuit music, and explore how music can serve as a platform for advocacy and empowerment within the LGBTQ+ community. The featured artists are DJ Chord, Tezrah and Jake Maxwell.
This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
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