Out & About
D.C. Black Pride is Memorial Day weekend
Seminars, parties, concerts, picnics and more on packed schedule
Us Helping Us Picnic in the Park at Fort Dupont Park (Washington Blade photo by Hugh Clarke)
The 27th annual D.C. Black Pride is at various locations in town May 25-29.
Black Pride’s 2017 theme is “The Ties That Bind: Twenty Seven Years of Black Pride,” in celebration of the strong bonds within the LGBT community. On Thursday, May 25 there will be an HIV/AIDS Town Hall, a sexual health seminar, at the Grand Hyatt Washington from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission is free. Lunch is included.
Unleashed D.C. hosts “Welcome 2 D.C.,”a ladies happy hour, at Dirty Martini (1223 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) with music by DJ L Stackz and DJ Jai Syncere. Admission is free before 8 p.m. and $7 after. “The Jump Off: Wet Dreamz Reloaded,” a men’s dance party, is at Stone Fish Lounge (1708 L St., N.W.) from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Admission is $10 before 11 p.m. DJ Sedrick spins.
On Friday, May 26, there will be an opening reception at the Grand Hyatt (1000 H St., N.W.) from 6:30-8:30 p.m.LGBTQ Speed dating and networking will follow from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Omega Entertainment hosts “The Annual 5,000 Men Pride Mega Party” at Bliss Nightclub (2122 24th Pl., N.E.) from 9:30 p.m.-4 a.m. R&B singer K. Michelle will perform.
On Saturday, May 27 there will be the Grown Folks Speak Out 2017, a discussion about growing older in the black LGBT community, at the Grand Hyatt from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Admission is free. Continental breakfast and lunch will be served. There will also be workshops throughout the day including resume writing and interview prep, overcoming hurt in the black church, understanding the trans-attracted man and more. A film festival, screening films such as “Moonlight” and “Check It,” runs from 2-7:15 p.m. Omega Entertainment hosts “The Grandiose Fantasy Mega Pride Party” at the Washington Marriott (2660 Woodley Rd., N.W.) from 9 p.m.-3:30 a.m. featuring a live performance by Lil Kim.
There will be an interfaith worship service with guest speaker Pastor Mitchell Jones on Sunday from 9-11 a.m. at the Grand Hyatt. D.C. Black Pride Brunch is at Dirty Martini (1223 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from noon-6 p.m. with unlimited food and mimosas. Admission is $40.
On Monday, the annual Us Helping Us Picnic in the Park will be at Fort Dupont Park (3600 Minnesota Ave., S.E.) from noon-7 p.m. There will be food and live performances. Admission is free.
For a complete list of events and prices, visit dcblackpride.org.
Out & About
‘How to Survive a Plague’ screens June 5
Commemorating 45th anniversary of first report of AIDS
June 5 marks the 45th anniversary of the first report of AIDS. To commemorate the occasion, Whitman-Walker Health is sponsoring a screening of the film “How to Survive a Plague” on June 5 at 5:30 p.m. at GWU Lisner Auditorium (730 21st St., N.W.).
The screening is free and you can register on Eventbrite. Other partners involved in the screening are the Center for Black Equity, Food & Friends, HIPS, and Us Helping Us.
After the film, attendees will head to Dupont Circle for a candlelight vigil at sunset.
The film reflects on lessons from the community-led response to the plague while honoring those lost to HIV and AIDS. It tells the story of activism and innovation about AIDS survival. Culled from a trove of archival footage, the film is epic and intimate, tracking a small group of people, most of them HIV-positive, in their nine-year-long battle to save their own lives, according to a statement from Whitman-Walker.
Katrina Campbell-Frazier will host “Black Queer Joy: Brunch and Day Party” on Saturday, May 23 at 12 p.m. at Mixxed Food and Drinks.
This event will bring together beautiful energy, music, games, and unforgettable moments — because joy like this deserves to be shared.
Guests can expect unlimited rainbow mimosa flights, a “Build Your Pride” cocktail bar, full food menu and music by DJ Kei-Note K69, among other things.
This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Friday, May 22
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
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].
Saturday, May 23
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.
Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black Lesbian. For more details, email [email protected].
Sunday, May 24
Mobilizing Our Brothers Initiative will host “Sundae Tea: Legendary Community Talk-Back” at 6 p.m. at the Howard Theatre. This is a laid-back gathering where community vibes meet lively conversations. This legendary talk-back is your chance to share thoughts, hear stories, and connect with awesome people. Admission is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, May 25
Queer Book Club will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The Queer Book Club meets on the fourth Monday of the month to discuss books by queer authors. This month’s reading is “To Shape a Dragon’s Breath” by Moniquill Blackgoose For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Tuesday, May 26
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.
Wednesday, May 27
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.
Thursday, May 28
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC LGBTQ+ Community 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.
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 LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website.
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