Out & About
Memorial Day weekend fun
Pretty Boi Drag, skating group plan Black Pride celebrations

Pretty Boi Drag (Washington Blade photo by Chris Jennings)
D.C. Black Pride celebrations continue throughout the weekend with various parties and events.
Pretty Boi Drag hosts a Black Pride brunch at Old Engine 12 Restaurant (1626 N Capitol St., N.W.) on Sunday, May 21 from noon-3 p.m. Admission includes a bottomless buffet. DJ Honey plays tracks. Tickets range from $30-40. For more information, visit prettyboidrag.com.
Jaywalking Productions and Makers Lab host “Black Planet: A Black Pride Celebration” at Tropicalia (2001 14th St., N.W.) on Sunday, May 28 from 4-8 p.m. There will be performances by the CooLots, Pretty Boi Drag and Pinky KillaCorn. Music will be a mix of hip-hip, trap, house, ‘90s and more. Early bird tickets are $10 and regular admission is $15. For more details, visit jaywalkingproductions.com.
Big Boy Pride hosts its Big Boy Party at Living Room (1008 Vermont Ave., N.W.) on Friday, May 26 from 6-11 p.m.There will be drink specials and door prizes. Cover is $10. For more information, visit bigboypride.com.
Monday Night Skating, an LGBT skating group, hosts a Black Pride Skate at Laurel Skate Center (9890 Brewers Ct., Laurel, Md.) on Monday, May 29 from 7:30-10:30 p.m. There will be a conga line, raffles and games. For more details, visit facebook.com/
Anja Dick will host “Song Birds – Live Music Drag Cabaret” on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 9 p.m. at Shaw’s Tavern.
This is an all live singing drag hit sensation. The event will debut performances from Breast Midler and Harri Balls.
Tickets start at $17.85 and are available on Eventbrite.
Friday, August 14
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant.This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Women in their Twenties and Thirties will meet at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area. For more details, visit Facebook.
Saturday, August 15
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 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 will be all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, August 16
“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 are $58.51 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, August 17
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” 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 information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, August 18
“Self-Defense Class with Avi Rome” will be at 12:30 p.m. Rome is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and a full-time Martial Arts instructor with 25 years of teaching experience. He holds a 5th Degree Black Belt in Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do and is the director of the studio’s Adaptive Tae Kwon Do program for students with special needs. He has also run numerous self-defense workshops for various groups and situations. For more details, visit the center’s website.
Center Bi+ Roundtable 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.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Wednesday, August 19
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.
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, August 20
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.
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 Center’s website.
Mr. Henry’s Victorian Pub will host a gala celebrating its 60th anniversary on Saturday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m.
There will be signature cocktails, beer and wine; plentiful throwback hors d’oeuvres, three live bands and a cocktail attire red carpet.
Tickets start at $50 and can be purchased at mrhenrysdc.com.
