Arts & Entertainment
Booze and boos
The Zoo, Distrkt C, Synetic among main Halloween area events
The region is teeming with LGBT-friendly Halloween parties and costume contests this weekend. (Washington Blade photo by Damien Salas)
With Halloween falling mid-week this year, all the big partying is this weekend. Here are some regional highlights, many with a gay twist.
Friday, Oct. 27
Camp Variety Cabaret presents the “Scary Tales: A Grimm Night of Burlesque” tonight at 8 p.m. Burlesque and variety performers will bring to life Washington’s scary fairy tales. Performers include Ophelia Zayna Hart, Danny Cavalier, Queen Nefertittie, Ginger Jameson, Delilah Dentata (Rocky), Cherie Sweetbottom, Carlita Caliente, Phoenix King. Buster Britches hosts the show. Zamora the Torture King will be the special guest.Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door. Doors open at 8 p.m. For more details, search “Camp Variety Cabaret” on Facebook.
Night of the Living Zoo is at Smithsonian’s National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) tonight from 6:30-10 p.m. There will be live entertainment, performance artists, a bar and food trucks. There will also be a costume contest, rides on the Speedwell Conservation Carousel and snowless tubing. Guests will receive after-hours access to the Small Mammal House, Reptile Discovery Center and Great Cats Circle. General admission tickets are $30 for members of FONZ and $40 for non-members. It includes two drink tickets and complimentary soda and water. VIP tickets are $65 for FONZ members and $90 for non-members. It includes three drink tickets, VIP express check-in, a souvenir tumbler, one ticket for snowless tubing, private access to the VIP bar and lounge, complimentary food tastings, animal demonstrations and a private dance party. For more details, visit national zoo.si.edu/events/night-living
D.C. Bear Crue hosts its annual Halloween contest at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) tonight from 6-11 p.m. Prizes include drink tickets and bottles of alcohol. Line up starts at 9 p.m. and contest starts at 9:30 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/bearhappyhour.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts Stranger Queens Halloween Party, for guests 18 and older, tonight at 10 p.m. Drag show starts at 10:30 p.m. GoGo boys perform after 11 p.m. DJ West and DJ Back2back will play music. There will be a costume contest at midnight with cash prizes of $500, $250 and $150. Cover is $15.
Burlesque-a-pades presents a two-night Halloween show featuring Angie Pontani, the Main Attraction, Mr. Gorgeous, Ginger Leigh, Cherry Bomb, Peek-a-Boo Revue and Rosalee Sweet and other special guests. Albert Cadabra hosts. The show will take place at the Creative Alliance (3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore, Md.) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. On Saturday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m., the show takes place at Rams Head On-Stage (33 West St., Annapolis, Md.). Tickets are $22.50. For more information, visit creativealliance.org and ramsheadonstage.com.
Synetic Theater (1800 S Bell St., Arlington, Va.) hosts its 11th annual Vampire’s Ball tonight at 8 p.m. The party will follow the theater’s performance of “Peter Pan.” There will be an open bar and costume content. DJ Konstantine Lortkipandidze will play music. Tickets include the 8 p.m. performance of “Peter Pan.” Tickets range from $25-75.
Saturday, Oct. 28
Ghosttown, Town’s 21-and-over Halloween party, is tonight at 10 p.m. There will be a costume contest at midnight with $1,000, $500 and $250 cash prizes. DJ Ed Bailey and DJ West will play music. Drag show starts at 10:30 p.m. Cover is $15. For more details, visit towndc.com.
Synetic Theater hosts its new Pirate’s Ball, a family friendly party, today at 2 p.m. Tickets include the 2 p.m. performance of “Peter Pan,” family activities, light appetizers and a meet-and-greet with some of the cast. Guests are encouraged to come in costume and to bring a trick-or-treat bag. Tickets range from $50-70. For more details, visit synetictheater.org.
Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) hosts Eighties Mayhem: ‘80s Halloween Dance Party tonight at 9 p.m. DJ Missguided, DJ Steve EP and DJ Killa K will spin tracks. Costumes are encouraged. Cover is $15. For more details, blackcatdc.com.
Mamajuana Edibles hosts “Tree or Treat,” a Halloween cannabis event, today from noon-4 p.m. Costumes are encouraged but not required. There will be music, vendors, special edition edibles and more. Smoking is permitted. A $5 donation is required. The address will be given with RSVP. For more information, visit facebook.com/mamuanaedibles.
Uproar Lounge and Restaurant (639 Florida Ave., N.W.) hosts House of Horror Costume Party tonight from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. The party is open theme and all costume types are allowed. For more details, visit facebook.com/uproarloungedc.
Skintight USA hosts Hot Horror Halloween at Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) tonight from 8 p.m.- 2 a.m. There will be a costume contest and raffle with $1,000 in prizes including porn, comics, toys and games. Shirley U. Jest will perform. DJ David Merrill will spin tracks. Tickets are $10 at the door. For more information, visit facebook.com/skintightusa.
Distrkt C hosts Warlock, a Halloween party, at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) tonight from 10 p.m.-6 a.m. DJ Josh Whitaker will play an extended set. There will be a midnight costume contest with a $250 prize. Tickets are $25. For more details, visit distrktc.com.
Lindy Promotions hosts its 19th annual Nightmare on M Street bar crawl today from 2-8 p.m. There will be costume contests, prizes and drink specials. Participating bars are Barcode, the Big Hunt, Blackfinn, Decades, Dirty Bar, Dirty Martini, The Gryphon, Public Bar and D.C. Taphouse. Tickets range from $10-20. For more information, visit lindypromo.com.
Sunday, Oct. 29
Flash hosts a Halloween edition of Flashy After Hours this morning from 3:30-9 a.m. Tickets are $30. Guests with a wristband to the Cherry Fund party at Cobalt will receive $5 off. DJ Sean Morris and DJ Twin will play music. For more information, visit facebook.com/flashydc.
Tuesday, Oct. 31
D.C. Gaymers host a Halloween party at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) tonight from 7-10 p.m. The group will be playing classic games like “Smash Bros.,” “Mario Kart,” “Tekken,” “Pokken Tournament” and more. The game “Resident Evil” will also be screened. There will be a raffle for prizes and a costume contest with a grand prize of $500. For more details, visit facebook.com/dcgaymers.
D.C. Front Runners hosts a Halloween-themed run kicking off at Union Station (50 Massachusetts Ave., N.E.) tonight from 7-9 p.m. Costumes are encouraged. For more details, search “D.C. Front Runners” on Facebook.
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony
The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Laverne Cox, Reneé Rapp, Deacon Maccubbin named WorldPride grand marshals
House passes reconciliation with gender-affirming care funding ban
PHOTOS: D.C. Trans Pride
Men convicted of murdering two men in NYC gay bar drugging scheme sentenced
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
WorldPride events round-up
Pope Leo XIV: Family based on ‘stable union between a man and a woman’
Wes Moore signs HIV decriminalization bill
