Out & About

LGBT-affirming D.C. churches, centers offer Christmas, Kwanzaa events

National City, St. Paul’s Episcopal among local gay-welcoming parishes

Published

5 years ago

December 21, 2017

Mariah Cooper

LGBT-affirming, Christmas, Orlando mass shooting, Foundry United Methodist Church, gay news, Washington Blade

Foundry United Methodist Church (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Christmas Eve

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Rock Creek (Rock Creek Church Rd. and Webster St., N.W.) holds a Christmas Eve service today from 5-8 p.m.

St. Thomas’ Parish and St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1830 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) celebrate the Festive Holy Eucharist tonight from 11 p.m.-midnight. Rev. Alex Dyer will give the sermon. The service will feature special music.

Dumbarton United Methodist Church (3133 Dumbarton St., N.W.) has a Christmas Eve worship service at 6:30 p.m. There will be a children’s Christmas pageant, special Christmas music, blessing of children, carols and candlelight.

National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.) holds a candlelight community worship service with prelude music at 7 p.m.

Seekers Church (276 Carroll St., N.W.) celebrates Christmas Eve with a dinner from 6-7 p.m. followed by a service of lessons and carols from 7:30-8:30 p.m. The service will feature homilist David Llyod.

The Christ Church on Capitol Hill (620 G St., S.E.) has events and services throughout the day and night. At 4:30 p.m., the church hosts its “Come as you are” family service which features an informal pick-up pageant, carols, children’s message and communion. A formal family service follows at 6:30 p.m. with a Christmas pageant, homily, carols, communion and music from the St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble. At 10 p.m. there will be a choral prelude with the St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble. They will be joined by the Christ Church choir. The Festival Eucharist follows at 10:30 p.m. with a candlelit sanctuary, sermon, communion, carols and music from the St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble. The final event is the festive reception at 11:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring food and drink to share.

Unity Fellowship Church (474 Ridge St., N.W.) has a Christmas Eve service from 3-5 p.m.

Foundry United Methodist Church (1500 16th St., N.W.) holds a children’s Christmas Eve service today from 6-7 p.m. followed by a Candlelight Christmas Eve Service from 8-9 p.m.

Metropolitan Community Church of Washington (474 Ridge St., N.W.) has a Christmas Eve service from 7-8 p.m.

Saint John’s Episcopal Church (1525 H St., N.W.) has Christmas Eve services from 4:30-11 p.m. At 4:30 p.m. there will be carols and anthems followed by a pageant and the Choral Holy Eucharist at 5 p.m. At 7 p.m. there will be carols and anthems with the Festival Eucharist starting at 7:30 p.m. The last service of the night kicks off with carols and anthems at 10:30 p.m. and then Festival Eucharist at 11 p.m.

Christmas Day

Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) holds its Christmas Day Holy Eucharist at 11:15 a.m. featuring scripture, season choral performance, instrumental music and hymns. Passes are not required. At 1:30 p.m. there will be a Christmas Day organ recital featuring organists Rev. Benjamin Pearce and George Fergus. There is a $10 recommended donation.

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1830 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) has a Christmas Day service with the Holy Eucharist from 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

Kwanzaa

Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum hosts a Kwanzaa celebration at Fort Stanton Recreation Center (1812 Erie St., S.E.) on Thursday, Dec. 27 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Melvin Deal African Heritage Drummers and dancers will perform. Admission is free but registration is required.

Kuumba Kids hosts its 48th annual Kwanzaa Children Party at Panorama Room (1600 Morris Rd., S.E.) on Friday, Dec. 29 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. There will be African dance and drumming classes, storytelling, face painting, arts and crafts, candle-lighting ceremony, a Karamu feast and a performance featuring the Kuumba Kids, RBG and Imani Steppers. Admission is free. Every child will receive a Kwanzaa gift bag with goodies and a T-shirt.

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Out & About

Blade, Baltimore Banner explore state of LGBTQ community

‘State of the Community: LGBTQ+ Edition’ at Center Stage

Published

4 days ago

August 10, 2022

Tinashe Chingarande

A fire that destroyed this home in Baltimore is being investigated as a hate crime. This and other community concerns will be addressed at a community event Wednesday in Baltimore. (Photo by Jim Becker)

The Washington Blade and the Baltimore Banner will join forces to host “State of the Community: LGBTQ+ Edition” on Wednesday, Aug. 10 at 6 p.m. at Center Stage, The Head Theater, in Baltimore.

The event is a platform for the LGBTQ community to express concerns about recent developments with the Supreme Court, the current political climate, monkeypox, and other issues.

The event will be hosted by John-John Williams IV, DEI reporter for the Baltimore Banner, and feature Andre K. McDaniels, managing editor of the Baltimore Banner and Kevin Naff, editor-in-chief of the Washington Blade.

The event is free but registration is required. Beer and refreshments will be on sale. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Out & About

10 LGBTQ events this week

A Gaga afterparty and a cardboard boat regatta among attractions

Published

5 days ago

August 8, 2022

Michael Key

(Washington Blade photos by Vanessa Pham and Michael Key)

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.

Reign

Monday, August 8
8-11 p.m.
DIK Bar
1637 17th Street, N.W. (second floor)
Facebook

Join Logan Stone, Dabatha Christie and Hennessey for a fun-filled drag show at Dupont Italian Kitchen Bar tonight at 8.

OMGaga Afterparty

**Lady Gaga** (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Monday, August 8
10 p.m.
Green Lantern
1335 Green Court, N.W.
Facebook

Did you catch the Gaga concert tonight? Whether you did or not, join the afterparty at Green Lantern. Show your ticket stub from the concert for a free drink on the dance floor.

Drag Bingo with Desiree Dik

**Desiree Dik** (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Tuesday, August 9
7-9 p.m.
Red Bear Brewing Co.
209 M Street, N.E.
Facebook

Join Desiree Dik for a game of bingo at Red Bear Brewing Co. on Tuesday. Free to play.

Queer Trivia

Wednesday, August 10
7-9 p.m.
Dew Drop Inn
2801 8th Street, N.E.
Facebook

The Mistresses lead a night of Queer Trivia on all things gay at the Dew Drop Inn on Wednesday.

Thirst Trap Thursdays

Thursday, August 11
10 p.m.
Pitchers DC/A League of Her Own
2317 18th Street, N.W.
Facebook

Venus Valhalla and Cake host the Thirsty Thursdays drag show at Pitchers/ALOHO on Aug. 11.

LGBTQ Social at Wild Days

Friday, August 12
7-9 p.m.
Wild Days Rooftop Bar at the Eaton Hotel
1201 K Street, N.W.
21+
Eventbrite

Have some casual conversations with new friends in the LGBTQ community over drinks in a relaxed atmosphere. Hosted by Go Gay DC.

A Love Letter to RENT

Friday, August 12
10 p.m.
JR.’s Bar
1519 17th Street, N.W.
Free admission
Facebook

Watch a drag show dedicated to the hit musical RENT. If you miss the first show on Friday, come by on Saturday at 4 p.m. for an encore performance.

Lights On, Barks Out! Disco Heat Drag Brunch

Saturday, August 13
Seating 11 a.m./show 12 p.m.
Astro Beer Hall
1306 G Street, N.W.
$15 cover
Facebook

Join host Doming0 for the Disco Heat Drag Brunch on Saturday at Astro Beer Hall.

Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta

*Lake Anne (Blade file photo by Vanessa Pham)*

Saturday, August 13
2 p.m.
Lake Anne Plaza
1609 Washington Plaza
Reston, Va.
Facebook | Website

Watch a cardboard regatta race along Lake Anne in Reston, Va. Or, you could even participate (rules here)!

Mister & Miss AGLA Scholarship Fundraiser

*Miss AGLA 2020-21 **Ashlee Jozet Adams** and Mr. AGLA 2020-21 **Xavier Bottoms** will be honored at the event alongside the newly-crowned Mr. and Miss AGLA 2022. (Photo via Facebook)*

Sunday, August 14
7-9 p.m.
Freddie’s Beach Bar & Grill
555 23rd Street S
Arlington, Va.
$10 donation requested
Facebook

Join a fundraiser for a good cause: a college scholarship for an outstanding Arlington County Public High School senior. Also, the 2022 Mr. and Miss AGLA will be crowned.

Out & About

10 LGBTQ events this week

Sports, dancing and drag in the days to come

Published

2 weeks ago

August 1, 2022

Michael Key

Events this week include country western dancing, United Night OUT and drag shows. (Washington Blade file photos)

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.

Stonewall Kickball League Social and Registration

Monday, August 1
6-8 p.m.
Number Nine
1435 P Street, N.W.
Facebook

Meet up with other new players and team captains on the second floor of Number Nine for a registration event.

Sleaze: Hot, Innit?

Thursday, August 4
Doors 9 p.m.
DC9 Nightclub
1940 9th Street, N.W.
$10
Facebook

Sleaze is a monthly LGBTQ+ party blending the darker sides of disco with forward-thinking techno. Hennessey and Jane Saw perform with music provided by DJs Room 12, Lemx and KeenanOrr.

OutWrite LGBTQ Book Festival

Thursday, August 4 – Sunday, August 7
Website

This year’s OutWrite Festival features 70 LGBTQ+ authors with a full weekend of readings, panels and workshops. All events are livestreamed free and open to the public.

Slay Them Drag Competition

Friday, August 5
9 p.m.
Red Bear Brewing Company
209 M Street, N.E.
Facebook

Desiree Dik hosts the drag competition “Slay Them” at Red Bear Brewing Co. on Friday.

Trade Yard Sale

Saturday, August 6
2 p.m.
Trade
1410 14th Street, N.W.
Facebook

Trade participates in MidCity Dog Days 23rd annual Sidewalk Sale with its own yard sale on Saturday. Find some crafts, drag and art that you aren’t likely to find anywhere else!