Bars & Parties
SPRING ARTS 2018 EVENTS: This ’n that
Many events don’t fit in our usual spring arts categories — here’s the catch all
Team D.C. SportsFest (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
There’s a statue dedication for former (and late) Mayor Marion Barry, Jr. on Saturday, March 3 at 11:30 a.m. at 1350 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. He was mostly LGBT-affirming until his final years in office.
SAGE and Human Rights Campaign join forces on Sunday, March 4 for “Looking Back, Living Forward: SAGE Multigenerational Discussion” at Social Tables (1325 G St., N.W.).
“Pure: the Movie” has its premier at the Green Lantern at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 5.
“The Ask Rayceen Show” has installments on March 7 (season premiere), April 4 (mini ball) and May 2 (community forum).
Comedian Randy Rainbow, known for his spoof interviews with Trump, plays the Warner Theatre (513 13th St., N.W.) on Friday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Mixtape is Saturday, March 10 at 11 p.m. with DJs Matt Bailer, Tezrah and Chaotic.
Story District, which always has LGBT components to its events, has “Beauty & the Beast: Stories About Mismatched Partnerships, Odd Couples or Unlikely Alliances” on Tuesday, March 13 at 8 p.m. at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.). Tickets are $19.50 here.
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” champ Bianca Del Rio has a sold-out show on Tuesday, March 15 at 7 p.m. at the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.).
BARE has its Military Appreciation Night and St. Patty’s Day party on Saturday, March 17 at 10 p.m. at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.). Admission is $7 before midnight or $10 after.
The 11th annual National Rainbow Seder: Reflections on Resistance is Sunday, March 18 at 5 p.m. at Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.). Tickets are $31.50-55.50 here.
The National LGBT Bar Association has its D.C. Out & Proud Corporate Counsel Award Reception on Tuesday, March 20 at 6 p.m. at Atria (101 Constitution Ave., N.W.).
Veterans of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” join up for “Haters Roast: the Shady Tour” on Thursday, March 22 at 8 p.m. at Warner Theatre (513 13th St., N.W.). Tickets are $35-50 here.
Team D.C.’s Spring Sportsfest is Thursday, March 22 at Room & Board (1840 14th St., N.W.). Its Night of Champions Award Dinner is Saturday, April 14. Details at teamdc.org.
Pretty Boi Drag has its Amateur King Night on Thursday, March 22 at the Bier Baron Tavern (1523 22nd St., N.W.). Tickets are $12.61.
Pretty Boi Drag (Washington Blade photo by Tom Hausman)
The D.C. Area Transmasculine Society will have a transmasc and NB (i.e. non-binary) game night will be held on Friday, March 23 at 7 p.m. at 83 P St., N.W.
CTRL is Saturday, March 24 at Town. Details here.
LGBT-affirming author/former pastor Rob Bell brings his “Holy Shift Tour” to the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.) on Tuesday, March 27 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35-60.
Beyonce vs. Rihanna is Friday, March 30 at 9 p.m. at the Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.). Tickets are $15 here.
Awesome CON, always a gay ole’ time with its Pride Alley, is March 30-April 1 at the Convention Center (801 Mt. Vernon Pl., N.W.). Details here.
Last year’s Awesome Con drew enthusiasts of many realms of pop culture and sci-fi. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
The GAG Ball 2018: Gays Against Guns is Saturday, March 31 at 6 p.m. at the Living Room D.C. (1008 Vermont Ave., N.W.). Tickets ($10-20) are here.
The Capital Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce has its annual LGBT Mega Networking and Social Event on Wednesday, April 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.). It’s free.
Light City runs April 6-21 in Baltimore with 21 large-scale light installations from local artists.
The Victory Fund’s National Champagne Brunch is Sunday, April 8 at 11 a.m. at the Omni Shoreham Hotel (2500 Calver St., N.W.). Tickets at victoryfund.org.
Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Out comedian David Sedaris plays the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) on Monday, April 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $39-79.
HRC’s Global Innovative Advocacy Summit is April 9-12 at HRC Headquarters.
CAMP Rehoboth Women’s Fest is April 12-15 in Delaware.
Food & Friends’ Dining Out for Life is Thursday, April 12.
Queer-helmed Church Night has its fifth anniversary event on Friday, April 13 at 9:30 p.m. at the Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.).
Equality Virginia’s 15th annual Commonwealth Dinner is Saturday, April 14 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
There are many events associated with the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The parade is Saturday, April 14 from 10 a.m.-noon on Constitution Ave., N.W.
The National Association of Gay & Lesbian Real Estate Professionals has its LGBT Housing Policy Summit April 17-18 at HRC Headquarters (1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.).
GLAA usually has its Distinguished Service Awards April 26.
GLAA Distinguished Service Awards (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
The Imperial Court of Washington has its Spring Fling! event Saturday, April 21 at 6 p.m. at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.).
BARE has its Spring Fling on Saturday, April 21 at 10 p.m. at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) Look for the event on Facebook for details.
The sixth annual Superhero 5k & Fun Run is Saturday, April 21 at 8 a.m. at East Potomac Park (1090 Ohio Dr., S.W.). Registration details here.
GLSEN’s National Day of Silence is Friday, April 27.
Capital Pride’s Spring Outdoor Movie Night is Monday, April 30 in Stead Park.
We the People and Us Helping Us are joining forces for a month-long series of events in the region devoted to “May Is? All About Trans: 31 Days Celebrating, Being, Living & Loving Transgender People” including a trans summit, trans awards dinner, mini ball for youth and more.
Rainbow Families has its 2018 Family Conference & Gathering on Saturday, May 5 at 8: a.m. at Georgetown Day High School (4200 Davenport St., N.W.). Details here.
The AIDS Walk & Run Baltimore is May 6 at 7 a.m.
Gay Day at the Zoo is Sunday, May 6 from noon-5 p.m. at the National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.).
The Capital Pride Heroes Gala is Saturday, May 12.
The Helen Hayes Awards for Washington theater is Monday, May 14.
Helen Hayes Awards (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Capital Trans Pride is May 18-20.
Capital Trans Pride (Washington Blade photo by Tyler Grigsby)
Out comedian Margaret Cho brings her “Fresh Off the Bloat” show May 18-19 to the D.C. Improv. Comedy Club (1140 Connecticut Ave., N.W.).
Margaret Cho (Washington Blade photo by Michael Ke
GLOE (GLBT Outreach & Engagement at the Edlavitch D.C.-JCC) will host “Hineni: a New Seminar on LGBT Jewish Leadership” on Tuesday, May 22 at 7 p.m. at Adas Israel Congregation (2850 Quebec St., N.W.). Details here.
Whitman-Walker Health’s Going the Extra Mile benefit is Wednesday, May 23 at the Hamilton (600 14th St., N.W.).
D.C. Black Pride is, as always, Memorial Day Weekend and runs May 24-29. Omega Entertainment’s Supreme Fantasy Event is May 24, one of 10 scheduled throughout the weekend. Various packages are available. Details here,
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” vet Shangela plays Black Pride on Friday, May 25, among many other official Black Pride events. This year’s theme is Communities Together Building Community.
a&e features
Your guide to D.C.’s queer New Year’s Eve parties
Ring in 2026 with drag, leather, Champagne, and more
With Christmas in the rear view mirror, we can turn our attention to ringing in a much-anticipated New Year with a slew of local LGBTQ parties. Here’s what’s on tap.
Pitchers
This spacious Adams Morgan bar is hosting the “Pitchers’ Perfect New Year’s Eve.” There will be a midnight Champagne toast, the ball drop on the big screens, and no cover, all night long. The bar doesn’t close until 4 a.m., and the kitchen will be open late (though not until close). All five floors will be open for the party, and party favors are promised.
Trade
D.C.’s hottest bar/club combo is leaning into the Shark motif with its NYE party, “Feeding Frenzy.” The party is a “glitterati-infused Naughty-cal New Year’s Even in the Shark Tank, where the boats are churning and the sharks are circling.” Trade also boasts no cover charge, with doors opening at 5 p.m. and the aforementioned Shark Tank opening at 9 p.m.. Four DJs will be spread across the two spaces; midnight hostess is played by Vagenesis and the two sea sirens sensuously calling are Anathema and Justin Williams.
Number Nine
While Trade will have two DJs as part of one party, Number Nine will host two separate parties, one on each floor. The first floor is classic Number Nine, a more casual-style event with the countdown on TVs and a Champagne midnight toast. There will be no cover and doors open at 5 p.m. Upstairs will be hosted by Capital Sapphics for its second annual NYE gathering. Tickets (about $50) include a midnight Champagne toast, curated drink menu, sapphic DJ set by Rijak, and tarot readings by Yooji.
Crush
Crush will kick off NYE with a free drag bingo at 8 p.m. for the early birds. Post-bingo, there will be a cover for the rest of the evening, featuring two DJs. The cover ($20 limited pre-sale that includes line skip until 11 p.m.; $25 at the door after 9 p.m.) includes one free N/A or Crush, a Champagne toast, and party favors (“the legal kind”). More details on Eventbrite.
Bunker
This subterranean lair is hosting a NYE party entitled “Frosted & Fur: Aspen After Dark New Year’s Eve Celebration.” Arriety from Rupaul Season 15 is set to host, with International DJ Alex Lo. Doors open at 9 p.m. and close at 3 p.m.; there is a midnight Champagne toast. Cover is $25, plus an optional $99 all-you-can-drink package.
District Eagle
This leather-focused bar is hosting “Bulge” for its NYE party. Each District Eagle floor will have its own music and vibe. Doors run from 7 p.m.-3 a.m. and cover is $15. There will be a Champagne toast at midnight, as well as drink specials during the event.
Kiki, Shakiki
Kiki and its new sister bar program Shakiki (in the old Shakers space) will have the same type of party on New Year’s Eve. Both bars open their doors at 5 p.m. and stay open until closing time. Both will offer a Champagne toast at midnight. At Kiki, DJ Vodkatrina will play; at Shakiki, it’ll be DJ Alex Love. Kiki keeps the party going on New Year’s Day, opening at 2 p.m., to celebrate Kiki’s fourth anniversary. There will be a drag show at 6 p.m. and an early 2000s dance party 4-8 p.m.
Spark
This bar and its new menu of alcoholic and twin N/A drinks will host a NYE party with music by DJ Emerald Fox. Given this menu, there will be a complimentary toast at midnight, guests can choose either sparkling wine with or without alcohol. No cover, but Spark is also offering optional wristbands at the door for $35 open bar 11 p.m.-1 a.m. (mid-shelf liquor & all NA drinks).
Bars & Parties
Mixtape Sapphics hosts holiday party on Dec. 13
‘Sugar & Spice’ night planned for Saturday
Mixtape Sapphics will host “Sapphic Sugar & Spice: A Naughty-Nice Mixtape Holiday Party” on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. at Amsterdam Lounge.
This is a festive, grown holiday party for queer women and sapphics 35 and older at Revolt’s Christmas pop-up. There will be music, joy, and an optional White Elephant.
This is Mixtape Sapphics’ first-ever holiday party — a cozy, flirty, intentionally grounded night created just for queer women and sapphics 35+ who want real connection, festive joy, and a warm place to land at the end of the year.
Tickets start at $13.26 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Bars & Parties
Impulse Group DC to host fundraiser
Giving Tuesday and Happy Hour held at Thurst Lounge
Impulse Group DC, a local advocacy organization, will host “Giving Tuesday and Happy Hour” on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. at Thurst Lounge.
This event is a special happy hour fundraiser filled with good vibes, great food, and community connection. DJ Obie will be on deck keeping the energy high while you enjoy tacos, cocktails, and the kind of atmosphere only Thurst can deliver.
A portion of every signature cocktail sold goes directly toward supporting Impulse Group D.C.’s work in sexual health, mental health, harm reduction, and social justice for the D.C. community.
Admission is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
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