Out & About
D.C. Black Pride programming
Memorial Day weekend jam-packed with official programming
The Outdoor Festival in the Park is at Fort Dupont Park (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
D.C. Black Pride — as always — is Memorial Day weekend in Washington.
On Friday, May 25 the Pride Hospitality and Vendors area is open from noon-9 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt (1000 H St., N.W.). The Sexual Health Symposium: Sex, Lies and Videotapes runs from 4-6 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt. Free HIV/AIDS and STI testing also runs from 6-9 p.m.
The D.C. Black Pride opening reception kicks off from 6:30-8:30 p.m at the Grand Hyatt. The Intergenerationally Queer Project Workshop/Panel Discussion is from 9-11 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt featuring black lesbian and queer women advocates. Admission is free but registration is requested.
Saturday, May 27 is the D.C. Black Pride Poetry Slam at the Grand Hyatt from 7-9 p.m. Mary Bowman hosts the show. Sign-up is first come, first served. Admission is free.
On Sunday, May 26, there will be an interfaith worship service at the Grand Hyatt from 9-11 a.m. Honey Coated Nightlyfe hosts Communities Building Communities Pride Brunch at Cheers at the Big Chair (2122 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., S.E.) from noon-4 p.m. There will be a buffet-style brunch, mimosas and drink specials. Tickets range from $40-50.
The Outdoor Festival in the Park is at Fort Dupont Park (3600 Minnesota Ave., S.E.) on Monday, May 27 from noon-7 p.m. There will be a stage show, food and vendors. The Cultural Arts and Wellness Festival will also be showcased at the festival. Free admission.
For a complete list of events, visit dcblackpride.org.
D.C. Black Pride party time
D.C. Black Pride is at various locations throughout the District over Memorial Day weekend with headliners including Jussie Smollet, Keyshia Cole, Jazmine Sullivan and more.
Genesis Chapter X kicks off at Barcode (1101 17th St., N.W.) on Thursday, May 24 at 9:30 p.m. There will be DJs and 10 dancers.
On Friday, May 25 there will be a pre-game happy hour at the Grand Hyatt (1000 H St., N.W.) at 5 p.m. The Big Bang Mega Party follows at Karma (2221 Adams Pl., N.E.) from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. featuring R&B singer Keyshia Cole.
Daryl Wilson Promotion presents Rock the Block All Male Super Party featuring “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Shangela at Ziegfield’s/Secrets (1824 Half St., S.W.) on Friday, May 25 from 10:30 p.m.-4 a.m. Rapper Dreamdoll will perform. DJ Sedrick, DJ Maestro and MC Brandon Anthony will spin tracks. Admission is $20 before midnight.
Saturday, May 26 is the D.C. Black Pride Men in White Super Party at Sax Restaurant and Lounge (734 11th St., N.W.) from 3:30-9:30 p.m. R&B diva Keke Wyatt will perform.
“Empire” star Jussie Smollett will host the 5,000 Men Supreme Fantasy Mega Party at Bliss (2221 24th Pl., N.E.) from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Special guests June’s Diary and Jazmine Sullivan will make appearances. The Red Eye Everything Mega After-Hours party kicks off at 3 a.m. at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Being Rd., N.E.).
Sunday, May 27 is the annual Manhunt Day Party at Ultrabar (911 F St., N.W.) from 4-9:30 p.m. followed by the National Traffic Light Hookup Party at Decades (1219 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 10 p.m.-4 a.m.
On Monday, May 28 Eden (1716 I St., N.W.) hosts a rooftop party from 4-9 p.m.
The weekend closes out with the Apocalypse Chapter X at Stadium (2127 Queens Chapel Rd., N.E.) from 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
Passes range from $60-200. For a complete list of events and to purchase tickets, visit omegapartydc.com.
Out & About
Love board games and looking for love?
Quirk Events will host “Board Game Speed Dating for Gay Men” on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. at KBird DC.
Searching for a partner can be challenging. But board games are always fun. So what if you combined board games and finding a partner?
Picture this: You sit down for a night of games. A gaming concierge walks you through several games over the course of the night. You play classics you love and discover brand new games you’ve never heard of, playing each with a different group of fun singles. All while in a great establishment.
At the end of the night, you give your gaming concierge a list of the folks you met that you’d like to date and a list of those you met that you’d like to just hang out with as friends. If any two people put down the same name as each other in either column, then your gaming concierge will make sure you get each other’s e-mail address and you can coordinate a time to hang out.
Tickets cost $31.80 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Friday, January 16
Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This event is ideal for making new connections and community building or just to unwind and enjoy extended happy hour. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, January 17
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.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center and SMYAL will host a free film screening of “Mama Bears” celebrating queer youth, resilience, and the power of living authentically. Whether you’re a movie lover, looking to make new friends, or simply want a safe, affirming space to relax, this event is for you. Click this link to RSVP.
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, January 18
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, January 19
“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, January 20
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.
Tae Kwon Do Class with Avi Rome will be at 12:30 p.m. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Wednesday, January 21
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, January 22
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. 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, breathwork 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.
Friday, January 9
Women in Their Twenties and Thirties will be 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.
“Backbone Comedy” will be at 8 p.m. at As You Are. Backbone Comedy is a queer-run fundraiser comedy show at As You Are Bar DC, where comics stand up for a cause. Each show, a percentage of proceeds go to a local organization – Free Minds DC, a reentry organization for individuals impacted by incarceration. Tickets cost $19.98 and are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, January 10
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.
Monday, January 12
“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]).
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.
Tuesday, January 13
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group 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].
Wednesday, January 14
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 Center for the LGBT Community will partner with House of Ruth to host “Art & Conversation” at 3 p.m. at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W. This free workshop will involve two hours of art making, conversation, and community. Guests will explore elements of healthy relationships with a community-centered art activity. This workshop involves paint, so please dress accordingly. All materials will be provided. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, January 15
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. 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, breathwork 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.
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