Out & About

Zoo unveils, lights new features

Holiday light exhibit runs through Jan. 1

Published

5 years ago

December 14, 2018

Mariah Cooper

ZooLights (Photo courtesy of the National Zoo)

ZooLights is at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) through Jan. 1 from 5-9 p.m. each night.

Half-a-million LED lights will illuminate the zoo. Indoor animal exhibits will be closed so animals can sleep. Guests are welcome to visit the Zoo’s Visitor Center, Panda Plaza Gift Shop, Mane Grill and Great Cats Gift Shop.

This year two new areas have been added. The Gingerbread Village features cookies, lollipops, giant gingerbread people cut-outs and a gingerbread throne for attendees to snap photos. There will be a laser-light show outside the Elephant Community Center where visitors can also hop on board the Smithsonian’s National Zoo Choo-Choo which will transport guests around the Kids’ Farm.

This year also features the Reindeer Games Fun Zone which includes a holiday-themed obstacle course and illuminated rides. Live music or a dance performance will take place every night in the Great Meadow. Guests can also snack on winter treats and sip on coffee or a selection of seasonal spirits. The Conservation Pavilion Patio will also have six fire pits for attendees to roast s’mores or pick up cotton candy on a glowing stick.

Admission is free. For more details, visit nationalzoo.si.edu/events/zoolights.

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Out & About

Washington Improv Theatre hosts ‘The Queeries’

Event to celebrate queer DMV talent and pop culture camp

Published

1 day ago

April 26, 2024

Tinashe Chingarande

The Washington Improv Theatre, along with the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC, will team up to host “The Queeries!” on Friday, April 26 at 9:30 p.m. at Studio Theatre.

The event will celebrate Queer DMV talent and pop culture camp. With a mixture of audience-submitted nominations and blatantly undemocratically declared winners, “The Queeries!” mimics LGBTQ life itself: unfair, but far more fun than the alternative.

The event will be co-hosted by Birdie and Butchie, who have invited some of their favorite bent winos, D.C. “D-listers,” former Senate staffers, and other stars to sashay down the lavender carpet for the selfie-strewn party of the year.

Tickets are just $15 and can be purchased on WITV’s website.

Out & About

Drag Underground returns

Indiana Bones, Bombalicious Eklaver, Shi-Queeta Lee, Cake Pop! to perform

Published

1 day ago

April 26, 2024

Tinashe Chingarande

Shi-Queeta Lee performs at Drag Underground. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Dupont Underground and the Washington Blade have teamed up to host “Drag Underground” on Friday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Dupont Underground.

Performers include Indiana Bones, Bombalicious Eklaver, Shi-Queeta Lee and Cake Pop.

Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Out & About

White House Correspondents’ Dinner set for Saturday

Colin Jost serving as emcee

Published

1 day ago

April 26, 2024

Tinashe Chingarande

(Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

The annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner is set for Saturday, April 27 at the Washington Hilton with Colin Jost serving as emcee.

President Biden is scheduled to speak and numerous celebrities are expected around D.C. all weekend for related parties and events.

The Washington Blade is the only LGBTQ outlet that is a member of the Association and is hosting a table of VIPs, including actor Billy Porter and Congressman Robert Garcia (D-Calif.).

“We look forward to the Dinner each year to celebrate our press freedoms and to thank a range of allies and supporters for their work on behalf of the LGBTQ movement,” said Blade Editor Kevin Naff.