Out & About
Next weekend packed with MAL events
Cocktails, parties and contest planned for Mid-Atlantic Leather gathering

Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend, a leather/fetish event, returns Jan 18-20 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel (400 New Jersey Ave., N.W.). The Leather Exhibit Hall will feature more than two dozen exhibitors selling products and gear. Admission is $30 for the full weekend, $15 for Friday, $20 for Saturday and $15 for Sunday. Other events include a rubber cocktail party on Friday, Jan. 18 from 7-9 p.m., Puppy Park XI on Saturday, Jan. 19 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., brunch on Sunday, Jan. 20 from 10 a.m.-noon, the Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather Contest on Sunday Jan. 20 from 1-4 p.m. and the closing dance party, which this year is a tribute to Frankie Knuckles, at 7 p.m. Visit leatherweekend.com for a full list of events.
There will also be plenty of off-site parties celebrating MAL weekend.
Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) hosts Rough House: Leather Edition on Friday, Jan. 18 at 9 p.m. Lemz and the Barber Streisand will spin tracks for the evening. Matt Strother and Scott M. Douglass will mix drinks. Cover is $10 and includes clothes check. For more information, visit greenlanterndc.com.
Highwaymen Tnt host Impact: Heroes MAL Fetish Ball at the Hyatt Regency (400 New Jersey Ave., N.W.) in Ballroom B on Friday, Jan. 18 from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Attendees are invited to dress as their favorite superhero. Cover is $10. DJ Twin will play tracks. For details, visit facebook.com/highwaymen_tnt.
Honcho presents DJ Josey Rebelle at U Street Musical Hall (1115 U St., N.W.) on Friday, Jan. 18 from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Rebelle is known for her house, techno and breakbeat sounds which she has performed in clubs across Europe and Asia. There will be a full clothes check. Advance tickets are $14 and day of show tickets are $18. Attendees ages 18-20 will be admitted by advance ticket only. For more information, visit ustreetmusichall.com.
Distrkt C hosts Masters, Boys and Pigs at Karma D.C. (2221 Adams Pl N.E.) on Saturday, Jan. 19 from 10 p.m.-6 a.m. DJ Barney Philly plays the opening set followed by DJ Tony Moran. Rocco Steel makes a guest appearance. Tickets are $70. For more details, visit distrktc.com.
La Fantasy hosts SexShop Party at L8 Lounge (727 15th St., N.W.) on Friday, Jan. 18 from 10 p.m.-7 a.m. DJ Alex Acosta, DJ X Gonzalez and DJ Joe Pacheco will play music. Coat check available for $5. Tickets are only available in advance for $40. For details, visit lafantasyproductions.com.
The Onyx Cocktail Party and Gear Show is at the Hyatt Regency (400 New Jersey Ave., N.W.) on Saturday, Jan. 19 from 2-6 p.m. There will be cocktails and a fetish auction to benefit Youth Empowered Society. Cash, credit and debit will be accepted for auction purchases. There is a suggested donation at the door. For more details, visit facebook.com/onyx.midatlantic.
495 Bears celebrates MAL weekend at Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) on Saturday, Jan. 19 from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. with its dance party the Bear Cave. DJ Popperz will spin tracks ranging from retro to electro. Drink specials run all night. No cover. Clothes check available. Visit greenlanterndc.com for more information.
The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) hosts Sircuit, an MAL weekend party, on Saturday, Jan. 19 from 10 p.m.-6 a.m. DJ Sean Morris will play music all night. GoGo boys Israel Hermes and the Honey Bear will perform for the evening. Alcohol service runs until 4 a.m. and music goes until 6 a.m. Tickets in advance are $30 and tickets at the door are $40. For more details, visit thedceagle.com.
The Imperial Court of Washington presents Leather and Lace at Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 23rd St., S Arlington, Va.) on Sunday, Jan. 20 from 8-10 p.m. The show will raise awareness and funds for the group’s Reign VII Charities including the True Colors Fund. For more details, visit imperialcourtdc.org.
The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) presents “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Aja,as part of MAL weekend, on Sunday, Jan. 20 from 10 p.m.-1:30 a.m. There will be a meet and greet with Aja and go-go boys Israel Hermes and the Honey Bear at 10 p.m. At midnight there will be a performance by Aja, Ba’Naka, Desiree Dik, Katrina Colby, Alicia Love and Crystal Edge. DJ C Dubz will spin tracks. General admission advance tickets are $15. General admission tickets at the door are $20. Advance meet and greet tickets are $25 and meet-and-greet tickets at the door are $30. For more information, visit thedceagle.com.
MAL weekend continues at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) with Penchance Afterhours, an MAL afterparty, on Monday, Jan. 21 from 1:30-6 a.m. Drinks will be served until 4 a.m. and music keeps going until 6 a.m. with DJ Ryan DoubleYou. Go-go boys Israel Hermes and the Honey Bear will also keep dancing.Advance tickets are $15 and tickets at the door are $20. Visit thedceagle.com for more information.
Out & About
Gala Hispanic Theatre’s Flamenco Festival returns
Gala Hispanic Theater will host the 21st Annual “Fuego Flamenco Festival” from Thursday, Nov. 6 to Saturday, Nov. 22.
The festival will feature American and international artists who will gather in the nation’s capital to celebrate the art of Flamenco. Guests can save 20% on tickets with a festival pass.
The festival kicks off now through Nov. 10 with the D.C. premiere of Crónica de un suceso, created, choreographed and performed by Rafael Ramírez from Spain, accompanied by renowned flamenco singers and musicians. In this new show, Ramírez pays homage to the iconic Spanish Flamenco artist Antonio Gades who paved the way for what Flamenco is today. GALA’s engagement is part of an eight-city tour of the U.S. by Ramírez and company.
The magic continues Nov. 14-16 with the re-staging of the masterpiece Enredo by Flamenco Aparicio Dance Company, a reflection of the dual nature of the human experience, individual and social, which premiered at GALA in 2023.
For more information, visit the theatre’s website.
Friday, November 7
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 12 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W. To RSVP, visit the DC Center’s website or email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Silver Diner Ballston. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, November 8
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 12 p.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.
Sunday Supper on Saturday will be at 2 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This event will be full of food, laughter and community. For more information, email [email protected].
Monday, November 10
“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]).
“Soulfully Queer: LGBTQ+ Emotional Health and Spirituality Drop-In” will be at 3 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This group will meet weekly for eight weeks, providing a series of drop-in sessions designed to offer a safe, welcoming space for open and respectful conversation. Each session invites participants to explore themes of spirituality, identity, and belonging at their own pace, whether they attend regularly or drop in occasionally. For more details visit the DC Center’s website.
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.
Wednesday, November 12
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. 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.
“Gay Men Speed Dating” will be at 7 p.m. at Public Bar Live. This is a fresh alternative to speed dating and matchmaking in a relaxed environment. Tickets start at $37 and are available on Eventbrite.
Thursday, November 13
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 is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
D.C.’s 38th annual 17th Street High Heel Race returns Tuesday, Oct. 28, sponsored by the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. on 17th Street between P and S streets, N.W. near Dupont Circle. The event is free.
Thousands of costumed spectators will cheer on the drag queens running the race along 17th Street. If you’re interested in running in the race, fill out a registration form at the tent on R Street at the event.
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