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Calendar: March 29-April 4

Parties, festivals and events in the week to come

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DC gay events, gay news, Washington Blade
‘Flower Orb,’ a work from ‘In Peak Bloom’ by Akiko Yamashita is being displayed as part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. (Photo courtesy Artechouse)

Friday, March 29

The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) hosts queer tango classes tonight at 7 p.m. Instructor Liz Sabatiuk of Tango Mercurio will lead the course. The class is intended for beginner students and will combine instruction on tango vocabulary and technique. There will also be a discussion on how assumptions about gender can affect dancing. Students will be invited to experiment with both gender roles during the class. Admission requires a $10 donation. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/events/queertangoclass.

Gay District hosts game night at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 8-10 p.m. Board games will be provided but feel free to bring your own. Gay District is a community organization focused on building understanding of gay culture and personal identity. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

ONYX Mid-Atlantic presents Leather & Lace at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Dress code is leather and lace. Drink specials will include $5 Fireballs, $8 Long Islands and $5 margaritas. IcyFunk will spin tracks. Cover is $5. For more information, visit greenlanterndc.com.

D.C. Bear Crue hosts Bear Happy Hour at Uproar Lounge & Restaurant (639 Florida Ave., N.W.) today from 5-10 p.m. Drink specials include $5 rail cocktails and $5 32 oz. draft pithcers. Free appetizers will be handed out throughout the night. For more details, visit facebook.com/bearhappyhour.

Saturday, March 30

The 39th annual Capital Art Fair is at the Holiday Inn Rosslyn (1900 Fort Myer Dr., Arlington, Va.) today from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and tomorrow from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. About 21 art dealers will will have fine prints, drawings, photos and other works on paper for sale. Works range from the 15th century to present day and include American, European and Japanese art. Tickets are free. For more details, visit capitalartprintfair.com.

The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) hosts Code RED V: Stigma Can’t Stop Us, a red-themed masquerade ball supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS, tonight from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. DJ Vjuan Allure will spin tracks and recording artist Kevin Aviance will perform. Attendees are encouraged to wear masks and gear. The color red is suggested but not required. There will be giveaways, raffles, a silent auction and Code Red baked goods. Main event tickets are $25. Tickets for Code Red and the 9:30 p.m. drag and cabaret extravaganza are $30. For more information, visit dceagle.com.

Center Trans hosts its pot luck at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) today from noon-2 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a dish to share. Center Trans’ mission is to be a safe space for transgender individuals to share their stories. Allies are asked to reach out to other groups for ally support. Admission is free. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.

DCATS hosts the Trans Visibility Community Festival at Spaces (1140 3rd St., N.E.) today from 1-5 p.m. Organizations that serve the transgender community and transgender artists and creatives will all exhibit their services and work. There will be an open mic, film screenings, art exhibitors and a raffle. All ages welcome. For more information, visit transvisibilityfestival.com.

CTRL hosts Qwerty, a queer dance party, at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-2:45 a.m. DJ Adam Koussari-Amin, DJ Dvonne and DJ Jeff Prior will spin tracks. Sippi will give a performance. No cover. For more details, visit facebook.com/ctrldc.

The Imperial Court of Washington hosts an underwear dance party at Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. DJ Alpha and DJ Omega will play music. Cover is $5 and will benefit the True Colors Fund. For more information, visit facebook.com/imperialcourtdc.

Sunday, March 31

Atlas Obscura Society D.C. hosts Wine, Spirits and Stories, a guided tour of LGBT icons, at the Congressional Cemetery (1801 E St., S.E.) today from 5-7 p.m.  Jeff Rollins will guide the tour and focus on the “Gay Corner” of the cemetery. Tickets are $36 and include the tour, two drink tickets and light snacks. For more details, visit facebook.com/atlasobscura.

Mariah Carey brings her “Caution World Tour” to the MGM National Harbor (101 MGM National Ave., Oxon Hill, Md.) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $200-624. For more information, visit ticketmaster.com.

Monday, April 1

The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) hosts coffee drop-in hours this morning from 10 a.m.-noon for the senior LGBT community. Older LGBT adults can come and enjoy complimentary coffee and conversation with other community members. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

Tuesday, April 2

Artechouse (1238 Maryland Ave., S.W.) presents “In Peak Bloom,” an interactive and immersive digital art installation inspired by the cherry blossoms, through May 27. Artists Liza Park, Akiko Yamashita, Scenocosme and Sachiko Yamashita designed the exhibit. Sunday-Thursday daytime hours are from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and after hours are from 7-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday daytime hours are from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and after hours are from 5:30-11:30 p.m. After hours will include Augmented Reality Cocktails which will be sold separately. Attendees must be 21 and over to attend after hours. Daytime general admission tickets for adults are $16 online and $20 on-site. Student, senior and military ID holders tickets are $13 online and $15 on-site. Children ages 2-14 are $8 online and $10 on-site. After hours tickets are $16 online and $20 on-site. For more details, visit dc.artechouse.com.

Wednesday, April 3

“The Ask Rayceen Show” hosts its annual #AskRayceen Mini Ball at Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.) tonight from 6-9 p.m. This live monthly variety program and community festival will feature vendors, exhibitors, food, a cash bar and a raffle. Rayceen Pendarvis and Anthony Oakes host the show. DJ Vjuan Allure will play music. Doors open at 6 p.m. Show starts at 7 p.m. For more details, visit facebook.com/teamrayceen.

Bookmen D.C., an informal gay men’s literature group, discusses “Don’t Call Us Dead” by Danez Smith at the Cleveland Park Library  (3310 Connecticut Ave.,  N.W.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, visit bookmendc.blogspot.com.

Thursday, April 4

A support group for the Asian and Pacific Islander Queer Community meets at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 7-8 p.m. The group is co-sponsored by the Asian Pacific Islander Queer Society D.C. and Asian Queers United for Action. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.

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Out & About

Celebrate the Fourth of July the gay way!

LGBTQ events planned for Friday

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(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Rainbow History Project will host “Pickets, Protests and Parade Exhibit Tour” at 7 p.m. at Freedom Plaza. This event honors the courage, resilience and resistance of D.C.’s gay community. For more details, visit Eventbrite

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Hyatt Centric Arlington (1325 Wilson Blvd.). This fun event is ideal for meeting new people and community building. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Xavier Entertainment DC will host “Cowboy Carter Afterparty” at 10 p.m. at Nellie’s Sports Bar. There will be fireworks, parades, and patriotic fun. For more details, visit Eventbrite

Mezcal Amaras will host “Sha Boing Boing Showdown” at 6 p.m. at Snappy’s Small Bar (3917 Georgia Ave., N.W.). Get ready to test your hotdog eating abilities. Tickets start at $12.51 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

Illusions Drag Queen Show will host “Drag Queen Dinner Show” at 7 p.m. at 2323 18th St. N.W. Guests will be treated to the very best celebrity drag impersonations in entertainment. Tickets start at $12.97 and are available on Eventbrite

Thurst Lounge will host “A Thirsty Cowboy Afterparty” at 5 p.m. DJ Apollo will be performing. For more details, visit Thurst’s website

9:30 Club will host “Gimme Gimme Disco: A Dance Party Inspired by ABBA” at 9 p.m. The DJ will play plenty of disco hits from the 70s and 80s. Tickets cost $45.30 and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.

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Music & Concerts

Berkshire Choral to commemorate Matthew Shepard’s life

Concert held at Washington National Cathedral

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Craig Hella Johnson’s fusion oratorio ‘Considering Matthew Shepard’ will be performed at the Washington National Cathedral. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Berkshire Choral International will present a concert performance of composer Craig Hella Johnson’s fusion oratorio “Considering Matthew Shepard” on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. at the Washington National Cathedral. 

The program will be guest conducted by Dr. Jeffrey Benson, a native of the DMV who currently serves as Director of Choral Activities at San José State University. The concert is a partial benefit for the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Notably, Matthew’s remains are interred at the National Cathedral and his parents, Dennis and Judy, will give opening remarks at the performance.

Tickets are $20 – $65, and 50% of ticket proceeds will be donated to the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Tickets are only available online at berkshirechoral.org

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Calendar

Calendar: June 26-July 2

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, June 26

“Center Aging Monthly Luncheon and Bingo” will be at 2 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected]

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Pride Month Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Dupont Italian Kitchen. 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, June 27

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Pride Month 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.

Art Roving will host “Where Color Meets Spectrum: Blackness, Queerness & Tomorrow” at 200 I St., S.E. This is a panel discussion with Queer Art salon artists Nikki Brooks, Maps Glover & Chrys Seawood, moderated by artist and curator Brittany Mona’. The Queer Art Salon exhibition is on view from June 13 – August 1, 2025 and funded by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities’ Art Exhibition Grant program. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Baby Shank Rooftop Bar and Lounge will host “DC Drag brunch on Rooftop – Penthouse” at 12 p.m. Guests can enjoy delicious French cuisine. The event will be hosted by Miss Capital Pride. Tickets cost $30.65 and are available on Eventbrite

Sunday, June 28

Jonathan Van Ness will host a masterclass at 10 a.m. at Dupont Circle Hotel. Enjoy refreshments and community as Jonathan showcases styling techniques for a range of hair types—helping you create a gallery-worthy look that’s truly, beautifully yours. A portion of ticket sales will benefit SMYAL, a local nonprofit that has been supporting LGBTQ+ youth in D.C. for more than 40 years. Tickets are available on Eventbrite

Monday, June 29

“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 details, email [email protected]

Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more information, email [email protected]

Tuesday, June 30

Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website

Wednesday, July 1

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 www.thedccenter.org/careers.

Thursday, July 2

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 with Charles M. 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.

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