Out & About
Calendar: May 3-9
Youth Pride Day and Gay Day at the Zoo among this week’s highlights

Friday, May 3
U Street Music Hall (1115A U St., N.W.) hosts Flaunt It Dance Party, sponsored by This Free Life, tonight from 10:30 p.m.-3 a.m. Special guests Imp Queen, Yuhua Hamasaki and FKA Twink will make appearances. Dee Dee Derèon, Venus Fastrada, Ariel Von Quinn, Washington Heights, Vagenesis and Desiree Dik will perform. DJ Honey will spin tracks. Doors open at 10:30 p.m. Show starts at 11:30 p.m. Free entry with RSVP. For details, visit tfl.events/dc.
Catharsis on the Mall, a three-day festival focused on art, dance and healing, kicks off on the National Mall (900 Ohio Dr., S.W.) today at noon through Sunday at noon. There will be large-scale art, workshops, music, activities and speakers. Admission is free. For more information, visit catharsisonthemall.com.
National Symphony Orchestra Pops welcome actress/singer Vanessa Williams for a performance at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. The performance will include pop, R&B and musical theater. Tickets range from $39-99. For more details, visit kennedy-center.org.
Saturday, May 4
“Glee” star Matthew Morrison and Broadway star Shoshana Bean headline Strathmore’s Annual Spring Gala at the Music Center at Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Ln., North Bethesda, Md.) tonight at 9 p.m. The pair will sing a mix of Broadway hits and American songbook standards. Tickets range from $38-98. Patrons can also attend the Annual Spring Gala dinner with tickets starting at $500. For more details, visit strathmore.org.
Rainbow Families hosts its 2019 conference at Georgetown Day High School (4200 Davenport St., N.W.) today from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. This year’s theme is “Now More Than Ever.” There will be more than 30 workshops for LGBTQ families, prospective parents and allies including Talking with Children and Teens About Adoption, Setting Positive Limits with Preschoolers, Hair Ideas for Kids of Color and more. NBC 4’s Barbara Harrison will be the guest of honor. Trystan Angel Reese is the featured speaker. There will also be age-appropriate activities for children ages 2-and-a-half-16 years old including puzzles, stories, games, improv, outdoor time and more. Adult registration is $90. Breakfast and lunch are included. For more information, visit rainbowfamiliesdc.org.
Youth Pride Alliance and Damien Ministries hosts Youth Pride Day today from noon-5 p.m. in Dupont Circle. Rayceen Pendarvis and Private Tails hosts the event. There will be giveaways, performances, speakers and testimonials. LGBTQ youth 24 years old and younger and allies are welcome. For more information, visit facebook.com/youthpridealliance.
Youth Pride Alliance hosts Infatuation Dance at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar (2121 P St., N.W.) tonight from 6-10 p.m. There will be a DJ, food, drinks, face painting and mask making. The event is for LGBTQ youth 24 years old and under. For details, visit facebook.com/youthpridealliance.
Comedian Wanda Sykes brings her “Oh Well Tour” to the Warner Theatre (513 13th St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets range from $37.50-93. For more information, visit warnerthearedc.com.
La Ti Do performs on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) tonight from 6-7 p.m. Rachel Hogan, Tiffany Lynn Royster, Michael Santos Sandoval and Ava Silva will perform with accompaniment by Leigh Delano. Don Michael Mendoza hosts the show. Free admission. For details, visit kennedy-center.org.
Sunday, May 5
Gay Day at the Zoo is at the Smithsonian National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) is today from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. There will be programming for families and youth. LGBTQ people, families and allies are welcome. Attendees can purchase a Gay Day at the Zoo T-shirt online with prices ranging from $10-20. For more information and to purchase a T-shirt, visit thedccenter.org/gayday2019.
Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) hosts the Gay Day at the Zoo Afterparty this evening from 5-8 p.m. The bar will serve its signature cocktail in honor of the day, The Zeebra. A portion of the cocktail’s proceeds will be donated to the D.C. Center. High Heel Race winner Madame Chevitz will perform. Gallery Kitchen will provide free food. There will also be face painting and a chance to take a picture with Alex the Unicorn. For more details, visit facebook.com/tradebardc.
Monday, May 6
Twisted Dinner Show, a drag dinner show, is at Spaceylounge D.C. (2309 18th St., N.W.) tonight from 8-11 p.m. Desiree Dik hosts the show. Bombalicious Eklaver, Bratworst, Bellatrix Foxx and Emma Zon Prime will perform. Admission is $30 and includes your choice of vegetarian pizza quesadilla or cauliflower chicken wings. Ticket price includes unlimited hemp-o-mosas. Seating is at 7 p.m. Show starts at 8 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/spaceyloungedc.
Tuesday, May 7
Gay for Good D.C. hosts a fundraiser at Dacha Beer Garden (1600 7th St., N.W.) today from 4-8 p.m. A wristband is $10 and gives access to an extended happy hour until 8 p.m. All proceeds will support Gay for Good D.C. Extra donations welcome. Gay for Good’s mission is to bring together the LGBTQ community through social welfare and environmental service projects. For more information, visit facebook.com/gayforgooddc.
Wednesday, May 8
Dr. Lane holds a lecture on Black LGBTQ Pride and Black Queer Life in D.C. at Redrocks (1348 H St., N.E.) this evening at 6 p.m. Open discussion starts at 6 p.m. followed by the lecture at 7 p.m. Admission is $20 for the class. Visit facebook.com/thedoctorlane for more details.
D.C. Fray hosts men seeking men speed dating at Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) tonight from 7-10 p.m. The event is for men in their 20s and 30s. Tickets are $25. For more information, visit dcfray.com/events.
Thursday, May 9
The 2019 Center Global Annual Reception is at Room and Board (1840 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 6-9 p.m. There will be music, drinks, hors d’oeuvres and more. Rayceen Pendarvis emcees the event. Funds raised from ticket sales will go towards supporting Center Global’s work supporting LGBT asylum seekers, asylees and refugees. Tickets range from $25-1000. For details, visit thedccenter.org.
Friday, January 23
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at noon at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. 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].
Saturday, January 24
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.
Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 11 a.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black lesbian. You do not need to be a member of the Beta Kappa Chapter or the Beta Phi Omega Sorority in order to join, but they do ask that you either identify as a lesbian or are questioning that aspect of your identity. For more details, email [email protected].
Monday, January 26
“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]).
Queer Book Club will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This month’s books are “The Nightmare Before Kissmas” by Sara Raasch and “Transgender History” by Susan Stryker. For more details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, January 27
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.
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, January 28
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.
Asexual and Aromantic Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. Currently, this group is a meeting place for both identities, but we realize that as time passes, the groups may choose to host individual meetings.For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, January 29
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work 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.
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.
