Out & About
Calendar: May 17-23
Concerts, parties and events in the week to come
Friday, May 17
Gay District Meeting is at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 8:30-9:30 p.m. The meeting is for LGBTQ and intersex men between the ages of 18-35.The facilitated group discussions will discuss gay culture and personal identity. For more information, visit gaydistrict.org.
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) hosts its monthly game night tonight from 7-9 p.m. Card and board games will be available but feel free to bring your own games. All are welcome. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.
Saturday, May 18
American Pops Orchestra performs “I Am What I Am,” a musical tribute to theater legend Jerry Herman, at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 6th St., S.W.) tonight at 8 p.m.The group will perform music from “Hello, Dolly!” “Le Cage aux Folles,” “Mack and Mabel” and more. Performers include “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Alexis Michelle, Kathy Najimy (“Sister Act”/”Hocus Pocus”) Paige Davis (TLC’s “Trading Spaces”), Mauricio Martinez (“On Your Feet!”), Tracy Lynn Olivera (“Ragtime”) and Paul Roeckell from APO’s NextGen competition. The Congressional Chorus and Congressional Chorus and Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington will also perform with piano accompaniment from Karen Walwyn, Scott Beard (an openly gay, West Virginia-based virtuoso) and Chris Urquiaga. Tickets range from $25-75. For more details, visit theamericanpops.org.
Capital Trans Pride is at Eaton D.C. (1201 K St., N.W.) today. The Workshop and Resource Fair is from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 25 organizations will offer services, information, employment opportunities and more. Educational workshops, seminars and panel discussions will run all day. The day ends with a happy hour with food, beverages and entertainment at Studio Theatre (1501 14th St., N.W.) from 5-8 p.m. Principal to Trans Equity Consulting Cecilia Gentil will give the keynote address. Registration is free. For more information, visit capitalpride.org/trans-pride-2019.
Tagg Magazine hosts Cookout Jam at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) today from 1-5 p.m. There will be food, drink specials, music from DJ Electr0x and more. Admission is $10 and includes food. An after-party at a League of Her Own (2319 18th St., N.W.) follows. For details, visit facebook.com/taggmagazine.
Sunday, May 19
Capital Trans Pride screens “The Garden Left Behind” at Studio Theatre (1501 14th St., N.W.) tonight at 6 p.m. The film follows the relationships between Tina, a young transgender woman, and her grandmother, Eliana, as they juggle Tina’s transition and living as undocumented immigrants in New York City. After the screening, there will be a Q&A with some the cast and producers. Event is free. For details, visit facebook.com/capitaltranspride.
Alamo Drafthouse presents Champagne Cinema: “9 to 5” movie party today at 2 p.m. This is an interactive screening with quoting and singing along encouraged. Tickets are $14.30 and includes a themed “9 to 5” pen and “Cup of Ambition” mug. The party is at the Cinema One Loudon location (20626 Easthampton Plaza, Ashburn, Va.) and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Woodbridge (15200 Potomac Town Pl., Woodbridge, Va.). For more information, visit drafthouse.com.
Monday, May 20
The Board Room VA (925 B Garfield St., Arlington, Va.) hosts drag bingo tonight from 9-11 p.m. Crystal Edge and Katrina Colby host. There will be games and performances. Prizes include free drinks, free shots, free good, gift cards and more. Drink specials include $5 local beers and other all night drink specials. Cover is $5. Reserve a spot on Eventbrite. Walk-ins also welcome. For details, visit facebook.com/theboardroomva.
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W..) hosts coffee drop-in hours this morning from 10 a.m.-noon for senior LGBT people. Older LGBT adults can come and enjoy complimentary coffee and conversation with other community members. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Tuesday, May 21
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) hosts its Packing Party from 7-9 p.m. tonight. Volunteers will assemble safer sex kits to distribute to the LGBT community. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.
The Center Bi monthly roundtable is tonight from 7-8 p.m. at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.). The group will discuss issues related to bisexuality. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Wednesday, May 22
The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) and D&K Sounds host karaoke tonight from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Drink specials include $3 rail cocktails and domestic drafts and $4 wines. For more information, visit facebook.com/dceagle.
Washington National Opera and Capital Pride present Pride Night Out for a performance of “Tosca” at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N..W) tonight at 7:30 p.m. The Puccini opera tells the story of a singer Tosca, who tries to protect her lover from the chief of police Scarpia. After the show, get a free drink at the post-performance Pride Night Out reception at the Kingbird bar at the Watergate Hotel (2650 Virginia Ave., N.W.). Tickets range from $35-300. For more details, visit facebook.com/washingtonnationalopera.
The Lambda Bridge Club meets at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for duplicate bridge. No reservations required and new comers welcome. If you need a partner, call 703-407-6540.
Thursday, May 23
The 2019 Trans Equality Now Awards are at the Willard InterContinental (1401 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) tonight from 6-9 p.m. There will be a reception, dinner, awards and after party honoring the leaders fighting for transgender equality. Nicole Maines will receive the Andy Cray Award for Health & Youth Advocacy; Earline Budd will be honored with he Community Builder Award; Masen Davis will receive the Julie Johnson Founder’s Award and Lush Cosmetics will be be honored with the Ally Award. VIP tickets are $175 in advance and $200 at the door. After party tickets (8:30-11 p.m.) are $75 in advance and $85 at the door. It includes admission to the after party only with dessert bar and two complimentary drink tickets. For more details, visit act.transequality.org.
Venus Valhalla hosts Thirst Trap Thursdays at Pitchers (2317 18th St., N.W.) tonight from 11 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Local drag talent will perform. For more information, visit facebook.com/pitchersdc.
GPMC hosts Am I Gay Enough?, a panel discussion for gay people of color, at Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.) this evening at 6 p.m. The discussion will focus on who gay people of color are and how they want to be viewed. There will be speakers from academia, law, medicine, non-profit and the media. A networking and affirmation reception takes place after the discussion. Free admission. For more details, visit facebook.com/gpmc.dc.
Out & About
Documentary about Blade reporter to premiere this month
Panel discussion to follow ‘Lou’s Legacy’ screening
“Lou’s Legacy: A Reporter’s Life at the ‘Washington Blade’” will premiere on Thursday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.
This new documentary from Emmy-nominated D.C. filmmaker Patrick Sammon tells the story of the legendary Blade news reporter, Lou Chibbaro Jr., as he works on an article about the return of drag icon Donnell Robinson – also known as Ella Fitzgerald — to the Capital Pride stage.
The documentary follows Chibbaro as he works on a story about Ella’s triumphant return to the Pride stage after three years away because of COVID. Donnell and Chibbaro reflect on their careers and discuss the ongoing backlash against the LGBTQ community, including laws targeting drag performers.
After the screening, there will be a panel discussion moderated by D.C. journalist Rebekah Robinson and featuring Blade Publisher Lynne Brown. This event is free and more details are available at the DC Public Library website.
Friday, May 16
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St. NW. 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 Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. 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.
Trans Genderqueer Game Night will be at 6 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This will be a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Saturday, May 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.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group 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 are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, May 18
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Pride Kickoff FunDay Social” at 4 p.m. at Moxy. This event is ideal for making meaningful new connections and informal community building. Or just to unwind and enjoy the group happy hour. Fabulous people from all over the world are expected and nametags will be provided. This event is free to attend and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Art with Tosca will host “Queer Icons & Trailblazers: An Art Tour for World Pride DC 2025” at 2:00p.m. at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. This will be an unforgettable exploration of LGBTQ+ history, identity, and artistic expression at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. Celebrate the vibrant history and culture of the LGBTQ+ community through compelling portraits and groundbreaking works that highlight the power of queer artistry. Tickets cost $48 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Monday, May 19
“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” 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].
“Pickets, Protests and Parades Exhibit Tour” will be at 7 p.m. at Freedom Plaza. This exhibition honors the courage, resistance, and resilience of D.C.’s LGBTQ+ community. Tickets start at $10 and are available on Eventbrite.
Tuesday, May 20
Center Bi+ Roundtable Discussion 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. For more details, visit Facebook or Meetup.
Wednesday, May 21
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.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 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, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 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 with Sarah 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.
DC Anti-Violence Project Open Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. These are open meetings, and we would love to see anyone who is interested in learning more and getting involved in lessening violence both within and directed towards the LGBT communities. For more details, visit Facebook and Twitter.
Out & About
DJs to hold panel discussion on music, identity
Featured artists include DJ Chord, Tezrah and Jake Maxwell
Promethean Fundraising will host “Circuit Music: A LGBTQ+ Cultural Identifier,” an exclusive panel featuring influential LGBTQ DJs in the music industry, on Thursday, May 29 at 7 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBTQ Community (1828 Wiltberher St., N.W.).
The event will provide a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with these groundbreaking artists as they share their journeys, discuss the cultural significance of circuit music, and explore how music can serve as a platform for advocacy and empowerment within the LGBTQ+ community. The featured artists are DJ Chord, Tezrah and Jake Maxwell.
This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
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