Out & About
D.C. Black Pride returns
Annual Memorial Day event jam-packed with programming, parties
D.C. Black Pride returns for its annual celebration with plenty of programming, events and parties.
The 29th annual D.C. Black Pride Community Opening Reception is at the Renaissance Washington D.C. Hotel (999 Ninth St., N.W.) on Friday, May 24 from 7-9 p.m. featuring a performance by MarcWayne and local R&B artist Rinny. Admission is free but registration is requested. Admission includes two drink tickets and heavy hors d’oeuvres. For more information, visit dcblackpride.org.
Impulse D.C. hosts 50 Shades of Noir: Celebrating Pride in the District at Hard Rock Cafe (999 E St., N.W.) on Friday, May 24 from 8-11 p.m. DJ Honey will play music. Free open bar and free food. VIP tickets are $45 and include premium open bar, a gift bag and access to the VIP Lounge. Switch your current pharmacy to AHF and receive free VIP access. General admission is free and includes rail open bar. For more details, visit facebook.com/impulsegroupdc.
The 2019 D.C. Black Pride Awards Reception is at the Park at 14th (920 14th St., N.W.) on Tuesday, May 21 from 6-9 p.m. Bishop Allyson N. Abrams and Bishop Emeritus Diana Williams will receive the Welmore Cook Award. Other award recipients include Steven Wilson, Derrick Johnson, Shi-Queeta-Lee, among others. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Tickets are $10. For more information, search “D.C. Black Pride Awards Reception” on Eventbrite.
D.C. Black Pride Unity Ball is at the Renaissance Washington D.C. Downtown Hotel (999 Ninth St., N.W.) on Thursday, May 23 from 6 p.m.-midnight. LSS Legends Statement and Stars) begins at 6 p.m. The first category kicks off at 7 p.m. Free admission. Visit facebook.com/dcblkpride.com for details.
D.C. Black Pride hosts a Pride Praise Party at the Renaissance Washington D.C. Downtown Hotel (999 Ninth St., N.W.) on Saturday, May 26 from 9 a.m.-noon. Bishop Allyson Abrams, Bishop Kwabena Rainey Cheeks, Pastor Mark James, Pastor Darren Phelps, Rev. Dr. Aaron Wade and Rev. Dr. Robert Wise will give sermons. Diedre Gray and Love Gospel Choir will perform. New or gently used tennis shoes for the homeless are requested. For more details, visit dcblackpride.org.
Always Getting Attention Ent. hosts the Social Experiential, a D.C. Black Pride party, at Karma D.C. (2221 Adams Pl., N.E.) on Sunday, May 26 from 11 p.m.-4 a.m. DJ Obie and DJ Dave Thomm will spin tracks. There will be hookah, drink specials, VIP bottle service and more. General admission tickets are $30. VIP tickets are $40 and includes express entry and elevated VIP and stage access. For more information, visit pridesocialexperiential.eventbrite.com.
Us Helping Us presents Pride in the Park, a D.C. Black Pride celebration, at Fort Dupont Park (Minnesota Ave., S.E.) on Monday, May 27 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. There will be performances, games, prizes and more. Visit ushelpingus.org for details.
Friday, January 9
Women in Their Twenties and Thirties will be at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area. For more details, visit Facebook.
“Backbone Comedy” will be at 8 p.m. at As You Are. Backbone Comedy is a queer-run fundraiser comedy show at As You Are Bar DC, where comics stand up for a cause. Each show, a percentage of proceeds go to a local organization – Free Minds DC, a reentry organization for individuals impacted by incarceration. Tickets cost $19.98 and are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, January 10
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.
Monday, January 12
“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]).
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.
Tuesday, January 13
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.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. 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].
Wednesday, January 14
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.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will partner with House of Ruth to host “Art & Conversation” at 3 p.m. at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W. This free workshop will involve two hours of art making, conversation, and community. Guests will explore elements of healthy relationships with a community-centered art activity. This workshop involves paint, so please dress accordingly. All materials will be provided. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, January 15
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.
Friday, December 12
“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 Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. 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.
Women in Their Twenties and Thirties will be at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area. For more details, go to Facebook.
Saturday, December 13
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.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. D.C.’s queer community will gather for good food, laughter, and community. For more information, email [email protected].
Sunday, December 14
SADBrunch will host “HokiSlay Drag Brunch” at 12 p.m. at Throw Social. This festive affair brings fierce performances, over-the-top holiday looks, and more sparkle than a tinsel explosion. Expect powerhouse lip-syncs, laughter, and cheer hotter than your spiked cocoa. Cake Pop will host the event. Tickets cost $28.52 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, December 15
“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]).
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.
Tuesday, December 16
Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather and discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting. Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Self-Defense Class with Avi Rome” at 12:30 p.m. Rome is a proud member of the LGBTQ community and a full-time martial arts instructor with 25 years of teaching experience. He holds a Fifth Degree Black Belt in Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do and is the director of the studio’s Adaptive Tae Kwon Do program for students with special needs. He has also run numerous self-defense workshops for various groups and situations. For more details, visit the center’s website.
Wednesday, December 17
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. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, December 18
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, 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.
Team DC will host its annual holiday party on Monday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. at Trade. This event will celebrate Team DC’s sports community, athletes, and Team DC’s accomplishments this past year. Food will be catered by Seasons, and there will be a clothing drive to benefit the DC Center for the LGBT Community.
To RSVP, visit Team DC’s Instagram page.
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