Out & About
Calendar: May 24-31
Parties, gatherings and events in the week to come


Friday, May 24
Author and filmmaker John Waters appears at Politics and Prose Bookstore (5015 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. to discuss his new book “Mr. Know-It-All.” Waters will be in conversation with Stephen Thompson. Admission is free. No reservation required. Seating is first come, first served. For details, visit politics-prose.com.
Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) presents Blush, a new gay dance party, tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Geneva Confectionn hosts the party. Cover is $5 and includes clothes/coat check. For more information, visit greenlanterndc.com.
Birds of Prey Drag Show is at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) tonight at 9:30 p.m. This show is part of D.C. Black Pride weekend. Performers will include guest drag performer Raquel Lord, recording artist Billy Winn and local queens Brooklyn Heights, Iyana Deschanel, Sasha Adams Sanchez, Alicia Love, Crystal Edge, Kedra Lattimore and Deja Diamond. Kristina Kelly hosts the event. This is an 18-and-over show. For details, visit dceagle.com.
Saturday, May 25
Indie-electronic band Passion Pit brings its “Manners 10 year Anniversary Tour” to the Anthem (901 Wharf St., S.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. The band is fronted by bisexual singer Michael Angelakos. The tour celebrates the 10 year anniversary of their debut studio album,“Manners.” Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets range from $40-119. For more details, visit theanthemdc.com.
Avalon Saturdays presents Battle of the DJs: Madscience vs. Wess at Soundcheck (1420 K St., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Drag show is from 10:30-11:30 p.m. There will be a Jameson and Tito’s open bar from 11 p.m.-midnight. General admission tickets are $15. VIP tickets are $20 and include express entry and access to private VIP lounge with bar and bartender. For more information, visit dougiemeyerpresents.com.
Qwerty, an LGBT dance party, is 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 hard-pop, queer-step, disco and more. Ruth Allen Ginsburg will give a performance. No cover. For more details, visit facebook.com/ctrldc.
Desiree Dik hosts Oddball at Slash Run (201 Upshur St., N.W.) tonight from 11:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Drag performers include Miss Buffy Wilde, Squealia, Cake and Blasfemme. Cover is $5. For more information, visit facebook.com/slashrun.
Sunday, May 26
Flash (645 Florida Ave., N.W.) hosts Flashy Memorial Day Weekend, a dance party, tonight from 10 p.m.-5 a.m. DJ Twin and DJ Sean Morris will play music on the main floor until 5 a.m. DJ Saint will spin tracks on the roof deck. Extended bar runs until 4 a.m. Cover is $20. For more information, visit facebook.com/flashydc.
Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) hosts Church, a Memorial Day Weekend party, tonight from 9 p.m.-1:45 a.m. Geneva Confectionn, Jaxknife Complex and Pussy Noir will co-host and perform. Rev. Jesse Jackson and Wess the DJ will spin tracks. For more details, visit facebook.com/tradebardc.
Monday, May 27
Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) hosts PrideTease, a day party hosted by Vernon A. Wall and Aaron Riggins, today from 2-7 p.m. DJs will play music from Capital Pride’s headliners and there will also be an opportunity to win prizes and Pride packages. There will also be popsicles and a surprise performance. For more details, visit facebook.com/tradebardc.
Tuesday, May 28
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) hosts genderqueer D.C., a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, tonight at 7 p.m. For more information, visit genderqueerdc.org.
Wednesday, May 29
Gay Women of Rehoboth take a bus trip to the Newseum today from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The bus leaves CAMP Rehoboth (37 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del.) at 8 a.m. and will head to the Newseum (555 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.). The group will visit the “Rise Up” exhibit. The rest of the day is free to explore D.C. The bus departs at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 and include round-trip transportation, driver tip and admission to the Newseum. For details, visit camprehoboth.com.
The Lambda Bridge Club meets at 7:30 p.m. 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 30
Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) hosts a “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 11 viewing party tonight from 9-10:30 p.m. Jaxknife Complex hosts the party. There will be games and free drinks throughout the episode. Wess the DJ will spin tracks after the episode. Extended happy hour is until 10 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/tradebardc.
Venus Valhalla hosts Thirst Trap Thursdays at Pitchers D.C. (2317 18th St., N.W.) tonight at 11 p.m. Local drag talent will perform. For details, visit facebook.com/pitchersdc.
The National LGBTQ Task Force and NQAPIA (National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance) host the inaugural reception Heritage and Pride: A Celebration of LGBTQ+ API Communities to celebrate queer and transgender Asian Pacific Islanders. There will be light programming, hors d’oeuvres and drinks. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Friday, May 31
Alliance Française de Washington D.C. (2142 Wyoming Ave., N.W.) hosts Tristan Cabello, assistant director of the master of liberal arts at Johns Hopkins University Tristan Cabello to discuss “Gay Paris: A Short History of Gay Rights in France” tonight from 7-9 p.m. Light refreshments will be served after the Q&A. Tickets are $10 for AFDC members and $15 for non-members. For more information, search “A Short History of Gay Rights in France, talk by Tristan Cabello” on Eventbrite.

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.
Music & Concerts
Berkshire Choral to commemorate Matthew Shepard’s life
Concert held at Washington National Cathedral

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.

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.