Out & About
SUMMER IN THE CITY 2019: misc. events
OutWrite book fest, 17th Street Festival, Queen and more coming soon

Summer is well underway and events in the D.C. area are nowhere close to winding down. Check out ways to make the most of the remaining summer months with drag shows, concerts and festivals.
Denizens Brewing Co. (4550 Van Buren St., Riverdale Park, Md.) hosts a birthday drag brunch, featuring Haus of Stone, on Saturday, July 13 from noon-2 p.m. The brunch celebrates the lesbian-owned Brewing Co.’s five year anniversary at its Silver Spring location. Show starts at 12:30 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/thehausofstone.
The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) hosts a “Pose” viewing party every Tuesday night at 10 p.m. through Aug. 13. No cover. Visit facebook.com/eagledc for more information.
Truckeroo, a food truck and music festival, is at the Bullpen (1299 Half St., S.E.) on Friday, July 19 from 4-11 p.m. There will be a variety of food trucks including Due South, Millies, Korean BBQ Taco Box, Red Hook Lobster Pound and more. There will also be live music. Free entry. Visit facebook.com/truckeroo for details.
9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) hosts a Beyoncé vs Rihanna Summer Dance Party on Friday, July 19 from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. DJ Mills will spin Beyoncé tracks and Craig B will play Rihanna all night. This is an all-ages show. Tickets are $15. For more information, visit 930.com.
Red Bear Brewing (209 M St., N.E.) hosts Drag Show Extravaganza on Saturday, July 20 from 9-11 p.m. Leronica Vegas, Nadia Cole, Cake and Bombalicious Eklaver will perform. Desiree Dik hosts. Visit redbear.beer for more details.
Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) hosts the Bear Cave: #Freaky, a gay dance party, on Saturday, July 20 from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. There will be $5 signature drinks. DJ Popperz will spin club, retro, latin and hip-hop beats. No cover. For more information, visit greenlanterndc.com.
The Try Guys bring their “Legends of the Internet” tour to the Warner Theatre (513 13th St., N.W.) on Thursday, July 25 at 7:30 p.m. Keith Habersberger, Ned Fulmer, Zach Kornfeld and out member Eugene Lee Yang will perform live skits, original music and bring their viral videos to life on stage. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets range from $31-81. For more details, visit warnertheatredc.com.
Slash Run (201 Upshur St., N.W.) hosts Desiree Dik’s Oddball, an oddity drag show, on Friday, July 26 at 11:30 p.m. The show will feature blood, comedy, queer art and more. Fawna, Mighty, Venus Valhalla and Cher Rub will perform. Desiree Dik hosts. Cover is $5. Visit facebook.com/slashrun for details.
“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” star Tituss Burgess will be performed at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) on Saturday, July 27 at 8 p.m. The Emmy nominee will include music from Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler and more. Tickets range from $29-99. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.
Queen and Adam Lambert stop by Capital One Arena (601 F St., N.W.) on Tuesday, July 30 at 8 p.m. “The Rhapsody Tour” comes on the heels of the wildly successful Queen biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Doors open at 7 p.m. It’s nearly sold out. A few tickets remain starting at $595. For details, visit ticketmaster.com.
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Katya has her comedy show “Help Me I’m Dying” at the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.) on Thursday, Aug. 1 at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $12.50-150. Visit thelincolndc.com for details.
The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) hosts Mid-Atlantic Leather Women on Friday, Aug. 2 from 8-11 p.m. Mid-Atlantic Leather Woman Bootblack 2019, Mid-Atlantic Leather Woman 2019 and the first ever Ms. D.C. Eagle 2019 will be special guests. For more information, visit dceagle.com.
OutWrite 2019, an annual LGBT literature festival, is at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) Aug. 2-4. The festival kicks off with a launch event on Friday. Saturday there will be readings, panels, exhibitors and book sales. On Sunday, there will be workshops for writers. Featured writers include Kristen Arnett and Jericho Brown. For more information, visit thedccenter.org/outwrite2019.
“The Ask Rayceen Show,” a live variety program and community festival, is at Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.) on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. Bebe Bardot will perform burlesque. Nia Simmons will perform live music. DJ Rosie will spin tracks for the evening. Rayceen Pendarvis hosts the show. There will be free catered food. Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is free. For more details, visit facebook.com/askrayceen.
D.C. Bear Crue hosts an adult toy party version of its Bear Happy Hour at Uproar Lounge & Restaurant (639 Florida Ave., N.W.) on Friday, Aug. 9 from 5-10 p.m. Charger Stone and Adonis Ryan Lahr host the party. The toy party is from 7-8 p.m. followed by sales from 8-9:30 p.m. There will be drink specials and free food. Bear Happy Hour is every Friday at 5 p.m. Visit facebook.com/bearhappyhour for details.
Shawn Mendes comes to Capital One Arena (601 F St., N.W.) on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $85-$695. Get details at ticketmaster.com.
The Jonas Brothers bring their comeback tour “Happiness Begins” to Capital One Arena (601 F St., N.W.) on Thursday, Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $84.95-$499.95. For details, visit ticketmaster.com.
The 17th Street Festival takes place between P and R streets, N.W. on Saturday, Aug. 24 from noon-6 p.m. The festival features more than 100 vendors including nonprofit organizations, politicians, entrepreneurs and local businesses. More than 60 artists will also display items such as jewelry, ceramics, crafts and more. There will also be a kid zone with a large slide, soccer, snow cones, face painting and games. For more information, visit 17thstreetfestival.com.
Out & About
A roundup of fall events not to be missed
Laverne Cox, Oktoberfest, arts celebrations, and more
Colder temperatures don’t mean you have to stay indoors — here’s a roundup of what to do this fall.
Laverne Cox will discuss her memoir, “Transcendent,” with Dr. Melanie Bryant on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. at Baltimore Book Fest. Cox will share her journey as a transgender woman in Hollywood, confronting childhood trauma, shame, gender identity, her transition, body image issues, her search for romantic love, deep-seated feelings of unworthiness, and ultimately, healing.
Dacha Beer Garden will launch its longest and loudest Oktoberfest yet on Friday, Sept. 18. This will be 17 consecutive days of Bavarian festivities across both locations — the original Shaw beer garden and the 800-person Navy Yard garden — running through Sunday, Oct. 4. On opening night, DC Brau will tap the ceremonial first keg and then Manuela Horn, the six-foot-two Austrian yodel queen, will trade sets with Johnny Koenig and his four-piece band in a live back-and-forth of yodeling, polka, and crowd games that can only be described as Oktoberfest ping pong.
Fay Jacobs will host “Aging Gracefully: 2nd Annual Farewell Tour” on Friday, Oct. 9 and Saturday, Oct. 10 at CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. This show will feature a new script with lots of new stories, and only a couple of “signature” tales.
Capital One Center will host its “Celebration of the Arts” starting on Saturday, Sept. 19 at its location in Tysons, Va. There will be art, music, food trucks, local vendors, and family-friendly outdoor entertainment. This curated experience invites you to engage with hands-on workshops, immersive art activations, and live performances. More details are available on Eventbrite.
Spark Social will host “open Mic Night” on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. Get ready to share your talent or just kick back and enjoy some great performances at Spark Social. Sign Ups are first-come-first-serve,, but you can also message the venue on Instagram to reserve a performance spot. Whether you’re a singer, poet, or comedian, this is your chance to get on stage and share your art. Tickets are $13.26 and are available on Eventbrite.
Howard University’s School of Social Work will host “Intergenerational Trauma in the BIPOC Community and the Use of Art” on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 3 p.m. This in-person, interactive workshop explores the role of art as a creative and supportive tool for understanding and addressing intergenerational trauma. Participants will examine the meaning and impact of intergenerational trauma, with particular attention to its historical roots and ongoing effects within Black and other BIPOC communities. More details are available on Eventbrite.
9:30 Club will host “BERTHA: Grateful Drag” on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. The group has partnered with PLUS1 so that $1 from every ticket sold goes to SMYAL and their work supporting and empowering LGBTQ+ youth. Tickets are available on 9:30 Club’s website.
Steve Lacy’s “Oh Yeah?” tour is coming to The Anthem on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. Tickets are available on The Anthem’s website.
Rapper Cupcakke will perform at Howard Theatre on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. More details are available on the theater’s website.
Team DC will host “Open Play: A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Athletes and Sports Fans” on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. at Trade. Join Athlete Ally, Team DC and District Wrestling for a casual, in-person mixer as they celebrate LGBTQ+ sports fans and athletes at all levels of the game. Whether you’re part of an LGBTQ+ recreational league or just love watching sports, this is the place to connect, celebrate, and share the love of the game with other queer athletes, fans, business leaders, policymakers and more. Reserve a spot on Eventbrite.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host “2026 LGBT Intergenerational Extravaganza” on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 12 p.m.This is an event to connect, build relationships, and have fun with LGBTQ folks from other generations, and it will include lunch, an intergenerational dialogue and breakout sessions. More details are available on Eventbrite.
Out & About
LGBTQ Military Happy Hour set for Sept. 15
In-person gathering to be held at Tom’s Watch Bar
Modern Military Association of America will host “Pride in Service: An LGBTQ+ Military Happy Hour” on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. at Tom’s Watch Bar.
This in-person gathering is the perfect chance to connect, share stories, and celebrate the diversity within the military community. Come relax, meet fellow LGBTQ+ service members and allies, and enjoy a fun, supportive atmosphere. Don’t miss out on an evening full of pride, camaraderie, and good vibes. Visit Eventbrite for more details.
Friday, September 11
Go Gay DC will host “Out in DC LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena.This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Women in their Twenties and Thirties will meet 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.
Saturday, September 12
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 will host screenings of “Princess Sparkles” and “Kiloran Bay” at 1:30 p.m. “Kiloran Bay” is a 13-minute musical short set amid the wild beauty of the Scottish Hebrides and the fierce joy of a wedding cèilidh. “Princess Sparkles” is about a girl who accidentally signs up to pet-sit a princess only to discover she’s actually a nippy, Fox News-watching pig. More details are available on the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website.
Sunday, September 13
“Nellie’s DC Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Nellie’s Sports Bar. Come get served like a queen by a queen. Join Sapphire Blue, Deja Diamond and their team of amazing drag performers for the most fun you’ll have all weekend. Tickets are $58.51 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, September 14
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10:00a.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, September 15
Center Bi Pan+ 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.
Wednesday, September 16
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 LGBTQ+ Community Center will host “Movement for Healing” at 3 p.m. This trauma- and yoga therapy–informed class is designed to help guests gently reconnect with their body and their breath. Through mindful movement, somatic awareness, and grounding practices, guests will explore how to release tension, increase mobility, and cultivate a deeper sense of safety and ease within. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Thursday, September 17
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm 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 LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website.
