Out & About
Calendar: July 26-August 1
Parties, concerts, and events to come

Friday, July 26
Otakon 2019 starts today at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (801 Mount Vernon Pl., N.W.) and runs until Sunday, July 28. Otakon is an annual Asian pop culture convention held to celebrate anime, manga, music, movies, video games as well as its eclectic fandom known as “otaku.” The event has a packed weekend schedule that includes film showings, cosplay contests, lip-sync and panel discussions. This year’s concert line up includes performances by Bradio, Fat Jon, Shing02, EyeQ and more. Tickets and information are at otakon.com.
Saturday, July 27
Culture Carnival D.C. is today from 2-9 p.m. at the Karma D.C. (2221 Adams Pl., N.E.). High Society D.C. presents a Caribbean experience featuring local Latin/Caribbean talent, a Brazilian Samba group, cultural food vendors, henna body art, spiritual cleansing and more. The event is 21 and up with I.D. Tickets start at $10. For more information, visit Eventbrite.com.
Sunday, July 28
For those in New York for the weekend, the 1993 film “Farewell, My Concubine” will show today at the Walter Reade Theater (165 West 65th St., N.Y.) at 12:30 p.m. This film, in Mandarin with English subtitles, depicts a love story that emerges in a Peking opera troupe as they enact the fabled tale of a besieged warlord and his self-sacrificing concubine and was nominated for two Oscars. An interesting experience for fans of the recent hit “Crazy Rich Asians.” Visit lincolncenter.org for tickets and information.
Monday, July 29
Dave Meder performs tonight on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St. N.W.) starting at 6 p.m. Meder, a pianist and composer was a recent finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition and is known for his genre-bending approach to music. With support from bassist Dean Torrey and drummer Kenneth Salters, Meder will perform rarely-played Thelonious Monk pieces, gospel hymns as well as original compositions touching on the entire American musical spectrum. For tickets and information, visit kennedy-center.org.
Tuesday, July 30
Queen and Adam Lambert continue “The Rhapsody Tour” tonight at the Capital One Arena (601 F St., N.W.) starting at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $49.
Founded in 1971 this legendary band is known for such iconic stadium hits as “We Will Rock You” and “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which is also the title of the Academy Award winning biopic of the band’s late frontman, Freddie Mercury, who died of AIDS in 1991. Adam Lambert rose to fame in 2009 as a runner-up on “American Idol” and has since sold over three million albums and five million singles worldwide.
For tickets and information, visit http://ticketmaster.com.
Wednesday, July 31
NBC News National Justice Correspondent Pete Williams joins the fourth annual Lawyers for SMYAL fundraiser tonight from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Skadden Arps (1440 New York Ave., N.W.). The event will connect the legal community and raise funds to support and empower LGBT youth. SMYAL’s youth housing program provides shelter, food, case management services, crisis intervention and community support for area LGBT youth. More information and tickets are available at etapestry.com and Facebook events.
Thursday, Aug. 1
Queer Tango Taster Thursdays continues tonight at Bloombars (3222 11th St., N.W.) from 7-8:30 p.m. The cost is $20 for a single class, but attendees may purchase six or more classes at a discounted rate. This is an all-levels class focusing on the fundamentals and hosted by program manager Liz Sabatiuk at Tango Mercurio. The program goal is to create a safe, inclusive space to dance whatever roles you like with whomever you like. All are welcome. For more information, visit tangomercurio.org.
VIDA Fitness presents its second annual Glow Up Challenge starting today. Participants will receive detailed weekly workouts, advice for proper nutrition from a registered dietitian, weekly personal assessments and more. All locations will have special events throughout the month. The Yards will host Yoga and Wine by the Pool on Aug. 7; U Street will have a Sweatbox Class on Aug. 14; Logan Circle and Gallery Place will host a nutrition talk with registered dietician Addie Claire Merletti on Aug. 21 and City Vista will have a Gauntlet Style Workout on Aug. 28. The first 1,000 participants to sign up will receive a free bullet journal. Sign up at vidafitness.com/glowup.
Friday, June 26
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event 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].
DC Bird Alliance will host “Second Annual Ride for Pride” at 9 a.m. at the Yards Marina. This event is for celebrating community, belonging, and our shared connection to nature. Together, we’ll enjoy a guided one-hour boat ride departing from The Yards Marina, exploring the river’s wildlife, history, and ongoing restoration. Along the way, participants may spot Ospreys, herons, egrets, cormorants, Bald Eagles, turtles, and other species that call the Anacostia home. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Saturday, June 27
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.
“Sunshine: A Sapphic Pride Day Party” will be at 1 p.m. at Spark Social. This is a patio party for queer women & sapphics 35+. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Sunday, June 28
Trap Laughsss Pride Comedy Night will be at 7 p.m. at Sid’s Gold Request Room. This in-person event is where comedy meets Pride, bringing you hilarious performances that’ll have you rolling in the aisles. Whether you’re here to celebrate or just enjoy some fantastic jokes, this night is all about fun, community, and laughs. Don’t miss out on the best comedy bash around! More details are 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 information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, June 30
The DC Center for the LGBTQ+ Community will host a screening of “Swann Queen” at 7 p.m. This is a short film by Lcedeño Miller inspired by the true story of William Dorsey Swann – considered one of the world’s first drag queens. Billy Swann and their brother Dan are preparing to host their third masquerade ball. When the police raid the party, Billy must decide whether to run or resist. Swann Queen is a story about community, survival, and the legacy of LGBTQ+ resistance in Washington, D.C. Screening followed by conversation. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Wednesday, July 1
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 www.thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, July 2
The DC Center for the LGBTQ+ Community’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the Center. 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 The DC Center for the LGBTQ+ Community’s website.
The Baltimore Orioles will take on the Washington Nationals on Friday, June 26 at 7 p.m. for Pride Night at Oriole Park.
The first 15,000 fans will receive an exclusive Pride Night Orioles jersey. The Washington Blade is a media sponsor of this event.
To purchase tickets, visit Orioles.com/Tickets.
Out & About
Writers’ association hosts Capital Love LitFest
Inaugural literary salon scheduled for Sunday
The Washington Writers’ Publishing House (WWPH), the nation’s longest continuously operating cooperative nonprofit literary press, will present the inaugural “Capital Love LitFest” on Sunday, June 28 at 10 a.m. at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Md.
Designed as a full-day literary salon and cultural gathering, the event will feature more than 25 writers, nine workshops, and panel discussions, readings, and conversations centered on love, relationships, identity, healing, creativity, and connection in divisive times. Admission is pay-what-you-can, beginning at free.
The LitFest celebrates the release of “Capital Love,” WWPH’s new anthology featuring 55 writers from across the DMV, including contributors from Baltimore, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The pocket-sized collectible anthology explores love in its many forms through poetry and prose and serves as a literary response to today’s social and political climate.
For more details, visit Washington Writers’ website.
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