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.
The Washington Commanders are proud to welcome the LGBTQ community for the fourth annual “Pride Night Out!” on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md.
This will be a matchup against the Cleveland Browns. The Pregame Pride Party Pass and Club level game ticket includes premier party location and club level ticket all-you-can-eat buffet, beer and wine, an exclusive Commanders Pride T-shirt, pregame entertainment and a postgame photo on the field.
More ticket options are available and $5 of every ticket goes back to Team DC. For more information visit the Commanders’ website.
Friday, October 4
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.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].
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at The Commentary. 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, October 5
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 1:00p.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 judgment free. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, October 6
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Dinner” at 6:30 p.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. Guests are encouraged to come enjoy an evening of Italian-style dining and conversation with other LGBTQ folk. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
AfroCode DC will be at 4 p.m. at Decades DC. This event will be an experience of non-stop music, dancing, and good vibes and a crossover of genres and a fusion of cultures. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Monday, October 7
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 their choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, October 8
Pride on the Patio Events will host “LGBTQ Social Mixer” at 5:30 p.m. at Showroom. Dress is casual, fancy, or comfortable. Guests are encouraged to bring their most authentic self to chat, laugh, and get a little crazy. Admission is free and more details are on Eventbrite.
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-facilitated discussion group. It is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook page.
Trans Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is intended to provide 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, October 9
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, October 10
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.
South Asian LGBTQ+ Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. KHUSHDC provides a safe, confidential space for South Asian LGBTQ community members to come together and share experiences. This peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. For more details, email [email protected].
Out & About
Capital Pride to honor LGBTQ heroes
50 years of Pride in D.C. celebrated at Facebook Live event
The Capital Pride Alliance, in partnership with Team Rayceen Productions and the 50th anniversary subcommittee of Pride in the Nation’s Capital, will host “An Evening with LGBTQ+ Heroes” on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m. on Facebook Live.
Capital Pride will celebrate 50 years of Pride in D.C. by highlighting the heroes who were recognized at the Capital Pride Honors annual event, formerly called the Heroes Gala. The event will feature some of these honorees who will share their history and thoughts on what Pride means.
Panelists include Earline Budd, legendary community advocate, co-founder of Transgender Health Empowerment and Capital Pride Superhero; June Crenshaw, Co-Chair, 2025 World Pride Steering Committee, Executive Director, Wanda Alston Foundation; Jose Gutierrez, founder of the Latino GLBT History Project, the DC Latino Pride and co-founder of the Rainbow History Project; and Peter Rosenstein, activist, journalist and author “Born this Gay: My Life of Activism, Politics, Travel, and Coming Out.”
For more details, visit Facebook.
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