Out & About
Calendar: Aug 9-18
Concerts, meetings and events in the week to come
Friday, Aug. 9
“A Tribute to the Music of Aretha Franklin” featuring R&B recording artist Amaya Taylor is tonight at 8 p.m. at the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club (7719 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, Md.). Taylor and the Brencore Allstars band will honor Franklin’s musical legacy throughout the evening by performing many of her greatest songs such as “A Natural Woman,” “Until You Come Back to Me,” “Rock Steady” and more. Tickets are $40 and are available on instantseats.com.
Saturday, Aug. 10
Arty Queers presents D.C.’s LGBT art market today 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.). Arty Queers is the D.C. Center’s monthly indoor art market featuring original artwork for sale including paintings, pottery, photography, jewelry, glass work, textiles and clothing. The market is held the second Saturday each month and features art created by local artists. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Sunday, Aug. 11
Partners of Transmasculine Folx, a support group for partners of trans men, assigned-female-at-birth nonbinary, two-spirit and gender-expansive individuals, meets tonight and every second Sunday from 5-7 p.m. at Whitman-Walker Health (1525 14th St., N.W.). The event is free and open to partners of all genders. ASL interpretation provided. For more information visit dcats.org.
Monday, Aug. 12
Today starts Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week which runs August 12-18. At about 100 participating restaurants, lunch and brunch are $22 while dinner is $35. Claudia’s and the Hamilton in downtown D.C., Ambar in Arlington, the Riggsby in Dupont Circle and Sushiko in Chevy Chase all a few of the many restaurants and bistros showcasing a variety of cuisine at a shared price. Book reservations at opentable.com.
Tuesday, Aug. 13
The iconic band Heart continues their “Love Alive Tour” tonight at 7 p.m. at Merriweather Post Pavilion (10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, Md.). Tickets start at $29.50 on ticketmaster.com. Formed by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted group pioneered the female-fronted rock band sound and has endured for four decades, earning them four Grammy nominations, over 35 million records sold, ten top 10 albums and a star on the Hollywood walk of fame. Fans will be sure to enjoy hits such as “What About Love,” “Never” and “These Dreams.” Visit merriweathermusic.com for more information.
Canadian singer, songwriter and model Shawn Mendes comes to Capital One Arena (610 F St., N.W.) tonight for “Shawn Mendes: The Tour.” Tickets start at $59; show begins at 7:30 p.m. Mendes first gained a following on the video-sharing app Vine and has since released three albums, headlined three world tours and received numerous awards, including two Grammy nominations. For tickets and information, visit ticketmaster.com.
Wednesday, Aug. 14
The Big Gay Book Group will discuss “A Ladder to the Sky” by John Boone at 1800 K street, suite 1000 tonight at 7 p.m. This new novel by the New York Times-bestselling author of “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” is a seductive psychodrama following a gay German novelist who will stop at nothing in his pursuit of fame. RSVP to [email protected]. Newcomers are always welcome.
The Lambda Bridge Club meets 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for duplicate bridge. No reservations are needed and newcomers are welcome. Phone 202-841-0279 if you need a partner.
The D.C. Area Transmasculine Society (DCATS) hosts its monthly transmasculine and nonbinary social hour tonight starting at 6 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing (209 M St., N.E.). The event is 17-and-older and open to the public. For more information, visit dcats.org.
Thursday, Aug. 15
The Jonas Brothers perform tonight starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Capital One Arena (601 F St., N.W.). Tickets for their “Happiness Begins Tour” start at $84.95 and audiences can be sure to enjoy favorites such as “Burnin’ Up,” “When You Look Me in the Eyes” and “That’s Just the Way We Roll.” Tickets and information available on ticketmaster.com.
Out & About
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community
Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.
The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.
This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.
For more details, visit the cemetery’s website.
Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.
The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.
There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events.
For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website.
Friday, June 12
Bet Mishpachah will host “Pride Shabbat Happy Hour” at 6 p.m. at Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center. This is an in-person happy hour with an open wine and beer bar, great company, and joyful conversation. 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, June 13
Out N Bad will host “SWEET WHINE: DC Pride Queer Caribbean Slow Whine Function” at 9 p.m. at Decades DC. This is a late-night escape into slow and steamy Dancehall & Kompa only. No splits. No headtops. No pressure. Tickets are $22.14 and are available on Eventbrite.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host a screening of “10s Across the Borders,” a bold pan-Asian queer film that confronts homophobia, transphobia, and racism while celebrating Southeast Asia’s underground ballroom scene. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Sunday, June 14
Beth A Wolfe Yoga will host “Pride Baby Goat Yoga” at 1 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington, Va. The goats will be decked out in their finest Pride apparel, and human participants are welcome to do the same. Proceeds from this event will go to the Trevor Project. Tickets cost $44.52 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, June 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]).
Tuesday, June 16
“Self-Defense Class with Avi Rome” will be 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 5th 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.
Center Bi+ 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, June 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.
Thursday, June 18
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 Center’s website.
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