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Calendar: Aug. 16-22

Shows, parties and events in the week to come

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Madonna, gay news, Washington Blade
A Madonna Birthday Dance Party is being held Friday night from 9 p.m.-midnight at the Black Cat. (Photo by chrisweger via Wikimedia Commons)

Friday, Aug. 16

The Madonna Birthday Dance Party is tonight from 9 p.m.-midnight at the Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.). Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Attendees are invited to come early for the “Hung Up” happy hour from 9-10:30 p.m. featuring chill tracks and deep cuts from Madonna’s extensive catalogue. The night will be filled with hits, misses, remixes and collaborations all to celebrate the material girl’s 61st birthday. Tickets are available on ticketfly.com

Broke Royals and Mystery Friends perform tonight at DC9 (1940 9th St., N.W.) from 7-11 p.m. Tickets are $10. Called “one of the best live bands in D.C.” by CBS news, Broke Royals has headlines festivals and performed with AWOLNATION, Dashboard Confessional and more. Mystery Friends is a band rooted in the D.C. music tradition and has been compared to Talking Heads. For tickets and information visit eventbrite.com.

Saturday, Aug. 17

“Dear Evan Hansen” continues its run at the Kennedy Center today with shows starting at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets start at $79 and are available at kennedy-center.org. The website advises seats often become available at the last minute, so call or visit to check availability. Winner of six Tony awards, this musical resonates with anyone who has ever felt like an outcast looking for a chance to fit in. Show runs through Sept. 8.

Sunday, Aug. 18

The Shoff Promotions comic book and sports card show is today from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Double Tree hotel (1960 Chain Bridge Rd., Tysons Corner, Va.). The main ballroom will be filled with top area dealers in gold, silver, bronze and modern age comics as well as nonsports trading card games such as Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic the Gathering. Other featured collectibles include vintage rock albums, anime, superhero figures and sports memorabilia. Admission is $3; 12 and under are free. Visit shoffpromotions.com for more information. 

“The Life of Animals in Japanese Art” exhibition closes today at the National Gallery of Art (4th St. and Constitution Ave., N.W.). Admission is free and gallery hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. The first exhibition devoted to Japanese representations of animals, real and imaginary, covers 315 works over 16 centuries and is showcased across 18,000 feet of display space. Featured artists include Murakami Takeshita, Nara Yashimoto, Kusama Yayoi and more. For more information visit washington.org.

Monday, Aug. 19

The Kennedy Center continues its Millennium Stage free concert series with The Glissandos tonight at 6 p.m. This duet of two French-American brothers features soaring cello and fiddle harmonies from their new album, “Just Sliding.” Their music is a blend of folk, bluegrass and jazz and is sure to intrigue audiences looking for something new and entertaining to enjoy on a Monday night. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.

Tuesday, Aug. 20

“The Warmth of Other Suns: Stories of Global Displacement” art exhibition continues through Sept. 22 at the Phillips Collection (1600 21st St., N.W.). Curated in partnership with the New Museum in New York, this display features more than 75 artists wrestling with global refugee crises both throughout history and in this current moment. “The Warmth of Other Suns” uses video, installations, paintings, documentary images, sculptures and other cultural materials to immerse visitors in stories of strength and resilience. Admission is $12 for adults; $10 for students and seniors; free for 18 and under. Visit philipscollection.org for more information. 

Wednesday, Aug. 21

“LGBTQ Enterprising Women: Learning from the Past and Embracing the Future” is a networking event featuring a panel discussion taking place tonight from 6-9 p.m. at the Keegan Theater (1742 Church St., N.W.) and presented by the Washington Blade. Panelists include Jamie Leeds of Hank’s Oyster Bar, Rebecca Linder of Linder Global Events, Ebone Bell of Tagg Magazine and Lynne Brown of the Washington Blade. Elizabeth Birch, vice president of CBRE, moderates. For tickets and information, visit eventbrite.com.

Bookmen D.C., an informal men’s gay literature group, will discuss Ronald Firbank’s 1926 novella “Concerning the Eccentricities of Cardinal Pirelli” tonight starting at 7:30 p.m. in the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W., Suite 105). Firbank, an early 20th century British author, was inspired by Oscar Wilde and often critiqued religion, social-climbing and sexuality. Additionally, his satirical works, “Sorrow in Sunlight,” “Valmouth,” and “Santal” reflect the difficult racial and colonial tropes of the time. Visit bookmendc.blogspot.com for more information.

Thursday, Aug. 22

The D.C. Improv comedy club and restaurant (1140 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) presents “Couples Therapy: A Comedy Show” with Rahmein Mostafavi tonight at 7:30 p.m. This show is a round-table discussion featuring comics and willing audience members led by socio-political comedian Mostafavi. Audiences will be entertained by a humorous discussion about love, dating, sex, single-hood and married life. Tickets are $12 for this 18-and-up event and there is a two-menu item minimum per ticket. For more information, visit dcimprov-com.

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Music & Concerts

Berkshire Choral to commemorate Matthew Shepard’s life

Concert held at Washington National Cathedral

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Craig Hella Johnson’s fusion oratorio ‘Considering Matthew Shepard’ will be performed at the Washington National Cathedral. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

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

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Calendar

Calendar: June 26-July 2

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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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.

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Out & About

Baltimore Orioles Pride Night set for June 25

First 15,000 fans to receive jersey

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(Washington Blade file photo by Kevin Majoros)

Baltimore Orioles Pride Night will be held on Wednesday, June 25 at 6:35 p.m. at Orioles Park at Camden Yards. 

Festivities include immersive Pride decorations, pregame music, crafts, face painting, Pride merchandise, and more. The first 15,000 fans will receive an Orioles Pride jersey. Tickets are available on the Orioles’ website

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