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Calendar: August 23-29

Concerts, dance parties and family events coming soon

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Dear Evan Hansen, Washington Blade, gay news
Ben Levi Ross and Jessica Phillips in ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ at the Kennedy Center. The cast will appear at a benefit for Broadway Cares Aug. 26. (Photo by Matthew Murphy; courtesy Kennedy Center)

Friday, Aug. 23

Tonight is the National Trans Visibility March Benefit Concert from 7:30 – 9 p.m. at the Community Church of Washington D.C. (1405 15th St., N.W.). There will be musical groups, guest performers and members of the NTVM organizing team on hand to discuss this important event. Featured guests include the Seasons of Love ensemble of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington D.C., the Voices of the Community, the Levites and Devoted Alo Dance. For more information, visit the center.org

The Birds of Prey Drag Show and Dance Party with DJ Honey is tonight starting at 10 p.m. at the DC Eagle (3701 Benning Road, N.E.). Compete in the amateur drag contest in the show for a chance at $50 and a future paid booking at the bar. Showtime is 10:30 p.m. The party is hosted by Brooklyn Heights and features performances by Sasha Adams Sanchez, Iyana Deschanel, Katrina Colby, Crystal Edge and more. Tickets start at $5 and are available on eventbrite.com.

Saturday, Aug. 24

End of Summer Eighties Mayhem Dance Party returns to Black Cat D.C. (1811 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 9 p.m.-2:15 a.m. Tickets start at $12. Dedicated to the music of the ’80s pop era, this event features DJ Steve EP, DC Missguided and Killa K. and is presented by FYM productions. Visit ticketfly.com for tickets and information.  

Chef Mikko Catering (1636 R St., N.W.) celebrates the 17th Street Festival with a special menu featuring wine and beer specials and more. The festival has celebrated 17th Street and its diverse shops and restaurants since 2010 and runs today from noon-8 p.m. Visit Facebook events for more information. 

Neverending Summer Drag Bingo is today from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Orioles Nest 331 (1037 W. Patrick St., Suite A, Frederick, Md.). The event is presented by the Frederick Center and hosted by Miss Gay Maryland 2019, Chasity Vain and Chi Chi Ray Colby with music from DJ Sidekick. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and bingo begins at 1 p.m. Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door. For more information about this 21 and up event, visit summerdragbingomatinee.eventbrite.com.

Annapolis Pride presents Summertime Drag Brunch at Rams Head on Stage (31 West St., Annapolis, Md.) today starting at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for this 16-and-over event. Annapolis Pride is a grassroots organization celebrating gay life by engaging local residents, businesses and groups to unite in welcoming and embracing diversity in Annapolis. Tickets and information are available at ticketfly.com.

The Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth St., S.W.) kicks off the 2019/20 season with a free 70th Anniversary Season Community Day and Props Sale today from 1-6 p.m. The event features a prop sale, performances from award-nominated tap dancer Leo Manzari and a behind-the-scenes Q&A with the Arena Stage production team. Also enjoy free activities for all ages, including live music, dance performances, face painting and more. For more information, visit arenastage.org/communityday.

A Night of Class with Dionne Warwick and special guests Peabo Bryson and Deniece Williams is tonight at 8 p.m. at DAR Constitution Hall (1776 D St., N.W.). Tickets start at $70. The entertainer famous for the AIDS benefit song “That’s What Friends Are For” will perform her career spanning catalogue during this special event. Tickets are available via ticketmaster.com.

Sunday, Aug. 25

FreeState Justice presents LGBT Family Day at the Maryland Zoo (1 Safari Place, Baltimore) today from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. LGBTQ-plus families, friends and allies are invited to meet at the Waterfowl Pavilion where there will be lawn games and other family-friendly activities, including a scavenger hunt and face painting. Proceeds benefit FreeState Justice’s services to Maryland’s LGBT community. For more information, visit FreeState-justice.org.

Gayborhood Night Piano Bar continues tonight from 5-8 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 23rd St., S., Arlington, Va.). The event includes piano bar music with John Flynn, happy hour specials and a chance to meet LGBT neighbors and friends in a quiet atmosphere. Reserve a table online at opentable.com/freddies-beach-bar-and-restaurant.com.

Monday, Aug. 26

The touring companies of Disney’s “Aladdin” and “Dear Evan Hansen” invite guests to The Cast Party: a Fundraising Event tonight from 8-11 p.m. at Mr. Smith’s of Georgetown (3205 K St., N.W.). Throughout the event the cast of both shows will socialize with guests and perform some of their favorite songs. The one night only event is presented to raise money for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. Admission is a $10 suggested donation. For more information, visit mrsmiths.com.

Tuesday, Aug. 27

Sting, the Grammy-winning former lead singer of The Police, performs hits such as “Englishman in New York,” “Fields of Gold” and “Every Breath You Take” tonight at Wolf Trap (1551 Trap Road, Vienna, Va.) at 8 p.m. Sting is also a former headliner of 2017’s “Uprising of Love” concert benefiting LGBT rights worldwide. Tickets start at $55 and are available at wolftrap.org.

Wednesday, Aug. 28

The Big Gay Book Group meets tonight at 7 p.m. to discuss “Red, White and Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston. This New York Times bestselling romance pairs the handsome First Son with the Prince of Wales as rivalry turns to friendship turns to something more. Book discussions take place at 1800 K street, suite 1000. RSVP to [email protected]. Newcomers welcome. 

The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. 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 American Society on Aging hosts “Understanding the Older LGBT Community and its Unique Needs” today from 1-2 p.m. at Rights at Home of Northern Virginia (8260 WillowOaks Corporate Dr., Suite 320, Fairfax, Va.). Learn the issues facing older LGBT populations and how they affect their ability to seek out services and report abuse. Sessions will describe the diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities and present findings from a recent needs assessment as well as identify actions to make care more LGBT-culturally competent. For more information visit asaging.org.

Thursday, Aug. 29

“Gone Fishin’” by Steve Langley opens tonight at 8 p.m. on the Silver Spring Stage (10145 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, Md.). A grieving father at his secluded fishing hole meets a stranger who forces him to face truths about a son he never really understood in an encounter that will change both of their lives forever. This performance is one of several one-act plays featured in the 2019 festival running until Sunday, Sept. 1. Tickets start at $22. For tickets and information, visit ssstage.org

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Out & About

Celebrate the Fourth of July the gay way!

LGBTQ events planned for Friday

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(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Rainbow History Project will host “Pickets, Protests and Parade Exhibit Tour” at 7 p.m. at Freedom Plaza. This event honors the courage, resilience and resistance of D.C.’s gay community. For more details, visit Eventbrite

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Hyatt Centric Arlington (1325 Wilson Blvd.). This fun event is ideal for meeting new people and community building. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Xavier Entertainment DC will host “Cowboy Carter Afterparty” at 10 p.m. at Nellie’s Sports Bar. There will be fireworks, parades, and patriotic fun. For more details, visit Eventbrite

Mezcal Amaras will host “Sha Boing Boing Showdown” at 6 p.m. at Snappy’s Small Bar (3917 Georgia Ave., N.W.). Get ready to test your hotdog eating abilities. Tickets start at $12.51 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

Illusions Drag Queen Show will host “Drag Queen Dinner Show” at 7 p.m. at 2323 18th St. N.W. Guests will be treated to the very best celebrity drag impersonations in entertainment. Tickets start at $12.97 and are available on Eventbrite

Thurst Lounge will host “A Thirsty Cowboy Afterparty” at 5 p.m. DJ Apollo will be performing. For more details, visit Thurst’s website

9:30 Club will host “Gimme Gimme Disco: A Dance Party Inspired by ABBA” at 9 p.m. The DJ will play plenty of disco hits from the 70s and 80s. Tickets cost $45.30 and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.

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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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