Out & About
Calendar: August 23-29
Concerts, dance parties and family events coming soon
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.
Friday, Feb. 20
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon with Yoga will be at noon at the D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the D.C. Center. This will be a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome! We’ll have card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, Feb. 21
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 will be at 7 p.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 judgement free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, Feb. 22
Queer Talk DC will host “The Black Gay Flea Market” at 1 p.m. at Doubles in Petworth. There will be more than 15 Black queer vendors from all over the DMV in one spot. The event’s organizers have reserved the large back patio for all vendors, and the speak easy for bar service, which will be serving curated cocktails made just for the event (cash bar.) DJ Fay and DJ Jam 2x will be spinning the entire event. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, Feb. 23
“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 at [email protected].
Tuesday, Feb. 24
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100 percent cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Wednesday, Feb. 25
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.
Asexual and Aromantic Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, Feb. 26
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center. To be more fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. 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, 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.
Friday, February 13
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at noon at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour Meetup” at 7 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Women in their Twenties and Thirties will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the D.C. area. For more details, visit the group on Facebook.
Saturday, February 14
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.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host a screening of “Love and Pride” at 1:30 p.m. This event is a joy-filled global streaming celebration honoring queer courage, Pride, and the power of love. It’s a bold celebration of courage and community — a fearless reminder of what we’ve overcome, how love is what makes us unstoppable, and how we have always turned fear into fierce. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Sunday, February 15
LGBTQ+ Community Coffee and Conversation will be at 12 p.m. at As You Are. This event is for people looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ community. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, February 16
Queer Book Club will be at 7:00p.m. on Zoom. This month’s read is “Faebound” by Saara El-Arifi. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
“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, February 17
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, February 18
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, February 19
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. 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 DC Center’s website.
In honor of Black History Month, the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host a series of events uplifting the histories, artistry, and resilience of Black LGBTQ+ communities through dialogue, film, and intentional gathering.
The series begins with “Ballroom Culture: Rhythms of Resilience,” a panel discussion on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 at 7 p.m. Artists, activists, and leaders from the ballroom community will explore ballroom’s historical, cultural, and political significance as a site of resistance, kinship, creative expression, and social justice within Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ communities.
On Friday, Feb. 13 at 12:30 p.m., the Center will host a screening of the groundbreaking documentary “Paris is Burning,” which chronicles New York City’s ballroom scene and house culture while examining themes of race, class, identity, and survival through the voices of legendary performers including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija, and Dorian Corey.
The month will conclude with “Soul Centered: A Black LGBTQ+ Gathering” on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. This free, RSVP-required event invites Black LGBTQ+ community members into a space of rest, connection, and reflection centered on love in all its forms. The gathering will feature a panel conversation with Black LGBTQ+ creatives, healers, and community members, followed by intentional speed connections and a closing social mixer.
For more details and to RSVP, visit the Center’s website.
D.C. police arrest man for burglary at gay bar Spark Social House
Going for gold: Ford Bronco Sport vs. Toyota RAV4
How do we honor Renee Good, Alex Pretti?
Judge rescinds order against activist in Capital Pride lawsuit
Calendar: February 20-26
LGBTQ groups question US health agreements with African countries
Trump falsely links trans people to terrorism
Fellow lawmakers praise Adam Ebbin after Va. Senate farewell address
LGBTQ activists mourn the Rev. Jesse Jackson
