Out & About
Calendar: Aug. 30-Sept. 5
Parties, shows and events in the week to come
Friday, Aug. 30
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) hosts Queer Tango Class tonight from 7-9 p.m. The class teaches beginner students basic tango vocabulary and technique. There will also be a discussion on the assumptions of gender in dance. Attendees can experiment dancing in both gender roles. Liz Sabatiuk of Tango Mercurio leads the class. There is a requested $10 donation to support the D.C. Center. Sliding scale tickets are available by request. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
“Gone Fishin,’” a play by out playwright Steve Langley, runs as part of the Silver Spring Stage One-Act Festival at the Silver Spring Stage (10145 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, Md.) tonight at 8 pm. Set in the ‘90s, a grieving father meets a stranger at a fishing hole where he discovers his deceased son was in a romantic relationship with another man. Axandre Oge, Sebastian Leighton and Melvin D. Smith star. Gregory Ford will direct. Tickets range from $22-25. For details visit, ssstage.org.
Saturday, Aug. 31
The Library of Congress hosts its 2019 National Book Festival at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (801 Mt Vernon Pl., N.W.) today from 8:30 a..m.-8 p.m. Guest speakers include U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, David McCullough, Michael Beschloss, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Barbara Kingsolver, celebrity chef José Andrés, graphic novelist Raina Telgemeier and Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction recipient Richard Ford. Admission is free. For a complete list of events, visit loc.gov.
The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) hosts Brut, a Labor day weekend party, tonight from 10 p.m.-6 a.m. DJ Peter Napoli and DJ Dan Darlington will play music. Dress code is flexible with or without gear. Tickets are $25 online. Door sales will also be available. For more information, visit brutparty.com.
Songbyrd Music House & Record Cafe (2475 18th St., N.W.) hosts Superstar,a new drag show, tonight from 9-11 p.m. Spots are open for drag performers all night. New drag performers looking to practice their skills and seasoned performers looking to make more tips are welcome to perform. Bombalicious Eklaver hosts the show. No cover. Visit songbyrddc.com for more details.
Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) hosts an underwear dance party tonight from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Cover is $5. For more details, visit greenlanterndc.com.
Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) hosts Qwerty, a gay dance party, tonight from 10 p.m.-2:45 a.m. DJ Adam Koussari-Amin, DJ Dvonne and DJ Jeff Prior will spin tracks. Claudia will serve as guest DJ. Summer Camp will perform. No cover. For more information, visit facebook.com/tradebardc.
Sunday, Sept. 1
The BackRoom (715 Florida Ave., N.W.) hosts Electric Rainbow: Back from the Beach, a gay dance party, tonight from 5-10 p.m. DJ Chord will play music. KC B. Yoncé and Jazzmin will perform. The party is through the freezer door at Capo. For details, visit facebook.com/backroomcapo.
Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) presents Sunday Best, a drag show, tonight from 9 p.m.-2:45 a.m. Sylvanna Duvél and Jaxknife Complex will perform. Tammy Kunté and Vagensis will host the event. Ms. Rose, Wess the DJ and Lemz will spin tracks. There will be a walk-off contest at 11 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/tradebardc.
Flash (645 Florida Ave., N.W.) hosts Flashy Labor Day Weekend tonight from 10 p.m.-5 a.m. The Barber Streisand will spin tracks on the roof and Bill Spieler will play music on the first floor. DJ Twin and DJ Sea Morris will spin tracks on the main floor until 5 a.m. Bar is open until 4 a.m. Cover is $20. For more details, visit facebook.com/flashydc.
Monday, Sept. 2
Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) hosts Labor Gay, a day party for “working girls,” today from 2-7 p.m. There will be popsicles, performances and a raffle for tickets to Capital Pride’s “Music in the Night” event in October. For more information, visit facebook.com/tradebardc.
Tuesday, Sept. 3
Grammy winner Mary J. Blige performs at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap (1551 Trap Rd., Vienna, Va.) tonight at 8 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $45. For more details, visit wolftrap.org.
Wednesday, Sept. 4
Bookmen D.C., an informal gay men’s literature group, discusses “Such Times” by Christopher Coe at the Cleveland Park Library (3310 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, visit bookmendc.blogspot.com.
JR.’s Bar (1519 17th St., N.W.) celebrates Beyoncé’s birthday with its second annual B-Day Kiki: Oh My Beyoncé Edition tonight from 8-11 p.m. KC B. Yoncé and Cocoa Godiva will perform. DJ Wess spins tracks all night. There will be $4 drink specials. $2 Jell-O shots will be on sale with proceeds donated to SMYAL. For details, visit facebook.com/jrsbardc.
Thursday, Sept. 5
A support group for the Asian and Pacific Islander Queer Community meets at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 7-8 p.m. The group is co-sponsored by the Asian Pacific Islander Queer Society D.C. and Asian Queers United for Action. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.
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.
Music & Concerts
Berkshire Choral to commemorate Matthew Shepard’s life
Concert held at Washington National Cathedral
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.
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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