Out & About
Calendar: Sept. 6-12
Parties, meetings and events in the week to come
Friday, Sept. 6
Gay District meets at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 8:30-9:30 p.m. The facilitated group discussion covers building understanding of gay culture and personal identity and awareness of community events for LGBT men between the ages of 18-35 in the D.C. area. For more details, visit gaydistrict.org.
Red Bear Brewing (209 M St., N.E.) hosts Slay Them, a drag competition, tonight at 9 p.m. Desiree Dik and Wang Newton host the competition. The prize is $50 and the chance to co-host and perform at a future event with Desiree Dik at Red Bear. For more information, visit facebook.com/redbearbrewing.
Saturday, Sept. 7
TheatreWashington hosts its kickoff party at Arena Stage (1101 6th St., S.W.) today from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. There will be performances, demonstrations, conversations and giveaways. Performers include Felicia Curry, Hasani Allen, Erin Driscoll, Rayanne Gonzales, Aaron Bliden and more. Admission is free. For more information, visit facebook.com/theatrewashington.
Sunday, Sept. 8
DCATS hosts Naming Yourself, an event for the transmasc community, at Whitman-Walker Health (1525 14th St., N.W.) today at 5 p.m. General information will be provided on how to change your name but it will not focus on the legal process. DCATS meetings are for individuals assigned female at birth but who believe this is an inaccurate description of themselves. For more information, visit facebook.com/dcatsociety.
DCATS hosts Partners of Transmasc Folx, a support group for partners of transmasc individuals, at Whitman-Walker Health (1525 14th St., N.W.) today at 5 p.m. The group will share stories on their experiences having a transmasc partner. For details, visit facebook.com/dcatsociety.
Monday, Sept. 9
TheatreWashington hosts ShowTunes and Cocktails at the Beacon Bar & Grill (1615 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. The event will be hosted by pianist Glenn Pearson. Guest artists include Greg Maheu and Monique Midgette. Tickets are pay-what-you-can. Ten percent of the night’s proceeds will benefit the Beacon Bar & Grill. For more information, visit facebook.com/theatrewashington.
D.C. Startup Week welcomes Ebone Bell, found and editor of Tagg Magazine, at Booz Allen Hamilton Innovation Center (901 15th St., N.W.) to moderate a panel at 3:30 p.m. on closing the equity gap in your workplace. Registration is free. For more details, visit dcstartupweek.com.
“A Night For Kristina Kelly” is tonight at 8 p.m. at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W. first floor) with performances by many local drag and performance D.C. regulars, some of whom are coming out of retirement for this one-time benefit event for Kelly, one of D.C.’s drag legends. Kelly is having gastric bypass surgery and is insured, but needs about $3,000 for her recovery needs. Friends are uniting to help. Look for the event on Facebook for details.
Tuesday, Sept. 10
“Queer Eye” food and wine expert Antoni Porowski appears at the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. to discuss his new cookbook “Antoni in the Kitchen.” Porowski will demo recipes from the book, answer audience questions and discuss why food and healthy living is important to him. Tickets range from $45-95. For more information, visit thelincolndc.com.
The Office of LGBTQ Affairs hosts its Advisory Committee Meeting at the Reeves Center Municipal Building (2000 14th St., N.W.) this evening from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The meeting will advise the mayor on LGBTQ issues for D.C. residents and offer recommendations on the focus of the Office of LGBTQ Affairs. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.
The D.C. Chapter of StartOut moderates a panel for D.C. Start Up Week at CrossLead (1445 New York Ave., N.W.) this evening at 6 p.m. The panel focuses on alternative ways to fund a startup. The introduction begins at 6 p.m. followed by the panel discussion at 6:30. There will be a post-event networking event at 7:30 p.m. Registration is free. For more details, visit dcstartupweek.org.
Leslie Jones tapes comedy specials at the Warner Theatre (513 13th St., N.W.) tonight at 7 and 9 p.m. Tickets are $37. For more information, visit warnertheatredc.com.
Wednesday, Sept. 11
The National Book Festival presents Neil Patrick Harris at the Library of Congress (101 Independence Ave., S.E.) tonight at 7 p.m. Harris will discuss his book “The Magic Misfits: The Minor Third,” the third book in his New York Times bestselling book series. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase. Admission is free but tickets are required for entry. Seating is first-come, first-served. Doors open at 6 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/libraryofcongress.
WeDC House presents Building an Inclusive Culture at Your Startup, a panel discussion for D.C. Start Up Week, at Eaton (1201 K St., N.W.) at 11 a.m. The panel discussion will focus on LGBTQ issues in hiring and startup life. For details, visit dcstartupweek.org.
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 required and new comers welcome. If you need a partner, call 703-407-6540.
Big Gay Book Group meets at Trio Bistro Restaurant (1537 17th St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. to discuss “Like a Love Story” by Abdi Nazemian. Newcomers welcome. For more details, visit biggaybookgroup.com or email [email protected].
Thursday, Sept. 12
Pitchers D.C. (2317 18th St., N.W.) kicks off Pitchers Drag World Series, a new drag competition, tonight at 10 p.m. Ten contestants will compete for the crown. Venus Valhalla hosts the show. For more information, visit facebook.com/pitchers-drag-world-series.
Metropolitan A.M.E. Church (1518 M St., N.W.) presents 2018 Democratic gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams today at 6:30 p.m. Abrams will discuss fighting voter suppression and ensuring that every American is counted in the 2020 Census. Tickets are $40. Proceeds benefit Metropolitan A.M.E. Church. For more details, visit thefamilyroom.eventbrite.com.
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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