Music & Concerts
D.C. music fest gears up for Oct. return
All Things Go broadens scope in sixth year
From labor-of-love blog to the largest music festival in the District, All Things Go has grown up from its original online music musings in 2006.
In 2014, the creators moved from digital platform to the big stage and started the All Things Go Fall Classic, a live music festival featuring emerging and popular artists. The sixth annual edition of the festival will take place Oct. 12-13 at Union Market.
However, according to one of the founders, Zach Friendly, it’s much more than the acts that make All Things Go a top draw for arts and entertainment this fall. For the organizers, all native Washingtonians, ensuring that the festival remained a distinct part of the D.C. fabric was paramount.
“We wanted a vibe, and found one in Union Market, that was a cross between music festival and block party,” Friendly says. “It’s not a large-scale festival like Lollapalooza in DC. It’s more grassroots and it’s important for us to keep the festival in city limits.”
Though Friendly (who’s straight) and his co-organizers express pride at the talent they bring to the stage, they’re also ensuring that the food and art receive recognition and top billing. As locals, Friendly says, “We are partnering not only with national chains, but small restaurants and vendors from diverse backgrounds.”
All Things Go has worked with Union Market itself, and vendors within, to mesh seamlessly with their location: more of an extension of the market than a venue rental. Their goal is to integrate with the community and local representation.
“We’ve noticed that fans aren’t just showing up for the headliners in the evening,” Friendly says. “They come early, have drinks and food when they arrive and again later in the day. People treat the Classic as an all-day festival.”
This year presents even more non-stage activities. For one, the food.
Friendly and his team curated a list of mostly D.C.-based places to emphasize the locality of the festival. Favorites like &pizza, Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling, D.C. Empanadas, Swizzler, Arepa Zone, JRINK and Taqueria del Barrio (which the Blade recently profiled) will all be present. Shake Shack is on hand too, for burger staples, but shares space with the likes of late-night baked goods gods (Insomnia Cookies) and handmade bao makers (Bun’d Up). Many of these local vendors are new, looking to become part of what is indeed becoming a classic.
In addition, since the festival is only one stage, organizers have planted other activations around it: recent art installations include 360-degree slow motion photo booths, virtual reality lounges, spray paint walls and interactive stations featuring portraits of the performers.
Friendly was frank about the makeup of the audience and notes that the festival has become purpose-driven itself.
“Last year we made a concerted effort to create the most welcoming space possible for women and other communities. Sunday ended up being a hugely LGBTQ-friendly day, especially given Betty Who, who has become something of a house act, and of course Carlie Rae Jepsen,” he says.
Again this year, Sunday’s lineup is dedicated entirely to female and non-binary artists. Friendly notes that many bands are led by male frontmen, and has looked for ways to elevate female-led groups. All Things Go, as last year, is partnering with Eaton and Lyft to host two events before the festival dates on female entrepreneurship and women in the creative arts, with speakers from National Geographic and NPR, among others.
Also new this year: a partnership with Nellie’s. On Sunday of the festival, the bar will be hosting something of an informal “Betty Who Brunch.” For an additional $30, festivalgoers can head to Nellie’s for its traditional bottomless boozy brunch party. Post-mimosas, there’s an included shuttle to the festival.
Tickets are available at allthingsgofallclassic.com/tickets.
Music & Concerts
Washington chorale kicks off Christmas with vibrant program
‘Thine Own Sweet Light’ concerts planned
The full Washington Master Chorale will return for its annual holiday concert tradition with “Thine Own Sweet Light” on Friday, Dec. 19 and Sunday, Dec. 21 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church (D.C.) and Church of the Epiphany (D.C.).
The concert will feature the rich sounds of the 50-voice, a cappella chorus performing lush, seasonal choral music inspired by the theme of light. Highlights include Edvard Grieg’s “Ave Maris Stella,” Eric Whitacre’s “Lux Aurumque,” and Christopher Hoh’s “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts.” The program will also present a new work by Barcelona composer Josep Ollé i Sabaté, along with charming holiday folk songs and seasonal favorites.
For more details, visit the Washington Master Chorale website.
Music & Concerts
Queer mega stars (and allies) ready to take D.C. stages this fall
Watch LGBTQ icons light up stages across the DMV as they sing, dance, and drag their way through spectacular shows.
One of the best ways to welcome fall is by catching LGBTQ performers (and their allies) lighting up some of the D.C. area’s biggest stages. From country and pop to drag and rock, the season is packed with shows you won’t want to miss.
Maren Morris – The country, rock, and pop diva—known for hits like “The Bones” and for standing up against Nashville’s anti-LGBTQ voices—takes the stage at Wolf Trap (1551 Trap Rd, Vienna, Va.) on Friday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $64.
RuPaul – The mother of modern drag and host of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will spin a DJ set at Echostage (2135 Queens Chapel Rd NE) in Northeast D.C. on Sept. 20. Before RuPaul swaps wigs for headphones, Trade and Number 9 owner Ed Bailey will warm up the decks. For tickets and details visit echostage.com.
Conan Gray – The queer pop prince, celebrated for his Gen Z anthems like “Heather” and “Maniac,” brings his Wishbone Pajama Show to EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, VA, (4500 Patriot Cir) on Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $113. For more info visit shop.conangray.com/pages/tour.
All Things Go Music Festival – With a lineup that includes Noah Kahan, Lucy Dacus, Kesha, Clairo, Doechii, and more, the beloved LGBTQ-friendly festival takes over Merriweather Post Pavilion (10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, Md.) Sept. 26–28. For tickets and details visit allthingsgofestival.com.
BERTHA: Grateful Drag – This unique tribute brings drag artistry and the sounds of the Grateful Dead to The Atlantis (2047 9th St NW) on Sept. 27. Tickets start at $47 at theatlantis.com.
Peach PRC – Rising Australian pop star and out lesbian, whose confessional tracks like “Perfect for You” and “Forever Drunk” have made her a queer TikTok darling, performs at The Atlantis on Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. The show is general admission only. Additional details are on theatlantis.com.
Addison Rae – The TikTok star-turned-pop princess, who’s crossed over into music with glossy hits like “Diet Pepsi” brings her sold out show to The Anthem (901 Wharf St., S.W.) on Sept. 30. Tickets are sold out, but resale options start around $80. For more info visit theanthemdc.com.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary – Celebrate the cult classic that’s been a queer midnight-movie staple for decades, with Barry Bostwick (a.k.a. Brad Majors) at the Warner Theatre (513 13th St., N.W.) on Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $41 via Ticketmaster.
Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight & Stephanie Mills – Four legends, one stage. Between Khan’s funk, LaBelle’s soul, Knight’s R&B, and Mills’ powerhouse vocals, this concert at Capital One Arena (601 F St NW) on Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. promises pure diva magic. Tickets start at $103. For more details visit capitalonearena.com.
Lorde – Joined by The Japanese House and Chanel Beads, the Grammy-winning New Zealand singer-songwriter behind “Royals” and “Solar Power” returns to The Anthem on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. Lorde has long been embraced by queer fans for her dreamy pop and subversive lyrics. For more info visit theanthemdc.com.
Andy Bell (of Erasure) – The British queer rock icon, best known for synth-pop classics like “A Little Respect” and “Chains of Love,” brings his Ten Crowns Tour to the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.) on Friday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $90.45.
Doechii – The self-described queer “Swamp Princess”—and WorldPride 2025 headliner—continues her breakout year with the Live from the Swamp Tour at The Anthem on Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. Known for blending rap, R&B, and avant-garde performance art, Doechii is one to watch. Tickets start at $153.
Neon Trees – The out-and-proud Utah rockers behind “Everybody Talks” and “Animal” perform at the Lincoln Theatre on Friday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. Lead singer Tyler Glenn, who came out publicly in 2014, has become a strong queer voice in alternative rock. For tickets and info visit impconcerts.com.
Sasha Colby – The “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 15 winner strips down on the Stripped II Tour at the Warner Theatre on Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets available now on Ticketmaster.
Lola Young – The bisexual indie-pop sensation, whose raw songwriting has earned her millions of TikTok fans and multiple chart soaring hits visits The Anthem on Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets are still available.
Opera Lafayette
Featuring Mary Elizabeth Williams as Dido
+ Elijah McCormack, Chelsea Helm
Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m.
Sixth & I
PostClassical Ensemble
The Pale Blue Do: A Musical Voyage Inspired By Nature
Featuring National Geographic’s Enric Sala, Guest Curator
Wednesday, November 19, 7:30 p.m.
Terrace Theater
Washington Concert Opera
Starring Kate Lindsey, Theo Hoffman, John Moore, and Fran Daniel Laucerica
Nov. 23, 6 p.m.
Lisner Auditorium
Washington Master Chorale
An intimate a capella concert taking place in an architectural jewel, featuring cherished choral gems from Anglican and Catholic tradition and early American hymns. The concert will also present the world premiere of Christopher Hoh’s Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts, and hymn singing featuring Robert Church, organist and choirmaster at St David’s.
Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m.
October 19, 5 p.m.
St. David’s Episcopal Church
Music & Concerts
Cyndi Lauper ready to have fun in Virginia
Superstar to bring final leg of farewell tour to Jiffy Lube Live
Superstar Cyndi Lauper will bring the final leg of her farewell tour “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” to Bristow, Va., on Thursday, July 24 at Jiffy Lube Live.
Lauper’s international Farewell Tour – her first major headlining run in a decade – kicked off in North America last October, and included her first time ever headlining (and selling out) Madison Square Garden. Lauper’s performances have earned raves from the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Billboard, and many more, and surprise guests have included Chaka Khan, Sam Smith, and Hayley Williams. The tour just visited the U.K. and Europe, and will head to Australia and Japan in April.
Tickets are available on Live Nation’s website.
Study shows ‘pervasive mistreatment of LGBTQ people by law enforcement’
HRC study reveals GOP efforts to undermine LGBTQ rights and services in 2026
Victory Institute honors President Biden
Tammy Bruce, Trump’s lesbian nominee for deputy UN ambassador. Just say no!
SPJ calls for take down of Trump’s ‘media offenders’ website
‘Lavender Scare 2.0’: inside the White House’s campaign against LGBTQ federal employees
HIV/AIDS activists block intersection near White House
Meet Mr. Christmas
Activists praise Mayor Bowser’s impact on city, LGBTQ community
Tokyo court upholds Japan’s same-sex marriage ban
-
The White House3 days ago‘Lavender Scare 2.0’: inside the White House’s campaign against LGBTQ federal employees
-
District of Columbia5 days ago
HIV/AIDS activists block intersection near White House
-
a&e features2 days ago
Meet Mr. Christmas
-
District of Columbia3 days ago
Activists praise Mayor Bowser’s impact on city, LGBTQ community
