Out & About

Calendar: Sept. 20-26

Parties, shows and events in the week to come

Published

6 years ago

September 20, 2019

Philip Van Slooten

Jonathan Van Ness, gay news, Washington Blade — ‘Queer Eye’s’ **Jonathan Van Ness** talks about his new memoir, ‘Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love’ on Sept. 26. (Photo by Dexter Brown)

Friday, Sept. 20

The REACH Opening Festival starts today from 9 a.m.-10:30 p.m. at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts (2700 F St., N.W.). The event includes 16 days and nights of free performances and activities celebrating the new expansion of the REACH campus. These innovative indoor and outdoor spaces put the audience at the center of the art. Tickets and information available at cams.kennedy-center.org.

The historic Woodrow Wilson House museum (2340 S. St., N.W.) presents its Vintage Garden Soirée tonight from 6-9 p.m. Step back in time and experience the excitement of the 1920s while dancing under the stars to live jazz music by the Foggy Bottom Whomp Stompers. Toast the upcoming anniversary of Women’s Suffrage with a vintage cocktail. Tickets start at $40. Come early for the VIP reception to meet the curator and see rare Suffrage artifacts. Visit woodrowwilsonhouse.org/events for tickets and information.

Fall isn’t here yet. Join host DJ Matt Bailer at the Hot Gurl Summer Queer Dance Party starting at 10 p.m. tonight in the Satellite Room (2047 9th St., N.W.). Tickets are $5 for this 21-and-up event. Doors open at 10, show starts at midnight and dancing fills the night until 3 a.m. Dee Dee Deleon, Washington Heights and Venus Fastrada also host. For tickets and information, visit eventbrite.com.

Saturday, Sept. 21

The Maryland Trans Resilience Conference is today from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Lord Baltimore Hotel (20 West Baltimore St., Baltimore). The conference includes workshops, panel discussions, wellness, art, resource tables and more all within a trans-affirming environment. Admission is free but registration is encouraged at eventbrite.com.

“Coat of Many Colors: The Music of Dolly Parton” hosted by The American Pops Orchestra is tonight from 8-9:30 p.m. at Arena Stage (1101 6th St., N.W.). Tickets start at $35 for this one-night only show. Join the American Pops for a season opener featuring the music of an iconic, country legend featuring the talents of Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Joan Osborne, Nova Payton of “Dreamgirls,” Garrett Clayton of King Cobra and “Hairspray Live” and many more. Visit eventbrite.com for tickets and information.

Defending our Transgender Brothers and Sisters in Arms presented by Veterans Against Hate is tonight from 4-6:30 p.m. at the Cloyd Heck Marvin Center Amphitheater (800 21st St., N.W.). Opening statement will begin at 4 p.m. followed by a panel discussion at 4:30, a reception at 6 and a screening of the documentary “TransMilitary” at 6:30. Learn more about this free event at thedccenter.org and veteransagainsthate.org.

The D.C. Shorts International Film Festival opening weekend city view party is tonight from 7-9 p.m. at the Cambria Hotel Washington, D.C. Convention Center (899 O St., N.W.). Tickets are $25. Celebrate the festival’s opening weekend with cocktails, appetizers and dancing to DJ MIM beneath the stars. Tickets and information available at dcshorts.ticketleap.com.

Sunday, Sept. 22

The Sunday Dinner Drag Show is tonight and every Sunday at Shaw’s Tavern (520 Florida Ave., N.W.) starting at 8 p.m. Join drag queen Kristina Kelly and her ladies of illusion along with dinner and a side of laughs. Free tickets are available on eventbrite.com, but attendees must still make a reservation by emailing [email protected].

QT Fusion Dance: Blues Night is tonight from 6-9:30 p.m. at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.). The event features LGBTQ blues dance lessons taught by Lucy and Clyde. Lucy McVeigh is a partner dancer with 10 years experience specializing in lindy hop and blues, while Clyde is a seasoned instructor who is the only blues dancer in D.C. to compete at the all-star level in national competitions. Lessons are $10, $5 via Facebook and free in exchange for volunteering. For more information, visit eventbrite.com or Facebook events.

Monday, Sept. 23

Rayceen’s Reading Room is tonight from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Cleveland Park Public Library (3310 Connecticut Ave., N.W.). Team Rayceen kick off the D.C. public library’s banned books week with an evening of entertainment filled with author talks, poetry readings, dramatic monologues and more all designed to highlight self-expression, cultural diversity and freedom of speech. Visit dclibrary.org to find out more about this and other banned book week events.

Tuesday, Sept. 24

The “Dracula” season three watch party is tonight and every Tuesday at 9 p.m. at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.). Watch the newest episode of “Dracula” with local host Crystal Edge. Following the screening will be a drag show featuring a rotating list of guest performers. There is no cover for this 18-and-up event and drinks are two for one all night, every Tuesday. For more information visit eventbrite.com.

Wednesday, Sept. 25

Night Out for Trevor hosted by The Trevor Project is tonight from 6-9 p.m. at Pitchers D.C. (2317 18th St., N.W.). Ticket sales support the project’s youth suicide prevention services. Come enjoy an open bar sponsored by Three Olives Vodka, meet local and national Trevor representatives and learn about ways you can support LGBTQ youth. For tickets and information, visit give.thetrevorproject.org.

The 14th Hispanic LGBTQ Heritage Awards hosted by the Latino GLBT history project are tonight from 6-9 p.m. at the Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.). Hispanic heritage month is a time for the community to come together and recognize exceptional individuals who have celebrated and promoted the Latinx experience. Food and drink will be provided. Admission is free but donations are accepted at the door. Visit latinoglbthistory.org for more information.

The Lambda Bridge Club meets 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E., across from the Marine Barracks) for duplicate bridge. No reservations are needed and newcomers are welcome. Phone 202-841-0279 if you need a partner.

Thursday, Sept. 26

“Queer Eye’s” Jonathan Van Ness talks about his new memoir, “Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love” tonight starting at 7:30 p.m. at Sixth & I (600 I St., N.W.). Van Ness moves from the grooming and self-care tips that launched him to stardom on the landmark make-over series to details about his life today. For more information, visit sixthandi.org.

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Calendar

Calendar: June 13-19

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

6 hours ago

June 12, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, June 13

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” 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].

Women in Their Twenties and Thirties will be at 8 p.m. at Wundergarten. An update will be posted the night of the event on where to find WiTT’s table. There’ll be a Pride flag to help people find the group. For more details, join WiTT’s closed Facebook group.

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Pride Month Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach bar and Restaurant. 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 14

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.

Rainbow History Project will host “Behind the Scenes With the Senior Curator of ‘Pickets, Protests and Parades’” at 7:30p.m. at Freedom Plaza. This behind-the-scenes experience offers a rare glimpse into the creative process behind this groundbreaking showcase of DC’s LGBTQ+ history. Learn about the bold design decisions that shaped the Quote Wall and Hero Cubes and the powerful stories that almost made the cut. Tickets cost $82 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Monday, June 16

“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].

Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. 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% cis. For more information, visit their website at www.genderqueerdc.org or check us out on Facebook.

Tuesday, June 17

Bi+ Roundtable and Discussion 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. Check out Facebook or Meetup for more information.

Wednesday, June 18

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 thedccenter.org/careers.

“Legends Live Loud: A Queer Karaoke Experience” will be at 7 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This will be a dynamic, Center-wide karaoke event celebrating the brilliance and cultural impact of some of our most colorful queer icons. The Center will honor legends through music, pop culture, dance, and inextinguishable liberation. For more details and to sign up, visit the DC Center’s website.

Thursday, June 19

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Book Club” at 7:30 p.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. This book club is co-hosted by EQUALITY NoVa and is another opportunity to engage in a fun and rewarding activity. The group doesn’t discriminate when it comes to genres it reads – from classic literature to best selling novels to biographies to histories to gay fiction. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Cultivating Change Foundation will host “Cultivating Pride Happy Hour” at 5:30 p.m. at Dacha Beer Garden. This Pride month, the organization is inviting LGBTQ+ people and allies in food and agriculture to come together in communities nationwide. These informal gatherings are a chance to connect, celebrate, and build community, whether it’s over coffee, a cocktail, or a conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Out & About

Trans Unity Coalition celebrates Pride with march, workshops

Organization to host rally at U.S. Capitol

Published

6 days ago

June 6, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

(Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Trans Unity Coalition, a transgender non-profit registered in multiple states, will host a series of Pride events to celebrate the resilience, beauty, and fierceness of D.C.’s queer community.

On, Sunday, June 15, the organization will host “U.S. Capitol Rally & White House March for Transgender Unity” at 9:30 p.m. starting at the U.S. Capitol. There will be speakers to discuss hope, strength, joy, collective pride, and what America’s transgender community needs to do going forward.

From Monday, June 16 to Friday, June 20, there will be an advocacy workshop hosted virtually. This virtual workshop will teach members lessons in advocacy, and how to independently engage with their elected officials. This is free to all who wish to gain these skills.

On Monday, June 23, there will be an all-day “Congress Lobby Day” at the U.S. Capitol. This is not a demonstration, but rather pre-scheduled meetings with members of Congress. The goal is to discuss the ongoing and emerging needs of America’s transgender community, build more networks with lawmakers, and empower attendees to learn engagement tools they can take with them going forward.

For more details about all the events, visit Trans Unity Coalition’s website.

Calendar

Calendar: June 6-12

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

6 days ago

June 6, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, June 6

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 12 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. For more details, email [email protected].

Pizza Diversity will host “Sip & Pizza Night – A Class For the Culture” at 6 p.m. at Penn Randall Place. This event is no gimmicks, just great pizza, real connection, and community. Tickets cost $92.55 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Saturday, June 7

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.

“World Pride Women, Sapphics, LGBTQ Rooftop Party” will be at 9 p.m. at Baby Shank Rooftop Bar and Lounge. This will be an exciting women’s party at World Pride! Celebrate love, dance to amazing beats by some of the nation’s hottest LGBTQ DJs. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

Dance With Pride will host “WorldPride Weekend: Ultimate Pregame” at 7 p.m. at Ultrabar. This will be the ultimate LGBTQ+ pre-game destination. Get ready to ignite your evening with infectious energy, dynamic beats, unforgettable performances, and an atmosphere that gets you ready for an unstoppable night of celebration and fun. Tickets start at $13.26 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

LGBTQ People of Color Support Group 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 the strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.

Sunday, June 8

Brandan Robertson will host a WorldPride book launch event for his book “Queer and Christian” at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. This is a groundbreaking book exploring the intersection of queer identity and Christian faith. The event kicks off with Brandan Robertson preaching at the 10:30 a.m. service, followed by a dynamic discussion with Brandan, moderated by Rev. Thomas Bowen, former Senior Advisor for Public Engagement at the Biden White House, at 12 p.m. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, June 9

“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” 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].

Tuesday, June 10

Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].

Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This support group is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.

Thirst and Paint will host “Free Gay Sip and Paint” at 6:30 p.m. at Green Lantern. This is catered to the LGBTQ community. Allies are also welcome. Outlines and paint instructions will be provided as will the paint, canvas and brushes. Drinks are available from the private bar. With three hours of expressive painting, your night will be filled with creativity, sexiness and fun. Tickets cost $23.18 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Wednesday, June 11

Thursday, June 12

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, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.