Out & About
Calendar: Oct. 4-10
Parties, shows and events in the week to come
Friday, Oct. 4
The Outrage (1722 14th St., N.W.) hosts the 50 Years of Queer D.C. Photo Exhibit tonight from 6-8 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. The exhibition includes a one-of-a-kind journey through Washington Blade archival photos and features remarks by Council member David Grosso. Photos will be auctioned off at the Washington Blade 50th Birthday Gala on Oct. 18. Tickets and information at blade50th.com.
Ladies Night in the Park hosted by Sarah Fraser is tonight from 6-9:30 p.m. at various venues along Park Potomac Avenue. Tickets are free, but register to attend. Participating restaurants include Addies, Founding Farmers and SUGO. The Wine Harvest will provide wine and beer for purchase, and area DJs will provide the music. Also available will be Putt Putt, lawn games and raffles to support charity partner I Support the Girls. Visit eventbrite.com for tickets and information.
Desiree Dik hosts “Slay Them!” tonight from 9-11 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing (209 M St, N.E.). Performers are invited to bring their friends to this drag competition happening the first Friday every month. Fans of queer art and drag are encouraged to come out and vote for their favorite performer each month. For more information, visit redbear.beer.
The Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance (AGLA) hosts its monthly First Friday Social at Pinzimini at the Westin Hotel (801 North Glebe Rd., Arlington, Va.) tonight from 6:30-8:30 p.m. AGLA social events enable Arlington LGBTQ and ally neighbors time to relax and spend time together. Attendees are invited to bring friends, enjoy cash bar drinks and meet new people from around the community and the world. More information is available at agla.org.
The Pride Center of Maryland (2530 N. Charles St., 3rd Floor, Baltimore) hosts Giovanni’s Room Open Mic tonight from 7-10 p.m. This event is a monthly open mic that seeks to support Baltimore’s LGBTQ artists and entrepreneurs by providing a platform to share, sell and support one another. Doors open at 7 and show starts at 7:30. Hosted by DaTruth DaPoet and featuring Hip-Hop artist Malcolm Ivanon. Visit pridecentermd.org for more information.
Ladies First Fridays Super Happy Hour is tonight and every first Friday at Club Elevate (15 K St., N.E.) from 5-9:30 p.m. Entry fee is $5. Hosted by Shari Dee and featuring music by DJ Styles, the venue provides happy hour food, drink specials and hookahs as well as House music, Reggae, line dance and more. More information available at facebook.com/ladiesfirstent.net.
Saturday, Oct. 5
The Center Arts Gallery Opening Reception for Veyron Pax is tonight from 7-9 p.m. at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W., Suite 105). Pax is an Iranian-American artist, filmmaker and human rights activist currently based in D.C. For more information about this free public event, visit thedccenter.org.
Sheila E. Performs tonight at the Howard Theater (620 T St., N.W.) at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $49.50. For tickets and information, visit thehowardtheater.com.
Run the Rainbow Pride 5K in Virginia Beach is today starting at 5:30 a.m. at 2200 Parks Avenue in Virginia Beach, Va. This 18-and-up event is to celebrate the Hampton Roads LGBTQ community through fun and visibility. For more information, visit hamptonroads.eventful.com.
Avalon Saturdays presents Daddy Issues with DJ’s Steve Sidewalk and Sean Morris tonight starting at 10 p.m. at Soundcheck (1420 K St., N.W.). Tatianna from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” hosts this 21-and-up event. Tickets start at $10 with $4 Absolut drinks served from 10-midnight. Drag show runs from 10:30-11:30 p.m. Visit soundcheckdc.com for details.
The Transgender Assistance Program of Virginia meets today from 4-6 p.m. at the LGBT Life Center (247 W. 25th St., Norfolk, Va.) to discuss ways to combat homelessness within the transgender community in Virginia. TAP VA is an all volunteer, trans-led non-profit organization created to provide educational opportunities around the intersectionality between homelessness, discrimination, socioeconomic status and racism within the trans community in Virginia. For more information, visit lgbtlifecenter.org.
Sunday, Oct. 6
“Cats” ends its run at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) with today’s 1:30 p.m. performance. Tickets start at $49. Tickets and information available at kennedy-center.org.
The National Museum of Women in the Arts (1250 New York Ave., N.W.) presents the Fierce Women 2.0 tour today from 1-2 p.m. No reservations are required, but space is limited. Visitors are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the tour to sign up at the information desk. Tour departs from the Great Hall. For more information, visit nmwa.org.
Drag Queen Tiny Kitten Bingo hosted by Caring Hands Animal Support and Education and the Animal Welfare League of Arlington is tonight from 6:30-9:00 p.m. at the Arlington Drafthouse CInema (2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington, Va.). The Imperial Court of Washington will be on hand to bring sparkle while raising funds for animals in need. Tickets are $25 and include admission and your first bingo card. For more information visit a DJ.arlingtondrafthouse.com.
The D.C. Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence host their second annual Lavender Mass today at 3 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation (212 East Capitol St., N.E.). The public is invited to join the Sisters as they celebrate and fight for social justice and LGBTQ rights. This year’s mass will feature the D.C. Sisters’ sainting of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Badger Ginsburg for her lifeline commitment to advancing civil rights. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Sister Mary Full O’Rage at [email protected].
Monday, Oct. 7
The Staunton Public Library (1 Churchville Ave., Staunton, Va.) hosts a screening of the American Experience film “Stonewall Uprising” tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. The film explains the history behind the event launching the modern LGBTQ rights movement as well as the history leading up to the uprising. For more information, visit ci.staunton.va.us.
Tuesday, Oct. 8
The National Press Club (529 14th St., N.W.) presents Fired for Being Gay: The State of LGBTQ Rights in the Workplace today from 1-2 p.m. This free event is held on the same day the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case of Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia which may determine whether sexual orientation discrimination by an employer is prohibited under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. This event is in the Club’s First Amendment Lounge and is open to credentialed media and members of the National Press Club. Registration is required.
Wednesday, Oct. 9
Lez Read is tonight, and the second Wednesday of each month, at 7:30 p.m. at the Politics and Prose bookstore’s coffeehouse, The Den (5015 Connecticut Ave., N.W.). Group members read a wide selection works with lesbian and queer themes or written by lesbian or queer-identified authors. Email [email protected] for more information or to see this month’s selection.
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 D.C. Area Transmasculine Society (DCATS) hosts its monthly Transmasculine and Nonbinary Social Hour tonight from 6-9 p.m. at the Red Bear Brewing Company (209 M St, N.E.). Red Bear is a queer-owned brewery that serves food, drinks and has board games. The venue is open to all ages, but the DCATS social hour is a 17-and-up event. Friends and partners are welcome when accompanied by someone who is transmasculine. Visit dcats.org for more information.
The Big Gay Book Group will meet and discuss “Leading Men” by Christopher Castellani tonight at 7 p.m. at 1800 K Street, N.W., Suite 1000. “Leading Men” tells the story of Tennessee Williams and his longtime partner Frank Merlo in a tale of desire and ambition set against an exotic backdrop of 1950s Italy. For more information and to RSVP, email [email protected]. Newcomers welcome.
Thursday, Oct. 10
“Judy Chicago — The End: A Meditation on Death and Extinction” continues today through January 20, 2020 at the National Museum of Women in the Arts (1250 New York Ave., N.W.). For more information, visit nmwa.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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