Out & About

Calendar: Nov. 1-7

Parties, performances and events in the week to come

Published

6 years ago

October 30, 2019

Philip Van Slooten

gay events dc, gay news, Washington Blade — Desiree Dik’s Slay Them Dead! drag competition is Friday night at Red Bear Brewing. (Photo by Katherine Gaines of AmbientEye Photography)

Friday, Nov. 1

The Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance First Friday Social is tonight from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Pinzimini (801 North Glebe Road, Arlington, Va.). LGBT and allies are welcome to enjoy cash bar drinks in a relaxing atmosphere. No cover charge. For more information, visit agla.org/social.

Going Underground hosted by Dupont Underground (19 Dupont Circle, N.W.) is tonight from 7-10 p.m. Guests are encouraged to wear culturally bright costumes in celebration of a “Day of the Dead” theme. Featuring music by Lucy Black Entertainment and DJ Tezrah, and an after party across the street at Doyle. Tickets start at $50 on eventbrite.com.

Desiree Dik’s Slay Them Dead! drag competition tonight from 9-11 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing (209 M St., N.E.). Everyone is invited to sign up for tonight’s “Day of the Dead” event. Winners receive $50 and a chance to co-host and perform in a future event with Desiree Dik at Red Bear. Top performers from each event to battle for the Slay Them crown and a cash prize. More information at redbear.beer.

Qrew: Halloqween starts tonight at 10 p.m. at Songbyrd music house and Record Cafe (2477-2475 18th St., N.W.). The event will feature costumes, dancing and music by Tezrah. Admission is free before 11 p.m. and $10 after for this 21-and-up event. Tickets and information at songbyrddc.com.

Fright Night: A Queer Pan-African Halloween Party is tonight at 10 p.m. at Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.). Tickets are $10 online at at the door. DJs include Kryptik, Muse(o)fire and Naiome. This event is celebrates queer black and brown identity as well as the spirit of Halloween with costumes and music. For information and tickets, visit eventbrite.com.

Saturday, Nov. 2

Cornhole for a Cause is today at 11 a.m. at JR.’s Bar (1519 17th St., N.W.). Hopefully JR.’s will have its licensing issues worked out by then. Rogue Sports and Stonewall Kickball are co-sponsors of this charity tournament to benefit SMYAL. Entry fee is $50 per team of two. Fee includes 15 percent off at Hank’s Oyster Bar, 15 raffle tickets and more. Proceeds support SMYAL’s services for local LGBT youth. More information at smyal.org/event/cornhole-for-cause.

“Kid Prince and Pablo,” a modern retelling of Mark Twain’s “The Prince and the Pauper,” will be performed today at 1:30 p.m. at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.). Tickets are $20 for this sensory-friendly performance that is welcoming to family members with autism or other sensory sensitivities. Following the show, children can ask talk one-on-one with performers. Tickets and information at kennedy-center.org.

“Rise Up: LGBTQ Rights, Then and Now” presented by the Georgetown University Gender and Justice Initiative and the Newseum is today from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Knight TV Studio (555 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.). It’s free to attend with a Newseum admission. A panel of experts including Sandy James, a FreeState Justice trans rights attorney, and Connor Cory, a Whitman-Walker Health LGBTQ immigration attorney, among others will discuss LGBT history and challenges with a focus on transgender rights. Visit newseum.org for more information.

World Stages: The Manganiyar Seduction will be performed today at 2 and 8 p.m. at the Eisenhower Theater of the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.). Tickets start at $19. This show brings together singers and musicians from the Rajasthani deserts to perform traditional Manganiyar music in a “Hollywood Squares”-style visual format. Tickets and information are available at kennedy-center.org.

Tula’s Halloween Cabaret and Disco is tonight at 8 p.m.at the BlackRock Center for the Arts (12901 Town Commons Dr., Germantown, Md.). An evening of cabaret-style drag performances is followed by an all-night dance in the Grand Foyer Disco. Admission starts at $25. Disco-only tickets are $15. More information available at blackrockcenter.org.

Sunday, Nov. 3

ArtRave, an art and fashion collective in D.C., kicks off its 9th annual ensemble of emerging and established designers today from 11-5 p.m. (1514-1518 P St., NW). Also includes handmade crafts, farm fresh products and more. For more information, visit artravedc.com.

Drag Brunch Sundays hosted by RedRocks H Street (1348 H St., NE) is today starting at 11 a.m. Each show is an hour long and features different performers throughout the D.C. area. Visit redrockshstreet.com or Facebook events for more information.

Go Gay D.C. hosts “Speed Friending” today from 5-7 p.m. at the Embassy Row Hotel (2015 Massachusetts Ave., NW). At this platonic take on “speed dating,” attendees are paired up with strangers for multiple rounds of casual, friendly conversations. Attendance is free. More information and registration at eventbrite.com.

Sunday Cruise is every week at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., NE). Drink specials include $10 and $12 bottomless beer mugs and more. Guests are welcome to enjoy drinks and cigars on the patio. For more information, visit dceagle.com.

Monday, Nov. 4

2018 Beltway poetry Grand Slam Champion Jael Benjamin hosts open mic night tonight at Busboys and Poets (625 Monroe St., N.E.) at 9 p.m. $5 cover. Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis. Performances by professional spoken word artists, open mic rookies, musicians and more. A different person hosts each week. Visit busboysandpoets.com for more information.

Tuesday, Nov. 5

Life, Time and People magazine photographer David Burnett delivers an artist’s talk tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (8th and G St., N.W.). An award-winning photojournalist, Burnett has photographed every American president since Kennedy and has documented wars, revolutions and music icons. Meet and greet follows talk. Free tickets available at asmpdc.org.

Wednesday, Nov. 6

L Word Trivia is tonight from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Board Room (925 B Garfield St., Arlington, Va.). Hosted by Katie Sosa. Admission is $15 and a portion of the proceeds benefit SMYAL. Visit eventbrite.com for tickets and information. The New Pornographers and Lady Lamb perform tonight at 8 p.m. at the Lincoln Theater (1215 U St., N.W.). Audiences will experience both power-pop riffs and folksy ballads in an eclectic evening of music. Tickets are $40. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For tickets and information, visit ticketfly.com or the lincolndc.com.

Beach Blanket Drag Bingo is tonight from 8-10 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 23rd St., S, Arlington, Va.). Free entry and prizes. Karaoke following Bingo. Featuring performances by Ms. Regina Jozet Adams, Ophelia Bottoms and Ashlee Jozet Adams. More information available at freddiesbeachbar.com.

Bookmen D.C., an informal men’s gay literature group, meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Cleveland Park Libery (3310 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) to discuss Martin Duberman’s “has the Gay Movement Failed?” All welcome. Details at bookmendc.blogspot.com.

Thursday, Nov. 7

First Thursdays Open Mic is tonight at A League of Her Own (2319 18th St., N.W.) from 8-10 p.m. Sign-ups start at 7:30 p.m., show starts at 8. Event features a welcome space for all to showcase their music, spoken word, stand-up comedy or other creative talents. More information on this event and more on Facebook events.

Just in time for the holiday season, the National Symphony Orchestra performs the “Nutcracker Suite” as part of an evening of classical works connecting music and dance. Show starts at 7 p.m. at the Concert Hall of the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.). Tickets start at $15. Tango, ballet and Viennese waltz music also featured. Visit kennedy-center.org for more information.

Queer Tango Taster is tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. at Bloombars (322 11th St., N.W.). Cost is $20 for a single class. Discounted rates available for attendees. This is an all-levels class free from traditional gender norms and binaries. All are invited to this role-switching class with a variety of partners. Visit tangomercurio.org/outreach for more information.

Up Next

In it to win it

Don't Miss

Honoring our vets

FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Out & About

Taste of Point returns May 7

Annual reception honors LGBTQ student scholars

Published

7 days ago

April 25, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

A scene from last year’s Taste of Point reception. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Point Foundation will host its annual “Taste of Point Reception” on Wednesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Room & Board.

The popular event will take place on the top floor and outdoor terrace at Room & Board, featuring small plates from area restaurants, hand-crafted cocktails from local mixologists, and a speaking portion where guests will hear directly from Point Foundation scholars. This year, Point is supporting a record-breaking class of 755 scholars and guests’ support will allow Point to continue its mission. Point Foundation is the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for LGBTQ students of merit.

Tickets are tax deductible and can be purchased at Point’s website.

Calendar

Calendar: April 25-May 1

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

7 days ago

April 25, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, April 25

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].

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Uproar Lounge 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, April 26

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.

Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 11 a.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black lesbian. You do not need to be a member of the Beta Kappa Chapter or the Beta Phi Omega Sorority in order to join, but they do ask that you either identify as a lesbian or are questioning that aspect of your identity. For more details, email [email protected].

Sunday, April 27

“Trans Open Mic and Author Talk with Jeanne Thornton” will be at 5 p.m. at Busboys and Poets 14th & V. It’s a difficult time for trans people in the USA, and Jeanne would like to extend the opportunity to local trans fiction writers to build community by coming on stage and sharing their work as part of an opening “open mic” to this event. There are spaces for up to 6-8 readers to share work of up to five minutes each. If you are interested in reading, please select the “Open Mic Ticket” and find Jeanne before the show at 4:30 p.m. The reading will be arranged on a first come, first served basis on the night of the event. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Monday, April 28

“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].

Queer Book Club will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This month’s reading is “All Systems Red and Artificial Condition (The Murderbot Diaries Book 1 & 2)” by Martha Wells. For more details, email [email protected].

Tuesday, April 29

“OutPro Meaningful LGBTQ Networking” will be at 6 p.m. at Number Nine. Out Pro creates an environment that is welcoming to the full diversity of the LGBTQ community, as well as supportive allies. Guests are encouraged to embrace purposeful networking with the goal of helping connect people with opportunities. If you’re hiring, please come and meet motivated, aspiring LGBTQ professionals. As always, our events warmly welcome community allies. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Wednesday, April 30

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.

Thursday, May 1

API Queer Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for the Asian and Pacific Islander queer community. For more information, email [email protected].

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.

Calendar

Calendar: April 18-24

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

2 weeks ago

April 18, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, April 18

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.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].

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. 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.

Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 6 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This will be a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.

Saturday, April 19

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

“Spark Sapphic Social” will be at 8 p.m. at Spark Social House. This weekly sapphic social is an opportunity to mix and mingle with other sapphics in D.C.’s newest LGBTQ bar. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

“DC Drag Brunch on Rooftop – Penthouse (Formerly at Lima Twist)” will be at 12 p.m. at Baby Shank Rooftop. Hosted by Miss Capital Pride, this is the ultimate drag brunch experience in Washington, D.C., featuring the fiercest queens around. Prepare to be entertained by glamorous drag queens and celebrated celebrity impersonators, including Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, Whitney Houston, Cher and many more. Tickets cost $27 and are available on Eventbrite.

Sunday, April 20

Queer Crayon Club will host “Queer Sketch Social” at 3 p.m. at Sinners and Saints. This is a fun event for LGBTQ+ adults to come together and color. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, April 21

Tuesday, April 22

Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This support group is for people who identify outside of the gender binary. Whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis – this is your group. For more details, visit www.genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.

Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-facilitated discussion group and 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.

Wednesday, April 23

Asexual and Aromantic Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].

Thursday, April 24

Virtual Yoga with Sarah 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.

DC Anti-Violence Project Open Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This meeting is open to anyone interested in learning more and getting involved in lessening violence both within and directed towards the LGBT communities. For more information, visit Facebook or Twitter.