Out & About

Calendar: Dec. 20-26

Holiday events abound in the week to come

Published

6 years ago

December 18, 2019

Philip Van Slooten

gay events dc, gay news, Washington Blade — ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ screens at the National Museum of American History on Tuesday. (Production still courtesy Paramount Pictures)

Friday, Dec. 20

The Frederick Douglass in Capitol Hill Walking tour is today from 5-6:30 p.m. beginning at the Library of Congress (101 Independence Ave., S.E.). Tickets are $17.50 on Eventbrite.

Queer Asian / Pacific Islander ZooLights hosted by KhushDC is tonight from 7-10 p.m. at the Smithsonian National Zoo (3000 Connecticut Ave., N.W.). This free event includes live music, winter treats and a craft market. Visit nationalzoo.si.edu for more information on this free event.

The Spirit of Kwanzaa hosted by The Dance Institute of Washington at THEARC Theater (1901 Mississippi Ave., S.E.) is tonight at 7 p.m. This African-American celebration features music, dancing and storytelling. Tickets start at $20 on danceinstituteofwashington.org.

Rough House hosted by Lemz and Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) is tonight at 10 p.m. The cover charge is $5 and includes clothes check. For more information on this and other events, visit greenlanterndc.com.

Saturday, Dec. 21

Hostess Desiree Dik presents the Dik in a Box holiday drag show extravaganza tonight from 9-11 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing (209 M St., N.E.). Holiday cast includes Bombalicious Eklaver, Chastity Vain, Geneva Confectionn and more. Visit redbear.beer for more information.

The Bear Cave: #HoeHoeHoe holiday event is tonight at 9 p.m. at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.). This event is hosted by Bears Can Party and features D.J. Popperz and go-go boys Pup Indigo and Badger. More information is available at greenlanterndc.com.

A Onesie Party is at Uproar Lounge (639 Florida Ave., N.W.) tonight at 9 p.m. This 21-and-up event is open to all to drink and be merry in a onesie. Visit Facebook events for more information.

The Annual Sugarplum Ball presented by Avalon Saturdays and Chorus D.C. is at Soundcheck (1420 K St., N.W.) tonight at 10 p.m. Tickets are $15 before midnight and $20 after. For more information, visit dougiemeyerpresents.com.

The Peach Pit ‘90s Dance Party is tonight at the DC9 (1940 9th St., N.W.) at 10:30 p.m. This holiday party features D.J. Matt Bailer of Mixtape fame. Tickets are $5 before midnight and $8 after. Visit dc9.club for more information.

Sunday, Dec. 22

The LGBTQ+ Charity Soccer Tournament hosted by the Latino GLBT History Project is today at Gallaudet University (800 Florida Ave., N.W.) from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information on this event and the organizer, visit latinoglbthistory.org.

The Georgia O’Keeffe and Modern Art tour hosted by Washington D.C. History and Culture is today from 3-5 p.m. at the National Gallery of Art (4th St., N.W.). O’Keeffe’s abstract art is claimed to portray women’s sexuality and is fueled by sensuous photographs taken of her. More information is available on Eventbrite and Facebook events.

QT Fusion Dance: Blues Night is tonight from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.). Queer and trans blues dance lessons are taught by Elaine Patterson and Colin Hay. Registration is free on eventbrite.com.

The Washington Chorus presents “A Candlelight Christmas” tonight from 8-9:45 p.m. at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.). The celebration features the National Capital Brass, over 130 signers, organ music, sing-alongs and a candlelight processional. Tickets start at $19 on kennedy-center.org.

Monday, Dec. 23

“A Christmas Carol” will be performed today at 2 p.m. at Ford’s Theatre (511 10th St., N.W.). Tickets start at $64 for this holiday classic on fords.org.

The Messiah Sing-Along free concert is tonight from 6-7 p.m. at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.). This event concert features conductor Nancia D’Alimonte leading the Opera House Orchestra, guest soloists and a chorus. Visit kennedy-center.org for more information.

“Black Nativity” is an Afro-centric holiday performance featuring Gospel and modern dance tonight from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Anacostia Playhouse (2020 Shannon Pl., S.E.). Tickets are $50 on anacostiaplayhouse.com.

“Come From Away” performs tonight from 8-9 p.m. at the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater (2700 F St., N.W.). A small Newfoundland town welcomes thousands of stranded passengers. Visit kennedy-center.org for tickets and information.

Tuesday, Dec. 24

“It’s a Wonderful Life” screens at the National Museum of American History (14th St., and Constitution Ave., N.W.) today from 3:15-5 p.m. It’s almost George’s last Christmas then angel Clarence lifts his spirits. Tickets are $10 on si.edu.

Wednesday, Dec. 25

Dignity Washington celebrates Christmas Day Mass today at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1830 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 6-9 p.m. Dignity, an inclusive LGBTQ Catholic community, welcomes everyone to this public event. For more information, visit dignitywashington.org.

A Holiday Book Drive by An Open Book Foundation is today at Kramerbooks and Afterwords Cafe (1517 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) at 7 a.m. The Foundation brings authors, illustrators and their books to low income D.C.-area students to spark a love of reading. More information is available at anopenbookfound.org.

Hanukkah Harry’s Reindeer Ride hosted by D.C. Jews on Bikes and Edlavitch DCJCC (1529 16th St., N.W.) is today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All are invited to help deliver holiday greetings to first responders on a day of service. Registration for this free event is on eventbrite.com.

The All-Star Christmas Day Jazz Jam is today from 6-7 p.m. at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.). A free holiday concert on the Millennium Stage. Visit kennedy-center.org for more information.

Thursday, Dec. 26

Moonshot Studio is a free art making event today from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Kennedy Center’s The Reach (2700 F St., N.W.). The studio offers activities from dance and beat making to poetry and animation for all ages. Visit kennedy-center.org for more information.

“Hear Me, Say My Name” hosted by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (4th St. and Independence Ave., S.W.) from 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. This free performance challenges stereotypes of what it means to be a young American Indian. More information is available at americanindian.si.edu.

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FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Out & About

Love board games and looking for love?

Published

7 days ago

January 16, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

(Image by VLADGRIN/Bigstock)

Quirk Events will host “Board Game Speed Dating for Gay Men” on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. at KBird DC.

Searching for a partner can be challenging. But board games are always fun. So what if you combined board games and finding a partner?

Picture this: You sit down for a night of games. A gaming concierge walks you through several games over the course of the night. You play classics you love and discover brand new games you’ve never heard of, playing each with a different group of fun singles. All while in a great establishment.

At the end of the night, you give your gaming concierge a list of the folks you met that you’d like to date and a list of those you met that you’d like to just hang out with as friends. If any two people put down the same name as each other in either column, then your gaming concierge will make sure you get each other’s e-mail address and you can coordinate a time to hang out.

Tickets cost $31.80 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Calendar

Calendar: January 16-22

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

7 days ago

January 16, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, January 16

Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).

Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This event is ideal for making new connections and community building or just to unwind and enjoy extended happy hour. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, January 17

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.

The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center and SMYAL will host a free film screening of “Mama Bears” celebrating queer youth, resilience, and the power of living authentically. Whether you’re a movie lover, looking to make new friends, or simply want a safe, affirming space to relax, this event is for you. Click this link to RSVP.

LGBTQ People of Color 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 will be 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, January 18

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, January 19

“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 information, contact Adam ([email protected]).

Tuesday, January 20

Center Bi+ Roundtable 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.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.

Tae Kwon Do Class with Avi Rome will be at 12:30 p.m. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.

Wednesday, January 21

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. 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, January 22

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 Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.

Calendar

Calendar: January 9-15

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

2 weeks ago

January 9, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, January 9

Women in Their Twenties and Thirties will be at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area. For more details, visit Facebook.

“Backbone Comedy” will be at 8 p.m. at As You Are. Backbone Comedy is a queer-run fundraiser comedy show at As You Are Bar DC, where comics stand up for a cause. Each show, a percentage of proceeds go to a local organization – Free Minds DC, a reentry organization for individuals impacted by incarceration. Tickets cost $19.98 and are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, January 10

Monday, January 12

“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 information, contact Adam ([email protected]).

Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. 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 details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.

Tuesday, January 13

Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.

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].

Wednesday, January 14

The DC Center for the LGBT Community will partner with House of Ruth to host “Art & Conversation” at 3 p.m. at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W. This free workshop will involve two hours of art making, conversation, and community. Guests will explore elements of healthy relationships with a community-centered art activity. This workshop involves paint, so please dress accordingly. All materials will be provided. For more details, email [email protected].