Out & About
Calendar: Dec. 27-Jan. 2
Parties, shows and events in the week to come
Friday, Dec. 27
Holiday Light Spectacular hosted by the Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) is tonight from 4:30-5:30 p.m. The event features a medley of seasonal music and sing-alongs accompanied by a full orchestra. Tickets are $40 on tix.cathedral.org.
Daft Punk is Playing at My House 2000s dance party is tonight at 10 p.m. at the DC9 (1940 9th St., N.W.). Tickets are free in advance and $5 the day of for this 21-and-up event. For more information, visit dc9.club.
Saturday, Dec. 28
A LOBO Holiday Spectacular is tonight at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) at 9 p.m. Hosted by D.J. UltraPup, this event is a celebration of the past year while welcoming in the new. The cover charge is $5 in advance and $10 at the door. For more information, visit the D.C. Eagle on Facebook.
Dark and Stormy December with D.J.s Kangal and Mindjacket is tonight at 9 p.m. at the DC9 (1940 9th St., N.W.). Tickets are $5 at the door. This party features Electro, Synthwave, Industrial and other dark techno sounds. Visit dc9.club for more information.
Sunday, Dec. 29
Gayborhood Night Piano Bar hosted by Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 23rd St., S., Arlington, Va.) is tonight from 5-8 p.m. Everyone is welcome for an evening of drink specials and door prizes to foster community between LGBTQ and ally neighbors. Visit freddiesbeachbar.com for more information on this and other events.
Indierock Karaoke: Holiday Edition is tonight at 8 p.m. at the DC9 (1940 9th St., N.W.). All singers win old school prizes made of vinyl. For tickets and information, visit dc9.club.
Monday, Dec. 30
“A Christmas Carol” is at Ford’s Theatre (511 10th St., N.W.) today from 2-4 p.m. Tickets start at $32 for this holiday staple and are available for purchase at fords.org.
The Glow 20 Reunion featuring Robbie Rivera and George Acosta is tonight at 10 p.m. at Soundcheck (1420 K St., N.W.). Tickets are free until 10 p.m. and $10 after for this 18-and-up event. For tickets and information, visit Eventbrite.
Tuesday, Dec. 31
The second annual Leather and Lace Ball hosted by the DC Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) is tonight at 8 p.m. This New Year’s Eve party features D.J.s, drag performers, go go boys and more. Tickets are $10 on Eventbrite.
New Year’s Eve Monopoly is tonight at Unity Lounge (1936 9th St., N.W.) at 9 p.m. Tickets start at $60. Event includes games and prizes, 2000-2019 music, champagne toast at midnight, hats, noisemakers and Times Square on big screen. Tickets and information are on Eventbrite and dc9.club.
Wednesday, Jan. 1
New Year’s Day Drag Brunch at Shaw’s Tavern (520 Florida Ave., N.W.) is today from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. There is no cover for this event hosted by Kristina Kelly. For more information, visit shawstavern.com/events.
Zoolights ends its run tonight from 5-9 p.m. at the Smithsonian National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.). This free event includes live music, winter treats and holiday shopping. For more information, visit nationalzoo.si.edu/events/zoolights.
Thursday, Jan. 2
The Phillips Collection (1600 21st St., N.W.) presents Party Like the Roaring ‘20s tonight from 5-8:30 p.m. D.J. Chou Chou performs 1920s cabaret and electro-swing while guests enjoy Green Hat Gin from D.C.’s first distillery. Guests who come in period attire receive a free drink. Tickets start at $12 at phillipscollection.org.
Queer/Trans/Nonbinary Yoga is tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Lamont Dharma House (1719 Lamont St., N.W.). The event promotes a safe space for those who identify outside of traditional boundaries. More information is available at lamontdharma.org and Facebook events.
Out & About
A roundup of fall events not to be missed
Laverne Cox, Oktoberfest, arts celebrations, and more
Colder temperatures don’t mean you have to stay indoors — here’s a roundup of what to do this fall.
Laverne Cox will discuss her memoir, “Transcendent,” with Dr. Melanie Bryant on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. at Baltimore Book Fest. Cox will share her journey as a transgender woman in Hollywood, confronting childhood trauma, shame, gender identity, her transition, body image issues, her search for romantic love, deep-seated feelings of unworthiness, and ultimately, healing.
Dacha Beer Garden will launch its longest and loudest Oktoberfest yet on Friday, Sept. 18. This will be 17 consecutive days of Bavarian festivities across both locations — the original Shaw beer garden and the 800-person Navy Yard garden — running through Sunday, Oct. 4. On opening night, DC Brau will tap the ceremonial first keg and then Manuela Horn, the six-foot-two Austrian yodel queen, will trade sets with Johnny Koenig and his four-piece band in a live back-and-forth of yodeling, polka, and crowd games that can only be described as Oktoberfest ping pong.
Fay Jacobs will host “Aging Gracefully: 2nd Annual Farewell Tour” on Friday, Oct. 9 and Saturday, Oct. 10 at CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. This show will feature a new script with lots of new stories, and only a couple of “signature” tales.
Capital One Center will host its “Celebration of the Arts” starting on Saturday, Sept. 19 at its location in Tysons, Va. There will be art, music, food trucks, local vendors, and family-friendly outdoor entertainment. This curated experience invites you to engage with hands-on workshops, immersive art activations, and live performances. More details are available on Eventbrite.
Spark Social will host “open Mic Night” on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. Get ready to share your talent or just kick back and enjoy some great performances at Spark Social. Sign Ups are first-come-first-serve,, but you can also message the venue on Instagram to reserve a performance spot. Whether you’re a singer, poet, or comedian, this is your chance to get on stage and share your art. Tickets are $13.26 and are available on Eventbrite.
Howard University’s School of Social Work will host “Intergenerational Trauma in the BIPOC Community and the Use of Art” on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 3 p.m. This in-person, interactive workshop explores the role of art as a creative and supportive tool for understanding and addressing intergenerational trauma. Participants will examine the meaning and impact of intergenerational trauma, with particular attention to its historical roots and ongoing effects within Black and other BIPOC communities. More details are available on Eventbrite.
9:30 Club will host “BERTHA: Grateful Drag” on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. The group has partnered with PLUS1 so that $1 from every ticket sold goes to SMYAL and their work supporting and empowering LGBTQ+ youth. Tickets are available on 9:30 Club’s website.
Steve Lacy’s “Oh Yeah?” tour is coming to The Anthem on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. Tickets are available on The Anthem’s website.
Rapper Cupcakke will perform at Howard Theatre on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. More details are available on the theater’s website.
Team DC will host “Open Play: A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Athletes and Sports Fans” on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. at Trade. Join Athlete Ally, Team DC and District Wrestling for a casual, in-person mixer as they celebrate LGBTQ+ sports fans and athletes at all levels of the game. Whether you’re part of an LGBTQ+ recreational league or just love watching sports, this is the place to connect, celebrate, and share the love of the game with other queer athletes, fans, business leaders, policymakers and more. Reserve a spot on Eventbrite.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host “2026 LGBT Intergenerational Extravaganza” on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 12 p.m.This is an event to connect, build relationships, and have fun with LGBTQ folks from other generations, and it will include lunch, an intergenerational dialogue and breakout sessions. More details are available on Eventbrite.
Out & About
LGBTQ Military Happy Hour set for Sept. 15
In-person gathering to be held at Tom’s Watch Bar
Modern Military Association of America will host “Pride in Service: An LGBTQ+ Military Happy Hour” on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. at Tom’s Watch Bar.
This in-person gathering is the perfect chance to connect, share stories, and celebrate the diversity within the military community. Come relax, meet fellow LGBTQ+ service members and allies, and enjoy a fun, supportive atmosphere. Don’t miss out on an evening full of pride, camaraderie, and good vibes. Visit Eventbrite for more details.
Friday, September 11
Go Gay DC will host “Out in DC LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena.This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Women in their Twenties and Thirties will meet 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.
Saturday, September 12
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 will host screenings of “Princess Sparkles” and “Kiloran Bay” at 1:30 p.m. “Kiloran Bay” is a 13-minute musical short set amid the wild beauty of the Scottish Hebrides and the fierce joy of a wedding cèilidh. “Princess Sparkles” is about a girl who accidentally signs up to pet-sit a princess only to discover she’s actually a nippy, Fox News-watching pig. More details are available on the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website.
Sunday, September 13
“Nellie’s DC Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Nellie’s Sports Bar. Come get served like a queen by a queen. Join Sapphire Blue, Deja Diamond and their team of amazing drag performers for the most fun you’ll have all weekend. Tickets are $58.51 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, September 14
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10:00a.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, September 15
Center Bi Pan+ 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.
Wednesday, September 16
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.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host “Movement for Healing” at 3 p.m. This trauma- and yoga therapy–informed class is designed to help guests gently reconnect with their body and their breath. Through mindful movement, somatic awareness, and grounding practices, guests will explore how to release tension, increase mobility, and cultivate a deeper sense of safety and ease within. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Thursday, September 17
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm 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 LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website.
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