Out & About
Calendar: April 17-23
Virtual events in the week to come
Friday, April 17
Songrise Virtual Open Mic hosted by the Sunrise Movement is tonight at 8 p.m. via Zoom. Sunrise hubs from both coasts are hosting this virtual event for anyone who enjoys music, art, poetry and comedy as a means for building community out of isolation. Performers are asked to prepare a five-minute set and sign up, but participants are not required to perform. Visit Zoom for the link and to register.
Saturday, April 18
A live virtual tour of the Edgar Allan Poe house is today at 3 p.m. hosted by the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum in Baltimore. This free event features an introductory video, a guided virtual walk-through via GoPro and a live reading of his works followed by a discussion and Q&A. For tickets and information, visit poebaltimore.org.
Black Cherry’s first ever Virtual Slamwich presented by Black Cherry Puppet Theater is tonight at 6:30 p.m. The video link for this event will be released just prior to the event via the Facebook event page. Viewers are invited to donate funds to support puppeteers and musicians through the crisis. Visit blackcherrypuppettheater.weebly.com for more information.
The Pandemic Players of Baltimore present “Six Characters in Search of an Author” by Luigi Pirandello tonight at 7 p.m. via YouTube. The live feed generally starts one hour before curtain on performance day. Each week the Pandemic Players partner with a live theater company which is closed due to the pandemic and raise money via Facebook donations to help the partner theater survive. All proceeds from this performance benefits the Fells Point Corner Theatre this week. Look for the group on Facebook to donate.
Fabulous Zoom Social! hosted by Go Gay D.C. is tonight at 7 p.m. This free event connects LGBTQ people to share tips, network and continue community building through the crisis. Visit Eventbrite for RSVP and details.
Nicks Flix: Virtual Twirl Edition hosted by DJ Travis Island and JR.’s Bar is tonight at 8:30 p.m. via Twitter@JRsBar_DC. This virtual event features a livestream of Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac videos as well as music by Stevie-related artists. Viewers are encouraged to donate virtual tips to the weekly video DJ, drag performers, staff, bartenders or to the JR.’s general wage relief fund. For details on this or other events, visit jrsbar-dc.com.
Sunday, April 19
Cooking Class Live! presented by Nativo Condiments & Seasoning and hosted by the Argentine Chef is tonight at 6 p.m. via Facebook. The class is free but donations are welcome. Participants will learn how to make pork chops, pampas herbs parmesan, Pavlova with Dulce de leche and Aperol Spritz. For more information on this and other cooking classes, visit argentinechef.com and the Cooking Class Live Facebook event page.
Monday, April 20
Holocaust Remembrance Day: Voices of History, Lessons for Today hosted by Sixth & I is tonight at 7 p.m. This online event virtually gathers communities around the world to remember this tragic historic event. The event includes a discussion with survivors and descendants as well as a prayer and candle-lighting ceremony which viewers can participate in from home. Free tickets and information are available at sixthandi.org.
Stay-At-Home Showtunes: A Weekly Streaming Benefit Show for JR.’s Bar continues tonight at 8:30 p.m. with a rotating cast and hosts via twitter.com/jrsbar_dc. Virtual tips donated by viewers will benefit the weekly video DJ, drag performers, staff, bartenders or the general wage relief fund. Visit jrsbar-dc.com for more information.
Tuesday, April 21
The Harbor West Collaborative COVID-19 Food Aid event hosted by Harbor West and the South Baltimore Gateway Partnership is today at noon outside the Freedom Temple AME Zion Church (2926 Hollins Ferry Rd., Baltimore). The event was able to help 200 families last Friday, but the need is great and continues. For more information, visit westportcedc.org or the event’s Facebook page.
Trans & NB Chat Hours hosted by the D.C.-area Transmasculine Society are every Tuesday and Friday from 7-10 p.m. through the month of April. There is no need to create an account to join, simply choose your name, pronouns and gender identity, then enter the room. Visit dcats.org/chat or the Facebook event page for details.
Wednesday, April 22
LGBTQ+ Movements in the Middle East: Navigating Political Unrest and Global Pandemic is an online discussion hosted by the Middle East Institute today at 10 a.m. This event is a virtual panel discussing the ways Middle Eastern LGBTQ communities have organized to raise visibility and advocate despite the COVID-19 pandemic. For free tickets and information, visit mei.edu.
German language instruction hosted by the German-American Heritage Museum is today at 5:30 p.m. The host is currently exploring the option of a livestream for this course. New students are welcome. Tickets start at $360 and are available at gahmusa.org.
Thursday, April 23
Virtual Advanced/Professional Ballet Class with Alvaro Palau is tonight at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. This virtual company ballet class is taught by local teacher and longtime Washington Ballet dancer Alvaro Palau. The class focuses on speed, change of direction, precision and honing of a professional-level dance technique. Visit tickets.vendini.com for ticket information and details.
Out & About
Tyler Clementi Foundation to host fundraiser in Rehoboth
Special remarks to be given by Jane Clementi, Rep. McBride
To kick off National Coming Out Month, the Tyler Clementi Foundation will host a fundraiser on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. at CAMP Rehoboth in Delaware.
The event will feature special remarks by Jane Clementi and Rep. Sarah McBride. If you are unable to attend, please consider making a donation to support the work of the Tyler Clementi Foundation to end online and offline bullying and harassment in schools, workplaces, and faith communities.
For more details, visit the Tyler Clementi Foundation’s Facebook page.
Friday, September 25
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at DIK Bar. 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.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event 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].
Saturday, September 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 1 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black Lesbian. For more details, email [email protected].
Sunday, September 27
“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 cost $58.51 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, September 28
“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]).
Queer Book Club will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The Queer Book Club meets on the fourth Monday of the month to discuss queer books by queer authors. This month’s reading is “Happy Iceland” by Anne Marie Wells. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBTQ+ Community’s website.
Tuesday, September 29
The DC Center for the LGBTQ+ Community will host “Center Aging: Painting Class” at 1 p.m. This is a free watercolor painting workshop that will be held in the community room and led by Laya Monarez. All supplies and light snacks will be provided. This workshop involves paint, so please dress accordingly. Email Mac at [email protected] for more details.
Wednesday, September 30
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 www.thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, October 1
The DC Center for the LGBTQ+ Community’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the 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.
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. The support group is co-sponsored by APIQS (Asian Pacific Islander Queer Society DC) and AQUA (Asian Queers United for Action). For more details, email [email protected].
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.
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