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.

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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