Out & About
Calendar: June 5-11
Virtual events and a protest in the week to come
For decades, the Blade has run one main Capital Pride edition each June. But because of coronavirus restrictions and the cancellation of the Capital Pride parade and festival, we’re instead planning Pride content in each of our June papers. There will also be a live webchat devoted to each that will happen at 4 p.m. EST the day prior to publication.
Today’s edition has Pride content on pages 21-25 in case you missed it.
In the June 12 edition, the topic will be “Pride in business.” A webchat will be held on Thursday, June 11 at 4 p.m. EST with various guests.
In the June 19 edition, the topic will be “reflections of Pride.” The webchat will be on Thursday, June 18 at 4 p.m. EST.
In the June 26 edition, we’ll examine “global virtual Pride.” A webchat will happen on Thursday, June 25 at 4 p.m. EST with officials from Capital Pride, L.A. Pride and others TBD.
Links to the webchats will be published each week on the Blade’s Facebook page.
Friday, June 5
A Protest to End Police Brutality in America is today at 3 p.m. in front of the White House. For more information, visit this event’s Facebook page.
SMYAL’s Q Chat Space for LGBTQ Youth is today at 4 p.m. This virtual chat space for queer youth ages 13-19 is available via qchatspace.org and his hosted on Discord. Visit smyal.org for more information on this and other events.
Pitch a Queer: Quarantine Edition is tonight at 8 p.m. This event offers friends the opportunity to sell a single friend via PowerPoint and Facebook live to an interested virtual audience. For more information, visit this event’s Facebook page.
Saturday, June 6
Scorpio Entertainment presents Virtual Dance Party 5.0 Pride Night tonight at 8:30 p.m. DJ Edward Daniels hosts this dance-party concert featuring DJ Tezrah, international hoop artist Zbu and singer Tiffany Lyn Royster. To RSVP, visit scorpiodjs.com.
Sunday, June 7
“Genderosity” hosted by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington has been postponed from its original March dates to tonight at 8 p.m. at the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.). While a few pandemic restrictions have been lifted, it is still uncertain if this concert will continue as scheduled. Ticket holders should visit gmcw.org for updates and more information.
Monday, June 8
Urban Uprisings: Then and Now hosted by Profs and Pints Online is tonight at 7 p.m. This virtual discussion is moderated by Ashley Howard, an assistant professor of history and African American studies at the University of Iowa and a scholar of urban unrest in the 1960s. Tickets are $12 via the event’s Facebook page.
Tonight is Virtual Trivia Night at 7 p.m. hosted by Red Bear Brewing via Zoom. Interested participants can purchase $10 tickets at redbear.beer.store. All prizes can be picked up at Red Bear Brewing. For tickets and information, visit redbear.beer.
Tuesday, June 9
Story District’s Out/Spoken hosted by Capital Pride, Team Rayceen Productions and Whitman-Walker Health is scheduled for tonight at 7:30 p.m. This event will be live streamed on YouTube and will feature a diverse group of LGBTQ individuals sharing stories of true events. For more information, email [email protected].
Wednesday, June 10
Drag Story Time: Reading is FUNdamental!, a Facebook Live event is today at 1 p.m. Creative Alliance invites parents to bring their children for an after-lunch event featuring some of Baltimore’s drag performers. More information on this event, including venmo information to tip the performers, is on the Creative Alliance Facebook page.
Our Time is Now: A Virtual Conversation with Stacey Abrams hosted by Sixth and I is tonight at 7 p.m. Tickets for this online event start at $10. Abrams ran as the Democratic nominee for governor in Georgia in 2018 and will speak about voter suppression and citizen empowerment. For tickets and information, visit this event on Eventbrite.
Thursday, June 11
Outloud: Raising Voices — D.C. Episode is tonight at 8 p.m. via Facebook Live. The Outloud showcase of LGBTQ artists web series will help raise funds for Pride organizations across the country. More information is available at facebook.com/officiallyoutloud.
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.
Baltimore Orioles Pride Night will be held on Wednesday, June 25 at 6:35 p.m. at Orioles Park at Camden Yards.
Festivities include immersive Pride decorations, pregame music, crafts, face painting, Pride merchandise, and more. The first 15,000 fans will receive an Orioles Pride jersey. Tickets are available on the Orioles’ website.
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