Out & About
Calendar: July 31-Aug. 6
Events in the week to come


Friday, July 31
OutWrite, D.C.’s annual LGBTQ literary festival, starts today and finishes on Sunday. Admission is free, but registration is required. Literary workshops and author panels are set to take place. Details at OutWrite DC’s Eventbrite page.
Saturday, Aug. 1
The Palm Collective, along with more than 65 local and national grassroots partners, are set to protest in demand for systemic changes in Washington today at 3 p.m. The group is meeting at the African American Museum of History and Culture. Details at palmcollective.org.
For the Culture Studio is hosting “I MISS MY FRIENDS,” an art show and socially distant block party in Hyattsville today at 4 p.m. The studio will be displaying “Protest,” showcasing Washington’s response to the Black Lives Matter movement. Organizers say attendees must sign up for the live viewing and there will be no more than three guests at a time inside of the art studio. Temperature checks and health screening are required to enter, and admission is free. Learn more on the “I MISS MY FRIENDS” Eventbrite page.
Sunday, Aug. 2
Summer Drive-In Movie Nights, presented by the Capital One Center, will screen “Footloose” tonight at 7 p.m. at the McLean Metro Lot. Admission is free, but pre-registration is required. Attendees are encouraged to donate $25 to Second Story, a charity partner and local nonprofit providing food, shelter, and emergency support for community members impacted by COVID-19. For more information, click here.
Monday, Aug. 3
The Sculpture Garden has reopened daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily with social distancing and required face coverings. The available monuments are located along Constitution Avenue NW between 7th and 9th Streets N.W. The East and West buildings are currently closed to the public. Visit nga.gov for more information.
Tuesday, Aug. 4
Politics and Prose Bookstore will host André Aciman, the author of “Call Me By Your Name,” to discuss his book, “Find Me” streamed through P&P Live! tonight at 8 p.m. Admission is free, but a donation is encouraged. Learn more by visiting politics-prose.com/event.
Wednesday, Aug. 5
The DC Center will host a Job Club tonight and every Wednesday at 7 p.m. to help job entrants and seekers to improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking. Details at thedccenter.org/events.
Thursday, Aug. 6
Pride in the Livingroom and the Israeli Association for LGBTQ Equality will host Elad Strohmayer, the spokesperson of the Embassy of Israel to the United States, today at 3 p.m. via Zoom. Pride in the Livingroom was founded in memory of the 2009 Tel Aviv Gay Center shooting victims and the Jerusalem Pride parade stabbing in 2015. The event will spotlight stories of Jewish LGBTQ individuals worldwide. Admission is free. Visit the respective Facebook page for more information.

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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