Out & About
Calendar: April 16-22
Events in the week to come
Friday, April 16
The Japan Information and Culture Center presents a virtual screening of “They Say Nothing Stays the Same” for their April J-Film selection tonight at 7 p.m. This free film is about an orphan girl who transforms the life of a boatman facing modernization to his valley and it features many cameos by highly regarded Japanese actors. Viewer discretion is advised for depictions of graphic violence. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.
Saturday, April 17
A free discussion of Dr. Alisha Lola Jones’ book “Flaming?: The Peculiar Theo-Politics of Fire and Desire in Black Male Gospel Performance” is tonight at 7 p.m. on the African American History and Culture Museum Facebook page. This conversation explores the ways male gospel performers negotiate identity in Black religious spaces. For more information, explore the event calendar on si.edu.
DJ Travis Island and VJ Tre present Nicks Flix: Mac Attack Saturday, April 17 at 9 p.m. via Twitch. This free virtual event features all Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks music videos. For more information, visit DJ Travis Island on social media or twitch.tv/djtravisisland.
The 20th Anniversary Depeche Mode Dance Party hosted by the Black Cat via Twitch is tonight at 9 p.m. This free virtual event, also celebrating 20 years of FYM Productions, streams live and features a special 4-hour DJ set of deep-cuts and favorites. For more information, visit twitch.tv/fymproductions/ and the Facebook event page.
Sunday, April 18
A Black lesbian peer support group hosted by the Beta Kappa Chapter of the Beta Phi Omega Sorority is today at 1 p.m. via Zoom. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
The American Indian Museum presents Indigenous Poetry: Resilience, a free on-demand event via the SmithsonianNMAI YouTube channel. During the presentation, Indigenous poets offer inspiration while reciting their works about resilience. More information is available at si.edu.
Monday, April 19
The monthly GenderQueer DC support group meeting for people who identify outside of the gender binary is tonight at 7 p.m. More information is available at genderqueerdc.org or at thedccenter.org.
Tuesday, April 20
Sonora Jha, author of “How to Raise a Feminist Son,” discusses issues of motherhood, culture and masculinity on P&P Live tonight at 6 p.m. The book follows one mother’s journey to raise a feminist son as a single immigrant woman of color in America. For more information, visit politics-prose.com.
Wednesday, April 21
BookMen DC, an informal group of men who are interested in gay literature, meets today at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. This group consists mostly of members in the DC area, but visitors for other places are welcome to drop in and join the discussion. For more information, visit bookmendc.blogspot.com.
P&P Live! presents “Crying in H Mart” author Michelle Zauner tonight at 7 p.m. Zauner, a singer, songwriter and guitarist shares her story about growing up as one of the few Asian American kids in her school in Eugene, Oregon, precious moments spent with her grandmother in Seoul, Korea, and the feeling of losing her “Koreanness” even while finding musical success. Free tickets and information about this discussion are available at politics-prose.com.
Thursday, April 22
The DC Public Library presents “On Poetry and Activism: an Evening with Clint Smith” tonight at 6 p.m. via Facebook and YouTube. This award-winning author’s work has appeared in the New Yorker, Poetry Magazine, The Paris Review and more. He currently teaches writing and literature at the DC Central Detention Facility and his debut nonfiction book “How the Word is Passed” explores how historical sites recon with their relationship with the history of slavery. More information is available at dclibrary.org and on the event’s Facebook page.
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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