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.
Friday, June 26
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].
DC Bird Alliance will host “Second Annual Ride for Pride” at 9 a.m. at the Yards Marina. This event is for celebrating community, belonging, and our shared connection to nature. Together, we’ll enjoy a guided one-hour boat ride departing from The Yards Marina, exploring the river’s wildlife, history, and ongoing restoration. Along the way, participants may spot Ospreys, herons, egrets, cormorants, Bald Eagles, turtles, and other species that call the Anacostia home. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Saturday, June 27
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.
“Sunshine: A Sapphic Pride Day Party” will be at 1 p.m. at Spark Social. This is a patio party for queer women & sapphics 35+. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Sunday, June 28
Trap Laughsss Pride Comedy Night will be at 7 p.m. at Sid’s Gold Request Room. This in-person event is where comedy meets Pride, bringing you hilarious performances that’ll have you rolling in the aisles. Whether you’re here to celebrate or just enjoy some fantastic jokes, this night is all about fun, community, and laughs. Don’t miss out on the best comedy bash around! More details are 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 information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, June 30
The DC Center for the LGBTQ+ Community will host a screening of “Swann Queen” at 7 p.m. This is a short film by Lcedeño Miller inspired by the true story of William Dorsey Swann – considered one of the world’s first drag queens. Billy Swann and their brother Dan are preparing to host their third masquerade ball. When the police raid the party, Billy must decide whether to run or resist. Swann Queen is a story about community, survival, and the legacy of LGBTQ+ resistance in Washington, D.C. Screening followed by conversation. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Wednesday, July 1
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, July 2
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 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 Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the The DC Center for the LGBTQ+ Community’s website.
The Baltimore Orioles will take on the Washington Nationals on Friday, June 26 at 7 p.m. for Pride Night at Oriole Park.
The first 15,000 fans will receive an exclusive Pride Night Orioles jersey. The Washington Blade is a media sponsor of this event.
To purchase tickets, visit Orioles.com/Tickets.
Out & About
Writers’ association hosts Capital Love LitFest
Inaugural literary salon scheduled for Sunday
The Washington Writers’ Publishing House (WWPH), the nation’s longest continuously operating cooperative nonprofit literary press, will present the inaugural “Capital Love LitFest” on Sunday, June 28 at 10 a.m. at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Md.
Designed as a full-day literary salon and cultural gathering, the event will feature more than 25 writers, nine workshops, and panel discussions, readings, and conversations centered on love, relationships, identity, healing, creativity, and connection in divisive times. Admission is pay-what-you-can, beginning at free.
The LitFest celebrates the release of “Capital Love,” WWPH’s new anthology featuring 55 writers from across the DMV, including contributors from Baltimore, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The pocket-sized collectible anthology explores love in its many forms through poetry and prose and serves as a literary response to today’s social and political climate.
For more details, visit Washington Writers’ website.
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