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
Documentary about Blade reporter to premiere this month
Panel discussion to follow ‘Lou’s Legacy’ screening
“Lou’s Legacy: A Reporter’s Life at the ‘Washington Blade’” will premiere on Thursday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.
This new documentary from Emmy-nominated D.C. filmmaker Patrick Sammon tells the story of the legendary Blade news reporter, Lou Chibbaro Jr., as he works on an article about the return of drag icon Donnell Robinson – also known as Ella Fitzgerald — to the Capital Pride stage.
The documentary follows Chibbaro as he works on a story about Ella’s triumphant return to the Pride stage after three years away because of COVID. Donnell and Chibbaro reflect on their careers and discuss the ongoing backlash against the LGBTQ community, including laws targeting drag performers.
After the screening, there will be a panel discussion moderated by D.C. journalist Rebekah Robinson and featuring Blade Publisher Lynne Brown. This event is free and more details are available at the DC Public Library website.
Friday, May 16
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St. NW. 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 Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. 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.
Trans Genderqueer Game Night will be at 6 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This will be a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Saturday, May 17
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.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, May 18
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Pride Kickoff FunDay Social” at 4 p.m. at Moxy. This event is ideal for making meaningful new connections and informal community building. Or just to unwind and enjoy the group happy hour. Fabulous people from all over the world are expected and nametags will be provided. This event is free to attend and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Art with Tosca will host “Queer Icons & Trailblazers: An Art Tour for World Pride DC 2025” at 2:00p.m. at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. This will be an unforgettable exploration of LGBTQ+ history, identity, and artistic expression at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. Celebrate the vibrant history and culture of the LGBTQ+ community through compelling portraits and groundbreaking works that highlight the power of queer artistry. Tickets cost $48 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Monday, May 19
“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” 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].
“Pickets, Protests and Parades Exhibit Tour” will be at 7 p.m. at Freedom Plaza. This exhibition honors the courage, resistance, and resilience of D.C.’s LGBTQ+ community. Tickets start at $10 and are available on Eventbrite.
Tuesday, May 20
Center Bi+ Roundtable Discussion will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as bi individuals in a private setting. For more details, visit Facebook or Meetup.
Wednesday, May 21
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 thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 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, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 22
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 Sarah 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.
DC Anti-Violence Project Open Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. These are open meetings, and we would love to see anyone who is interested in learning more and getting involved in lessening violence both within and directed towards the LGBT communities. For more details, visit Facebook and Twitter.
Out & About
DJs to hold panel discussion on music, identity
Featured artists include DJ Chord, Tezrah and Jake Maxwell
Promethean Fundraising will host “Circuit Music: A LGBTQ+ Cultural Identifier,” an exclusive panel featuring influential LGBTQ DJs in the music industry, on Thursday, May 29 at 7 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBTQ Community (1828 Wiltberher St., N.W.).
The event will provide a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with these groundbreaking artists as they share their journeys, discuss the cultural significance of circuit music, and explore how music can serve as a platform for advocacy and empowerment within the LGBTQ+ community. The featured artists are DJ Chord, Tezrah and Jake Maxwell.
This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
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