Arts & Entertainment
Shop local! Fun, affordable gifts from D.C. vendors
Places to shop without breaking the bank
If you missed out on Black Friday shopping because you were still recovering from eating mounds of turkey and pumpkin pie — or you were too busy catching up with work to purchase something on Cyber Monday — don’t stress! Below is a quick list of gift ideas from local stores where you can purchase something sentimental for your loved ones.
If your “giftee” has a sweet tooth, consider JOYCO chocolate-covered dried fruits or some Sipan apricot jam — made from fruits, vegetables and petals — sold at Yerevan DC, an Armenian store located at 2204 18th St., N.W.

“Diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” according to the old adage. However, jewelry is any gay’s best friend. Robert Laurence Jewelers is located at 1202 G St., N.W. and has a huge selection of jewelry including unset sterling silver bracelets going for $77.

Miss Pixie’s DC has a 7-inch Orrefors Precious vase going for $110. Head over to 1626 14th St., N.W. to snag this unique, in-demand gift.
For only $1, you can purchase tickets to “Colors: R&B Only,” a journey of R&B music throughout history at The Fillmore on Friday, Dec. 31. Tickets are available at washingtondc.rnbonly.com.
Nubian Hueman has a “GAMBA gender-free” denim jacket for $110. This brand, located at 1231 Good Hope Rd., S.E., is a Black, female, and queer-owned brand amplifying a narrative of inclusion and equality within Black culture. It creates “exclusive collections and one-of-a-kind pieces for those looking to turn heads and make a statement.”

Lee’s Flower and Card Shop, located at 1026 U St., N.W., has a $55 chicken noodle soup gourmet gift set. This gift set is a comforting gourmet selection of artisan chicken noodle soup mix, along with hummus, crackers, bread sticks, mixed olives, Himalayan salt & grinder, and cookies. This gift set also includes an oversized soup bowl, bamboo spoon, and serving tray.
To add extra flavor to any kitchen, the spice bag with lemon pepper hot sauce from The Spice Suite, located at 6902 4th St. NW, make for a perfect stocking stuffer. For $45, you get herbes de Provence and peri peri spices, and lemon pepper hot sauce.
Frères Branchiaux Candle Co. — located in White Plains, Md. — offers a variety of scented experiences including hand-made candles, bath salts, room sprays and diffusers. For $25, you can get one of their holiday collection candles that range in scents from vanilla spice to whiskey sweet.
Take a walk at Black Pepper Paperie Co., located at 1353 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., to find unique craft pieces. For about $45, you can buy wallpapers designed by artists Hadiya Williams that are inspired by The Great Migration.
For the beer lover on your list, Red Bear Brewing has The Krampus Shuffle – Abbey Style Quad that has dark ale has notes of raisins, toffee, plum, vanilla, cinnamon, and clove. You can order a 16oz four pack for $18.75 and pick it up in-person at 209 M St., N.E.
Most popular oven mitt collection from Naked Decor. From People We Admire collection. They can take the heat! Choose from Madam Vice President, RBG, Dr. Fauci and more. Handmade with Love. $15 each at nakeddecor.com or visit their pop-up store at booth# 27 at Downtown Holiday Market. (Now until Dec. 23).

Celebrate the start of Pride month at the Queer Magic Dance Party at the Black Cat on Saturday, June 6. Doors open at 9 p.m.
There will be pole performances and demonstrations, a free photo booth with glitter bar, a queer vendor market, tarot readings by Skye Marinda Tarot, a drag performance by Sapphica, and dancing to a blend of smooth R&B, Afrobeats, hip-hop and pop by Slammer & Saba. Tickets are $20 at the door or $15 (plus fees) in advance, purchased here.
Local queer journalists will celebrate Pride this weekend at the annual NLGJA-DC Pride Happy Hour event at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) on Saturday, June 6, 3-5 p.m. Admission is free.
Out & About
DC Front Runners Pride Run 5K set for Saturday
Annual event held at historic Congressional Cemetery
The 14th annual DC Front Runners’ Pride 5K run/walk is set for Saturday, June 6 at historic Congressional Cemetery. The race starts and ends at the cemetery (1801 E St., S.E.) and passes through scenic D.C., along the Anacostia River trail and the fields at RFK campus. Registration ends Friday at 11:59 p.m.
Runners can pick up their race packets on Saturday from 7-8:30 a.m. at Congressional Cemetery; the race begins at 9 a.m.
The fee to run the 5K in person is $65 ($35 for those under age 20). Proceeds benefit local LGBTQ nonprofits, including Thrive DC, Wanda Alston Foundation, Blade Foundation, Ainsley’s Angels, SMYAL, and Team DC. Visit DCFrontRunners.org for more information.
