Out & About

Win a date with John Waters

10 lucky bidders can score dinner at the P-town dump

Published

4 years ago

February 11, 2022

Staff reports

John Waters (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Want a date with John Waters?

For the second year in a row, the Baltimore-based writer and filmmaker has put himself on the auction block to benefit one of his favorite causes: the Provincetown Film Society.

Last year, Waters offered a guided tour of sex haunts in Provincetown as an auction item. This year he’s cooking up a formal dinner for 10 lucky bidders – at the town dump.

According to the auction website, successful bidders will be treated to a “dumpster dive meal” with food from local markets prepared by Chef Jack Hetnarski, formerly of Prune NYC. It will be served on “custom damaged plates” from artist John Derian, alongside “dead flower arrangements” from Garden Renovations Nursery of Provincetown. And it will all take place at the Provincetown Dump, where people bring their trash and recyclables.

“Regardless of your culinary sense of adventure, we can promise you’ve never had a dinner like this,” the film society says on its website. “How can you resist?”

Waters said he thinks it’s a fitting location for someone who’s known as the Pope of Trash, and whose cult movie “Pink Flamingos” stars Divine as a character who wants to be known as “the Filthiest Person Alive.”

“It’s not out of character” to have a dinner there, Waters reasons. “We’re making it elegant but it’s going to be at the dump…I think it’ll be a fun night.”

“Director John Waters: A Formal Dinner at the Provincetown Dump,” is one of more than 100 items up for bid in the annual winter auction to raise money for the film society, which produces the Provincetown International Film Festival and many other events.

Waters has spent every summer in Provincetown since 1964 and is a strong supporter of the film society. His tour of sex haunts last year raised more than $17,000.

The date at the dump will be either July 18, 19, or 20. The website shows three lots up for bid with two tickets each and four lots with one ticket. The winners will all dine on the same night, and the date will be firmed up once the winning bidders are identified and contacted, so people can make travel arrangements if necessary. All bidders for this item must be over 21 and must follow local public health protocols.

Other auction items include: a virtual Provincetown architectural tour with historian David Dunlap; vacation rentals in Umbertide, Italy, and Culebra, Puerto Rico; a private Provincetown dune tour; a stay at designer Ken Fulk’s Mary Heaton Vorse House; a custom voice mail message by Kathleen Turner; a drag makeover from Billie Jean Beetum; Broadway tickets to Company, Mrs. Doubtfire, Six and Hadestown; and souvenirs, private dinners and gift certificates to various Provincetown shops and restaurants.

The online auction went live on Feb. 2 and ends on Feb. 13 at 11:59 p.m. The website is: biddingforgood.com/ptownfilm.

Up Next

D.C. Center to screen Henrietta Lacks film

Don't Miss

District Snacks to celebrate launch with disco party

FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Out & About

‘How to Survive a Plague’ screens June 5

Commemorating 45th anniversary of first report of AIDS

Published

2 days ago

May 27, 2026

Staff reports

(Image via IMDB)

June 5 marks the 45th anniversary of the first report of AIDS. To commemorate the occasion, Whitman-Walker Health is sponsoring a screening of the film “How to Survive a Plague” on June 5 at 5:30 p.m. at GWU Lisner Auditorium (730 21st St., N.W.).

The screening is free and you can register on Eventbrite. Other partners involved in the screening are the Center for Black Equity, Food & Friends, HIPS, and Us Helping Us.

After the film, attendees will head to Dupont Circle for a candlelight vigil at sunset.

The film reflects on lessons from the community-led response to the plague while honoring those lost to HIV and AIDS. It tells the story of activism and innovation about AIDS survival. Culled from a trove of archival footage, the film is epic and intimate, tracking a small group of people, most of them HIV-positive, in their nine-year-long battle to save their own lives, according to a statement from Whitman-Walker.

Out & About

Here’s how to celebrate Black queer joy

Brunch and Day Party planned for Saturday

Published

1 week ago

May 22, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

(Photo by Whatawin/Bigstock)

Katrina Campbell-Frazier will host “Black Queer Joy: Brunch and Day Party” on Saturday, May 23 at 12 p.m. at Mixxed Food and Drinks.

This event will bring together beautiful energy, music, games, and unforgettable moments — because joy like this deserves to be shared.

Guests can expect unlimited rainbow mimosa flights, a “Build Your Pride” cocktail bar, full food menu and music by DJ Kei-Note K69, among other things.

This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Calendar

Calendar: May 22-28

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

1 week ago

May 22, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, May 22

Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.

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, May 23

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, May 24

Mobilizing Our Brothers Initiative will host “Sundae Tea: Legendary Community Talk-Back” at 6 p.m. at the Howard Theatre. This is a laid-back gathering where community vibes meet lively conversations. This legendary talk-back is your chance to share thoughts, hear stories, and connect with awesome people. Admission is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, May 25

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 books by queer authors. This month’s reading is “To Shape a Dragon’s Breath” by Moniquill Blackgoose For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.

Tuesday, May 26

Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.

Wednesday, May 27

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 thedccenter.org/careers.

Thursday, May 28

The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC LGBTQ+ Community 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 DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website.