Out & About

Win a date with John Waters

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

Published

5 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.

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Out & About

LGBTQ Military Happy Hour set for Sept. 15

In-person gathering to be held at Tom’s Watch Bar

Published

22 hours ago

September 11, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

A scene from the 2026 Capital Pride Parade. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Modern Military Association of America will host “Pride in Service: An LGBTQ+ Military Happy Hour” on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. at Tom’s Watch Bar.

This in-person gathering is the perfect chance to connect, share stories, and celebrate the diversity within the military community. Come relax, meet fellow LGBTQ+ service members and allies, and enjoy a fun, supportive atmosphere. Don’t miss out on an evening full of pride, camaraderie, and good vibes. Visit Eventbrite for more details.

Calendar

Calendar: September 11-17

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

22 hours ago

September 11, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, September 11

Go Gay DC will host “Out in DC LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena.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.

Women in their Twenties and Thirties will meet at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area. For more details, visit Facebook.

Saturday, September 12

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.

The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host screenings of “Princess Sparkles” and “Kiloran Bay” at 1:30 p.m. “Kiloran Bay” is a 13-minute musical short set amid the wild beauty of the Scottish Hebrides and the fierce joy of a wedding cèilidh. “Princess Sparkles” is about a girl who accidentally signs up to pet-sit a princess only to discover she’s actually a nippy, Fox News-watching pig. More details are available on the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website.

Sunday, September 13

“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 are $58.51 and are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, September 14

“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10:00a.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, September 15

Center Bi Pan+ Roundtable 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. Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.

Wednesday, September 16

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.

The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host “Movement for Healing” at 3 p.m. This trauma- and yoga therapy–informed class is designed to help guests gently reconnect with their body and their breath. Through mindful movement, somatic awareness, and grounding practices, guests will explore how to release tension, increase mobility, and cultivate a deeper sense of safety and ease within. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.

Thursday, September 17

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

Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork 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.

Out & About

Blade Foundation to host fundraiser in Rehoboth on Sept. 12

Mayor-elect Stewart, state Rep. Snyder-Hall to give remarks

Published

5 days ago

September 7, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Rehoboth Mayor-elect Susan Stewart will speak at the Blade Foundation fundraiser on Sept. 12.

The Washington Blade Foundation will host a fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 12 in Rehoboth Beach featuring remarks from Rehoboth’s Mayor-elect Susan Stewart and Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall.

The Foundation funds fellowships for aspiring queer journalists and enterprise journalism projects.

The event will be held at a private home in Rehoboth. Tickets are $100 and include open bar from Diego’s, catered appetizers from the Blue Moon, entertainment, guest speakers, and an auction. Tickets are available here.