Out & About
Clear your calendar for these spring events
Exhibits, cherry blossoms, comedy, and the return of Black Pride
The National Gallery of Art hosts a curated tour with art historian Tosca Ruggieri on Saturday, March 12 at 10 a.m. This tour will lead guests into an in-depth visit of the museum’s history and its masterpieces made by some of the world’s most acclaimed artists. Ruggieri will discuss works by Raphael, Da Vinci, Titian, Rembrandt, Monet, Van Gogh and why these artists are geniuses. For more event details, visit Eventbrite.
Wasted Lounge will host “Art Buzz” on Saturday, March 12 at 5 p.m. Art Buzz is a weekly showcase geared toward creating a space for artists to network, mingle, display their art and have fun while also bridging the gap between the art community and people who just love to be around art. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Artjar will host GraFFiTi Art Workshop on Saturday, March 12 at 1 p.m. at 101 H St., S.E. This event encourages guests to explore their creative side as they learn basic drawing techniques, graffiti art letter formations and spray paint techniques. Tickets cost $127.97 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Paint Amore will host “Art After Dark” on Friday, March 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Ascension Art Atelier. At this event, guests will enjoy a night of flavor, fun, and artistic excitement as they take a ride to a painter’s paradise. Photo and video recording is allowed, and outside food and drink are welcome. Tickets start at $35 and include paint supplies and seating. More details are available on Eventbrite.
Historic America Tours hosts “Blossoms on the Basin” on Saturday, March 19 at 10 a.m. at Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Bookstore. A multi-sensory experience, guests will hear the words of FDR, hold a piece of American mythology and taste a flavor that uplifted downtrodden Americans during the Great Depression. Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
The National Museum of Asian Art is opening a new works of paper gallery featuring recently acquired Japanese prints. The inaugural exhibition is “Underdogs and Antiheroes: Japanese Prints from the Moskowitz Collection,” and it runs from March 19-Jan. 29, 2023.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival returns from March 20 – April 17, with four weeks of events featuring traditional and contemporary arts and culture. Visit NationalCherryBlossomFestival.org for information.
APRIL
SPAIN Arts & Culture will host “Spanish Cinema Now + 2022: A miracle in the form of cinema” on Tuesday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the former residence of the ambassadors of Spain at 2801 16th St., N.W. This event will features a screening of “Longa noite (Endless Night)” directed by Eloy Enciso. The film is a striking mise en abyme, looking at the emptiness, after the Spanish Civil War. This event is free and details are available on Eventbrite.
The Washington D.C. Pancakes & Booze Art Show will be on Thursday, April 7 at 7 p.m. at Hook Hall. Guests are encouraged to come experience one of the largest pop-up art movements to hit North America over the past decade, celebrate the 10th anniversary of the event serving free pancakes and be introduced to some of the nation’s leading emerging artists. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Team DC hosts its annual Night of Champions awards dinner on April 9, honoring its 2022 college scholarship recipients. Tickets are $125 and available at teamdc.org.
Buttonwood Films and Boundary Companies will host an advance screening of “TRASHY: a zero waste film” on Friday, April 22 at 6 p.m. A discussion will follow the screening. “TRASHY: a zero waste film” is a feature documentary that tries to answer that question by following its director over the course of a year, as she tries not to throw anything away. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
MAY
The National Hip-Hop Museum will host “Hip-Hop’s Freshest Fashions” on Sunday, May 1 at 1 p.m. at The House of Hip-Hop. The event will exclusively feature visual artists that specialize in hip-hop such as painters, photographers, digital artists, sculptors and more. The gallery will also feature select pieces of memorabilia from The Hip-Hop Museum’s Collection, which is the largest in the world. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
DSE ENT will host “Ozio Fridays: Rooftop Experience” on Friday, May 6 at 10 p.m. at Ozio Rooftop. There will be hookah, food and music by DJ Schemes, DJ Trevo and Que the Q spinning the best hip-hop, R&B, reggae, Afrobeats and top 100 songs.This event is free and tickets are available on Eventbrite.
The Washington Blade presents a cocktail party and panel discussion commemorating the 50th anniversary of John Fryer’s iconic speech to the APA urging removal of homosexuality as a mental illness. The event will be held on Thursday, May 12 with a distinguished panel of experts. Details and tickets to be announced soon.
Improbable Comedy will host “Comedy as a Second Language” on Thursday, May 19 at 8 p.m. at Busboys and Poets Takoma. “Comedy as a Second Language” is a live, interactive comedy show that features immigrants and first generation comedians. Lots of fun with our comics as they share stories and jokes about their lives, families, multiple cultures and their relationship with their new home. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
The 15th annual Washington Blade Summer Kickoff Party returns after a two-year COVID hiatus to Rehoboth Beach on Friday, May 20, 5-7 p.m. at The Pines. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester is the keynote speaker. Tickets are $20 on sale in April and proceeds benefit the Blade Foundation’s Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship. Visit bladefoundation.org for more information.
Black Pride 2022 is back and promises to be “bigger and bolder than ever,” May 27-30. Details and schedule of events at dcblackpride.org.
Out & About
Tyler Clementi Foundation to host fundraiser in Rehoboth
Special remarks to be given by Jane Clementi, Rep. McBride
To kick off National Coming Out Month, the Tyler Clementi Foundation will host a fundraiser on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. at CAMP Rehoboth in Delaware.
The event will feature special remarks by Jane Clementi and Rep. Sarah McBride. If you are unable to attend, please consider making a donation to support the work of the Tyler Clementi Foundation to end online and offline bullying and harassment in schools, workplaces, and faith communities.
For more details, visit the Tyler Clementi Foundation’s Facebook page.
Friday, September 25
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at DIK Bar. 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.
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, September 26
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, September 27
“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 cost $58.51 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, September 28
“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]).
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 queer books by queer authors. This month’s reading is “Happy Iceland” by Anne Marie Wells. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBTQ+ Community’s website.
Tuesday, September 29
The DC Center for the LGBTQ+ Community will host “Center Aging: Painting Class” at 1 p.m. This is a free watercolor painting workshop that will be held in the community room and led by Laya Monarez. All supplies and light snacks will be provided. This workshop involves paint, so please dress accordingly. Email Mac at [email protected] for more details.
Wednesday, September 30
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, October 1
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 5:00 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.
API Queer Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for the Asian and Pacific Islander queer community. The support group is co-sponsored by APIQS (Asian Pacific Islander Queer Society DC) and AQUA (Asian Queers United for Action). For more details, email [email protected].
Out & About
A roundup of fall events not to be missed
Laverne Cox, Oktoberfest, arts celebrations, and more
Colder temperatures don’t mean you have to stay indoors — here’s a roundup of what to do this fall.
Laverne Cox will discuss her memoir, “Transcendent,” with Dr. Melanie Bryant on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. at Baltimore Book Fest. Cox will share her journey as a transgender woman in Hollywood, confronting childhood trauma, shame, gender identity, her transition, body image issues, her search for romantic love, deep-seated feelings of unworthiness, and ultimately, healing.
Dacha Beer Garden will launch its longest and loudest Oktoberfest yet on Friday, Sept. 18. This will be 17 consecutive days of Bavarian festivities across both locations — the original Shaw beer garden and the 800-person Navy Yard garden — running through Sunday, Oct. 4. On opening night, DC Brau will tap the ceremonial first keg and then Manuela Horn, the six-foot-two Austrian yodel queen, will trade sets with Johnny Koenig and his four-piece band in a live back-and-forth of yodeling, polka, and crowd games that can only be described as Oktoberfest ping pong.
Fay Jacobs will host “Aging Gracefully: 2nd Annual Farewell Tour” on Friday, Oct. 9 and Saturday, Oct. 10 at CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. This show will feature a new script with lots of new stories, and only a couple of “signature” tales.
Capital One Center will host its “Celebration of the Arts” starting on Saturday, Sept. 19 at its location in Tysons, Va. There will be art, music, food trucks, local vendors, and family-friendly outdoor entertainment. This curated experience invites you to engage with hands-on workshops, immersive art activations, and live performances. More details are available on Eventbrite.
Spark Social will host “open Mic Night” on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. Get ready to share your talent or just kick back and enjoy some great performances at Spark Social. Sign Ups are first-come-first-serve,, but you can also message the venue on Instagram to reserve a performance spot. Whether you’re a singer, poet, or comedian, this is your chance to get on stage and share your art. Tickets are $13.26 and are available on Eventbrite.
Howard University’s School of Social Work will host “Intergenerational Trauma in the BIPOC Community and the Use of Art” on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 3 p.m. This in-person, interactive workshop explores the role of art as a creative and supportive tool for understanding and addressing intergenerational trauma. Participants will examine the meaning and impact of intergenerational trauma, with particular attention to its historical roots and ongoing effects within Black and other BIPOC communities. More details are available on Eventbrite.
9:30 Club will host “BERTHA: Grateful Drag” on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. The group has partnered with PLUS1 so that $1 from every ticket sold goes to SMYAL and their work supporting and empowering LGBTQ+ youth. Tickets are available on 9:30 Club’s website.
Steve Lacy’s “Oh Yeah?” tour is coming to The Anthem on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. Tickets are available on The Anthem’s website.
Rapper Cupcakke will perform at Howard Theatre on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. More details are available on the theater’s website.
Team DC will host “Open Play: A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Athletes and Sports Fans” on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. at Trade. Join Athlete Ally, Team DC and District Wrestling for a casual, in-person mixer as they celebrate LGBTQ+ sports fans and athletes at all levels of the game. Whether you’re part of an LGBTQ+ recreational league or just love watching sports, this is the place to connect, celebrate, and share the love of the game with other queer athletes, fans, business leaders, policymakers and more. Reserve a spot on Eventbrite.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host “2026 LGBT Intergenerational Extravaganza” on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 12 p.m.This is an event to connect, build relationships, and have fun with LGBTQ folks from other generations, and it will include lunch, an intergenerational dialogue and breakout sessions. More details are available on Eventbrite.
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