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Clear your calendar for these spring events

Exhibits, cherry blossoms, comedy, and the return of Black Pride

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4 years ago

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The Blade’s 15th annual Summer Kickoff Party features Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester on May 20 in Rehoboth Beach, Del. (Blade file photo by Michael K. Lavers)

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.

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Out & About

Come showcase your singing, poetry talent

Spark Social open mic night planned for Aug. 13

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2 days ago

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July 31, 2026

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Spark Social will host “Open Mic Night” on Thursday, Aug. 13 at 8 p.m. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Spark Social will host “Open Mic Night” on Thursday, Aug. 13 at 8 p.m.

Get ready to share your talent or just kick back and enjoy some great performances. This event is a fun, laid-back vibe where everyone’s welcome to take the stage. Sign-ups are first-come, first-served, but you can also DM Spark Social 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. More details are available on Eventbrite. 

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Calendar: July 31-August 6

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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2 days ago

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July 31, 2026

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Friday, July 31

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. 

Saturday, August 1

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.

Sunday, August 2

“Black Gay Flea: Summer Kickback” will be at 12 p.m. at Wunder Garten. This is a space created to celebrate Black LGBTQ+ creatives, artists, makers, entrepreneurs, and the community that shows up for them. Come spend the afternoon shopping with local vendors, discovering new brands, supporting small businesses, and connecting with people from across the DMV. More details are on Eventbrite. 

Monday, August 3

“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]).

Tuesday, August 4

The DC Anti-Violence Project will host “Soul Centered” at 7 p.m. at Thurst Lounge. This is not a dating event in the traditional sense. It is a space to meet kindred spirits, future collaborators, mentors, friends, or maybe someone who reminds you of what’s possible. Romance may happen, but it’s not the expectation. For more details, visit DCAVP website.

Wednesday, August 5

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.

Center Aging Women’s Social & 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. To register, visit the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website.

Thursday, August 6

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

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Calendar: July 24-30

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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1 week ago

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July 24, 2026

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Friday, July 24

The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center hosts Trans Discussion Group from 7-9 p.m. via Zoom. The Trans Discussion Group 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, visit the DC Center’s website. 

Saturday, July 25

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 Black Lesbian Support Group at 11 a,.m. Join the DC Center and the Beta Kappa Chapter of the Beta Phi Omega Sorority for a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black Lesbian. For more details, visit the Center’s website.

Sunday, July 26

“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, July 27

The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host Queer Book Club at 6:30 p.m. This month’s selection is “Uncomfortable Labels” by Laura Kate Dale. The meeting will be held via Zoom.Email [email protected]  for details.

Tuesday, July 28

Center Bi+ 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, July 29

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, July 30

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 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 Center’s website.  

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