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.

The Rainbow History Project will host “Pickets, Protests and Parade Exhibit Tour” at 7 p.m. at Freedom Plaza. This event honors the courage, resilience and resistance of D.C.’s gay community. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Hyatt Centric Arlington (1325 Wilson Blvd.). This fun event is ideal for meeting new people and community building. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Xavier Entertainment DC will host “Cowboy Carter Afterparty” at 10 p.m. at Nellie’s Sports Bar. There will be fireworks, parades, and patriotic fun. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Mezcal Amaras will host “Sha Boing Boing Showdown” at 6 p.m. at Snappy’s Small Bar (3917 Georgia Ave., N.W.). Get ready to test your hotdog eating abilities. Tickets start at $12.51 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Illusions Drag Queen Show will host “Drag Queen Dinner Show” at 7 p.m. at 2323 18th St. N.W. Guests will be treated to the very best celebrity drag impersonations in entertainment. Tickets start at $12.97 and are available on Eventbrite.
Thurst Lounge will host “A Thirsty Cowboy Afterparty” at 5 p.m. DJ Apollo will be performing. For more details, visit Thurst’s website.
9:30 Club will host “Gimme Gimme Disco: A Dance Party Inspired by ABBA” at 9 p.m. The DJ will play plenty of disco hits from the 70s and 80s. Tickets cost $45.30 and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.
Music & Concerts
Berkshire Choral to commemorate Matthew Shepard’s life
Concert held at Washington National Cathedral

Berkshire Choral International will present a concert performance of composer Craig Hella Johnson’s fusion oratorio “Considering Matthew Shepard” on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. at the Washington National Cathedral.
The program will be guest conducted by Dr. Jeffrey Benson, a native of the DMV who currently serves as Director of Choral Activities at San José State University. The concert is a partial benefit for the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Notably, Matthew’s remains are interred at the National Cathedral and his parents, Dennis and Judy, will give opening remarks at the performance.
Tickets are $20 – $65, and 50% of ticket proceeds will be donated to the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Tickets are only available online at berkshirechoral.org.

Friday, June 26
“Center Aging Monthly Luncheon and Bingo” will be at 2 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Pride Month Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Dupont Italian Kitchen. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, June 27
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Pride Month 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.
Art Roving will host “Where Color Meets Spectrum: Blackness, Queerness & Tomorrow” at 200 I St., S.E. This is a panel discussion with Queer Art salon artists Nikki Brooks, Maps Glover & Chrys Seawood, moderated by artist and curator Brittany Mona’. The Queer Art Salon exhibition is on view from June 13 – August 1, 2025 and funded by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities’ Art Exhibition Grant program. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Baby Shank Rooftop Bar and Lounge will host “DC Drag brunch on Rooftop – Penthouse” at 12 p.m. Guests can enjoy delicious French cuisine. The event will be hosted by Miss Capital Pride. Tickets cost $30.65 and are available on Eventbrite.
Sunday, June 28
Jonathan Van Ness will host a masterclass at 10 a.m. at Dupont Circle Hotel. Enjoy refreshments and community as Jonathan showcases styling techniques for a range of hair types—helping you create a gallery-worthy look that’s truly, beautifully yours. A portion of ticket sales will benefit SMYAL, a local nonprofit that has been supporting LGBTQ+ youth in D.C. for more than 40 years. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, June 29
“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 details, email [email protected].
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more information, email [email protected].
Tuesday, June 30
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Wednesday, July 1
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. 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, July 2
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. 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 with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.