Arts & Entertainment
A weekend of art, music, and food in Brentwood
John Paradiso among artists featured in Arts, Beats, and Eats Festival
Survival, liberation, and celebration: those are the threads woven through John Paradiso’s work, and ones that also color the entirety of next weekend’s Arts, Beats, and Eats Festival at the Gateway Arts District in Brentwood.
More than 20 musicians, artists, and restaurateurs are joining creative forces on May 14. Paused by the pandemic, the festival is back in action after two years of hiatus.
Paradiso, though, has been crafting visual storytelling through his work for 30 years. Paradiso, a gay man, moved to the D.C. area more than two decades ago, initially working at Whitman Walker Health. He and his partner (also an artist) have made Brentwood their home for nearly as long, enlivening the already-progressive neighborhood.
“It’s a similar vibe to Takoma Park,” Paradiso says, “and we have felt comfortable and open here.”
Paradiso is a mixed-media artist, whose work initially drew from the impact of the early years of the AIDS epidemic and now incorporates themes of homophobia, aging, and sexuality.
“After moving to Washington, D.C.,” he says, “and reflecting on past visits to the AIDS Memorial Quilt on the National Mall, I was inspired to make quilts that spoke of survival and sexual liberation.”
His early work coalesced into his Men Working Series, and later his Soft Port and Paper Quilt/Collage series. The three “combine images of men and masculinity, using working methods that are considered traditionally feminine, such as sewing, embroidery, hand quilting, and scrap booking.”
Paradiso plays with gender norms, co-opting embroidery as a medium that channels the stitch work that his grandmothers were so adept at – and creating erotic images in his textiles.
The series removes the raw graphic nature and sexuality of pornography “and places it into the context of nostalgia, the home sewn, and a more romantic point of view,” he says.
While he has shown his work in the area for the entirety of his career, Paradiso more recently took a lead role at the Gateway Community Development Corporation’s Curator of Programs at the Gateway Arts Center. He is now a lead art consultant at the new nearby mixed-use developments, Studio 3807 and Artisan 4100.
Paradiso also oversees several studios in both buildings, in which he invites a rotating list of artists to show their work.
During the festival, these and other temporary exhibits will be on display, including Paradiso’s work at the Studio 3807 building. Other featured artists’ work will come alive at Artisan 4100. There, he and his team are transforming a loading dock into a vibrant arts space. The visual medium will be accompanied by the Beats aspect: Just Rock will play live music during the day from their own studio space.
Finally, the Eats portion takes place at the miXt Food Hall, also located at Studio 3807. Various chefs, bartenders, and others will set up live demonstrations during the day, featuring sessions like making lobster corn dogs and knife-sharpening skills. The hall will also host food and drink specials.
Once the Arts open studios and Beats live music finish at 5 p.m., miXt is hosting an after-party until 8 p.m.
Paradiso is proud to be part of an ongoing tradition of open-door studio work, emphasizing a community of openness and creativity. The miXt food hall, he notes, has held drag brunches for several years. “This is a celebration,” he says.
When the new developments were built in the Arts District, Paradiso worked hard to ensure that this atmosphere remained. “The festival underlines that this is still a dynamic Arts District, reinforcing that this is a gem and that we take care of the community. Having these studios filled with LGBTQ content shows that we can create the art that we want – there is space and something for everyone,” he says.
Friday, March 27
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Dupont Italian Kitchen. 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 and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
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, March 28
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 Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
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].
Monday, March 30
“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]).
“Tea Time! A Local DC Drag Comedy Show” will be at 3 p.m. at Spark Social. This is a live drag comedy show where drag legends TrevHER & Tiara Missou Sidora host spill all the tea in the DMV. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Tuesday, March 31
Visibili-TEA Party will be at 6 p.m. at Restoration Station. Guests are encouraged to come sip, celebrate, and shine together. This event is a Trans Day of Visibility celebration and a special collaboration between Auntie’s Home and Damien Ministries. This is a boozy tea party with intention and the dress code reflects the vibe. More details are available on Eventbrite.
Wednesday, March 1
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, April 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 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 Center’s website.
Unconventional Diner will host “Cherry Blossom Drag Bingo Party” on Friday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m.
Guests will be treated to an unforgettable night of drag performances, bingo, food and drink and prizes. Highlights of the evening include themed cocktails, drag performances and bingo prizes.
Tickets can be secured via Resy.
Sports
New IOC policy bans trans women from Olympics
New regulation to be in effect at 2028 summer games in Los Angeles
The International Olympic Committee on Thursday announced it will not allow transgender women from competing in female events at the Olympics.
“For all disciplines on the Sports Program of an IOC event, including individual and team sports, eligibility for any Female Category is limited to biological females,” reads the new policy.
The policy states “eligibility for the Female Category is to be determined in the first instance by SRY Gene screening to detect the absence or presence of the SRY Gene.”
“On the basis of the scientific evidence, the IOC considers that the SRY (sex-determining Region Y) Gene is fixed throughout life and represents highly accurate evidence that an athlete has experienced or will experience male sex development,” it reads. “Furthermore, the IOC considers that SRY Gene screening via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample is unintrusive compared to other possible methods. Athletes who screen negative for the SRY gene permanently satisfy this policy’s eligibility criteria for competition in the Female Category.”
The policy states the test “will be a once-in-a-lifetime test” unless “there is reason to believe a negative reading is in error.”
The new regulation will be in place for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
“I understand that this a very sensitive topic,” said IOC President Kirsty Coventry on Thursday in a video. “As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition.”
“The policy that we have announced is based on science and it has been led by medical experts with the best interests of athletes at its heart. The scientific evidence is very clear: male chromosomes give performance advances in sport that rely on strength, power, or endurance,” she added. “At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat. So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe.”
(Video courtesy of the IOC)
Laurel Hubbard, a weightlifter from New Zealand, in 2021 became the first trans woman to compete at the Olympics.
Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, won a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Khelif later sued JK Rowling and Elon Musk for cyberstalking after they questioned her gender identity.
Ellis Lundholm, a mogul skier from Sweden, this year became the first openly trans athlete to compete in any Winter Olympics when he participated in Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.
President Donald Trump in February 2025 issued an executive order that bans trans women and girls from female sports teams in the U.S.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee last July banned trans women from competing in female sporting events. Republican lawmakers have demanded the IOC ban trans athletes from women’s athletic competitions.
“I’m grateful the Olympics finally embraced the common sense policy that women’s sports are for women, not for men,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on X.
An IOC spokesperson on Thursday referred the Washington Blade to the press release that announced the new policy.
Trump tells Fox News he won the ‘gay vote’ — but polls tell a different story
Anti-trans visa ruling echoes Nazi regime destroying trans documents
Japanese Supreme Court to consider marriage equality
The outrage economy is not the LGBTQ community
Calendar: March 27-April 2
PHOTOS: Capital Stonewall Democrats 50th anniversary
Polish court rules country must recognize same-sex marriages from EU states
Capital Stonewall Democrats 50th anniversary gala draws sold out crowd
Trans Day of Visibility events planned
Virginia General Assembly’s 2026 legislative session ends
-
Photos5 days agoPHOTOS: Capital Stonewall Democrats 50th anniversary
-
Poland5 days ago
Polish court rules country must recognize same-sex marriages from EU states
-
District of Columbia5 days ago
Capital Stonewall Democrats 50th anniversary gala draws sold out crowd
-
District of Columbia4 days ago
Trans Day of Visibility events planned
