Arts & Entertainment

A weekend of art, music, and food in Brentwood

John Paradiso among artists featured in Arts, Beats, and Eats Festival

Published

4 years ago

May 5, 2022

Portrait of John Paradiso in front of ‘Proceed with Caution’ collage quilt. (Photo courtesy Paradiso)

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.”

Portrait of **John Paradiso** in front of his studio wall. (Photo courtesy Paradiso)

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.

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Out & About

Love board games and looking for love?

Published

18 hours ago

January 16, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

(Image by VLADGRIN/Bigstock)

Quirk Events will host “Board Game Speed Dating for Gay Men” on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. at KBird DC.

Searching for a partner can be challenging. But board games are always fun. So what if you combined board games and finding a partner?

Picture this: You sit down for a night of games. A gaming concierge walks you through several games over the course of the night. You play classics you love and discover brand new games you’ve never heard of, playing each with a different group of fun singles. All while in a great establishment.

At the end of the night, you give your gaming concierge a list of the folks you met that you’d like to date and a list of those you met that you’d like to just hang out with as friends. If any two people put down the same name as each other in either column, then your gaming concierge will make sure you get each other’s e-mail address and you can coordinate a time to hang out.

Tickets cost $31.80 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Calendar

Calendar: January 16-22

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

18 hours ago

January 16, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, January 16

Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).

Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This event is ideal for making new connections and community building or just to unwind and enjoy extended happy hour. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, January 17

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 and SMYAL will host a free film screening of “Mama Bears” celebrating queer youth, resilience, and the power of living authentically. Whether you’re a movie lover, looking to make new friends, or simply want a safe, affirming space to relax, this event is for you. Click this link to RSVP.

LGBTQ People of Color will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ people of color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. There will be all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.

Sunday, January 18

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, January 19

“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, January 20

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.

Tae Kwon Do Class with Avi Rome will be at 12:30 p.m. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.

Wednesday, January 21

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, January 22

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.

Sports

Capitals to host 10th annual Pride night

Pre-game block party planned at District E

Published

18 hours ago

January 16, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

(Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

The Washington Capitals will host Pride Night on Saturday, Jan. 17, when they host the Florida Panthers at Capital One Arena. A special ticket offer featuring a Pride-themed Capitals rainbow jersey is available at washcaps.com.

Fans are invited to a pre-game Block Party at District E beginning at 5 p.m. The event will feature a performance by the band NovaKane. Specialty happy hour food and beverages will be available, as well as giveaways. There will also be a presence by several local LGBTQ+ community organizations.