Arts & Entertainment
Fall events in Rehoboth Beach
Everyone’s favorite summer destination keeps the party going
As falling temperatures and colorful leaves signal the end of another exciting Rehoboth summer, residents and visitors alike still have much to look forward to in a fall packed with events ranging from performances to parties and more. The Blade has compiled a list of key events in the beach resort this fall to help continue the summer fun into a new season.
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 15-20: Other Desert Cities takes to the stages of Clear Space Theatre Company, located at 20 Baltimore Ave. Performances are held on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, with an additional matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets range from $20 to $32, and can be purchased online.
Sept. 16: The George Michael Experience, hosted by Todd Alsup, brings back iconic songs and transforms them in the musical stylings of the New York-based singer and songwriter. Held from 8 to 10 p.m. at The Pines, located at 56 Baltimore Ave. Tickets can be purchased online.
Sept. 17: DJ Greggo will host an evening of music and excitement at Diego’s Bar & Nightclub, located at 37298 Rehoboth Ave, from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Sept. 24: Riddic, a local DJ, will be performing at a night of fun in Diego’s from 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
Sept. 30: ‘90s Night at The Pines brings Mike Flanagan and Lisa Bello to the stage for a live performance and stroll down memory lane. Tickets can be purchased online.
Sundays: Drag Brunch at The Pines brings the weekend to a close as local talent and delicious food come together at 11:30 a.m. each week. Tickets to the event are $15.
Mondays: Flaming Pianos Prime Rib & Show offers an upscale dining experience at The Pines each week for $23.
Tuesdays: Bingo at Blue Moon, located at 35 Baltimore Ave., offers an opportunity for light-hearted fun with this drag recreation of a classic, old fashioned church game from 8 to 9:30 p.m.
Fridays: The Spotlight Show at Blue Moon combines good food with spectacular performances from local drag stars. Shows will be held at 7 and 9 p.m.
Saturdays: The Legends Show keeps the weekend busy at Blue Moon, incorporating a cast of celebrity impersonators into a wonderful live singing show held at 7 and 9 p.m.
Saturdays: A Night of Divas, hosted by Mona Lotts and Kristina Kelly each week at The Pines, is a hilarious comedy performance you won’t want to miss. Doors open at 8 p.m., and tickets can be purchased online.
OCTOBER
Oct. 7: Fall in Love with Seth Sikes at this nightclub performance hosted by The Pines, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and tickets available for purchase online.
Oct. 14 to Oct. 30: Little Shop of Horrors is presented by Clear Space Theatre Company. Performances take place Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons, and tickets can be purchased online for $20 to $32.
Oct. 19: The Can’t Fool The Blues concert at The Pines is the best spot for a night of fun and dancing as the Rehoboth jazz band provides musical stylings that blend various genres. Doors open at 9 p.m.
Oct. 21: “Tucking Myself In,” a hilarious comedy show headlined by drag artist Ptown’s Paige Turner, will be the latest addition to the Rehoboth comedy scene. Doors open at 7 p.m., and tickets can be purchased online.
Oct. 28: Rocky Horror Picture Show will be played in an interactive viewing at The Pines, with doors opening at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased online.
NOVEMBER
Nov. 11 to 13: The Little Mermaid will be shown at Clear Space Theatre for just one weekend in this show spotlighting youth performers. Tickets can be purchased online for $20.
Nov. 25 to Dec. 18: Elf: The Musical will ring in the holiday season in this end-of-year musical performance at Clear Space Theatre. Tickets can be purchased online for $20 to $32.
Clear Space announces new season
Clear Space Theatre announced its upcoming season at its annual gala on Sunday night held at the Rehoboth Beach Country Club. Among next season’s shows are “The Spongebob Musical,” the beloved “Kinky Boots,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Godspell,” “Damn Yankees,” and an exclusive new work produced just for Clear Space by alumnus Wesley Cappiello slated for June.
Dogfish Head brewery founder Sam Calagione and his wife Mariah were on hand at Sunday’s gala to accept an award for their support. The new Clear Space season kicks off in January with a production of Stephen King’s “Misery.”
Fairfax City Pride was held at the Sherwood Center (3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, Va.) on Saturday, June 6.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
a&e features
D.C. prepares to party as Pride celebrations kick off Saturday
Bars, clubs have busy lineups; Pride on the Pier returns
Capital Pride’s date change isn’t slowing down the festivities. Back in December, the Capital Pride Alliance shifted the calendar for Pride celebrations in the nation’s capital from the second weekend of June to two weeks later to the weekend of June 20-21 to not conflict with President Trump’s birthday and 250th anniversary of America celebrations, with the aim that “our community can gather safely and without unnecessary barriers… We are protecting our space and preserving Pride as a powerful act of visibility, solidarity, and resistance.”
On the heels of WorldPride last year, the city shows no sign of slowing down. Instead, restaurants, bars, clubs, and neighborhoods are taking the opportunity to be even more visible. The Blade has put together a (non-comprehensive) list of parties, activations, and activities across town:
Pride on the Pier returns on Saturday, June 13 to the Wharf on the Southwest waterfront. The event, sponsored and hosted by the Washington Blade, is free and runs from 4-9 p.m. There will be vendors, DJs, and drag performances all day. VIP tickets are $25 and come with air conditioned party room, private bathrooms, and free cocktail. More details at prideonthepierdc.com.
Capital Pride Official Opening Party: RIOT! is the official opening dance party of Capital Pride, taking place Friday June 19, 9 PM-3AM. The 2026 edition headlining performer is Myki Meeks, a finalist of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 18; Bob The Drag Queen will perform a special set. DMV-area DJs and performers include: Bambi, Baphomette, Bumper, Cake Pop!, Connor, DJ Ed Bailey, DJ Diyanna Monet, Evry Pleasure, Jakknife Complex, Mari Con Carne, Pussy Noir, WessTheDJ. Trade owner Ed Bailey is producing the event.
Kinetic Presents brings the heat across the entirety of Pride weekend as well. It again is partnering with Capital Pride Alliance to produce four events over four days this Pride, including the Official Main Event on Saturday (the Friday official event is at Echostage). Kinetic’s parties are splayed across various D.C. venues, with special performances, massive productions, shirtless dancers, play zones, dance-forward audio and visuals, and international DJ talent. Thursday, June 18 at 10 PM at District Eagle is Lust, with music by Dan Slater and TOMI. Friday, June 19 at 10 PM is UNCUT XXL Heavy Load, at A.i. Warehouse in Union Market District, with music by Alex Acosta, Felipe Lira & Mitch Ferrino; the party is a “high-octane night of muscular house and tribal rhythms.” Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM brings that official main event, Kinetic Toy Land, at Echostage, with music by GSP & Matt Suave. Alaska Thunderfuck headlines. Sunday evening June 21 at 10 PM closes with discoVERS at SAX. A portion of tickets supports the DC LGBTQ+ community through Capital Pride Alliance.
9:30 Club always comes in clutch for the LGBTQ community. Already in June, it produced Kitty Kat Ball on June 7, and Kiesza performed on June 8. On June 20 at 10 PM, the famed Mixtape party hits the stage, care of gay DJs Shea van Horn and Matt Bailer, who have spun together for coming up on two decades. Mixtape has been held at several venues across the city over those years, and now settled on 9:30 Club for Pride. On June 25 at 7 PM, Big Freedia – the bounce artist from New Orleans – hits the 9:30 Club scene for the eighth time, as part of the Big Freedom Tour.
Crush: New this year from the 14th Street bar is the Pride Pop-Up, sitting pretty in the parking lot at 1820 14th St., N.W., at the corner of Swann Street by the start of the Pride Parade route. Hours are Friday from 2-10 PM and Saturday from 12-10 PM. Friday evening features Grizzly Bear Happy Hour, a DJ will set up shop on Saturday, and for those needing another layer, there’s a Crush merch store. Co-owner Mark Rutstein “has always wanted to throw a party in that parking lot, so he did,” said co-owner Stephen Rutgers. Note that Crush (the bar) will have a cover on Friday and Saturday.
Kiki: Over at Kiki, there’s a full slate of Pride-themed programming all week. Tuesday, June 16 at 9 PM brings karaoke; Wednesday, June 17 at 7:30 PM is trivia; Thursday June 18 at 9PM is “Night of 1000 Tatianna’s Drag Show”, and Friday June 19 at 9 PM brings the Juneteenth Serve Drag Show. Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM, post-parade, is a Pride Dance Party with DJ Lemz. Sunday daytime at 5 PM is the Father Figures Daddy Issues Special Drag Show; and after the festival at 8 PM, DJ Tezrah hits the tapes.
Jane Jane: Right along the parade route, gay-owned Jane Jane has transformed its space into a “No Kings, Yas Queens” activation in a direct response to the America 250th commemorations happening downtown, from the colorful window installation, to merch (including a custom bandana and tank) to disco wig installations. Events include industry night on Mondays, donations to LGBTQ charities, and to-go cocktails during the Pride Parade.
Shaw’s Tavern: Gay-owned Shaw’s Tavern on Florida Avenue celebrates Pride week with a full lineup of themed events, entertainment, and specials, including Pride trivia on Monday, June 15 at 7:30 PM, bingo on Tuesday, June 16 at 8 PM, a cabaret on Thursday, June 18 at 9 PM, Juneteenth Drag Brunch on Friday, June 19 at 12:30 PM, and both a pre-parade brunch (10 AM-4 PM) and post-parade party (5-9 PM) on Saturday, June 20. Sunday, June 21 at 7 PM brings Mama’s Sunday Supper & Drag Pride Show in the evening for anyone who is still awake.
Trade: This classic has a weekend of events, starting on Thursday, with Tiburon Pride Edition, a Latin Dance party in the Shark Tank. On Friday, the bar opens early (at 2 PM), with all-day happy hour and the Jx&Evry Show. On Saturday, the bar opens at noon, offering a prime parade viewing spot from its windows. There will be the CLASH drag show hosted by Tatianna and Crimsyn, and Sweet Spot party that night. On Sunday, the bar opens for normal hours at 2 PM, with DJs Adam K, Alex Love, and WESSTHEDJ.
Pitchers: The multi-level bar in Adams Morgan is hosting a Pride-themed show on Thursday, June 18 at 10 PM, with drawstring bag giveaways – the only kind of bag that will be allowed into the bar during Pride weekend. The show features drag queen Kyle Sonique Love.
Barrel House Cafe and Bar: Also by the parade route on 14th Street, Barrel House Cafe takes advantage of its large patio to have a slate of events during Pride week, including Schism, a drag and burlesque show on June 18 at 10 PM, as well as an all-day Pride party coinciding on parade day.
Bunker: Bunker again plays host to a series of afters. Friday night (Saturday 3:30 AM) is Unhinged, and Saturday night (Sunday 3:30AM) is Unholy. The regular Saturday night party (10 PM) brings in Venetian and Tiara Missou. All parties have cover charges.
District Eagle: Beyond the Kinetic party on Friday, June 19 brings Gear Night at 10 PM; Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM is LOBO presents PRISM, and Sunday, June 21 is Sundaze wit Papi at 6 PM.
African Art Museum: On Thursday, June 18 at 5 PM, this Smithsonian museum is hosting a free event with artists and curators celebrating its exhibit, “Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art,” “based on years of close collaboration and dialogue with African visual art practitioners who claim belonging in the LGBTQ+ community, however they define those terms,” according to the museum.
KNEAD Hospitality & Design: The gay-owned KNEAD restaurant group (including spots like Gatsby, Mi Vida, Succotash The Grill) is featuring the GLITTERATI cocktail, made with Tito’s, St-Germain Elderflower, Butterfly Flower, ginger, and yes, glitter. A portion of proceeds from every Glitterati cocktail sold will benefit The Trevor Project. The cocktail will be sold throughout June.
The Fountain Inn is partnering with Rhodium spirits (Rhode Island’s first LGBTQ+ owned distillery) all month, making cocktails like gimlets and espresso martinis featuring Rhodium’s liquors. Proceeds benefit SMYAL, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ youth.
Hard Rock Cafe: Hard Rock DC is taking part in the chain’s annual “LOVE OUT LOUD” campaign, with Pride merch, specials on June 20, and a donation to The Trevor Project.
The D.C. Front Runners held the 14th annual 5K Pride Run at Congressional Cemetery on Saturday, June 6.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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