Out & About
Art, music, and fashion — fall events for every taste
SMYAL to mark 40th anniversary on Sept. 21
Just because the temperatures are cooling down doesn’t mean your social life has to — D.C. is rife with fun events and below is a list of a few you should absolutely check out.
Club XCX will be on Friday, Sept. 13 at 10 p.m. at the Howard Theatre. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased on Howard Theatre’s website.
“Head Above the Water” – Art, Awareness & Music Festival will be on Friday, Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. at National Landing Water Park. Guests can dive into a vibrant celebration at Head Above the Water, an enchanting interactive art and music festival honoring National Preparedness Month. The event is hosted by Artbae LLC and sponsored by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council, and The Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and aims to raise awareness about water conservation, flood risk mitigation, and environmental justice. Admission is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
SMYAL will host its 40th Anniversary Fall Brunch on Saturday, Sept. 21 at the Marriott Marquis. This event includes a cocktail reception featuring a silent auction, a three-course brunch, and a chance to hear from some of our community’s most inspiring leaders. Each year, the Fall Brunch brings together LGBTQ and allied community members, friends, and families in support of the inspirational youth SMYAL works with each day. Tickets are available on SMYAL’s website.
Art on the Rocks will be on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. at Hotel Heron. This event challenges local mixologists and chefs to each create the most artistic cocktail and appetizer pairing, inspired by art. Tickets start at $70 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Art in the Garden will be on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m at 3rd St. NE. At this event, guests can immerse themselves in a vibrant world of creativity and beauty where art and nature collide in the most magical way. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
DC Art All Night will begin on Friday Sept. 27 in eight wards. It will bring visual and performing arts, including painting, photography, sculpture, crafts, fashion, music, literary arts, dance, theater, film, and poetry, to indoor and outdoor public and private spaces, including local businesses and restaurants. This event is free and more details are available on the event website.
Law Roach: How to Build a Fashion Icon will be on Monday, Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. at the Howard Theatre. Tickets start at $45 and can be purchased on the Howard website.
Gimme Gimme Disco: A Dance Party Inspired by ABBA will be on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 10 p.m. at 9:30 Club. Tickets are $35 are available on 9:30 Club’s website.
Marc Rebillet – We Outside will be on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 10 p.m. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased on 9:30 Club’s website.
Friday, June 26
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].
DC Bird Alliance will host “Second Annual Ride for Pride” at 9 a.m. at the Yards Marina. This event is for celebrating community, belonging, and our shared connection to nature. Together, we’ll enjoy a guided one-hour boat ride departing from The Yards Marina, exploring the river’s wildlife, history, and ongoing restoration. Along the way, participants may spot Ospreys, herons, egrets, cormorants, Bald Eagles, turtles, and other species that call the Anacostia home. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Saturday, June 27
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.
“Sunshine: A Sapphic Pride Day Party” will be at 1 p.m. at Spark Social. This is a patio party for queer women & sapphics 35+. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Sunday, June 28
Trap Laughsss Pride Comedy Night will be at 7 p.m. at Sid’s Gold Request Room. This in-person event is where comedy meets Pride, bringing you hilarious performances that’ll have you rolling in the aisles. Whether you’re here to celebrate or just enjoy some fantastic jokes, this night is all about fun, community, and laughs. Don’t miss out on the best comedy bash around! More details are 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 information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, June 30
The DC Center for the LGBTQ+ Community will host a screening of “Swann Queen” at 7 p.m. This is a short film by Lcedeño Miller inspired by the true story of William Dorsey Swann – considered one of the world’s first drag queens. Billy Swann and their brother Dan are preparing to host their third masquerade ball. When the police raid the party, Billy must decide whether to run or resist. Swann Queen is a story about community, survival, and the legacy of LGBTQ+ resistance in Washington, D.C. Screening followed by conversation. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Wednesday, July 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 www.thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, July 2
The DC Center for the LGBTQ+ Community’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 The DC Center for the LGBTQ+ Community’s website.
The Baltimore Orioles will take on the Washington Nationals on Friday, June 26 at 7 p.m. for Pride Night at Oriole Park.
The first 15,000 fans will receive an exclusive Pride Night Orioles jersey. The Washington Blade is a media sponsor of this event.
To purchase tickets, visit Orioles.com/Tickets.
Out & About
Writers’ association hosts Capital Love LitFest
Inaugural literary salon scheduled for Sunday
The Washington Writers’ Publishing House (WWPH), the nation’s longest continuously operating cooperative nonprofit literary press, will present the inaugural “Capital Love LitFest” on Sunday, June 28 at 10 a.m. at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Md.
Designed as a full-day literary salon and cultural gathering, the event will feature more than 25 writers, nine workshops, and panel discussions, readings, and conversations centered on love, relationships, identity, healing, creativity, and connection in divisive times. Admission is pay-what-you-can, beginning at free.
The LitFest celebrates the release of “Capital Love,” WWPH’s new anthology featuring 55 writers from across the DMV, including contributors from Baltimore, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The pocket-sized collectible anthology explores love in its many forms through poetry and prose and serves as a literary response to today’s social and political climate.
For more details, visit Washington Writers’ website.
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