Out & About
Costume contests, family friendly options, movie screenings among festivities
Region teeming with queer-friendly Halloween events through Oct. 31.
Friday, Oct. 26
Night of the Living Zoo, an adult halloween party, is at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) tonight from 7-10:30 p.m. There will be craft beer, food from popular D.C. food trucks, a costume contest, a DJ and performance artists. General admission tickets are $30 for Friends of the Zoo members and $40 for non-members. Tickets include access to the party, complimentary soda and water, after-hours access to animal houses and two drink tickets. VIP tickets are $65 for Friends of the Zoo members and $90 for non-members. They include an additional drink ticket, VIP express check-in, a private dance floor, bar and lounge, complimentary food tastings from D.C. restaurants, animal demonstrations and more. For more information, visit nationalzoo.si.edu/events.
BloominGays presents a screening of “Hocus Pocus” at Crispus Attucks Park (Crispus Attucks Ct., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. Attendees should bring a blanket or low-to-the-ground chair. Admission is free. For more details, visit facebook.com/bloomingdalegays.
XX+ Crostino (1926 9th St., N.W.) hosts Charmed tonight from 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite vampire slayer, ghost, zombie, witch or mermaid from television. Prizes will be given for categories such as Best Witch and Best Throwback Costume. DJ Honey Johnson will play music. Happy hour pricing is from 10-11 p.m. There will also be food served. Cover is $5. For more details, visit facebook.com/xxcrostino.
The Coven D.C. hosts Otherworld at Ten Tigers Parlour (3813 Georgia Ave., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m. DJ Tezrah will play music. For more information, visit facebook.com/thecovendc.
Skin Tight USA and Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) host Pre-Halloween, a cos-play party and costume contest, tonight from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. There will be more than $500 in prizes and raffles. DJ JerrBear and DJ D’Manda Martini will play music. Cover is $5 at the door. For more details, visit greenlanterndc.com.
Saturday, Oct. 27
The Ivy Project presents Witches Be Cray, an LGBT Halloween party, at Uproar Lounge & Restaurant (639 Florida Ave., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. There will be a costume contest, giveaways and Halloween games. Drink specials run all night. DJ Electrox and DJ Milko will play music. No cover. For more information, visit facebook.com/ivyprojectdc.
XX+ Crostino (1926 9th St., N.W.) hosts Vamp, a Halloween ladies party, tonight from 10 p.m. -2:30 a.m. Madame Seduction will perform. DJ Mim will spin tracks. There will be craft cocktails and small bites. Cover is $10. For more details, visit facebook.com/xxcrostino.
No Justice No Pride hosts a Halloween and house warming party at its new location (169 Uhland Ter., N.E.) tonight from 8 p.m.-4 a.m. This party is also a fundraiser to provide aid for the transgender community. Costumes are encouraged. There will also be drink specials and DJs. For more details, visit facebook.com/nojusticenopride.
DAR Museum (1776 D St., N.W.) hosts a Victorian Halloween Party today from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The family-friendly party will have treats, tricks and games common during Victorian Halloween. Admission is free. Costumes are optional. For more information, visit facebook.com/darmuseum.
Lindy Promotions celebrates the 20th anniversary of its Halloween bar crawl Nightmare on M Street today from 1-8 p.m. in Dupont Circle. “Jersey Shore” star Vinny Guadagnino hosts the event. Participating bars include Decades, Living Room, Public Bar, Blackfinn Ameripub, Heist and more. Registration is from 1-7 p.m. Tickets range from $15-20 and include cover-free entry to all bars, drink specials, costume contests and more. For more details, visit lindypromo.com.
CTRL hosts Halloqueen, a gay dance party, at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-2:45 a.m. DJ Claudia, DJ Dvonne, DJ Jeff Prior, DJ Adam Koussari-Amin and more will spin tracks. Donna Slash will give a special performance. There will also be a costume contest. For more information, visit facebook.com/ctrldc.
The Cherry Fund hosts Cherry Horror Halloween at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) tonight from 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m. DJ Paulo Pacheco and DJ Sean Morris will play music. Proceeds from the party will be donated to the Barry D Smythers Fund for Mental Health Awareness. Tickets are $15. For more details, visit facebook.com/cherryfund.
Project D.C. Events hosts its Halloween Crawl today from noon-8 p.m. in Dupont Circle. The list of participating bars includes James Hoban’s, The Exchange, Bravo Bravo and more. There will be a costume contest, free raffles and event pictures. Guests will receive a souvenir haunted mug, drink and food specials, cover-free access to bars and more. Tickets are $35 online and $40 day of the event. For more information, visit dchalloweencrawl.com.
Sunday, Oct. 28
Where the Girls Go and Vanniety Kills hosts its OverEasy Season Finale: Scared Straight, a Halloween costume party, at Dodge City D.C. (917 U St., N.W.) today from 3-8 p.m. DJ Keenan Orr, DJ Kryptk and DJ Tezrah will spin tracks. Admission is free. For more details, visit facebook/com/wherethegirlsgo.
Augment VR Arcade and Bar (645 Florida Ave., N.W.) presents scary virtual reality experiences today from 2-8 p.m. A team of four can play each other in survival shooter games, a haunted mansion and a zombie killer game. Tickets range from $60-195. For more information, visit augmentarcade.com.
Monday, Oct. 29
D.C. Gaymers hosts Happy Poké-Week at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) tonight from 7-11 p.m. Attendees can compete in the D.C. Gaymers’ Pokémon League. Attendees can also participate in a costume contest. There will be a raffle with prizes including gaming figures and accessories. For more information, visit facebook.com/dcgaymers.
Tuesday, Oct. 30
Queer Girl Movie Night hosts a Halloween edition at Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. The film will be a campy, B-horror movie featuring queer, female leads. Movie starts at 8 p.m. No cover. For more details, visit facebook.com/
Wednesday, Oct. 31
Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) hosts Womxn Crush Wednesday: Queering Halloween tonight from 6-10 p.m. This happy hour is for LBT womxn; non-binary femmes, genderqueer and non-gender conforming individuals. For more information, visit facebook.com/tradebardc.
D.C. Finest hosts Haunted Halloween on 17th St at Barcode (1101 17th St., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. DJ LDR, DJ Yazadan and DJ Ivan will spin tracks. Admission is free before midnight. VIP tickets are $15 and include express entry. For more details, visit facebook.com/dcfinestgroup.
Dark & Stormy hosts a Halloween party at Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. DJ Kangal, DJ Mindjacket and DJ Hemlock will play electronic, synth-wave, retro, goth, industrial, EBM and dark disco music. Guests with the best costumes will receive free T-shirts. Cover is $5. For more information, visit facebook.com/darkandstormydc.
Out & About
Documentary about Blade reporter to premiere this month
Panel discussion to follow ‘Lou’s Legacy’ screening
“Lou’s Legacy: A Reporter’s Life at the ‘Washington Blade’” will premiere on Thursday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.
This new documentary from Emmy-nominated D.C. filmmaker Patrick Sammon tells the story of the legendary Blade news reporter, Lou Chibbaro Jr., as he works on an article about the return of drag icon Donnell Robinson – also known as Ella Fitzgerald — to the Capital Pride stage.
The documentary follows Chibbaro as he works on a story about Ella’s triumphant return to the Pride stage after three years away because of COVID. Donnell and Chibbaro reflect on their careers and discuss the ongoing backlash against the LGBTQ community, including laws targeting drag performers.
After the screening, there will be a panel discussion moderated by D.C. journalist Rebekah Robinson and featuring Blade Publisher Lynne Brown. This event is free and more details are available at the DC Public Library website.
Friday, May 16
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St. NW. 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 Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. 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.
Trans Genderqueer Game Night will be at 6 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This will be 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.
Saturday, May 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.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group 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 are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, May 18
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Pride Kickoff FunDay Social” at 4 p.m. at Moxy. This event is ideal for making meaningful new connections and informal community building. Or just to unwind and enjoy the group happy hour. Fabulous people from all over the world are expected and nametags will be provided. This event is free to attend and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Art with Tosca will host “Queer Icons & Trailblazers: An Art Tour for World Pride DC 2025” at 2:00p.m. at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. This will be an unforgettable exploration of LGBTQ+ history, identity, and artistic expression at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. Celebrate the vibrant history and culture of the LGBTQ+ community through compelling portraits and groundbreaking works that highlight the power of queer artistry. Tickets cost $48 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Monday, May 19
“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” 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].
“Pickets, Protests and Parades Exhibit Tour” will be at 7 p.m. at Freedom Plaza. This exhibition honors the courage, resistance, and resilience of D.C.’s LGBTQ+ community. Tickets start at $10 and are available on Eventbrite.
Tuesday, May 20
Center Bi+ Roundtable Discussion 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. For more details, visit Facebook or Meetup.
Wednesday, May 21
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 thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 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, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 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 with Sarah 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.
DC Anti-Violence Project Open Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. These are open meetings, and we would love to see anyone who is interested in learning more and getting involved in lessening violence both within and directed towards the LGBT communities. For more details, visit Facebook and Twitter.
Out & About
DJs to hold panel discussion on music, identity
Featured artists include DJ Chord, Tezrah and Jake Maxwell
Promethean Fundraising will host “Circuit Music: A LGBTQ+ Cultural Identifier,” an exclusive panel featuring influential LGBTQ DJs in the music industry, on Thursday, May 29 at 7 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBTQ Community (1828 Wiltberher St., N.W.).
The event will provide a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with these groundbreaking artists as they share their journeys, discuss the cultural significance of circuit music, and explore how music can serve as a platform for advocacy and empowerment within the LGBTQ+ community. The featured artists are DJ Chord, Tezrah and Jake Maxwell.
This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
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