Arts & Entertainment

Calendar for July 23

Friday, July 23, to Thursday, July 29

Published

16 years ago

July 22, 2010

Friday, July 23

Hirshhorn After Hours is tonight at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Independence Ave. at Seventh Street, S.W., from 8 p.m. to midnight. Come out for an outrageous night of campy drag and electrifying dance music hosted by drag performer Summer Camp. There will be live performances by Karl Marks, Brandon Joseph Neukam, and Sunrize Highway. DJs Matt Bailer (MIXTAPE, Peach Pit) and Bil Todd (RAW) will be spinning an eclectic mix of electro, alt-pop, disco, and house, with visual projections by Richard Sawka and Erik Loften. Catch the World Premiere of the latest, outrageous digital short from CRACK, featuring Summer Camp, Chris Farris, and Karl Jones and directed by Greg Price with original music by Bluebrain. Tickets are $18 and must be purchased in advance by going to hirshhorn.si.edu/afterhours.

In celebration of the landmark exhibition “Beat Memories: The Photographs of Allen Ginsberg” on view at the National Gallery of Art through Sept. 16, Busboys and Poets, 5th & K Sts., and Split This Rock present “Howl” in the City at 8 and 10 p.m. Renowned poet Anne Waldman, friend of Allen Ginsberg, will present three performances of his legendary poem Howl. Inspired by the spontaneous nature of the Beats, Matthew Hemerlein leads a string quartet in a musical improvisation to accompany the poem. Waldman will also perform her original poems and will be preceded by local poets Chris August, Kenneth Carroll, and Venus Thrash. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at brownpapertickets.com. Visit washingtonblade.com for more on this event.

The Faux-Real Theatre Company presents Queer in the USA tonight at the Goethe Institut, 812 7th St., N.w., at 11 p.m. as part of the Capital Fringe Festival. A teenage boy’s obsession with Bruce Springsteen leads him to New York City. Lovers, rockers, and gypsies challenge him to embrace his queerness. Does he have what it takes to rock it out like The Boss? Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at Fort Fringe, 607 New York Ave. N.W., or by phone at 866-811-4111.

Wet Girls tonight at Club Liv, 2001 11th St., N.W., from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Get drenched with everything from pop to not, featuring DJs K La Rock (You Ain’t Slick) and Junebullet (She.Rex/You Ain’t Slick). $5 cover and must be 18 or older to enter.

Celebrate Shabbat services, 8:30-10 p.m. at the Washington, D.C. Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St. Services are followed by an Oneg social.

Baltimore Beltway Divas Show at Ziegfeld’s, 1824 Half St., S.W., with Tatiyanna Voché, ChiChi Rae Colby, Phoenix Bloomingdale, JoAnna Blue, Sparkle Alexandria, and the comedy of Shawna Alexander with non-stop club dancing. $5 cover from 9 to 10:30 p.m. and $10 after 10:30 p.m. and always includes $1 off your first drink.

The first ever Mss Apex and Miss Apex Newcomer hosted by Kristina Kelly and Tony “I Thank You” Nelson is tonight at Apex at 10 p.m. Special guest entertainers include Destiny B. Childs, Serria Spaulding, Big Daddy, Isis Deverreoux, and Arione Decardea. There is a $10 cover and you must be 18 to enter, 21 to drink.

Saturday, July 24

Adams Morgan Gives Back is an all day event. Buy a Citizen Effect wristband for $10 at citizeneffect.org to receive free and discounted drinks, food, and more in the Adams Morgan neighborhood at participating businesses. All money raised will be matched by the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project and goes directly to building a foster home for abandoned youth in Cloetesville, South Africa.

The DC Women’s Dinner will be at Cafe Luna, 1633 P St., N.W., at 7 p.m. RSVP by sending an e-mail to [email protected]

DC Front Runners fun walk/run at Rock Creek Park is today from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The walk goes from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and the run goes from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Sunday, July 25

2nd Annual Bet Mishpachah Kugel Bakeoff at 5 p.m. at DC JCC, 1529 16th St. N.W. Bake and bring your favorite Kugel. Participants will vote on the best, and that recipe will be used to make the Kugels served at the Break the Fast.

Monday, July 26

The Capital Area Rainbowlers Association presents the LGBT Summer Bowling Social at AMF Annandale Lanes, 4245 Markham St., Annandale, Va., from 8 to 10 p.m. Bowling is just $1.99 per person per game plus the $4.46 shoe rental fee. There will be some free pizza and fun door prizes/raffles. You do not need to field a team. Just attend and bowl anywhere. RSVP to Les at [email protected]

SAGE Metro DC Monthly Meeting at the DC Center, 1318 U St., N.W., from 6:30-8 p.m. SAGE Metro DC provides support and advocacy for the aging LGBT population.

Tuesday, July 27

Adventuring presents Arlington Evening Bike Ride at 6:30 p.m. This ride continues the summer-long series of Arlington Evening Bike Rides. New riders and those who may be a little out of practice are welcome. The ride will go through Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood on a 17-mile loop using bike trails and quiet residential streets. Arrive by 6:25 p.m. at the Clarendon Metro station elevator entrance, Wilson Boulevard and Highland St., and the ride starts promptly at 6:30 p.m. Bring helmet, water and $2 for Adventuring.

Wednesday, July 28

DC Center Summer LGBT Intern Mixer at the DC Center, 1318 U St., N.W., from 7-9 p.m. Are you an intern in D.C. this summer? Know any interns that are LGBT or allies of the LGBT community? Please help spread the word about the first LGBT Intern Summer Mixer at the DC Center.

Mautner Project presents Mind-Body Wellness for Women who Partner with Women: Current Issues with Leslie Calman, Elizabeth Ide, and D Magrini at Equality Maryland, 1201 Sharp St., Baltimore, at 6:30 p.m. This is part of the Speakers Series.

Thursday, July 29

Atlas Performing Arts Center presents Summer Film Series: Gay 101 showing “Where the Boys Are” starring Dolores Hart and George Hamilton at the Paul Sprenger Theatre, 1333 H St., N.E., at 8 p.m. Buy tickets at atlasarts.org or at the box office one hour prior to the movie.

Calendar

Calendar: May 1-7

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

22 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, May 1

Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Silver Diner Ballston. 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.

“Illusions The Drag Queen Show Washington, D.C.” will be at 7 p.m. at 2323 18th St., N.W. Come see this amazing D.C. drag show and laugh all night long while being amazed by the stellar performances in tribute to some of your old-time favorite classics as well as the latest pop favorites. Come see the likes of Madonna, Cher, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, Beyoncé, Pink, and many more. Tickets are $12.97 and are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, May 2

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11:00a.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.

Drag Queen Sip and Paint Washington DC will be at 4 p.m. at Town Tavern DC. This event combines the joy of painting with the lively energy of a drag queen, offering an hour and a half of fun, creativity, and entertainment. Participants paint a canvas while enjoying cocktails, all under the guidance of a glamorous drag queen host. Tickets are $47.19 and are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, May 4

“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, May 5

Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].

Wednesday, May 6

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.

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. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more information, email [email protected].

Thursday, May 7

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, breath work 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.

Photos

PHOTOS: 90’s Flashback Drag Brunch

Logan Stone leads new show at Red Bear Brewing

Published

3 days ago

April 29, 2026

Michael Key

The inaugural 90's Flahsback Drag Brunch was held at Red Bear Brewing Co. on Sunday, April 26. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The new monthly 90’s Flashback Drag Brunch premiered at Red Bear Brewing Co. on Sunday, April 26. Performers included Logan Stone, Tiffany D. Carter and Charlemagne Chateau.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Celebrity News

Madonna makes rare club appearance in West Hollywood

Gay icon brought ‘Confessions II’ to The Abbey

Published

4 days ago

April 28, 2026

Alexander Rodriguez

Madonna takes the dance floor at The Abbey in West Hollywood, Calif., on April 25, 2026. (Los Angeles Blade photo)

A line of celebrities, “Drag Race” queens, influencers, media, and West Hollywood socialites lined the block around West Hollywood’s The Abbey, all clamoring to get into the invite-only celebration of owner Tristan Schukraft’s birthday. The rumor, which became verified gossip, was that Madonna, the Queen of Pop herself, would be taking the stage. Of course, the Blade had to be there.

With disco balls and Abbey statues covered in pink chiffon, it was clear. This party was a direct tie-in to Madonna’s much-anticipated “Confessions on A Dance Floor” album sequel, “Confessions II.” That night, the Abbey also unveiled its remodeled dance floor, a fitting collaboration.

The club was filled to capacity with a completely open bar, keeping the crowd liquored up. Go-go dancers in black leather collars and thongs lined the room, and celebrities that included Lilly Allen, Bebe Rexha, Tori Spelling, Julia Fox, Sam Asghari, Daniel Frenzese, Cynthia Bailey, Meredith Marks, Tom Daley, and more filled the VIP booths alongside World of Wonder personalities. It was a veritable who’s who of queer folk and allies.

The lights began to dim, the dance floor began to rumble, and Madonna graphics hit the screens. At around 1 am, it was time. Introduced by Addison Rae, Madonna grabbed the mic and started chanting, welcoming her “gays.” The venue resounded in thunderous chants of “freedom,” “mother,” and “bitch.”

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Madonna was not there to perform. She was there to dance. She took the stage for about 15 minutes, keeping the crowd going with her naughty and fun commentary. There is no list that needs to be provided on how Madonna’s career has become part of queer culture. Going back to her dance music roots and going back to her gay fans is smart.

Released in 2005 (yes, it has been that long), “Confessions on a Dance Floor” was an instant hit, with four singles from the album being released. The album’s lead single, “Hung Up,” topped the charts in 41 countries with Billboard calling it the most successful dance song of the decade. The album had hints of 60s and 70s flair, mixed in with dance music prevalent at that time. The music still dominates at queer clubs across the globe.

Madonna knows we need a little queer joy; she also knows that fans miss the Madonna we all knew and loved. With the nation in such turbulence, we all need some comfort, and going back to a time when we felt safer and had more to celebrate just feels good. For the new album release, she has even partnered with Grindr for a limited edition vinyl release and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.

Her night at The Abbey presented snippets of her new music mixed in with some of her classics. The new material sounded good, sounded familiar in an exciting way, and shows that this diva has still got it.

“Confessions II” releases on July 3.