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Calendar: events through Feb. 17

Concerts, plays, parties and more slated for coming week

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‘Fast Company Table’ is part of the Jens Praet exhibit, 'Fossilized' at Industry Gallery. Photo courtesy Violetta Markelou

Friday, Feb. 11

Metropolitan Community Church (474 Ridge St., N.W.) hosts neighborhood bingo tonight at 7 p.m. The doors open at 6:10 p.m. Free parking is available. Bring this announcement and play the early bird games for free. For more information, e-mail [email protected] or call 202-297-6884.

Tonight from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. is College Nite at Paradox (1310 Russell St.) in Baltimore featuring hip-hop, reggae, club and R&B music. The first 100 college students with ID enter free. A college or military ID will get a discunt. Attendees must be 18 or older.

Club Hippo (1 West Eager St.) in Baltimore presents “Funhouse” an official preliminary to Miss Gay Maryland America hosted by Josie Foster and Tatiyanna Voche. Doors open at 10 p.m.; the contest starts at 10:30. General admission is $8 and reserved seating is $9. For reservations or application information, contact Josie at 410-274-71118.

“Sunset Boulevard” will be performed tonight at 8 p.m. at Signature Theatre (4200 Campbell Ave.) in Arlington. Tickets are either $89.95 or $84.95 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com or at the theater box office.

Jens Praet’s first solo U.S. exhibition, “Fossilized,” is on display at Industry Gallery (1358 Florida Ave., N.E.). Praet’s work is created from shredded magazines and documents. He used shredded and recycled copies of Art in America, Capitol File, Details, Fast Company and Robb Report mixed with clear resin to create his art. The gallery is open from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, visit industrygallerydc.com.

Saturday, Feb. 12

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington will be performing “Let’s Hear It for the Boys” tonight with the Rock Creek Singers and special guest Major Mike Almy at the Chruch of the Epiphany (1317 G St., N.W.) at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. The Chorus will also be honoring the Servicemembers Legal Defence Network with the 2011 Harmony Award. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online at gmcw.org.

Dupont Social Club and 18th and U Duplex Diner present “Valentine’s is a Drag” tonight at 6 p.m. Duplex Diner will be open all night and will feature drag queen waitresses, bartenders and hostesses. All donations will go to SAGE Metro D.C.

D.C. Eagle (639 New York Ave., N.W.) hosts the 40th anniversary Scarlett’s Bake Sale today from 4 to 8 p.m. A judged competition will begin prior to the auction of baked goods and the categories will be Best Individual Entry, Best Commercial Entry, Best Club Entry, Most Creative Entry and The Directors Award.

Homo/Sonic comes to the Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) with DJ Natty Boom’s “Birthday Explosion” tonight from 9:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. featuring DJs Natty Boom and Zack and Michael of The New Gay. Cover is $10.

The Lodge (21614 National Pike) in Boonsboro hosts “Cupid’s Ball: The Red Party” with DJ Ryan W tonight from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Cover is $5 before 11 p.m. and $8 after.  There will be $5 XXL ReFresher, a super-sized cup, all night.

The Virginia Wine (and Food) Showcase begins today at 11 a.m. with the Grand Tasting Open. The Showcase is one of four Virginia wine events, sponsored by the Farm Wineries Council. There will be unlimited wine tastings of more than 300 world class Virginia wines. The goal is to offer wine lovers the opportunity to sample Virginia’s large variety of award-winning, locally grown wines. Tickets are $45 at the door, $36 online and $20 for non-drinkers. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit vawineshowcase.org.

Sunday, Feb. 13

The fourth annual Metro D.C. PFLAG “Bowling for Love Bowl-A-Thon” is today from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bowl America (6446 Edsall Rd.) in Alexandria. The bowlathon will be $25 a person including shoes and three games. Door prizes and raffle prizes will be given out.

The Human Rights Campaign presents HER HRC Washington D.C. tonight starting at 7 p.m. at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) with a special performance by DCypher Dance. Tickets are $10 and includes an annual HRC membership. Attendees must be 18 or older. For more information and to purchase tickets visit dc.hrc.org.

CLITFest D.C. presents a pancake breakfast today from noon to 2 p.m. at Hole in the Sky (2110 5th St., N.E.). There will be pancakes, orange juice, mimosas and board games. Admission is $5 and proceeds will go toward CLITFest D.C. 2011, Combating Latent Inequality Together, a three-day event in July.

Lace Lounge (2214 Rhode Island, Ave., N.E.) is celebrating Valentine’s Day with two events. First there will be a champagne brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with live music from saxophonist Sharon Thomas. Brunch is $15.95 per person, $20 with bottomless mimosas. The day continues with “Lover’s Cove,” a dinner for two with live music from John G. Lewis and the Band. A three course meal for two is $50. For more information, visit lacedc.com.

Drag City D.C. will be at Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) today for a Valentine’s Drag Brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The brunch buffet is $20.

Pocket Gays present “Missed Connections Sunday School”  tonight from 3 to 9 p.m. at Local 16 (1602 U St., N.W.). There will be games and special Valentine’s Day prizes. After sunset, The Metaphysical will be providing music inside.

Monday, Feb. 14

SpeakeasyDC and Two Pear Productions partnered up to present “Logic, Luck and Love” tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Atlas Performing Arts Center Lang Theatre (1333 H St., N.E.). Tickets are $22 and can be purchased online at speakeasydc.com.

Chris Chase presents “Heart On: A Singles Soiree” tonight at 7 p.m. at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) with DJ Jesse Jackson. No cover.

Secrets in Lave presents “Burlesque-A-Pades February Frolic” tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Birchmere (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave.) in Alexandria. The Valentine’s inspired burlesque revue will sar Angie Pontani, Helen Pontani, Melody Sweets, MStickle, Deanna Danger, Tyler Fyre and hosted by Albert Cadabra

Tuesday, Feb. 15

The Shakespeare Theatre Company presents “Cymbeline,” directed by Rebecca Bayla Taichman, tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Lansburgh Theatre (450 7th St., N.W.). Tickets range from $37 to $70 and can be purchased online at shakespearetheatre.org.

The National Portrait Gallery is showing an exhibit that focuses on sexual differences in the making of modern American portraiture. “Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture” is the first major museum exhibit of its kind. The museum is open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and admission is free.

Wednesday, Feb. 16

D.C. Ice Breakers and the Federal Triangles Soccer Club will be hosting a free skate tonight from 8:15 to 9:15 p.m. at Kettler Capitals Iceplex ion top of the Ballston Common Mall parking garage (627 N. Glebe Rd.) in Arlington. The groups will go to a local bar afterward for a social hour. Skating is $8 and $3 for skate rentals. For more information, visit dcicebreakers.com.

The Fessenden Ensemble at the National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.) will be performing Mozart favorites today at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 at the door. Students are free with an ID.

Thursday, Feb. 17

Touchstone Gallery’s (901 New York Ave., N.W.) newest exhibit is “Color of Love” featuring 50 artists. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the exhibit will be on display through Feb. 27.

Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant (555 S. 23rd St.) in Arlington presents the grand opening of Wild Thursdays tonight from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. There’s no cover.

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Photos

PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards

Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony

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Members of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington as well as local drag artists joined hosts Mike Millan and Felicia Curry with other performers for a WorldPride dance number at the Helen Hayes Awards on Monday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.

A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.

The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Photos

PHOTOS: D.C. Trans Pride

Schuyler Bailar gives keynote address

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D.C. Trans Pride 2025 was held at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on May 17. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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a&e features

Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C

Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement

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Gay Pride Day 1976 (Washington Blade archive photo)

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.

D.C.’s Different Drummers march in the 2006 Capital Pride Parade. (Washington Blade archive photo by Adam Cuthbert)

The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies. 

Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays. 

The 1995 Lesbian and Gay Freedom Festival was held on Freedom Plaza on June 18. (Washington Blade archive photo by Clint Steib)

The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.

We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.

I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.

The D.C. Black Gay Men & Women’s Community Conference table at Gay Pride Day in 1978. (Washington Blade archive photo by Jim Marks)
A scene from 1985 Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)
A scene from the 1988 Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)
A scene from the Capital Pride Block Party in 2018. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)
Keke Palmer performs at the 2024 Capital Pride Festival. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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