Out & About
SPRING ARTS 2017 EVENTS: Dances, dinners, drag & drama
Mega Networking, GLAA awards, Women’s Fest among spring events
Ba’Naka (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Some events don’t fit in our other spring arts categories. Here are a few to note:
Rainbow Families has a family dance on Saturday, March 4 at Washington Ethical Society (7750 16th St., N.W.). Details at rainbowfamilies.org.
The Coven and GLOE present “Pride of Purim: a Queer Masquerade” on Saturday, March 11 at 10 p.m. at Ten Tigers Parlour (3813 Georgia Ave., N.W.). Tickets at thejdc.convio.net.
Ba’Naka’s “Bigg Gurrl Birthday Bash” with Darienne Lake (of “Drag Race” fame) is Saturday, March 11 at Town at 10 p.m. Details at towndc.com.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival has its Pink Tie Party at the Reagan Building (1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) on Thursday, March 16 from 7-11 p.m. Tickets at nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.
(Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
FIST 2017 — the Fighting Improv Smackdown Tournament is March 16-April 15 at Source (1835 14th St., N.W.). Details at witdc.org.
The Imperial Court of Washington has its Black & Blue Ball on Saturday, March 18 from 6-9:30 p.m. at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.). Details at imperialcourtdc.org.
The “Queen of the Night” drag competition is Saturday, March 18 at Town. Details at towndc.com.
BARE Military Style by the Ladies of LURe is Saturday, March 18 from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.). Details on the event’s Facebook page.
The Capital Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce has its ninth annual Mega Networking and Social Event on Wednesday, March 22 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.). Details at caglcc.org.
CAGLCC Mega Networking Event. (Washington Blade file photo by Joe Tresh)
OutWrite presents Warrior Poets, Speaking as Resistance on Wednesday, March 22 from 7-9 p.m. at Petworth Citizen (829 U St., N.W.) featuring readings from Taylor Johnson, Danielle Reed and PeaceJah.
The third annual ONYX Mid-Atlantic Code Red fundraiser is Saturday, March 25 from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) and is a benefit for local LGBT non-profits. Details on the event’s Facebook page.
Meat Market, a night of “hot tracks and old-school leather” is Saturday, March 25 at 9 p.m. at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.). Details at dceagle.com.
Light City Baltimore, a “festival of light, music and innovation” is March 31-April 8 at the Baltimore Inner Harbor. Tickets and details at lightcity.org.
The 14th annual Equality Virginia Commonwealth Dinner is Saturday, April 1 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center (403 N. 3rd St., Richmond, Va.). Details at equalityvirginia.org.
The Cherry Blossom Wine & Beer Festival is April 1-2 at the Yards Park (255 Water St., S.E.). Tickets at cherryblossombeerandwine.com.
The Family Equality Council will have a “family building session” on Saturday, April 1 from 3-6 p.m. at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.). Tickets at familyequalitycouncil.com.
“The Ask Rayceen Show” continues with installments April 5 and May 10 at the HRC Equality Center (1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.). Details on the event’s Facebook page.
The Pancakes & Booze Art Show is at Penn Social (801 E St., N.W.) on Thursday, April 6 from 7 p.m.-2 a.m. It’s billed as D.C.’s “largest underground art show” featuring body painting, DJs, a pancake bar and more. Details at pancakesandbooze.com/washingtondc.
The CAMP Rehoboth Women’s Fest is April 6-9. Details at camprehoboth.com.
Dining Out for Life, an annual Food & Friends benefit, is Thursday, April 6. Details at foodandfriends.org.
The D.C. Rawhides have their Town & Country anniversary dance on Saturday, April 15 at 6 p.m. at Union Market D.C. (1309 5th St., N.E.). Details here.
Team D.C.’s “A Night of Champions” is Saturday, April 15 at the Washington Hilton (1919 Connecticut Ave., N.W.). Tickets are $100 at teamdc.org/champions.
Todrick Hall returns to Washington with his “Straight Outta Oz Tour” April 18-19 at the Howard Theatre (620 T St., N.W.). Details at todrickhall.com.
GLAA has its 2017 Distinguished Service Awards on Thursday, April 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Policy Restaurant & Lounge (1904 14th St., N.W.). Details at glaa.org.
The 16th annual Georgetown Day is Friday, April 28 at 8 a.m. at Copley Lawn. Details on the event’s Facebook page.
The 2017 Mister & Miss Gay Arlington Pageant is Friday, April 28 at Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 S. 23rd St., Arlington, Va.). Details at freddiesbeachbar.com or search for the event on Facebook.
The D.C. Chocolate Festival is Saturday, April 29 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park (2660 Woodley Road, N.W.). Tickets at dcchocolatefestival.com.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington has its spring affair “A Night at the Moulin Rouge” on Saturday, May 6 at the Mayflower Hotel (1127 Connecticut Ave., N.W.). Details at gmcw.org.
The AIDS Walk & Run Baltimore is Sunday, May 7 at the Maryland Zoo. Details at chasebrexton.org.
The Capital Pride Heroes Gala is early this year — it will be Saturday, May 13 from 7-11 p.m. at the Carnegie Library (801 K St., N.W.). Details at capitalpride.org.
The Helen Hayes Awards for local theater are Monday, May 14 at the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.). Details at theatrewashington.org.
(Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
A Night Out for Trevor, a benefit for the Trevor Project, is Friday, May 19 from 7-10 p.m. at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco (700 F St., N.W.). Details at capitalpride.org.
Trans Pride is Saturday, May 20 at Studio Theatre (1501 14th St., N.W.). Details at capitalpride.org/events/capital-trans-pride.
Capital Trans Pride (Washington Blade photo by Tyler Grigsby)
The Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch is Sunday, May 21 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel (2500 Calvert St., N.W.) at 11 a.m. Details at victoryfund.org.
JFK Centennial Week is May 23-29 (various events) at the Kennedy Center. Details at jfkc.org.
Black Planet: a Black Pride Celebration is Sunday, May 28 from 4-8 p.m. at Tropicalia (2001 14th St., N.W.). Tickets at blackplanet.splashthat.com.
D.C. Black Pride is Memorial Day weekend (May 26-29) with many events. Details at dcblackpride.org.
No word as of Blade press time on 2017 installments of Gay Day at the Zoo, Youth Pride or the Charm City LGBT Film Festival, events usually held in May.
Out & About
Plan your wedding the LGBTQ way
Washington D.C. LGBTQ+ Wedding Expo scheduled for Sunday
Rainbow Wedding Network will host “Washington D.C. LGBTQ+ Wedding Expo” on Sunday, March 1 at 12:30 p.m.
Guests can meet and mingle with a curated selection of LGBTQ-welcoming wedding professionals from across the region, each ready to help bring your vision to life, and spend a beautiful afternoon exploring everything they need to create a celebration that reflects them.
There will be a relaxed, self-guided look at the Watergate’s spaces and amenities, savor signature cocktails and delicious tasting samples, and connect with other couples who are on the same journey.
Visit Eventbrite to reserve a spot.
Friday, February 27
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga and Drag Bingo will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour Meetup” at 7 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. 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.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group 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].
Saturday, February 28
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.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black lesbian. You do not need to be a member of the Beta Kappa Chapter or the Beta Phi Omega Sorority in order to join, but they do ask that you either identify as a lesbian or are questioning that aspect of your identity.Send an email to [email protected] to receive the zoom link.
Sunday, March 1
LGBTQ+ Community Coffee and Conversation will be at 12 p.m. at As You Are. This event is for people looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ community. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, March 2
“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, March 3
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, March 4
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.
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, March 5
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, breathwork 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.
Sweat DC is officially expanding to Shaw, opening a new location at 1818 7th St., N.W., on Saturday, March 28 — and they’re kicking things off with a high-energy, community-first launch event.
To celebrate, Sweat DC is hosting Sweat Fest, a free community workout and social on Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at the historic Howard Theatre. The event features a group fitness class, live DJ, local food and wellness partners, and a mission-driven partnership with the Open Goal Project, which works to expand access to youth soccer for players from marginalized communities.
For more details, visit Sweat DC’s website and reserve a spot on Eventbrite.
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