Bars & Parties
Get your Pride on
Celebrations galore planned in D.C. in coming days


(Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
D.C. gets into the spirit of Pride early with events occurring all over the city.
18th & U Duplex Diner (2004 18th St., N.W.) hosts its D.C. Pride kickoff party on Saturday, June 3 from 2-6 p.m. Brock Thompson, Jonathan Shields and Beaumont Brackeen will guest bartend for the night. All tips benefit the Wanda Alston Foundation. DJ Thomas Hernandez spins tracks. Goldie Grigio hosts. There will be celebrity cocktails named after local members of the D.C. community. For more information, visit facebook.com/duplexdiner.
Story District hosts “Out/Spoken: Queer, Questioning, Bold and Proud” at 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) on Saturday, June 3 from 6-8 p.m. Storytellers will share eight true stories based around the LGBT experience. Rayceen Pendarvis hosts. Storytellers include Mike Boyd, Elyse Hannah, Robin Katcher, among others. Doors open at 6 p.m. and show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $22. Purchase tickets at 930.com.
Mauther Project hosts the official Capital Pride Women’s kickoff party in the parking lot of the Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center (1701 14th St., N.W.) on Saturday, June 3 from 6-10 p.m. There will be liquor and beer provided by Denizens Brewing Co. and Republic Restoratives. Latin and barbecue-style street food will be served. BOOMscat will DJ the dance party. All are welcome. General admission tickets are $15. Entry including two free drink tickets is $35. Tickets that include two entries, open bar and all-you-can-eat food is $150. For more details, visit whitman-walker.org/give/
Latino GLBT History Project hosts La Fe: Resisting with Faith, the kick-off to the 11th annual D.C. Latino Pride, at Metropolitan Community Church of Washington (474 Ridge St., N.W.) on Saturday, June 3 from 6-8 p.m. The non-denominational faith service is for LGBT individuals and allies. For more information, visit facebook.com/latinoglbthistory
River Tea D.C. hosts a tea dance on the Potomac at the Boomerang Party Yacht and Private Ship Company (1072 31st St., N.W.) on Sunday, June 4 from 4:15-6:30 p.m. The party cruise will feature a cash bar, music by DJ Say What? and a large, open upper-deck on the second level. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the dock. Boarding begins at 4:15 p.m. and the yacht will sail from 4:30-6:30 p.m. For more details, visit facebook.com/riverteadc.
D.C. Brau and Washington Blade host #PridePils launch happy hour at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) on Wednesday, June 7 from 6-9 p.m. The event will celebrate the launch of the #PridePils beer can. There will be prizes for best rainbow or unicorn custom on your pet. For more details, visit washingtonblade.com/dcbrau.
Bars & Parties
Blade’s 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party set for May 16
Rehoboth Beach event to feature politicos, journalists, special guests

The Washington Blade’s 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party is scheduled for Friday, May 16 in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
The event, held at the Blue Moon (35 Rehoboth Ave.) from 5-7 p.m., is a fundraiser for the Blade Foundation’s Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which funds a summer position reporting on LGBTQ news in Delaware. This year’s recipient is Abigail Hatting, a rising senior at American University.
This year’s event will feature remarks from state Sen. Russ Huxtable, who recently introduced a state constitutional amendment to codify the right of same-sex couples to marry. CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Kim Leisey and Blade editor Kevin Naff will also speak, in addition to surprise guests. The event is generously sponsored by Realtor Justin Noble, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Blue Moon.
A suggested donation of $20 is partially tax deductible and includes drink tickets and light appetizers. Tickets are available in advance at bladefoundation.org/rehoboth or at the door.
Bars & Parties
MIXTAPE returns Jan. 4

“MIXTAPE with DJs Matt Bailer and Shea Van Horn” will be on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 10 p.m. at the Atlantis.
This event is D.C.’s legendary LGBTQ dance party. Founded in 2008 by DJs Matt Bailer and Shea Van Horn, MIXTAPE quickly became a staple of the city’s queer nightlife, bringing together a vibrant crowd of music lovers, dancers, and everyone in between. Known for its eclectic blend of indie, house, nudisco, and throwbacks, MIXTAPE creates a unique, inclusive experience that brings people back to the dance floor time and again.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on the Atlantis website.
Bars & Parties
Ring in the New Year with Capital Pride
Rainbow Masquerade features drag shows, aerial silk performances

Capital Pride will host “Rainbow Masquerade NYE Party” on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. at 3400 Georgia Ave. NW.
There will be an all-night open bar, midnight Champagne, drag shows and aerial silk performances. There will also be dessert and midnight snack tables and themed photo ops.
To get tickets and a discount (Code: CAPPRIDE for $25 off), visit Capital Pride’s website.
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