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Calendar: Sept. 30

Parties, meetings, concerts and more through Oct. 6

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A reunited Bangles play the 9:30 Club Thursday. Tickets are $25 and were still available as of Blade press time. (Photo courtesy 9:30 Club)

TODAY (Friday)

The Dubstep Dance Party featuring Andre Jetson at Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave., E.) in Vienna, is tonight from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at jamminjava.com.

It’s Swing Night at Remington’s (639 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E.) tonight at 8 p.m. An intermediate West Coast Swing lesson will be taught from 8 to 9 p.m. by Michael Frank for $5, then the dance begins 9. For more information, visit reminstonswdc.com.

Jenny Owen Youngs will be performing at the Red Palace (1212 H St., N.E.) tonight with Hank and Cupcakes at 9 p.m. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased online at redpalacedc.com. Attendees must be 18 or older. Doors open at 8 p.m.

Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) is hosting Fahrenheit tonight from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. with music by DJ and producer, Twisted Dee. There is a $7 after 10 p.m.

Busboys & Poets will be hosting ASL open mic poetry tonight at 11 p.m. in the Langston Room at its 14th and V streets location (2021 14th St., N.W.). Anyone with sign language knowledge may sign up to recite a poem or sign a song by e-mailing [email protected]. There is a $5 cover.

Saturday, Oct. 1

The Lodge (21614 National Pike) in Boonsboro presents “We Love the ‘80s” costume party with DJ Ryan W. Cover is $5 until 11 p.m. when it goes up to $8. No cover if in full costume. The best ‘80s costume contest will take place on the patio at midnight and the winner will get $100. Doors open at 9 p.m.

Deaf Queers of D.C. is hosting a “Last Chance” cookout today from noon to 5 p.m. at Rock Creek Park at Grove 9.

MTV’s “The Real World” is hosting an open casting call for the series 27th season today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.). Applicants must be 20 or older and appear between 20 and 24. Applicants are also asked to bring a recent photo of themselves that will not be returned and a photo ID. For more information, visit bunim-murray.com/rwcasting.

Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) presents Hellmouth Happy Hour where every week an episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” will be screened and drink specials will be offered. This week the episode is “I Only Have Eyes for You.”

Signature Theatre is hosting a post-show panel discussion, “30 Years is Enuf,” tonight at 8 through special arrangement with the Black Gay Men’s Network, Black AIDS Institute and Jane M. Saks to commemorate Gay Men’s HIV Awareness Day. Tickets, which include a dance performance, discussion and meet-and-greet/booking-signing with author and star E. Patrick Johnson, are available at the Signature Box Office for $35 with code word, metro.

Sunday, Oct. 2

A new gay-welcoming Catholic church, St. Hedwig’s Old Catholic Church, has Mass today at 9 a.m. The church meets each Sunday morning at Palisades Community Church (5200 Cathedral Ave., N.W.) in Washington. The church, not affiliated with the Vatican, describes itself as one with “progressive Catholic values” that welcomes those “disaffected by mainstream traditions” and what some consider “politically distorted teachings of Christ” in other faith traditions. Bishop Michael Seneco, who’s gay, is the pastor. Visit sainthedwigs.org for more information. All are welcome.

Busboys & Poets is showing “I Shot Andy Warhol” tonight at 7 p.m. in the Zinn Room at its Hyattsville location (5331 Baltimore Ave., Suite 104) as its October Focus-In! Film of the Month. This is a free screening.

Cameron Mackintosh presents a new 25th anniversary production of “Les Miserables” at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) today at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $39 to $155 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.

Monday, Oct. 3

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) is having its monthly volunteer night tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tonight’s activities could range from sorting through book donations, cleaning up around the center and taking inventory for Fuk!ts, as well as socializing. Pizza will provided.

Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) presents “Funkytown,” featuring music of the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s by DJ Ed Bailey with performances by the Ladies of Town and The Dance Camp. Doors open at 10 p.m. Cover is $8 before 11 p.m. and $12 afterwards. Attendees must be 21 or older.

The Red Palace (1212 H St., N.E.) is hosting the kick-off for the 2011-12 seasons for Theater Alliance and Rorschach Theatre tonight at 7 p.m. Theater Alliance performs at the H Street Playhouse and Rorschach has a new home at Atlas Performing Arts Center. Attendees must be 21 or older.

Tuesday, Oct. 4

Tony Award-winning Broadway legend Audra McDonald plays the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) tonight at 8. Tickets range from $25 to $85 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.

Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Glee” watch party tonight at 8 p.m. on the deck in the pub room.

Wednesday, Oct. 5

Riot Act Comedy Theater’s (801 E St., N.W.) monthly gay and gay-friendly comedy show “Gay-larious” returns tonight at 8:30 p.m. with Lean Bonnema and Yamaneika. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at riotactcomedy.com.

Thursday, Oct. 6

The Bangles will be performing at 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) tonight. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at 930.com. Doors open at 7 p.m.

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) and Tongue in You Ear present the Brother Tongue Poetry Workshop series. Tonight is the third in a series of four workshops led by Regie Cabico, a three time National Poetry Slam finalist who has appeared on two season of HBO’s “Def Poetry Jam.” All sessions will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $25 for all four sessions. For more information and to register, visit thedccenter.org.

The second annual east coast tour of black lesbian poets, Revival, returns to D.C. today featuring Love the poet, Solrose and t’ai freedom ford with special guest, Bettina Judd at Lighthouse D.C. (5016 9th St., N.W.) at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at cereusarts.eventbrite.com.

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Sports

Jason Collins dies at 47

First openly gay man to actively play for major sports team battled brain cancer

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Jason Collins (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Jason Collins, the first openly gay man to actively play for a major professional sports team, died on Tuesday after a battle with brain cancer. He was 47.

The California native had briefly played for the Washington Wizards in 2013 before coming out in a Sports Illustrated op-ed.

Collins in 2014 became the first openly gay man to play in a game for a major American professional sports league when he played 11 minutes during a Brooklyn Nets game. He wore jersey number 98 in honor of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student murdered outside of Laramie, Wyo., in 1998.

Collins told the Washington Blade in 2014 that his life was “exponentially better” since he came out. Collins the same year retired from the National Basketball Association after 13 seasons.

Collins married his husband, Brunson Green, in May 2025.

The NBA last September announced Collins had begun treatment for a brain tumor. Collins on Dec. 11, 2025, announced he had Stage 4 glioblastoma.

“We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma,” said Collins’s family in a statement the NBA released. “Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar.  We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Collins’s “impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA, and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations.”  

“He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador,” said Silver. “Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others.”

“To call Jason Collins a groundbreaking figure for our community is simply inadequate. We truly lost a giant today,” added Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson in a statement. “He came out as gay — while still playing — at a time when men’s athletes simply did not do that. But as he powerfully demonstrated in his final years in the league and his post-NBA career, stepping forward as he did boldly changed the conversation.”

“He was and will always be a legend for the LGBTQ+ community, and we are heartbroken to hear of his passing at the young age of 47,” she said. “Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones. We will keep fighting on in his honor until the day everyone can be who they are on their terms.”

The Washington Blade will update this article with additional reaction when it becomes available.

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Photos

PHOTOS: ‘Studio 69’

Glitterati Productions hold party at Bunker

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'Studio 69' was held at Bunker on Friday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Glitterati Productions held the “Studio 69” party at Bunker on Friday, May 8.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Arts & Entertainment

Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier returns June 13 to kick off D.C. Pride week

Pride on the Pier officially launches Pride Week in D.C.

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The Washington Blade’s annual Pride on the Pier celebration returns to The Wharf on Saturday, June 13, 2026 from 4-9 p.m., bringing thousands of LGBTQ community members and allies together for an unforgettable waterfront celebration to kick off Pride week in Washington, D.C.

Now in its eighth year, Washington Blade Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Wharf waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older.

“Pride on the Pier has become one of the signature moments of Pride in D.C.,” said Lynne Brown, publisher of the Washington Blade. “There’s nothing like watching our community come together on the waterfront with live music and incredible energy as we kick off Pride week.”

Pride on the Pier is free and open to the public, with VIP tickets available for exclusive pier access to the Dockmaster Building. To purchase VIP tickets visit www.prideonthepierdc.com/vip

Additional entertainment announcements, sponsor activations, and event details will be released in the coming weeks.

Event Details:

📍 Location: District Pier at The Wharf (101 District Sq SW, Washington, DC)
📅 Dates: Friday, 13, 2026 

⏱️ 4-9PM
🎟️ VIP Tickets: www.PrideOnThePierDC.com/VIP

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