Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: Feb. 10

Parties, concerts, meetings and more through Feb. 16

Published

14 years ago

February 9, 2012

Juliette Ebner

Lesbian comedian Wanda Sykes performs at Strathmore on Friday. (Photo courtesy Strathmore.)

Friday, Feb. 10

Women in Their Twenties, a social discussion and dinner group, meets tonight from 8 to 9:30 p.m. at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.).

Red Eye Gravy Theatre Company presents a same-sex version of “Romeo and Juliet,” a benefit for the Trevor Project at the Fridge (516 1/2 8th St., S.E.), tonight at 8 p.m. This production will feature the title roles as a lesbian couple and the show will be followed by a discussion. The show will run through Feb. 18. Tickets are $20. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit thefridgedc.com.

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is performs at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $30 to $99 and can be purchased online atkennedy-center.org.

Out comedian Wanda Sykes performs at Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $39 to $99 and can be purchased online atstrathmore.org.

Busboys & Poets presents “The 11th Hour” poetry slam hosted by “2Deep” the Poetess, tonight at 11 p.m. in the Langston room at its 14th and V streets location (2021 14th St., N.W.). There is a $5 admission at the door starting at 10:30 p.m.

Green Lantern (1335 Green Court) hosts Mama’s Trailer Park Dance Party tonight upstairs from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. and a $16 Smirnoff “All-U-Can-Drink” buffet from 10 to 11:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 11

Blowoff, a dance party featuring gay DJs Bob Mould and Richard Morel, will be at 9:30 club (815 V St., N.W.) tonight. Doors open at 11:30 p.m. Attendees must be 21 or older. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at 930.com.

There will be a viewing and service for slain trans murder victim Deoni Jones today at the King Emmanuel Baptist Church (2324 Ontario Rd., N.W.) from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information contact Earline Budd or Brian Watson at 202-636-1646 or Ron Moten at 202-615-0204.

The Dupont Social Club is celebrating its 25th anniversary by taking over the 18th and U Duplex Diner (2004 18th St., N.W.) at 6 p.m. featuring drag queen waitresses, bartenders and hostesses. Tips from talents will be donated to teamdc.org. There will also be celebrity appearances, DJs and performances.

Zoom Urban Lesbian Excursions presents “Vino: The Singles Edition” tonight. The group will be meeting at Urbana Restaurant and Wine Bar (2121 P St., N.W.) at 6 p.m. Reservation for this event is free. Wine and food is purchased individually. For more information, visit phatgirlchic.com/zoom.

Tony Award-winning musical “La Cage aux Folles” starring Christopher Sieber and George Hamilton will be at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) today at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $65 to $130 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.

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 “The Zeppo.”

Sunday, Feb. 12

Khush D.C. is having its first book club meeting of the year today at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) at 2 p.m. The group will be discussing the book, “Ninny’s Natter” by Ninade Jog and there will be a Q&A session with the author after the discussion. For more information contact Jeff Ajanee at [email protected].

The D.C. Kings are performing their “King of Hearts” show tonight at Phase 1 (525 8th St. S.E.) at 10 p.m. Performers for the night include Sammy Smooth, celebrating his seven year anniversary, Bona Fyde, Dash, Valentino and more. Doors open at 7 p.m. and their is a $10 cover. This is a D.C. Kings Fundraiser.

Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) presents Drag Brunch hosted by Shi-Queeta Lee today at 11 a.m. with a $20 brunch buffet. There will also be a special edition “Guil-Tea” Dance today from 3 to 8 p.m. on the roof deck featuring Sweet Tea vodka specials.

Monday, Feb. 13

MotherTongue D.C. is holding its annual “Anti-Valentine’s Day Slam!” tonight at the Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 and are available in advanced online atblackcatdc.com.

Tickets for Madonna’s Sept. 23 concert at the Verizon Center go on sale today at 10 a.m. Several package deals and price ranges are available. Visit ticketmaster.com orlivenation.com for details.

The Youth Working Group, a gathering of people committed to impacting the lives of D.C. area youth, will be meeting tonight at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 14

D.C. Bi Women will have its monthly dinner at Dupont Italian Kitchen (1637 17th St., N.W.) tonight from 7 to 9 p.m.

The Child and Family Services Agency’s LGBTQ Task Force is holding a full-day retreat today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.). The retreat is a way to identify steps needed to support LGBTQ youth in the foster care system. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

LezGetTogether.com is having its Valentine’s Day party tonight at Buffalo Billairds in the Adirondack Room (1330 19th St., N.W.) from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 online, $8 at the door or $4 with invite of 10 or more women to LezGetTogether.com and promotional code.

Wednesday, Feb. 15

Women’s Wednesday is being co-hosted by the Human Rights Campaign and held in the Equality Center (17^th and Rhode Island, NW) tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Registration is fee for CAGLCC members and their guests.

The D.C. Ice Breakers will be having its monthly skate and social tonight. The group will be skating at Kettler Capitals Iceplex (627 N. Glebe Rd.) in Arlington from 8 to 9 p.m. then they’ll hit a local bar for a social hour. Skating is $8 and skate rentals are $3.

Thursday, Feb. 16

The D.C. Center, with the Deaf Abused Women’s Network, Deaf Queer Kaleidoscope and Gallaudet University with sponsorship from Access Interpreting is facilitating its second deaf/hard of hearing/deaf-blind LGBT community needs assessment for the area today from 6 to 9 p.m. in Flex A/B at Gallaudet (800 Florida Ave., N.E.). For more information, e-mail Alex Nelson at [email protected].

Lesbian comedian Judy Gold will be performing at Riot Act Comedy Theater (801 E St., N.W.) tonight at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online atriotactcomedy.com She will also perform on Friday and Saturday.

Sports

Jason Collins dies at 47

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

Published

22 hours ago

May 12, 2026

Michael K. Lavers

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.”

Photos

PHOTOS: ‘Studio 69’

Glitterati Productions hold party at Bunker

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2026

Michael Key

'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)

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.

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2026

Staff reports

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