Out & About
D.C. gears up for the 4th
Gaggle of Independence Day events planned
4th of July in D.C. is always packed and this year is no different. At 8 a.m., the National Archives (700 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) begins its festivities with a free T-shirt giveaway to the first 1,000 guests, followed by a live musical performance by Brass Connection. Next, at 10 a.m., the Declaration of Independence Reading Ceremony takes place, and the morning concludes with the National Independence Day Parade at 11:45 a.m. For more details, visit archivesjuly4.org.
The celebrations continue at Wharf D.C. (noon-4 p.m.; 735 Water St., S.W.) with its 4th of July Summer Party. Guests can enjoy a family friendly afternoon filled with games, face painting and music from Rocknoceros. Guests are also encouraged to stay after the event ends to watch the fireworks from the pier (expected to start around 9 p.m.).
Beyond the pier, people can also watch the fireworks from a number of rooftop terraces, including W Washington D.C. Hotel (515 15 St., N.W.) and CityBar (400 E St., S.W.).
The W Washington D.C. Hotel hosts its annual party “Boom With a View” from 6:30-10:30 p.m. Guests get to watch the fireworks from the hotel’s terrace overlooking the mall while enjoying signature cocktails, vibrant beats and food. Tickets are $275 and can be purchased at eventbrite.com.
CityBar offers partiers yet another viewing opportunity, featuring an all-American buffet, passed bites, open bar and music. The event starts at 3 p.m. Tickets are $200 for adults and $100 for children (12-years-old and younger) and can be purchased at eventbrite.com.
After the fireworks, D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) hosts an Independence Day bar night from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Guests can enjoy Jell-O shots in red, white and blue and will get one shot free if they’re wearing at least one of the colors. Tickets are $10 at the door.
Out & About
Washington Improv Theatre hosts ‘The Queeries’
Event to celebrate queer DMV talent and pop culture camp
The Washington Improv Theatre, along with the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC, will team up to host “The Queeries!” on Friday, April 26 at 9:30 p.m. at Studio Theatre.
The event will celebrate Queer DMV talent and pop culture camp. With a mixture of audience-submitted nominations and blatantly undemocratically declared winners, “The Queeries!” mimics LGBTQ life itself: unfair, but far more fun than the alternative.
The event will be co-hosted by Birdie and Butchie, who have invited some of their favorite bent winos, D.C. “D-listers,” former Senate staffers, and other stars to sashay down the lavender carpet for the selfie-strewn party of the year.
Tickets are just $15 and can be purchased on WITV’s website.
Out & About
Drag Underground returns
Indiana Bones, Bombalicious Eklaver, Shi-Queeta Lee, Cake Pop! to perform
Dupont Underground and the Washington Blade have teamed up to host “Drag Underground” on Friday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Dupont Underground.
Performers include Indiana Bones, Bombalicious Eklaver, Shi-Queeta Lee and Cake Pop.
Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
The annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner is set for Saturday, April 27 at the Washington Hilton with Colin Jost serving as emcee.
President Biden is scheduled to speak and numerous celebrities are expected around D.C. all weekend for related parties and events.
The Washington Blade is the only LGBTQ outlet that is a member of the Association and is hosting a table of VIPs, including actor Billy Porter and Congressman Robert Garcia (D-Calif.).
“We look forward to the Dinner each year to celebrate our press freedoms and to thank a range of allies and supporters for their work on behalf of the LGBTQ movement,” said Blade Editor Kevin Naff.