Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: Sept. 28

Parties, concerts, exhibits and more through Oct. 4

Published

14 years ago

September 27, 2012

Ayanna Alexander

Stewart Lewis (photo courtesy Stewart Lewis)

TODAY

The National Gay HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Conference and reception are both held today. The Conference occurs from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at Barbara Jordan Conference Center: Kaiser Family Foundation (1330 G St. NW), while the Reception will take place at 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Number Nine (1435 P St. NW).

Arena Stage begins its “One Night with Janis Joplin” show tonight at the Kreeger Theater (1101 6^th St. SW) at Arena Stage. The show continues through Nov. 4. For more information, visit arenastage.org.

Thank GLAAD It’s Friday, a networking event for young LGBT professionals, is tonight from 7-9 p.m. at the Penthouse (1612 U Street, NW). This is part of a national series offered by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Visit glaad.org for details.

Local gay singer/songwriter Stewart Lewis plays from 6-8:30 p.m. tonight at Beacon Bar & Grill (1615 Rhode Island Ave. NW) on its rooftop Sky Bar area. No cover. More information at stewartlewis.com.

The National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day events continue today with a conference today from 8:30 a.m. ti 4:30 p.m. at the Barbara Jordan Conference Center at the Kaiser Family Foundation (1330 G Street NW). A reception follows from 5:30-7:30 at Number Nine (1435 P Street NW). This is a National Association of People with AIDS event. Details are at napwa.org.

Saturday, Sept. 29

The Green Festival Eco Fashion Showcase is set today from 1-4 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (801 Mount Vernon Place NW). For more information, visit greenfestivals.org.

DJ Cottontail will be making his East Coast debut at Town (2009 8^th St. NW) tonight at 10:30. There is an $8 cover charge from 10-11 p.m. and a $12 cover charge after 11 p.m. For details, visit towndc.org.

Biometric palm prints, known as “next generation identification” for this FBI-developed ID database, are being offered free today as part of a child safety program at Don Beyer Volvo (1231 West Broad Street, Falls Church, Va.) today from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Parents can have the palm prints, fingerprints, a color digital photo and a child safety journal — all free — on a disc. These are the only copies that are kept — prints and photos are not made part of a database. These are provided for parents whose children go missing. Organizers say about 40 percent of prints left are palm prints so having these on file can be an added resource in helping police find missing children. Visit lifeprintevent.com to RSVP.

Opera in the Outfield is today at Nationals Park with a free simulcast of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.” Gates open at 5 p.m. Opera starts at 7. Details are at operaintheoutfield.org.

The D.C. Eagle (639 New York Ave.) is having a yard sale today from noon to 4 p.m. prior to its moving to a new location. Details at dceagle.com.

Sunday, Sept. 30

Dignity Washington, a local LGBT Catholic group, holds its weekly Sunday Mass tonight at 6 at St. Margaret’s Church (1820 Connecticut Ave. NW). For details, visit dignitywashington.org.

Joey Arias performs with drag legend Lady Bunny today at the Speak Easy at L’Enfant Café (2000 18^th Street NW) in Adams Morgan tonight at 7 and 10:30 p.m. Details at laboumbrunch.com.

Monday, Oct. 1

Cobalt (1639 R St. NW) holds its weekly Martini Monday tonight at 10. There is no cover charge and you must be 21 and older to enter. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.

Nellie’s Sport Bar (900 U St. NW) hosts its daily Beat the Clock Happy Hour tonight starting at 5. This includes bottles of Miller Lite, and house vodka drinks. The specials are: 5-6 p.m. $2 drinks, 6-7 p.m. $3 drinks and 7-8 p.m. $4 drinks. For details, visit nelliessportsbar.com.

Tuesday, Oct. 2

Green Lantern (1335 Green Court NW) and Burgundy Crescent will team up for safer sex, during their weekly Safer Sex Kit packing session tonight from 7-10:30 p.m. Volunteers come together to pack kits and pass them out in as many bars, clubs and other venues in the D.C. area. It creates a way to make new friends in the LGBT community as well. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.

Treble Tuesdays are back at Mova Lounge (2204 14^th St. NW) with special music of any request, all night. There will be no cover charge and $8 martini specials. For more information, visit movalounge.com.

Special Agent Galactica performs a rock show tonight at MOVA (2204 14^th Street NW) from 8 to 10 p.m. She headlines there the first Tuesday of each month. Guests tonight are Thomas J and David Knight. Details at pinkhairedone.com.

Wednesday, Oct. 3

Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St. NW) will hold its weekly game of Smart Ass Trivia tonight at 8 and 9 p.m. Each game includes five questions per round that get progressively harder. The winning team receives $40 off of their bar tab, while second prize get $20 off their bar tab. Third prize receives $10 off. For details, visit nelliessportsbar.com.

BOGO nights at MOVA Lounge (2204 14^th St. NW) are back in D.C. tonight from 5-close, everything is two for one. There is no cover charge and all of the specialty drinks can be found on their site. DJ Neekola will be spinning all night. For more information, visit movalounge.com.

The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club, an LGBT group, meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8^th Street, S.E.) across from the Marine Barracks for social bridge. No partner needed. Click on “social bridge in Washington DC” at lambdabridge.com for more information.

Bookmen D.C., an informal gay men’s literature group, meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. to discuss “The Unreal Life of Sergei Nabokov” by Paul Russell. The discussion will take place at Tenleytown Library (4450 Wisconsin Ave. NW). Visit bookmendc.blogspot.com for details.

Thursday, Oct. 4

The Rainbow History Project Pioneer Reception and Exhibit is tonight from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Thurgood Marshall Community Center (1816 12^th Street NW). This year’s honorees are Robert Alfandre, Colevia Carter, Keith Monroe, Paulette Goodman, Jose Gutierrez, Susan Hester, Len Hirsch, Robert Miailovich, Bob Summersgill and Jessica Xavier. Now in its 12^th year, the Rainbow History Project is dedicated to preserving LGBT history for the D.C. area. For more information, e-mail to [email protected] or call 202-431-9139. More information is at rainbowhistory.org.

The Adah Rose Gallery (3766 Howard Ave. Kensington, Md,) will showcase Thomas Drymon and Julie Wolsztynski works beginning today through early November. Drymon’s series “End of Empire” started his D.C.-based work in 2007.Wolsztynski’s series “New York Poetry” is a series of films. For more details, visit adahrosegallery.com.

Howard Theatre (620 T St. NW) hosts Peaches and DJ Extravaganza tonight at 9 p.m. The Toronto-born Peaches is known for her sexually progressive lyrics, rock and electro sound and bold performances. Her first single, “Fuck the Pain Away” is still circulating in the indie, fashion and queer circles. For details, visit howardtheatre.com.

Photos

PHOTOS: Fairfax City Pride

LGBTQ celebration held at Sherwood Center

Published

11 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Michael Key

A scene from Fairfax City Pride on June 6. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Fairfax City Pride was held at the Sherwood Center (3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, Va.) on Saturday, June 6.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

a&e features

D.C. prepares to party as Pride celebrations kick off Saturday

Bars, clubs have busy lineups; Pride on the Pier returns

Published

15 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Evan Caplan

The Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier returns June 13. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Capital Pride’s date change isn’t slowing down the festivities. Back in December, the Capital Pride Alliance shifted the calendar for Pride celebrations in the nation’s capital from the second weekend of June to two weeks later to the weekend of June 20-21 to not conflict with President Trump’s birthday and 250th anniversary of America celebrations, with the aim that “our community can gather safely and without unnecessary barriers… We are protecting our space and preserving Pride as a powerful act of visibility, solidarity, and resistance.”

On the heels of WorldPride last year, the city shows no sign of slowing down. Instead, restaurants, bars, clubs, and neighborhoods are taking the opportunity to be even more visible. The Blade has put together a (non-comprehensive) list of parties, activations, and activities across town:

Pride on the Pier returns on Saturday, June 13 to the Wharf on the Southwest waterfront. The event, sponsored and hosted by the Washington Blade, is free and runs from 4-9 p.m. There will be vendors, DJs, and drag performances all day. VIP tickets are $25 and come with air conditioned party room, private bathrooms, and free cocktail. More details at prideonthepierdc.com.

Capital Pride Official Opening Party: RIOT! is the official opening dance party of Capital Pride, taking place Friday June 19, 9 PM-3AM. The 2026 edition headlining performer is Myki Meeks, a finalist of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 18; Bob The Drag Queen will perform a special set. DMV-area DJs and performers include: Bambi, Baphomette, Bumper, Cake Pop!, Connor, DJ Ed Bailey, DJ Diyanna Monet, Evry Pleasure, Jakknife Complex, Mari Con Carne, Pussy Noir, WessTheDJ. Trade owner Ed Bailey is producing the event.

Kinetic Presents brings the heat across the entirety of Pride weekend as well. It again is partnering with Capital Pride Alliance to produce four events over four days this Pride, including the Official Main Event on Saturday (the Friday official event is at Echostage). Kinetic’s parties are splayed across various D.C. venues, with special performances, massive productions, shirtless dancers, play zones, dance-forward audio and visuals, and international DJ talent. Thursday, June 18 at 10 PM at District Eagle is Lust, with music by Dan Slater and TOMI. Friday, June 19 at 10 PM is UNCUT XXL Heavy Load, at A.i. Warehouse in Union Market District, with music by Alex Acosta, Felipe Lira & Mitch Ferrino; the party is a “high-octane night of muscular house and tribal rhythms.” Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM brings that official main event, Kinetic Toy Land, at Echostage, with music by GSP & Matt Suave. Alaska Thunderfuck headlines. Sunday evening June 21 at 10 PM closes with discoVERS at SAX. A portion of tickets supports the DC LGBTQ+ community through Capital Pride Alliance.

9:30 Club always comes in clutch for the LGBTQ community. Already in June, it produced Kitty Kat Ball on June 7, and Kiesza performed on June 8. On June 20 at 10 PM, the famed Mixtape party hits the stage, care of gay DJs Shea van Horn and Matt Bailer, who have spun together for coming up on two decades. Mixtape has been held at several venues across the city over those years, and now settled on 9:30 Club for Pride. On June 25 at 7 PM, Big Freedia – the bounce artist from New Orleans – hits the 9:30 Club scene for the eighth time, as part of the Big Freedom Tour.

Crush: New this year from the 14th Street bar is the Pride Pop-Up, sitting pretty in the parking lot at 1820 14th St., N.W., at the corner of Swann Street by the start of the Pride Parade route. Hours are Friday from 2-10 PM and Saturday from 12-10 PM. Friday evening features Grizzly Bear Happy Hour, a DJ will set up shop on Saturday, and for those needing another layer, there’s a Crush merch store. Co-owner Mark Rutstein “has always wanted to throw a party in that parking lot, so he did,” said co-owner Stephen Rutgers. Note that Crush (the bar) will have a cover on Friday and Saturday.

Kiki: Over at Kiki, there’s a full slate of Pride-themed programming all week. Tuesday, June 16 at 9 PM brings karaoke; Wednesday, June 17 at 7:30 PM is trivia; Thursday June 18 at 9PM is “Night of 1000 Tatianna’s Drag Show”, and Friday June 19 at 9 PM brings the Juneteenth Serve Drag Show. Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM, post-parade, is a Pride Dance Party with DJ Lemz. Sunday daytime at 5 PM is the Father Figures Daddy Issues Special Drag Show; and after the festival at 8 PM, DJ Tezrah hits the tapes.

Jane Jane: Right along the parade route, gay-owned Jane Jane has transformed its space into a “No Kings, Yas Queens” activation in a direct response to the America 250th commemorations happening downtown, from the colorful window installation, to merch (including a custom bandana and tank) to disco wig installations. Events include industry night on Mondays, donations to LGBTQ charities, and to-go cocktails during the Pride Parade.

Shaw’s Tavern: Gay-owned Shaw’s Tavern on Florida Avenue celebrates Pride week with a full lineup of themed events, entertainment, and specials, including Pride trivia on Monday, June 15 at 7:30 PM, bingo on Tuesday, June 16 at 8 PM, a cabaret on Thursday, June 18 at 9 PM, Juneteenth Drag Brunch on Friday, June 19 at 12:30 PM, and both a pre-parade brunch (10 AM-4 PM) and post-parade party (5-9 PM) on Saturday, June 20. Sunday, June 21 at 7 PM brings Mama’s Sunday Supper & Drag Pride Show in the evening for anyone who is still awake.

Trade: This classic has a weekend of events, starting on Thursday, with Tiburon Pride Edition, a Latin Dance party in the Shark Tank. On Friday, the bar opens early (at 2 PM), with all-day happy hour and the Jx&Evry Show. On Saturday, the bar opens at noon, offering a prime parade viewing spot from its windows. There will be the CLASH drag show hosted by Tatianna and Crimsyn, and Sweet Spot party that night. On Sunday, the bar opens for normal hours at 2 PM, with DJs Adam K, Alex Love, and WESSTHEDJ.

Pitchers: The multi-level bar in Adams Morgan is hosting a Pride-themed show on Thursday, June 18 at 10 PM, with drawstring bag giveaways – the only kind of bag that will be allowed into the bar during Pride weekend. The show features drag queen Kyle Sonique Love.

Barrel House Cafe and Bar: Also by the parade route on 14th Street, Barrel House Cafe takes advantage of its large patio to have a slate of events during Pride week, including Schism, a drag and burlesque show on June 18 at 10 PM, as well as an all-day Pride party coinciding on parade day.

Bunker: Bunker again plays host to a series of afters. Friday night (Saturday 3:30 AM) is Unhinged, and Saturday night (Sunday 3:30AM) is Unholy. The regular Saturday night party (10 PM) brings in Venetian and Tiara Missou. All parties have cover charges.

District Eagle: Beyond the Kinetic party on Friday, June 19 brings Gear Night at 10 PM; Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM is LOBO presents PRISM, and Sunday, June 21 is Sundaze wit Papi at 6 PM.

African Art Museum: On Thursday, June 18 at 5 PM, this Smithsonian museum is hosting a free event with artists and curators celebrating its exhibit, “Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art,” “based on years of close collaboration and dialogue with African visual art practitioners who claim belonging in the LGBTQ+ community, however they define those terms,” according to the museum.

KNEAD Hospitality & Design: The gay-owned KNEAD restaurant group (including spots like Gatsby, Mi Vida, Succotash The Grill) is featuring the GLITTERATI cocktail, made with Tito’s, St-Germain Elderflower, Butterfly Flower, ginger, and yes, glitter. A portion of proceeds from every Glitterati cocktail sold will benefit The Trevor Project. The cocktail will be sold throughout June.

The Fountain Inn is partnering with Rhodium spirits (Rhode Island’s first LGBTQ+ owned distillery) all month, making cocktails like gimlets and espresso martinis featuring Rhodium’s liquors. Proceeds benefit SMYAL, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ youth.

Hard Rock Cafe: Hard Rock DC is taking part in the chain’s annual “LOVE OUT LOUD” campaign, with Pride merch, specials on June 20, and a donation to The Trevor Project.