Arts & Entertainment
Social agenda for April 2
Friday, April 2
RAW returns to the Green Lantern, 1335 Green Court N.W., from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. RAW is inspired by gay parties of the early 80s, filled with fog, strobe lights and throbbing music, along with go-go boys. The hosts for the evening are Karl Marks and resident DJs, Shea and Bil. DJ RAD (of Pink Sock) will be the special guest DJ. Catch his set on the 1st floor from 10 p.m. to midnight. Entry is free before 11 p.m., and $3 after that. 21+
Gay District, a weekly, non-church affiliated discussion and social group for GBTQ men between 18 and 35 is held from 8:30-10:30 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 1820 Connecticut Ave., N.W. For more information, e-mail [email protected].
Nada Surf plays the 9:30 club, 815 V St., N.W., at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20.
“Little Shop of Horrors” is on stage at Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th St., N.W., at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $39-$55; call 202-496-4200 for information.
Friday Night Erev Shabbat Services are held from 8:30-10 p.m. at the Washington Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St.
Saturday, April 3
Cherry Fund’s annual Cherry Weekend HIV/AIDS Fundraiser will be held at Freddie’s Beach Bar, 555 23rd St. S., Arlington, VA. A $5 donation is being asked that will help HIV/AIDS Prevention & Education Efforts in the region. DJ JFX returns from L.A. to throw down your favorite anthems, vocals and progressive house vibes. The party starts at 9 p.m.
The HomoSonic dance party will be held at the Black Cat Mainstage, 1811 14th. St., N.W., from 9:30 p.m.-3 a.m. The event is co-ed gay/mix, trans inclusive and straight friendly. Cover charge is $10.
CODE returns to Motley Bar above EFN Lounge, 1318 9th St. N.W., for its monthly installment. Gear, rubber, skin, uniform or leather dress code will be strictly enforced. Music provided by DJ Michael Hades. Admission is $10. Code is an 18+ event. There will be an open bar from 9-10 p.m.
The first Saturday of each month is ladies night with JAM at Mova, 1435 P St., N.W. Entry is free plus the first 50 people get a free beer courtesy of Miller Lite. Music will be provided by DJ GEMZ with a little something for everyone.
‘Laughter and Reflection with Carol Burnett’ at the Lyric Opera House, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave., Baltimore at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $42-$72, call 410-685-5086.
The Great Vigil of Easter is celebrated at the National Cathedral, a ministry for all faiths, at 8 p.m. Easter Sunday services at 8 and 11 a.m. Massachusetts and Wisconsin avenues, N.W. Visit nationalcathedral.org for more information.
Sunday, April 4
Easter services at Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, 474 Ridge St., N.W., at 9 a.m.
Dignity Washington, a group for LGBT Catholics, celebrates Easter Mass at 6 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Church, 1820 Connecticut Ave., N.W.
BurGREENdy – recycling during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. BCV is going to be working to encourage recycling during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Volunteers will encourage festival attendees to recycle their empty beverage containers by placing them in recycling containers that are located around the Tidal Basin. There will be two shifts between 3:30-6:30 p.m. Visit burgundycrescent.org for more information.
Monday, April 5
The DC Center invites bears and their allies for the first “Bears do Yoga,” starting today. This four-week class will serve as an introduction to yoga for all different body types and physical abilities. Classes will take place four consecutive Monday evenings: April 5, 12, 19 and 26. Classes begin at 6:15 p.m. in the DC Center Activity Room and last for one hour. There is a suggested $5 donation. To RSVP for this class e-mail [email protected].
Vivian Green, a former backup singer for Jill Scott, plays the Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave. in Alexandria at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35; call 703-549-7000 for information.
Tuesday, April 6
Packing Party at EFN Lounge/Motley Bar, 1318 9th Street, N.W., from 7-8 p.m. Volunteers will be assembling safer sex kits and enjoying drink specials at Motley.
Wednesday, April 7
Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler will speak about his recent legal opinion regarding recognizing out-of-state same-sex marriages at 6:45 p.m., Govans Presbyterian Church, 5828 York Rd., Baltimore. A meal will be served at 5:45 p.m.; RSVP required for the meal, 410-435-9188.
Join the D.C. chapter of the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association for happy hour at Nellie’s Sports Bar, 900 U St., N.W., from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Get to know other professionals working in journalism, communications and related fields. Information on the 20th anniversary NLGJA convention this September in San Francisco will be available.
The Rainbow History Project presents readings from “Persistent Voices”: Poetry by Writers Lost to AIDS. Starting at 7 p.m. in the Lecture Hall at Summer School Museum and Archive, 1201 17th St., N.W. The anthology includes works by several D.C.-based poets, including Essex Hemphill. The evening will be moderated by Philip Clark, Rainbow History board member and co-editor of the book. Clark, Richard McCann, Kim Roberts and Bernard Welt will read selected poems from the anthology. For more information call 202-821-7532.
DC Ice Breakers, a GLBTQ social group, will meet and ice skate at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Ballston, on top of the Ballston Common Mall parking garage, 627 N. Glebe Road, Arlington. The ice skating events take place on first and third Wednesday nights, with a social after at a local bar. Skating is from 7:45-8:45 p.m. Ice skating novices are welcome. No membership fees and no RSVP needed (for most events), simply show up.
Verdi’s Rigoletto will be shown at 7 p.m. as part of the Opera and Ballet in Cinema series at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St., N.E. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the box office, at atlas arts.org/tickets or by calling 202-399-7993.
Career Development at the DC Center, 1810 14th St. N.W., from 3-4 p.m., brings trained and experienced volunteer human resource professionals to offer support with job searches, interviews skills, resume writing and individual career goal counseling. For more information, contact the Center at 202-682-2245 or careerdevelopmentthedccenter.org.
Thursday, April 8
The Cherry Fund presents “Cherry Weekend: A Return to Tradition.” The events of the weekend kick off on April 8 with the Opening Party at Mova, 1435 P St., N.W. from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Music by DJ Jason Royce. Complimentary admission. The event is 21+.
DCBiWomen, the area’s social group for bisexual and bi-curious women, will meet from 7– 8 p.m. at Cafe Luna, 1633 P St., N.W., at 7 p.m. The group’s goal is to create an accepting, encouraging environment for bisexual women regardless of the gender of their partner or what they are looking for, meet other cool bi women and affirm the existence of the bi-identity. For more information visit http://www.dcbiwomen.org/index.asp.
a&e features
Pride season has begun
LGBTQ parades, festivals to be held throughout region in coming months
LGBTQ Pride festivals, parades and other events have been scheduled in large cities and small towns throughout the region. Pride events around the world culminate in June, but organizers in some municipalities have elected to hold celebrations in other months.
Pride in the region has already begun with last weekend’s Mr., Miss, and Mx. Capital Pride Pageant held at Penn Social as well as Roanoke Pride Festival held in Elmwood Park in Roanoke, Va.
Below is a list of Pride events coming to the region.
MAY
Capital Trans Pride is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St., N.W.). The website for the event advertises workshops, panel discussions, a keynote address, a resource fair and more. transpridewashingtondc.org
Equality Prince William Pride is scheduled for 12-4 p.m. on May 18 at the Harris Pavilion (9201 Center St.) in historic downtown Manassas, Va. equalityprincewilliam.org
D.C. Black Pride holds events throughout the city May 24-27. Highlights include an opening reception, dance parties and a community festival at Fort Dupont Park. The Westin Washington, DC Downtown (999 9th St., N.W.) is the host hotel, with several events scheduled there. dcblackpride.org
NOVA Pride and Safe Space NOVA will hold NOVA Pride Prom from 7-11 p.m. on May 31 at Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Va. The event is open to all high school students throughout the region, regardless of identity, from rising ninth grade students to graduating seniors. novapride.org
Capital Pride Honors will be held on May 31. The Capital Pride Alliance has announced on its website that nominations are open for awardees. The Honors celebrates excellence in the LGBTQ community and its allies. capitalpride.org
JUNE
Downtown Sykesville Connection is sponsoring Sykesville Pride Day in downtown Sykesville, Md. on June 1 from 12-4 p.m. downtownsykesville.com
Reston Pride will be held at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston, Va. on June 1 from 12-6 p.m. restonpride.org
Fairfax Pride, hosted by the City of Fairfax and George Mason University, will be held at Old Town Hall (3999 University Drive, Fairfax, Va.) on June 1 from 5-7 p.m. The event will include children’s activities and more. fairfaxva.gov
OEC Pride celebrates Pride with “art, dance, education, and fun” in Old Ellicott City. The OEC Pride Festival is held along Main Street in Ellicott City, Md. on June 1 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. visitoldellicottcity.com
Annapolis Pride has consistently drawn a giant crowd for a parade and festival in the quaint downtown of the Maryland capital. “The Voice” star L. Rodgers has been announced to headline the 2024 festival. The parade and festival will be held on June 1. annapolispride.org
The Alexandria LGBTQ+ Task Force Alexandria Pride is scheduled to be held at Alexandria City Hall from 3 – 6 p.m. on June 1 in Alexandria, Va. alexandriava.gov
The Portsmouth Pride Fest will be held at Festival Park adjacent to the Atlantic-Union Bank Pavilion in Portsmouth, Va. on June 1 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. portsmouthprideva.com
The Delaware Pride Festival is a free event scheduled for June 1 at Legislative Hall in Dover, Del. from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.The event is billed as family friendly and open to people of all ages and sexual orientations. delawarepride.org
The City of Rockville is hosting Rockville Pride at Rockville Town Square (131 Gibbs St., Rockville, Md.) from 2-5 p.m. on June 2. The free event features live performances, information booths, and children’s activities. rockvillemd.gov
Equality Loudoun is hosting the ticketed Loudoun Pride Festival from 1-7 p.m. on June 2 at Claude Moore Park in Sterling, Va. The event features three stages, a “#Dragstravaganza,” a kid’s zone, an alcohol pavilion, a food hall and more. Tickets $5. eqloco.com
Culpepper Pride is slated to be held at Mountain Run Winery in Culpepper, Va. from 12-6 p.m. on June 2. The theme this year is “True Colors.” culpeperpride.org
The Southwest Virginia Pride Cookout Community Social is planned for 2 p.m. at the Charles R. Hill Senior Center in Vinton, Va. on June 2. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.
Capital Pride kicks off with the RIOT! Opening Party at Echostage starting at 9 p.m. on June 7. Tickets run from $27-$50 and can be purchased on the Capital Pride website. The event is set to feature Sapphire Cristál. capitalpride.org
Pride events continue over the weekend of June 8-9 in the nation’s capital with the Capital Pride Block Party featuring performers and a beverage garden, the massive Capital Pride Parade, Flashback: A totally Radical Tea Dance to be held at the end of the parade route, and the Capital Pride Festival and Concert. Visit capitalpride.org for more information. Other Pride events planned for the weekend in D.C. include a number of parties and the unforgettable (and free) Pride on the Pier & Fireworks Show at the Wharf sponsored by the Washington Blade from 2-10 p.m. prideonthepierdc.com
Pride in the ‘Peake will be held at Summit Pointe (580 Belaire Ave.) in Chesapeake, Va. on June 9 from 12-5 p.m. The family-focused Pride event does not serve alcohol, but will feature community organizations, food trucks and more in a street festival. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.
Celebrate with a drag show, dancing and a lot of wine at Two Twisted Posts Winery in Purcellville, Va. for a Pride Party from 2-5 p.m. on June 15. twotwistedposts.com
Baltimore Pride holds one of the largest Pride parades in the region on June 15 in Baltimore. (2418 Saint Paul St.). The parade concludes with a block party and festival. Pride events are scheduled from June 14-16. baltimorepride.org
The fourth annual Catonsville Pride Fest will be held at the Catonsville Presbyterian Church (1400 Frederick Rd.) in Catonsville, Md. on June 15 from 3-6 p.m. The event features a High Heel Race, pony rides, face painting, local cuisine and more. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.
The Ghent Business District Palace Shops have announced a Ghent Pride event from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on June 17 at the Palace Shops and Station (301 W 21st Street) in Norfolk, Va. ghentnorfolk.org
An event dedicated to celebrating the elders in the LGBTQ community, Silver Pride is scheduled for June 20 at 5:30-8:30 p.m. Location and more information to be announced soon. capitalpride.org
Visit the Hampton Roads PrideFest and Boat Parade for a truly unique Pride experience along the Elizabeth River. The full day of entertainment, education and celebration will be held on June 22 from 12-7 p.m. at Town Point Park (113 Waterside Dr.) in Norfolk, Va. hamptonroadspride.org
Frederick, Md. will hold its annual Frederick Pride Festival at Carroll Creek Linear Park on June 22 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Entertainers include CoCo Montrese of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” frederickpride.org
The fourth annual Pride at the Beach is scheduled for 2-10 p.m. on June 23 at Neptune’s Park (3001 Atlantic Ave.) in Virginia Beach, Va. The event features entertainment, community vendors, beachside DJ sets, food trucks and offers a “perfect conclusion to an unforgettable Pride weekend.” hamptonroadspride.org
Winchester Pride will hold its Mx. Winchester Pride Pageant at 15 N. Loudoun St. in Winchester, Va. on June 23 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance/$25 at the door. winchesterpride.com
The organizers of last year’s inaugural Ocean City Pride with a “parade” along the boardwalk in Ocean City, Md. have announced that they will be organizing a return this year with events from June 28-30. instagram.com
The third annual Arlington Pride Festival will be held at Long Bridge Park at National Landing (475 Long Bridge Dr.) in Arlington, Va. on June 29 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. arlvapride.com
FXBG Pride is holding its annual community Fredericksburg Pride March on June 29 from 10-11 a.m. at Riverfront Park (705 Sophia St.) in Fredericksburg, Va. Speeches begin at 10 a.m. and the procession starts at 10:30 a.m. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.
Salisbury Pride “90’s Edition” is scheduled for 3 – 7 p.m. on June 29 in Downtown Salisbury, Md. Magnolia Applebottom is listed as the headliner and grand marshal. salisburyprideparade.com
The 2024 Suffolk Pride Festival is scheduled for Bennett’s Creek Park in Suffolk, Va. on June 30 from 12-7 p.m. Visit the Facebook event page for more information.
Expect music, entertainment and drag performances in the picturesque mountain town of Cumberland, Md. at the Cumberland Pride Festival on June 30 from 12-4 p.m. at Canal Place. cumberlandpride.org
Montgomery County’s annual Pride in the Plaza will be held on June 30 from 12-8 p.m. at Veterans Plaza (1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, Md. liveinyourtruth.org
JULY
The sixth annual Westminster Pride Festival is scheduled for downtown Westminster, Md. on July 13 from 12-6 p.m. westminsterpride.org
Hagerstown Hopes is holding its annual Hagerstown Pride Festival in Doubs Woods Park (1307 Maryland Ave.) in Hagerstown, Md. on July 13 at 11 a.m. Visit the Facebook event page for more information.
The Rehoboth Beach Pride Festival will be held on July 20 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., with other Sussex Pride events scheduled throughout the weekend of July 18-21. sussexpride.org
Us Giving Us Richmond hosts Black Pride RVA in Richmond, Va. with events on July 19-21. ugrcrva.org
Photos
PHOTOS: On assignment in Hungary, Poland, and Germany
International News Editor Michael K. Lavers traveled to Eastern Europe this month
BERLIN — The Washington Blade was on assignment in Hungary, Poland, and Germany from April 2-16.
The Blade interviewed LGBTQ activists, government officials, and refugees from Ukraine who have resettled in Berlin and in Warsaw, the Polish capital. The Blade also visited Auschwitz in Oświęcim, Poland.
Drag queens entertain patrons of La Pose, a gay bar in Warsaw, Poland, on April 8, 2024, during a broadcast of an episode of “Czas na Show” or “Drag Me Out,” a reality show that features male Polish celebrities performing in drag with drag queens. (Washington Blade video by Michael K. Lavers)
Performers at SchwuZ on April 14, 2024. (Washington Blade video by Michael K. Lavers)
The 32nd annual Roanoke Pride Festival was held at Elmwood Park in Roanoke, Va. on Sunday, April 29.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
United Methodist Church removes 40-year ban on gay clergy
Republican state AGs challenge Biden administration’s revised Title IX policies
University students have a right to protest
Former CAMP Rehoboth official sentenced to nine months in prison
Christian Siriano to serve as grand marshal of Annapolis Pride Parade
Md. governor signs Freedom to Read Act
HHS reverses Trump-era anti-LGBTQ rule
4th Circuit rules gender identity is a protected characteristic
PHOTOS: Capital Pride Pageant
