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Cherry Blossom time!

Annual festival kicks into high gear with multiple events

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Cherry Blossoms, gay news, Washington Blade
(Photo by Nicolas Raymond via Wikimedia Commons)

The National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the bloom of the cherry blossom trees in the District with numerous events throughout the coming weeks. 

The festivities kick off with the Pink Tie Party, presented by All Nippon Airways, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) on Friday, March 22 at 7 p.m. Guests will enjoy food catered by local restaurants such as Barley Mac, Cane and Columbia Firehouse and an open bar. There will also be dancing and a silent auction. Tickets are $225. 

The sold-out opening ceremony is at the Warner Theatre (513 13th St., N.W.) on Saturday, March 23 at 5 p.m. Performers will celebrate the anniversary of the gift of trees from Japan to the United States with both traditional and contemporary performances. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon The Super Live, Ikuko Kawai, Yusaku Mochizuki and the 682 Quintet will all perform. 

The Blossom Kite Festival is at the Washington Monument (2 15th St., N.W.) on Saturday, March 30 from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Kite makers and flyers will showcase their skills in competitions and demonstrations, Rokkaku Battles and the Hot Tricks Showdown. Attendees can bring their own kites or children can make kites at an activity station. Kites will also be available for purchase on-site. Admission is free. 

Petalpalooza is at The Wharf (690 Wharf St., S.W.) on Saturday, April 6 from noon-9:30 p.m. There will be live music on multiple outdoor stages, a beer garden and activities for all ages. A fireworks show closes out the day at 8:30 p.m. Free admission. 

The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade runs along Constitution Avenue N.W. on Saturday, April 13 at 10 a.m. ā€œblack-ishā€ star Anthony Anderson will serve as grand marshal. Singer Cece Peniston, Motown star Freda Payne, ā€œThe Voiceā€ contestant Rayshun LaMarr, ā€œAmerican Idolā€ contestant Michael Woodard, ā€œAmericaā€™s Got Talentā€ contestant Christina Wells, Miss America Nia Franklin and the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders will also make appearances. Grandstand seating is $20 but standing along the parade route is free. 

For more information on all National Cherry Blossom Festival events, visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

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Out & About

Want to meet other queer individuals over some drag?

‘Everyone Welcome’ free variety show scheduled for Sunday

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(Washington Blade file photo by Damien Salas)

Mixxed/Be You will host ā€œEveryone Welcome Drag Variety Showā€ on Sunday, April 7 at 4 p.m. at Be You Social (2427 18th Street, N.W.).

This will be a night of fabulous performances and entertainment. Guests should come prepared to experience the magic of drag in person and celebrate diversity and inclusivity. 

This event is open to everyone and is free of charge. More details are available on Eventbrite.

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Calendar

Calendar: April 5-11

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, April 5

Go Gay DC will host ā€œLGBTQ+ Happy Hourā€ at 7 p.m. at The Commentary. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, April 6

LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ people of color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space the strives to be safe and judgement free. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.Ā 

Go Gay DC will host ā€œLGBTQ+ Brunchā€ at 11 a.m. at Freddieā€™s Beach Bar & Restaurant. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Sunday, April 7

AfroCode DC will be at 4 p.m. at Decades DC. This event will be an experience of non-stop music, dancing, and good vibes and a crossover of genres and a fusion of cultures. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.Ā 

Go Gay DC will host ā€œLGBTQ+ FunDay Socialā€ at 3 p.m. at Moxie DC. This event is ideal for making meaningful new connections and community building or just to unwind and enjoy extended happy hour. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, April 8

Center Aging: Monday Coffee & Conversation will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of their choice. For more details, email [email protected].Ā 

Tuesday, April 9

Pride on the Patio Events will host ā€œLGBTQ Social Mixerā€ at 5:30 p.m. at Showroom. Dress is casual, fancy, or comfortable. Guests are encouraged to bring their most authentic self to chat, laugh, and get a little crazy. Admission is free and more details are on Eventbrite.

Trans Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans-identifying people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].Ā 

Wednesday, April 10

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking ā€” allowing participants to move away from being merely ā€œapplicantsā€ toward being ā€œcandidates.ā€ For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Thursday, April 11

The DC Centerā€™s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be more fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.Ā 

Virtual Yoga with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Communityā€™s website.

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Out & About

Washington Wizards to host Pride night

Seasons of Love ensemble to perform

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Wizards Pride Night is Friday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Wizards are celebrating ā€œPride Nightā€ on Friday, March 29.

Each purchase includes discounted tickets to the Wizards vs. Pistons game and an exclusive Pride Night belt bag. The night will be full of Pride celebrations and a National Anthem performance from Seasons of Love, an ensemble of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C.

Tickets are available on the Wizardsā€™ website.Ā 

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