Out & About

D.C. 4th of July events

Next week packed with patriotic festivities

Published

7 years ago

June 28, 2019

Independence Day, gay news, Washington Blade, 4th of July — (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Flashy Sundays, host of LGBTQ-friendly Sunday events at Flash (645 Florida Ave., N.W.), will set off its 4th of July event on Wednesday, July 3 from 10 p.m.-5 a.m. DJ TWiN and DJ Sean Morris will serve up the latest house music. For more information, visit flashdc.com.

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (2700 F st. NW) will host “Celebrate America: A Tribute to Our Veterans” on Wednesday, July 3 at 8 p.m. Entertainment includes performances by gospel singer Sandi Patty and the Bellevue Baptist Church Choir and Orchestra conducted by Mark Blair. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at kennedy-center.org.

A League of Her Own (2319 18th St. NW) will hold Wine Down Wednesdays on Wednesday, July 3 from 6-8 p.m. Center Women and Fabulous Lesbians over 40 (FABS 40+) invite area queer women to start Independence Day off with a night of mingling with fellow FABS and a favorite adult beverage. For more information about FABS 40+ events, check out their group on MeetUp.com.

The D.C. July 4 fireworks show begins at 9:07 p.m. and is expected to run for 20 minutes. The National Mall is a popular viewing spot, so visitors are encouraged to stake out a place early and learn about the latest security restrictions, public access points, road closures and prohibited items from the National Park Service at nps.gov. Two other free Independence Day events taking place on the National Mall include A Capitol Fourth concert at the U.S. Capitol’s West Lawn and Salute to America at the Lincoln Memorial. For more info, visit nps.gov.

“ERUPT! 4th of July-Eve” is Wednesday, July 3 from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. at The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.). Tickets are $5 on Eventbrite.

The NoMa 4th of July Bash is today from noon-3 p.m. on the lot on First and Pierce (1150 First St., N.E.). As If, a ‘90s cover band, will perform. There will be double dutch jump roping tutorials, face painting, a moon bounce, free hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and drinks. Look for the event on Facebook for details.

“Red, White and BBQ” is today at 5:30 p.m. at Fairmont Washington (2401 M St., N.W.) with an all-you-can-eat all-American barbecue from 5:30-8 p.m. and 9:30-11 p.m. Burgers, jumbo shrimp, corn on the cob, cole slaw and more will be served. Look for the event on Facebook for details.

Related Topics:a league of her own DJ Sean Morris DJ Twin Flash Flashy Sundays Kennedy Center

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Out & About

Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves

Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community

Published

2 days ago

June 12, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.

The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.

This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.

For more details, visit the cemetery’s website.

Out & About

Baltimore Pride is here

Parade, block party, festival planned for Maryland city

Published

2 days ago

June 12, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

A scene from last year’s Baltimore Pride. This year’s main events take place on Saturday and Sunday. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.

The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.

There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events.

For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website.

Calendar

Calendar: June 12-18

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

2 days ago

June 12, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, June 12

Bet Mishpachah will host “Pride Shabbat Happy Hour” at 6 p.m. at Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center. This is an in-person happy hour with an open wine and beer bar, great company, and joyful conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Women in their Twenties and Thirties will meet at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area. For more details, visit Facebook.

Saturday, June 13

Out N Bad will host “SWEET WHINE: DC Pride Queer Caribbean Slow Whine Function” at 9 p.m. at Decades DC. This is a late-night escape into slow and steamy Dancehall & Kompa only. No splits. No headtops. No pressure. Tickets are $22.14 and are available on Eventbrite.

The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host a screening of “10s Across the Borders,” a bold pan-Asian queer film that confronts homophobia, transphobia, and racism while celebrating Southeast Asia’s underground ballroom scene. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.

Sunday, June 14

Beth A Wolfe Yoga will host “Pride Baby Goat Yoga” at 1 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington, Va. The goats will be decked out in their finest Pride apparel, and human participants are welcome to do the same. Proceeds from this event will go to the Trevor Project. Tickets cost $44.52 and are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, June 15

“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” 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 choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).

Tuesday, June 16

“Self-Defense Class with Avi Rome” will be at 12:30 p.m. Rome is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and a full-time Martial Arts instructor with 25 years of teaching experience. He holds a 5th Degree Black Belt in Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do and is the director of the studio’s Adaptive Tae Kwon Do program for students with special needs. He has also run numerous self-defense workshops for various groups and situations. For more details, visit the center’s website.

Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.

Wednesday, June 17

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. 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 — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Thursday, June 18

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.

Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.