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Calendar: June 28-July 4

Festivals, parties and events in the week to come

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Van Hansis (Photo courtesy of Hansis)

Friday, June 28

The Kennedy Center and the National Symphony Orchestra present “50 Years Over the Rainbow: A Judy Garland Celebration” tonight from 8-10 p.m. The NSO and Tony nominee Laura Osnes, Broadway performer Capathia Jenkins and Pink Martini’s Jimmie Herrod will recreate the 1961 concert “Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall.” Tickets start at $24. For more information visit kennedy-center.org.

Annapolis Pride invites the public to come commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising at the Brass Tap (2002 Annapolis Mall road, Annapolis, Md.) tonight from 6-11 p.m. The venue offers over 300 craft beers, daily specials and live music. Tickets are $10 on eventbrite.com.

GAMMA, a peer support group for gay or bi men who are now or have been in relationships with women, meets in D.C. tonight and on all second and fourth Fridays at Luther Place Memorial Church (1226 Vermont Ave., N.W.) from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Meetings are also held in Vienna, Va., and in Frederick, Md. For more info, visit gammaindc.org

Saturday, June 29

Daytime Pride 2019 is today from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. at HRC (1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.). Tickets start at $125. Daytime Pride is an event celebrating and honoring LGBTQ characters in daytime television. Celebrity guests include Freddie Smith (“Days of Our Lives”), Greg Rikaart (“Days”/“The Young and the Restless”), Camryn Grimes (“The Young and the Restless”), Ryan Carnes (“General Hospital”), Van Hansis (“As the World Turns”), and Jake Silbermann (“World”). The day event includes autographs, photo ops, panel Q&A and a meet-and-greet hour. The VIP Dinner event (6:30-9 p.m.), held at The Mayflower Hotel (1127 Connecticut Ave., N.W.), gives attendees a chance to sit and have a meal with one of their favorite actors. Proceeds will be donated to True Colors United, a program supporting LGBTQ homeless youth. For tickets and information, visit daytimepride23.simpletix.com.

The Washington Mystics will host its annual Pride celebration today starting at 2 p.m. in a game against the Connecticut Sun that will be televised on ESPN. The team unveiled an updated Pride version of its logo and is also offering a special Mystics Pride Pack which includes a game ticket and pride T-shirt. NBC4 anchor/reporter Meagan Fitzgerald, who recently announced her engagement on air to her fiancée Kelly Heath, will serve as the game’s honorary captains. There will also be a Pride auction featuring team and player signed items from the Capitals and the Wizards as well. Proceeds will benefit the HRC Foundation. Tickets start at $12 and can be purchased at washingtonmystics.com

Slash Run’s (201 Upshur St., N.W.) brunch and drag show, hosted by Desiree Dik, kicks off noon today. Admission is $31 and includes bottomless mimosas, food item of choice and a rotating cast of drag performers from the region. Look for the event on Facebook for details. 

The Annapolis Pride inaugural parade and festival is today from noon-5 p.m. The parade runs noon-12:45 p.m. from Amos Garrett to Calvert street and the festival is from noon to 5 p.m. between Calvert and Church Circle. The public is invited to this free family-friendly event filled with vendors, face painting and local entertainment. Visit annapolispride.org for more information.

Tendancies,”an interactive gay-themed family play by gay playwright Steve Langley, will have a free staged reading today at 4 p.m. at THE ARC theater (1901 Mississippi Ave., S.E.). Directed by Gregory Ford, the reading is part of the D.C. Theater & Arts Festival. The play tells the story of a conflicted family whose members have trouble communicating but find common ground in a sex club. Sonny, 22 and openly gay, clashes with his construction worker father while his mother, also a teacher and pill addict, is their buffer. Theatergoers will get a chance to speak to the actors and interact with the performance by clapping and singing along. A Q&A will follow the reading. For free tickets, visit eventbrite.com.

MoCo Pride Party 2019 is tonight at the Rockville Town Square (200 E. Middle Ln., Rockville, Md.) from 6:30-10:30 p.m. and features “RuPaul’s Drag Race” superstar Peppermint. This event includes live performances by DJ Confetti the First, BOOMscat, Malijra Belly Dance, Pretty Boi Drag and more. The public is invited out for food and drink vendors, live entertainment and a community atmosphere. Tickets start at $7.50 and are available on Eventbrite.

#TeamHusband presents Rest of GAY D.C. Drag Show at the Dew Drop Inn (2801 8th St., N.E.) tonight at 7 p.m. This show features local drag kings and queens performing a fake award show highlighting the rest of the D.C. queer scene. Includes performances by Mo Lasses, Majic Dyke, Blaq Dinamyte, Xemi the Two-Spirit and many more. Jorge Escobar hosts. For tickets and information visit eventbrite.com.

THE ARC theater (1901 Mississippi Ave., S.E.) hosts “The Belle & The Bulldagger” tonight at 7 p.m. This is the story of Belle and Di, a sophisticated femme lesbian and a dapper butch who have now matured and recall scandalous accounts of living and loving freely during the civil rights movement. Audiences will explore their journey from the bigoted South to the nation’s capital. Tickets are $15. Look for the event on Facebook for details. 

Eastern Panhandle Pride in West Virginia is hosting the “Be PROUD” drag show and dance party tonight from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. at the War Memorial Building (102 East German St., Shepherdstown, W.Va.). Performers include Chastity Vain, the current Miss Gay Maryland America and Miss Hagerstown Pride; Butch Kelly, Hagerstown’s current and first King of Pride; Siren, a Britney Spears impersonator; and more. Entertainment also includes a rap performance by Ryan Banks and dance music by DJ Andre. Tickets start at $10 and are available on Eventbrite. 

The QWERTY dance party and drag show are tonight at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) from 10 p.m.-2:45 a.m. The show features music by DJ Dvonne and burlesque by drag king performer, Blaq Milk. Performances also by Adam Koussari and Jeff Prior. Visit Facebook events for more information. 

Sunday, June 30

The Newseum’s “Rise Up: Stonewall and the LGBTQ Rights Movement” continues its run through December 31. The Newseum is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and today from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. This exhibit explores the modern gay rights movement in the U.S. and features artifacts, images and print publications exploring key moments in gay rights history including the 1978 assassination of Harvey Milk, one of the country’s first openly gay elected officials; the AIDS crisis and more. Visit newseum.org for tickets and information. 

Monday, July 1

Actor/singer Hugh Jackman, who’s balanced his “Wolverine”-heavy movie career with an equally acclaimed Broadway career, plays an exceedingly rare local date with “Hugh Jackman: The Man. The Music. The Show” tonight at Capital One Arena (601 F St., N.W.) at 7 p.m. He’s straight but an unabashed ally and show tunes lover. He played gay as Peter Allen in “The Boy from Oz.” Tickets start at $25.50 at Ticketmaster. 

A “Jaws” movie party is tonight at 7:45 p.m. at Alamo Drafthouse (15200 Potomac Town Pl., suite 100, Woodbride, Va.). The screening will feature interactive props and surprises. The 1975 Spielberg classic is a summer thriller favorite. Details at drafthouse.com

Tuesday, July 2

The “Pose” viewing party continues tonight from 10-11 p.m. at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.). Every week the D.C. Eagle invites the public to come watch “Pose” and enjoy their spacious venue with two large screens. Register at eventbrite.com.

Wednesday, July 3

A League of Her Own (2319 18th St., N.W.) will hold Wine Down Wednesdays tonight from 6-8 p.m. Center Women and Fabulous Lesbians over 40 (FABS 40+) invite area queer women to a night of mingling with a favorite adult beverage. For more information check out their group on meetup.com.

Bookmen D.C., an informal men’s gay literature group, discusses Craig M. Loftin’s “Masked Voices: Gay Men and Lesbians in Cold War America” tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Cleveland Park Library (3310 Connecticut Ave., N.W.). This is a free event and all are welcome to attend. For more information, visit bookmendc.blogspot.com

Thursday, July 4

Venus Valhalla hosts Thirst Trap Thursdays, a weekly drag show, at Pitchers D.C. (2317 18th St., N.W.) tonight at 11 p.m. Look for the event on Facebook for details. 

The Trump is a Big Baby Festival, featuring the D.C. premiere of the giant Baby Trump blimp, is today at 2 p.m. on the west side base of the Washington Monument. Prize will be awarded for the best Trump impersonator present and a men’s swimsuit contest will be held. Comedian Lee Camp will perform. The Alien Rock Band will perform. Look for the event on Facebook for details. 

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Out & About

Celebrate the Fourth of July the gay way!

LGBTQ events planned for Friday

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(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Rainbow History Project will host “Pickets, Protests and Parade Exhibit Tour” at 7 p.m. at Freedom Plaza. This event honors the courage, resilience and resistance of D.C.’s gay community. For more details, visit Eventbrite

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Hyatt Centric Arlington (1325 Wilson Blvd.). This fun event is ideal for meeting new people and community building. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Xavier Entertainment DC will host “Cowboy Carter Afterparty” at 10 p.m. at Nellie’s Sports Bar. There will be fireworks, parades, and patriotic fun. For more details, visit Eventbrite

Mezcal Amaras will host “Sha Boing Boing Showdown” at 6 p.m. at Snappy’s Small Bar (3917 Georgia Ave., N.W.). Get ready to test your hotdog eating abilities. Tickets start at $12.51 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

Illusions Drag Queen Show will host “Drag Queen Dinner Show” at 7 p.m. at 2323 18th St. N.W. Guests will be treated to the very best celebrity drag impersonations in entertainment. Tickets start at $12.97 and are available on Eventbrite

Thurst Lounge will host “A Thirsty Cowboy Afterparty” at 5 p.m. DJ Apollo will be performing. For more details, visit Thurst’s website

9:30 Club will host “Gimme Gimme Disco: A Dance Party Inspired by ABBA” at 9 p.m. The DJ will play plenty of disco hits from the 70s and 80s. Tickets cost $45.30 and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.

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Music & Concerts

Berkshire Choral to commemorate Matthew Shepard’s life

Concert held at Washington National Cathedral

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Craig Hella Johnson’s fusion oratorio ‘Considering Matthew Shepard’ will be performed at the Washington National Cathedral. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Berkshire Choral International will present a concert performance of composer Craig Hella Johnson’s fusion oratorio “Considering Matthew Shepard” on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. at the Washington National Cathedral. 

The program will be guest conducted by Dr. Jeffrey Benson, a native of the DMV who currently serves as Director of Choral Activities at San José State University. The concert is a partial benefit for the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Notably, Matthew’s remains are interred at the National Cathedral and his parents, Dennis and Judy, will give opening remarks at the performance.

Tickets are $20 – $65, and 50% of ticket proceeds will be donated to the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Tickets are only available online at berkshirechoral.org

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Calendar

Calendar: June 26-July 2

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, June 26

“Center Aging Monthly Luncheon and Bingo” will be at 2 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected]

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Pride Month Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Dupont Italian Kitchen. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Saturday, June 27

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Pride Month Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. 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.

Art Roving will host “Where Color Meets Spectrum: Blackness, Queerness & Tomorrow” at 200 I St., S.E. This is a panel discussion with Queer Art salon artists Nikki Brooks, Maps Glover & Chrys Seawood, moderated by artist and curator Brittany Mona’. The Queer Art Salon exhibition is on view from June 13 – August 1, 2025 and funded by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities’ Art Exhibition Grant program. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Baby Shank Rooftop Bar and Lounge will host “DC Drag brunch on Rooftop – Penthouse” at 12 p.m. Guests can enjoy delicious French cuisine. The event will be hosted by Miss Capital Pride. Tickets cost $30.65 and are available on Eventbrite

Sunday, June 28

Jonathan Van Ness will host a masterclass at 10 a.m. at Dupont Circle Hotel. Enjoy refreshments and community as Jonathan showcases styling techniques for a range of hair types—helping you create a gallery-worthy look that’s truly, beautifully yours. A portion of ticket sales will benefit SMYAL, a local nonprofit that has been supporting LGBTQ+ youth in D.C. for more than 40 years. Tickets are available on Eventbrite

Monday, June 29

“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 details, email [email protected]

Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more information, email [email protected]

Tuesday, June 30

Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website

Wednesday, July 1

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 — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.thedccenter.org/careers.

Thursday, July 2

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. 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 with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

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