Out & About
Calendar: July 26-August 1
Parties, concerts, and events to come
Friday, July 26
Otakon 2019 starts today at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (801 Mount Vernon Pl., N.W.) and runs until Sunday, July 28. Otakon is an annual Asian pop culture convention held to celebrate anime, manga, music, movies, video games as well as its eclectic fandom known as “otaku.” The event has a packed weekend schedule that includes film showings, cosplay contests, lip-sync and panel discussions. This year’s concert line up includes performances by Bradio, Fat Jon, Shing02, EyeQ and more. Tickets and information are at otakon.com.
Saturday, July 27
Culture Carnival D.C. is today from 2-9 p.m. at the Karma D.C. (2221 Adams Pl., N.E.). High Society D.C. presents a Caribbean experience featuring local Latin/Caribbean talent, a Brazilian Samba group, cultural food vendors, henna body art, spiritual cleansing and more. The event is 21 and up with I.D. Tickets start at $10. For more information, visit Eventbrite.com.
Sunday, July 28
For those in New York for the weekend, the 1993 film “Farewell, My Concubine” will show today at the Walter Reade Theater (165 West 65th St., N.Y.) at 12:30 p.m. This film, in Mandarin with English subtitles, depicts a love story that emerges in a Peking opera troupe as they enact the fabled tale of a besieged warlord and his self-sacrificing concubine and was nominated for two Oscars. An interesting experience for fans of the recent hit “Crazy Rich Asians.” Visit lincolncenter.org for tickets and information.
Monday, July 29
Dave Meder performs tonight on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St. N.W.) starting at 6 p.m. Meder, a pianist and composer was a recent finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition and is known for his genre-bending approach to music. With support from bassist Dean Torrey and drummer Kenneth Salters, Meder will perform rarely-played Thelonious Monk pieces, gospel hymns as well as original compositions touching on the entire American musical spectrum. For tickets and information, visit kennedy-center.org.
Tuesday, July 30
Queen and Adam Lambert continue “The Rhapsody Tour” tonight at the Capital One Arena (601 F St., N.W.) starting at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $49.
Founded in 1971 this legendary band is known for such iconic stadium hits as “We Will Rock You” and “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which is also the title of the Academy Award winning biopic of the band’s late frontman, Freddie Mercury, who died of AIDS in 1991. Adam Lambert rose to fame in 2009 as a runner-up on “American Idol” and has since sold over three million albums and five million singles worldwide.
For tickets and information, visit http://ticketmaster.com.
Wednesday, July 31
NBC News National Justice Correspondent Pete Williams joins the fourth annual Lawyers for SMYAL fundraiser tonight from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Skadden Arps (1440 New York Ave., N.W.). The event will connect the legal community and raise funds to support and empower LGBT youth. SMYAL’s youth housing program provides shelter, food, case management services, crisis intervention and community support for area LGBT youth. More information and tickets are available at etapestry.com and Facebook events.
Thursday, Aug. 1
Queer Tango Taster Thursdays continues tonight at Bloombars (3222 11th St., N.W.) from 7-8:30 p.m. The cost is $20 for a single class, but attendees may purchase six or more classes at a discounted rate. This is an all-levels class focusing on the fundamentals and hosted by program manager Liz Sabatiuk at Tango Mercurio. The program goal is to create a safe, inclusive space to dance whatever roles you like with whomever you like. All are welcome. For more information, visit tangomercurio.org.
VIDA Fitness presents its second annual Glow Up Challenge starting today. Participants will receive detailed weekly workouts, advice for proper nutrition from a registered dietitian, weekly personal assessments and more. All locations will have special events throughout the month. The Yards will host Yoga and Wine by the Pool on Aug. 7; U Street will have a Sweatbox Class on Aug. 14; Logan Circle and Gallery Place will host a nutrition talk with registered dietician Addie Claire Merletti on Aug. 21 and City Vista will have a Gauntlet Style Workout on Aug. 28. The first 1,000 participants to sign up will receive a free bullet journal. Sign up at vidafitness.com/glowup.
Out & About
Plan your wedding the LGBTQ way
Washington D.C. LGBTQ+ Wedding Expo scheduled for Sunday
Rainbow Wedding Network will host “Washington D.C. LGBTQ+ Wedding Expo” on Sunday, March 1 at 12:30 p.m.
Guests can meet and mingle with a curated selection of LGBTQ-welcoming wedding professionals from across the region, each ready to help bring your vision to life, and spend a beautiful afternoon exploring everything they need to create a celebration that reflects them.
There will be a relaxed, self-guided look at the Watergate’s spaces and amenities, savor signature cocktails and delicious tasting samples, and connect with other couples who are on the same journey.
Visit Eventbrite to reserve a spot.
Friday, February 27
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga and Drag Bingo will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour Meetup” at 7 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans 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].
Saturday, February 28
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community 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.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black lesbian. You do not need to be a member of the Beta Kappa Chapter or the Beta Phi Omega Sorority in order to join, but they do ask that you either identify as a lesbian or are questioning that aspect of your identity.Send an email to [email protected] to receive the zoom link.
Sunday, March 1
LGBTQ+ Community Coffee and Conversation will be at 12 p.m. at As You Are. This event is for people looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ community. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, March 2
“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, March 3
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 details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, March 4
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 www.thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more information, email [email protected].
Thursday, March 5
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 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.
Sweat DC is officially expanding to Shaw, opening a new location at 1818 7th St., N.W., on Saturday, March 28 — and they’re kicking things off with a high-energy, community-first launch event.
To celebrate, Sweat DC is hosting Sweat Fest, a free community workout and social on Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at the historic Howard Theatre. The event features a group fitness class, live DJ, local food and wellness partners, and a mission-driven partnership with the Open Goal Project, which works to expand access to youth soccer for players from marginalized communities.
For more details, visit Sweat DC’s website and reserve a spot on Eventbrite.
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