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Calendar: August 23-29

Concerts, dance parties and family events coming soon

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Dear Evan Hansen, Washington Blade, gay news
Ben Levi Ross and Jessica Phillips in ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ at the Kennedy Center. The cast will appear at a benefit for Broadway Cares Aug. 26. (Photo by Matthew Murphy; courtesy Kennedy Center)

Friday, Aug. 23

Tonight is the National Trans Visibility March Benefit Concert from 7:30 – 9 p.m. at the Community Church of Washington D.C. (1405 15th St., N.W.). There will be musical groups, guest performers and members of the NTVM organizing team on hand to discuss this important event. Featured guests include the Seasons of Love ensemble of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington D.C., the Voices of the Community, the Levites and Devoted Alo Dance. For more information, visit the center.org

The Birds of Prey Drag Show and Dance Party with DJ Honey is tonight starting at 10 p.m. at the DC Eagle (3701 Benning Road, N.E.). Compete in the amateur drag contest in the show for a chance at $50 and a future paid booking at the bar. Showtime is 10:30 p.m. The party is hosted by Brooklyn Heights and features performances by Sasha Adams Sanchez, Iyana Deschanel, Katrina Colby, Crystal Edge and more. Tickets start at $5 and are available on eventbrite.com.

Saturday, Aug. 24

End of Summer Eighties Mayhem Dance Party returns to Black Cat D.C. (1811 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 9 p.m.-2:15 a.m. Tickets start at $12. Dedicated to the music of the ’80s pop era, this event features DJ Steve EP, DC Missguided and Killa K. and is presented by FYM productions. Visit ticketfly.com for tickets and information.  

Chef Mikko Catering (1636 R St., N.W.) celebrates the 17th Street Festival with a special menu featuring wine and beer specials and more. The festival has celebrated 17th Street and its diverse shops and restaurants since 2010 and runs today from noon-8 p.m. Visit Facebook events for more information. 

Neverending Summer Drag Bingo is today from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Orioles Nest 331 (1037 W. Patrick St., Suite A, Frederick, Md.). The event is presented by the Frederick Center and hosted by Miss Gay Maryland 2019, Chasity Vain and Chi Chi Ray Colby with music from DJ Sidekick. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and bingo begins at 1 p.m. Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door. For more information about this 21 and up event, visit summerdragbingomatinee.eventbrite.com.

Annapolis Pride presents Summertime Drag Brunch at Rams Head on Stage (31 West St., Annapolis, Md.) today starting at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for this 16-and-over event. Annapolis Pride is a grassroots organization celebrating gay life by engaging local residents, businesses and groups to unite in welcoming and embracing diversity in Annapolis. Tickets and information are available at ticketfly.com.

The Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth St., S.W.) kicks off the 2019/20 season with a free 70th Anniversary Season Community Day and Props Sale today from 1-6 p.m. The event features a prop sale, performances from award-nominated tap dancer Leo Manzari and a behind-the-scenes Q&A with the Arena Stage production team. Also enjoy free activities for all ages, including live music, dance performances, face painting and more. For more information, visit arenastage.org/communityday.

A Night of Class with Dionne Warwick and special guests Peabo Bryson and Deniece Williams is tonight at 8 p.m. at DAR Constitution Hall (1776 D St., N.W.). Tickets start at $70. The entertainer famous for the AIDS benefit song “That’s What Friends Are For” will perform her career spanning catalogue during this special event. Tickets are available via ticketmaster.com.

Sunday, Aug. 25

FreeState Justice presents LGBT Family Day at the Maryland Zoo (1 Safari Place, Baltimore) today from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. LGBTQ-plus families, friends and allies are invited to meet at the Waterfowl Pavilion where there will be lawn games and other family-friendly activities, including a scavenger hunt and face painting. Proceeds benefit FreeState Justice’s services to Maryland’s LGBT community. For more information, visit FreeState-justice.org.

Gayborhood Night Piano Bar continues tonight from 5-8 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 23rd St., S., Arlington, Va.). The event includes piano bar music with John Flynn, happy hour specials and a chance to meet LGBT neighbors and friends in a quiet atmosphere. Reserve a table online at opentable.com/freddies-beach-bar-and-restaurant.com.

Monday, Aug. 26

The touring companies of Disney’s “Aladdin” and “Dear Evan Hansen” invite guests to The Cast Party: a Fundraising Event tonight from 8-11 p.m. at Mr. Smith’s of Georgetown (3205 K St., N.W.). Throughout the event the cast of both shows will socialize with guests and perform some of their favorite songs. The one night only event is presented to raise money for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. Admission is a $10 suggested donation. For more information, visit mrsmiths.com.

Tuesday, Aug. 27

Sting, the Grammy-winning former lead singer of The Police, performs hits such as “Englishman in New York,” “Fields of Gold” and “Every Breath You Take” tonight at Wolf Trap (1551 Trap Road, Vienna, Va.) at 8 p.m. Sting is also a former headliner of 2017’s “Uprising of Love” concert benefiting LGBT rights worldwide. Tickets start at $55 and are available at wolftrap.org.

Wednesday, Aug. 28

The Big Gay Book Group meets tonight at 7 p.m. to discuss “Red, White and Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston. This New York Times bestselling romance pairs the handsome First Son with the Prince of Wales as rivalry turns to friendship turns to something more. Book discussions take place at 1800 K street, suite 1000. RSVP to [email protected]. Newcomers welcome. 

The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for Duplicate Bridge. No reservations are needed and newcomers are welcome. Phone 202-841-0279 if you need a partner. 

The American Society on Aging hosts “Understanding the Older LGBT Community and its Unique Needs” today from 1-2 p.m. at Rights at Home of Northern Virginia (8260 WillowOaks Corporate Dr., Suite 320, Fairfax, Va.). Learn the issues facing older LGBT populations and how they affect their ability to seek out services and report abuse. Sessions will describe the diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities and present findings from a recent needs assessment as well as identify actions to make care more LGBT-culturally competent. For more information visit asaging.org.

Thursday, Aug. 29

“Gone Fishin’” by Steve Langley opens tonight at 8 p.m. on the Silver Spring Stage (10145 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, Md.). A grieving father at his secluded fishing hole meets a stranger who forces him to face truths about a son he never really understood in an encounter that will change both of their lives forever. This performance is one of several one-act plays featured in the 2019 festival running until Sunday, Sept. 1. Tickets start at $22. For tickets and information, visit ssstage.org

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Calendar

Calendar: June 19-25

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, June 19

Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website

Saturday, June 20

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Pride 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.

LGBTQ People of Color will be at 7 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 that strives to be safe and judgement free. There will be all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.

The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center 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

Sunday, June 21

Kinetic Presents will host “DiscoVERS: Pride with Alexis Tucci & Clinton Foster” at 10 p.m. at Sax Restaurant and Lounge. Alexis Tucci and Clinton Foster trade off behind the decks all night, weaving uplifting disco and driving house into one continuous set. Throughout the evening, surprise performances unfold across the room, woven into the music rather than stacked on top of it. Tickets cost $41.76 and are available on Eventbrite

Monday, June 22

“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]).

Center Faith will host “Pride Interfaith Service” at 7 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. This is the 43rd annual LGBTQ+ community celebration of religious pluralism and interfaith collaboration. Founded during the era of the Names Project AIDS memorial quilts, we continue to connect and weave many LGBTQ+ faith communities. For more details, email [email protected]

Queer Book Club will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The Queer Book Club meets on the fourth Monday of the month to discuss queer books by queer authors. This month’s reading is “The Skin and it’s Girl” by Sarah Cypher. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website

Tuesday, June 23

Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook

“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.

Wednesday, June 24

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 25

The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the 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 LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website.  

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Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves

Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community

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(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

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Baltimore Pride is here

Parade, block party, festival planned for Maryland city

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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

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