Out & About
Calendar: Sept. 27-Oct. 3
Parties, shows and events in the week to come

Friday, Sept. 27
The Fall LGBTQ Community Happy Hour Rooftop Social is tonight from 7-9 p.m. at the Embassy Row Hotel (2015 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.). Guests gather on the Embassy’s rooftop lounge to enjoy the view, network and socialize. Registration is free but required for admission. For more information, visit eventbrite.com.
Saturday, Sept. 28
The National Trans Visibility March is today from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. beginning in Freedom Plaza (1455 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.). March organizers seek to raise awareness of anti-trans policies as well as engage both local and national elected officials in an ongoing dialogue. The event is free and all are invited to participate. Visit transmarchondc.org for more information.
The Human Rights Campaign’s National Dinner is tonight from 5-11 p.m. at the Washington Convention Center (801 Mt. Vernon Pl., N.W.). HRC is a leading national advocacy organization working for the equal rights of the LGBTQ community through education, research and political activities. The national dinner features a cocktail reception, silent and live auction, elegant dinner, live entertainment, speakers and guests. For tickets and information, visit capitalpride.org.
Blisspop Disco Fest featuring Chromeo is tonight at the 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.). Doors open at 10 p.m. and tickets start at $40. Canadian electro-funk duo Chromeo was featured in DJ Mehdi’s song “I Am Somebody” and has supported indie rock groups. Also performing are Dam-Funk, RAC and Robotaki. Tickets and information at 930.com and ustreetmusichall.com.
The D.C. Queer Theater Festival Reading Series is tonight from 7-10 p.m. at Center Arts in the D.C. Center (2000 14th St. N.W., Suite 105). The festival showcases new and unpublished work from local playwrights performed as a developmental table reading. After each reading is a playwright talkback session and a reception with light fare, wine, beer and nonalcoholic beverages. Tickets for each reading is $10 and $25 for the series. For tickets and information, visit thedccenter.org.
Sunday, Sept. 29
Bishop Gene Robinson preaches today at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Parish’s new location (1517 18th St.,N.W.) followed by a reception on the rooftop balcony. St. Thomas will join with St. Luke’s church for the occasion. Robinson was consecrated in 2003 as the first openly gay bishop in a mainline Christian denomination. He moved to Washington upon retiring in 2013. Details at stthomasdc.org.
The D.C. Front Runners Distance Run meets today at 9 a.m.-noon for their weekly Sunday run beginning from the Taras Shevchenko Monument (22nd and P St., N.W.). D.C. Front Runners is an LGBTQ group welcoming runners for exercise in a fun and supportive environment. Running route distance is 8-12 miles and participants can run at their own pace. For more information, visit dcfrontrunners.org.
Gayborhood Night Piano Bar is tonight from 5-8 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant (555 23rd St., S, Arlington, Va.). Gayborhood Night fosters greater community for LGBTQ and allies and an opportunity to enjoy happy hour specials with neighbors. Everyone is welcome. Free door prize raffle around 7 p.m. for more information, visit freddiesbeachbar.com.
Monday, Sept. 30
Walking With Anthony’s seventh annual charity celebrity golf tournament and dinner is today at the Country Club of Fairfax (5110 Ox Rd., Fairfax, Va.). Player registration starts at 9:30 a.m., lunch is at 12:30 p.m., cocktails and the silent auction is at 4:30 and dinner starts at 5:30. Proceeds benefit the Walking with Anthony Foundation which promotes spinal cord injury education, research and grants to individuals with SCI. Visit walkingwithanthony.org for more information.
JR.’s Bar (1519 17th St., N.W.) presents Showtunes Monday with Vagenesis tonight starting at 8:30 p.m. The event opens with a happy hour showtune singalong and continues with $4 draft pints, special performances and giveaways. For more information, visit jrsbar-dc.com or Facebook events.
Tuesday, Oct. 1
“Sheer Madness” runs tonight starting at 8 p.m. in the Kennedy Center theater lab (2700 F St., N.W.). This show is an interactive comedy whodunit that lets audiences solve the crime. With more than 13,200 performances at the Kennedy Center, Sheer Madness is the second longest-running play in the history of American theater (its sister production in Boston is number one). For tickets and information, visit kennedy-center.org.
August Wilson’s “Fences” continues its run at Ford’s Theatre (511 10th St., N.W.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. Set in segregated Pittsburgh in the 1950s, this play depicts the life of a former Negro League baseball star now scraping by as a sanitation worker. He takes responsibility for his wife and son’s well-being, but betrays them in ways that will alter their lives forever. “Fences” explores the walls we build around ourselves and our loved ones as well as what walls say about divisions in our society. Visit fords.org for tickets and information.
Wednesday, Oct. 2
The Center Careers Discussion Group is tonight from 6-7 p.m. at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W., suite 105). The Center Careers Job Club meets weekly at the D.C. Center on Wednesday as a weekly job support group. Details at thecenterdc.org.
Thursday, Oct. 3
The Asian Pacific Islander Queer Support Group meets tonight at 7 p.m. at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W., suite 105). The group has been renewed for 2019 and runs every first Thursday of the month. The event is a closed space and only for individuals who identify as queer and Asian and/or Pacific Islander. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Out & About
Love board games and looking for love?
Quirk Events will host “Board Game Speed Dating for Gay Men” on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. at KBird DC.
Searching for a partner can be challenging. But board games are always fun. So what if you combined board games and finding a partner?
Picture this: You sit down for a night of games. A gaming concierge walks you through several games over the course of the night. You play classics you love and discover brand new games you’ve never heard of, playing each with a different group of fun singles. All while in a great establishment.
At the end of the night, you give your gaming concierge a list of the folks you met that you’d like to date and a list of those you met that you’d like to just hang out with as friends. If any two people put down the same name as each other in either column, then your gaming concierge will make sure you get each other’s e-mail address and you can coordinate a time to hang out.
Tickets cost $31.80 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Friday, January 16
Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).
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.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This event is ideal for making new connections and community building or just to unwind and enjoy extended happy hour. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, January 17
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 LGBTQ+ Community Center and SMYAL will host a free film screening of “Mama Bears” celebrating queer youth, resilience, and the power of living authentically. Whether you’re a movie lover, looking to make new friends, or simply want a safe, affirming space to relax, this event is for you. Click this link to RSVP.
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.
Sunday, January 18
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, January 19
“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, January 20
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.
Tae Kwon Do Class with Avi Rome will be at 12:30 p.m. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Wednesday, January 21
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, January 22
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.
Friday, January 9
Women in Their Twenties and Thirties will be 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.
“Backbone Comedy” will be at 8 p.m. at As You Are. Backbone Comedy is a queer-run fundraiser comedy show at As You Are Bar DC, where comics stand up for a cause. Each show, a percentage of proceeds go to a local organization – Free Minds DC, a reentry organization for individuals impacted by incarceration. Tickets cost $19.98 and are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, January 10
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.
Monday, January 12
“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]).
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.
Tuesday, January 13
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
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].
Wednesday, January 14
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.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will partner with House of Ruth to host “Art & Conversation” at 3 p.m. at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W. This free workshop will involve two hours of art making, conversation, and community. Guests will explore elements of healthy relationships with a community-centered art activity. This workshop involves paint, so please dress accordingly. All materials will be provided. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, January 15
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.
