Arts & Entertainment
Calendar for May 21
Friday, May 21
Pandora Boxx from season 2 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” is making her debut in the nation’s capital at EFN Lounge, 1318 9th St., N.W. Don’t miss this fun event with Universal Gear swimsuit fashion show, your favorite sugar-coated alt-pop music spun by drag DJ Summer Camp (aka Shea Van Horn of MIXTAPE), and a special performance from Pandora and Summer. 9 p.m.- 3 a.m., $5 cover for 21+, $10 cover for 18-20.
The DC Cowboys present Brodeo: Saddle up for a wild night at Remingtons, 639 Pennsylvania Avenue S.E., with your hosts, the DC Cowboys. Featuring country/western and disco/club music, live performances, giveaways, Jell-O shots, an auction and lots of sexy Cowboys. Proceeds benefit the DC Cowboys on their mission to provide free entertainment for HIV/AIDS charity organizations. Starts at 10 p.m.
Peach Pit 90’s Dance Party with DJ Matt Bailer (MIXTAPE) + guest DJ Aaron Riggins (HHHH) from 11-midnite. The party starts at 10 p.m. No cover at the Dahlak Restaurant, 1771 U St., N.W.
The Washington Blade’s 4th annual summer kick-off party at Blue Moon, 35 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE, 6-8 p.m.
Saturday, May 22
Wicked Jezabel benefit concert sponsored by the John Guggenmos team of McWilliams/Ballard. Featuring all-lesbian party band Wicked Jezabel with performances by Charm City Boys and DC Kings. The concert is being held at Town Danceboutique, 2009 8th St. N.W., from 7-11 p.m., $15 cover (proceeds benefit Mautner Project). Call Jeanie at 202-332-5536 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.
Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, goes to the National Zoo today. To participate, visit burgundycrescent.org.
Galeria Artesanos Don Bosco is continuing its Maryland Artists 2010 series with the work of Vincent Hughes. Hughes, whose studio is in Silver Spring, will exhibit his classical male nude figure studies along with Impressionist influenced watercolors and oils, May 22-June 18. A complimentary Italian wine and food tasting will be held at the opening reception May 22, 2-5 p.m. Galeria Artesanos Don Bosco is located in the heart of Federal Hill at 828 S. Charles St., Baltimore. For more information call 410-563-4577 or visit artesanosdonbosco.com
Latin Fusion “Amazon Night” at Cobalt, 1639 R St. N.W., with music by DJ Fantasy upstairs and DJ Stevie P downstairs, with performances by Phoenix Bloomingdale and Afrodita Washington, 9 p.m.-3 a.m., 21+.
Sunday, May 23
Sugarfree Sundays: Reloaded! Sugarfree Sundays at Eyebar, 1716 I St., N.W. (between 17th and 18th/Farragut Square). Doors open at 10 pm with no cover charge all night. Featuring the best hip-hop and house music, multiple DJs on multiple levels plus rooftop.
Monday, May 24
Burgundy Crescent “kicks up our heels” at Remingtons. To participate, visit burgundycrescent.org.
Tuesday, May 25
GLAAD Leadership Council kick-off event. The councils are local groups of volunteer leaders with a commitment and passion for GLAAD’s efforts to amplify the voice of the LGBT community. Sponsored by the Washington Blade, 6-8 p.m. at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, 1526 14th St., N.W. Tickets are $25. Enjoy wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres; GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios will attend.
Wednesday, May 26
Men of Mautner celebration honoring gay D.C. Council member David Catania, 7-9 p.m., 701 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Sponsored by Ackerman Legal PLLC; tickets $100 at mautnerproject.org.
DC Black Pride 2010: Town Hall, 7-9 p.m. Visit dcblackpride.org/ for more information on topic and location. Full coverage of this year’s Black Pride in the May 28 Washington Blade.
“Sex and the City 2” premiere presented by Fresh of Georgetown. The evening starts with an open Skyy Vodka bar at Mate for general admission or an open Moet and Belvedere bar at Georgetown’s Ritz Carlton for VIP ticketholders. General admission: $60, 6:30 p.m. pre- reception at Mate, 3101 K St., N.W. 8 p.m. pre-screening at AMC Loews, 3111 K St. VIP tickets $110, 6:30 p.m. pre-reception at the Ritz Carlton, 3100 South St., N.W., 8 p.m. Visit boxofficetickets.com/cherry for full information.
Thursday, May 27
DC Black Pride 2010: Volunteer orientation 7- 9 p.m. at the Hamilton Crowne Plaza, 14th & K streets, N.W. Visit dcblackpride.org/ for more information
Fourth annual HIPSXotic Carnival at The Palace of Wonders, 1210 H St., N.E., 6 p.m. Happy hour with special surprises, palm readings, henna, face painting and more benefiting HIPS, a local non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals engaged in sex work and drug use lead healthy lives. Limited VIP and general admission pre-sale tickets available now at HIPS.org. $10-$20 suggested donation.
Fairfax City Pride was held at the Sherwood Center (3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, Va.) on Saturday, June 6.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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D.C. prepares to party as Pride celebrations kick off Saturday
Bars, clubs have busy lineups; Pride on the Pier returns
Capital Pride’s date change isn’t slowing down the festivities. Back in December, the Capital Pride Alliance shifted the calendar for Pride celebrations in the nation’s capital from the second weekend of June to two weeks later to the weekend of June 20-21 to not conflict with President Trump’s birthday and 250th anniversary of America celebrations, with the aim that “our community can gather safely and without unnecessary barriers… We are protecting our space and preserving Pride as a powerful act of visibility, solidarity, and resistance.”
On the heels of WorldPride last year, the city shows no sign of slowing down. Instead, restaurants, bars, clubs, and neighborhoods are taking the opportunity to be even more visible. The Blade has put together a (non-comprehensive) list of parties, activations, and activities across town:
Pride on the Pier returns on Saturday, June 13 to the Wharf on the Southwest waterfront. The event, sponsored and hosted by the Washington Blade, is free and runs from 4-9 p.m. There will be vendors, DJs, and drag performances all day. VIP tickets are $25 and come with air conditioned party room, private bathrooms, and free cocktail. More details at prideonthepierdc.com.
Capital Pride Official Opening Party: RIOT! is the official opening dance party of Capital Pride, taking place Friday June 19, 9 PM-3AM. The 2026 edition headlining performer is Myki Meeks, a finalist of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 18; Bob The Drag Queen will perform a special set. DMV-area DJs and performers include: Bambi, Baphomette, Bumper, Cake Pop!, Connor, DJ Ed Bailey, DJ Diyanna Monet, Evry Pleasure, Jakknife Complex, Mari Con Carne, Pussy Noir, WessTheDJ. Trade owner Ed Bailey is producing the event.
Kinetic Presents brings the heat across the entirety of Pride weekend as well. It again is partnering with Capital Pride Alliance to produce four events over four days this Pride, including the Official Main Event on Saturday (the Friday official event is at Echostage). Kinetic’s parties are splayed across various D.C. venues, with special performances, massive productions, shirtless dancers, play zones, dance-forward audio and visuals, and international DJ talent. Thursday, June 18 at 10 PM at District Eagle is Lust, with music by Dan Slater and TOMI. Friday, June 19 at 10 PM is UNCUT XXL Heavy Load, at A.i. Warehouse in Union Market District, with music by Alex Acosta, Felipe Lira & Mitch Ferrino; the party is a “high-octane night of muscular house and tribal rhythms.” Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM brings that official main event, Kinetic Toy Land, at Echostage, with music by GSP & Matt Suave. Alaska Thunderfuck headlines. Sunday evening June 21 at 10 PM closes with discoVERS at SAX. A portion of tickets supports the DC LGBTQ+ community through Capital Pride Alliance.
9:30 Club always comes in clutch for the LGBTQ community. Already in June, it produced Kitty Kat Ball on June 7, and Kiesza performed on June 8. On June 20 at 10 PM, the famed Mixtape party hits the stage, care of gay DJs Shea van Horn and Matt Bailer, who have spun together for coming up on two decades. Mixtape has been held at several venues across the city over those years, and now settled on 9:30 Club for Pride. On June 25 at 7 PM, Big Freedia – the bounce artist from New Orleans – hits the 9:30 Club scene for the eighth time, as part of the Big Freedom Tour.
Crush: New this year from the 14th Street bar is the Pride Pop-Up, sitting pretty in the parking lot at 1820 14th St., N.W., at the corner of Swann Street by the start of the Pride Parade route. Hours are Friday from 2-10 PM and Saturday from 12-10 PM. Friday evening features Grizzly Bear Happy Hour, a DJ will set up shop on Saturday, and for those needing another layer, there’s a Crush merch store. Co-owner Mark Rutstein “has always wanted to throw a party in that parking lot, so he did,” said co-owner Stephen Rutgers. Note that Crush (the bar) will have a cover on Friday and Saturday.
Kiki: Over at Kiki, there’s a full slate of Pride-themed programming all week. Tuesday, June 16 at 9 PM brings karaoke; Wednesday, June 17 at 7:30 PM is trivia; Thursday June 18 at 9PM is “Night of 1000 Tatianna’s Drag Show”, and Friday June 19 at 9 PM brings the Juneteenth Serve Drag Show. Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM, post-parade, is a Pride Dance Party with DJ Lemz. Sunday daytime at 5 PM is the Father Figures Daddy Issues Special Drag Show; and after the festival at 8 PM, DJ Tezrah hits the tapes.
Jane Jane: Right along the parade route, gay-owned Jane Jane has transformed its space into a “No Kings, Yas Queens” activation in a direct response to the America 250th commemorations happening downtown, from the colorful window installation, to merch (including a custom bandana and tank) to disco wig installations. Events include industry night on Mondays, donations to LGBTQ charities, and to-go cocktails during the Pride Parade.
Shaw’s Tavern: Gay-owned Shaw’s Tavern on Florida Avenue celebrates Pride week with a full lineup of themed events, entertainment, and specials, including Pride trivia on Monday, June 15 at 7:30 PM, bingo on Tuesday, June 16 at 8 PM, a cabaret on Thursday, June 18 at 9 PM, Juneteenth Drag Brunch on Friday, June 19 at 12:30 PM, and both a pre-parade brunch (10 AM-4 PM) and post-parade party (5-9 PM) on Saturday, June 20. Sunday, June 21 at 7 PM brings Mama’s Sunday Supper & Drag Pride Show in the evening for anyone who is still awake.
Trade: This classic has a weekend of events, starting on Thursday, with Tiburon Pride Edition, a Latin Dance party in the Shark Tank. On Friday, the bar opens early (at 2 PM), with all-day happy hour and the Jx&Evry Show. On Saturday, the bar opens at noon, offering a prime parade viewing spot from its windows. There will be the CLASH drag show hosted by Tatianna and Crimsyn, and Sweet Spot party that night. On Sunday, the bar opens for normal hours at 2 PM, with DJs Adam K, Alex Love, and WESSTHEDJ.
Pitchers: The multi-level bar in Adams Morgan is hosting a Pride-themed show on Thursday, June 18 at 10 PM, with drawstring bag giveaways – the only kind of bag that will be allowed into the bar during Pride weekend. The show features drag queen Kyle Sonique Love.
Barrel House Cafe and Bar: Also by the parade route on 14th Street, Barrel House Cafe takes advantage of its large patio to have a slate of events during Pride week, including Schism, a drag and burlesque show on June 18 at 10 PM, as well as an all-day Pride party coinciding on parade day.
Bunker: Bunker again plays host to a series of afters. Friday night (Saturday 3:30 AM) is Unhinged, and Saturday night (Sunday 3:30AM) is Unholy. The regular Saturday night party (10 PM) brings in Venetian and Tiara Missou. All parties have cover charges.
District Eagle: Beyond the Kinetic party on Friday, June 19 brings Gear Night at 10 PM; Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM is LOBO presents PRISM, and Sunday, June 21 is Sundaze wit Papi at 6 PM.
African Art Museum: On Thursday, June 18 at 5 PM, this Smithsonian museum is hosting a free event with artists and curators celebrating its exhibit, “Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art,” “based on years of close collaboration and dialogue with African visual art practitioners who claim belonging in the LGBTQ+ community, however they define those terms,” according to the museum.
KNEAD Hospitality & Design: The gay-owned KNEAD restaurant group (including spots like Gatsby, Mi Vida, Succotash The Grill) is featuring the GLITTERATI cocktail, made with Tito’s, St-Germain Elderflower, Butterfly Flower, ginger, and yes, glitter. A portion of proceeds from every Glitterati cocktail sold will benefit The Trevor Project. The cocktail will be sold throughout June.
The Fountain Inn is partnering with Rhodium spirits (Rhode Island’s first LGBTQ+ owned distillery) all month, making cocktails like gimlets and espresso martinis featuring Rhodium’s liquors. Proceeds benefit SMYAL, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ youth.
Hard Rock Cafe: Hard Rock DC is taking part in the chain’s annual “LOVE OUT LOUD” campaign, with Pride merch, specials on June 20, and a donation to The Trevor Project.
The D.C. Front Runners held the 14th annual 5K Pride Run at Congressional Cemetery on Saturday, June 6.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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