Out & About
Calendar: Feb. 14-20
Parties, shows and events in the week to come

Friday, Feb. 14
Valentine’s Murder Mystery at the Whittemore House (1526 New Hampshire Ave., N.W.) is tonight from 6-10:30 p.m. Tickets start at $60. Valentines, palentines and galentines are invited to solve the Mystery of the Masquerade Ball. Visit thewhittmorehouse.com for more information.
Woo at the Zoo hosted by Friends of the National Zoo is tonight at 7 p.m. at the National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.). Tickets are $50 for Friends members and $60 for others. Guests are invited to grab a cocktail, learn all about animal sex and dance the night away ‘80s prom-style. For tickets and information, visit nationalzoo.si.edu.
Valentine’s Bear Bust is tonight at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing (209 M St., N.E.). Bottomless select craft beer and cider is $35 and DJ Shea Van Horn runs the floor for this holiday event. For details, visit redbear.beer.
GLO, the underwear dance party, returns to the Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) tonight at 10 p.m. Admission is $5 and includes a free clothes check. The event features music from resident DJs UltraPup and Phoenix Rise. Visit greenlanterndc.com for more information.
Madonna Love 3 is tonight at 10 p.m. at JR.’s (1519 17th St., N.W.). DJ Travis Island spins tunes and Madonna videos all night long. More information is available at jrsbar-DC.com and on Facebook events.
The Blade has its annual “Most Eligible LGBT Singles” party this evening at 6 p.m. at 18th & Duplex Diner (2004 18th St., N.W.). This year’s singles will be on hand. It’s free for 21 and up.
Saturday, Feb. 15
Frederick Douglass’ 202nd Birthday Celebration hosted by the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (1411 W St., S.E.) is today from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. This year’s event focuses on Douglass’s role in the women’s rights and suffrage movements as part of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. For a complete program list, visit nps.gov/frdo.
Chanellie’s Drag Brunch presented by Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) is today at 11 a.m. Chanel Devereaux and her team of drag performers entertain during an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet. Visit nelliessportsbar.com and Eventbrite for details.
The Bear Cave #LoveOrLust hosted by Bears Can Party is tonight at 9 p.m. at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.). This post-Valentine’s Day party features two new GoGo boys, DJ Popperz spinning all music genres and no cover. More information is available at greenlanterndc.com.
Desiree Dik presents a Drag Show Extravaganza at Red Bear Brewing (209 M St., N.E.) tonight at 9 p.m. This Valentine’s weekend event features performances by India Larelle Houston, Ricky Rose, Bombalicious Eklaver and more. For more information, visit redbear.beer.
Peach Pit: 90s Dance Party hosted by the DC9 nightclub (1940 9th St., N.W.) is tonight at 10:30 p.m. Cover is $5 before midnight and $8 for this party which features ’90s tunes mixed by DJ Matt Bailer. For more information, visit dc9.club.
Deviant Events (1348 H St., N.E.) hosts a body-positive dance party tonight at 10 p.m. for queer people of color. General admission is $30 and $75 for VIP. Tickets are available on eventbrite.com.
Sunday, Feb. 16
February Bingo with the Sisters is today at 1 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing (209 M St., N.E.). This event features six rounds of Bingo for $20 with the D.C. Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and a sci-fi costume contest. Visit dcsisters.org for more information on this and other events.
Dinner N Drag at Shaw’s Tavern (520 Florida Ave., N.W.) is tonight at 8 p.m. Host Kristina Kelly and her troupe of drag performers entertain diners every Sunday. Reserve a table at [email protected] and visit shawstavern.com for more information.
The Red Party hosted by Flashy Sundays (645 Florida Ave., N.W.) is tonight at 10 p.m. Guests are encouraged to wear red to this special event featuring music by TWiN, Sean Morris and DJ Steve Sidewalk on the rooftop. Cover is $20. Visit facebook.com/flashydc for details.
A new queer Flower Factory! party dubbed Spree, dubbed an “afternoon tea dance on the banks of the Anacostia,” debuts today at 4 p.m. at Dacha Navy Yard (79 Potomac Ave., S.E.). Four rotating DJs and two hosts will offer a “lounge/chill” vibe, champagne and drinks specials “with no pressure or expectations to turn fierce looks, gag with shows or get sweaty and sexy.” It’s conceived as a chance to “just groove with friends and strangers.” No cover. Look for the event on Facebook for details.
Monday, Feb. 17
Chanellie’s President’s Day Drag Brunch is today at Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) from noon-2:30 p.m. Host Chanel Devereaux and her team of performers entertain during this holiday-themed buffet event. For more information, visit nelliessportsbar.com and Eventbrite.
Monday Night Trivia is tonight at Red Bear Brewing (209 M St., N.E.). Host William Burlew curates questions from history, science, entertainment and more. More information is available at redbear.beer.
“SNL’s” Pete Davidson will be at the D.C. Improv Comedy Club tonight at 7:30 p.m. working out new material. Tickets are $35 for general admission and $45 for VIP. For tickets and information, visit dcimprov-com.seatengine.com.
Tuesday, Feb. 18
Art AfterWords: A Book Discussion hosted by the D.C. Public Library and the National Portrait Gallery (8th and F streets, N.W.) features a discussion on “Brown Girl Dreaming” by Jacqueline Woodson in connection with portraits of Civil Rights icon Angela Davis tonight at 5:30 p.m. Visit npg.si.edu for more information.
Chance The Rapper performs Capital One Arena (601 F St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. Chance, whose younger brother Taylor Bennett came out as bisexual in 2017, is known for hits “Smoke Break” and “All Night.” Tickets are available on ticketsidekick.com.
Wednesday, Feb. 19
“Day of Remembrance: Preserving and Sharing a Community Collection” is tonight from 6-8 p.m. at the National Museum of American History (14th St. and Constitution Ave., N.W.). Feb. 19 is the Day of Remembrance in recognition of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s signing of Executive Order 9066 which interned nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans. Free tickets to this event are on Eventbrite and americanhistory.si.edu.
Market Crash: LGBTQ Night is tonight at 9 p.m. at The Big Board (421 H St., N.E.). This event celebrates love with no cover and guest DJ Mike Babbitt. For more information, visit thebigboarddc.com.
Thursday, Feb. 20
Queer/Trans/Nonbinary Yoga is this evening at 6:30 p.m. at Lamont Dharma House (1719 Lamont St., N.W.). YogAlle hosts yoga for those who identify outside the binary or don’t feel comfortable in a traditional yoga studio. Visit Facebook events for details.
Pretty Boi Drag Presents #OpenKingNight tonight at 8 p.m. at Busboys and Poets Brookland (625 Monroe St., N.E.). This event is open to new and seasoned drag king performers. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information, visit eventbrite.com.
Out & About
Writers’ association hosts Capital Love LitFest
Inaugural literary salon scheduled for Sunday
The Washington Writers’ Publishing House (WWPH), the nation’s longest continuously operating cooperative nonprofit literary press, will present the inaugural “Capital Love LitFest” on Sunday, June 28 at 10 a.m. at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Md.
Designed as a full-day literary salon and cultural gathering, the event will feature more than 25 writers, nine workshops, and panel discussions, readings, and conversations centered on love, relationships, identity, healing, creativity, and connection in divisive times. Admission is pay-what-you-can, beginning at free.
The LitFest celebrates the release of “Capital Love,” WWPH’s new anthology featuring 55 writers from across the DMV, including contributors from Baltimore, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The pocket-sized collectible anthology explores love in its many forms through poetry and prose and serves as a literary response to today’s social and political climate.
For more details, visit Washington Writers’ website.
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.
Out & About
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community
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.
