Out & About

P&P Live! hosts Candice Iloh, Amyra León

Tickets are free to virtual event

Published

5 years ago

February 17, 2021

Candice Iloh will discuss her YA novel ‘Every Body Looking’ on Feb. 18.

Politics and Prose hosts a virtual discussion with Black authors, musicians and activists Candice Iloh and Amyra León on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are free to this event but participants are encouraged to purchase copies of Iloh’s semi-autobiographical YA novel “Every Body Looking” and León’s lyrical exploration of her past, “Concrete Kids.”

León, who was featured in the PBS American Masters series, wrote of the love, bloodshed and poetry she found surviving New York’s foster care system while navigating complex issues of race, gender and sexual trauma.

“I am a Harlem native. A poet, musician and educator,” she said during her American Master’s introduction. “And a Black woman who loves being Black.”

Iloh, a queer Nigerian-American whose previous work has been published by Lambda Literary, wrote a coming-of-age story about an Historically Black College student who explores her sexuality, past trauma, and immigrant identities.

“I think a lot of us have this character inside of us,” Iloh said in a Vimeo introduction to her book posted in September 2020. “Someone who just needs the opportunity to get out of the house, get away from family, get away from all the things we’ve ever known so we can find out who we really want to be.”

Iloh and León will speak with Deborah D. Taylor, a retired Baltimore librarian and adjunct professor of YA literature at the University of Maryland, to discuss activism, lived experiences and the arts.

For free tickets and information, visit politics-prose.com.

Related Topics:Amyra León Candice Iloh Politics and Prose

Up Next

REEL Affirmations screens ‘Nora Highland’ Feb. 26

Don't Miss

Calendar: Feb. 12-18

FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Out & About

Live music drag cabaret set for Shaw’s Tavern

Anja Dick hosts ‘Song Birds’ on Saturday

Published

15 hours ago

August 14, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Anja Dick (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Anja Dick will host “Song Birds – Live Music Drag Cabaret” on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 9 p.m. at Shaw’s Tavern.

This is an all live singing drag hit sensation. The event will debut performances from Breast Midler and Harri Balls.

Tickets start at $17.85 and are available on Eventbrite.

Calendar

Calendar: August 14-20

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

15 hours ago

August 14, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, August 14

Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Happy Hour” 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.

Women in their Twenties and Thirties will meet 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.

Saturday, August 15

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.

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, August 16

“Nellie’s DC Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Nellie’s Sports Bar. Come get served like a queen by a queen. Join Sapphire Blue, Deja Diamond and their team of amazing drag performers for the most fun you’ll have all weekend. Tickets are $58.51 and are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, August 17

“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, August 18

“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.

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.

Wednesday, August 19

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 LGBTQ+ Community Center will host “Movement for Healing” at 3 p.m. This trauma- and yoga therapy–informed class is designed to help guests gently reconnect with their body and their breath. Through mindful movement, somatic awareness, and grounding practices, guests will explore how to release tension, increase mobility, and cultivate a deeper sense of safety and ease within. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.

Thursday, August 20

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 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, breath work 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.