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10 LGBTQ events this week

Mardi Gras parties and more in the days to come

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Mardi Gras parties abound in the DMV this week.

Below are our picks for some of the most fun and creative things to do this week in the DMV that are of special interest to the LGBTQ community.


Monday Night Showtunes: Galentine’s Day Special

Monday, February 13
9 p.m.
JR.’s Bar
1519 17th Street, N.W.
Facebook 

Join Citrine and Molasses with music by Landon Cox at a special “Galentine’s” edition of Monday Night Showtunes at JR.’s Bar. Performances begin at 10:30 p.m.


Galentine’s Night Out

Tuesday, February 14
7 p.m.
Cambria Rooftop
69 Q Street, S.W.
$25
Eventbrite

Bombalicious Eklaver leads a show with some of D.C.’s most legendary drag performers at Galentine’s Night Out on Tuesday at the rooftop of Cambria.


Kennedy Davenport at Thirst Trap Thursday

Thursday, February 16
8 p.m. / 9 p.m. meet-and-greet / Show 10 p.m.
Pitchers DC
2317 18th Street, N.W.
21+ / no cover
Facebook

RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Kennedy Davenport makes an appearance here in D.C. at Pitchers for Thirst Trap Thursday. Special guests include Crimsyn and Druex Sidora. There is a meet-and-greet scheduled for 9 p.m. Get your free tickets by arriving early at 8. The show, hosted by Cake Pop! and Venus Valhalla starts at 10 p.m.


Arty-Gras

Friday, February 17
8 p.m.
WHINO
4238 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 2110
Arlington, Va.
Facebook

Artomatic hosts its first Arty-Gras party on Friday at WHINO in Arlington, Va. Enjoy a masquerade party and parade of costumes and win cash prizes. Free admission, but space is limited.


Slay Them Winner’s Circle Drag Show

Friday, February 17
9 p.m.
Red Bear Brewing Company
209 M Street, N.E.
21+ / no cover
Facebook

Desiree Dik hosts a Slay Them Drag Show with contestants Venetian, Kit Chensin, D’Manda Martini, Mota, Bombshell Monroe and Thea Trickality at Red Bear Brewing Company on Friday.


We The Kings

Friday, February 17
10 p.m.
JR.’s Bar
1519 17th Street, N.W.
21+ / no cover
Facebook

Ricky Rosé hosts a show featuring Lúc Ami, Reign Showers, Artemis The Demon and Jesus Vice at JR.’s Bar on Friday night after the RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing party.


Mardi Gras Parade

(Photo via The Wharf’s Facebook event page)

Saturday, February 18
3-7 p.m.
The Wharf
760 Maine Avenue, S.W.
Facebook

Catch a spirited parade with floats down Wharf Street and dance away with a live music party on District Pier. It is all capped off with fireworks. The event is free!


Tara Hoot’s One Year Anniversary

Saturday, February 18
6 p.m.
Crazy Aunt Helen’s
713 8th Street, S.E.
$10
Facebook | Eventbrite

Tara Hoot celebrates one year of Drag Bingo at Crazy Aunt Helen’s on Saturday with performers Shelita Ramen and Foxxy Moron.


Con Acento

Saturday, February 18
9:30 p.m.
JR.’s Bar
1519 17th Street, N.W.
Facebook

The monthly drag show and dance party celebrating hispanic heritage returns to JR.’s Bar on Saturday. The event is hosted by Evry Pleasure and features Desiree Dik, Indiana Bones and Yeveah Altieri.


FreeForm – Black Excellence Edition

Saturday, February 18
11 p.m.
Songbyrd Music House
540 Penn Street, N.E.
18+ / no cover
Facebook | Tickets

An open stage drag event and dance party comes to Sonbyrd Music House on Saturday featuring Sirene Noir Sidora Jackson and Silver Ware Sidora. The Show starts at 11:30 p.m.


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Out & About

Celebrate the Fourth of July the gay way!

LGBTQ events planned for Friday

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(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Rainbow History Project will host “Pickets, Protests and Parade Exhibit Tour” at 7 p.m. at Freedom Plaza. This event honors the courage, resilience and resistance of D.C.’s gay community. For more details, visit Eventbrite

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Hyatt Centric Arlington (1325 Wilson Blvd.). This fun event is ideal for meeting new people and community building. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Xavier Entertainment DC will host “Cowboy Carter Afterparty” at 10 p.m. at Nellie’s Sports Bar. There will be fireworks, parades, and patriotic fun. For more details, visit Eventbrite

Mezcal Amaras will host “Sha Boing Boing Showdown” at 6 p.m. at Snappy’s Small Bar (3917 Georgia Ave., N.W.). Get ready to test your hotdog eating abilities. Tickets start at $12.51 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

Illusions Drag Queen Show will host “Drag Queen Dinner Show” at 7 p.m. at 2323 18th St. N.W. Guests will be treated to the very best celebrity drag impersonations in entertainment. Tickets start at $12.97 and are available on Eventbrite

Thurst Lounge will host “A Thirsty Cowboy Afterparty” at 5 p.m. DJ Apollo will be performing. For more details, visit Thurst’s website

9:30 Club will host “Gimme Gimme Disco: A Dance Party Inspired by ABBA” at 9 p.m. The DJ will play plenty of disco hits from the 70s and 80s. Tickets cost $45.30 and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.

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Music & Concerts

Berkshire Choral to commemorate Matthew Shepard’s life

Concert held at Washington National Cathedral

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Craig Hella Johnson’s fusion oratorio ‘Considering Matthew Shepard’ will be performed at the Washington National Cathedral. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Berkshire Choral International will present a concert performance of composer Craig Hella Johnson’s fusion oratorio “Considering Matthew Shepard” on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. at the Washington National Cathedral. 

The program will be guest conducted by Dr. Jeffrey Benson, a native of the DMV who currently serves as Director of Choral Activities at San José State University. The concert is a partial benefit for the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Notably, Matthew’s remains are interred at the National Cathedral and his parents, Dennis and Judy, will give opening remarks at the performance.

Tickets are $20 – $65, and 50% of ticket proceeds will be donated to the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Tickets are only available online at berkshirechoral.org

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Calendar

Calendar: June 26-July 2

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, June 26

“Center Aging Monthly Luncheon and Bingo” will be at 2 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected]

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Pride Month Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Dupont Italian Kitchen. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Saturday, June 27

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Pride Month 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.

Art Roving will host “Where Color Meets Spectrum: Blackness, Queerness & Tomorrow” at 200 I St., S.E. This is a panel discussion with Queer Art salon artists Nikki Brooks, Maps Glover & Chrys Seawood, moderated by artist and curator Brittany Mona’. The Queer Art Salon exhibition is on view from June 13 – August 1, 2025 and funded by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities’ Art Exhibition Grant program. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Baby Shank Rooftop Bar and Lounge will host “DC Drag brunch on Rooftop – Penthouse” at 12 p.m. Guests can enjoy delicious French cuisine. The event will be hosted by Miss Capital Pride. Tickets cost $30.65 and are available on Eventbrite

Sunday, June 28

Jonathan Van Ness will host a masterclass at 10 a.m. at Dupont Circle Hotel. Enjoy refreshments and community as Jonathan showcases styling techniques for a range of hair types—helping you create a gallery-worthy look that’s truly, beautifully yours. A portion of ticket sales will benefit SMYAL, a local nonprofit that has been supporting LGBTQ+ youth in D.C. for more than 40 years. Tickets are available on Eventbrite

Monday, June 29

“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 details, email [email protected]

Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more information, email [email protected]

Tuesday, June 30

Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website

Wednesday, July 1

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. 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 www.thedccenter.org/careers.

Thursday, July 2

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 with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

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