WorldPride Music Competition, photograph courtesy of MoKi Media.
WorldPride is afoot, and the happenings are countless. Music lovers, foodies, households, and bookworms can all discover an entertaining approach to have fun Satisfaction round city. As a result of there’s a lot to select from, we’ve divided the checklist of occasions into 4 classes—arts and tradition, music and concert events, theater and reveals, and parades and events—that will help you type by means of all the good choices.
ARTS AND CULTURE
Smithsonian Nationwide Museum of Asian Artwork | Could 31-June 1
On Could 31, commemorate WorldPride and AANHPI Heritage Month at a panel dialogue on queer and Asian American illustration in movie and media with the acclaimed director of Saving Face, Alice Wu, and particular company Andrew Ahn and James Tom. The next day, company can watch a film screening of Wu’s movie (free, registration inspired).
Kraken Kourts & Skates | Could 31
From curler skating and pickleball, to DJ nights and big board video games, Brentwood’s Kraken Kourts and Skates is a good place for countless enjoyable. For Satisfaction, LGBTQ+ teenagers and allies can skate, dance to music, and make artwork (free with registration).
Smithsonian Nationwide Portrait Gallery | Could 31
The Smithsonian American Artwork Museum and the Nationwide Portrait Gallery have curated a family-friendly day of Satisfaction-themed actions for company trying to faucet into their artistic power. Native musicians Completely different Drummers (through the Homosexual Males’s Refrain of Washington) and GenOUT (DC’s youth refrain) will carry out in between story-time readings and DJ units. If you wish to be taught new dance strikes, you’ll want to cease by Gridlock’s motion workshop (free, registration inspired).
Glen Echo Park | June 1
Households can take part in face portray and humanities and crafts at Glen Echo Park’s Bumper Automobile Pavilion. Kiddos can journey the carousel, watch a puppet present, snack on rainbow cupcakes, and snag complimentary tickets to Glen Echo Park Aquarium (free, rsvp inspired).
MLK Library | June 1
Kick off Black Music Month with a rooftop music occasion on the library. The celebration contains spoken phrase performances, stay music, and artwork as an ode to queer tradition (free).
Lyle | by means of June
DC artist and LGBTQ+ activist Lisa Marie Thalhammer reveals her newest coloration masterpiece. The “That is Who We Are” mural presents the colour palette of the Progressive Satisfaction flag and rainbow spectrums exterior of the Lyle lodge. On June 5, lodge guests can sip bubbles whereas collaborating in a self-connection artwork remedy workshop in collaboration with 11:Eleven Gallery (free for mural, $35 for workshop). (Thalhammer was additionally behind the “longest LBGBT mural in historical past,” which you too can see; learn extra about it right here.)
WorldPride Welcome Middle | June 2
Native romance creator SC Nealy, whose pen identify is Sarah Robinson, shall be in dialog with a panel of 4 authors to talk by means of fiction tales on love and romance (free with rsvp).
Congressional Cemetery | June 2
This more-than-200-year-old cemetery is without doubt one of the few identified graveyards on the earth with a devoted LGBTQ+ part. Take a guided tour to study Washington’s gay-rights motion and the veterans and advocates buried right here in solidarity ($11).
The Phillips Assortment | June 5
For a drag efficiency by DC’s Vagenesis, gallery talks about LGBTQIA+ artists, a “Styled to the Nines” workshop with make-up artist and mannequin Citrineand, plus roller-blading, stay portray, and different after-hours pleasure, you possibly can spend a Thursday night at Phillips After 5 ($20).
Library of Congress | June 5
Novelist Thomas Mallon’s newest ebook, The Very Coronary heart of It, is a set of the author’s New York diaries recalling his experiences throughout the HIV/AIDS disaster in America. Mallon will lead a lecture on his ebook on the Library of Congress—the place his private archives are held (free, however registration required).
Nationwide Constructing Museum | June 5
The annual Capital Satisfaction Competition returns with a gala awards ceremony to honor leaders and activists within the LGBTQ+ group. Convey a date or pal to this night soiree of limitless drinks, meals tastings, and stay music amid the picturesque Nationwide Constructing Museum ($125).
MUSIC AND CONCERTS
Nationals Park | Could 31
Latin celebrity Shakira graces the Nationals Park stage, in a musical welcome to the World Satisfaction DC Competition. Audiences can anticipate to listen to hip-swaying tunes from her newest album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran ($197+).
Berhta | Could 30-31
There shall be outside dance flooring, a foam occasion, sporting video games, distributors to buy, a music set by DJ Rebecca Black, and a high-energy efficiency by native drag star Cake Pop to profit Capital Cup ($34+).
Howard Theatre | June 5
DJ Aquaria—season-ten winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race—brings her star energy to DC for a fan-girl dance occasion. Twirl all night time to the femme-positive tunes of three of pop’s greatest recording artists: Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, and Chappell Roan ($28+).
The Anthem | June 5
Nonbinary R&B vocalist Janelle Monáe featured the alluring voice of revolutionary disco queen Grace Jones on her newest album, The Age of Pleasure. For Satisfaction month, the out-of-this-world duo staff up for a three-city tour, kicking off on the Wharf ($151+).
Strathmore | June 5
Attend this live performance for trigger. The Worldwide Satisfaction Orchestra—composed of LGBTQ+ instrumentalists and allies from across the globe—and beloved native ensemble the Homosexual Males’s Refrain of Washington, DC, share the stage in assist of the District’s Whitman-Walker well being middle. Drag performer Peaches Christ will host the colourful program ($35+).
RFK Competition Grounds | June 6-7
Pop stars Jennifer Lopez and Troye Sivan headline this competition, collaborating with main artists together with Zedd, Kim Petras, Sofi Tukker, and Tinashe. There shall be three phases of simultaneous performances, which implies loads of area to comply with JLo’s lyrical lead on Dance the night time away / Stay your life and keep younger on the ground ($119+ for single-day go, $259+for two-day go).
Cloth of Freedom | June 7
The last word indoor and outside nightlife expertise arrives in DC to commemorate WorldPride throughout three phases of stay, curated beats, that includes quite a lot of genres together with disco and home. There shall be greater than 9 DJs within the lineup—and naturally, a large dance ground (120+).
Pennsylvania Avenue | June 7-8
Try items from distributors alongside Pennsylvania Avenue whereas taking in views of the Capitol at this two-day outside extravaganza. Hungry? Take pleasure in frozen desserts, pizza, and drinks from native makers and eating places at meals courts and beverage gardens. Depraved actress Cynthia Erivo and rapper Doechii headline the post-parade and shutting concert events on the Capitol Live performance Stage (free, VIP costs differ).
THEATER AND SHOWS
Enviornment Stage | by means of June 15
Oscar-winning screenwriter Tarell Alvin McCraney wrote this romantic queer comedy—a recent rendition of Shakespearean wedding ceremony performs. Throughout choose showings alternate, some fortunate {couples} even get the prospect to alternate their very own marriage vows on stage ($70+).
Woolly Mammoth Theatre | June 3-6
Get a primary have a look at six in-development Satisfaction Performs based mostly on LGBTQIA+ experiences at Woolly Mammoth. The stay experiences embrace post-show artist talks, a live performance by Homosexual Males’s Refrain of Washington DC, and extra particular occasions (free, donations welcome).
Barrel Home Cafe & Bar | June 3-5
Get tickets to a one-of-a-kind cabaret-style present headlined by singer and artist Joey Arias. You’ll be able to anticipate jazz ballads impressed by the likes of Billie Vacation, paired with the glamour of avant-garde drag ($41).
Brookside Gardens | June 4
Snigger out loud at an outside comedy present in honor of Satisfaction month. Convey a blanket or garden chair to Brookside Gardens to listen to LGBTQIA+ comedians from Inconceivable Comedy inform jokes about household and love (free).
Howard Theatre | June 4
Drag performer Pattie Gonia educates audiences on the problems of world warming and environmental justice at this all-ages stay present that includes a solid of nationwide and native performers ($35+).
The Competition Middle | June 6
Are you sport to observe three movies in a single night time? If that’s the case, you don’t wish to miss the Latinx Movie Competition’s bilingual screenings—with English and Spanish entry—of movies that discover queer LatinX histories (free).
9:30 Membership | June 8
Contestants from the favored tv present RuPaul’s Drag Race take over the 9:30 Membership for a night of jaw-dropping performances. Attendees can clap alongside to the energetic choreography of drag performers Sasha Cassadine and Mercedes Iman Diamond ($69+).
PARADES AND PARTIES
The Wharf | June 6-7
The Washington Blade’s Satisfaction on the Pier is again—and larger. On opening night time, spectators can wave celebratory flags alongside the District Pier as a fleet of 30 glammed-up boats cruise the Potomac within the first-ever WorldPride Boat Parade. The thrill continues the subsequent day at an all-ages occasion that includes DJ Honey, drag performances, and fireworks (free).
Dupont Circle | June 6-7
The annual celebration is a neighborhood-wide gathering. Eating places and bars supply food and drinks offers as neighbors and guests hearken to stay music and revel in drag performances from space artists. Previous occasions have included video games and story time for kids. (free).
Stead Park | June 7
Kiddos can zoom by means of an inflatable impediment course, get their face painted, be part of a story-time studying, and snap images with family members in celebration of WorldPride (free).
Freedom Plaza | June 7
The Capital Satisfaction Parade’s wealthy historical past of LGBTQ+ activism dates again to the Nineteen Seventies. This 12 months, the custom expands to the WorldPride Parade, championing the theme “freedom to be seen.” A whole lot of members will march down the 14th Avenue hall to Freedom Plaza alongside elaborate floats and grand marshals (free).
