We made it through the Big Bad Cloud and now it’s time for the rainbows to shine across town: It’s Pride weekend in DC! Whether you’re part of the LGBTQ community or you are an ally, I wish you a happy, safe and magical Pride weekend! And by the way, if you want a THIH Pride t-shirt, send us an email! We still have XL, medium and small unisex sizes and they are a little on the roomy side.
Do you love us? Then why not vote for us and all your favorites in Washington City Paper’s Best of DC? You’d make us all so happy! The link is here.
Tonight, tomorrow afternoon and tomorrow night, show up for your local tween thespians, as the Stuart Hobson Middle School Drama Players bring to you a tale of happiness under the sea as they bring Sponge Bob: The Musical, to life. There will be staff cameos, as well as 5th graders from Watkins and SWS. Buy your tickets here.
Afterward, why not continue the sea-themed fun and hit Barrel’s “Little Mermaid” themed SEAeasy? Enjoy Nemo-sas, Ursula’s Old Fashioneds and other perfectly named libations, plus poke and other ocean bites. The SEAeasy will be open Wednesdays-Saturdays through the summer.
Live, on the Hill continues to go strong. Every single Friday (weather permitting), you can expect a wonderful local artist to liven up Eastern Market Metro Park. The fun starts at 5 p.m. so get some takeout, bring a blanket or sit on one of the red chairs and enjoy! More info here.
And don’t forget: from 1-4 p.m. every Friday through the end of July, come play chess! More info here. By the way! The tournament is on June 24. More information here.
Do you love the fun and programming Barracks Row Main Street is bringing to the neighborhood? Do you want to see them do this and more to support the Main Street corridor? Then come celebrate on Tuesday, June 13 at their annual Barracks Row Garden Party and fundraiser, which will be a Luau theme this year. For more information and tickets, click here.
Scorpio Entertainment’s Electric Disco party is on Pride Saturday, June 10 and it looks incredible. For more info and tickets, click here.
The Pride Parade is on Saturday, June 10, from 3 to 7:30 p.m. The parade route does not go through our neighborhood, but we know many neighbors like to go support and be part of the festivities. You can find more info here, traffic closures here, and you can even walk with Mayor Bowser here (be there by 2 p.m.).
On June 10, the neighborhood is invited to a one-minute clinic offering basic checkups to one and all. The free clinic will pop up at Capitol Hill Counseling and Resource Center, within the SDA church, at 901 A Street, NE. If you have elderly neighbors, or those with limited mobility or not covered by insurance, this clinic is a great resource.
The Capital Pride concert is on Sunday, June 11 and it’s free. This year’s headliner is Idina Menzel. For the rest of the line-up and more information, click here.
WEEKLY FUN
May and June kick off outdoor movie season. Cinematery tickets at Congressional Cemetery are available here. NoMa BID kicked off their CiNoMatic series earlier this month. Click here for available movies and dates. Movies on the Pitch at Audi Field continues on June 22 with Wakanda Forever. Click here for tickets. Union Market continues their Drive-In at Union Market June 2, with King Richard. For info and tickets, click here.
Did you say you wanted to learn something fun and maybe keep that body movin’? Then why not take tap at CHAW? Classes start June 12. More info here.
Mr. Henry’s is THE place to listen to jazz on the Hill. They have performances Wednesday through Saturday, but we have a soft spot for Saturday Showcase. This weekend, listen to the Capitol Jazz Orchestra. Doors open at 6 p.m. and there is no cover; however, you need to order a minimum of $15 food and beverage minimum. Get the burger and go for it. Tickets and more info here.
Want to get your square dance on with the DC Rawhides? They are yee-hawing their way into our hearts on Saturday evenings, 7-11 p.m., at Eastern Market’s North Hall. Click here for more info.
A Sunday tradition, the Flea Market at Eastern Market is your one-stop shop for wonderful art, clothing, cosmetics and more. Follow them on Instagram here.
Labyrinth has great events almost every night of the week, except for Monday. If you’re looking to demo board games or enjoy some of your favorites with old and new friends, check out their event calendar. For instance, their Magic: The Gathering night is on Tuesdays. More info on that event here.
as you are on Barracks Row has great events happening almost every day of the week: from crafting on Wednesdays to karaoke on Thursdays and Sundays to Saturday dance parties, this queer-safe space welcomes everyone. Check out their calendar of events here. Don’t forget! Charles Allen will be holding office hours TODAY starting at 4 p.m.!
On Wednesday evenings, make it trivia! Two Girls Trivia runs a quiz at Fight Club starting at 7 p.m. You can also catch them at Biergarten Haus on Tuesday evenings. For more information and quiz hints, check out their Twitter, @twogirlstrivia.
Every Thursday and Friday, Kelly’s Irish Times has comedy! The Batting Cage Comedy show starts at 8 p.m. and is free on Thursdays. More info here.
And every Thursday, Wunder Garten is doing late night Happy Hours, starting at 9 p.m. Let’s face it: Some of you out there are late owls and you need this. For more info, click here.
OFF-HILL
Dupont Underground’s “The Ground We Stand On” is an exhibit on local LGBTQ+ changemakers that will be on display through June 25. Get more info and tickets here.
Joy of Motion is having a special celebration of their founder, Michelle Ava, this Saturday, June 10, at the Harte Theatre in the campus of Catholic University. Spring Awakening is a tribute showcase and reception: There will be pros dancing along with student dancers as they pay tribute to Ava and her guiding principle that dancing is for everyone. The reception will follow after the show. You can get tickets here.
The Capital Hill Boys Club (Capital as in $$) have created an incredible art space out of a former laundromat, which you can visit this weekend. Two artists are on display: Denise Hawkins, also known as Ms. D, who works with jute, and graffiti artist Brian Bailey. The gallery is at 1603 Good Hope Rd SE. For more information, contact Dietrich Williams or check out our Instagram reel!
One of my personal favorites, the National Building Museum, has a Lego-themed exhibit! Brick City celebrates famous architecture rendered in Lego, and little hands can take turns playing and creating their own ouchie-block masterpieces. For more info, tickets and membership options, click here. I am a proud supporter of the Building Museum and highly encourage you to support them and their mission as well, and no, they have not paid me to say this.
Rainy days are for watching a movie in a comfy theater. The Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market has a great selection of movies. Check them out here.
Mondays can be tough days, but Songbyrd has Music Trivia this and every Monday up in Union Market district to gladden hearts and fuel your competitive spirit. The best part? It’s ALL AGES! Enjoy it with friends or as a family. More info here.
Want to experience a new neighborhood? City Ridge in Ward 2 welcomes you to their Rockin’ at the Ridge series, starting June 2. For more information, click here.
PLAN AHEAD
I also have it on very good authority that Summer Movies on the Lawn at the Library of Congress will kick off on July 6, but the movie is TBD! Keep those summer Thursdays open!
June is also great for catching Jazz in the Garden. Sign up for tickets here.
Also on the Pride month lineup, Dragathon ExtravaGAYza at the Hill Center is a big ol’ gay festival sashaying into our lives on Sunday, June 18. Drag excellence, story time, a food truck and so much more. For more info, click here.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Rosé all Day at Yards Park is June 17!! $35 gets you two drinks, plenty of games and activities and all the Instagrammable backgrounds your little heart desires. Get glittered, get sequined, croquet away with rosé! For tickets, click here. (If any Rosé wine makers want to sponsor my weekends, please email me.)
Sherry Vine (THE icon Sherry Vine) is bringing her show to Crazy Aunt Helen’s on June 17 and we’re told it’ll sell out fast, so grab your tickets now! Click here.
Thinking ahead to Father’s Day (or to people in your life who were like a father figure day), why not sign up dear old dad or yourself for a Bourbon blending class with District Made Spirits! This two-hour class will walk you through understanding the spirit itself and its nuances so you can blend your own batch. Click here to sign up.
June is also time for our newest Federal holiday, Juneteenth! The emotional celebration of emancipation for all enslaved people is remembered all over the DC area. Two events of note for your calendar:
- Celebrate Juneteenth is happening in Brookland on Sunday, June 18. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., enjoy Black arts, culture, eats and more at the Brookland Arts Walk. For more information, click here.
- And on Sunday, JUNETEENTH, go to the beautiful Anacostia Community Museum and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
And on June 24, join THE District fishwife herself, Fiona Lewis, as she leads an evening talking about fish, sustainability, and cooking seafood at the Hill Center. The landing page for this event features Lewis’ recipe for one of my favorite soups ever, cioppino. If you’ve never had it, just click through! Sign up for this life-changing event here.
On Sunday, June 25, prepare for a monster collab: Hill Family Biking x DC Queer Bikes will ride down and around the Anacostia River Trail. As with all Hill Family Biking rides, prepare to complete the loop and then beeline to get some ice cream from Capital Candy Jar! Sign up here.