Metro Weekly

Capital Pride: Your Essential Guide to the Best Events

From Thursday to Sunday, revelers can take part in any one of a number of official Pride parties

Wells Fargo float at Capital Pride Parade (Click for more photos)
Wells Fargo float at Capital Pride Parade
(Click for more photos)

Capital Pride is about to hit the gas as it heads into a weekend of non-stop events celebrating the LGBT community in the District, showing visitors why D.C. continues to have one of the country’s largest Prides.

The fun begins later tonight and runs through Sunday evening. Below are some of this weekend’s upcoming events. Happy Pride, and party responsibly!

Thursday, June 9

Capital Pride Rooftop Pool Party & Rally

Capital Pride Alliance hosts a chance for all supporters of Capital Pride to kick off the fun-filled weekend on Thursday night at VIDA at The Yards. DJ Shea Van Horn will be spinning as guests swim, socialize and enjoy cocktails and appetizers. Special guests attending the party include Bo Roberts, Michael Sam, Nick Ayler and others.

Time: 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Location: VIDA Penthouse Pool & Lounge at The Yards, 1212 4th St. SE.

Tickets: $20 each (includes two drink tickets and light appetizers).

La Fiesta: The Official Dance Party of DC Latino Pride

A shot of attendees of DC Latino Pride's "La Fiesta" Dance Party (Photo credit: Ward Morrison).
A shot of attendees of DC Latino Pride’s “La Fiesta” Dance Party (Photo credit: Ward Morrison).

Join DC Latino Pride, the Latino GLBT History Project and El Zol 107.9 for their annual dance party at Town Danceboutique, featuring music from DJ Joe el Especialista and special guest Yara Sofia.

Time: 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. 

Location: Town Danceboutique, 2009 8th St. NW. 

Price: $10 cover.


Friday, June 10

4th Annual DC Front Runners Pride Run 5K

Join the DC Front Runners for their annual chip-timed 5-kilometer race which will be followed by a Finish Line Party with beer for race participants, a live DJ, entertainment and awards to the race’s top performers.

Time: 7 p.m. 

Location: Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St. SE.

6th in the City Shabbat: National Pride Edition

Join GLOE, Bet Mishpachah and 6th and I for a Shabbat service to celebrate Pride with the Jewish community. The event will feature pre-service cocktails, the Shabbat service, and a kosher dinner to follow, complete with unicorns and rainbow cake.

Time: 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Shabbat service starts at 7:15 p.m., dinner at 8:30 p.m.)

Location: Sixth & I Synagogue, 600 I St. NW.

Price: $15 per person, plus a $1.50 processing fee per ticket. Must register by phone beforehand to attend dinner. Call 877-987-6487 to register.

Leslie Jordan Live

Leslie Jordan (Photo: TheLeslieJordan.com)
Leslie Jordan (Photo: TheLeslieJordan.com)

Join Capital Pride’s Grand Marshal Leslie Jordan for an hour of stand-up comedy.

Time: Two shows, 7-8 p.m. and 9-10 p.m.

Location: Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW

Price: $40-60

Hex: The Abracadabulous Opening Party

Capital Pride and BYT present Hex, Capital Pride’s magical-themed opening party, at Union Market. Featuring photobooths, magicians, bars and performances from Chi Chi DeVayne and Thorgy Thor from RuPaul’s Drag Race, DJ Grind, DJ Lisa Moody, Team Peaches, Pu$$y Noir, Queen Nefertittie, Mundy, W3 (Which Witch is Which): Salvadora Dali, JaxknifeComplex, and Cis Jenner, Pepper Mashay, DJ Nick Ayler, Pulp Friction, Abbi Kadabra and the Hairy Otter Go-Go Squad.

Time: 8:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Location: Union Market, 1309 5th St. NE.

Price: $25. Reserve tickets at capitalpride.org/hex.


Saturday, June 11

Kimpton “Crack of Noon” Parade Day Pride Brunch

Attendees can enjoy a gourmet buffet with complimentary mimosas and Bellinis, with special guests Leslie Jordan, the Pride Parade’s Grand Marshal, Pepper Mashay and Bo Roberts ahead of the Pride Parade. Afterwards, the hotel also offers an up-close view of the parade from its front stoop.

Time: 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Location: Kimpton Hotel Palomar, 2121 P St. NW.

Price: $100. Tickets available on showclix.com.

Capital Pride Parade

Capital Pride Alliance and Marriott Rewards present the annual Capital Pride Parade, featuring more than 180 contingents, including floats, vehicles, walkers, and entertainers representing local businesses, politicians, community groups and other organizations.

Time: 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Location: Starts at 22nd and P Streets NW, traveling 1.5 miles through Dupont Circle and 17th Street before ending on 14th Street NW in the Logan Circle neighborhood. Reviewing stand is at 15th and P Streets NW.

Price: Free.

Capital Pride Youth Dance

Capital Pride Parade watchers (Click for more)
Capital Pride Parade watchers (Click for more)

Join Capital Pride and SMYAL as they offer a social event for the younger generation at Pride. Open to ages 24 and under. 

Time: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. 

Location: National City Christian Church, 5 Thomas Cir. NW.

Price: Free.

HIPS Fundraiser

Join Capital Pride Alliance as it helps raise money for HIPS, a program that works with sex workers and transgender people and runs a 24/7 hotline for LGBT victims of violence. Featuring music from DJs Dean Sullivan and Keenan Orr.

Time: 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. 

Location: Flash, 645 Florida Ave. NW

Price: $15 general admission, $20 VIP. Tickets can be bought at the door or online at hips.nationbuilder.com/pride.

FUSE Women’s Party

The Ladies of LURe, Tagg Magazine, and Capital Pride present the annual official lesbian party of Pride, featuring drink specials, live performances by the DystRucXion Dancers and others, and three DJs on two levels of the Howard Theatre.

Time: 9 p.m. – 3 a.m.

Location: The Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW.

Price: $15. Must be 21 to enter.

Distrkt C Men’s Party

The DC Eagle presents the official men’s party of Capital Pride, with DJ Mark DeMarko and DJ Manny Lehman spinning.

Time: 10 p.m. – 6 a.m.

Location: The DC Eagle, 3701 Benning Rd. NE.

Price: $50, plus a $3.50 processing fee. Attendees wishing to attend Sunday’s “Superstar” Party at the DC Eagle featuring DJ Tony Moran may by a two-day pass for $70, plus a $4.50 processing fee. Tickets available at distrktc.ticketleap.com.


Sunday, June 12

Smoke & Mirrors — Capital Pride’s Official Afterhours Party

Cherry, the organization holding charity dance events to benefit LGBT and HIV-related nonprofits and community groups, and Capital Pride present Smoke & Mirrors, a dance party featuring the tech and house beats of DJ Alex Acosta from Mexico and D.C.’s own DJ X Gonzalez.

Time: 3:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Location: Flash, 645 Florida Ave. NW

Price: Tickets are $30-50. To purchase, visit capitalpride.org or cherrydc.com.

41st Capital Pride Festival

The crowd at the 2014 Capital Pride Festival - Photo: Ward Morrison
The crowd at the 2014 Capital Pride Festival – Photo: Ward Morrison

Held annually, the festival features more than 300 exhibitors, including local and community groups, local businesses and food vendors. Various performances and exhibitions from local talent will also kick off from the festival’s Monument Stage from noon to 7 p.m. Other exhibitors will perform at the Dupont Dance Tent, located inside the Dupont Beer Garden area, from 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

The festival will feature three different beer garden areas: the Capitol Beverage Garden, closest to the stage; the Monument Beverage Garden; and the Dupont Beverage Garden. Revelers will be able to purchase tickets in exchange for Stoli cocktails, beers or wines inside the gardens. Must be 21 to enter.

Lastly, the festival includes a Family and Educational Activity Area & Fun Zone for those with young children. The family area includes food vendors, face painters and 30-foot inflatable water slide and misting tents.

Time: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Location: Pennsylvania Avenue NW, between 3rd and 7th Streets.

Price: Free, but donations benefiting Capital Pride Alliance are encouraged and will be collected at the main entrance to the festival area near 7th Street. Tickets are required for the pit area by the stage and the VIP beverage garden and viewing area. Tickets can be purchase online at capitalpride.org.

Capital Pride Concert

Sponsored by Hot 99.5, the Capital Pride Concert will feature various acts, including musical headliners Meghan Trainor, Charlie Puth, Alex Newell and Melanie Martinez, as well as appearances by Bob the Drag Queen and Naomi Smalls from RuPaul’s Drag Race on the Capitol Concert Stage (facing the U.S. Capitol Building).

Time: 1 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.

Location: Pennsylvania Avenue NW, near 3rd Street NW.

Price: Free, except for VIP areas, which require tickets.

Capitol Sunset Dance Party

Once the festival and concert are over, DJ Tracy Young will entertain the masses, spinning some of the best dance hits and remixes.

Time: 8 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.

Location: Pennsylvania Avenue NW, near 3rd Street NW.

Price: Free.

Mother of Dragons: The Official Pride Closing Party

This year’s closing party will be held at Cobalt, with special guest DJ Power Infiniti. Drink specials include $4 Stoli all night.

Time: 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Location: Cobalt, 1639 R St. NW.

Price: $5 Cover, with proceeds benefiting Capital Pride Alliance.

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