Pride Month is underway and our area has a star-studded lineup of performers, festivals, movie nights, drag shows, pageants, a speed-dating sesh and more. Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with these rainbow-filled parties, performances and advocacy meet-ups.
Pride Series at Angelika Film Center & Café
Tuesdays in June, 7 p.m.Â
Beat the heat and catch showings of My Own Private Idaho (June 11), The Watermelon Woman (June 18) and Paris is Burning (June 25). Grab something to eat before or after or even during the flick. Angelika serves all-day breakfast, loaded nachos and flatbreads in addition to movie theater staples like candy and popcorn. // 2911 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Swan Lake at The Alden
June 13, 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Catch two showings of director Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, a movie depicting his contemporary take on the Russian classic that replaces the female dancers with an all-male ensemble. The adaptation won Laurence Olivier and Tony awards. While you’re at the theater, be sure to check out the Pride Walk display along the plaza highlighting the contributions of prominent LGBTQ+ Americans. Admission to the shows is free. //1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
Arlington Reads: George M. Johnson
June 13, 6:30-8 p.m.
Journalist, LGBTQIA+ activist and author George M. Johnson chats with librarian Juliane Weight about their memoir, All Boys Aren’t Blue, in this author talk, part of a Pride Month series hosted by the Arlington Public Library. Johnson’s collection of personal essays recounts their formative and college years in New Jersey and Virginia, including the trauma of being beaten by bullies at age 5. Find the full schedule of Pride Month library events here. // 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington (Ballston)
View this post on Instagram
Arlington Pride ‘Ho-Down’ at Clarendon Ballroom
June 15, 8 p.m.
Inspired by Beyonce’s LGBTQ+ inclusive Renaissance world tour, this community dance party includes a tribute to Queen Bey’s newest album, Cowboy Carter, performed by local drag sensation Elektra.g. The fun continues with a live DJ, line dancing and a costume contest. // 3185 Wilson Blvd. Arlington (Clarendon)
Arlington Pride LGBTQIA Speed Dating
June 17, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Make a connection at this event presented by the Polished Kreative, a collective of Black and queer organizers, and hosted by Alex Held, small-business manager at Arlington Economic Development. Enjoy free cocktails, music and games on the rooftop of The Milton apartment building in National Landing. // 1446 S. Grant St., Arlington (National Landing)
Arlington Pride Pageant & After-Dark After-Party
June 21, 7 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Hosted by Drag Superstar Shi-Queeta Lee, Arlington’s second annual Drag Pageant promises a lineup of sassy contestants brimming with charisma, nerve and talent. Watch to see who claims the crown, then head to the rooftop of Clarendon Ballroom for an After-Dark After-Party. Tickets $12-$35. // 3185 Wilson Blvd. Arlington (Clarendon)
Out & About Festival at Wolf Trap
June 22, 3 p.m.
Alabama Shakes lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard headlines this second annual pride celebration at Wolf Trap. She’s joined by LGBTQIA+ artists and allies including alt-country artist Jenny Lewis; pop-soul band Lawrence; punk goddess Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth; Tiny Habits; Quinn Christopherson; Okan; and Be Steadwell. Tickets start at $50. The Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods performance requires a separate ticket. // Filene Center, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna
7th Annual Official Pride Bar Crawl
June 22, 4 p.m.-midnight
Put on anything with a pop of color and celebrate diversity at this bar-hopping event, which starts at the Alexandria Bier Garden and winds through locations such as Bugsy’s Pizza Restaurant and Sports Bar, Don Taco, and Augie’s Mussel House and Beer Garden, where the menu includes $11 glasses of Fairy Lemonade made with Pink Whitney vodka, and Turnt Rainbows made with tequila. Get tickets online for $10-$20, which includes one or two drinks or shots, a keepsake party cup and keychain with bottle opener, and waived cover at all venues. Host Crawl With Us will donate 20% of the proceeds to Safe Space NOVA, an organization dedicated to the well-being and inclusion of LGBTQ+ young people. // 710 King St., Alexandria
View this post on Instagram
Pride with the Police
June 27, 5-7 p.m.
Head to Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant for this fourth annual event from the Arlington County Police Department, including members of the LGBTQ+ Liaison Team, and the Arlington Restaurant Initiative. The gathering invites community members to raise public safety concerns, ask questions, and get to know the police and other county personnel in an informal environment of light refreshments and lawn games. Other participating agencies include the Arlington County Fire Department, Arlington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management. // 555 23rd St., S., Arlington (National Landing)
Arlington Pride Festival
June 29, noon-7 p.m.
Celebrate Pride Month with a full day of live entertainment, games and prizes, local food and beverage vendors, an LGBTQIA+ advocacy center, dazzling drag performances and beats by DJ Eletrox and DJ Diyanna Monet. For even more Pride Month events, check the Arlington Pride website. Free. // 475 Long Bridge Drive, Arlington
Pride on the Avenue
Throughout the summer
Del Ray’s seasonal pop-up bar from Homegrown Restaurant Group is sporting a new look with an interior makeover and a new craft cocktail program to match. Sip a Pipeline Penicillin (Monkey Shoulder scotch, ginger hone simple syrup, lemon and a Laphroaig floater) or a Liftie Cosmo (Tito’s vodka, Bordeaux cherry, lime and Grand Marnier). If you work up an appetite, don’t stress. The food menu has a chicken chili bread bowl, pork egg rolls and beignets. Plus, your patronage will be paid forward: HRG will donate $500 each week to Equality NOVA, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community. // 2312 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria