Celebrate DC Black Pride on Memorial Day Weekend!
DC Black Pride is set to kick off its official events this weekend, starting Thursday, May 25 through Monday, May 29, 2023. And this year’s theme is “Know your past. Live your present. Fight for your future.” The Renaissance Washington DC Downtown will host all events unless otherwise noted.
The Center for Black Equity has partnered with several organizations to provide a variety of official DC Black Pride social events and parties. Partner organizations include:
- A 2 Zee Events, MIM Entertainment, and Onyx Entertainment: Unleashed DC (Women)
- Day in the District: DITD DC Black Pride 2023 (Men)
- Daryl Wilson Promotions, LLC: Wet Dreamz (Men)
- Project Briggs, Inc.: Pride by The River(All)
- TMS Entertainment and Party With Honey: SHE•SinCZRD (Women)
- Xavier Entertainment: Supreme Fantasy (Men)
We’ve listed a very small sample of fun events and parties below, but you can check out the full list of events at https://dcblackpride.org/schedule.htm.
Thursday, May 25
4th Annual DC Black Pride Unity Ball
Where: Renaissance Washington DC Downtown
Time: 7 pm – 12 am
The Capital Ballroom Council in collaboration with icon Charles West, legends Twiggy Garcon, Duante’ Balenciaga, and Domo Alpha Omega present this fun free ball. Categories are listed here.
Sin City Kickoff
Where: metrobar, 640 Rhode Island Ave NE, WDC 20002
Time: 9 pm – 1 am
Cost: $10 (Get tickets here)
The Jump Off
Where: The Ugly Mug, 723 8th St SE, WDC 20003
Time: 10 pm – 2 am
Friday, May 26
Rainbow Row: Organization & Vendor Expo
Where: Renaissance Washington DC Downtown
Time: 5 pm – 9 pm (10 am – 8 pm on Saturday, May 27)
Immerse yourself in Rainbow Row, which features organizations and vendors, including Black-owned businesses, that support and sell products for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Kickoff Party
Where: Living Room DC, 1008 Vermont Ave NW, WDC 20005
Time: 10 pm – 3 am
Cost: $30-50
Hookah. Free shot. VIP lounge. Gogo dancers. VIP bottle service is available.
Play DC (for Lesbian and Queer Womxn)
Where: Play DC Lounge, 1541 7th St NW, WDC 20001
Time: 10 pm – 4 am
Cost: $25 – $100 (Get tickets)
Block Party
Where: Karma DC, 2221 Adams Place NE, WDC 20018
Time: 10 pm – 4 am
Saturday, May 27
Workshop: Lez Talk About It
Where: Renaissance Washington DC Downtown
Time: 11 am – 12:20 pm
An insightful and engaging session exploring hot topics such as relationships, respectability politics, dating, sex, and more – all from the lesbian womxn perspective.
Workshop: Trans Town Hall
Where: Renaissance Washington DC Downtown
Time: 1 pm – 2:30 pm
Hosted by Savanna Wanzer with Keynote Speaker Miss Black America Syria St. Clair.
For the Culture Brunch Cruise
Where: 580 Water Street SW, WDC 20024
Time: 1 pm – 4 pm (boarding at 12:15 pm)
Cost: $125 – $175 (Get tickets)
A ticket to this event includes bottomless mimosas, bottomless bloody marys, a brunch buffet, sounds by DJ Obie, and a live performance by Le’Andria Johnson. VIP tickets and sections and regular tickets are available.
Sunday, May 28
Brunch & Babes: 2nd Annual DC Black Pride Iconic Drag Brunch
Where: Capital Ballroom Council, Hook Hall, 3400 Georgia Ave NW, WDC 20010
Time: 12 pm – 4 pm
Cost: $20 – $60 (Get tickets)
Hosted by the iconic Sophia McIntosh, starring Atlanta icons: Stasha Sanchez Garcon and Requell Lord Balenciaga, and featuring Exotic Lord Mugler, Syria Synclaire, Paris Brooks-Bonet Ebony, and Haven Garcon.
DMV Black Pride Gospel Explosion 23
Where: United Church of Christ, 5201 Ames St NE, WDC 20019
Time: 3:30 pm – 6 pm
The Final Rooftop Day Party
Where: Twelve After Twelve, 1212 18th Street NW, WDC 20036
Cost: $15 – $470 (Get tickets)
Monday, May 29
Pride in The Park
Where: Fort Dupont Park, Minnesota Ave SE, WDC 20019
Time: 12 pm – 7 pm
Join Us Helping Us at Fort Dupont Park for Pride in the Park where they’ll be free food, games, axe throwing, henna tattoos, a lineup of performers, and more!
Penthouse Day Party
Where: 12 Stories, 75 District Square SW #12th floor, WDC 20024
Time: 4 pm – 10 pm
Cost: $30 – $200 (Get tickets)
Again, this is a small sample of an extensive list of official DC Black Pride events. See the full list here and get more information on DC Black Pride’s website.
