Howard Theatre
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Review

Howard Theatre

4 out of 5 stars
  • Theater
  • Shaw
  • Recommended
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Time Out says

A place with a starred history (it was dubbed "the largest colored theater in the world" when it opened in 1910), the Howard hosted most of the jazz greats in its heyday, among them Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday, Louis Armstrong and Cab Calloway. Shuttered since the 1980s, it has now been creatively restored and features performances from R&B, gospel and soul bands and singers, among them Alexander O’Neill, Brian McKnight and Sheila E. There are regular Sunday gospel brunches too. 

Details

Address
620 T Street, NW
Shaw
Washington, DC
Cross street:
7th & Witteberger Streets
Transport:
Credit AmEx, MC, V
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What’s on

Dayshift: The 30+ Daytime Party

Dayshift makes a persuasive case for moving the dance party earlier. This 5 to 9pm session at the Howard Theatre is aimed at the 30-plus crowd, with a soundtrack built around the hip-hop and R&B that defined the late ’90s, 2000s and beyond. Think Beyoncé, Usher, Rihanna, Drake and Nicki alongside the newer hits, all handled by a live DJ rather than a concert-style lineup. The timing is the smart part: you get a proper dance floor, singalongs, confetti and club-style production without sacrificing your entire night or waiting until 11pm to get started. It is also explicitly 21-plus, so the concept is broader than the name suggests. For anyone who still wants to go out dancing but has lost interest in making Sunday morning recovery part of the itinerary, this is a pretty sensible compromise.
  • Daytime parties

John Cameron Mitchell

John Cameron Mitchell doesn’t do ordinary evenings. If you’ve caught even a glimpse of his work, you know he’s got a knack for turning a stage into a confessional, a cabaret and a fever dream all at once. This night promises the kind of unpredictability that’s become his signature—think wild storytelling, sharp wit and a willingness to go off-script in the best way. Mitchell’s shows are never just about nostalgia or greatest hits; he’s more interested in blurring the line between performer and audience, pulling you into his orbit whether you’re ready or not. If you’re craving something that feels both intimate and a little unhinged, this is the ticket. Don’t expect a tidy narrative or a safe setlist. Instead, settle in for a night that’s as messy, funny and heartfelt as the city itself.
  • Concerts
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