Popular singer Shakira’s highly anticipated concert scheduled for WorldPride on Saturday has been officially canceled, as confirmed by two reliable sources speaking to the Washington Blade.
The concert, which was to take place at Boston’s Fenway Park, faced abrupt cancellation due to reported safety issues with the stage.
On Friday afternoon, both LiveNation and the Washington Nationals released a formal statement announcing the cancellation.
In a heartfelt social media post, Shakira expressed her disappointment: “Due to circumstances beyond my control, I am sad and heartbroken that I will not be able to be in Washington, D.C., with you tomorrow.
I hope that I can come back to D.C. as soon as I am able. Meanwhile, please know that I am eternally thankful for your unconditional support.”
Echoing the sentiment of disappointment, the Capital Pride Alliance stated: “Like Shakira’s fans and our friends and family who have traveled from around the world to join us in D.C. this weekend, we are deeply disappointed that unforeseen circumstances have forced the cancellation of both this week’s concert in Boston and tomorrow’s concert at Nationals Park.”
Currently, the fate of the WorldPride Welcome Concert that Shakira was headlining remains uncertain.
As the weekend unfolds, several events from the Capital Pride agenda are still set to continue.
On Friday, May 30, the “Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will occur at 2 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W. This social hour is designed for older LGBTQ+ adults, inviting guests to bring along a beverage of choice.
For further details, interested parties can reach out via email at [email protected].
Additionally, Go Gay DC is scheduled to host a “LGBTQ+ Community Pride Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Crush Dance Bar.
This event is an excellent opportunity for attendees to mingle, network, share ideas, and build community.
Attendance for this happy hour is free, with more information available on Eventbrite.
The following day, Saturday, May 31, Go Gay DC will organize the “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant, which is designed to unite the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, inclusive of allies.
Attendees can enjoy a delicious meal while engaging in conversation, with no admission fee required.
More details about the brunch can also be found on Eventbrite.
At 2 p.m. on Saturday, the Center Aging Pride Theater Outing will take participants to a showing of “Head Over Heels” at Constellation Theater Company.
This lively jukebox musical, which celebrates self-discovery and queer identity, features the music of the iconic ’80s rock band The Go-Go’s and offers a whimsical intertwining of romance, comedy, and fantasy.
Guests are encouraged to RSVP on the DC Center’s website.
On Sunday, June 1, two significant events will take place. The “Prism at Anthem Row” will commence at 8 p.m. at 800 K St., N.W.
This celebration revolves around fashion, art, and self-expression, providing a vibrant atmosphere for attendees to showcase their true colors.
There is no cost for entry, with additional information available on Eventbrite.
Simultaneously, “Reston Pride 2025: RISE UP!” will be happening at 11 a.m. at Lake Anne Plaza.
This event will feature an array of local vendors, food, and crafts, alongside a packed entertainment schedule.
Like other events, attendance is free, with more information accessible via Eventbrite.
As we move into the next week, a variety of meetings and gatherings are scheduled.
On Monday, June 2, the “Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” is set for 10 a.m. on Zoom, offering a social hour specifically for older LGBTQ+ adults.
Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice, with more details available via email at [email protected].
Later, at 3:30 p.m., the Center Aging Advocacy Meeting will also be conducted on Zoom to gather input on programs for LGBT older adults and advocate for their needs in Washington, D.C.
Interested individuals can obtain further information by emailing the same address.
On Tuesday, June 3, the Universal Pride Meeting will convene at 7 p.m. on Zoom, aimed at supporting and empowering individuals with disabilities.
For further details, attendees can reach out via [email protected] or contact the group’s facilitator.
On Wednesday, June 4, the Job Club is set to meet at 6 p.m. via Zoom.
This weekly support program aids job entrants and seekers to improve their confidence and networking abilities, transforming their approach from being mere “applicants” into “candidates.”
For more information, individuals can email [email protected] or visit the DC Center’s careers page.
Moreover, the Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will also gather online at 6 p.m., encouraging older LGBTQ+ women to meet and socialize.
Those interested can find further details by emailing [email protected].
Additionally, that same evening at 6:30 p.m., a live reading and author talk will feature Princes Manvendra and DeAndre at the DC Center.
This engaging event includes a reading from the book “A Royal Commitment: Ten Years of Marriage and Activism,” and provides an intimate Q&A and a book signing opportunity with the world’s first openly gay royal couple.
Interested participants are encouraged to RSVP through the DC Center’s website.
On Thursday, June 5, the DC Center will conduct its Fresh Produce Program throughout the day at their community center.
Notifications will be sent out by Wednesday at 5 p.m. regarding who is selected to receive a produce box — with no requirement for proof of residency or income.
For more information, inquiries can be made via email or by calling 202-682-2245.
Finally, a virtual yoga class hosted by instructor Sarah M. will be available at 7 p.m. on Zoom, focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation, with details accessible on the DC Center’s website.
Switching gears, recent documentaries focusing on beloved pop culture icons have become commonplace, often presenting rushed biographical portraits that blend archival footage with contemporary interviews.
These documentaries cater primarily to nostalgia, filled with experiences and memories that strike a chord with viewers.
However, the two-part HBO docuseries, “Pee-wee as Himself,” directed by Matt Wolf and premiering on May 23 on Max, boldly defies the typical presentation.
This series draws from an extensive collection of 40 hours of interviews with the late Paul Reubens, who is best known for his portrayal of the iconic character Pee-wee Herman.
The first part traces Reubens’ journey from his childhood in Florida to his rise as a performer in Los Angeles, carving out a unique persona and embarking on a career marked by meticulous artistic choices.
The second part shifts gears to cover the sweeping success of “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” followed swiftly by the serious downturn following Reubens’ notorious public indecency arrest and the damaging accusations that followed, which unfairly tarnished his reputation.
Step-by-step, Wolf’s docuseries not only chronicles well-documented events but also dives into previously unchartered territory, providing a rare glimpse into Paul Reubens as a person beyond his beloved alter ego.
One significant revelation within the docuseries addresses Reubens’ sexuality, a subject he had never publicly addressed during his lifetime.
Instead of a traditional coming out narrative, it reveals Reubens expelling the pretenses he maintained in his public persona, acknowledging his queerness candidly and reflecting on the choices that led him to keep his personal life private to maintain Pee-wee’s charm.
It becomes apparent that his sexuality acts as a core theme running through the series, impacting significant choices in his life and career trajectory, resonating with the shared experiences of many members of his audience.
Wolf and Reubens explore the societal prejudices that significantly contributed to the legal issues that marred his flourishing career, tapping into broader themes of cultural bigotry and its ability to oppress individuality.
Throughout the docuseries, longstanding friends and family of Reubens come forward to share their own insights and personal recollections, contributing depth to the archival material.
Yet, it is ultimately Reubens himself, with revealing commentary, who allows viewers to get closer to his true self than ever before.
His interviews exhibit a complexity within Reubens—showcasing a careful management of his public persona while resisting certain narratives that emerge throughout the storytelling process.
This dynamic insight into Reubens’ control over his own story creates a layer of intrigue and complexity, calling attention to the tension between public persona and personal reality.
This tension culminates in an intimate voice recording that Reubens made the day before his passing, capturing a final message intended for the world.
In doing so, he channels the authenticity that had been elusive throughout much of his life, finally revealing the man behind the cherished character.
The concluding moment offers a poignant growth, leaving viewers with a renewed understanding of who Paul Reubens was deep down—a beautiful testament to his legacy.
image source from：https://www.washingtonblade.com/2025/05/30/shakira-cancels-worldpride-concert/
