2025 World LGBTQIA+ Aquatics Championship
Welcome Picnic in the Park
Inspired by the water polo picnic at IGLA+ 2024 in Buenos Aires, IGLA+ 2025 wants to welcome all aquatic athletes to DC over a picnic in our stunning Meridian Hill Park (Upper Level). This will be a casual “Bring Your Own” meetup. Grab some snacks, beverages, and bring a blanket to connect with old IGLA+ friends or make some new ones. Enjoy the breathtaking DC sunset in this urban park known for its Sunday afternoon drum circle, statues throughout the park, and gay cruising. Topo Chico will be onsite handing out some of their refreshing mineral water.
Friday, May 30, 2025 | 6pm - 10pm
Meridian Hill Park
15th St NW & W St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Closest Metro Station: U Street/African-Amer Civil War Memorial (Green) (13th Street Exit)
IGLA+ Happy Hour at Kiki
Stop by an IGLA+ 2025 DC Sponsor, Kiki, to celebrate a successful first day of competition. We have a long week ahead of us, so pace yourself. But grab a drink, head out back to the beautiful patio, and enjoy the sunset as you cheers with other IGLA+ athletes you were competing against earlier. Open Bar up to $1000 thanks to the generous support from Kiki. So don't wait and get there late!
Saturday, May 31, 2025 | 7pm - 10pm
Kiki
915 U St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Closest Metro Station: U Street/African-Amer Civil War Memorial (Green) (10th Street Exit)
IGLA+ Tea Dance at Crush
Gay tea dances originated in the 1950s and 1960s in the US gay community, primarily in New York City. They emerged as a way for LGBTQ+ individuals to socialize and dance when bars were not allowed to serve them alcohol and same-sex dancing was illegal. Stop by an IGLA+ 2025 DC Sponsor, Crush Dance Bar, to enjoy the sunshine on their roof garden and feel those tea dance vibes. Starting right after the swimming competition ends and going well after the last water polo match of the day, IGLA+ athletes will be taking over both floors of Crush early afternoon into the evening.
Sunday, June 1, 2025 | 2pm - 8pm
Crush Dance Club
2007 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Closest Metro Station: U Street/African-Amer Civil War Memorial (Green) (13th Street Exit)
Monuments Monday
THIS IS A FREE NIGHT!
No formal IGLA+ 2025 DC events are taking place. This would be a good night to have a team dinner. Explore a part of the city you haven't been to yet. Check out other WorldPride DC events taking place. We're recommending you make your way down to the National Mall to see the iconic DC monuments at sunset. From the obelisk-shaped Washington Monument walk along the Reflecting Pool toward the Lincoln Memorial where Martin Luther King Jr. said his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at the height of the American Civil Rights movement. And for an extended loop, cross the street to the MLK Memorial and don't miss the Franklin Delanor Roosevelt Memorial, all where the famous Cherry Blossom trees usually bloom in Spring every year.
Monday, June 2, 2025 | 7pm - 9pm
National Mall
Closest Metro Station: Smithsonian (Blue, Orange, Silver)
IGLA+ Night of Drag at Howard Theater
Inspired by the IGLA Drag Show at IGLA 2019 in NYC, we’re excited to see our fellow aquatic athletes out of the water and in a wig and heels! We’re looking for IGLA+ athletes who want to represent their artistic swimming, diving, swimming, and water polo teams from around the world, dress in their best drag, show off their talent, and see who is crowned Mx. IGLA+ 2025!
Whether this is your first time in drag or you’re a local legend, all are welcome to participate. To get the night started, DC’s own Desiree Dik, featured on Dragula Season 666, will warm up the crowd with her signature drag bingo. And if we’re lucky, a classic Desiree Dik performance or two. Oh, and all of this is taking place at the HISTORIC Howard Theater in DC’s U Street neighborhood, which has been open since 1910!
Tuesday, June 3, 2025 | 7pm - 12am
620 T St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Closest Metro Station: Shaw-Howard Univ (Green) (Howard University Exit)
Price: $20
Doors 7pm
Drag Bingo 8pm
IGLA+ Drag 9:30pm
Dance Party
The Water Polo Ball
The category is: Aquatics Realness!
We wanted to see what happens when the water polo ball meets ballroom culture. You’ve seen Paris is Burning, POSE, and HBO’s Legendary. Now see for yourself who can walk the runway, vogue, and show off that body-ody-ody! The Queen of the Underground and the “Most lit on the mic”, DMV’s own Kotic Couture is going to help us find out as our MC. And we’re going to do it all to the beats of DC’s fiercest Baronhawk Poitier, B_X_R_N_X_R_D, & Diyanna Monet at the LEGENDARY 9:30 Club! For one night only, your IGLA+ team is your house and we have some fun categories for you to walk in. Team looks encouraged!
*ALL IGLA+ Athletes are welcome. Not intended for just water polo players.
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 | 8pm - 3am
815 V St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Closest Metro Station: U Street/African-Amer Civil War Memorial (Green) (10th Street Exit)
Price: $31
Sheraton Pentagon City
Nearby Metro Line: Pentagon City (Blue/Yellow)
Best for: Swimming, Diving, Artistic Swimming
Closing Party
Close out an incredible week of competition and friendship with your fellow IGLA+ aquatic athletes at the IGLA+ 2025 DC Closing Party! Music, dancing, and celebration on a rooftop club is the cherry (blossom) on top of this amazing week. Featuring a 4,000-square-foot rooftop garden with a retractable glass roof, glitzy disco balls, lush flower arrangements, a dazzling LED wall,and an insane sound system, Zebbie's Garden is the go-to club in Dupont Circle.
If you need a break from the dance party, we’ll have access to all 3 floors. Downstairs, in the lounge, take a breather or catch up with your new IGLA+ friends from the week of competition.
Thursday, June 5, 2025 | 9pm - 3am
Zebbie’s Garden
1223 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036
Closest Metro Station: Dupont Circle (Red)
Price: FREE for IGLA+ athletes and volunteers. Use code: IGLA2025DC
Price: $10 anyone else
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