Over a year ago Steve “Lemz” Lemmerman launched what has become a popular first-Thursday party on the cozy dance floor at Wonderland Ballroom in Columbia Heights. Lemz now offers U-Sleaze, headlined by Bouffant Bouffant and Mark Louque of the New Orleans DJ collective known as Trax Only. Lemz and Keenan Orr will set the mood as opening DJs with an eclectic musical mix focused on dark disco throwbacks and disco-inspired dance tracks. Jane Saw will do her usual Sleaze duty as show host. Saturday, Aug. 11, at 10 p.m. U Street Music Hall, 1115A U St. NW. Tickets are $5, or $10 after midnight. Call 202-588-1880 or visit ustreetmusichall.com.
ZIEGFELD’S/SECRETS: DC RAWHIDES
This Saturday, Aug. 11, Southwest’s large, two-story LGBTQ entertainment complex swings open its doors two hours early for a different kind of dancer than its late-night stock in trade upstairs. Starting at 7 p.m. on the Ziegfeld’s level, any and all are welcome for an hour-long session of lessons in two-step, west coast swing, and line dancing, including the intermediate style known as “Soaking Wet.” The evening continues with open dancing to DC Rawhides DJ Chris Allen until 10:50 p.m., an hour before Ella and her Ladies take to their regular perch accompanied by DJ Don T. Upstairs, meanwhile, you’ll find the usual fine assortment of nude go-go dancers, featuring music by DJ tim-e. At 1824 Half St. SW. Cover is $5 until 9 p.m.; $10 after. Visit ziegfelds.com.
JR.’S: MADONNA – A BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE
Perhaps you’ve heard that a certain gay-popular diva is turning the big 6-0 next week. JR.’s is jumping the gun two days ahead of the actual birthday, presenting an all-Madonna video and music extravaganza led by veteran DJ Jason Royce. The tribute, featuring $5 Skyy Cocktails and $4 Miller Lite bottles, comes as part of Royce’s Flashback retro-pop/disco party, which was originally launched at Cobalt way back in the day, when Madonna was just entering her midlife motherhood era. Tuesday, Aug. 14 at JR.’s, 1519 17th St. NW. Call 202-328-0090 or visit facebook.com/JRsBarDC.
THE BIG BOARD
LGBTQ residents of the H Street Corridor — and their admirers all around — flock to this neighborhood watering hole on a bi-monthly basis, when they turn it gay, at least for the night, every other hump day. A first and third Wednesdays affair, the next round features Natasha Sebastiani and Taste, with music by Alex DB, and drinks including $2 specialty shots and $5 draft and rail offerings until 11 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, starting at 9 p.m. The Big Board, 421 H St. NE. No cover. Call 202-543-3630 or visit thebigboarddc.com.
When Alaska Thunderfuck was dating her former partner, fellow drag queen and the winner of the fourth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Sharon Needles, they used to play the radio as white noise when they’d go to sleep. But in the mornings, at a certain hour, they’d be awoken by the rantings of right-wing radio host Glenn Beck.
“We would listen to it sort of as a camp factor of how preposterous it was, because he’s really a drag queen,” the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 2 says, referring to Beck’s over-the-top characterizations of political scenarios, his theatrical method of storytelling, and his emotional, excitable style of talking.
"I think we have an inherent human need to gather and form connections with people that are like us, particularly as a non-majority group," says Rachel Karp. "As long as queer people are not the majority, I think there will be a desire and a need for in-person queer spaces."
Karp, co-producer of the podcast Cruising, is the author of the forthcoming The Lesbian Bar Chronicles, which profiles many of the approximately thirty or so remaining lesbian bars in the United States. The 30-year-old recalls how the podcast and book were both inspired by news reports during the COVID pandemic about the closure of bars and restaurants that were unable to keep operating due to government-mandated lockdowns.
A Minneapolis LGBTQ bar was robbed after three masked people broke in and stole a safe in under five minutes.
The burglary occurred at Lush Lounge & Theater in Northeast Minneapolis around 4 a.m. on May 6. The perpetrators smashed a ground-level window near the front entrance to gain entry, and the break-in was captured on surveillance video.
The video shows the three masked burglars heading upstairs, one carrying a crowbar. They eventually move out of frame but can be heard breaking into an upstairs office.
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