Nightlife Highlights: Bowie Ball, DC Rawhides’ Country Waltz, Trade Yard Sale, and more!
Our picks of the best LGBTQ nightlife in D.C. this week!
BOWIE BALL
The Chicago-based DJ Heaven Malone started an annual glam and drag dance party toasting David Bowie over a decade ago that got to be so popular, even the Thin White Duke gave it a shoutout a couple of years before he passed into stardust in 2016. This year, the 12th annual Bowie Ball in Chicago will be followed the next night by the first-ever D.C. edition of the party, set for three days after what would have been the glam rock legend’s 72nd birthday. Malone and Simon Pattee will trade off spinning Bowiesque musical sets, with a live Bowiesque performance from Max Goldstein of Yoko & The Oh No’s. Bowie fans are encouraged to “glam it up, dress like a dandy and…love the alien with some glitter on top” — and will get assistance in the cause from a Glitter and Glam Makeup Booth as well as additional enticement from a Bowie Costume Contest. Friday, Jan. 11, at 9 p.m. U Street Music Hall, 1115A U St. NW. Tickets are $10. Call 202-588-1880 or visit ustreetmusichall.com.
COUNTRY WALTZ WITH THE DC RAWHIDES
The DC Rawhides showcase their boot-scootin’ brand of social dancing every other Saturday at Ziegfeld’s/Secrets, the large, two-story LGBTQ entertainment complex in Southwest. The focus of the first dance of 2019, on Saturday, Jan. 12, is a line dance style known as “Like it Rough.” Starting at 7 p.m., any and all are welcome for an hour-long session of lessons in the beginner-level dance, as well as in two-step and west coast swing. The evening continues with open dancing to Rawhide DJ David until 10:50 p.m. — roughly an hour before Ella Fitzgerald and her Ladies of Illusion take to their regular perch accompanied by DJ Don T. By then, there will also be fully exposed “freestyle” dancers upstairs and music by DJ tim-e upstairs, if that’s more to your liking. Ziegfeld’s/Secrets is at 1824 Half St. SW. Cover is $5 until 9 p.m., and $10 after. Call 202-863-0670 or visit facebook.com/DCRawhides.
PIANO BAR WITH JOHN FLYNN
A Philadelphia native, Flynn is a regular presence pretty much year-round in his adopted hometown of Rehoboth Beach. Most nights of the week, you’ll find him tickling the ivories at popular dining and drinking establishments, everywhere from Café Azafrán to Murph’s Beef & Ale to Blue Moon, all to inspire and accompany patrons in singing along to show tunes, standards, and piano-led renditions of pop hits new and old. But on the second and last Sunday of each month, the gay pianist ventures inland to our neck of the woods, to incite to chorus the colorful patrons at a venue that outbeaches ’em all — all the way in Northern Virginia, no less. Sunday, Jan. 13, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Freddie’s Beach Bar, 555 South 23rd St., Arlington. Call 703-685-0555 or visit freddiesbeachbar.com.
SLAY MY NAME WITH KC B. YONCÉ
From Donna Slash’s Gay/Bash to Pussy Noir and Sissy That Tuesday, Trade is making its stock in trade next-generation drag artists putting on next-level drag shows. This month, the Logan Circle haunt introduces yet another sure-to-be hit spectacle, the star of whom is KC Cambrel, better known by his Queen Bey-inspired drag alias. Patrons are invited to come dressed as their favorite diva and prepared to “strut your stuff and snatch the crown” in a Slay Off Contest. Miss LaBella Mafia will also perform as a special guest, while DJ Kris “Butch Queen” Sutton is the diva on decks duty. Sunday, Jan. 13, at 8 p.m. Trade, 1410 14th St. NW. Call 202-986-1094 or visit tradebardc.com.
TRADE YARD SALE: LEATHER WEEKEND
On Sunday, Jan. 13, from 2 to 6 p.m., Trade will host an event for those into a different kind of drag: leather and fetish wear. This “yard sale” will feature a few vendors ready to sell you on just what you need to get in gear for next weekend’s Mid-Atlantic Leather festivities. Trade, 1410 14th St. NW. Call 202-986-1094 or visit tradebardc.com.
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