Nightlife Highlights: Pitchers picnic, Fuego at Cobalt, a Moira contest & an ’80s Cryfest
Our picks of the best LGBTQ nightlife in D.C. this week!
NIGHT OF 1,000 MOIRAS
Moira Rose is as unreal and untouchable as any diva, and every bit as deserving of a themed party paying over-the-top tribute to her looks and fashion. Trade will do the honors this Friday, Feb. 22, starting at 11 p.m., with what the gay bar winkingly refers to as an “official-unofficial after party” for “Schitt’s Creek: Up Close and Personal” at DAR Constitution Hall. There will be prizes for the best Moira lookalikes, including the top prize of “a bag of Schitt.” The evening will be hosted by Summer Camp and soundtracked by Ed Bailey from “the DJ pulpit.” Trade is at 1410 14th St. NW. No cover, and no guarantee of entry once capacity has been reached. Call 202-986-1094 or visit www.tradebardc.com.
PITCHERS DRAG PICNIC
You have options galore around town if you want to sashay away to a weekend brunch with drag queens. But this Saturday, Feb. 23, comes the first pitch for a monthly queens picnic — at Pitchers, no less. Brooklyn Heights will host a drag feast starting promptly at 1 p.m., also starring Iyana Deschanel, Katrina Colby, Sasha Adams, and Venus Fastrada. For this picnic, you don’t need to pack your own basket, as food from the venue’s menu will be available along with drinks at the bar. To ensure a spot in the limited seating area, reservations can be made by email — PitchersDCReservations@gmail.com. Pitchers is at 2317 18th St. NW. Call 202-733-2568 or visit www.pitchersdc.com.
CRYFEST: THE CURE VS. THE SMITHS DANCE PARTY
Live music shows may be its bread and butter as well as its m.o. as a concert venue, but over the years the Black Cat has also become known for the many popular DJ-driven, battle-of-the-bands themed events it hosts. This Saturday, Feb. 23, the 14th Street institution welcomes back one of the longest-running and certainly mopiest of ’em all — and if you’re not a fan of mopey ’80s rock, the party very well could turn into a veritable cry fest. FYM Productions presents the 17th Anniversary CryFest with DJs Steve EP, Missguided, and Killa K, who will take turns spinning tunes with Robert Smith’s signature forlorn croons alternating with those featuring the whines of Morrissey — in what is promoted as “the largest Cure/Smiths dance party in the U.S.” Doors at 9:30 p.m. Black Cat is at 1811 14th St. NW. Tickets are $12 to $15. Call 202-667-4490 or visit www.blackcatdc.com.
CHORUS-DC/FUEGO WITH DJ AJ REDDY
Forget the frigid February weather outside and come to Cobalt for what the team behind Fruity Boi Productions vows will be “a Saturday night guaranteed to heat you up on the dance floor.” The heat on this particular Saturday night, Feb. 23, will emanate from AJ Reddy, a South Florida-based DJ who characterizes his style as “high-energy circuit house with vocal, tribal, and deep-house international beats.” Reddy has honed his craft by playing marquee events on his home turf, from Miami’s Winter Party to Orlando’s One Magical Weekend, as well as at Matinee Las Vegas and various Circuit Festival events worldwide. The party starts at 10 p.m. Cobalt is at 1639 R St. NW. Tickets are $15 plus fees. Call 202-232-4416 or visit www.chorusdc.eventbrite.com.
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