Nightlife Highlights: Valentine’s Day is a Drag!, Green Lantern’s Freeballers, Blowout, and more!
Our picks of the best LGBTQ nightlife in D.C. this week, Feb. 7-14
VALENTINE’S DAY IS A DRAG!
Drag queens are taking over the Duplex Diner this Saturday, Feb. 9, as part of a fundraiser for SMYAL, presented by the Dupont Social Club, producers of the Miss Adams Morgan drag pageant. Queens will be serving as waitresses and bartenders as well as performing in two shows over dinner, at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., with all performance tips donated to helping the cause of providing much-needed services for LGBTQ youth. Juana Seymour hosts. The 18th and U Duplex Diner, 2004 18th St. NW. Admission is $20; reservations required for dinner seatings. Call 202-265-7828 or visit www.duplexdiner.com.
GREEN LANTERN: FREEBALLERS
Last fall, the DC Freeballers, listed as a “political organization” on Facebook, launched what they cheekily billed as “the first Green Lantern party that does not include underwear!” In fact, patrons should leave their knickers at home for this second Saturdays celebration of the freedom of movement below the belt — all while leaving a little to the imagination. Keeping things covered but not confined, imprinted rather than exposed, outlined as opposed to out. Catch our drift? (Hopefully so, since we can’t come right out with it.) You can reveal your religion, in other words, as long as you remain a man of the cloth at this fun, freeballing fiesta, which is quite likely to turn into a battle of the bulges. Saturday, Feb. 9, starting at 10 p.m. Green Lantern, 1335 Green Ct. NW. Call 202-347-4533 or visit www.facebook.com/GreenLanternDC.
VALENTINE’S 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. Last month, the Logan Circle haunt introduced yet another monthly spectacle, this one featuring KC Cambrel, better known via the Queen Bey-inspired drag alias. The February edition will feature “heartfelt” performances by B. Yoncé and special guest Blair St. Clair from Season 10 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Meanwhile, patrons are encouraged to come dressed per inspiration from the category “Single Ladies” and prepared to “strut your stuff and snatch the crown” in a Slay Off Contest offering a “sickening prize” for the category winner. The Valentine’s Slay will be soundtracked by Wess The DJ. Sunday, Feb. 10, at 8 p.m. Trade, 1410 14th St. NW. Call 202-986-1094 or visit www.tradebardc.com.
BEYONCÉ VS. RIHANNA: VALENTINE’S DANCE PARTY
An import from Baltimore, this party is touted as “an epic artist-for-artist, track-for-track dance party battle that might finally end years of debate: Who’s the reigning dance floor diva?” It says something that organizers had to stretch to come up with enough nicknames for RiRi to match the many established ones for Bey. So it’s Sasha Fierce vs…. the Barbados Babe? Queen B vs., the Caribbean Queen? On one side is the “Drunk In Love” Bey Hive, with music to get the ladies bodied and in formation spun by DJ Mills. On the other side is the “Drunk On Love” Rihanna Navy, imploring Craig Boarman, owner of Baltimore’s Ottobar, please don’t stop the Rihanna music pon de replay. If it ultimately doesn’t sound like much of a contest, at least it does sound like fun, and a sweet treat for contemporary pop diva lovers ages 18 and up — whether they’re single ladies or those who have found love. Thursday, Feb. 14, starting at 10 p.m. U Street Music Hall, 1115A U St. NW. Tickets are $10 in advance. Call 202-588-1880 or visit www.ustreetmusichall.com.
BLOWOUT: A BRAND SPANKIN’ INCLUSIVE DANCE PARTY
Pasabog Events’ Ed Figueroa aka drag performer Bombalicious Eklaver launches an all-inclusive, LGBTQ-focused monthly dance party at Adams Morgan’s Songbyrd Music House. DJs Electrox and Juba will work to get people dancing in the intimate, subterranean space during the inaugural D.C. Blowout, at which Eklaver and fellow drag acts Pussy Noir, Majic Dyke, and Sigma Fraud will perform. The party, which starts at 11 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, will also feature male and female go-go dancers. 2477 18th St. NW. Tickets are $7 to $10. Call 202-450-2917 or visit www.blowoutdc.eventbrite.com. For those who would rather not wait a week and are willing to travel, Eklaver will throw a Charm City version of Blowout featuring Baltimore drag acts Pangelica, Betty O’Hellno, and Baby on Saturday, Feb. 9, starting at 9 p.m. The Crown, 1910 N. Charles St. Call 410-625-4848 or visit www.blowoutbaltimore.eventbrite.com.
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