Category Archives: RuPaul’s Drag Race

Official Pride opening party at the Wonder Bread Factory

Spandex, Birdie LaCage, Pride, Capital Pride, Pride 2013, Gay News, Washington Blade

Promo shots from the ‘Spandex’ Pride Party. (Photo by Dakota Fine; courtesy Brightest Young Things)

Capital Pride and Brightest Young Things host “Spandex: The Official Capital Pride Superhero Party” tonight at 9 p.m. at the newly restored Wonder Bread Factory (641 S St., N.W.).

The event features multiple floors of dancing and entertainment. Sharon Needles from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and hip-hop artist Rye Rye are the headlining performers.

“Spandex” is open to guests 18 and over. Advance tickets are $20 and tickets purchased the day of are $25. For details visit capitalpride.org or brightestyoungthings.com. To purchase tickets online, visit spandex.eventbrite.com.

‘Avenue Q’/Logo partnering on HIV PSAs

Jeff Whitty (Photo by Kevin Berne via Wikimedia Commons)

NEW YORK — The creator of “Avenue Q” and several of his puppets from the show are partnering with Logo for a series of public service health announcements designed to create awareness about HIV, the show’s producer and the channel announced this week according to a report from thewrap.com.

Jeff Whitty, who wrote the book for the Broadway hit show, will be shown in six on-air spots that will show Lucy the Slut, Rod and Ricky and human actors covering a range of topics including erasing the stigma of HIV, frank talk about sex with a partner, the importance of being tested and staying with HIV treatment and more, the report said.

The spots will debut Monday during the season premiere of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

Sharon Needles debut album drops Tuesday

Sharon Needles debut album cover art. (Image courtesy Producer Entertainment Group)

Drag groundbreaker Sharon Needles releases her debut album “PG-13″ Tuesday along with her first music video for the song “This Club is a Haunted House.”

Described as an “eerie, somewhat chilling mix of fright-inducing punk and emotional catharsis,” the album is said to a dancy pop-punch feel.

The tracks are:

1. This Club Is A Haunted House (feat RuPaul)

2. Call Me On The Ouija Board

3. Dead Girls Never Say No

4. Drink Till I Die

5. I Wish I Were Amanda Lepore (feat Amanda Lepore)

6. Why Do You Think You Are Nuts?

7. Disco Ball

8. Dressed To Kill

9. Let’s All Die

10. Kai Kai (feat Ana Matronic and Alaska)

11. Everyday Is Halloween

12. Hail Satan! (feat Jayne County)

Needles wrote all the material and says the title is a reference to “this vapid industry” where “life succeeds only in compromise.”

RuPaul, Amanda Lepore, Ana Matronic of the Scissor Sisters, and punk rock legend Jayne County contribute everything from humor to rap, while partner Alaska from season five of Logo TV’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” premiering its new season tonight, rounds out this starring lineup, with striking album art by Austin Young, a Los Angeles based artist and celebrity photographer. Young has worked with Amy Poehler, Debbie Harry, and Margaret Cho. Look for the video tonight on Logo at 6 p.m. and midnight.

Calendar: Through March 7

Red and Glue Abstract, Sarah Alexander, Bits and Pieces, gay news, Washington Blade

‘Red and Glue Abstract’ is one of many pieces by Sarah Alexander that will be exhibited in her show “Bits and Pieces” at Foundry Gallery. The opening reception is tonight at 6 p.m. (Image courtesy Foundry)

Friday, March 1

Adodi-D.C. Black Same Gender Loving Men’s social group hosts a potluck at the Metropolitan Community Church (474 Ridge St., NW) this evening at 7 p.m. The night will include a discussion about internal and external homophobia in the black same-gender loving community. Attendees are asked to bring food to share with others. For more information, visit mccdc.com.

Foundry Gallery (1314 18^th St., NW) hosts the opening reception for the show “Bits and Pieces,” photographs on canvas by Sarah Alexander starting at 6 p.m. For more information, visit foundrygallery.org.

Town (2009 8^th St., N.W.) hosts Bear Happy Hour tonight from 6-11 p.m. This event is for people 21 and older. There is no cover charge. Later in the evening, the club will be hosting “So, you think you’re a drag queen?” to find the newest drag talent in the area. Contestants will be judged on performance ability, outfits, attitude and the ability to navigate a contest that requires them to do “ridiculous feats of drag-agility!” This will be a monthly contest. In order to participate, sign up during the drag show a month before the contest. The club will take the first six contestants to sign up monthly. Winners will receive $200 and the title of the month’s winner. All winners are eligible for a final competition at the end of the year. For attendants of the show, the cover is $5 before 11 p.m. and $10 after for anyone 21 and older. For 18-20 year olds, cover is $10. For details, visit towndc.com.

Saturday, March 2

Unity Fellowship Church D.C., a mostly black LGBT church, holds its annual Prayer Breakfast and Women’s Health Conference at Metropolitan Community Church (474 Ridge St., NW) today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The keynote speaker is Mandy Carter. Registration is $50 per person. For more information, visit ufcdc.com.

The annual Rainbow Families dance takes place tonight from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Washington Ethical Society (7750 16^th St., NW). The party is especially good for those who are older than 4, but there is a quiet room for younger children. There will be a family friendly DJ, games, pizza dinner and desserts. Tickets for adult members is $10, non-members is $13, children 5 and up are $5 and children 4 and under are free. For more information, visit rainbowfamiliesdc.org.

Burgundy Crescent volunteers this morning at Food and Friends (219 Riggs Rd., NE) at 8 a.m. Volunteers will help with food preparation and packing groceries. The shifts are limited to 10 per shift. Burgundy Crescent also volunteers today for the Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation at Falls Church PetSmart (6100 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, Va.) starting at 11:45 a.m. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.

Singer/songwriter Suzanne Vega returns to Sixth and I Historic Synagogue (600 I St., NW) tonight at 8 p.m. She began writing poetry and music as a young girl and she attended the New York High School of the Performing Arts. Tickets are $35. For more information, visit sixthandi.org.

Honey Mahogany from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” comes to Town (2009 8^th St., N.W.) tonight at 10 p.m. In 2011, Mahogany was voted San Francisco Weekly’s Readers’ Poll “Best Drag Queen 2011,” was on San Francisco Bay Guardian’s Hot Pink List of “queers to watch” and was the cover girl for the Guardian’s 2011 Queer Issue. Her hit single, a cover of Adele’s “Hometown Glory,” was chosen one of the best cover songs of the year by Limelight. Cover is $8 before 11 p.m. and $12 after. For more information, visit towndc.com.

Sunday, March 3

Metropolitan Community Church (474 Ridge St., NW) holds its weekly 9 and 11 a.m. worship services. The church is the region’s largest mostly LGBT church. For more information, visit mccdc.com.

National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS starts today at noon and ends March 9. Congregations from around the nation will be participating in the promotional campaign by incorporating lessons about HIV and showing compassion toward those with the virus. For more information about the week or to see how your congregation can get involved, visit nationalweekofprayerforthehealingsofaids.org.

Monday, March 4

Bears do Yoga takes place this evening 6:30 p.m. as part of a series at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, NW). This is part of a basic yoga series that takes place every Monday and is open to people of varying body types and experience. There is no charge. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

The D.C. Lambda Squares holds its dance series tonight at 7:30 p.m. at National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, NW). The only square dance club located in Washington, the mostly LGBT group invites everybody to learn square dancing in just 16 Mondays. No special outfits, partner or prior dance experience is needed. The cost is $100. For more information or to register, visit dclambdasquares.org.

Tuesday, March 5

Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) hosts its Safer Sex Kit-packing program tonight from 7-10:30. The packing program is looking for more volunteers to help produce the kits because they say they are barely keeping up with demand. Admission is free and volunteers can just show up. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

Wednesday, March 6

The D.C. Center and Gallaudet University hold a special lecture titled “Sexuality and HIV/AIDS: Special Challenges for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adolescents” by Joan Garrity of Garrity Health Consulting and Training starting at noon today at Gallaudet University’s Merrill Learning Center (800 Florida Ave., NE). Attendees are asked to RSVP to Ashleigh.Doop@gallaudent.edu. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

Thursday, March 7

Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W) is hosting its weekly Best Package Contest tonight at 9 p.m. There is a $3 cover and there are $2 vodka drinks. Participants in the contest can win $200 in cash prizes. The event is hosted by Lena Lett and music by DJ Chord, DJ Madscience, and DJ Sean Morris. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.

Video: ‘This Boy is a Bottom’ (NSFW)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0kqobQRcUo

This not safe for work parody of Alicia Key’s ‘Girl on Fire,’ by Drag Race alum Willam Belli, Detox & Vicki Vox will have you rolling with laughter.

Calendar through March 28

Into the Lime Lite, Bethesda Film Fest, gay news, Washington Blade

A still from ‘Into the Lime Lite,’ a documentary short featured in Bethesda Film Fest. The film is about a Junior Olympic boxing champion from D.C. facing a tough opponent from Northern Ireland. (Photo courtesy BFF)

Friday, March 22

Club Hippo (1 W. Eager St.) hosts the Miss Glamour Girl Benefit 2013 presented by TJT, tonight at 10 p.m. General admission is $8. Table reservations are $60. For more information, visit clubhippo.com.

Town (2009 8^th St., N.W.) hosts Bear Happy Hour tonight from 6-11 p.m. This event is for people 21 and older. There is no cover charge. Later the drag show will start at 10:30 p.m. and the GoGo boys come out at 11. Cover is $5 before 11 and $10 after. There are $3 drinks until 11. For details, visit towndc.com.

Saturday, March 23

Bethesda Film Fest takes place at the Imagination Stage (4908 Auburn Ave.) tonight at 8 p.m. The festival features five short documentaries made by local filmmakers: “Baffle their Minds with Bullshit,” “Kerry Leigh,” “Into the Lime Lite,” “The Plan,” “Porchfest” and “The Rights of Butterflies.” Tickets are $10. For more information, visit bethesdsa.org.

Early Mountain Vineyards (6109 Wolftown-Hood Road, Madison, Va.) hosts its first Oyster Festival today at noon. Attendees can enjoy oysters, clams, chowder and all the fixings. Regular tickets are $55 and VIP tickets are $65. For more information, visit earlymountain.com.

Burgundy Crescent volunteers this morning at Food and Friends (219 Riggs Rd., NE) at 8 a.m. and again at 9:45 a.m. Volunteers will help with food preparation and packing groceries. The shifts are limited to 10 per shift. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.

Town (2009 8^th St., N.W.) hosts “UnderWorld” sponsored by Andrew Christian tonight at 10 p.m. Underworld, a slightly naughty world of underwear and boys, is presented by Universal Gear and features Andrew Christian model gogo boys, giveaways and underwear videos. Music will be presented by DJ Chord. Also Ivy Winters of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will make an appearance. Cover is $8 before 11 p.m. and $12 after. For more information, visit towndc.com.

Sunday, March 24

Neil Berg’s “101 Years of Broadway” comes to the Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda) tonight at 7 p.m. Music included is from “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables,” “Evita,” “CATS,” “Wonderful Town,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Fiddler on the Roof.” Performers included Ron Bohmer, Carter Calver, Rober DuSold, Sandra Joseph and Craig Schulman. For more information, visit Strathmore.org.

Metropolitan Community Church (474 Ridge St., NW) holds its weekly 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. worship services. The church has one of the most diverse communities and communion is open to everyone. For more information, visit mccdc.com.

Monday, March 25

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., NW) holds coffee drop-in for the senior LGBT community today at 10 a.m.-noon. The Center will provide complimentary coffee and a community to chat with. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

The D.C. Lambda Squares holds its dance series tonight at 7:30 p.m. at National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, NW). The only square dance club located in Washington, the group invites everybody to learn square dancing in just 16 Mondays. No special outfits, partner or prior dance experience is needed. Cost is $100. For more information or to register, visit dclambdasquares.org.

Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14^th St., NW) holds its HIV+ Newly Diagnosed Support Group tonight at 7. It is a confidential support group for anyone recently diagnosed with HIV and the group welcomes all genders and sexual orientations. Registration is required and attendees must call 202-797-3580 or email peersupport@whitman-walker.org. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.

Tuesday, March 26

Whitman-Walker (1701 14^th St., NW) holds its group Starting Over for Women tonight at 7. The group is for women whose long-term relationship with another woman. Registration is required and attendees must call 202-797-3580 or email peersupport@whitman-walker.org. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.

Wednesday, March 27

Studio Gallery (2108 R St., N.W.) opens the exhibitions “Down to the Wire” by Veronica Szalus and “Natural Reaction: New Rust Prints and Sculpture” by Brian Kirk today at 1 p.m. For more information, visit studiogallerydc.com.

The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at the Dignity Center (721 8^th St., SE) at 7:30 p.m. for social bridge. Newcomers are welcome and no reservations are needed. For more information or if you need a partner, visit lambdabridge.com.

Thursday, March 28

Lambda Sci-Fi book group meets this evening at 7 p.m. at 1425 S St. NW. They will be discussing this month’s book “The Highest Frontier.” Attendees are asked to bring a snack or non-alcoholic drink. For more information, visit lambdascifi.org.

Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St., NW) holds its gay men over 50 support group this evening at 6:30 p.m. The group is for gay men entering a new phase of life. Registration is required to attend. Registration is required and attendees must call 202-797-3580 or email peersupport@whitman-walker.org. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.

Battle for the tiara!

Miss Gay D.C. America, drag, gay news, Washington Blade

Miss Gay D.C. America crowning in 2010. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

The Miss Gay DC America 2013 regional pageant is Saturday at Town (2009 8^th Street, NW).

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Cover is $10. Last year’s title holder Chantel Reshae will be honored and current Miss Gay America Sally Sparkles will attend. Though competitors need not be D.C. residents to participate, the contest is a big deal — former Miss Gay D.C. American winners have finished in the top 10 at nationals four different times three have won the national crown (Victoria DePaula, Coti Collins and Kirby Kolby).

This is the regional competition in anticipation of the national event to be held in October in St. Louis. Directly after the pageant, Ivy Winters from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will perform followed by an underwear model night from Universal Gear with DJ Chord.

Video: William Belli on rise to fame

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql-HQDkNamI

A RuPaul’s Drag Race favorite, William Belli tells The Stylish all about this very special rise to fame.

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