Main Stage Entertainment Lineup
2006 Capital Pride Festival
As of press time.
Please note: Times are approximate. Performers and schedule subject to change without notice.
Mesmers — This Alexandria, Va., rock band takes influence from The Doors and Beck as it merges the new and old in rock ‘n’ roll. The result is a mysterious and psychedelic journey through dark alleys, strange streets and the occasional Pride festival site. (11:40am)
Emcee Paul J. Williams — A Main Stage mainstay, Dallas-based comic Williams likes ”Dishing It Out,” as the title of his latest show attests. Williams is brash and bold and a natural emcee: He likes to have the last word. (12:00-2:30)
DJ Jason Royce — Cobalt’s entertainment manager also serves as one of the club’s premier resident DJs, and is celebrated for his Flashback Tuesdays and Friskie! Saturdays. He’ll be spinning a mix of popular dance tunes, both classic and new. (12:00-3:30pm)
Odd Girl Out — Inspired by The Donnas and Joan Jett, this Baltimore-based all-girl punk band also recalls Betty and other off-Broadway rock-musical acts, thanks to a passion for catchy melodies and soaring vocals. One highlight: a bratty cover of The Bangles’ ”Eternal Flame.” (12:15pm)
Queer Minion of Kwid — An offshoot of the D.C. Drag Kings organization, Queer Minion shares much in common with its parent organization, but its diverse members are ”packing” for themselves and growing into their own mustaches. (12:50)
Edward Daniels Productions — Local actor Edward Daniels, with help from a small cast, is creating an edgy, cabaret-style musical for July’s inaugural Capital Fringe Festival. He’ll present a preview of the work, Thinking Under the Influence. (1:00pm)
Grand Illusions — Four of D.C.’s most popular female illusionists, including Blair Michaels and Miss Capital Pride 2005 Patti Lovelace, bring to the stage a sample of the popular Friday night Titan show. (1:10pm)
X-Faction Dance Company — Derek Brown has led this energetic Washington-based dance troupe in performances with Pink, Ashanti, Monica and most recently, Mya. But X-Faction is best known among Pridegoers for frequent choreographed performances at VelvetNation. (1:20pm)
Steff Mahan — This Nashville-based alt-country singer/songwriter has opened for the Indigo Girls, and that makes sense: Mahan has a sweet and soulful sound and sings emotionally powerful love songs with obvious appeal to fans of Emily Saliers and Amy Ray. (1:30pm)
Celia Kipp and the Last Ditch — This Baltimore band is about to record a second album of no-pretense rock, as a follow up to 2004’s Emotional Amputation. But its passion is in performing. ”We don’t just get up and play,” says Kipp, “we get up and perform for the people.” (2:05pm)
Emcee Christopher Peterson — This nationally renowned female illusionist personifies gay-popular divas from Liza to Bette to Barbra and beyond. It’s all part of his classy non-lip-synched show Eyecons. (2:40-4:30)
D.C. Drag Kings — With a Club Chaos-housed show billed as ”the longest-running monthly drag king show in the world,” this troupe performs as the best men women can impersonate. Facial hair? Use burnt cork. Crotch packing? Fill a condom with ”gak.” And don’t forget the strut: lead with your chest and take long strides. (2:45pm)
Amy & Freddy — Chicago-based vocalist and comedian Amy Armstrong insists the art of cabaret is alive and kicking. And with her lively voice and kicking personality, not to mention a little assist from her accompanist, Freddy Allen, there can be no arguing with these Capital Pride Grand Marshals. (3:05pm)
DJ Chris Wren — Professionally trained in classical piano and inspired by avant-garde house music, Los Angeles-based Wren likes to mix things up and keep you guessing. He’s traveled the dance-benefit circuit, including Cherry, and he’s a regular composer for film and television. (3:30-7:30pm)
Freddie’s Follies — Drag queen Destiny B. Childs will take to the stage as co-host of this Freddie’s Beach Bar team consisting of drag queens and drag kings, as well as everyday ”bio boys and girls.” (3:45pm)
Ella Fitzgerald — Always crass, always funny, and always soul-stirring, the peacock-inspired Fitzgerald proves that sometimes the smallest big mouth in town can indeed impart the biggest treasure. (4:00pm)
Capital Pride Royalty — Mr. and Miss Capital Pride 2006 will take to the stage after having been crowned earlier in Pride Week, along with Mr. Capital Pride Leather 2006. They will have won in part based on their talent and their ”full scale of the rainbow” pridewear. (Or in Mr. Leather’s case, ”a jockstrap of their choice.”) (4:10pm)
Emcees Derek & Romaine — Derek Hartley and Romaine Patterson gab together for four hours every weekday on Sirius Radio’s OutQ Channel in a talk show described as ”goofy and titillating.” They return as emcees this year to do it all in person, right before your eyes. (4:30-7:00pm)
D.C. Cowboys — With their cowboy boots, this community-minded dance troupe kicks up a Broadway-tinged, country-western choreographed storm. But it’s their oft-shirtless performances and suggestive moves that really get the crowd swooning. (4:35pm)
Rachel Panay — A rising dance star who primarily launched herself from Washington’s gay clubs, Panay has scored a few hits, including ”Back to Love” and ”I Still Believe.” Pride will be the first local performance in months for this D.C. native now residing in New York. (4:55pm)
CeCe Peniston — Peniston scored big 15 years ago with her very first record, Finally, which featured several hits, including the No. 1 title track, a simple yet spectacular song that became a drag queen anthem and a signature pop tune of the ’90s. (5:25pm)
Kimberley Locke — This American Idol season-two finalist has a drive to succeed and a demeanor to win you over. Locke is putting the finishing touches on a new album. First single ”Supawoman” is a powerful anthem in the manner of a pleasing power-ballad from the ’80s. (5:50pm)
Thelma Houston — This Grammy-winning disco legend is one of the most energetic and engaging performers anywhere, with pipes as incredible now as when ”Don’t Leave Me This Way” and other R&B and dance hits first filled your heart with love and set you free. (6:20pm)
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