Party Monsters
A look at the parties and nightlife surrounding this year's Capital Pride
Want a little news with your nightlife at this year’s Capital Pride? The headline party this year is at the Newseum on Friday, June 10, when BrightestYoungThings.com will host what could be the biggest — certainly the newsiest — Capital Pride party ever, Somewhere… It’s sure to be over the rainbow.
”We were excited when Capital Pride asked us to team up again,” says BYT’s Bradley Portnoy. Portnoy helped throw last year’s big Saturday night soiree at the Capital Hilton along with John Marble and Deb Greenspan. They decided to move the party to the Newseum after BYT hosted several successful parties there in the past year.
”We’re going to give sort-of the typical BYT experience, which is a lot of surprises,” Portnoy says. Among them: a moonbounce, likely to get frisky; a movie theater showing campy or sexy gay classics; and a photo booth. Let the same-sex kissing commence.
There will also be cash bars, plus snacks provided by the museum’s food court, via Wolfgang Puck’s The Source restaurant. Singer Ultra Naté will serve as headlining DJ alongside Lauren Flax of the band Creep. Naté will recreate her popular Deep Sugar parties in Baltimore. And local DJ favorites Natty Boom of Anthology of Booty and MAJR of Cobalt’s Shift will open. Local up-and-coming singer/rapper Sherell Rowe will perform.
The whole museum, including exhibits, will be open to Pridegoers — at a fraction of the normal ticket price — and dancing will take place in the atrium as well as on a terrace on the sixth floor. Dancing queens will be allowed to take their shirts off, Portnoy promises. More than 3,000 people are expected to attend.
The party runs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Newseum,
555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Tickets are $15. Visit capitalpride.org or bytpride.eventbrite.com.
Following Somewhere…, BYT will host an oddly named afterparty — Vitaminwater Uncapped LIVE — at 2217 14th St. NW.
Of course, Capital Pride nightlife kicks off a week before BYT’s front-page news event. Thursday, June 2, brings an Ice Breaker happy hour from 6 to 9 p.m., at Vetro Lounge, 1401 K St. NW. Friday, June 3, starting at 6 p.m. at the Donovan House rooftop (1155 14th St. NW) is the women’s event Pink & Purple Sunset, with DJs vAnniety Kills, Natty Boom and JuneBullet and a performance by the burlesque troupe DC Gurly Show. Later that evening comes the Men’s Kickoff Party: Inferno with DJ tim-e at Ziegfeld’s/Secrets, 1824 Half St. NW, starting at 9 p.m.
The Mr. and Ms. Capital Pride Pageant takes place Saturday, June 4, starting at 6 p.m. at Town Danceboutique, 2009 8th St NW.
That same weekend brings DC Leather Pride, with a Friday, June 3, Dungeon Dance starting at 10 p.m. at District, 2473 18th St NW, a Code party Saturday, June 4, at Green Lantern, 1335 Green Ct. NW, and Truck Stop at District Sunday, June 5, starting at 6 p.m. at District.
Monday, June 6, at 10 p.m., Big Daddy Productions presents the drag Rouge Benefit Show at Omega, 2122 P St. NW.
After a month of weekly competitions, the Pride Idol Finale concludes Wednesday, June 8, starting at 9 p.m. at Cobalt, 1639 R St. NW. See who wins the chance to sing live at the Pride Festival Mainstage and drive away with a three-month lease on a Saab convertible. Also that night, Cobalt hosts the underwear-themed Universal Gear Fashion Show & Auction Party. And starting at 9 p.m., Phase One, at 525 8th St. SE, hosts a ladies Jello Wrestling competition.
Thursday, June 9, brings a Capital Pride Women’s Happy Hour starting at 6 p.m. at the Renaissance Washington, 999 9th St. NW.
On Saturday, June 11, after the Pride parade, SMYAL hosts a Capital Pride Youth Dance for those 21 and under starting at 8 p.m. at the Columbia Heights Community Center, 1480 Girard St. NW. Apex, 1415 22nd St. NW, presents Fuse: The Women’s Closing Night Party, with go-go dancers and other live entertainment. It starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15. And Bob Mould and Rich Morel present a special Pride Blowoff at the 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW.
Once Kelly Rowland has departed the Capital Pride Mainstage, head up to Cobalt for the Festival After-Party, officially starting at 6 p.m.
And by that point, you should have made all the news that’s fit to print. Report it with pride!
For a complete listing of events, turn to The Week in Pride, click here.
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WELCOME From the President of the Board of Directors Parade – Sat, June 11 Festival – Sun June 12 Nightlife |
ENTERTAINMENT Performers Other Options |
ABOUT PRIDE |
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