To celebrate Olivia Newton-John’s 70th birthday, DJ Travis Island leads a special Saturday Night Videos party on Uproar’s rooftop. The evening opens with “a lovely Livvy montage,” followed by random clips during the first hour, then some ONJ video remixes, ending with classic Olivia tunes — from her mid-’70s pop hits “I Honestly Love You” and “Don’t Stop Believin'” to those from her starring turn in 1978’s Grease, including “You’re The One That I Want” and “Summer Nights.” Also expect to hear “Magic,” “Xanadu,” and her biggest U.S. hit, 1981’s “Physical.” Saturday, Sept. 29, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Uproar, 639 Florida Ave NW. Visit facebook.com/uproarloungedc.
PITCHERS: FLASHBACK
Originally launched in the mid-’90s at Cobalt as a retro-themed party on Tuesdays, DJ Jason Royce has revived Flashback at Pitchers. The move to Adams Morgan also comes with other changes, including a switch to Thursdays and covering a wider time frame, with hits going well past the disco of 1975, all the way up to the dance-pop of 2005. Royce is joined in the “Party Like It’s 1999” cause by fellow veteran Darryl Strickland. Thursdays starting at 10 p.m. 2317 18th St. NW. Call 202-733-2568 or visit pitchersdc.com.
NELLIE’S: LEDERHOSEN REALNESS
There are many excuses to celebrate Oktoberfest and German beer this time of year, and you’d surely be welcome to wear traditional lederhosen wherever you go. But next weekend, Nellie’s offers an “Octoberfest Extravaganza” presented by DJ Chord Bezerra at which patrons donning lederhosen are promised “unreal deals” on giant steins of craft beer. Saturday, Oct. 6, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Nellie’s Sports Bar, 900 U St. NW. Free. Call 202-332-NELL or visit nelliessportsbar.com.
Darryl Strickland was one of the most prolific DJs in gay D.C. in the ’90s, which makes him eminently qualified to serve as VJ for a party focused on the best video hits of the ’80s and ’90s. There are drink specials on offer and even the ability to make requests all night long — obviously this isn’t quite a regular night out. Saturday, Oct. 6, starting at 9 p.m. Green Lantern, 1335 Green Ct. NW. No cover. Call 202-347-4533 or visit greenlanterndc.com.
"SigMa was always hand to mouth as far as finances. And the pandemic really just killed it."
Peter Delate, a former board member of SigMa DC, the all-volunteer D.C.-based male BDSM, kink, and fetish organization, is explaining why, after a nearly 40-year run, the organization is dissolving.
There's no single cause for the organization's decline. Several factors -- lack of cash flow, sparse attendance, lack of new leadership -- all played a role.
"SigMa has always been paycheck to paycheck," Delate says. "It wasn't hugely viable as far as finance is concerned, except for a small period in the early nineties where we had a positive cash flow."
Uproar, the D.C. gay bar that markets itself primarily toward the bear community, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help cover "unexpected costs."
The bar posted a link to the GoFundMe campaign on its Facebook page on Sunday, Dec. 8, urging people to click through and donate. The campaign, organized by Uproar's owner, Tammy Truong, has set a goal of $100,000. Thus far, over $3,400 has been raised.
The GoFundMe page also includes a message from Uproar's management team.
"For over nine years, Uproar has been an integral part of the DC LGBTQIA+ community," it reads. "We have recently faced unexpected challenges and are asking for help from the community that we've given much to. We want to continue to be able to pay and support our staff and our community. All donations will be used to pay for these unexpected costs and will be used to improve the space for staff and patrons."
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