Mainstage Entertainment Lineup

Capital Pride 2005

Compiled by Doug Rule
June 8, 2005

BETTY — A few months after winning rave reviews for the local production of the Off-Broadway musical hit Betty Rules, the idiosyncratic band Betty comes back to rock proud once more for its hometown. Expect Alyson Palmer and sisters Amy and Elizabeth Ziff to share some of the hilarious comic vignettes and songs from the musical, blending rock-n-roll with gorgeous three-part harmonies. (Noon)

Delphinium Blue — This local electronic artist, otherwise known as Arlin Goodwin, creates songs about urban gay life, from the club to the bathhouse to Judy Garland. Goodwin has a small, appealing voice that rides atop ravishing, meticulous music full of electronic blips, bleeps and bends that often recall his idols, including Pet Shop Boys and Depeche Mode. (12:25)

Femme Messiah — A collective of musicians from all over the United States who vary widely in how they identify by gender and by sexual orientation. They sing idealistic songs lyrically reflective of that diversity, with musically universal appeal. (12:40)

DC’s Different Drummers — D.C.’s Different Drummers is Washington’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Symphonic Band, Swing Band, Marching Band, and Pep Band — all in one. The organization has been making music and creating fun for 25 years. (12:55)

Darrell Russ — A passionate, soulful male vocalist versatile in styles ranging from Disco and Soul to Country and R&B. (1:10)

Belly Dancers — Gyrating navel gazing. (1:15)

Ella Fitzgerald — Always crass and always funny, the peacock-inspired Fitzgerald proves that sometimes the smallest big mouth in town can hold the biggest treasure. (1:40)

Mara Levi — Notably complex, yet catchy enough to be accessible, Levi’s music is both poppy and smart. Her bombastic style of writing combines with melodic vocal harmonies and cunning lyrics. (1:46)

RoKETT — Established last fall, RoKETT is an all African-American ”boy” band that is part of the larger and well-regarded drag king DC Kings organization. Known for its choreography and live singing, RoKETT includes a thug, a pretty boy and a smooth daddy. (2:05)

Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. — Regarded as one of the finest gay men’s chorus in the country as well as one of Washington’s best choral groups, the Gay Men’s Chorus is now in its 24th season. This local social institution often takes a cheeky approach to its choral repertoire, and extravagantly dresses the part. (2:20)

DC Cowboys — With their cowboy boots, the 20-member DC Cowboys dance troupe kicks up a choreographed Broadway-tinged, country-western storm. But it’s their often-shirtless performances and suggestive moves that really get the crowd swooning. (2:40)

Chi Chi LaRue — No other porn director could draw so much attention to himself and hold it. No other ribald drag queen could take attention away from herself for so long and be happy about it. (2:55)

Namoli Brennet — Self-described as a ”charismatic, enigmatic transgender,” Namoli Brennet is back for a second year at Capital Pride. Principally a folk-oriented singer-songwriter, Brennet factors in other genres and plenty of electronic instrumentation to create music that is all her own. (3:10)

Chezwick — Chicago-based Chezwick is an electronica act slowly building a buzz nationwide. Fresh off a win in the dance category of VH-1’s Song of the Year Contest for 2005, Chezwick creates rock-flavored electronic music that reportedly produces a high-energy live show. (3:30)

Bob Mould — Bob Mould is a key part of alernative rock’s past, and with next month’s release of his inventive new studio album Body of Song, he’s all set to play a key part in its future. At present, count on him to add his refreshing, amenable but hard-charging rock attitude to the lineup. (3:50)

Dr. Draw — The Russian-born Eugene Draw is a doctor in name only. A fixture on the Canadian gay fundraising circuit, this Toronto-based 22-year-old classical violinist incorporates pop music styles, from house to rock, to create a fusion of music, all in an effort to awaken, or reawaken, people’s interest in classical music. (4:25)

SONiA and disappear fear — SONiA is a bit quieter and slower than the Indigo Girls or the Dixie Chicks, but like them she knows how to captivate a listener with her melodies and a crowd with her stories. (4:50)

Frenchie Davis — The power-voiced Davis has been working nonstop on and off Broadway in musical theater productions, including Rent and Dreamgirls. (5:20)

Cast of Mamma Mia — The hit Broadway musical built around songs from the long-extinct Swedish quartet ABBA, Mamma Mia is about as gay as musicals come. The cast from the latest touring production will give the crowd the shot of ABBA that a Pride celebration requires. (5:40)

Kenny Taos — A repeat Pride performer, Taos a multi-octave voice that seems at its most natural the closer it gets to bona fide soprano territory. (5:50)

Lucas Prata — A rising dance music star, New York-native Lucas Prata creates and sings hyper-charged cheery pop in the manner of many gay-popular, trance-fueled European artists. (5:55)

Amber — A dance music staple since she broke out nine years ago with ”This Is Your Night,” Amber has a penchant for creating catchy tunes with provocative lyrics, from her biggest hit ”Sexual (Li Da Di)” to her latest, ”Voodoo.” (6:00)

Deborah Cox — An R&B singer first and foremost, Deborah Cox is one of contemporary dance music’s most successful singers, consistently hitting with dramatic remixes of her songs, from ”Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here” to ”Easy as Life” from Aida. (6:55)

DJ Joey-O — After years as the manager of Apex, Joey-O has found a second calling (and a side job) as a DJ. For a second year in a row he shares at Pride his happy, uptempo beats. (Throughout the day)

Emcees

DJ Tent

Located at Constitution between Penn. and 7th Streets NW. [map & info]

Times are approximate. Performers and schedule subject to change without notice.

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