Bars & Parties

DC Kings find community on stage

After 10 years, local drag troupe flourishes at Phase

Published

14 years ago

July 15, 2010

The DC Kings have been around for 10 years and perform monthly at Apex. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The DC Kings are a diverse group of entertainers and gender variant performers that do more than just male impersonation and lip-syncing.

Started as a drag king troupe in 2000 by Ken Vegas, the Kings have expanded the scope of their performances, bringing in other styles that are considered empowering, including live singing and burlesque.

“I liked the fact that they were more than just a drag king troupe,” said Aaliyah Tensley, a drag king, also known as Enigma (formally Vicious) and Ruben Esque Foxx, who has been performing with the Kings since about 2007. “I liked the fact that they had diversity.”

The Kings performed monthly at Club Chaos until it closed in 2007. That monthly performance led to another monthly show at Apex as well as Phase 1 where they perform on the second Sunday of every month.

“I started in earnest with the Kings here. I did drag once in college,” said Jill Raney, also known as Shawn McPenis, who celebrated her two-year anniversary with the Kings at Sunday’s show at Phase 1. “It wasn’t quite the right fit for me at the time.”

Cameron Obscura is another king who had some drag experience before joining DC Kings.

“I was kind of forced upon it,” said Obscura on why she first started drag. “I was the only person with a low enough voice to play the wolf from ‘Into the Woods.’”

She played other male roles including Tybalt from “Romeo and Juliet” and the Tin Man from “The Wizard of Oz.”

Rachael Harris, also known as Bona Fyde, didn’t know about drag kings before being introduced to the DC Kings.

“One of my friends was obsessed with Ken Vegas,” said Harris. “She kept talking about him and we went to a show and I was like, ‘that could really be something I would be interested in.’”

Drag kings haven’t yet had the mainstream media exposure of drag queens.

“Drag queens are more publicized,” said Tensley. “It’s a form of entertainment. It’s an art that we put our hearts into and a lot of creativity into, just as much as drag queens.”

“I think queer media can do a better job,” said Raney. “I don’t honestly trust mainstream ‘hetero’ media to treat us in a respectful way at this point.”

“It’s unfortunate that not a lot of people are really as aware of drag kings as they are drag queens. I think [drag kings] have been jilted,” said Obscura.

Raney said one contributing factor to this problem is the small number of lesbian bars and clubs that can accommodate a stage performance.

Performing in drag has helped some kings in their everyday life and members say the DC Kings offer a sense of community.

“I’m a photography student,” said Obscura. “I started a book on gender performance two years ago. I noticed that it started to get a little tilted. I was feeling it was very one dimensional.”

Performing in drag seemed like the most reasonable solution.

“The only way that I could actually bring an extra dimension is if I join a drag show and performed regularly so I could bring my insight as a regular drag performer into my book,” said Obscura.

The experiences have brought about some more personal changes as well.

“It helped me build a sense of confidence,” said Raney.

Harris has observed new members who come into DC Kings quiet and shy, but after performing, they start becoming more comfortable with themselves.

Obscura became more confident about her sexuality and gender identity.

“I’ve always [ridden] a line,” said Obscura. “I was the most femme of my butch friends and the most butch of my femme friends.”

When developing their drag persona, the kings say they look to celebrities and other prominent males in their lives.

“For my character, I try to model him after Frank Sinatra and Clark Gable, and surprisingly Lil Wayne.” said Harris. “I love Lil Wayne, but I don’t have the guts to actually perform as him.”

“Drag kings should be able to be as fabulous as queens,” said Obscura, whose character is one half Oscar Wilde and one half Danny Elfman. “I’m definitely into the showmanship of Oscar Wilde.”

Bars & Parties

Support HIV research with a drag show

Tara Hoot, Evry Pleasure, TrevHER to perform

Published

3 weeks ago

April 5, 2024

Tinashe Chingarande

Tara Hoot performs at Cherry Sundays on Sunday, April 7 at 11 a.m. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

El Techo will host, in partnership with Cherry Fund, a special edition of “Cherry Sundays” on Sunday, April 7 at 11 a.m.

This event is a one-day fundraising bottomless brunch. There will be performances by Evry Pleasure, Tara Hoot and TrevHER, with DJ Lemz. All tequila shot purchases will be donated to the Cherry Fund.

The Cherry Fund raises money for LGBTQ non-profits whose primary goal is to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS with prevention, treatment and education, and mental health services.

The event costs $45, inclusive of bottomless brunch on margaritas, mimosas, Bloody Marys and Tecates.

Bars & Parties

MAL kicks off Jan. 11 with Bootcamp

Mid-Atlantic Leather begins with party at Bunker

Published

4 months ago

January 5, 2024

Tinashe Chingarande

MAL Weekend kicks off next week. (Image courtesy of Bunker)

Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend arrives next week with a kickoff event Thursday, Jan. 11 from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. at Bunker. Organizers at Kinetic promise a surprise drill sergeant who will whip you into shape. Joshua Ruiz DJs the event. This event is for VIP pass holders only; visit kineticpresents.com for details.

Bars & Parties

A roundup of New Year’s Eve parties in D.C.

Celebrate the start of 2024 in style

Published

4 months ago

December 29, 2023

Tinashe Chingarande

Xavier Entertainment LLC will host the seventh annual Times Square NYE Celebration at 10 p.m. at Ivy City Smokehouse. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

New Year’s Eve 2024 at Lost Society will be at 7 p.m. at Lost Society. There will be unique entertainment all night along with a journey of the senses through captivating light shows and LED displays, music, and bottle service presentations throughout the evening. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Busboys and Poets will host New Year’s Eve Open Mic and Party at 10 p.m. at 2021 14th St., N.W. This will be an evening of poetry, live DJ, dancing, food, and good company in a vibrant atmosphere where local artists take the stage, showcasing their talents in various genres. The night will be hosted by the talented Charity Blackwell and will feature award-winning poet Black Chakra. Dyanna Monet will deejay. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

QueerTalk DC will host Sapphic New Year’s Celebration at 8 p.m. at FigLeaf Bar & Lounge. The event will celebrate Sapphic, trans, and non-binary communities and feature complimentary hors D’oeuvres, a Champagne toast and DJ sets by DJ Clamazon and DJ Q. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

The Queers Upstairs will host Heels & Ties: A Queer New Years Eve Surprise at 9 p.m. at Aliceanna Social Club. This evening will be an unforgettable LGBTQ New Year’s Eve party where you can sip your favorite cocktails and enjoy small bites while dancing the night away with music from DJ Rosie & DJ Missy. Tickets start at $30 and can purchased on Eventbrite.

BuffBoyzz Gay-Friendly Male Strip Clubs will host a male revue that caters to men and women at 8 p.m. at Buffboyzz Male Strippers. The event will be an exciting, entertaining and sexy show of exotic male dancers in that will entertain your pants off. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

International Events Washington DC will host the 2024 Black Tie New Year’s Eve Gala at 7:30 p.m. at the Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C. There will be free-flowing Champagne, an open bar, a spectacular balloon drop in the Euro Discotheque Ballroom and live bands and DJs. For dinner, guests can choose from an elegant sit-down, three-course dinner with Champagne or a dinner buffet of international cuisine. Tickets start at $189 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Social Architects will host the 12th Annual New Year’s Eve Casino Night at 8 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Arlington, Va. There will be six rooms of entertainment spread across three floors. The DJs will spin hip hop, R&B, salsa, Afrobeats and old school music. Tickets start at $60 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Pitchers and A League of Her Own will host a NYE party with complimentary Champagne toast at midnight, party favors, and a DJ all night long.

Shaker’s plans a drag extravaganza with Tatianna and Crystal Edge among others starting at 10:30 p.m.; the $10 cover includes a glass of Champagne.

Bunker hosts a 12-hour masquerade ball with several DJs, including Joe Gauthreaux. The party starts at 9 p.m. and goes until 9 a.m. on Jan. 1. Tickets start at $45 and are available at bunkerdc.com.

DJ Alex Love spins NYE at Dirty Goose with drink specials at midnight.