Arts briefs: March 18

Jackie Beat

Jackie Beat at Cobalt tonight with two shows

Drag queen and celebrity entertainer Jackie Beat will have two performances at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) tonight.

First, at 9 p.m., Beat will be performing a dinner show downstairs at Level One. She’ll move upstairs at midnight for another show with DJ DeMarko.

Beat is the drag persona of Kent Fuher. She has appeared in many movies such as “Bam Bam and Celeste” and on television, including an episode of “Sex and the City.”

Beat also writes a weekly column, “Little Miss Know-It-All,” for FrontiersWeb.com, covering topics like Facebook, movie fashions and many others. 

The event will feature free vodka drinks will be available from 11 p.m. to midnight upstairs. DJ Keenan Orr will spin. 

Reservations for Beat’s dinner show can be made at opentable.com. 

For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.

Capital Queer Prom to benefit Youth Pride Alliance

The fifth annual Capital Queer Prom is Saturday from 9 p.m. to midnight abroad the Spirit of Mount Vernon (600 Water St., S.W., Pier 4).

Queer Prom is a formal gala that gives LGBT men and women a second chance at their dream prom.

This year the celebration spans three days. There’s a pre-Prom maritime meet and greet tonight from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at The Reef (2446 18th St., N.W.) that will include complimentary wine, happy hour specials and music.

The celebration ends with a post-Prom drag brunch at Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.). The brunch includes an all-you-can-eat buffet, complimentary mimosas, drag queen performances and a special treat exclusively for prom guests.

 Every year, the prom benefits a local non-profit organization. This year it’ll benefit the Youth Pride Alliance, an organization in its 15^th year dedicated to creating safe events and support for LGBT youth, including its annual Youth Pride Day, which is Apr. 30.

The Queer Prom is for ages 21 and older. Tickets to the prom and brunch are $95 each. Tickets are also available for the prom only and are $75 each. 

For more information on Queer Prom and to purchase tickets, visit capitalqueerprom.com.

Coti Collins (David Lowman) being crowned Miss Gay D.C. America last year. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Miss Gay Regional Pageant this weekend

The Miss Gay D.C. America 2011 regional pageant is Saturday at Town (2009 8^th St., N.W.).

This is the 40^th anniversary of the Miss Gay America pageant, the first female impersonator pageant.

Miss Gay honors regional pageants that stand out and the D.C. one has been honored as such. Since 2004, more than 50 local contestants have competed for the crown.

Pre-judging and evening gown starts at 5:45 p.m. and the pageant will begin at 6:45.

The winner will be crowned Miss Gay D.C. America 2011 and receive a prize package worth $4,025. The first alternate will received a prize package worth $2,000.

Last year, Coti Collins not only won Miss Gay D.C. America 2010, but went on to be crowned Miss Gay America 2011. Victoria DePaula, who won Miss Gay D.C. America in 2008, also went on to be crowned Miss Gay America 2009.

Special guests at this year’s pageant will include Collins and DePaula, as well as Jessica Jade, Miss Gay D.C. America 2009 and first runner-up for Miss Gay American 2010, Victoria Parker, Miss Gay D.C. America 2007, Ashley Bannks, Miss Gay D.C. America 2006, Catia Lee Love, Miss Gay America 2000, Miss Peaches, Miss Gay D.C. America 2005, Maxine Blue, Miss Gay D.C. America 1998 and Champagne Douglas, Miss Gay D.C. America 1990 and Miss Gay D.C. America 1991.

There will be a $10 cover. For more information, visit missgaydcamerica.com.