Bars & Parties
Shi-Queeta Lee plans drag queen flash mob
Shi-Queeta Lee, one of Washington’s most active and industrious drag queens, found inspiration in an unlikely place. A 2009 stint on “America’s Got Talent” in which she and her Diva League cohorts were harshly criticized, made her realize there was an opportunity for education.
She says she was “stunned” by the blunt assessment her troupe received from judge Piers Morgan, who said “a bunch of lip-synching old drag queens who can’t dance is not what America needs right now.”
Lee, inspired by gay cable channel Logo’s designation of January as “drag history month,” says drag tradition, both here and nationally, needs a shot in the arm. She hopes to give it one by filming a flash mob video — a YouTube fad in which a person starts dancing alone but is joined by dozens and sometimes hundreds of others by the end. She says it’s also a way to unite D.C.’s local drag community.
“The drag shows around here have kind of been falling down,” Lee (aka Jerry Van Hook) says. “The gay community hasn’t been coming to the shows as much. It’s been more the heterosexual community.”
Lee and a small army of local drag queens — she invited all the locals who regularly perform — are taping Saturday at noon at National Harbor. Several rehearsals have been held with varying numbers of attendees at each.
Bars & Parties
Here’s where to watch ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ with fellow fans
Entertainers TrevHER and Grey host event with live performance
Spark Social Events will host “Ru Paul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party Hosted by Local Drag Queens” on Friday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m.
Drag entertainers TrevHER and Grey will provide commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. The watch party will take place on a heated outdoor patio and cozy indoor space.
This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
The DC Center is hosting a watch party for an episode of the 10th and final season of “Queer Eye,” which was filmed in D.C. The screening will be held on Friday, Jan. 23 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Center.
The screening will last 45-55 minutes, with community time both before and after the episode. Drinks and snacks will be provided and organizers promise a “surprise or two.” For information on tickets, visit the DC Center’s website.
Bars & Parties
Mid-Atlantic Leather kicks off this week
Parties, contests, vendor expo and more planned for annual gathering
The Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend will begin on Thursday, Jan 15.
This is an annual three-day event in Washington, D.C., for the leather, kink, and LGBTQ+ communities, featuring parties, vendors, and contests.
There will be an opening night event hosted the evening of Thursday, Jan. 15. Full package and three-day pass pickup will take place at 5:30 p.m. at Hyatt Capitol B. There will also be “Kinetic Dance Party” at 10 p.m. at District Eagle.
For more details, visit MAL’s website.
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