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The art show that’s also a game show

Loteria features art, drag — and bingo

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Feeling lucky? Even better, want to get lucky in love? And want to take bingo to a whole new iconic level, literally?

Then, come on down, Wednesday night Aug. 11 to “Loteria de Amor, Numero Dos.”

To the offbeat, funkadelic-burlesque home of the bizarro and alt.drag, known already to those in the know who find their way to the long, narrow nightclub in the heart of the H Street, N.E., arts district, who dare to cross through the looking glass to the Palace of Wonders.

The venue where vaudeville is very in vogue, that houses the antics of the Cheeky Monkey, now hosts for its second regular, monthly incarnation “Loteria de Amor,” the art show that’s also a game show, in a demi-monde splash of Mexican-style bingo, or “lottery,” of 54 cards. This game is never played bingo-style with letters and numbers but always with colorful icons.

“It’s all over L.A.,” declares Chris Griffin, the Loteria impresario and the game’s co-host in his self-styled persona of “alt.dragster” Lucrezia Blozia. A Northern Virginia native son and local theatrical entrepreneur, Chris lived in Los Angeles from 2004-2009, but his encounter with his “inner Lucrezia” began much earlier, in the early 1990s, in a visit to a local theatrical props shop where he suddenly “spotted a fuchsia wig,” a crazy hot-pink color that so wowed him, he recalls, that “it all began with the wig.”

“The wig spoke to me,” says Chris in an interview with the Blade. “I had never done drag before and I wasn’t even a drag queen fan before.” Today’s Lucrezia has lost the wig and has evolved into what he calls a “colorful punk cabaret” look.

So wait till you see Lucrezia now, as she co-hosts the “Loteria Libre” — and even a wrestling-style interlude with “Lucha Liberace, the Conquistadore of the Keys” — along with her partner in crime, the inimitable Shortstaxx, always served up, says Griffin, “with a side of sass.”

By now, surely you’re getting the idea that this evening — for which doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the “pre-show cha cha” with Lucha Liberace begins at 8:30 and the main event itself runs from 9-11 p.m. — will be truly twisted.

“We wanted to do something more gay-friendly,” says Griffin, who recalls that when discussions first began with Palace of Wonders managers, and a game show like bingo was first suggested, that he cried out “no, not bingo!” But he then countered with the Loteria idea, and a new franchise was begun, the first outing occurring there on July 7, drawing a large turnout mainly by word of mouth.

There are three or four rounds of 20-minute games, played with traditional Mexican-game styled cards, like el sol, la luna, la mano, but also new creations such as el nino carra perro — or the dog-faced boy. And all 54 of the cards have been individually created by 54 D.C. and Baltimore-area artists, including numerous LGBT artists.

“It’s so visually striking, with these images instead of numbers and letters,” and players get a “tabla,” says Griffin, like a bingo card, with 16 of the images on it, and then the icons begin to be called out. Meanwhile, between games, D.C.’s own diminutive dynamo, L’il Dutch, and Honi Harlow, New York’s star of Broadway and Harlow’s Hideaway, will twirl their tassels, and magician David London will astonish.

As for getting lucky in love? Griffin swears that “we also try and hook people up,” and he claims to have actually done so in the first outing of Loteria last month. All this plus one free round of Loteria for a $10 admission, says Griffin.

Finally, amid all the “burlesquerie” there is actually art for art’s sake at the Loteria as well, and two of the featured artists — Maribeth Egan and Victoria Gaitan — will have a mini-show exhibit with their works available for purchase.

Griffin is also well known locally as founder of the Eva Brontosaurus drag troupe, featuring both Lucrezia and Shortstaxx. He is also a writer and executive producer of the Hope Operas, which will return to the local stage in October.

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Bars & Parties

Mixtape Sapphics hosts holiday party on Dec. 13

‘Sugar & Spice’ night planned for Saturday

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(Photo by New Africa/Bigstock)

Mixtape Sapphics will host “Sapphic Sugar & Spice: A Naughty-Nice Mixtape Holiday Party” on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. at Amsterdam Lounge.

This is a festive, grown holiday party for queer women and sapphics 35 and older at Revolt’s Christmas pop-up. There will be music, joy, and an optional White Elephant.

This is Mixtape Sapphics’ first-ever holiday party — a cozy, flirty, intentionally grounded night created just for queer women and sapphics 35+ who want real connection, festive joy, and a warm place to land at the end of the year.

Tickets start at $13.26 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

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Bars & Parties

Impulse Group DC to host fundraiser

Giving Tuesday and Happy Hour held at Thurst Lounge

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Thurst Lounge (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Impulse Group DC, a local advocacy organization, will host “Giving Tuesday and Happy Hour” on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. at Thurst Lounge. 

This event is a special happy hour fundraiser filled with good vibes, great food, and community connection. DJ Obie will be on deck keeping the energy high while you enjoy tacos, cocktails, and the kind of atmosphere only Thurst can deliver.

A portion of every signature cocktail sold goes directly toward supporting Impulse Group D.C.’s work in sexual health, mental health, harm reduction, and social justice for the D.C. community.

Admission is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

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Bars & Parties

Halloween weekend is here

Local events abound for a spooky good time

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The annual High Heel Race is the kickoff to D.C.’s Halloween festivities. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Halloween weekend is here, and here’s a list of just some of the local events if you’re looking to have a spooky good time.

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. This is an opportunity to mingle with LGBTQ folk and allies. Halloween costumes are encouraged or casual beach attire is fine. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Mixtape Sapphics will host “Bad Witch, Good Butch: A Sapphic Halloween Dream” on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. at Revolt DC. This is a halloween party for sapphics from the ages of 35 and above. There will be costumes, connection and dancing. Tickets are $13.26 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

Taste Takeover will host “Abuela Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. at 639 Florida Ave., N.W. DJ Yani will play music and there will be a costume contest with prizes to be won. Tickets cost $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

Metro Cabaret Club will host “Spookshow Spectacular: Dance Place After Dark Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. at Dance Place. This is D.C.’s Halloween nightlife and draglesque showcase, featuring live performances, creative marketplace, and costumed revelry. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite

Punch Bowl Social will host “Halloween Bash” on Friday. Oct 31 at 9 p.m. at Punch Bowl Social Arlington. This will be a night of hauntingly good times with a killer DJ, vendors, and a costume contest. Tickets cost $12.09 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

Thrust Lounge will host “Nightmare on 14th St.” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. DJ Tryfe will play music, and there’ll also be a costume contest with prizes. For more details, visit Thurst’s Instagram.

Nellies Sports Bar will host “Halloween Scariest Costume Contest” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring their scariest, creepiest, most haunting look for a Halloween night they won’t forget — fueled by Casamigos and Nellie’s signature spooky fun. For more details, visit Nellie’s website

Kiki DC will host “Kiki’s Halloween Costume Contest” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. This event will be hosted by Pirouette and there’ll be prizes for the top three costumes. For more details, visit Kiki’s Instagram

Sinners and Saints will host “Heaven’s On Fire (Queer Pop Dance Party)” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. There will be two floors and music by Sonali Dawar, DJ Noons and Aria McIntosh. There will also be drink specials all night.

Crush Dance Bar will host  a Halloween costume contest on Friday, Oct. 31 at 11 p.m. Drag queens Empress Lena and Sasha Adams will host the event. For more details, visit Crush’s Instagram

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