Living
Queery: Erik Lars Evans
The local DJ answers 20 gay questions

Local gay DJ Erik Lars Evans is relatively new to the D.C. spinning scene. He started spinning at POZ socials at Green Lantern just this year after friends told him he should expand his musical offerings.
“I’d been doing it for myself as far back as 2003 and as time went on I started throwing house parties which started to get larger and more involved,” he says. “So I would start making these mixes for these parties and people would be like, ‘Oh, this is great music,’ so I thought maybe I should try doing this live and see what happens.”
The 29-year-old Gumboro, Del., native, who’s been in the D.C. area since 2004, also spins for the monthly Code parties his friend Jacob Pring hosts at the Crucible and he was doing Homolicious events at MOVA but that’s ending as the bar closes its P Street location this weekend.
“They’ve supposedly acquired a new location at 12th and U but there has been no official announcement,” Evans says. “So all we know now is that this is the last weekend at its current location.”
Evans, who works with catering services company Flik International by day, says the kind of music he plays varies based on the event. It’s usually house, but could range from dark and tribal instrumental beats for Code parties do “dancey, poppy” stuff at POZ parties.
“It’s fun,” he says. “There are times you want to be part of the party instead of the one working the party, but other times you don’t. You enjoy being the one to make everybody shake their rump and clap their hands.”
Evans started using his middle name when he moved to Washington and found several other Erics among his friends’ friendship circles. He wants to go back to college and eventually get into information technologies work.
Evans is single and lives in Bloomingdale. (Blade photos by Michael Key)
How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?
Iāve been out since 2002. I think my friends of the time were the hardest to tell. I never grew the courage to do it. I ended up getting outed by a friend of a friend who was aware of my correspondence with their gay brother. Within six months, the word had spread through small town Delaware and made it to my mother. There was no hiding anymore and I was forced to face the reality of my life.
Who’s your gay hero?
Freddie Mercury
What’s Washington’s best nightspot, past or present?
Nation!
What’s your dream gay wedding?
The idea of getting married is something that Iām only just beginning to think about. I havenāt thought of a dream wedding yet.
What non-gay issue are you most passionate about?
Health care
What historical outcome would you change?
I wouldnāt change history at all. Humankind has to make mistakes and endure tragedy to make the future better and brighter for the next generation.
What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?
Seeing Madonna in concert for the first time in my life on her “Confessions Tour.”
On what do you insist?
Mutual respect.
What was your last Facebook post or Tweet?
“Never in my life has a coat check ever lost my coat ⦠first time for everything I guess. Really sucks that it was the only nice winter coat I had. Thanks coat check guys at Town >:-( otherwise, an awesome night. G’nite world.”
If your life were a book, what would the title be?
āIf you could read my mindā
If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?
Iād tell them to shove their cure up their ass
What do you believe in beyond the physical world?
I believe that itās possible there is something after the death of the physical form. But I think itās unlikely.
What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders?
Keep fighting! We definitely need you!
What would you walk across hot coals for?
$10 million
What gay stereotype annoys you most?
āCircuit Queenā also known as āparty obi.ā Just because you like clubs, huge parties and are a fan of house music (I mean, one of my hobbies is DJing) doesnāt make you some crack head. It annoys me every time. Assumptions based on wacky perceptions are detrimental to anyone. I just like to enjoy life. You only get one.
What’s your favorite gay movie?
“Girls Will Be Girls”
What’s the most overrated social custom?
I have an evolved sensibility when it comes to social customs. If itās pointless, I donāt do it. Thus itās difficult for me to provide an example.
What trophy or prize do you most covet?
I wouldnāt call it a trophy or a prize really, it was a gift that I consider to be one of my most cherished possessions. It is a painting given to me by my friend and artist Don Patron.
What do you wish you’d known at 18?
Everything I know now!
Why Washington?
Because I had been visiting from Delaware regularly to go to Badlands (now known as Apex), Nation, JRās, Cobalt and I really liked everything this city had to offer. When an opportunity came along for me to move here I took it (after a little convincing by my friend Kevin, LOL).
Dining
Dine All Night to showcase excellence of all things food and beverage
11-day event to highlight more than 60 participating local restaurants

When Art All Night meets the culinary arts: The longstanding late-evening tradition in D.C. is adding another ingredient to its cultural recipe this year with the addition of Dine All Night, a complementary event to showcase the DMVās excellence in all things food and beverage.
Art All Night returns this year on Sept. 29 and 30, from 7 p.m.-3 a.m. both evenings. Taking place across all eight wards, it features more than 100 artists and a host of business improvement districts and āmain streetsā that support local establishments.
Art All Night kicked off more than 10 years ago in 2011, when Shaw Main Streets created the evening event as a unique way to highlight the bustling Shaw neighborhood and its link to art and culture.
Leading up to Art All Night weekend, the new Dine All Night begins Sept. 21 and continues through Oct. 1. The 11-day event will highlight over 60 participating local restaurants that took on the ācreative challenge to create culinary artistry through food with limited-time-only menus and offerings,ā according to the organizer, Department of Small and Local Business Development. The limited-run menus āshowcase food as a genuine art form.ā
Participating restaurants were asked to create a menu and cocktail that expressed their creativity. For example, the pop-up Taco Dirty to Me menu all has music-related references.
Participating neighborhoods in Dine All night include Columbia Heights/Mt. Pleasant, Eastern Market, Georgetown, Glover Park, H Street, North Capitol, Pennsylvania Avenue East, Rhode Island Avenue, Shaw, Tenleytown, The Parks, Upper Bladensburg, and Uptown.
Some restaurant highlights: Mr. Henrys, Beuchertās Saloon, Bronze, The Pursuit, Uncaged Mimosas, DCity Smokehouse, Ghostburger, El Techo, Quattro Osteria, Electric Cool-Aid, Seoulspice, and Guapoās.
Urban Roast is one of the restaurants that has a special menu. āIt means a lot to us to be a part of this citywide effort,ā says owner Kamal Azzouz. āWe opened in the middle of the pandemic, in June 2020, so having the support of the city behind us with this important event is a great feeling. Iām very thankful for it.ā
During Dine All Night, Urban Roast will offer a prix-fixe three-course meal with items like dynamite shrimp and flank steak. The restaurant will also have a Night Owl cocktail served only on September 29 and 30 during Art All Night events.
A full list of participating restaurants, bars, and food trucks is available at dcartallnight.org/dineallnight.Ā
“DC Art All Night and Dine All Night spotlight the District’s rich cultural and culinary offerings. These events showcase our local artists’ and chefs’ incredible talents and diverse creations while emphasizing their significance in creating an atmosphere that supports the small business community,” said Director Kristi Whitfield of the D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development.
The Art All Night website further notes that, āDine All Night is a tribute to the boundless creativity and artistic skills of our talented local chefs and mixologists based in the District. Through a series of unique culinary experiences, special menu items, carefully curated dining itineraries, and hidden gems, Dine All Night will provide you with a fresh perspective on the artistry of food.ā
On the newly updated website, dcartallnight.org, visitors can map out their experience for the evening using their desktop computer or mobile phone. The feature, integrated with Google Maps, highlights each of the activations, provides the opportunity to plan routes, and suggests ideal routes based on an attendeeās interest. Categories include live music, family friendly, and late night vibes.
Art All Night is officially a collaboration between the D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD), DSLBDās Main Streets programs, D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, D.C. Public Library, and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).
Real Estate
Chores for the fall before the chill arrives
Clean gutters, replace smoke detector batteries, and more

While it may not feel like fall is in the air yet, it wonāt be too long before pumpkin spice will explode everywhere ā in food, drinks, candles, and body lotions, to name a few places. If youāre not a fan, youāll find air freshener plug-ins in scents like Frosted Cranberry, Fresh Fall Morning, and Sweater Weather among the offerings at Bath and Body Works.
Soon after, hordes of December holiday decorations will appear in the stores, often bypassing a smidgen of items for Halloween and Thanksgiving. Except candy. Halloween candy will always figure prominently.
But before you hibernate and chow down on mini-Snickers bars, there is work to be done to prepare your home for the winter.
Inside the home. To ensure your safety, check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace batteries or buy new detectors if they are more than 10 years old. Have your chimney inspected and cleaned, and make any necessary repairs, then test your fire extinguishers. Seal doors and windows that might allow drafts to enter with weatherstripping.
Now is the time to take advantage of the discount prices on heating system tune-ups that some HVAC companies are offering. As little as $59 for a check-up will help your equipment function better and extend its life.
A furnace tune-up should include cleaning all components, lubricating motor parts, checking electrical parts for rust or corrosion, making sure your thermostat is working properly, and replacing the filter. You may want to take this opportunity to have your vents cleaned as well.
A heat pump inspection includes cleaning and lubricating the blower and fan motors, inspecting indoor and outdoor coils, flushing the condensate drain, and testing the controls.
If you have a boiler instead of a furnace or heat pump, you can expect your serviceperson to inspect, test and calibrate all gauges and safety mechanisms, measure and record the flame pattern concentration and carbon monoxide, check electrical connections, and more.
Donāt forget to bleed the radiators to release air in the pipes and enhance the circulation of warm water. And if youāre like me, cross your fingers that your 47-year-old boiler will last one more season.
Outside the home. While the leaves havenāt started falling yet, the recent rain and winds may have blown yard debris into your gutters, so make sure they, and your downspouts, are clear. Position the downspouts so they will take any water away from your foundation and regrade the perimeter of your house, if needed.
Check your roof for lost shingles. Look for missing flashing or bricks in need of tuck-pointing or parging on the exterior of your chimney. Walk around your house and note any foundation cracks or unsealed openings. Check retaining walls for missing mortar. There is still plenty of time to make these repairs before the cold sets in.
Now that 90-degree temperatures have receded a bit, plan the power washing and painting of exterior surfaces that you have been putting off tackling. And since the Labor Day barbecue is now over, itās time to winterize your gas grill.
In the garden. Far be it for me to profess to be an expert in the garden. Iām the first one on the phone to a landscaper to seek help. In fact, there is a barrage of weeding going on at my home this week. Nonetheless, here are a few suggestions.
Prune trees and bushes to promote future growth. Water, aerate, and fertilize the lawn. Select any bulbs you want to plant and enjoy next spring and consult a source such as Better Homes and Gardens magazine for tips on how and when to plant them.
Drain garden hoses, detach them, and drain the pipes that run to the hose bibbs as well. If youāre lucky enough to have underground sprinklers (I am not), follow the manufacturerās instructions for winterizing them, or call a professional.
Store lawn furniture and cushions in a shed, garage, or basement. Or do as I do – throw away the cushions that are dirty or moldy and buy new ones next spring. And when the leaves fall en masse, rake them, bag them, and recheck your gutters and downspouts to be sure theyāre clear.
Finally, head to the hardware store to buy a snow shovel, some windshield de-icer and washer fluid, and a few bags of salt or pet-safe, snow-melting product before the rush. Youāll be glad you did.
And if you happen to live in a condominium or cooperative, when you have completed any relevant interior chores, relax for the rest of the season and enjoy some candy. I stash mine in the cabinet above the refrigerator.
Autos
Standout SUVs: Jeep Compass, Subaru Crosstrek
Americans still prefer larger vehicles to sedans

Last year Americans left many old-school chariots in the dust, buying twice as many SUVs as sedans. But while early pioneers like the Jeep Cherokee and Ford Explorer get props for leading the sport-ute charge, today there are more than 170 models. I recently test drove two newish SUVs that kinda-sorta remind me of my Pride bracelet: They make a statement, but at an affordable price.
JEEP COMPASS
$29,000
MPG: 24 city/32 highway
0 to 60 mph: 7.5 seconds
Cargo room: 27.2 cu. ft.
PROS: lots of amenities, good storage, all-wheel drive
CONS: some pricey options, stiff ride, bit noisy cabin
IN A NUTSHELL: Redesigned last year, the Jeep Compass gets a stronger engine for 2023. More power usually means reduced fuel efficiency, but mileage is up almost 10% from the previous model. Another plus: More stowage space, which had been sorely lacking. And all-wheel drive is now standard, so better traction and handling, especially on slick or gravelly terrain.
Despite having chiseled looks like the midsize Jeep Cherokee, the smaller Compass feels lighter and more limber. But while this compact SUV can handle light off-roading, the short wheelbase makes it hard to ignore potholes or speed bumps. In fact, I often had to slow down to a crawl to not seesaw jarringly over them. In other words, any Barbie or Ken wannabes with perfectly coiffed hair will want to stick to smoother surfaces when driving this vehicle.
The well-built cabin is much improved, with higher quality materials. The dash is covered in soft-touch leatherāa nice touchāwith a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.1-inch touchscreen. Plenty of legroom and headroom in front, but tallish backseat passengers may feel a bit squished.
There are five trim levels, including the top-of-the-line Trailhawk, with more aggressive styling and solid off-road capability. I tested the mid-range Latitude Lux, which costs $5,000 more than the base model but comes with larger wheels, heated seats, and other niceties.
Notable tech features: smartphone integration, Wi-Fi hot spot, Bluetooth, wireless charging, voice recognition, remote start and nine-speaker Alpine stereo.
But itās the list of safety gear that rally wowed me, such as rearview camera, park assist, lane-departure warning, driver-attention monitoring, rear-seat passenger reminder, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitor, forward collision warning with active braking, andāwhew!āso much more.
SUBARU CROSSTREK
$27,000
MPG: 28 city/34 highway
0 to 60 mph: 9.1 seconds
Cargo room: 20 cu. ft.
PROS: decent mileage, comfy seats, user-friendly cabin
CONS: poky base engine, so-so storage, plasticky dashboard
IN A NUTSHELL: With so much sport-ute competition these days, automakers seem to be revamping their SUV models each year (not every four to six years, as in the past). This time, the Subaru Crosstrek receives some nifty design flourishes and major cabin upgrades. Compared to the butch Jeep Compass, the curvier Crosstrek looks trĆ©s chic. Think boyish Buck versus trendy Eddie on ā911.ā
Based on the nimble Impreza hatchback, the subcompact Crosstrek feels car-like and agile. Two engine choices, but opt for the more potent powerplant so it doesnāt feel like youāre just treading water. While the Crosstrek is smaller and slower than the Compass, the ride here is smoother and more composed. Higher ground clearance, tighter suspension and quick all-wheel drive system all help, as does a new direct-steering system. Plus, paddle shifters, which I only needed to use once or twice when merging into traffic, provide plenty of extra oomph.
The Crosstrek cabin, which is surprisingly quiet, offers good legroom for passengers in both the front and back. An optional 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen is mounted vertically, similar to those iPad-like displays found in the Ford Mustang Mach-E and various luxury vehicles.
It says something when my biggest beef with the Crosstrek is the placement of the odometer reset button, which is only a smidge above the remote start button. Both buttons are completely obscured behind the steering wheel, so I was constantly reaching around and pressing the wrong one. A minor annoyance, to be sure. But if Subaru could fix this ergonomic annoyance, then I wouldnāt have to listen to my husband claim that the problem is actually my own āuser error.ā

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