Arts & Entertainment
Pride entertainers
Diverse group of acts slated to be on the main stage
Look for the D.C. Cowboys’ farewell performance this summer at Capital Pride. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Blade staff spoke with several performers slated to appear on the Capital Pride festival stage Sunday. Here are some of the highlights.
Headliner Deborah Cox remembers performing at Capital Pride once before. The heat is what stands out in her mind. When she’s not traveling — she guesses she’s on the road about 70 percent of the time — she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children (ages 8, 5 and 3). As one might imagine, she loves classic R&B and says she owns every album Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin ever released. She’s exploring more jazz — Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald — these days.
She plans a 30-minute set at Capital Pride.
“I always research what songs did well in certain markets so it will be a custom show,” she says. “And it will be fierce.”
Crystal Waters’ newest single, “Le Bump,” with Yolanda Be Cool, was released in 2011.
STAY ON TOP OF ALL THINGS PRIDE! DOWNLOAD THE DIGITAL PRIDE GUIDE TODAY!
Overall, Waters has 16 No. 1 and top 10 singles in more than 15 countries. She had two other songs make the Billboard Hot 100, “What I Need” and “Say … If You Feel Alright.” She had several other songs hit the U.S. Dance charts, including five number ones.
Waters was nominated for three American Music Awards in 1991, an MTV Video Music Award and four Billboard Music Awards in 1994, winning Top-Selling Hot Dance Music Club Play Single for “100% Pure Love.”
The D.C. Cowboys are prepared for an emotional final Capital Pride appearance.
Founder Kevin Platte — one of this year’s Pride heroes — isn’t sure where or when the final performance will be, he says this is “absolutely” their last time at Capital Pride.
“I just want folks to remember us as a group that left smiles on the faces of people who watched us,” Platte says. “We’ve always had such a good time doing it, we just want to make sure we’ve passed that on to our fans and the people in the audience as well.”
Alma Tropicalia is also slated to perform.
“The LGBT Community has seen some great victories this year and D.C. Pride is a great way for us to celebrate that,” says gay member Bill Dempsey. “Alma Tropicália is all about recognizing diverse backgrounds, so playing at Pride makes a lot of sense for us artistically.”
The band released its first recording in April — a self-titled EP available for digital download. Expect big percussion and a mix of styles at the band’s Pride performance.
“Life is a journey,” says hunky gay singer Aiden Leslie, another Pride singer. “And I am expressing this journey through my music.”
Leslie has never performed in D.C. and is looking forward to rocking it out and kicking off an exciting summer. He will be starting off his time in Washington with a special performance with Pepper MaShay at Secrets. He is also planning on debuting a new single on the Capital Pride stage along with three other songs.
Ani Hesse, 13, has been attending pride events with her two moms, Dana and Dale, for as long as she can remember, but this year’s Capital Pride marks the first time that she will be part of the entertainment.
“I’m so excited,” says Ani. “I love performing for big audiences. I can’t wait.”
Crys Matthews performed at Capital Pride last year, but this year’s performance will have a special significance: her fiancée will be in the audience. Matthews and her partner recently became engaged and plan to marry in 2013.
She thanks the organizers of Capital Pride for the chance to perform for D.C.’s LGBT community again and for the incredible work they do in “bringing our diverse community together.”
Simulover is two out performers: famous DJ and producer Alex Lauterstein and singer and producer SIRPAUL. Lauterstein and SIRPAUL think of themselves as “partners in crime.” They met 12 years ago when Lauterstein was the first DJ to play SIRPAUL’s song. They always knew they wanted to work together and when they finally got their schedules synced Simulover was born.
“It is time to go beyond labels,” SIRPAUL says. “It’s not gay marriage, it is marriage, and it isn’t ‘cute that you are married’; It’s what two people who love each other do.” SIRPAUL recently married his husband Paul and feels strongly about eliminating the labels that hold our community back.
Both Lauterstein and SIRPAUL have been involved in the gay community and culture for years and the community and culture influences their music. They believe they have something to offer everyone and hope to see a large D.C. crowd at their Pride performance.
Xavier Toscano loves Pride festivals because they give the community a chance to get together and celebrate our lives and our accomplishments. It is not all about the glitz and glamour but instead about living our lives and being happy with ourselves.
Toscano, who was afraid of performing early on has now overcome many of those fears, although right before he gets on stage he is going through his performance in his head, and “hoping he doesn’t forget his lyrics,” which he shyly admitted to doing early on in his career. He promised to not forget his lyrics for Capital Pride and put on an amazing show.
At last year’s Capital Pride, Consuelo Costin performed in front of about 400,000 people. “I had a great time. With the pulse, the drive, the energy, being around such diversity all celebrating one cause, was a memorial experience.” Costin says.
She’s straight but staunchly supports the gay community because she feels strongly about equality and people being who they are. Costin will be back for this year’s D.C. pride, bringing another awesome show. She’ll also perform at Los Angeles Pride.
Crimsyn and Tatianna hosted the new weekly drag show Clash at Trade (1410 14th Street, N.W.) on Feb. 14, 2026. Performers included Aave, Crimsyn, Desiree Dik, and Tatianna.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Theater
Magic is happening for Round House’s out stage manager
Carrie Edick talks long hours, intricacies of ‘Nothing Up My Sleeve’
‘Nothing Up My Sleeve’
Through March 15
Round House Theatre
4545 East-West Highway
Bethesda, Md. 20814
Tickets start at $50
Roundhousetheatre.org
Magic is happening for out stage manager Carrie Edick.
Working on Round House Theatre’s production of “Nothing Up My Sleeve,” Edick quickly learned the ways of magicians, their tricks, and all about the code of honor among those who are privy to their secrets.
The trick-filled, one-man show starring master illusionist Dendy and staged by celebrated director Aaron Posner, is part exciting magic act and part deeply personal journey. The new work promises “captivating storytelling, audience interaction, jaw-dropping tricks, and mind-bending surprises.”
Early in rehearsals, there was talk of signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) for production assistants. It didn’t happen, and it wasn’t necessary, explains Edick, 26. “By not having an NDA, Dendy shows a lot of trust in us, and that makes me want to keep the secrets even more.
“Magic is Dendy’s livelihood. He’s sharing a lot and trusting a lot; in return we do the best we can to support him and a large part of that includes keeping his secrets.”
As a production assistant (think assistant stage manager), Edick strives to make things move as smoothly as possible. While she acknowledges perfection is impossible and theater is about storytelling, her pursuit of exactness involves countless checklists and triple checks, again and again. Six day weeks and long hours are common. Stage managers are the first to arrive and last to leave.
This season has been a lot about learning, adds Edick. With “The Inheritance” at Round House (a 22-week long contract), she learned how to do a show in rep which meant changing from Part One to Part Two very quickly; “In Clay” at Signature Theatre introduced her to pottery; and now with “Nothing Up My Sleeve,” she’s undergoing a crash course in magic.
She compares her career to a never-ending education: “Stage managers possess a broad skillset and that makes us that much more malleable and ready to attack the next project. With some productions it hurts my heart a little bit to let it go, but usually I’m ready for something new.”
For Edick, theater is community. (Growing up in Maryland, she was a shy kid whose parents signed her up for theater classes.) Now that community is the DMV theater scene and she considers Round House her artistic home. It’s where she works in different capacities, and it’s the venue in which she and actor/playwright Olivia Luzquinos chose to be married in 2024.
Edick came out in middle school around the time of her bat mitzvah. It’s also around the same time she began stage managing. Throughout high school she was the resident stage manager for student productions, and also successfully participated in county and statewide stage management competitions which led to a scholarship at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) where she focused on technical theater studies.
Edick has always been clear about what she wants. At an early age she mapped out a theater trajectory. Her first professional gig was “Tuesdays with Morrie” at Theatre J in 2021. She’s worked consistently ever since.
Stage managing pays the bills but her resume also includes directing and intimacy choreography (a creative and technical process for creating physical and emotional intimacy on stage). She names Pulitzer Prize winning lesbian playwright Paula Vogel among her favorite artists, and places intimacy choreographing Vogel’s “How I learned to Drive” high on the artistic bucket list.
“To me that play is heightened art that has to do with a lot of triggering content that can be made very beautiful while being built to make you feel uncomfortable; it’s what I love about theater.”
For now, “Nothing Up My Sleeve” keeps Edick more than busy: “For one magic trick, we have to set up 100 needles.”
Ultimately, she says “For stage managers, the show should stay the same each night. What changes are audiences and the energy they bring.”
Friday, February 13
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at noon at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour Meetup” at 7 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Women in their Twenties and Thirties will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the D.C. area. For more details, visit the group on Facebook.
Saturday, February 14
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host a screening of “Love and Pride” at 1:30 p.m. This event is a joy-filled global streaming celebration honoring queer courage, Pride, and the power of love. It’s a bold celebration of courage and community — a fearless reminder of what we’ve overcome, how love is what makes us unstoppable, and how we have always turned fear into fierce. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Sunday, February 15
LGBTQ+ Community Coffee and Conversation will be at 12 p.m. at As You Are. This event is for people looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ community. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, February 16
Queer Book Club will be at 7:00p.m. on Zoom. This month’s read is “Faebound” by Saara El-Arifi. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, February 17
Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Wednesday, February 18
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, February 19
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
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