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Calendar: Dec. 27

Parties, concerts, support groups and more through Jan. 2

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Edie Beale, Jeffrey Johnson, gay news, Washington Blade

“Edie Beale LIVE at Reno Sweeney,” Jeffrey Johnson’s one-man recreation of Edie’s Beale’s appearance at Reno Sweeney Nightclub, plays at 54 Below (254 W. 54th St.) Monday night at 9:30 p.m. (Photo courtesy Johnson)

Friday, Dec. 27

Women in Their 20s, a social discussion group for lesbian, bisexual, transgender and all women interested in women, meets today at The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) from 8-9:30 p.m. All welcome to join. For details, visit thedccenter.org.

Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts “Bear Under Blacklight,” a glow-in-the-dark dance party, tonight from 6-11 p.m. There is no cover charge and admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For more information, visit towndc.com.

Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8th St., S.E.) holds a happy hour from 5-7:30 p.m. tonight with all drinks half price. Music begins at 11 p.m. Enjoy pool, video games and cards. Admission is $5 after 9 p.m. Must be 21 and over. For more details, visit bachelorsmill.com.

Saturday, Dec. 28

DJ Kidd Madonny brings “The Kidd Show,” a décor installation dance party, to Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) tonight. Doors open at 10 p.m. Cover is $8 from 10-11 p.m. and $12 after 11 p.m. Drinks are $3 before 11 p.m. The drag show starts at 10:30 p.m. Admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For details, visit towndc.com.

Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers for Food and Friends (219 Riggs Rd., N.E.) tonight from 8-10 a.m. Volunteers will chop vegetables and pack groceries. To volunteer, email [email protected]. For more details, visit burgundycrescent.org.

The Incomparable Freddy Cole’s Christmas Show is tonight at 8 p.m. at Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club (7719 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda). Tickets are $40. Visit bethesdabluesjazz.com or call 240-330-4500 for tickets.

Sunday, Dec. 29

Touchstone Gallery’s (901 New York Ave., N.W.) exhibit “Deck the Walls,” a holiday all-media exhibit of affordable art, ends today. For details, visit touchstonegallery.com.

Perry’s (1811 Columbia Rd., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Sunday Drag Brunch” today from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The cost is $24.95 for an all-you-can-eat buffet. For more details, visit perrysadamsmorgan.com.

Monday, Dec. 30

If you happen to be in New York City, “Edie Beale LIVE at Reno Sweeney,” Jeffrey Johnson’s one-man recreation of Edie’s Beale’s appearance at Reno Sweeney Nightclub, plays at 54 Below (254 W. 54th St.) tonight at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $35. For more information, visit 54below.com.

The Birchmere (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Va.) presents “Burlesque-A-Pades Holiday Spectacular!” at 7:30 p.m. with a vintage burlesque photos exhibit. The holiday-themed burlesque show features the host of “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” Angie Potani. The exhibit covers local burlesque history with a focus on a selection of past and present burlesque performs with ties to New York City. Tickets are $29.50. For more information, visit birchmere.com.

Tuesday, Dec. 31

Cady’s Alley (3330 Cady’s Alley, N.W.) hosts its holiday bazaar today starting at 11 a.m. Popular fashion and home décor brands will be on sale such as Chubbies, Read Wall, Tuckernuck and Victoria Road. Admission is free and all ages are welcome. For more information, visit cadysalley.com.

Woolly Mammoth Theatre (641 D St., N.W.) presents “The Pajama Men: Just the Two of Each of Us,” a comedic duo performance by Shenoah Allen and Mark Chavez, at 8 p.m. tonight. The show blends improve and physical comedy.Tickets are $35 in advance and $75 at the door. For details, visit woollymammoth.net.

Wednesday, Jan. 1

The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for social bridge. No partner needed. For more information, call 301-345-1571.

‘Zoolights,” a holiday light attraction, has its last day at Smithsonian’s National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) today from 5:30-9 p.m. Admission is free. For details, visit nationalzoo.si.edu.

Thursday, Jan. 2

The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) hosts “Lesbian Studies, Lesbian Scholars: New Pathways, New Futures” today from noon-7 p.m. The goal is to build a strong network of scholars focusing on lesbians and current projects. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.

SMYAL (410 7th St., S.E.) provides free and confidential HIV testing drop-in hours today from 3-5 p.m. For more information, visit smyal.org.

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Photos

PHOTOS: Equality Prince William Pride

Fourth annual event held in Old Town Manassas

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Muffy Blake Stephyns performs at 2025 Prince William Equality Pride. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Photos

PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party

Gov. Meyer speaks at annual Rehoboth event

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Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer speaks at the Washington Blade's 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on Friday, May 16. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)

The Washington Blade held its 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on Friday, May 16. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer spoke along with State Sen. Russ Huxtable, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Kim Leisey, Blade Editor Kevin Naff, and Clear Space Theatre Managing Director Joe Gfaller. The event raises funds for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which was awarded to AU student Abigail Hatting. 

(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)

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Dining

Lucky Pollo stretches its wings at 14th and U

Come for the chicken, stay for the cock

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Lucky Pollo opened its doors last week above District Eagle.

In some fowl fiction foreshadowing, a gay-owned chicken joint has come home to roost on U Street, taking a page from the chicken window subplot on the HBO show “Looking.”

Last Friday, Lucky Pollo – much more than just a takeout window – stretched its wings atop the busy nightlife corner of 14th and U Streets NW.

Behind the poultry production place is Zach Renovátes, a D.C.-based nightlife operator and managing partner of LGBTQ venues Bunker and District Eagle, as well as the LGBTQ event production company KINETIC Presents.

Renovátes opened Bunker in February 2023 and District Eagle in January of this year. Lucky Pollo is the third in his growing gay empire, though this time there are noshes.

“Lucky Pollo was meant to be fun and a little provocative,” Renovátes said.

Based around its Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken, Lucky Pollo is a quick-service restaurant boasting a small menu of poultry and sides. Renovátes says that the dishes are deeply rooted in Peruvian culinary tradition, “a playful experience alongside seriously good food.”

Lucky Pollo’s signature chicken is steeped in a dozen-plus-spice marinade for 24 hours. The meat is then slow-roasted, rotisserie-style, over oak-wood charcoal. Chicken options include quarter, half, and whole.

Helming the kitchen at Lucky Pollo is Chef Luis Herrera, who brings Peruvian recipes passed down through three generations, including his grandmother Laura’s original creations.

Beyond the full bird, the menu features Peruvian-inspired sides like yuca fries (“I personally love these,” says Renovátes) and fried plantains, as well as comfort classics such as mac and cheese and mashed potatoes, and bowls, wraps, and salads. Herrera oversees development of the multiple sauces (including staff favorite, the “secret green sauce”), crafted in-house using traditional Peruvian ingredients.

Lucky Pollo, in its streetside perch, is an independent concept from District Eagle, open to the public and staying open late (3 a.m. on weekends) to serve both nightlife guests and the wider U Street crowd hungry for late-night bites. However, just beyond the kitchen, tucked in the back lies a vintage 1950s candy machine—labeled “Out of Order,” which serves as the door leading to subterranean District Eagle.

Renovátes notes that when District Eagle is open, security staff will maintain a strict two-line policy, ensuring that those seeking meat to eat will not get entwined with those looking to gain access to District Eagle.

Lucky Pollo unites the need for sustenance with the idea of a bit of fortune, given its motto, “Get Lucky” and the whimsical brand mascot: a leather-booted chicken perched on a horseshoe. Renovátes and his District Eagle business partner had always been interested in opening a restaurant, and the Lucky Pollo space was indeed lucky: It already came with a functional kitchen. Plus, he says, the nearby fast-casual places around 14th and U streets “don’t offer a lot of quality options,” so opening the chicken spot “was a no-brainer.”

The space, designed by NYC creative Jasin Cadic, blends theatrical street-art-style vibes with Keith Haring-inspired wall prints, neon signs, and ceiling-hung chicken figurines —”some edgy, some sweet,” says Renovátes —creating an immersive, playful atmosphere. Lucky Pollo and District Eagle maintain separate amenities for their respective customers.

Lucky Pollo opened last week with a competition to devour a whole rotisserie chicken in the fastest time, with the winner earning $1,000 and a framed spot on the restaurant’s “Wall of Fame.” The opening also featured other games and prizes, and a full crowd spilling out the door.

“We want it to be a great place to eat, but also serve as a playful front for something completely unexpected.” Renovátes says.

On weekends especially, he jokes, the motto will be, ‘Come for the chicken, stay for the cock.’”

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