a&e features
Drag drama
Courtney Act joins Ladies of Town this weekend for guest appearance
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ season six runner-up Courtney Act says the show kicked her career into high gear. (Photo by Magnus Hastings; courtesy Project Publicity)
Meet & Greet & Seat tickets available for $20 gives you admission, access to a meet-and-greet at 9 p.m. and a chance to get seats for the show before the doors open to the general public. But to get seats, you must arrive before 10.
Regular cover is $8 from 10-11 p.m. and $12 after
Drag show starts at 10:30 p.m. downstairs
Music upstairs by CTRL
Town Danceboutique is always a prime spot for “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alumni and the tradition continues.
Last week season six champion Bianca Del Rio started a new monthly comedy cabaret show there and on Saturday night, the regular Saturday night drag troupe welcomes guest star Courtney Act, who came in second this year. As Courtney, Aussie Shane Jenek, 32, delighted “Drag Race” fans with his obvious singing and stage talent and a female look that was eerily convincing. We caught up with him this week by phone from Los Angeles. His comments have been slightly edited for length.
WASHINGTON BLADE: Will you be doing the “Boys Like Me” show at Town or something else?
COURTNEY ACT: No. This is just going to be sort of the regular Saturday night at Town with special guest Courtney Act. I did “Boys Like Me” in New York and would definitely like to tour it, but not this time.
BLADE: Did you enjoy Capital Pride and Town when you were here in June?
ACT: I did. Capital Pride, can I say, was I think my favorite Pride I did in America this year. It was absolutely epic and then we performed after at Town and that was epic too. The crowd there was amazing.
BLADE: What was the big delay on the main stage at Pride? I know you were on pretty early but things seemed to be running hours behind and it was dark by the time Bianca went on. What was going on backstage?
ACT: Well, Darienne went on and then I went on and then I think Rita Ora came out. There was some confusion in the lineup because she had to leave early so she ended up going earlier in the day and that bumped everybody else later I believe. Adore and Bianca ended up going on at the end.
BLADE: Did you bring a strategy for “Drag Race” per se or were you just there to bring your A game overall?
ACT: I just brought my A game. I’m a huge fan of the show. I love watching it and I just thought, “How do I want the world to see me?” … When I found out I might be on the show, I called everybody around the world that I’d ever worked with where I’d had a good costume and tracked down, like the wings and, you know, all these difference pieces and also had some things made and put it all together with my friends and business partners. Vanity from Wigs by Vanity flew over from Australia — this is before I was even confirmed, while they were still doing the background check — I took a chance on a happy ending and Vanity flew over and we both styled wigs for a whole week. So I just got everything ready just in case so yeah, I definitely brought my A game.
BLADE: Were you exhausted by the end?
ACT: No, I had a great time. There was no television, no mobile phones, no internet, no social media … not every day to you get to wake up and do all of those things at such a high standard so it was actually kind of amazing. And every week was different. It wasn’t like we were doing some production show eight times a week. We were doing a musical one week, an interview challenge the next. Each week was different.
BLADE: Who was your favorite celebrity guest judge?
ACT: Well I did love Khloe Kardashian. I didn’t know much about her but she kind of won my heart. And then since the show, Chaz Bono and I have become very good friends and it was a great gift getting to meet him on the show and becoming friends.
BLADE: What was your take on the “Female or She-Male” segment controversy?
ACT: I thought it was probably a little ill thought out. I don’t think it was intentionally meant to be offensive but I guess the thing about transphobia, homophobia, any kind of phobia, is that it often stems from ignorance not from intentionally trying to put someone down. I think if they were to do it again, they probably wouldn’t include the word she-male. But it sort of came at a time where we’re seeing a new revolution with gender in society. We had the women’s liberation in the ‘60s and ‘70s and now it’s like the trans revolution where you have inspiring trans people like Chaz Bono, Laverne Cox, Janet Mock … coming to light and it’s kind of the first time we’ve had inspirational trans people in pop culture. I think the she-male controversy kind of sparked a lot of conversation and I think a lot of changes and conversations began because of that so, you know, in some ways it was a good thing.
BLADE: But accusing RuPaul of being transphobic? Isn’t that a little ridiculous?
ACT: Well no, obviously that’s ridiculous. Sometimes people can get too caught up in the heresy, like, “Oh my God, this person said this,” and it’s like, well, yeah, there are some very loud people saying things that just don’t make any sense but I think you have to use your better judgement and say, “Yeah, you know what — even though she-male wasn’t the smartest thing, is RuPaul transphobic? No. Is World of Wonder out to, you know, put down trans people? No, of course not. So I think the controversy can get extremely unbalanced and I think when the issue arrives, it’s about doing things objectively and having a balance on both sides. I think RuPaul kind of got embroiled in the controversy because he addressed, you know, the right wing if you will, of trans activists rather than focusing on the solution. I can’t remember the statistic for sure off hand but something like one in six, one in eight, trans people will end up being murdered. That’s a statistic that’s dumbfounding. And you also see the state of homelessness and all sorts of other social issues that affect trans people much more than cisgender people and that’s the real conversation that needs to come out that whole debate. How can we improve the lives of trans people? How can we see them as equal and how can we move forward?
BLADE: You’ve said what ended up on the show was only about 10 percent of your overall persona and that things were taken out of context and such. I’m sure that’s true to an extent but you had to know they were going to take the bitchiest exchanges and play those up, right?
ACT: You know they’re going to sensationalize things. They’re making a reality TV show, not a documentary. I think that’s obvious but what I didn’t anticipate — I thought those things may be heightened, but I thought they would still be honest. There was obviously some creative license taken but I guess my expectation was that when it came to the outcome of my whole experience on the show, I am almost anti- a lot of the things that Courtney came to represent. So to see myself portrayed as the mean girl or someone who was mean to Joslyn, it kind of goes against everything I stand for as a person. That was challenging for me personally to watch. I love Joslyn and we’re friends and there was no real drama between us. That was maybe a 10-minute period where we discussed how she was feeling hurt by what the judges said and then it was compounded by what I said. But that all happened in one episode for like 10 minutes but then there were all these other occurrences built into the show where I was being depicted as being rude to Joslyn and it just wasn’t like that.
BLADE: Do you and Bianca, Adore and Darienne (the season six finalists) get to see each other often or do many shows together?
ACT: Not as often as we’d like but we maintain a very active iMessage thread and everyday we’re messaging one another. We’re always in different parts of the world, so there’s always somebody awake and participating and we’re always thinking, “When is our next gig together, we really need to hang out again.” We had the best afternoon hanging out at Capital Pride.
BLADE: How much of what you do now is tied in with the Logo juggernaut if any?
ACT: None of these are official Logo or World of Wonder gigs but they’re obviously all because we were on the show and people know who we are.
BLADE: What are your thoughts on the current Facebook controversy with the real names policy?
ACT: I’ve always had a fan page and a boy page so it didn’t affect me personally but I do understand the argument. But I think Justin Bond made a good argument on Huffington Post that there are people in places around the world who need to have a fake name to protect their identity because either their family, their society, their country, their religion doesn’t accept who they are. I think the thing that’s different about drag queens is we’re talking about the algorithm picking up fake names, not somebody in the Middle East who’s trying to maintain an online identity because that’s their only outreach to the outside world. For drag queens who have a public persona, I think a fan page makes more sense but I think for people who have a personal page in their name, I don’t see why that shouldn’t be possible too. I think there can be an opportunity for people to register with Facebook privately their real details and then have a profile in a performance name.
BLADE: You always have the hottest guys on your single covers and promo photos. Who are these people and where do you find them?
ACT: There’s a “Mean Gays” of West Hollywood. … The boys in my “Mean Gays” video are just go go boys and friends in West Hollywood.
BLADE: Do you sing differently as Shane versus as Courtney?
ACT: Yeah, she sings higher. I usually sing about one tone below a natural female sort of key. Then as a boy, it’s in a lower key. It’s fun on the Atlantis gay cruises I can do Courtney’s show “Boys Like Me” one night, then do a boy cabaret show on a different night in the smaller room.
BLADE: You were well established before “Drag Race.” Did that just kick everything into high gear for you? What has the effect been like?
ACT: It’s been epic since “Drag Race.” I was known in Australia and had a bit of a following around the world but yes, “Drag Race” just — I was just in Europe doing a two-week tour and in Berlin, this venue was packed with people all screaming and singing along to “Mean Gays” and it was amazing because not only were all these people there, “Drag Race” isn’t even shown on television there so they’d all had to commit a crime and illegally downloaded the show just to know who I am. In America, you know, we’re sort of accustomed to seeing the fandom of the “Drag Race” girls, but it’s really taking the world by storm. We’re in America, in Europe, in Australia, in Canada — drag queens are taking over the world.
Aussie native Courtney Act, 32, started doing drag in 2000 and came to the U.S. in 2010. (Photo by Mathu Andersen; courtesy Project Publicity)
a&e features
Mr. Henry’s celebrates 60 years of proud inclusivity
Capitol Hill staple remains ‘a caring community’
America’s 250th isn’t the only milestone birthday D.C. is celebrating this year.
Beloved D.C. restaurant Mr. Henry’s, that Capitol Hill staple, celebrates its Diamond Jubilee all year long. Named for its original owner Henry Yaffe, the restaurant opened on a warm day 60 years ago in the summer of 1966 and has never looked back.
Yaffe took over what was then a country western restaurant, renovated the interior to his liking, and created an institution. Yet Yaffe had another goal. As a gay man, “he created Mr. Henry’s to be a place where everyone felt welcome — not easy in 1966 — and he succeeded,” says current owner Mary Quillian.
“Mr. Henry’s has long been a place the LGBTQ community has supported because they felt and still feel welcomed,” says Quillian. Even in the current administration, “the gay community and the diversity-minded community continue to come.”
Since then, Mr. Henry’s has changed hands, opened and closed its second floor, welcomed famed musical acts, and played host to politicians, date nights, breakups, and birthdays. But it still feels like home (and has a note in the National Trust for Historic Preservation) at 601 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E.
Its wood-paneled, Victorian-inspired art-filled décor in the downstairs dining room and bar serves American pub fare for lunch and dinner daily, with brunch on weekends (and a dog-friendly patio). Upstairs, Mr. Henry’s hosts live jazz performances and special events most nights, continuing a musical tradition that has defined the venue for decades. That upstairs bar has played host to names like Roberta Flack and Woody Allen.
Musician Kevin Cordt said that, “Mr. Henry’s has been a part of my life for more than 30 years. I started as a customer, then became a bartender and server, and now I have the good fortune to play trumpet at one of the best live music venues in Washington, D.C.”
Aaron Myers, executive director of the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, is also a supporter. “Not many cities can sport venues that have consistently served the community in the space of culture for more than 50 years, let alone can brag as the birthplace of culture defining talent.”
From the start, Yaffe promoted a rare yet celebrated combination of locals’ bar and soulful nightlife venue. Mr. Henry’s has attracted a diverse crowd at a time when such spaces were – and perhaps still are – uncommon, a diversity that is credited with helping protect the pub during the 1968 D.C. riots.
Longtime customer Evelyn Branic said, “Mr. Henry’s has been my ‘Cheers’ hangout since my wife and I moved to the Hill in 1987. I’ve experienced many iconic moments meeting politicians, reporters, civic activists, and neighbors engaging in spirited conversations. Whether political, LGBTQ, historians, neighbors, or out-of-towners, everyone could find a special place to be greeted as a friend.”
Its welcoming tables come dabbed with a bit of tea: In 1971, in a moment that has since become part of Capitol Hill lore, Yaffe lost the pub in a poker game to Larry Quillian. The Quillian family, recognizing the special role Mr. Henry’s played in the neighborhood, took over ownership, and committed to preserving its spirit. Today, Larry’s daughter Mary owns the bar, having given it a bit of a facelift for the bar’s 50th birthday, bringing in new tables and some fresh menu items.
For example, the menu has some of those dishes that regulars would riot if they disappeared. The Reuben and the hamburgers, the chili and in-house roasted turkey have never departed the menu. Dishes do evolve, says Quillen: they added wings about two decades ago.
In 2026, the restaurant is hosting monthly ticketed “decades” parties, celebrating each of the 10-year periods the restaurant’s been open, plus there were specials in June for Pride. The official 60th anniversary gala takes place Aug. 29, featuring performers, beverages, timeless favorite foods, swag – and the unveiling of a new cocktail.
Inclusive, eccentric, eclectic, Mr. Henry’s is looking forward to maintaining its centrality to diverse crowds in Capitol Hill. Battling inflation, rising menu prices, changing tastes, and thin margins, Quillian says that Mr. Henry’s has — and will always be — “a caring community for so many different folks. And THAT is why I am committed to keeping us going. Society needs places like Mr. Henry’s, now more than ever.”
a&e features
Television loses a legend, longtime ‘Will & Grace’ director James Burrows
Iconic hitmaker leaves behind a legacy of telling LGBTQ stories
You don’t have to be a pretentious film major to name 10 movie directors. But naming television directors is not that simple. They’re the unsung heroes of your favorite shows, and the late James Burrows was the television director. He passed on June 19, but his DNA runs through television history.
He directed over 1200 episodes of television and over 50 pilots. He co-created “Cheers” and directed many episodes of long-running series like “Friends,” “Taxi,” “Frasier,” “The Big Bang Theory,” and “Two and a Half Men.” You also may remember him from playing a heightened version of himself on the Lisa Kudrow comedy “The Comeback.”
He has left an indelible mark on the LGBTQ community. As recently as last year, he directed the series run of “Mid-Century Modern” starring Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, and Linda Lavin. He was also a longtime director of “Will & Grace” and directed every episode of the series revival. He even directed the unaired “Absolutely Fabulous” pilot with Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Johnston, and Zosia Mamet.
Not to mention he’s worked with queer icons throughout history, including Betty White and Stockard Channing on their single-season series, and Jennifer Coolidge in “2 Broke Girls.”
He started his career on shows like “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Rhoda,” “Laverne & Shirley,” and the first four seasons of “Taxi.”
He continued to work steadily and directed successful pilots that went to series for “Roc,” “3rd Rock From the Sun,” “Dharma & Greg,” and “Wings.” He directed multiple episodes of “Friends,” “Caroline in the City,” and “Frasier.”
This magic continued into the 2000s with him directing the pilots for “Two and a Half Men,” “The Big Bang Theory,” and multiple episodes of “Mike & Molly,” and the entire return series of “Will & Grace.”
What was the secret to his success? He’d enact the “fun clause” in his contract. In his words, “Life is too short to deal with obnoxious leads,” he shared. “So as long as the writing is good and the cast is fun, I’m going to enjoy the experience.”
He had the magic touch, having multiple pilots turned into long-running series. He was nominated for an Emmy 24 times in 26 years and worked consistently until a year before his death.
The secret was the way he brought the cast together. He describes, “it was my job to mold them into an ensemble, and they did round into a group of people who loved each other.”
This earned him 11 Emmy Awards and five Directors Guild of America Awards, including being awarded the inaugural DGA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Television Direction.
In a 2003 interview by the Television Academy, he was asked how he wants to be remembered, and he said, “That every night forever you can tune in somewhere, and there’ll be a show I did.”
He’s survived by his wife, Debbie, four daughters, seven grandchildren, and the countless people whose careers he launched and the countless viewers he inspired with his television legacy.
a&e features
D.C. prepares to party as Pride celebrations kick off Saturday
Bars, clubs have busy lineups; Pride on the Pier returns
Capital Pride’s date change isn’t slowing down the festivities. Back in December, the Capital Pride Alliance shifted the calendar for Pride celebrations in the nation’s capital from the second weekend of June to two weeks later to the weekend of June 20-21 to not conflict with President Trump’s birthday and 250th anniversary of America celebrations, with the aim that “our community can gather safely and without unnecessary barriers… We are protecting our space and preserving Pride as a powerful act of visibility, solidarity, and resistance.”
On the heels of WorldPride last year, the city shows no sign of slowing down. Instead, restaurants, bars, clubs, and neighborhoods are taking the opportunity to be even more visible. The Blade has put together a (non-comprehensive) list of parties, activations, and activities across town:
Pride on the Pier returns on Saturday, June 13 to the Wharf on the Southwest waterfront. The event, sponsored and hosted by the Washington Blade, is free and runs from 4-9 p.m. There will be vendors, DJs, and drag performances all day. VIP tickets are $25 and come with air conditioned party room, private bathrooms, and free cocktail. More details at prideonthepierdc.com.
Capital Pride Official Opening Party: RIOT! is the official opening dance party of Capital Pride, taking place Friday June 19, 9 PM-3AM. The 2026 edition headlining performer is Myki Meeks, a finalist of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 18; Bob The Drag Queen will perform a special set. DMV-area DJs and performers include: Bambi, Baphomette, Bumper, Cake Pop!, Connor, DJ Ed Bailey, DJ Diyanna Monet, Evry Pleasure, Jakknife Complex, Mari Con Carne, Pussy Noir, WessTheDJ. Trade owner Ed Bailey is producing the event.
Kinetic Presents brings the heat across the entirety of Pride weekend as well. It again is partnering with Capital Pride Alliance to produce four events over four days this Pride, including the Official Main Event on Saturday (the Friday official event is at Echostage). Kinetic’s parties are splayed across various D.C. venues, with special performances, massive productions, shirtless dancers, play zones, dance-forward audio and visuals, and international DJ talent. Thursday, June 18 at 10 PM at District Eagle is Lust, with music by Dan Slater and TOMI. Friday, June 19 at 10 PM is UNCUT XXL Heavy Load, at A.i. Warehouse in Union Market District, with music by Alex Acosta, Felipe Lira & Mitch Ferrino; the party is a “high-octane night of muscular house and tribal rhythms.” Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM brings that official main event, Kinetic Toy Land, at Echostage, with music by GSP & Matt Suave. Alaska Thunderfuck headlines. Sunday evening June 21 at 10 PM closes with discoVERS at SAX. A portion of tickets supports the DC LGBTQ+ community through Capital Pride Alliance.
9:30 Club always comes in clutch for the LGBTQ community. Already in June, it produced Kitty Kat Ball on June 7, and Kiesza performed on June 8. On June 20 at 10 PM, the famed Mixtape party hits the stage, care of gay DJs Shea van Horn and Matt Bailer, who have spun together for coming up on two decades. Mixtape has been held at several venues across the city over those years, and now settled on 9:30 Club for Pride. On June 25 at 7 PM, Big Freedia – the bounce artist from New Orleans – hits the 9:30 Club scene for the eighth time, as part of the Big Freedom Tour.
Crush: New this year from the 14th Street bar is the Pride Pop-Up, sitting pretty in the parking lot at 1820 14th St., N.W., at the corner of Swann Street by the start of the Pride Parade route. Hours are Friday from 2-10 PM and Saturday from 12-10 PM. Friday evening features Grizzly Bear Happy Hour, a DJ will set up shop on Saturday, and for those needing another layer, there’s a Crush merch store. Co-owner Mark Rutstein “has always wanted to throw a party in that parking lot, so he did,” said co-owner Stephen Rutgers. Note that Crush (the bar) will have a cover on Friday and Saturday.
Kiki: Over at Kiki, there’s a full slate of Pride-themed programming all week. Tuesday, June 16 at 9 PM brings karaoke; Wednesday, June 17 at 7:30 PM is trivia; Thursday June 18 at 9PM is “Night of 1000 Tatianna’s Drag Show”, and Friday June 19 at 9 PM brings the Juneteenth Serve Drag Show. Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM, post-parade, is a Pride Dance Party with DJ Lemz. Sunday daytime at 5 PM is the Father Figures Daddy Issues Special Drag Show; and after the festival at 8 PM, DJ Tezrah hits the tapes.
Jane Jane: Right along the parade route, gay-owned Jane Jane has transformed its space into a “No Kings, Yas Queens” activation in a direct response to the America 250th commemorations happening downtown, from the colorful window installation, to merch (including a custom bandana and tank) to disco wig installations. Events include industry night on Mondays, donations to LGBTQ charities, and to-go cocktails during the Pride Parade.
Shaw’s Tavern: Gay-owned Shaw’s Tavern on Florida Avenue celebrates Pride week with a full lineup of themed events, entertainment, and specials, including Pride trivia on Monday, June 15 at 7:30 PM, bingo on Tuesday, June 16 at 8 PM, a cabaret on Thursday, June 18 at 9 PM, Juneteenth Drag Brunch on Friday, June 19 at 12:30 PM, and both a pre-parade brunch (10 AM-4 PM) and post-parade party (5-9 PM) on Saturday, June 20. Sunday, June 21 at 7 PM brings Mama’s Sunday Supper & Drag Pride Show in the evening for anyone who is still awake.
Trade: This classic has a weekend of events, starting on Thursday, with Tiburon Pride Edition, a Latin Dance party in the Shark Tank. On Friday, the bar opens early (at 2 PM), with all-day happy hour and the Jx&Evry Show. On Saturday, the bar opens at noon, offering a prime parade viewing spot from its windows. There will be the CLASH drag show hosted by Tatianna and Crimsyn, and Sweet Spot party that night. On Sunday, the bar opens for normal hours at 2 PM, with DJs Adam K, Alex Love, and WESSTHEDJ.
Pitchers: The multi-level bar in Adams Morgan is hosting a Pride-themed show on Thursday, June 18 at 10 PM, with drawstring bag giveaways – the only kind of bag that will be allowed into the bar during Pride weekend. The show features drag queen Kyle Sonique Love.
Barrel House Cafe and Bar: Also by the parade route on 14th Street, Barrel House Cafe takes advantage of its large patio to have a slate of events during Pride week, including Schism, a drag and burlesque show on June 18 at 10 PM, as well as an all-day Pride party coinciding on parade day.
Bunker: Bunker again plays host to a series of afters. Friday night (Saturday 3:30 AM) is Unhinged, and Saturday night (Sunday 3:30AM) is Unholy. The regular Saturday night party (10 PM) brings in Venetian and Tiara Missou. All parties have cover charges.
District Eagle: Beyond the Kinetic party on Friday, June 19 brings Gear Night at 10 PM; Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM is LOBO presents PRISM, and Sunday, June 21 is Sundaze wit Papi at 6 PM.
African Art Museum: On Thursday, June 18 at 5 PM, this Smithsonian museum is hosting a free event with artists and curators celebrating its exhibit, “Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art,” “based on years of close collaboration and dialogue with African visual art practitioners who claim belonging in the LGBTQ+ community, however they define those terms,” according to the museum.
KNEAD Hospitality & Design: The gay-owned KNEAD restaurant group (including spots like Gatsby, Mi Vida, Succotash The Grill) is featuring the GLITTERATI cocktail, made with Tito’s, St-Germain Elderflower, Butterfly Flower, ginger, and yes, glitter. A portion of proceeds from every Glitterati cocktail sold will benefit The Trevor Project. The cocktail will be sold throughout June.
The Fountain Inn is partnering with Rhodium spirits (Rhode Island’s first LGBTQ+ owned distillery) all month, making cocktails like gimlets and espresso martinis featuring Rhodium’s liquors. Proceeds benefit SMYAL, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ youth.
Hard Rock Cafe: Hard Rock DC is taking part in the chain’s annual “LOVE OUT LOUD” campaign, with Pride merch, specials on June 20, and a donation to The Trevor Project.
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