Arts & Entertainment
Best of Gay D.C. 2016: NIGHTLIFE
Blade readers voted for their nightlife favorites

Best Dance Party
Mixtape
Runner-up: BARE by LURe
DJs Shea Van Horn and Matt Bailer host Mixtape, an alternative dance party, on the second Saturday of each month. Locations vary. The fifth annual Mixtape Halloween party is on Monday, Oct. 31 at the Howard Theatre. It’s at the 9:30 Club on Saturday, Nov. 12.

Mixtape (Photo by Dave Claypool)
Best Bartender
Dito Sevilla, Dito’s Bar at Floriana
1602 17th St., N.W.
Runner-up: Dusty Martinez, Trade

Dito Sevilla (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Best Burlesque Dancer
Bella La Blanc
Runner-up: GiGi Holliday
Bella La Blanc is a housewife and mother of three, but unlike most wives and mothers, she’s a showgirl who has found a way to play multiple roles in her life and not just on stage.
La Blanc, originally from Miami, says she was a theater kid who first fell in love with burlesque after watching “Gypsy.” She then watched “Funny Girl” and once she came of legal age decided she wanted to emulate Barbra Streisand’s Fanny Brice. Her journey led her to frequent fetish clubs, at the time the only place to find burlesque shows.
Now La Blanc regularly performs at the Bier Baron Tavern and has her own burlesque production company Glit-O-Rama Productions. She’s also become known for her cos-play of Regina Mills from “Once Upon a Time.”
La Blanc says her showgirl life is an open book for her kids who often see an evening gown and a vat of crystals strung out on the dining room table after dinner in her Northern Virginia home. Events like this make it all the more fitting that her tagline is “The Stepford Wife gone wild!”
For La Blanc, burlesque is all about pride in being who you are.
“As an exhibitionist I love being on stage and I love sparkly things,” La Blanc says. “But I find that self-empowerment, self-confidence is what burlesque is all about. I go on stage and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m a 30-something-year old woman. This body has popped out babies and I’m still going to wear next to nothing and shake my bacon.” (Mariah Cooper)

Bella La Blanc (Photo courtesy of La Blanc)
Best Cocktail
Lemon Squeeze
Duplex Diner
2004 18th St., N.W.
202-265-7828
(Second consecutive win in this category)
Runner-up: Watermelon Basil Slush, Logan Tavern

A bartender makes a Lemon Squeeze at Duplex Diner. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Best DJ
Matt Bailer
Peach Pit, Mixtape
(Second consecutive win in this category)
Runner-up: DJ Tezrah

DJ Matt Bailer (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Best Drag King
Chris Jay
Runner-up: Sebastian Katz
Chris Jay — who identifies as gender non-conforming and goes by Chris Jennings in non-drag endeavors — started drag three-and-a-half years ago, led to the craft by photography.
Interested in finding some different subjects, he happened upon the D.C. Kings four years ago and started shooting as many of their performances as he could. About six months later, he started with the Kings and continues to this day.
“I’m a lover of R&B, so you’ll find me performing that mostly,” Jay says. “My drag persona is me at a thousand, so I’m kind of full of myself and way more outgoing.”
Now with Pretty Boi Drag (the Kings folded two years ago), Jay performs twice a month — the first Sunday of each at Acre 121 and the third Sunday of each month at the Bier Baron. Jay is 36, happily partnered and lives in Baltimore. (Joey DiGuglielmo)

Chris Jay (Photo courtesy of Chris Jay)
Best Drag Queen
Tatianna
Runner-up: Ba’Naka
While Tatianna has been a drag nightlife staple in D.C., for the rest of the nation she had dropped off the radar in between her appearance on the second season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and her reemergence in “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 2.”
In her original season, Tatianna, who hails from Falls Church, Va., became a stand-out competitor when she won Snatch Game with her eerily on point imitation of Britney Spears circa 2005. Her taglines, “Thank you” and “Choices” also made her a fan favorite.
In “All Stars 2” Tatianna was booted from the show by fellow queen Alaska not once, but twice. However before leaving she yet again left an impression on the judges with her spoken word performance of “Same Parts,” an ode to men at parties who hit on her and don’t realize she also has the “same parts.”
The local queen also dressed up as T-Boz for her last runway challenge impressing both the judges and fans.
Tatianna can frequently be found performing at Town and has said her favorite celebrities to impersonate are Britney Spears, Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus. Tatianna has mentioned on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” that she first began doing drag in middle school at age 14.
Since leaving the show, Tatianna is ready to continue working hard on her career.
“You can expect to see me everywhere because I’m traveling the world, dropping new music and saying ‘Yes!’ to any and all projects,” Tatianna told the Huffington Post following her exit from the show. (Mariah Cooper)

Tatianna (Washington Blade photo by Hugh Clarke)
Best Drag Show
Ladies of Town
Fridays and Saturdays at 10:30 p.m.
Town Danceboutique
2009 8th St., N.W.
Runner-up: Pretty Boi Drag

Ladies of Town (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Best Gay-Friendly Straight Bar
Dacha Beer Garden
1600 7th St., N.W.
202-524-8790
(Second consecutive win in this category)
Runner-up: Black Cat

Dacha Beer Garden (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Best Go-Go Dancer/Stripper
Dylan Knight
Runner-up: Christian Lezzil

Dylan Knight (Photo by David Claypool; courtesy Knight)
Tatianna isn’t the only star to launch from Town Danceboutique. Dylan Knight started gyrating lasciviously about 2010 after seeing other go-go dancers there.
He’s a weekly regular at Town and performs there and elsewhere, never taking himself too seriously.
“I just try to be entertaining and cute,” the 25-year-old D.C. resident says.
He’s also honored to win — “It feels good, I didn’t think I would.”
Knight dances nude sometimes and has shot more than 100 gay porn scenes since 2012 (favorite co-star? Colby Jansen).
He got his famous shamrock tattoo at Ocean City at age 18 when he was there for his senior trip. “My boyfriend and I got matching tattoos,” he says. “I’m Irish and pretty lucky, so it fits.” (Joey DiGuglielmo)
Best Happy Hour
D.C. Bear Crüe Bear Happy Hour
Every Friday at 6 p.m.
Town Danceboutique
2009 8th St., N.W.
Runner-up: Number Nine

D.C. Bear Crüe Bear Happy Hour (Washington Blade photo by Hugh Clarke)
Hottest Bar Staff
Nellie’s
900 U St., N.W.
Runner-up: Town Patio

Nellie’s Sports Bar (Washington Blade photo by Hugh Clarke)
Best Live Music
9:30 Club
815 V St., N.W.
(A perennial favorite in this category)
Runner-up: Black Cat

Troye Sivan performs at the 9:30 Club (Photo by Katherine Gaines)
Best Neighborhood Bar
JR.’s Bar & Grill
1519 17th St., N.W.
(A perennial favorite in this category)
Runner-up: Uproar

JR.’s (Washington Blade photo by Pete Exis)
Best Outside-the-District Bar
Freddie’s Beach Bar
555 S. 23rd St.
Arlington, Va.
(A winner of this award many times previously)
Runner-up: Grand Central (Baltimore)

Freddie’s Beach Bar and Grill (Washington Blade photo by Hugh Clarke)
Best Outdoor Drinking
Town Patio
Town Danceboutique
2009 8th St., N.W.
(Second consecutive win in this category)
Runner-up: Dacha Beer Garden

Town Patio (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Best Place for Guys Night Out
Ziegfeld’s/Secrets
1824 Half St., S.W.
(Second consecutive win in this category)
Runner-up: D.C. Bear Crüe Bear Happy Hour

Ziegfeld’s-Secrets (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Best Place for Girls Night Out
BARE by LURe
Every third Saturday of the month at Cobalt
1639 R St., N.W.
(Second consecutive win in this category)
Runner-up: WhiskHER

BARE by LURe (Washington Blade photo by Damien Salas)
Best Rehoboth Bar
Blue Moon
35 Baltimore Ave.
Rehoboth Beach, Del.
(Second consecutive win in this category)
Runner-up: Aqua

Blue Moon (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Best Rehoboth Bartender
Matt Urban, Blue Moon
35 Baltimore Ave.
Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Runner-up: Jamie Romano, Purple Parrot
Matt Urban has been behind the bar at the venerable Blue Moon for 14 years. His friendly, reserved demeanor keeps the customers coming back year after year. He says the best part of the job is “meeting so many different people and catching up with friends.” Originally from Wilmington, he lives in Rehoboth with his wife.

Matt Urban (Photo courtesy Urban)
Best Rooftop
Uproar Lounge & Restaurant
639 Florida Ave., N.W.
Runner-up: Nellie’s

UpRoar rooftop (Washington Blade photo by Hugh Clarke)
Best Singer or Band
Frankie & Betty
(Second consecutive win in this category)
Runner-up: Wicked Jezabel

Frankie & Betty (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Best Transgender Performer
Gigi Paris Couture
Runner-up: Lady Dane
Gigi Paris Couture started performing 20 years ago. She was just hanging out in drag one night at a bar and one of the performers was a no-show.
“They asked me to perform and I liked it,” Couture, a veteran of Ziegfeld’s, Town, Freddie’s, Cobalt, Perry’s and many others, says.
She performs weekly and works by day as a stylist at the Cosset Aveda in Crystal City, Va., near where she resides in Alexandria.
Couture, who’s single, says many trans performers work right alongside drag queens. She acknowledges there is “occasional tension, but nothing major.”
“There’s always something funny at every show,” Couture says. “That’s the nature of the business. A pastie can come off, duct tape might fall off or a piece of jewelry might fall on someone’s eggs during brunch. Little funny things that make people laugh.”
She’s happy to win this new category, a Washington Blade Best of Gay D.C. first.
“It’s an honor to be acknowledged for something I have enjoyed doing for so long.” (Joey DiGuglielmo)

Gigi Paris Couture (Photo courtesy of Couture)
To see winners in other categories in the Washington Blade’s Best of Gay D.C. 2016 Awards, click here.

Below are our picks for some of the most fun and creative things to do this week in D.C. that are of special interest to the LGBTQ community.
BenDeLaCreme “Ready to be Committed”

Monday, May 23
7 p.m.
9:30 Club
815 V Street, N.W.
$45
Facebook | Website | Ticketmaster
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” alumni BenDeLaCreme performs “Ready to be Committed” at the 9:30 Club Monday. Doors open at 7 p.m. Seating is first come, first serve.
Mystery Reveal Party

Wednesday, May 25
9 p.m.
Trade
1410 14th Street, N.W.
Facebook
Meet the mystery guest at a mystery reveal party hosted by Jaxknife on Wednesday. Mystery drink specials include $3 shots and $7 beer/shot combos.
Black, Gay and Thriving

Thursday, May 26
5:30 p.m.
ANC 5D Community Meeting Room
371 Morse Street, N.E.
Facebook | Eventbrite
Gay Professional Men of Color (GPMC) holds a networking event on Thursday at the beginning of Black Pride Weekend in D.C.
LGBTQ+ Evening Out in Del Ray

Thursday, May 26
7-10 p.m.
Bar No. 9 Lounge at the Evening Star
2000 Mt Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, Va.
Facebook | Eventbrite
Join a free gathering and make some new friends at the Bar No. 9 Lounge (upstairs) in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, Va. on Thursday.
Trans Agenda

Thursday, May 26
9 p.m.
JR.’s
1519 17th Street, N.W.
Facebook
A show featuring all trans performers at JR.’s includes host MasVusi, Silver Ware, Chata Uchis and St. Patrick Star.
RuPaul’s Drag Race British Invasion Tour

Friday, May 27
8 p.m.
Warner Theatre
513 13th Street, N.W.
$45-$153
Facebook | Live Nation
See the queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race U.K. as the British Invasion Tour makes its Washington, D.C. stop at the Warner Theatre on Friday.
GLOW/CRAZY

Friday, May 27
9 p.m.
Green Lantern
1335 Green Court, N.W.
no cover
Facebook
Enjoy a Kicks & Giggles dance party at the Green Lantern complete with DJs and glow paint. From 9 to 10 p.m., if you’re wearing body paint on your chest or back, you drink for free!
Anything But Clothes Party

Saturday, May 28
9 p.m.
The Lodge
21614 National Pike
Boonsboro, Md.
$5 cover before 10 p.m. / $8 cover after 10 p.m.
Facebook
Join Capital DJ Chase for the “Anything But Clothes Party” at The Lodge on Saturday. There will be a most creative outfit (not clothes) contest at midnight.
Black Pride Brunch & Babes

Sunday, May 29
11:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Karma Night Club
2221 Adams Place, N.E.
$60
Facebook
Celebrate Black Pride with the Capitol Ballroom Council at a ballroom performance with a catered brunch buffet and bottomless memosas- Sunday, May 29, 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Black Pride Brunch & Babes at Karma Night Club.
Flashy Memorial Day Weekend

Sunday, May 29
10 p.m.-5 a.m.
Flash
645 Florida Avenue, N.W.
$30 advance / $40 door
Facebook | Eventbrite
Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend Sunday night into the wee hours of the morning at Flash. Music by DJ Twin, DJ Sean Morris and DJ Lemz.
If you would like to let us know about an upcoming event, email [email protected] with details.
Photos
PHOTOS: Summer Kickoff Party
Washington Blade holds annual event at The Pines in Rehoboth Beach

The Washington Blade held its 15th annual Summer Kickoff Party at The Pines in Rehoboth Beach, Del. on Friday, May 20 with special guest Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.).
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)













Carson Kressley of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” served as the emcee for the Worthy Mentoring Pride Brunch at the Four Seasons Washington Hotel on Sunday, May 22. Worthy Mentoring is a nonprofit that connects mentors and mentees in the LGBTQ+ community through a mobile iOS and Android App.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)






















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