Bars & Parties

Distrkt C celebrates anniversary

Late-night gay dance party inspires spin-off event

Published

7 years ago

February 2, 2017

Promoter Bruce Yelk says he purposefully sought a ‘seedy’ feel for the popular Distrkt C monthly parties at the Eagle. (Photo by Denis Largeron; courtesy Distrkt C)

While most gay bars in D.C. start shutting down around 3 a.m., on the second Saturday of each month the D.C. Eagle is keeping the party going until 8 a.m.

Distrkt C was the brainchild of Philadelphia-based party promoter Bruce Yelk. For Yelk, it was a goal to create a large dance party event for gay men but he found the market in Philadelphia difficult due to nightlife venues shutting down at 2 a.m. He began look to D.C. and New York City to see if there was potential for a party elsewhere. Yelk says he was pointed in the direction of the D.C. Eagle and found it was exactly the vibe he wanted.

“It’s an amazing warehouse, really raw space that lends a very sort of sexual undertone, stripped down, old-school party to Distrkt C,” Yelk says. “I sort of wanted that seedy feel. I often describe the party as a 1970s adult bookstore, porn video combination. The feel of an adult bookstore with red lights as you walk in and it’s very dark in corners. The club looks like that. The Eagle has that image to begin with. I just matched them all up and it all just jelled.”

For the past year, Distrkt C has offered late-night parties at the D.C. Eagle and will celebrate its success with its one-year anniversary party on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 10 p.m.-8 a.m. Adult entertainment stars Rikk York and Dylan Knight will make appearances and DJs Mark DeMarko and Manny Lehman, who opened the first Distrkt C party, will be back to bring the event full circle. Guests can also partake in an open bar from 10-11 p.m. Tickets are $25.

Yelk says partygoers can expect some of the original dancers to perform at the party as well as an enhanced light show to give the party some amped-up visual effects.

Ed Grandis and his husband JD Rondon have been huge fans of circuit parties and have traveled all over the country to attend different events. When they heard Yelk was creating a monthly circuit party in D.C., they knew they had to check it out and have been avid partygoers ever since.

“We have found each event awesome fun because the promoter creates a theme for each and brings in top U.S. and international DJs that we have had to travel to enjoy,” Grandis says. “The Eagle has created a unique dance environment with outstanding sound and lighting. The guys who attend are looking for a great time and bring a lot of energy and hot looks.”

Yelk is now expanding his party promotion expertise to include another party at the D.C. Eagle, DC2. Yelk describes the new party as the same as Distrkt C but held on Sunday nights of holiday weekends.

(Photo by Denis Largeron; courtesy Distrkt C)

The first DC2 party will be over President’s Day Weekend on Sunday, Feb. 19. DJs X Gonzalez and Morabito will spin. Tickets are $20 and $10 from each ticket sold will benefit the Cherry Fund.

Yelk says the reason he believes his parties have been such a success is because Distrkt C parties can’t be narrowed down into one category. Different types of ethnicities and ages can be found in the crowd and that’s something Yelk is proud of as a party promoter and what he thinks his guests enjoy seeing.

“It’s so welcoming in its diversity and you see it on people’s faces when you’re walking around. It’s a very happy party because there are no expectations other than great music and a great atmosphere,” Yelk says.

Bruce Yelk (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Up Next

ResistDance, Her HRC dance parties planned

Don't Miss

Most Eligible LGBT Singles returns

FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Bars & Parties

Support HIV research with a drag show

Tara Hoot, Evry Pleasure, TrevHER to perform

Published

2 weeks ago

April 5, 2024

Tinashe Chingarande

Tara Hoot performs at Cherry Sundays on Sunday, April 7 at 11 a.m. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

El Techo will host, in partnership with Cherry Fund, a special edition of “Cherry Sundays” on Sunday, April 7 at 11 a.m.

This event is a one-day fundraising bottomless brunch. There will be performances by Evry Pleasure, Tara Hoot and TrevHER, with DJ Lemz. All tequila shot purchases will be donated to the Cherry Fund.

The Cherry Fund raises money for LGBTQ non-profits whose primary goal is to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS with prevention, treatment and education, and mental health services.

The event costs $45, inclusive of bottomless brunch on margaritas, mimosas, Bloody Marys and Tecates.

Bars & Parties

MAL kicks off Jan. 11 with Bootcamp

Mid-Atlantic Leather begins with party at Bunker

Published

4 months ago

January 5, 2024

Tinashe Chingarande

MAL Weekend kicks off next week. (Image courtesy of Bunker)

Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend arrives next week with a kickoff event Thursday, Jan. 11 from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. at Bunker. Organizers at Kinetic promise a surprise drill sergeant who will whip you into shape. Joshua Ruiz DJs the event. This event is for VIP pass holders only; visit kineticpresents.com for details.

Bars & Parties

A roundup of New Year’s Eve parties in D.C.

Celebrate the start of 2024 in style

Published

4 months ago

December 29, 2023

Tinashe Chingarande

Xavier Entertainment LLC will host the seventh annual Times Square NYE Celebration at 10 p.m. at Ivy City Smokehouse. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

New Year’s Eve 2024 at Lost Society will be at 7 p.m. at Lost Society. There will be unique entertainment all night along with a journey of the senses through captivating light shows and LED displays, music, and bottle service presentations throughout the evening. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Busboys and Poets will host New Year’s Eve Open Mic and Party at 10 p.m. at 2021 14th St., N.W. This will be an evening of poetry, live DJ, dancing, food, and good company in a vibrant atmosphere where local artists take the stage, showcasing their talents in various genres. The night will be hosted by the talented Charity Blackwell and will feature award-winning poet Black Chakra. Dyanna Monet will deejay. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

QueerTalk DC will host Sapphic New Year’s Celebration at 8 p.m. at FigLeaf Bar & Lounge. The event will celebrate Sapphic, trans, and non-binary communities and feature complimentary hors D’oeuvres, a Champagne toast and DJ sets by DJ Clamazon and DJ Q. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

The Queers Upstairs will host Heels & Ties: A Queer New Years Eve Surprise at 9 p.m. at Aliceanna Social Club. This evening will be an unforgettable LGBTQ New Year’s Eve party where you can sip your favorite cocktails and enjoy small bites while dancing the night away with music from DJ Rosie & DJ Missy. Tickets start at $30 and can purchased on Eventbrite.

BuffBoyzz Gay-Friendly Male Strip Clubs will host a male revue that caters to men and women at 8 p.m. at Buffboyzz Male Strippers. The event will be an exciting, entertaining and sexy show of exotic male dancers in that will entertain your pants off. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

International Events Washington DC will host the 2024 Black Tie New Year’s Eve Gala at 7:30 p.m. at the Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C. There will be free-flowing Champagne, an open bar, a spectacular balloon drop in the Euro Discotheque Ballroom and live bands and DJs. For dinner, guests can choose from an elegant sit-down, three-course dinner with Champagne or a dinner buffet of international cuisine. Tickets start at $189 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Social Architects will host the 12th Annual New Year’s Eve Casino Night at 8 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Arlington, Va. There will be six rooms of entertainment spread across three floors. The DJs will spin hip hop, R&B, salsa, Afrobeats and old school music. Tickets start at $60 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Pitchers and A League of Her Own will host a NYE party with complimentary Champagne toast at midnight, party favors, and a DJ all night long.

Shaker’s plans a drag extravaganza with Tatianna and Crystal Edge among others starting at 10:30 p.m.; the $10 cover includes a glass of Champagne.

Bunker hosts a 12-hour masquerade ball with several DJs, including Joe Gauthreaux. The party starts at 9 p.m. and goes until 9 a.m. on Jan. 1. Tickets start at $45 and are available at bunkerdc.com.

DJ Alex Love spins NYE at Dirty Goose with drink specials at midnight.