Arts & Entertainment
Women Crush Wednesdays is new monthly happy hour
Monthly event at Trade for LBT women born out of ‘mutual need’
The July gathering of Women Crush Wednesday, a new monthly happy hour for LBT women. (Photo courtesy Rebecca Pilar Buckwalter-Poza)
The sudden closing of Phase 1 last year provided an opening some local lesbians are taking advantage of.
Women Crush Wednesday, a new “laid-back” happy hour for LBT women, happens monthly at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) and was born out of what its organizer says is mutual need.
“It’s not filling a void per se,” says organizer Rebecca Pilar Buckwalter-Poza. “I think it’s providing a different setting.”
Jacob Noel, who is on staff at Trade was talking with Buckwalter-Poza about a desire to get more women into the bar. Buckwalter-Poza, a lesbian, felt there was a need for a casual queer female space in D.C.
Buckwalter-Poza finds that most queer female events post-Phase have been “sporadic, formal or late night.” There are events like Ladies’ Tea and networking or professional events hosted by GLASS and Q Street. Buckwalter-Poza says what makes this event different is the generally consistent nature and midweek early evening start time.
Buckwalter-Poza pitched the idea to Noel who put her in contact with a manager and thus Women Crush Wednesday was born. She describes the partnership between the two as “organic” and says Trade’s central location is part of its appeal.
The inaugural event took place in June with a crowd of around 40 women of all colors and queer identities who stayed for hours. It was well received with “a lot of enthusiasm” especially for an event with limited promotion.
In keeping with the laid-back vibe there is a “mix off” at every event where attendees submit drink recipes and the two best drinks become the specials for the night based on popular vote. Last month’s included “the Cukes to Watch Out For” which combines cucumber, ginger beer, vodka and lime.
As the event progresses, Buckwalter-Poza hopes it remains a space where queer women can build community and make connections. Buckwalter-Poza and Nikki Keown, the organizer of the lesbian happy hour LezLink are working together on a new quarterly event for queer women in D.C.
Women Crush Wednesday is monthly, but time and date consistencies will develop over time. For more information on the next event, visit the Women Crush Wednesday group on Facebook.
a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.
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)
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)
Men convicted of murdering two men in NYC gay bar drugging scheme sentenced
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Gerry Connolly dies at 75 after battle with esophageal cancer
WorldPride begins — let’s hope it ends well
LGBTQ leaders celebrate Frank Kameny’s 100th birthday at Supreme Court
WorldPride events round-up
Pope Leo XIV: Family based on ‘stable union between a man and a woman’
Lucky Pollo stretches its wings at 14th and U
Marjorie Taylor Greene’s bill to criminalize gender affirming care advances
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
-
World Pride 20253 days agoWorldPride events round-up
-
The Vatican4 days agoPope Leo XIV: Family based on ‘stable union between a man and a woman’
-
Dining4 days agoLucky Pollo stretches its wings at 14th and U
-
Congress2 days agoMarjorie Taylor Greene’s bill to criminalize gender affirming care advances