Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: Oct. 19-25, 2018
Parties, concerts, support groups and more for the week ahead
A scene from ‘The Breeding,’ which will be screened tonight at HRC Headquarters. (Photo courtesy BG Pics)
Friday, Oct. 19
Reel Affirmations presents a screening of “The Breeding” at Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. “The Breeding” is an erotic thriller about an artist who becomes obsessed with a taboo fetish. After the film, there will be a catered cocktail reception and conversation with director Daniel Armando. Rayceen Pendarvis hosts the screening. VIP tickets are $25 and include VIP seating, one complimentary cocktail, beer or wine and movie candy or popcorn and the catered reception. General admission tickets are $12.
PUTI presents Snatch Game at The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) tonight from 7-9:30 p.m. Participants are invited to give their best celebrity impressions. Contestants will receive prizes. Vin Testa hosts the event. There is a $10 donation at the door and raffle tickets will be on sale for $1 throughout the night. Proceeds benefit La Clinica del Pueblo. For more information, visit dceagle.com.
La Fantasy Productions presents Super Hero Underwear Party at L8 Lounge (727 15th St., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. DJ Ivan Gomez and DJ Chord will spin tracks. There will be a $4 coat check. Tickets are $30. All proceeds benefit Casa Ruby.
The D.C Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) hosts Woof: Happy Hour and Porn Star Bingo today from 5-11 p.m. Beaux Banks hosts Porn Star Bingo which will have prizes. There will be free pizza for the crowd at 7:30 p.m. Drink specials run until 11 p.m. No cover before 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 20
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention hosts Out of the Darkness Walk at the Lincoln Memorial (2 Lincoln Memorial Circle, N.W.). The walk helps to raise awareness and funds for research, educational programs, public policy and to support survivors of suicide loss. Registration is at 1 p.m. The walk is from 3-6 p.m. For more details and to register, visit asp.donordrive.com.
Shakespeare Theatre Company (507 8th St., S.E.) hosts a costume and prop sale today from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Costumes, props, furniture and more items that were featured on the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s stages will be for sale. For more information, visit shakespearetheatre.org/costume-sale.
CTRL, a gay dance party, presents “Blackout: a Britney Album Celebration” at U Street Music Hall (1115 U St., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. DJ Jeff Prior, DJ Dvonne, DJ Adam-Koussari and DJ Brett Andriesen will play music from Britney Spears’ “Blackout” album as well as electro-pop, nu-disco and house. Cover is $10. For more details, visit ustreetmusichall.com.
Peach Pit, a ‘90s dance party, is at DC9 (1940 9th St., N.W.) tonight at 10:30 p.m. DJ Matt Bailer will pay music. Cover is $5 until midnight and $8 after. For more details, visit dcnine.com.
Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) hosts “Gay/Bash: Halloweenbash” tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Jaxknife Complex, Jane Saw, Ana Latour, Donna Slash and Iyanna Deschanel will perform. The Barber Streisand will play music. There will be one show at 11:30 p.m. and another show at 1 a.m. No cover. For more information, visit facebook.com/gaybashdc.
The National Museum of American History (14th St. and Constitution Ave., N.W.) celebrates the return of Dorothy’s ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz” today. At 12:30 p.m. attendees can pose in front of the museum’s new mural for a group photo in an Oz-inspired outfit. Guests are encouraged to come in costume. There will also be screenings of “The Wizard of Oz” in the Warner Bros. Theater at 1:50 and 4:10 p.m. Admission is free. For more details, visit facebook.com/americanhistory.
Sunday, Oct. 21
Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) has a drag brunch today with shows at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Drag entertainers will perform as Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Pink and more. Tickets are $41.91 and include an all-you-can-eat buffet and one mimosa or bloody Mary. For more details, visit nelliessportsbar.com.
Monday, Oct. 22
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) hosts coffee drop-in hours for the senior LGBT community this morning from 10 a.m.-noon. Older LGBT adults can come and enjoy complimentary coffee and conversation with other community members. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Tuesday, Oct. 23
“RuPaul’s Drag Race: Werq the World” stops by for a sold-out show at the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. Season 10 winner Aquaria will perform along with finalists Asia O’hara, Eureka and Kameron Michaels. Fan favorites Valentina, Kim Chi and Violet Chachki will also perform. Bob the Drag Queen hosts the show.
The Gay Men’s Health Collaborative has free HIV testing and STI screening at the Alexandria Health Department (4480 King St., Alexandria, Va.) today from 5-6:30 p.m. For more details, text 571-214-9617 or email [email protected].
Overeaters Anonymous hosts a meeting specifically for LGBT individuals at St. George’s Episcopal Church (915 Oakland Ave., Arlington, Va.) tonight at 7 p.m. Newcomers welcome. For more information, call 703-521-1999 or email [email protected].
Wednesday, Oct. 24
The Lambda Bridge Club meets at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for duplicate bridge. No reservations required and newcomers welcome. If you need a partner, call 703-407-6540.
Thursday, Oct. 25
NOVA Pride hosts its weekly Pride Night at Le Kon Restaurant (3227 Washington Blvd., Arlington, Va.) tonight from 6-9 p.m. 15 percent of the proceeds will benefit NOVA Pride. For more information, visit novapride.org.
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)
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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