Arts & Entertainment

Historic Va. lesbian bar to be turned into a dog park

The venue shut its doors on Oct. 31

Published

4 years ago

November 16, 2018

Mariah Cooper

storm drain, Capital Pride, gay news, Washington Blade

(Photo by Ted Eytan; courtesy Flickr)

Hershee Bar, one of the oldest lesbian bars in the country located in Norfolk, Va., shut its doors on Oct. 31 for the final time much to the dismay of its patrons. Last week, it was announced at a Norfolk City Council meeting that the bar would be demolished in favor of a dog park.

The Washington Post reports the announcement was an emotional one. Council members had voted to purchase Hershee Bar’s four-building lot in Feburary. The area was purchased for $1.5 million. Activists who had been lobbying council members and Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander to not destroy the bar had not been told of plans for the space until the council meeting.

“There’s this sacred spot filled with 35 years of history,And dogs are literally going to be s—-ing on it,” Kathleen Casey, a professor at Virginia Wesleyan University, told the Washington Post.

Some town residents say a dog park is redundant given there are already three dog parks within three miles of the bar’s location.

Hershee Action Coalition, a group that had fought to save Hershee Bar, member Sarah Hustead says the longtime bar can’t compare to a dog park.

“Two, I think we have enough dog parks. But we don’t have anything else like the Hershee bar,” she told the Washington Post.

Norfolk City Councilwoman Andria McClellan wrote in a Facebook post that she was blindsided by the decision.

“For the record, I don’t support paying $1.5M for a dog park,” McClellan penned. “I had not heard of these plans before they were presented this week and I don’t agree with this direction at all.”

However, Jackie Rochelle, a member of the Five Tasks Point Force which works toward restructuring the area around Hershee Bar, told the Washington Post the dog park was “an accumulation of years of planning.”

Related Topics:Hershee Bar Norfolk Washington Post

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10 LGBTQ events this week

It is Black LGBTQ Pride and Memorial Day Weekend

Published

1 day ago

May 23, 2022

Michael Key

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”

**BenDeLaCreme** (Photo by Magnus Hastings)

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

Evening Star in Del Ray, Va. (Photo via Facebook)

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.

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Washington Blade holds annual event at The Pines in Rehoboth Beach

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May 22, 2022

Daniel Truitt

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester shares a laugh with Blade Editor Kevin Naff at the Summer Kickoff Party on Saturday. (Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)

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.).

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PHOTOS: Worthy Mentoring Pride Brunch

Carson Kressley serves as emcee for LGBTQ fundraiser

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2 days ago

May 22, 2022

Michael Key

Carson Kressley serves as the emcee for the Worthy Mentoring Pride Brunch. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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)