Bars & Parties

The art show that’s also a game show

Loteria features art, drag — and bingo

Published

15 years ago

August 4, 2010

David J. Hoffman

Feeling lucky? Even better, want to get lucky in love? And want to take bingo to a whole new iconic level, literally?

Then, come on down, Wednesday night Aug. 11 to “Loteria de Amor, Numero Dos.”

To the offbeat, funkadelic-burlesque home of the bizarro and alt.drag, known already to those in the know who find their way to the long, narrow nightclub in the heart of the H Street, N.E., arts district, who dare to cross through the looking glass to the Palace of Wonders.

The venue where vaudeville is very in vogue, that houses the antics of the Cheeky Monkey, now hosts for its second regular, monthly incarnation “Loteria de Amor,” the art show that’s also a game show, in a demi-monde splash of Mexican-style bingo, or “lottery,” of 54 cards. This game is never played bingo-style with letters and numbers but always with colorful icons.

“It’s all over L.A.,” declares Chris Griffin, the Loteria impresario and the game’s co-host in his self-styled persona of “alt.dragster” Lucrezia Blozia. A Northern Virginia native son and local theatrical entrepreneur, Chris lived in Los Angeles from 2004-2009, but his encounter with his “inner Lucrezia” began much earlier, in the early 1990s, in a visit to a local theatrical props shop where he suddenly “spotted a fuchsia wig,” a crazy hot-pink color that so wowed him, he recalls, that “it all began with the wig.”

“The wig spoke to me,” says Chris in an interview with the Blade. “I had never done drag before and I wasn’t even a drag queen fan before.” Today’s Lucrezia has lost the wig and has evolved into what he calls a “colorful punk cabaret” look.

So wait till you see Lucrezia now, as she co-hosts the “Loteria Libre” — and even a wrestling-style interlude with “Lucha Liberace, the Conquistadore of the Keys” — along with her partner in crime, the inimitable Shortstaxx, always served up, says Griffin, “with a side of sass.”

By now, surely you’re getting the idea that this evening — for which doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the “pre-show cha cha” with Lucha Liberace begins at 8:30 and the main event itself runs from 9-11 p.m. — will be truly twisted.

“We wanted to do something more gay-friendly,” says Griffin, who recalls that when discussions first began with Palace of Wonders managers, and a game show like bingo was first suggested, that he cried out “no, not bingo!” But he then countered with the Loteria idea, and a new franchise was begun, the first outing occurring there on July 7, drawing a large turnout mainly by word of mouth.

There are three or four rounds of 20-minute games, played with traditional Mexican-game styled cards, like el sol, la luna, la mano, but also new creations such as el nino carra perro — or the dog-faced boy. And all 54 of the cards have been individually created by 54 D.C. and Baltimore-area artists, including numerous LGBT artists.

“It’s so visually striking, with these images instead of numbers and letters,” and players get a “tabla,” says Griffin, like a bingo card, with 16 of the images on it, and then the icons begin to be called out. Meanwhile, between games, D.C.’s own diminutive dynamo, L’il Dutch, and Honi Harlow, New York’s star of Broadway and Harlow’s Hideaway, will twirl their tassels, and magician David London will astonish.

As for getting lucky in love? Griffin swears that “we also try and hook people up,” and he claims to have actually done so in the first outing of Loteria last month. All this plus one free round of Loteria for a $10 admission, says Griffin.

Finally, amid all the “burlesquerie” there is actually art for art’s sake at the Loteria as well, and two of the featured artists — Maribeth Egan and Victoria Gaitan — will have a mini-show exhibit with their works available for purchase.

Griffin is also well known locally as founder of the Eva Brontosaurus drag troupe, featuring both Lucrezia and Shortstaxx. He is also a writer and executive producer of the Hope Operas, which will return to the local stage in October.

a&e features

Your guide to D.C.’s queer New Year’s Eve parties

Ring in 2026 with drag, leather, Champagne, and more

Published

1 day ago

December 26, 2025

Evan Caplan

Trade leans into a shark motif with its NYE plans. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

With Christmas in the rear view mirror, we can turn our attention to ringing in a much-anticipated New Year with a slew of local LGBTQ parties. Here’s what’s on tap.

Pitchers

This spacious Adams Morgan bar is hosting the “Pitchers’ Perfect New Year’s Eve.” There will be a midnight Champagne toast, the ball drop on the big screens, and no cover, all night long. The bar doesn’t close until 4 a.m., and the kitchen will be open late (though not until close). All five floors will be open for the party, and party favors are promised.

Trade

D.C.’s hottest bar/club combo is leaning into the Shark motif with its NYE party, “Feeding Frenzy.” The party is a “glitterati-infused Naughty-cal New Year’s Even in the Shark Tank, where the boats are churning and the sharks are circling.” Trade also boasts no cover charge, with doors opening at 5 p.m. and the aforementioned Shark Tank opening at 9 p.m.. Four DJs will be spread across the two spaces; midnight hostess is played by Vagenesis and the two sea sirens sensuously calling are Anathema and Justin Williams.

Number Nine

While Trade will have two DJs as part of one party, Number Nine will host two separate parties, one on each floor. The first floor is classic Number Nine, a more casual-style event with the countdown on TVs and a Champagne midnight toast. There will be no cover and doors open at 5 p.m. Upstairs will be hosted by Capital Sapphics for its second annual NYE gathering. Tickets (about $50) include a midnight Champagne toast, curated drink menu, sapphic DJ set by Rijak, and tarot readings by Yooji.

Crush

Crush will kick off NYE with a free drag bingo at 8 p.m. for the early birds. Post-bingo, there will be a cover for the rest of the evening, featuring two DJs. The cover ($20 limited pre-sale that includes line skip until 11 p.m.; $25 at the door after 9 p.m.) includes one free N/A or Crush, a Champagne toast, and party favors (“the legal kind”). More details on Eventbrite.

Bunker

This subterranean lair is hosting a NYE party entitled “Frosted & Fur: Aspen After Dark New Year’s Eve Celebration.” Arriety from Rupaul Season 15 is set to host, with International DJ Alex Lo. Doors open at 9 p.m. and close at 3 p.m.; there is a midnight Champagne toast. Cover is $25, plus an optional $99 all-you-can-drink package.

District Eagle

This leather-focused bar is hosting “Bulge” for its NYE party. Each District Eagle floor will have its own music and vibe. Doors run from 7 p.m.-3 a.m. and cover is $15. There will be a Champagne toast at midnight, as well as drink specials during the event.

Kiki, Shakiki

Kiki and its new sister bar program Shakiki (in the old Shakers space) will have the same type of party on New Year’s Eve. Both bars open their doors at 5 p.m. and stay open until closing time. Both will offer a Champagne toast at midnight. At Kiki, DJ Vodkatrina will play; at Shakiki, it’ll be DJ Alex Love. Kiki keeps the party going on New Year’s Day, opening at 2 p.m., to celebrate Kiki’s fourth anniversary. There will be a drag show at 6 p.m. and an early 2000s dance party 4-8 p.m.

Spark

This bar and its new menu of alcoholic and twin N/A drinks will host a NYE party with music by DJ Emerald Fox. Given this menu, there will be a complimentary toast at midnight, guests can choose either sparkling wine with or without alcohol. No cover, but Spark is also offering optional wristbands at the door for $35 open bar 11 p.m.-1 a.m. (mid-shelf liquor & all NA drinks).

Bars & Parties

Mixtape Sapphics hosts holiday party on Dec. 13

‘Sugar & Spice’ night planned for Saturday

Published

2 weeks ago

December 12, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

(Photo by New Africa/Bigstock)

Mixtape Sapphics will host “Sapphic Sugar & Spice: A Naughty-Nice Mixtape Holiday Party” on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. at Amsterdam Lounge.

This is a festive, grown holiday party for queer women and sapphics 35 and older at Revolt’s Christmas pop-up. There will be music, joy, and an optional White Elephant.

This is Mixtape Sapphics’ first-ever holiday party — a cozy, flirty, intentionally grounded night created just for queer women and sapphics 35+ who want real connection, festive joy, and a warm place to land at the end of the year.

Tickets start at $13.26 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Bars & Parties

Impulse Group DC to host fundraiser

Giving Tuesday and Happy Hour held at Thurst Lounge

Published

4 weeks ago

November 28, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Thurst Lounge (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Impulse Group DC, a local advocacy organization, will host “Giving Tuesday and Happy Hour” on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. at Thurst Lounge.

This event is a special happy hour fundraiser filled with good vibes, great food, and community connection. DJ Obie will be on deck keeping the energy high while you enjoy tacos, cocktails, and the kind of atmosphere only Thurst can deliver.

A portion of every signature cocktail sold goes directly toward supporting Impulse Group D.C.’s work in sexual health, mental health, harm reduction, and social justice for the D.C. community.

Admission is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.