Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: events through Nov. 28
Parties, concerts, exhibits and more for the week ahead
‘Drag Race’ vet Alaska Thunderfuck will be at Town this weekend. (Photo courtesy Town Danceboutique)
Friday, Nov. 22
Temple Emanuel (10101 Connecticut Ave., Kensington, Md.) hosts its “African Dinner Fundraiser” tonight at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy a Kenyan buffet dinner to help finance mico-financing projects in Kenya. Tickets are $20 per person, $10 per child (under 12) with a maximum of $50 per family. For details call 301-942-2000 or email [email protected].
Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers for the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce for its 11th annual National Dinner Gala at the NGLCC office (729 15th St., N.W) and the National Building Museum (401 F St., N.W.) today at various times. Volunteers will assist with facilitating the dinner in registration, greeting guests, crowd management and more. There is a possibility volunteers can enjoy the dinner. To volunteer, email [email protected]. For more details on exact volunteer times and locations, visit burgundycrescent.org.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts Bear Happy Hour tonight from 6-11 p.m. There is no cover charge and admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For more information, visit towndc.com.
Saturday, Nov. 23
Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers for Food and Friends (219 Riggs Rd., N.E.) today from 8-10 a.m. Volunteers will chop vegetables and pack groceries. To volunteer, email [email protected]. For more details, visit burgundycrescent.org.
SMYAL (410 7th St., S.E.) provides free and confidential HIV testing drop-in hours today from 1-3 p.m. For more information, visit smyal.org.
The Whornets present “Celebrity Rehab: The Betty Whore’d Clinic” at 1256 New Jersey Ave., N.W. tonight from 8 p.m.- 3 a.m. Dress as your favorite celebrity in rehab or come as a visitor. Visitor tickets are $10 for entry and $2 per drink. Committed celebrities pay $20 for entry and get free drinks. All proceeds go to the D.C. Center.
Bearracuda, the largest bear dance party in the U.S., comes to Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) tonight from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Tickets are $7 before 10 p.m. and $10 after. Doors open at 9 p.m. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.
Alaska Thunderfuck, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” fifth season contestant, performs her cabaret show “RED for FILTH” at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for general admission seating are $15 but do not guarantee a seat. Meet and greet tickets include guaranteed seating and are $25. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For more information, visit towndc.com.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iygtzrVVfLE
Sunday, Nov. 24
Church of the Holy City (1611 16th St., N.W.) hosts “Music with the Angels” concert series today at 3:30 p.m. Zulfugar Baghirov on saxophone, Chris Galvan on guitar and Leland Nakamura on drums perform experimental jazz techniques, free improvisation and avant-garde styles. A reception follows. Admission is free. For details, visit churchoftheholycitydc.org.
Perry’s (1811 Columbia Rd., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Sunday Drag Brunch” today from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The cost is $24.95 for an all-you-can-eat buffet. For more details, visit perrysadamsmorgan.com.
Monday, Nov. 25
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W..) hosts coffee drop-in hours this morning from 10 a.m.-noon for the senior LGBT community. Older LGBT adults can come and enjoy complimentary coffee and conversation with other community members. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Us Helping Us (3636 Georgia Ave., N.W.) holds a support group for gay black men to discuss topics that affect them today, share perspectives and have meaningful conversations. For details, visit uhupil.org.
Sage Metro D.C. presents Dr. Laurie Young in a lecture about grief, loss and the holidays at The Residence at Thomas Circle (1350 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.) today at 6:30 p.m. Comfort food will be provided. The event is free but email [email protected] to reserve your space.
Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) hosts poker night tonight at 8 p.m. Win prizes. Free to play. For more information, visit nelliessportsbar.com.
Tuesday, Nov. 26
Temple Emanuel (10101 Connecticut Ave., Kensington, Md.) hosts an “Interfaith Thanksgiving Service” tonight at 7:30 p.m. The service honors two clergy, Rabbi Warren Stone and Reverend William Hague, for 50 years of combined service to their congregation and community. The event is free. For details, visit templeemanuelmd.org.
Genderqueer D.C. holds a discussion group at The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) from 7:30-8:30 p.m. tonight. The group is for anyone who identifies outside of the gender binary as bigender, agender, genderfluid or any label outside of cisgender. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
SMYAL (410 7th St., S.E.) provides free and confidential HIV testing drop-in hours today from 3-5 p.m. For more information, visit smyal.org.
Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8th St., S.E.) offers all drinks half price tonight until 2 a.m. Enjoy pool, video games and cards. Admission is free. Must be 21 and over. For more details, visit bachelorsmill.com.
Wednesday, Nov. 27
The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for duplicate bridge. No reservations required and new comers welcome. If you need a partner, call 703-407-6540.
SMYAL (410 7th St., S.E.) provides free and confidential HIV testing drop-in hours today from 3-5 p.m. For more information, visit smyal.org.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts ”WTFsgiving: Let’s Get Totally Basted” tonight. Doors open at 10 p.m. Admission is free from 10-11 p.m. and $5 after 11 p.m. Admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For more information, visit towndc.com.
Thursday, Nov. 28
Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers for Food and Friends (219 Riggs Rd., N.E.) early this morning from 4:45-6:45 a.m. Volunteers will prepare Thanksgiving meals that will be delivered to clients that day. [email protected]. For more details, visit burgundycrescent.org.
Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence (GLOV) hold a meeting at The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. GLOV works to reduce violence against LGBT individuals through community outreach, education and assisting members of anti-LGBT violence. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.
Rude Boi Entertainment hosts “Tempted 2 Touch,” a ladies dance party, at the Fab Lounge (2022 Florida Ave., N.W.) Doors open at 10 p.m. Drink specials $5 and vodka shots $3 all night. No cover charge. Admission limited to guests 21 and over. For more details, visit rudeboientertainment.wordpress.com.
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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