Bars & Parties

Whole lotto love

July 4th weekend events to benefit Camp Rehoboth

Published

15 years ago

June 29, 2010

Last year’s inaugural LottoHeart game show at Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. (Photo courtesy of Camp Rehoboth)

Summer is always boom time in Rehoboth Beach and Independence Day weekend is chocked with gay events. Organizers call it “love weekend.”

On Saturday, the second annual LottoHeart game show happens at Rehoboth Beach Convention Center with “hostess” Christopher Peterson. Immediately following, Peterson and his Eyecon review open their “Hooray for Hollywood” show at Rehoboth Beach Theatre of the Arts. Then Sunday night, the 4th, is the Love4All dance, also at the Convention Center and now in its 16th year. The game show/auction and the dance are benefits for Camp Rehoboth, the beach town’s LGBT community center. Peterson’s show runs through mid-September.

LottoHeart was a smash in its first run last year, organizers say, with nearly a thousand in attendance. The Convention Center is set up like a fashion runway with a catwalk and small donated pieces of art — many from well-known East Coast artists — are divvied out through the course of the event, which is designed as a madcap combination of roulette, “Hollywood Squares” and a Vegas revue. Cory Johnson and Chris Beagle present the artwork.

Those who purchase $100 “art tickets” are guaranteed one of the 200 postcard-size original art works. Numbers will be called out lotto-style. Door prizes and raffles will be held throughout the evening. Much of the donated art can be previewed at camprehoboth.com. Online bidding is also available.

“It’s such a fun event, you just can’t imagine,” says Faye Jacobs, a Camp Rehoboth board member and features editor of Letters to Camp Rehoboth, the Center’s publication. “Christopher has such a quick wit and he knows so many of the people there so when the names are called, you just can’t imagine the things he says. He’s a terrible gossip. Such a diva. And so funny.”

Between sets of items, Peterson will preview numbers from his drag show “Hooray for Hollywood” which opens immediately after LottoHeart. The Rehoboth legend, who does all his own singing, does impersonations of Marilyn Monroe, Joan Rivers, Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland, Bette Midler and more. He and his troupe of dancers will recreate production numbers from Tinseltown’s golden era.

Peterson says he was performing as soon as he came out of the womb.

“I saw the lights and just started singing and dancing,” he says. “Actually it’s in my DNA, honey. I’ve been making a living at this for 30 years.”

The native Canadian splits his time between Rehoboth and Key West. He says his shows are popular because people love the pop culture they grew up with.

“It’s nostalgia,” he says. “We all want to relive our youth. And let’s face it, when you get past 40 you don’t really want to go to a noisy discotheque anymore. So you come here, you see a big, fabulous drag show, you have a few drinks and you enjoy the evening. I’m 48. I don’t want to go to the disco anymore.”

Peterson says he does the LottoHeart benefit because he believes in Camp Rehoboth’s mission.

And as for his quick wit, how does he think so fast on his feet? He says it comes from years of performing.

“I’m old,” he says during a break in rehearsals. “I’ve heard every line twice. I just store them away for when I need them. There’s a witty answer for everything.”

At Sunday’s dance, which typically draws about 1,200 revelers and is also at the Convention Center, tickets are available at two rates. Admission, which includes open bar, is $45 but host tickets for $100 include a T-shirt, a listing in thank-you ads and access to a private “Love Lounge.” New York DJ Joe Gauthreaux, who’s appeared at many high-profile gay events, will spin.

Also this weekend, lesbian author Stefani Deoul will sign copies of her novel “The Carousel” at Browseabout Books at 5 on Saturday and at Proud Bookstore at 5 on Sunday. The Rehoboth resident is producing the series “Haven,” which debuts July 9 on the Syfy Channel.

LottoHeart Game Show 2010
Saturday, 6 to 9 p.m.
A Camp Rehoboth benefit
Rehoboth Beach Convention Center
$25; VIP: $100
camprehoboth.com
302-227-5620

‘Hooray for Hollywood’
Opens Saturday and runs through Sept. 19
Cocktails at 8; show at 9
Rehoboth Beach Theatre of the Arts
Tickets: $35
rehoboth-beach-theatre.com
302-227-9310

Love4All
Sunday, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
A Camp Rehoboth benefit dance
Rehoboth Beach Convention Center
$45; VIP: $100
camprehoboth.com
302-227-5620

Bars & Parties

Halloween weekend is here

Local events abound for a spooky good time

Published

1 week ago

October 30, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

The annual High Heel Race is the kickoff to D.C.’s Halloween festivities. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Halloween weekend is here, and here’s a list of just some of the local events if you’re looking to have a spooky good time.

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. This is an opportunity to mingle with LGBTQ folk and allies. Halloween costumes are encouraged or casual beach attire is fine. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Mixtape Sapphics will host “Bad Witch, Good Butch: A Sapphic Halloween Dream” on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. at Revolt DC. This is a halloween party for sapphics from the ages of 35 and above. There will be costumes, connection and dancing. Tickets are $13.26 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Taste Takeover will host “Abuela Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. at 639 Florida Ave., N.W. DJ Yani will play music and there will be a costume contest with prizes to be won. Tickets cost $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Metro Cabaret Club will host “Spookshow Spectacular: Dance Place After Dark Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. at Dance Place. This is D.C.’s Halloween nightlife and draglesque showcase, featuring live performances, creative marketplace, and costumed revelry. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite.

Punch Bowl Social will host “Halloween Bash” on Friday. Oct 31 at 9 p.m. at Punch Bowl Social Arlington. This will be a night of hauntingly good times with a killer DJ, vendors, and a costume contest. Tickets cost $12.09 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Thrust Lounge will host “Nightmare on 14th St.” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. DJ Tryfe will play music, and there’ll also be a costume contest with prizes. For more details, visit Thurst’s Instagram.

Nellie’s Sports Bar will host “Halloween Scariest Costume Contest” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring their scariest, creepiest, most haunting look for a Halloween night they won’t forget — fueled by Casamigos and Nellie’s signature spooky fun. For more details, visit Nellie’s website.

Kiki DC will host “Kiki’s Halloween Costume Contest” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. This event will be hosted by Pirouette and there’ll be prizes for the top three costumes. For more details, visit Kiki’s Instagram.

Sinners and Saints will host “Heaven’s On Fire (Queer Pop Dance Party)” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. There will be two floors and music by Sonali Dawar, DJ Noons and Aria McIntosh. There will also be drink specials all night.

Crush Dance Bar will host a Halloween costume contest on Friday, Oct. 31 at 11 p.m. Drag queens Empress Lena and Sasha Adams will host the event. For more details, visit Crush’s Instagram.

Arts & Entertainment

D.C. bars step up to offer discounts for fed’l employees

Deals, freebies, events, and happy hours galore

Published

1 month ago

October 1, 2025

Evan Caplan

Bunker is offering free entry for anyone with government, contractor, military IDs this weekend. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

(Editor’s note: This list was compiled on Wednesday afternoon and is not meant to be comprehensive. If you would like to add your bar’s specials, please email [email protected].)

As the federal government comes to a standstill, the DMV restaurant and bar community has come to the aid of furloughed workers, who suddenly have plenty of time on their hands. More than a handful of spots are offering deals, discounts, freebies, events, and more. Many do require an identification to validate employment status. Plus, this shutdown looks like it’s here to stay for some time, so take advantage.

Franklin Hall: This sports bar on Florida Avenue is kicking off the shutdown hard: offering $6 Mixed Drinks, Canned Beers, and “furloughed Shooters” – as well as a free food buffet 4PM-6PM.

Carmine’s, located downtown, is offering steep discounts – $5 meatball sliders, and $8 cocktails: “Here We Go Again” and “The Essential Worker.” Carmine’s specifically noted that the specials are open to all, not just affected workers.

Compass Coffee is offering a free pastry with a drink purchase.

Cork Wine Bar and Market on 14th Street is offering a long happy hour – from 3 p.m. to close with wine specials, plus discounted fries and snacks.

Union Pub is providing steeply cheap beer ($3), alongside discounted hot dogs.

Two locations of Hank’s Oyster Bar are serving up all-day happy hour at the bar, along with $2.50 oysters and a percent off checks for federal workers.

Boqueria DC is giving federal workers with ID happy hour pricing all day long: meaning cheaper sangria, wine, beer, and lots of tapas.

Osteria Morini in D.C. is offering a “Federal Employee Appreciation Special” with $15 pastas for federal employees; Cucina Morini has $10 “primi pastas.”

Duke’s Grocery is offering a complimentary drink: A free shot of bourbon or a glass of house wine when you buy any burger or entrée. Plus, there are $5 select beers.

Thompson Restaurants is offering all government employees 20% off their bill by showing a valid government ID. The offer spans 11 of Thompson’s restaurant brands and more than 65 locations across the DMV, including Matchbox, Makers Union, Wiseguy Pizza, Big Buns, and more.

Shaw’s Tavern: $5 beers, $6 wine, $7 Deep Eddy, $10 burger and pizza, with ID.

LGBTQ BARS

Crush: This bar is offering a “Pouring it forward” event with a free vodka hour, 10-11 p.m. this Friday.

Number Nine is offering $9 cocktails all night after 9 p.m.

Bunker has free entry for anyone with government, contractor, military IDs this weekend.

District Eagle offers 30% off drinks for anyone with government, contractor, or military IDs this weekend.

Kiki has free Deep Eddy happy hour 8-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Her Diner offers all-night drink specials with ID.

Bars & Parties

Blade’s 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party set for May 16

Rehoboth Beach event to feature politicos, journalists, special guests

Published

6 months ago

May 8, 2025

Staff reports

Washington Blade editor Kevin Naff (right) with Rep. Sarah McBride at the 2024 Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach. (Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)

The Washington Blade’s 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party is scheduled for Friday, May 16 in Rehoboth Beach, Del.

The event, held at the Blue Moon (35 Rehoboth Ave.) from 5-7 p.m., is a fundraiser for the Blade Foundation’s Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which funds a summer position reporting on LGBTQ news in Delaware. This year’s recipient is Abigail Hatting, a rising senior at American University.

This year’s event will feature remarks from state Sen. Russ Huxtable, who recently introduced a state constitutional amendment to codify the right of same-sex couples to marry. CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Kim Leisey and Blade editor Kevin Naff will also speak, in addition to surprise guests. The event is generously sponsored by Realtor Justin Noble, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Blue Moon.

A suggested donation of $20 is partially tax deductible and includes drink tickets and light appetizers. Tickets are available in advance at bladefoundation.org/rehoboth or at the door.