Bars & Parties
DC Kings find community on stage
After 10 years, local drag troupe flourishes at Phase
The DC Kings have been around for 10 years and perform monthly at Apex. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
The DC Kings are a diverse group of entertainers and gender variant performers that do more than just male impersonation and lip-syncing.
Started as a drag king troupe in 2000 by Ken Vegas, the Kings have expanded the scope of their performances, bringing in other styles that are considered empowering, including live singing and burlesque.
“I liked the fact that they were more than just a drag king troupe,” said Aaliyah Tensley, a drag king, also known as Enigma (formally Vicious) and Ruben Esque Foxx, who has been performing with the Kings since about 2007. “I liked the fact that they had diversity.”
The Kings performed monthly at Club Chaos until it closed in 2007. That monthly performance led to another monthly show at Apex as well as Phase 1 where they perform on the second Sunday of every month.
“I started in earnest with the Kings here. I did drag once in college,” said Jill Raney, also known as Shawn McPenis, who celebrated her two-year anniversary with the Kings at Sunday’s show at Phase 1. “It wasn’t quite the right fit for me at the time.”
Cameron Obscura is another king who had some drag experience before joining DC Kings.
“I was kind of forced upon it,” said Obscura on why she first started drag. “I was the only person with a low enough voice to play the wolf from ‘Into the Woods.’”
She played other male roles including Tybalt from “Romeo and Juliet” and the Tin Man from “The Wizard of Oz.”
Rachael Harris, also known as Bona Fyde, didn’t know about drag kings before being introduced to the DC Kings.
“One of my friends was obsessed with Ken Vegas,” said Harris. “She kept talking about him and we went to a show and I was like, ‘that could really be something I would be interested in.’”
Drag kings haven’t yet had the mainstream media exposure of drag queens.
“Drag queens are more publicized,” said Tensley. “It’s a form of entertainment. It’s an art that we put our hearts into and a lot of creativity into, just as much as drag queens.”
“I think queer media can do a better job,” said Raney. “I don’t honestly trust mainstream ‘hetero’ media to treat us in a respectful way at this point.”
“It’s unfortunate that not a lot of people are really as aware of drag kings as they are drag queens. I think [drag kings] have been jilted,” said Obscura.
Raney said one contributing factor to this problem is the small number of lesbian bars and clubs that can accommodate a stage performance.
Performing in drag has helped some kings in their everyday life and members say the DC Kings offer a sense of community.
“I’m a photography student,” said Obscura. “I started a book on gender performance two years ago. I noticed that it started to get a little tilted. I was feeling it was very one dimensional.”
Performing in drag seemed like the most reasonable solution.
“The only way that I could actually bring an extra dimension is if I join a drag show and performed regularly so I could bring my insight as a regular drag performer into my book,” said Obscura.
The experiences have brought about some more personal changes as well.
“It helped me build a sense of confidence,” said Raney.
Harris has observed new members who come into DC Kings quiet and shy, but after performing, they start becoming more comfortable with themselves.
Obscura became more confident about her sexuality and gender identity.
“I’ve always [ridden] a line,” said Obscura. “I was the most femme of my butch friends and the most butch of my femme friends.”
When developing their drag persona, the kings say they look to celebrities and other prominent males in their lives.
“For my character, I try to model him after Frank Sinatra and Clark Gable, and surprisingly Lil Wayne.” said Harris. “I love Lil Wayne, but I don’t have the guts to actually perform as him.”
“Drag kings should be able to be as fabulous as queens,” said Obscura, whose character is one half Oscar Wilde and one half Danny Elfman. “I’m definitely into the showmanship of Oscar Wilde.”
Bars & Parties
Mid-Atlantic Leather kicks off this week
Parties, contests, vendor expo and more planned for annual gathering
The Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend will begin on Thursday, Jan 15.
This is an annual three-day event in Washington, D.C., for the leather, kink, and LGBTQ+ communities, featuring parties, vendors, and contests.
There will be an opening night event hosted the evening of Thursday, Jan. 15. Full package and three-day pass pickup will take place at 5:30 p.m. at Hyatt Capitol B. There will also be “Kinetic Dance Party” at 10 p.m. at District Eagle.
For more details, visit MAL’s website.
a&e features
Your guide to D.C.’s queer New Year’s Eve parties
Ring in 2026 with drag, leather, Champagne, and more
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
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.
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