Howard University’s home coming was this weekend. Florida Avenue was mobbed and there was some of the best people-watching that I’ve ever experienced.
Despite the amazing fashion, my favorite memory is this lovely scene of three female couples dancing on the side of the street.
We had a somewhat subdued Capital Pride this year.
Sure, there was drag brunch and meet-ups with fair-weather friends who only come out during holidays. But I refused to make any substantive plans for the weekend and declined a few invitations. Although this was anti-social, I have no regrets because I gained the flexibility to skip the parade (due to heat) and most of the festival (due to rain.) What privilege.
I made it to the RuPaul’s Drag Race Hater’s Roast, which was at the Warner Theatre near Chinatown. Although I am used to seeing one-off Drag Race contestants at the bar, this is my first real Drag Race touring event.
The Hater’s Roast was hilarious, although there were an uncomfortable number of HIV and Holocaust jokes, (and at least a few Sahara Davenport digs). I was actually clutching my pearls during Mimi Imfurst’s set. I also was thrilled to see Miz Cracker, who looks as amazing in person as she does on TV.
Manila looked good, and Thorgy had her signature Muppet hair.
My last-minute ticket happened to be in the third row of the theater, so I got to make awkward eye contact with the performers. Maybe procrastination isn’t always such a bad thing…
Halloween may have been a bust this year, but the High Heel Race was as fabulous as ever. I attended a hilarious house party, saw some great costumes, and got to meet some very interesting people.
In addition to stumbling upon Fiesta DC, we intentionally went to D.C. Brewfest this weekend.
The festival was at the Bullpen, a venue near Nationals Park. It was a good time because we were with friends, but I don’t think any of us will go again next year — an “unlimited beer tasting” special isn’t worth it when the lines are 30 minutes long.
We stumbled upon a cultural festival this weekend while walking the dogs along the National Mall.
The festival is Fiesta DC — a Latino festival which features a parade of people dressed in the traditional costumes of various countries. We haven’t attempted to keep up with all of the events going on the National Mall and the Capital One Arena, so everyday is a surprise.
After a year of no pride parades, we decided that enjoying Washington D.C. pride wasn’t enough. One week after Capital Pride, we made the trek to Maryland for Baltimore Gay Pride.
This time there were no 100-year storms, just heat. It was a fun parade and a very different experience than D.C. pride.
Washington D.C. / Capital Gay Pride was last week. It was our first gay pride in over a year because we moved to D.C. last August, which is after Capitol Pride but before Dallas Pride.
D.C. Pride was alright — the parade seemed to go on for hours and the bars weren’t that much busier than a typical weekend.
We didn’t have the energy for the special parties, so we stuck to the parade and a few of the usual bars (which isn’t the worst way to do pride.)
A float at the DC Pride Parade.
We decided to walk the dogs along the National Mall this weekend. It was Veterans’ Day, so the monuments were packed with all sorts of tourists and servicemen.
As we made our way through the crowds of veterans and tour buses, we heard the thump thump of house music. It seemed like an unusual choice for a Veterans’ Day celebration, so we decided to drift towards the beat.
First we saw a kickball team associated with Cobalt, a local gay bar. But the music was actually coming from a massive dragon-shaped DJ stage behind the kickball game. The DJs were hosting a random women’s dance party in front of the Washington Monument.
A dance party at Decorated helmets at Catharsis on the Mall in Washington. D.C. (right in front of the Washington Monument.)
A school bus-turned dragon at Catharsis on the Mall in Washington. D.C.
Catharsis on the Mall is a burning-man-inspired festival that’s held every year on the National Mall. In addition to the dance party, there was yoga, a panel discussion, and several lounges throughout the area which looked like psychedelic Dothraki tents.
Tuesday is a very busy bar night in Dallas’ gayborhood, but that is not the case in D.C. — apparently people are more into happy hour here.
We had a rare Tuesday night out yesterday with our first drag queen High Heel Race. I started hearing about this event almost immediately after arriving in town, and hated that it was on a random school night. However, I felt obligated to go because the race was billed as the equivalent of Dallas’ Halloween Block Party.
The good news is that the event did not disappoint.
The crowd gathering at a restaurant waiting for the Washington D.C. High Heel Race.
Drag queens at the Washington D.C. High Heel Race.
I haven’t been good about going to monuments or museums, but festivals are another story.
Michael and I recently went to the H Street Festival, which is Washington’s version of Grand Old Day. The festival spanned about a dozen blocks and had plenty of food, crafts, dancing and dogs.
A dog and festival goers at the H-Street Festival.
A recycling-themed car at the H Street Festival.
Dancing at the H Street Festival in Washington D.C.
The crowd at the H Street Festival in Washington D.C.