Saturgays in the Park

TNG Fan Aaron Riggins has taken our message one step further. He's gone out and organized something new: Saturgays in the Park. His idea? Get a bunch of homos together in a beautifully landscaped park on Saturday afternoons to hang out, socialize and do something new. And once per month there's a special activity. He's using Facebook, which has turned itself into quite the viral marketing tool, to promote his event.

The first event is this coming Saturday, May 17. The special activity: croquet. So dust off your white shorts and pastel polos, because we're going high-class here. Want more information about this Saturday's event, check out the event description. Want to hear about upcoming events? Join the Facebook group.

Personally, hanging out in a park on a Saturday afternoon sounds like a great time. Fill it with a bunch of homos who are discreetly drinking... I might start to get a little leery. I am planning on stopping by this weekend, after my Saturday morning bike ride.

For those of you without access to Facebook, the event description is copied below the fold.


Facebook group description:
Do you ever find Dupont Circle park a little too crowded and/or heterosexual? When you find yourself not able to make it to Rehoboth for the weekend, but need a little sun, just skip over to Meridian Hill Park.

You are invited to come every weekend of the month, but one weekend of each month will offer a special activity. An annoucement about this weekend will be sent out in the weeks preceding.

Gather your friends, your blankets and your picnic basket and join DC's new breed of homos for some fun in the DC sun. Everyone is not ENCOURAGED TO CREATIVELY DISGUISE at least one of the following: a thermos or other opaque container for holding liquid containing Mimosas, Bloody Marys, 40s, bottles of Wine/Vodka. You are also not ENCOURAGED to bring a supply of Solo cups or other opaque personal consumption container.

I look forward to seeing everyone there.



From the Facebook Event Page for Saturday, May 17:
Thank you everyone for all the excitement and interest over Saturgays in the Park. Within 24 hours of creating the group, more than 100 people had joined. Now, we are quickly approaching 250 members. Weather-permitting, this Saturday should be fantastic.

Upon walking in the dreary rain to the metro this morning, I saw a sea of umbrellas bobbing up and down toward Dupont Circle. All I could think about was how the scene would change this weekend. With everyone’s participation we can create a sea of gays with their friends and canines spread out across the lawns of Meridian Hill Park. Think Seurat’s “Sunday in the Park”, but it’s Saturday and it’s mostly gay men.

The activity of this month will be a jolly game of croquet. Recommended attire: think British Royalty in the spring (or at least dress in as much white clothing as possible, please think of the hilarious photo-op!).

This month’s Saturgays in the Park will begin at 1:00 pm. The first game of croquet will start promptly at 2:00 pm. Participation in the game is by no means required, but should be lots of fun.

Gather your friends, bring your blankets, pack your picnic basket, or just stumble over from brunch. And remember, you are not ENCOURAGED TO CREATIVELY DISGUISE your favorite libation and bring extra cups.


Saturgays in the Park, Saturday May 17th, 1 to 5 PM, Meridian Hill Park, 16th and Florida NW.

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Tonight: Cut Copy Afterparty @ Redeem

Cut Copy, "Saturday."

Where did Cut Copy come from? I'm seeing their show at the Black Cat tonight on a recommendation from a friend, but it seems that everyone and their mother will be joining me. It's already sold out. I don't much of their music (beside the fact that it's really shimmery and appeals to my weakness for dance rock,) but I am looking forward to the show's enticing afterparty. Right across the street at Redeem Urban Apparel (1734 14th St.) will be an open bar event, DJ'd by Cut Copy themselves, from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.

However, you'll only get in if you RSVP. Don't drop the ball.

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Saturday May 17: Live Queer Acoustic Rock

Queer musicians Eric Himan and Tom Goss will be stopping by Solly's this coming Saturday as part of their current US Tour. Tom, who's based out of DC, was kind enough to work with us when he and the TNG Vernal Equniox Party were double booked back in March. He and his guests played for the TNG audience and picked up a few new fans. As for Eric, well, he's cute and has hot sleeves. As for their music, that's up to you. You can sample some of their tunes below the fold.

Eric Himan and Tom Goss perform at Solly's, 8 PM on Saturday May 17, 1942 11th Street, NW

Eric Himan: There's Gotta Be Something


Tom Goss: Rise

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May Music Roundup

Wait, when did it become May? 9 days ago? Fuck! How did that happen? I hope it doesn't inconvenience anyone that I'm just getting around to this May concert preview now. If it's any consolation, you didn't really miss anything last week. Just two shows (The Teenagers and Midnight Juggernauts) that I already warned you about.

So below the fold, check out the best (and sometimes worst) that the DC live music scene has to offer this month. And I'm really trying my best not to describe all these bands in relation to other bands, but sometimes that's the easiest way to do it.

5/9, 10:
-Drive-by Truckers: A band that Jenny really likes, these twangy alt-country rockers seem to take themselves less seriously than some of their contemporaries. That's a good thing. (930)

5/11:
-Ladyhawk: If The Shins had chest-length beards and knee-length balls, and took turns peeing on Natalie Portman instead of stocking her iPod. (DC9)

5/14:
-Uh Huh Her: Lesbian Royalty in our very own backyard! The L Word's (and The Murmur's) Leisha Hailey brings her lez-heavy electroclash band to DC. Expect many studded belts. (930)

5/15:
-Cut Copy w/Black Kids: Australian dance-rock band Cut Copy joins controversially named Cure sound-alikes Black Kids for a show I've been excited about for months. (Black Cat)

5/16:
-Devotchka: Are "Gypsy" and "Indie" mutually exclusive genres? (930)

-Los Campesinos: Another band I love. A co-ed English 7 piece who mixes Architecture in Helsinki's twee hooks with Arcade Fire kitchen sink instrumentation. Check out their latest single, My Year in Lists. (Black Cat.)

-Local H: The locale in question is Chicago, so we have something in common. You might remember "Bound for The Floor," but they have other songs too. (Rock and Roll Hotel.)

5/17:
-Drug Rug: Warbly, weird folk-ish duo who I shouldn't like as much as I do. Opening for The Long Blondes. (Rock and Roll Hotel)

-Junior League: More alt-country. Yay! (Black Cat)

5/18:
-Yo Majesty: Lesbian hip-hop duo. They actually have good voices too. (DC9)

5/20:
- The Helio Sequence: Portland duo that all the kids are going crazy over. (Black Cat)

5/22:
-Islands: Little-bit-of-everything pop band with a cute, homo drummer. I'm excited to see them. Check out their song "Rough Gem." (Black Cat.)

5/24:
-KRS-One: Old-school rapper at the Black Cat. How often does that happen? (Black Cat)

-Black Moth Super Rainbow: Psychedelic rock band with a Newsradio-reminiscent name. (Rock and Roll Hotel.)

5/25:
-Sea Wolf: Yet another wolf-named band, with one really awesome single. (Rock and Roll Hotel)

5/27, 28:
-The Raconteurs: Jack White's other band. (930)

5/29:
-The New Bloods: Three Portland lesbians stand out from the rest of the experimental art-rock by playing a fiddle, and playing it hot. (Black Cat)

-Filter: Hey man, nice shot at maintaining a relevant career...(930)

5/31:
-MSTRKRFT: Canadian electro/DJ act made up of members from Death From Above 1979. (930)

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Saturday: Learn-a-palooza

Tomorrow is Learn-a-palooza, a seemingly annual community information sharing event that happens in and around Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle. The general idea is that anyone who knows something of potential interest to other people can sign up to host a seminar and teach it to whomever shows up. A pretty cool idea. This year's schedule includes possibly the most strange topic I've heard of yet: "How to Find Gay Men in the City: A Fag Hag's Guide to DC". I would have thought this would be taught by the woman who posted Grid Skipper's "Handy Guide to DC Fag-Hagging", but it appears to be someone else. Other sessions of potential interest are listed below the fold.

Other interesting sessions at Learn-A-Palozza:

How to:

• tight-rope walk
• dance at a party
• frame pictures
• cook organic food
• build a facebook application
• use photoshop for screen printing
• balance your personal budget
• be a brazen burlesque performer
• identify food allergies

and many more.

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Thursdays: Karaoke at Phase 1

This post was submitted by Meaghan, who has a penchant for crafts, cooking, organization and party planning.

Hey Queers (especially the ladies)!

I don't want to hear it! I had a nice long chat with the manager of Phase 1 the other night, after I recovered from a wild night of karaoke and Jack Daniels, and we both remain perplexed...

Why the hell aren't people coming out to Karaoke night at Phase every Thursday?

We don't get it. The people who do manage to stroll in love every second of it. There are brave souls who wander in single and charm the pants off the crowd (and maybe even a lucky lady), rowdy regulars who hog the mic a little (but never fail to entertain), and hilarious folks who pick the most ridiculous songs and sing the hell out of them. How could you resist?

So I implore thee, this Thursday or one in the near future, take a nap after work and then jump in the shower. Warm up the vocal cords, like I do by screeching "Hot Blooded" by Foreigner to your bath product audience, or whatever suits your fancy. Put on your most comfortable jeans and a vintage 70s band t-shirt or a boa or even a cowboy hat, and head on down to Barracks Row. Even if you don't muster up the courage to say hello to a new friend or get on stage and sing some Duran, Duran you can be confident that you'll leave the bar ridiculously pleased with your experience and ready to tell all of your friends about it.

So get out to PHASE 1 tomorrow night, pick a few songs, and rock the hell out. We'll be there to cheer you on and to put our lighters up.

Phase 1 is located at 525 8th Street SE, just two blocks from the Eastern Market metro stop (orange & blue lines).

More details: www.phase1dc.com
Or check out our flyer: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2235/2475009218_f79b110c37_o.jpg

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Tue-Fri: 48 Hour Film Project Movies

This follow-up post on the 48 Hour Film Project was submitted by Crack co-founder Shea Van Horn, AKA "Summer Camp."

This past Friday night, my team (I did this with Crack co-founder Chris Farris and Crack contributor Josh Siegel) joined 104 other teams at the Warehouse Theater to randomly draw a genre—we drew "road movie." Each team was also assigned the same required character (Laurie or Larry Gardner, a designer), prop ("sauce"), and line of dialogue ("I’ll be glad when he’s gone.") to include in the short movies.

During the 48 hours that followed, we created a short film titled, "Skip to the End." It’s the story of three budding filmmakers who participate in the 48 Hour Film Project and take a short road trip to get their film turned in on time…How original! It includes a campy film within the film, an outrageous drag queen played by local office drone Alex George, a protesting mob, and tight spandex pants!

When I think back on those two days, I’m amazed we were able to pull it off. We dropped off our tape with three minutes to spare—other teams weren’t so lucky. It was a super collaborative process. The three of us wrote, acted, and directed, but there is no way we could have done it without the help of some really creative and generous friends who played extras, made costumes, built sets, filmed scenes, composed original music, and coordinated the shooting.

All of the films that were submitted on Sunday night will screen this week at the AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring. Our film is screening on Wednesday, May 7, at 9:30 p.m. These films are eligible for the Audience Award, which is determined by audience ballot at the screenings. In addition, a panel of three judges will select the "Best Film of the City." I’m not sure who is judging this year’s films, but in the past, judges have included film critics, producers, actors, and filmmakers.

I don’t know if our film will walk (or skip) away with any awards, but it was an exciting experience that was definitely worth it. It was one of the most intense 48-hour periods I’ve ever experienced, but I would gladly do it again.


Screening Information

Date: Tuesday, May 6 – Friday, May 9, 2008
Time: 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., each night
Place: AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring , 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring
Notes: Tickets can be purchased online at www.AFI.com/Silver or at the door. Tickets will sell out, so be sure to get yours early!

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Ask A Rocker: The Teenagers' Quentin Delafon

I love trash, and there's no better kind than trash with a sense of humor. The Teenagers, a band of London-based Frenchmen who are playing the Black Cat tomorrow night, play a laughable scuzziness that has wormed into my heart like a cardiac STD. "Feeling Better" is 3.5 minutes of catchy self-aggrandizement and "Starlett Johansson" is an obvious ode to stalking a certain husky-voiced actress.

Their finest moment is "Homecoming," a he said/she said account of an Englishman fucking his high school aged-cousin. Its chorus is, respectively, "I fucked my American Cunt/ I love my English romance" and contains the Englishman's romantic assertion of "Just like I like it/She's got nice tits." Their music is half John Hughes cheer and half spoken-word nastiness. They might not exist in six months but I'm happy they're here now.

I roped their frontman, Quentin Delafon, to answer some questions over email. And I must say that I appreciate his candor.

The New Gay: How would you describe your sound? How is it different from the actual '80s sound that inspired it?

Quentin Delafon: It's French sleazy pop.

TNG: What sets you apart from the seemingly endless number of indie bands in existence today?

QD: Technically we are French, based in London. And for the rest, our songz [sic] are much better.

TNG: Where does your band name come from?

QD: That's where we are stuck in our minds, you know. We don't want to grow up 'cause it sucks.

TNG: As Europeans, what are your feelings on visiting the American capital? Anything you want to do while you're here?

QD: We are proud and we are going to do our best to be good French ambassadors so that our president is proud of us. [Editor's note: This will hopefully involve doing one of the Bush twins.]

TNG: Your best known song has "cunt" in the chorus. Have you gotten any shit for this?

QD: Some but its ok, nah? We honestly didn't know that it was SO bad. Now we know.

TNG: What kind of balls did it take to write "Feeling Better," a song with your band's name as the chorus?

QD: 6 balls. Not more. not less.

TNG: Have you heard back from Scarlett Johanson?

QD: Not yet but it would be cool!

TNG: Why should we come out and see you at the Black Cat?

QD: 'Cause we are ace... and Michael Szpiner plays the bass topless. Priceless.

The Teenagers play the Black Cat Wednesday, May 7, with supporting acts DJ Will Eastman and Team Robespierre. Doors open at 8.

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Thursday: WIN & HRC - Networking for Equality

This event listing was sent to us by WIN, which stands for Women's Information Network, not to be confused with Women's Issues Now or the Washington Interfaith Network.

"Networking for Equality: An evening reception with WIN & HRC"
Join WIN and the Human Rights Campaign as we join forces to discuss gender and LGBT equality.

Thursday, May 8, 2008, 6:30 p.m.
Human Rights Campaign
Equality Forum
1640 Rhode Island Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036
RSVP requested: networks@winonline.org


Join us for an evening networking reception at HRC's beautiful building in the heart of Dupont Circle!

Enjoy vegetarian hors d'oeuvres and an open bar.

This event is FREE to WIN members and HRC employees
$10 for non-WIN members / guests at the door

WIN is Washington's premier professional, political, and social network dedicated to empowering young, Democratic, pro-choice women. To learn more about WIN and membership benefits, please visit our website at www.winonline.org.

To join WIN, CLICK HERE

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. To learn more about HRC and the fight for equality, please visit www.hrc.org To donate to the HRC, CLICK HERE

Hope to see you on May 8!

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Tomorrow: Midnight Juggernauts @ 930

The Australian band Midnight Juggernauts is playing tomorrow night at the 9:30 Club and I recommend you be there. I was more excited about the debut record, Dystopia, than I've been about anything else in a while. They play a mix of synth and guitar dance/rock that reminds me of ELO, and goddamn do I love ELO. The video above is for their song "Shadows," but "Into the Galaxy" and "Road to Recovery" are pretty awesome too. The only way I could be more jazzed for this would be if a laser show was involved.

Midnight Juggernauts play the 9:30 Club on Tuesday, May 6th, with opening band Shy Child.

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Wednesday May 7: 48 Hour Film Project

Local creative types Josh Siegel (Right Now), Shea Van Horn (Ms. Summer Camp) and Chris Farris (Crack) have informed us that they'll be participating in an interesting movie-making endeavor: The 48 Hour Film Project. From the project's website:

The 48 Hour Film Project is a wild and sleepless weekend in which you and a team make a movie—write, shoot, edit and score it—in just 48 hours. On Friday night, you get a character, a prop, a line of dialogue and a genre, all to include in your movie. 48 hours later, the movie must be complete. Then it will show at a local theater, usually in the next week.

The weekend in question for DC is this one upcoming, and the DC screening is next Wednesday, May 7 at 9:15 PM at the AFI Silver theatre in Silver Spring. Tickets are only available in advance so if you're interested, get 'em now. Considering what those guys have produced in the past, I'm sure their submission is not to be missed.

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May 7: Network Wednesday

Ladies First is hosting a women's networking session.

Date: Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Time: 9pm to close

Location: Fab Lounge, 2022 Florida Avenue NW, Washington DC

(corner of Connecticut & Florida Avenue)

Cost: FREE

What: This is a networking party for local professionals, entrepreneurs, promoters, artists, DJ's, queer revolutionists, and innovators in the women's lgbt community. That means you!! Come out and enjoy a few drinks, great music, and great company with DC's finest.

R.S.V.P.: Please R.S.V.P. to info@eventboi.com or 301-873-7365 by Tuesday, May 6, 2008. We look forward to seeing you!

[*Note: Feel free to pass this along to friends and associates that you think might be interested in attending this event.]

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Saturday: BYT Relaunch Party

This Saturday night, BrightestYoungThings.com is throwing a giant relaunch party to celebrate its soon-to-be repolished site. DC's nightlife website wants to make sure that there are lots of New Gays in attendance. "We need more gays in the make-out teepee," says John, BYT's alt-gay correspondent.

The event does feature a make-out tepee, a free shot confessional booth, artwork (its being held in part to preview Artomatic), live bands and numerous DJs. The cover is a suggested donation of $10, plus a cheapish cash bar. Its being held in a massive empty office building one block from the NY Avenue Metro.

Brightest Young Things chronicles DC's alt-nighltife scene including concerts, fashion events, artists and even TNG parties.

The run-down:

6-8pm: A respectable photography show featuring a DJ set by Geologist (of Animal Collective)
7-8pm: Bands
8pm-onwards: Sweaty hipsters dancing to djs.

RSVP is required: rsvp@brigthestyoungthings.com. Click here for more information.

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Sunday: Tokyo Police Club @ The Talking Head

While my last experience with a Myspace-sponsored show was far from enjoyable, the teen-oriented social site is throwing a show this Sunday, at Baltimore's The Talking Head, that could be fun. Ontiario indie band Tokyo Police Club are the subject of a free "MySpace Secret Show" at the club on Sunday night. The band is getting a lot of coverage for their latest CD right now and this is the smallest venue they're playing at, so if you wanna trek out to charm city (or live there already) it will be more fun that the hungover day of self-pity that most of us have scheduled.

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Tonight: School Night at Phase 1

I just got a press release from the nice folks at Phase 1 about an event happening there tonight. A nice throwback to all our college (or grownup alcoholic) days, the event is called School Days and features a host of drinking games that will get you blindingly drunk. It benefits the upcoming Phase Fest lesbian music performance, so you can get blindingly drunk for a good cause.

If this night is anything like my actual college experience with drinking games, you might end up leaving a naked trick in your bed while you run to your bathroom, also naked, and decide whether puking or shitting is a higher priority at the given moment. How could you resist?

Details, as per the press release, below the fold:


School Night is an opportunity to remember how fun it was to drink the night away with college friends, complete with competitions, discounts for wearing college attire, and raffle prizes.

Hosted by Phase 1 Lounge, School Night will offer Beer Pong, a Flip-Cup tournament, a raffle, and of course, dancing. Sponsors include Riot Grrrl Ink, Phase 1, Fancy Productions, and other local businesses. Trophies will be awarded to the winning flip-cup team!

Cover $5, or $3 for people wearing College apparel. You must be 21+ years old to enter Phase 1.

$25 per team of 5 to enter the Flip Cup tournament, $5 per game of Beer Pong, and $2 keg beer all night.

Phase Fest 2008 is the East Coast's largest Queer Music and Arts Festival and will be held September 11-14, 2008. For more information about the event and Phase Fest, visit www.phasefest.com.

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Tonight: Smart Ass Trivia Night @ Nellies

Andy over at Smart Ass Trivia Night at Nellies keeps us guessing this week with another preview question.
Last week's trivia question was a bit of a softball, but it was so appropriate for the DC holiday that I couldn't resist. We asked: What recording artist encouraged you to "emancipate yourself from mental slavery"?

Read on for the answer...

It was indeed Mr. Bob Marley from his "Redemption Song". Here's what I loved about that question though. It was pretty easy, but there was still enough room for someone's mind to wander over to The Artist Formerly (and once again) Known as Prince and his 1996 album "Emancipation" when he was frequently seen with the word 'Slave' written on his face. Now, had anyone referenced Mariah Carey's "The Emancipation of Mimi" then a little part of me inside would have died.

Ok, this week we're introducing something new at Smart Ass. If you've ever wanted to join in on the trivial fun of Smart Ass but for whatever reason haven't been able to get enough people together to make up a team, then this is the week for you! We're setting aside a space for single players to meet and form a "pick-up team" if you will. We hope it will be a fun and interesting new way for people to meet - so come on out! We're calling the team "Strangers With Candy" and they're our inspiration for this week's sneak peek question.

Q: On the TV series "Strangers with Candy," Jerri Blank accidentally kills her new popular gal-pal Poppy Downs by giving her an overdose of what homemade drug?


Bring your answer and show us what a Smart Ass you are tonight!

Smart Ass Trivia Night, two games Every Wednesday, 8 and 9 PM, at Nellie's Sports Bar, 900 U St NW, 20001

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Wednesday: Dyke Night

This just in from Peggy Sioux, hostess of the DC Eagle's Dyke Night.

Thank christ on a cracker that old white guy in the dress is FINALLY gone (seriously, people, Metro was like 300 train cars full of suburban lezzies going to see Melissa. Everybody was grinning like pod people, wouldn’t quit yapping, wore socks with sandals and carried ugly homemade signs proclaiming undying love for their leader. WTF?).

Now that traffic is back to just sucking instead of pure evil and the heavens are supposed to close up shop and quit drowning our asses by Wednesday night, we have bigger fish to fry.

That’s right. Do you not know by now about Dyke Night? It is only the most laid-back, ridiculously fun filled ho-mo-sexual monthly event you’ll find anywhere. Seriously.

We’ll have ONE DOLLAR BEERS upstairs courtesy of PhaseFest 2008.
There are always two floors and so many dark corners.
Motorcycle? No problem, you get to park on the effin' sidewalk.
Pool? Yup. Cheapass drinks? Oh yeah. Dykes, transfolk and queers, oh my? Duh.
Find your friendly neighborhood Dyke Night hostess before, say, 10pm, whisper "Lake Titicaca" in her ear and she just might buy you a drink.

So come on down to the DC Eagle THIS WEDNESDAY April 23rd and getcher groove on, m’kay?

You know these folks will...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/pegsioux/DN/040702.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/pegsioux/DN/040701.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/pegsioux/DN/040703.jpg


Besides, it's FREE, goober.

Damn, looky that GORGEOUS new myspace page:
myspace.com/dceagledykenight

Or perhaps you'd prefer our yahoogroup:
groups.yahoo.com/group/dceagledykenight/join



DYKE NIGHT
WEDS APRIL 23
9pm until you're finished, dammit (aka 2am)
DC EAGLE
639 New York Avenue NW
202.347.6025
*************

DYKE NIGHT INFO:
Some questions about Dyke Night:

Do I have to be into S&M to go?
Nope. You DO have to be 21 or over, though. Bring your ID! The DC Eagle is a leather bar and lots of the female patrons are leatherdykes. It is also a friendly atmosphere for dykes and transpeople of all shapes, colors, and sizes...and nobody will expect or require that you be into anything perverted. Although it's a bonus in many circles there ;)

But isn't the DC Eagle full of big scary guys in black leather with whips and chains?
Um...you should probably stop watching those late night Cinemax movies. Really. Seriously, though, the DC Eagle is a super-friendly neighborhood hangout bar for ALL types of queers. There are suits that come there after work, folks in jeans, dykes in big black boots, all different kinds of people, really. Above all, the DC Eagle is a safe and fun place for dykes and transfolk to hang out...especially on Dyke Night.

I'm scared to go alone. How do I find a friend to go with me?
That's easy! Join our yahoogroup at groups.yahoo.com/group/dceagledykenight and introduce yourself and ask to meet people. We really are a friendly lot. ;)

Why are you doing this?
We want more opportunities for dykes to get laid in this town! Seriously, though, we think it's important that there is a perv-positive place for us to gather, socialize, cruise and/or make new friends. Besides which, the DC Eagle is totally committed to providing a safe and fun place for us to hang out and meet each other.

I am a person of color. Will I be the only non-white face at Dyke Night?
Absolutely not. We're working hard to make sure that Dyke Night (as well as Sunday School) is an inclusive space specifically for people of color...and we also understand that this particular work is and will be an ongoing process. The perception that the leather community is not a welcoming one to people of color is a notion that we will continue to refute, one Dyke Nighter at a time. :)

Can I wear my favorite sneakers/shiny outfit/perfume/cologne to Dyke Night??
While we encourage leather, of course, it's not required; the DC Eagle is a comfortable place to be yourself. Jeans are great! But please, DO NOT WEAR HEAVY PERFUMES OR SCENTS. Dyke Night is for everybody, including those who become ill around heavy perfume or cologne.

Are there a lot of butches? femmes? transwomen? transmen? regular dykes? hell, irregular dykes? all or none of the above?
Yes! There are lots of hot femmes, packing butches, and folks that identify as neither or both...including our trans and non-trans male supporters. Dyke Night welcomes you!

Doesn't the name "Dyke Night" at the DC Eagle exclude trans people?
Okay, it's called Dyke Night and not Dyke/Trans night. The name originated because some dykes wanted a space of their own in a leather bar. Today, Dyke Night recognizes that transfolk are a vital part of our community, and while the name is the same, please realize that there is absolutely no change in the commitment to be a trans-inclusive, safe, fun place for dykes and transfolk to hang out.

What's with the shoe thing?
The policy at the DC Eagle is NO FLIP FLOPS and NO SLIP-ON SHOES without a heel strap. We'd hate for your sweet little tootsies to get squished by some big stompy boots (it has happened, unfortunately, hence the rule) so please make sure you have appropriate footwear when you visit. You MUST wear shoes that are attached to your cute little feet, otherwise the doorperson will NOT allow you in, so again, PLEASE no flip-flops or slip-on sandals, a'ight?

(and a special note to all high-heel lovin' femmes out there, we want your precious feet to be safe so when you wear the stilettos, please make sure that your shoe has a strap and covers your heel, m'kay?)

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Tonight: Imperial China @ Rock and Roll Hotel

Local boy Brian Porter, subject of our very first Ask a Straight Guy, brings his band Imperial China to the Rock and Roll Hotel tonight. Aside from being really cute and good friend of mine, IC's main draw is their ability to bombard you with melodic noise. They've played a number of gigs around DC before, but this one's special. Its their first time headlining, and its the release party for their new EP "Methods." They'll be appearing with Zulu Pearls, Double Dagger and Black & White Jacksons.

Imperial China plays tonight, 4/18, at the Rock and Roll Hotel.

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Tonight: Smart Ass Trivia Night @ Nellies

Last week we asked you what common bond linked the bands Radiohead, Godsmack, Boys Don't Cry and Ladytron. Some of you got it right off the bat (good job Zack!) while I think some of you spent a little time on Google, but that's ok. The answer after the fold...

Answer: All of those bands were named after songs by other bands: Radio Head by Talking Heads, God Smack by Alice in Chains, Boys Don't Cry by The Cure and Ladytron by Roxy Music.

Today's question is somewhat music related again and is in honor of DC's Emancipation Day holiday.

Q: What recording artist encouraged you to "emancipate yourself from mental slavery"?

Find out the answer tonight, if not sooner.

Smart Ass Trivia Night, two games Every Wednesday, 8 and 9 PM, at Nellie's Sports Bar, 900 U St NW, 20001

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Get The Hook

I love looking at guys' dicks. Dick spotting (and its cousin, dick flaunting) is the only reason I use the group showers at my gym. Hell, it's sometimes the only reason I work out in the first place. Dicks are fun for their sexual connotations, but also for their unending variety in shape, color, size and weight. Looking around a locker room, you can spot (as the song goes,) "long one's, tall ones, short ones, brown ones, black ones, round ones, big ones, [and] crazy ones." Last week I saw a dick that looked like a potato. I haven't eaten fries since.

But if there's one thing more fun than looking at dicks, its looking at boners. Luckily, I attend a primarily gay gym so public boners are in no short supply. In observing a shower penis' entire life cycle of rigidity, from tiny little shrinkage victim to full out broadsword, you can see some striking differences emerge. Your run-of-the-mill windsock can transform in seconds to a whole topographer's map of moles, veins, birthmarks and exotic foreskins.

But some dick abnormalities are actually undiagnosed penile diseases. Tune in below the fold for more info on this, uh, sensitive subject.

Among the most striking of "emerging" features is probably the pronounced curve. We've all experienced (possibly on ourselves) a dick that starts out on the straight and narrow (or straight and thick) and ends up decidedly more loopy. They can be really fun. But did you know that there's a medical term for this? For that matter, did the guy I dated in college nicknamed "Capt'n Hook" know I called him that?

Some curved dicks are just made that way, but others are the result of a condition called "Peyronie's." Sometimes caused by trauma to the penis (like when you pull out too far and thrust into someone's hip, causing your junk to snap) Peyronie's is caused by the formation of scar tissue under the skin of the penis that can lead to curvature and a painful erection.

Since patients and doctors alike are often unaware that this condition exists, Mens Health PD, a website offering information and help to those with Peyronie's, will be hosting a live chat with Dr. Culley Carson at 7 p.m. on the subject of early stage Peyronies treatment.

Thanks to TNG reader Taryn Snider for the tip.

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