It’s A Monster Mash of Howl-o-Ween Events in DC This Year
This Howl-o-een there are lots of places to release your inner monster, but here are three totally ghoulish events to check out.
First on the calendar is a party that ain’t your average drag race, followed by a chance to howl at the moon from the rooftops, and then get down and dirty with some funky martinis.
High Heel Drag Race
Dupont Circle is known for its flamboyant characters, but the annual High Heel Drag Race is the crème de la crème of shoes, showmanship, and sheer madness. Held each year on the Tuesday before Halloween, the party gets started at 6:00 p.m., but the race itself doesn’t start until 9:00 p.m. The promenade of drag queens that begins at six is what people really come for each year, just think of it as Dupont Circle’s twist on the Easter Parade.
Don’t be surprised if you find large crowds lining both sides of 17th Street NW, and Hold on to your wigs for this one, because things can get pretty hairy. All up and down 17th Street NW, enthusiastic fans vie for a chance to cheer on their favorite drag queens as they strut up and down the avenue.
And this is before the race has even started at 9:00 p.m. Everyone knows it’s the good spirited mayhem beforehand that people turn up for each year, the race is just dessert in this parade of whipped hair dos and high heels. Savvy race veterans know if they want to get good seats to see all the festivities, they have to get there before the 6:00 p.m. witching hour arrives. Two restaurants with great views of the street are Agora Restaurant and Trio’s Fox & Hounds.
What: High Heel Drag Queen Race
When: October 25, 2011 | 6:00 p.m. -10:00p.m.
Where: Dupont Circle Neighborhood | 17th Street NW between Church Street and Q street NW
What’s Next? Get your cameras ready and join the fun
W’s Rooftop Howl-o-Ween Bash
Whatever you are doing the night of October 28, cancel your plans, because the best spot to be for Howl-o-Ween is on the rooftop at the W Washington, DC. From ghoulies and ghosties, long-leggidy beasties, and things that go bump in the night, hope they don’t blow the roof off. Don’t bother to show up if you’re not wearing a costume, they’re mandatory or you can’t get in!
Sponsored by W Washington, DC and Bacardi, this party is more than just hanging around the crypt, a portion of the proceeds will go to the Washington Humane Society’s Fashion for Paws program. Sorry, no pets allowed, but werewolves are invited to attend. They just have to promise not to bay at the moon once DC’s hottest DJ gets busy.
With arguably the best view in the city, the rooftop is kickin’ for a party, so grab your ghoul, and come get batty with Bacardi. You never know what kind of witch’s brew the bartender will be serving. The music will be devilishly bad, so drag yourself around the dance floor a few times, and while you’re there, dash into the photo booth with your favorite vampire, bet you that’ll be one picture that isn’t worth a thousand words.
What: Rooftop Howl-o-ween Bash
When: October 28, 2011 | 9:00p.m. to Close
Where: W Washington, DC | 515 15th Street NW, Washington DC
What’s Next? Buy your tickets before it’s too late.
Dirty Martini Masquerade Ball: Arrive Clean and Leave Dirty
Want to be someone else for Halloween? Love costumes and martinis? Put on your best costume and help a good cause. When you buy tickets to Dirty Martini’s Masquerade Ball, $5 dollars of each ticket goes to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and their fight against blood cancers. Now isn’t that worth getting dressed up for on the 31st? Where else can you arrive clean, leave dirty, and still feel good about it?
There are plenty of other reasons to attend too. Like the food, fun, music, and drinks. Here’s what your ticket includes:
- Some cool jazz in Dirty Martini and hot tunes spun by a DJ in the DirtyBar
- A chance to test your luck in the raffles and win fab door prizes
- Light hors d’oeuvres to fortify you through the night
- Entry in the Best Dressed (think costume) Competition and a chance at winning $100
What: Dirty Martini Masquerade Ball
When: October 31, 2011 | 8:30 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Where: Dirty Martini| 1223 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC
What’s Next? Buy your tickets and get dirty!
Photo Credit: Summer Whitford
Category: SPECIAL OCCASION EVENTS
[...] you read our preview of DC’s annual High Heel Drag Race, then you know this event is a surfeit of sequins, wild wigs, and fishnet stockings. What you [...]