Arts & Entertainment
Alaska Thunderfuck invites anti-LGBTQ members of Congress to D.C. show
Drag queen to perform at the Howard Theatre on Saturday

Alaska Thunderfuck has invited anti-LGBTQ and anti-drag members of Congress to her show in D.C. this Saturday at the Howard Theatre.
āThe world and the community of drag is a place where we welcome people, and I think for people to see that firsthand, itās transformative,ā Thunderfuck told the Washington Blade during a recent telephone interview.
Thunderfuck’s show will take place at the Howard Theatre on Saturday at 8 p.m.Ā
She will be performing songs from her latest album, “Red 4 Filth.” Among the list of songs she will performing is one of Alaskaās favorites, “Ask Me,” which is ironically one of her least popular songs on Spotify and other streaming platforms. However, that doesnāt discourage Thunderfuck, as she prepares to give every song on tour a new purpose.
The show has less of a concert style and more of a story-telling energy, according to Thunderfuck. Instead of standing around and changing costumes a few times, Thunderfuck’s show will be a sci-fi storytelling experience.
Thunderfuck will prepare for her Howard Theatre show the way she prepares for every other show; sheāll get herself a smoothie ā a near-addiction she wouldnāt dream of kicking before a big show ā and a healthy serving of Chipotle to keep her energy up. She doesnāt have much time for anything else right now, with her life in full rehearsal mode.Ā
Thunderfuck said her show has been in the work for years.
She had to put it on hold with COVID-19 cases surging in due to the omicron variant, but she wouldnāt have it any other way.
āIām really glad itās happening (now,) itās turned into a really cool thing,” said Thunderfuck. “Itās kind of unlike anything Iāve done before.āĀ

While touring around the country, her stop in D.C. is more important than the others.
U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) has introduced a bill that would prohibit the use of federal funds for drag queen story time, which Fox News has categorized as “radical gender theory.” When asked about how she felt about this measure, Thunderfuck said āitās ridiculous,ā noting the GOP is supporting these proposals in order to get the “cheap” votes.
Making politics more about control than freedom is shifting the way marginalized communities are fighting back. Thunderfuck is nevertheless taking the high road, which is why she has invited members of Congress to attend her show.
The Proud Boys and other groups have also targeted drag queens.
Violence broke out at a “drag queen story time” event in Eugene, Ore., on Oct. 23 when a group of LGBTQ rights supporters clashed with members of the Proud Boys and neo-Nazis. Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who signed his state’s “Don’t Say Gay” law earlier this year, in July filed a complaint against a Miami restaurant that hosted a drag brunch with children.
Proud Boys members in harassed D’Manda Martini and photographed her car during a “drag queen story hour” at a library in Kensington, Md. Thunderfuck acknowledged drag queens are under fire across the country, but the stressed she won’t waiver in the face of danger.
“They can try to disrupt me, but they won’t,” said Thunderfuck.
Thunderfuck also said she doesnāt let the reviews get her down-or get to her head, even though she is one of the drag world’s biggest stars.
āIām always like āreviews donāt matter,ā she said. “I donāt care what reviewers have to say I just care about the work.ā
Her shows get raving reviews already, with “BroadwayWorld” calling her an āundeniable and unequivocal star of Drag! The Musical.ā
Thunderfuck’s words of wisdom to anyone considering a career in drag are āif itās something you want to try or something youāre into, by all means, go for it.ā Thunderfuck herself doesnāt have an outlet for future drag superstars yet, but sheās always dreamed of opening her own summer camp-like experience for adults who are interested in drag.
āThereās so much that you canāt really learn from a YouTube video or from watching drag race, thereās so much thatās like tactile and so much knowledge that can be passed on so Iāve always loved the idea of that.ā
Until Thunderfuck opens her own drag summer camp, youāll have to catch her show-stopping performance of her album at the Howard Theatre or follow along with the rest of her tour on her website, alaskathunderfuck.com/tour/

Arts & Entertainment
Washington Bladeās Pride on the Pier returns bigger than everĀ with two-day WorldPride celebration

The Washington Bladeās Pride on the Pier will be extended to a two-day celebration in honor of WorldPride coming to D.C. this year. Taking place on Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 at The Wharf, this yearās event promises more entertainment, more community, and more pride than ever before ā all set against the stunning waterfront backdrop of our nationās capital.
With the addition of Friday, the party kicks off at 3 p.m., with the inaugural WorldPride Boat Parade at 7 p.m. As an Official WorldPride Partner event, the boat parade will feature 30 decorated boats parading along the Washington Channel. For information on signing up for the boat parade contact Stephen Rutgers at [email protected].
Saturdayās signature Pier Party kicks off at 12 p.m., featuring a drag show, DJ’s, streaming of the WorldPride Parade, and the iconic Fireworks Show Presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation ā one of D.C. Prideās most anticipated spectacles.
āWeāre expanding Washington Blade Pride on the Pier to reflect the excitement and momentum building for WorldPride in D.C.,ā said Blade publisher Lynne Brown. āItās a celebration of our communityās progress and a powerful reminder of the joy and visibility Pride brings to the heart of our city.ā
Now in its seventh year, Washington Blade Pride on the Pier extends the cityās annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Wharf waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older.
Pride on the Pier is free and open to the public, with VIP tickets available for exclusive pier access, hosted bars, and private viewing areas for the boat parade and the fireworks show. To purchase VIP tickets visit www.prideonthepierdc.com/vip.
Friday VIP: 5-9 p.m., enjoy an air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, cash bar and complimentary drink.
Saturday VIP Session #1: 2-5 p.m., enjoy an air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, catered food, and an open bar.
Saturday VIP Session #2: 6-9 p.m., enjoy the air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, catered snacks and dinner, and open bar with a front-row view of the fireworks.
Event Details:
š Location: District Pier at The Wharf (101 District Sq., S.W., Washington, D.C.)
š
Dates: Friday, June 6 & Saturday, June 7, 2025
š„ļøBoat Parade: 7 p.m. (June 6). š Fireworks Show: 9 p.m. (June 7)
šļø VIP Tickets: www.PrideOnThePierDC.com/VIP
Event sponsors include Absolut, Capital Pride, DC Fray, Infinate Legacy, Heineken, Leonard-Litz Foundation, Mayorās Office of LGBTQ Affairs, Relish Catering,Ā Washingtonian, and The Wharf. More information regarding activities will be released at www.PrideOnThePierDC.com
Arts & Entertainment
Win a pair of tickets to Grace Jones & Janelle MonƔe @ The Anthem on June 5, 2025!


The Cherry Weekend main event party was “Fire” at Betty (1235 W Street, N.E.) on Saturday, April 12. Detox of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” met with fans.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)














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