The beginning of the modern LGBTQ rights movement began 54 years ago when the first stone was thrown at the Stonewall Inn in New York City and sparked the beginning of the Stonewall Riots.
Since that fateful day on June 28, 1969, the LGBTQ+ community has made significant strides in their fight for equality. However, as trans rights are threatened in many states across the nation and the possibility that the right to marry whomever you love, regardless of gender, could be overturned by current Supreme Court justices, the fight continues. Events like Pride feel more important now than ever before, especially in the nation's capital.
This year, Capital Pride Alliance is partnering with Washington DC’s biggest nightlife producers - Dougie Meyer, Jesus Quispe, and Zach Renovates (collectively, the team behind KINETIC Presents) – on four official Pride parties including the weekend's main event, featuring a performance by global pop star Betty Who.
“We are turning this year’s KINETIC: Pride DC into the ultimate Candy-coated adventure,” says Meyer, on the weekend's theme.
The first event, Sugar Pop, takes place Thursday, June 8th at Soundcheck (1420 K St NW). Dan Slater, one of the world’s most in-demand DJs who has headlined large gay festival events including Miami's Winter Party Festival and has created official remixes for major label artists including Cher, Carmen Elektra, and Britney Spears, will man the decks. “I can’t wait to make my return to the nation’s capital for this year’s Pride celebrations,” he says.
The party continues on Friday June 9th at REPUBLIQ (2122 24th PL NE). Grammy-nominated DJ Abel will spin beats from 10PM – 4AM for the UNCUT XL event. The massive nightclub will feature specially designed play zones and a main floor that is large enough to accommodate thousands.
The weekend’s main event, KINETIC: CandyLand takes place Saturday, June 10th at Echostage (2135 Queens Chapel Rd NE), voted the #1 club in the world by DJ Magazine. The evening will feature music from International DJs Tom Stephan, Steve Sidewalk, and XIVER, and a live musical performance by Betty Who. The RCA Records synth-pop artist achieved her first international hit with "I Love You Always Forever." Her cover of the Donna Lewis song peaked inside the top ten in Australia and reached the top of the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in the United States. Betty Who has since climbed the record charts with additional hits including “Weekend,” “Blow Out My Candle” and “Somebody Loves You.”
Kinetic Pride wraps with DC Pride's official closing party, discoVERS, taking place Sunday, June 11 at SAX (734 11th St NW) in Downtown DC. Disco-diva Alexis Tucci will spin an open-to-close set from 10pm to 3am with Disco, Nu-Disco, and Disco House music all night long. Special performances throughout the night will be seamlessly integrated into her high-energy disco set.
KINETIC: Pride DC takes place June 8th – 11th, 2023 at various venues throughout Washington DC. Tickets are available now at www.kineticpresents.com. General admission and VIP passes for KINETIC: Pride DC are available now at https://www.kineticpresents.com.
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