Queers at Howard Theatre Predate Hipsters, and Even Atomic Age
If you’ve already gotten tickets to BYT’s now sold out WildLife party tonight, know that you’re not nearly the first queer to kiki at Howard Theatre. As uncovered by our older lover, the Washington Blade:
Back in the 1940s, when an after party for a “Moms” Mabley show was raided by police at a nightclub owned by D.C.’s “female Al Capone,” Odessa Madre, the attendees weren’t ready to go home, so they kept their decadent queer party going at the Howard Theatre.
At least that’s what Marc Powers, director of marketing for the Howard Theatre, has gathered from accounts from those who knew Jackie “Moms” Mabley, and those who were part of the Howard Theatre community in its heyday.
“Moms Mabley played the Howard Theater,” Powers said. “When that got shut down they were like ‘damn, where are we going to go? Might as well just go back to the Howard!’”
Who knew? Swindle or bootleg a ticket, and then drop on by to see one of our favorite DJs turn it like it’s 1949. DJ MAJR (maker of this fine Robyn mix) spins the wee hours of the morn’ later tonight. Be there, and be prideful, dammit.
