Fuchsia Fest aims to build a new fall tradition for DC’s LGBTQ+ community – WTOP News
A new celebration launching in D.C. this weekend brings four LGBTQ+ nightlife events under one banner while raising money for organizations serving the community.
The inaugural Fuchsia Fest began Friday and runs into early Sunday at venues across the District. Organizers said the goal is to create another major gathering for the LGBTQ+ community outside of the traditional Pride season.
“Pride is 365 days a year,” said Ryan Bos, president and CEO of the Capital Pride Alliance. “This is an opportunity for us to create another weekend opportunity in the fall that brings our community together.”
Bos said organizers view this first year as a starting point and hope to build Fuchsia Fest into a larger annual event.
Where and when
The weekend began Friday night with BRÜT, a dance experience at ICON DC. DJs Dan Darlington, Chris Cox of Thunderpuss and Jason James were scheduled to perform from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
On Saturday, Mixxed DC hosts a free SheShed Appreciation Party from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Also Saturday, EAT IT UP!, presented by Flashy and Glitterati, will take place at BERTHA from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
The weekend closes early Sunday with The Black Out, an after-hours event at Flash from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Bos said organizers expect more than 1,000 people to attend the events throughout the weekend.
While this year’s Fuchsia Fest is focused on nightlife, Bos said organizers eventually want the weekend to include daytime events.
Partying for a cause
The festival also has a fundraising component. Promoters will make donations benefiting the Cherry Fund and the Pride365 Fund.
The Cherry Fund supports nonprofit organizations providing mental and physical health services to the LGBTQ+ community. The Pride365 Fund supports LGBTQ+ organizations working throughout the year, including the D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center.
Bos said those organizations are facing a challenging environment as some sources of government and corporate support have declined.
“I think the community in general, we’re hurting,” Bos said.
At the same time, he said D.C. continues to have a strong network of LGBTQ+ businesses, organizations and gathering spaces.
“There are so many places in D.C. for folks to gather, to come together,” Bos said.
He said events such as Fuchsia Fest can help support those spaces while giving people another opportunity to connect. For Bos, the first weekend is about establishing something organizers can build on.
“We’re planting the seed,” he said.
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