The out former head of public relations for Visit Philadelphia invites locals to take a Valentine’s Day trip to Washington, D.C., for a leather-themed dance party.
“It’s a great weekend trip for folks in Philadelphia,” said Bruce Yelk, the party’s creator. “It’s cheap to get there. It’s cheap to stay. The party’s not overpriced.”
DistrktC will feature DJs Manny Lehman and Mark DeMarko. It runs from 8 p.m. Feb. 13 to 8 a.m. Feb. 14 at the new dance floor at the DC Eagle, 3701 Benning Road NE, Washington. Tickets cost $20 until Feb. 7, when the price will steadily increase until it hits the $35 door price. A portion of the door sales will support D.C. Leather Pride.
Lehman created some original music for the opening of the party, which will return the second Saturday of every month. DeMarko serves as the DJ in residence while the second DJ slot will feature rotating talent.
Yelk said he wanted to host the party in Washington because of the longer hours.
“In Philadelphia, unfortunately, people come out at 11 and they have to be done by 2,” he said. “You can’t experience it in the right flavor with international DJs who go until 6 a.m.”
Yelk said Pennsylvania’s liquor laws also curb the style of the party he wanted to promote. The DC Eagle can serve liquor until 3 a.m., he said.
The DC Eagle has about 5,000 square feet that Yelk calls a “sexy warehouse space.”
“I wanted it to be very simple,” he said. “It’s not just a party. For me, it’s the whole creation. It’s my art.”
Yelk said people are encouraged to dress up according to their preferred “fetish,” whether that’s leather or sportswear or other gear.
“The more people take on the theme of it, the more fun people will have,” he said. “Whatever your fetish is, it fits with the party.”
If the DistrktC parties build a following in Washington, Yelk said he would like to travel with the concept to other cities. Most likely, Chicago, Miami or Los Angeles would be the next locations, he said, noting that Philadelphians are close enough to experience the original parties.
“I hope to see a lot of friendly faces from Philadelphia coming out to the party,” Yelk said.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://ow.ly/XODyL.