Brightest Young Things

Photos by Bradley

Ryan Duncan isn't out to ruin anyone's good time. He just wants to make your staid Wednesday night out a little more more colorful...by being a bit mischievous. Duncan is doing that this Wednesday by turning the upstairs of the Wonderland Ballroom into a gay bar - at least for a night - with the debut of his new monthly party 'Pink Sock.'

"You know when you accidentally throw in a red t-shirt into your white laundry all your socks end up pink? That's what Pink Sock's all about," says Duncan. "Its a blending of fun people, of different aspects of our community, and turning it all pink."

A resident of the Petworth neighborhood of D.C., it bothered Duncan that there wasn't a regular gay event in a part of the District that's home to a significant gay population. "I've called Columbia Heights/Petworth my home for over two years now, and I really have grown confused as to why there isn't a gay night or bar anywhere near here, especially when I see so many cute gay guys around," says Duncan.

To correct that, Duncan began collaborating with Aaron Riggins (organizer of the WTF? party at Town Danceboutique and the monthly Homo Hotel Happy Hour). The two agreed that the Wonderland Ballroom in Columbia Heights was a perfect location for a new gay event. Among the bar's mostly straight clientele, Wonderland had already become a gathering place for neighborhood gay residents. Additionally, Duncan and Riggins liked the idea of subtly reclaiming gay identity at Wonderland, whose location actually served as a gay bar called Nob Hill for more than 50 years - until its closing in 2004.

"At Wonderland, you usually assume a cute guy is straight until proven otherwise," says Duncan. "We thought it would be fun to flip that dynamic around for a night. But, regardless if you are straight or gay patron of Wonderland, if you normally feel comfortable there, then you will feel accepted at Pink Sock."

As a Boston native, Duncan drew his inspiration for Pink Sock from the monthly Tuesday-night party in Cambridge called Heartthrob. "It isn't a gay party, or a straight party, its just a hot party," says Duncan. "Its the kind of party whose buzz carries you through until your weekend plans. Likewise, I wanted Pink Sock to be a monthly Wednesday party because I wanted it to have that same kind of feel."

In his planning, Duncan researched the success of past gay events - in particular parties thrown by Riggins and party promoter and DJ Shea Van Horn (who hosts the popular Mixtape and Raw events). "They both encouraged me to identify how I could use the debut of a new party to fill an aspect of gay nightlife that is currently being under served," says Duncan. "I took their advice and I realized that with Wonderland we had a location that was already attracting gay people, but it just lacked any specific gay programing. With Pink Sock, we're able to fill that gap."

With Pink Sock, Duncan would love to create a party that is known for being over-the-top, but he knows that he will probably need to start slow. So, he's designed his party to be a laid-back gathering of neighbors, but one set to mash-up of high energy DJs. "If we can completely reinvent what a Wednesday night out means to you, then that's great," says Duncan.

For Pink Sock, Duncan brought together a collection of DJ friends that includes himself (as DJRad), Bradley Schurman, Wesley Della Volla and Brightest Young Things photographer Bradley Portnoy. "Bradley has been really helpful to Pink Sock since its inception," says Duncan. "After casually hearing some of his mixes while we were planning, I knew that I had to have him play our party."

Duncan promises a mix-up of current electro trends, 70s disco, 80s punk and 90s house. While the musical influences at first might seem a large spread for a single party, Duncan is an evangelist for his vision. "Each of our DJs brings with them a different musical aesthetic, but they all play off each other really well," says Duncan. He insists that's the purpose of Pink Sock - to blend together items that you normally wouldn't expect to mix.

"I'm not at all worried about the typical Wonderland clientele feeling awkward or uncomfortable at Pink Sock," says Duncan. "In fact, I think they will love it." Even if they are straight, says Duncan, "I think that they will find our party to something excitedly different than a typical Wednesday night."

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Pink Sock is a Columbia Heights party for gays and for the straights who are cool enough to have gay friends (or want to meet some).

Wednesday, November 18
9:00pm until 1:00am
Wonderland Ballroom
1101 Kenyon Street, NW

Cost: FREE
RSVP here on their Facebook Page

Previously in I Heart DC:

• 2/13: DC News You Can (Maybe) Use:
• 2/13: 101 Reasons To Love DC-Part 1
• 2/10: DC News You Can (Maybe) Use
• 2/9: DC News You Can (Maybe) Use
• 2/8: DC News You Can (Maybe) Use
• 2/8: Perfect Date Outfits + Outings
• 2/7: DC News You Can (Maybe) Use
• 2/6: DC News You Can Maybe Use:
• 2/2: DC News You Can (Maybe) Use:
• 2/1: DC News You Can (Maybe) Use: