Brightest Young Things

Words by Deb and Rachel
Photos by Lindsey and Rachel

She.Rex, she rocks.

The dim lighting, neon signs and gritty atmosphere of Chief Ike's Mambo Room in Adams Morgan greeted a crowd of queer bois and girls Friday for a night of rocking and dancing, brought to us by The New Gay.

DJ Crush started us off with a rock & riot mix of LPs and 7"s from the likes of Heart, Heavens to Betsy, Partyline, Harum Scarum, Team Dresch, and Sleater-Kinney. Partygoers were treated to uber-friendly Chief Ike's bartenders (one aptly nick-named Lez Bo) and cheap PBR and Natty Bohs.

As the ladies started to roll in, DJ Coach Vee took over, setting the mood for the light post-dinner crowd, couch loungers and pool sharks. Her stellar set mixed the badass ladies of rock 'n roll and dance (Brilliant Colors, Rye Rye, Mika Miko, Annie, Hole) with the pop divas and cheese we can't resist (Cathy Dennis, Shania).

Round about midnight, the crowd started to thicken, and the dance floor filled in tight with an energized, fun-loving group of shaggy-haired, cute-outfitted, tattooed folks ready to boogie. Though the (well-earned) stereotype is that lezzies like to get down to angry chicks playing guitars, we also know how to bust out to the sugar-coated dance hits we all know and love.

DJ June Bullet gladly obliged, spinning out an eclectic set of danceable, singable, jumpable tunes ranging from Miley to Kylie, Mary J. to Mariah, classic (Janet. Escapade. Yes.) to contemporary (Gaga. Gaga. Gaga).

She.Rex will be rocking Chief Ike's every second Friday through June. Mark your calendars.