Rounding out Saturday’s Greenbelt Emerald City Pride events was an evening of Drag Bingo hosted at The SPACE Free Art For All in Beltway Plaza. Dozens of couples attended the 21-and-over event, with drag performer D’Manda Martini serving as the caller.
With free admission and a beginner-friendly speed, the event was welcoming to everyone who was bingo-curious. Martini kept the tone light by mixing in jokes and anecdotes between bingo numbers and singing musical numbers between rounds. More than a few times, the players excitedly called out a premature bingo, only to realize that they still needed one or more squares filled.
Because the stakes were low and everyone was having fun, moments like those became a welcome comedic hiccup throughout the rounds of bingo.
Toward the end of the event, Martini read out raffle winners for those who donated money for the event. Shaymar Higgs, founder and executive director of The SPACE, thanked everyone for coming out to the various Emerald City Pride events. It was invigorating to see the planning pay off with a day full of enthusiasm. Higgs’ mother joined in thanking the attendants; in an emotional moment she recalled when Higgs came out to her, and she let him know that she loves and accepts him. Seeing that his community loves and accepts him, too, gives her great joy, she said.
Those who are 21 or older and can attend the next Drag Bingo event in Greenbelt, can catch Martini at the New Deal Café every third Thursday evening. For those looking forward to taking part in the next LGBTQIA+ events across Greenbelt, Higgs recommends marking October 11 for National Coming Out Day.
