A historical archive of events for which the incomparable Rayceen Pendarvis - "Goddess of DC" - has either hosted or participated in some other capacity.
IN A HURRY.....ENTER A NAME, EVENT, ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER SEARCH QUERY INTO THE BOX BELOW AND CLICK "SEARCH."
Rayceen Pendarvis was invited to host the second half of a double feature for Reel Affirmations XTRA Presents: The Watermelon Woman. The film, which was restored and re-mastered for its 20th anniversary, focused on Cheryl (Cheryl Dunye) who portrays a version of herself as a video store clerk and fledgling filmmaker.
In this witty and nimble landmark of New Queer Cinema, Cheryl becomes obsessed with a character she sees in a 1930s movie, who she views as the “most beautiful mammy.” Billed only as “The Watermelon Woman,” in the original 1930's film, Cheryl is determined to find out who the actress was and make her the subject of a documentary.
While researching, Cheryl is bowled over to discover that not only was Fae Richards (Lisa Marie Bronson) a fellow Philadelphian, but she was also a lesbian like herself. The actress had even had a long affair with Martha Page, a White woman and one of Hollywood's few female directors.
The project is not without drama as Cheryl’s singular focus causes friction between her and her friend Tamara (Valarie Walker). Cheryl begins to see parallels between Fae’s problematic relationship with a white director and her own budding romance with white Diana (Guinevere Turner).
Complete with grainy clips and stills from movies that never were, The Watermelon Woman is social critique at its most charming and audacious. The film would go on to win the Teddy Award at the 1996 Berlin International Film Festival.
Reel Affirmations - Washington DC’s International LGBT Film Festival - is one of the largest LGBT film festivals (in terms of attendance) in the United States. Each month the organization consistently offers new and exciting international, documentary, short, and feature films, as well as panel discussions, filmmaker Q&As, and various celebrations.
The theatrical screening was held at the Human Rights Campaign Equality Center in Washington, DC. Click below to view the Official Film Trailer.
Rayceen Pendarvis was invited to host the first half of a double feature for Reel Affirmations XTRA Presents: BWOY. The critically acclaimed and award winning film focused on Brad O'Connor (Anthony Rapp), who, after the death of his son, becomes entangled in a chaotic and passionate online love affair with a young Jamaican man named Yenny (Jimmy Brooks).
Eventually, the situation leads to a confrontation Brad and his wife Marcia (De’Adre Aziza) can no longer avoid. As they both seek solace in various destructive ways, their lives and relationships are pushed to the brink, culminating in tragic confrontations.
The special screening also featured a catered cocktail reception. André Hereford - Programing Team Chairperson for Reel Affirmations was also on hand to moderate a Q&A session with Writer/Director John G. Young, and Co-Star Jimmy Brooks.
Reel Affirmations - Washington DC’s International LGBT Film Festival - is one of the largest LGBT film festivals (in terms of attendance) in the United States. Each month the organization consistently offers new and exciting international, documentary, short, and feature films, as well as panel discussions, filmmaker Q&As, and various celebrations.
The theatrical screening was held at the Human Rights Campaign Equality Center in Washington, DC. Click below to view a collection of images.
Rayceen Pendarvis was invited to participate in the 1st Annual Omega Lambda Phi LeaderSHIFT Conference. The conference featured several events and Pendarvis participated in a LGBTQ panel discussion titled “Does God Love Me?”
Pendarvis also hosted a special edition of The Rayceen Experience.
Organizers held a special awards ceremony during the event and Pendarvis was honored with the Impact Award for LGBTQ Advocacy along with several other honorees.
The conference and all associated events were presented by Omega Lambda Phi Fraternity Incorporated, and held at the Residence Inn Alexandria Old Town South at Carlyle in Alexandria, Virginia. Click below to view a collection of images.
Click below to view the Official Promotional Video, as well as footage of Rayceen Pendarvis at the event.
Rayceen Pendarvis was invited to be a celebrity judge for The Presidential Review – Advocacy Gives Birth To “The Queen In You” Drag Competition. The drag show allowed several amateur drag queens to “battle it out” on stage for a $1,0000 grand prize.
The event was hosted by Shi-Queeta Lee & Tyria Iman and also featured a performance by the incomparable Alicia Kelly. Contestants included Iayada Lotta-Lynch, Michelle No Drama, Alexis Champagne, Sierra Myst, Dominique, and Aurora DuPont.
Organizers also took a moment to officially crown the 2017 Impulse Model Of The Year as well as celebrate the birthdays of Impulse Group DC's President and Vice President, Devin Barrington Ward and AJ King (pictured below).
The packed house allowed Impulse Group DC to raise an astounding $5000 to fight LGBT youth homelessness within Washington, DC. Proceeds from the event were donated to the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL)and The Wanda Alston House Foundation.
The competition was presented by Impulse Group DC and held at Town Danceboutique in Washington, DC. Click below to view a collection of images.
Click below to view the official promotional video featuring Impulse Group DC president Devin Barrington Ward.
