Rayceen Pendarvis accepted an invitation to serve as a celebrity guest for Pretty Boi Drag Presents #PrettyBoiSundayService. The event billed itself as “a parody drag church for the non-religious.” and featured spiritually uplifting drag king performances by the faithful Reverend Minister Pretty Rik E, along with the Pretty Boi Cast and Crew.
Performances were heavily influenced by popular songs from various genres, including Hip-Hop and R&B. Pendarvis was given the task of delivering the church announcements and also delighted the crowd by giving a very moving closing statement.
Pretty Boi Drag is a QWOC (Queer Women of Color) produced drag king troupe based in Washington, DC. The organization pride's itself in routinely creating some of DC's sexiest and most exciting shows with an all-inclusive roster of performers.
The special event was presented by Pretty Boi Drag and held at The Bier Baron Tavern in Washington, DC.
Click below to view a collection of images.
Click below to view video footage from the event.
For more information visit: Pretty Boi Drag
November 18, 2017 – Rayceen Pendarvis accepted an invitation to participate in a panel discussion titled Bridging the Gap to Wellness for All Populations.
The discussion was facilitated by Esther Ford of First Stop Recovery and also featured Courtney Williams (DCVA Medical Center), Maurice Harrison (DCVA Medical Center), Michael Kharfen (Department of Health), Kenneth J. Pettigrew (HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Administration), and Jazmin Sutherlin (Heart to Hand).
The discussion was officially part of the two-day annual Solutions To Wellness Conference & Honorees Dinner (November 18-19), which was officially presented by Dee Curry and Casa Ruby. Attendees were treated to complimentary catered breakfast and lunch as well as numerous prizes. Guests also had the option to participate in various workshops and raffle drawings. On hand to entertain everyone was Lady Toni.
The festivities continued on the 19th with several live performances and finally concluded with a special Honorees Dinner. Pendarvis had the wonderful honor of receiving the organization's Janice Davis Award of Merit the previous year.
The conference portion of the event was hosted by Solutions to Wellness and The DC Center for the LGBT Community and held at the Frank D. Reeves Center of Municipal Affairs in Washington, DC.
Click below to view video footage from the event.
For more information visit: Solutions To Wellness
Rayceen Pendarvis was invited to host the Reel Affirmations XTRA “Countries and Closets” Presents: Cold Breath. The film focused on 30-year-old Maryam (Bita Baadraan) - born a woman and living as a man – who struggles in conforming to societal gender norms. As Maryam lives paycheck to paycheck, her daughter succumbs to cancer and she must find a way to pay for treatment. Trusting in love for survival, Maryam faces her greatest fears head on when her secret is revealed.
The screening of Director Abbas Raziji's film was officially presented by Reel Affirmations XTRA “Countries and Closets,” which features films that depict the lives of individuals who live in countries where to be LGBTQ is illegal or banned.
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.
For more information visit: Reel Affirmations
