Wild Side Media, Washington D.C., DC (2025)

04/04/2025

Wild Side Style 👛👠🐆

Here’s a sneak peek of Wild Side Media contributor Baille Benemelis's first Wild Side Style fashion segment featuring:

• Tara Papanicolas | Los Gitanos Vintage
• Libby Rasmussen | Libby Living Colorfully
• Rajni Rao | That's So Vintage

Baille visited Libby and Rajni’s brick-and-mortar Vintage Vintage Vintage in Union Market District, where Tara has been a vendor since the space opened last year.

Baille picked their brains about the vintage fashion industry, from the rising importance of sustainability to the challenges of sourcing quality vintage pieces.

Each month, Baille will interview a stylish local about their fashion origin story and thoughts on the industry.

She’ll also leave room for rapid-fire questions and will always end each interview by asking, “What’s the wildest moment in your career so far?”

Stay tuned for the first episode of Wild Side Style, coming soon to all of Wild Side Media's platforms.

📷 #1 by Cedric Craig + #2-4 by Sophia Orhea Parrillo

•••

04/04/2025

We. Demand. Change.

Last Monday, the iconic Shepard Fairey unveiled the “We Demand Change” portrait of Parkland shooting victim Joaquin “Guac” Oliver at 7th and H Streets in Northwest D.C.

Shepard Fairey, his Obey Giant team and Joaquin’s father, Manuel Oliver, painted the mural in just three days in partnership with DowntownDC, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and the Olivers’ activist group Change the Ref.

The permanent mural debuted after Manuel and his wife Patricia brought their one-man show “Guac” to Woolly Mammoth as a celebration of their budding activist son’s life and to raise awareness about gun violence.

It’s really, really hard to stay positive right now, but moments like this are such an important reminder of how powerful art can be in making change and keeping us connected to one another.

The Olivers have taken every parent’s worst nightmare and transformed it into a resilient path they walk every day to share their son’s story, and to celebrate his beautiful activist spirit.

As their friend Shepard Fairey said at the press conference last week, “Art connects with the best part of our humanity: the part that’s empathetic and generous.”

He then offered us this sage advice.

“One: Don’t let that part of you be suppressed. Two: Speak up. Three: Vote for people who will actually change laws.”

Follow Change the Ref to support the Olivers with their important mission.

•••

A few quick shoutouts:

• Patricia Oliver for giving Wild Side Media's Monica Alford the biggest hug she’ll never forget

• Lukas Umana and his team at DowntownDC BID team for ensuring D.C. is home to this stunning work of art

• Shepard Fairey for putting D.C. on the map in a new way with an impactful and tangible act of resistance, when our city needs it now more than ever

• Manuel Olivere for delivering such an incredible message on a D.C. stage that will always stay with us

• Woolly Mammoth for making space for such a unique show and Amy Killion for ensuring it was on every local journalist’s radar

• our fellow members of the media, local artists and community leaders who came out on a rainy Monday morning to witness this powerful moment

04/03/2025

Catch a final performance of “A Room in the Castle” at Folger Shakespeare Library THIS weekend 🏰✨

What happens when a playwright reimagines “Hamlet” from the perspective of the female characters?

Playwright Lauren M. Gunderson brought this refreshing and much-needed feminist work to Folger Shakespeare Library for the world premiere of “A Room in the Castle” this spring, where Wild Side Media's Monica Alford had the chance to interview her and director Kaja Dunn.

“A play about how people have to see themselves to stand up for themselves and others is about as universal as you can get,” Gunderson shared during the interview.

There’s only THREE days left to catch a final performance of this brand-new play’s fresh take on the women of “Hamlet,” so visit folger.edu for tickets to one of the final performances.

Pro tip: The best availability shows this weekend are Saturday, April 5 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m.

•••

location: Folger Shakespeare Library
interviewees: Lauren M. Gunderson + Kaja Dunn
interview + creative direction: Wild Side Media's Monica Alford
editorial videography + photography: Cedric Craig
BTS photography + footage: Sophia Parrillo

03/31/2025

Celebrate 🩵 Trans 🩷 Joy 🤍

Today marks Transgender Day of Visibility, an international celebration of the joy and resilience of trans and nonbinary people everywhere.

Whether you’re heading downtown to join Christopher Street Project's Trans Day of Visibility Rally at 4 p.m. or sharing your support from home, please help us elevate the voices and experiences of the trans and nonbinary communities in D.C. and globally.

🏳️‍⚧️ Learn more about Trans Pride in D.C. on May 17, part of WorldPride and InterPride - The International Association of Pride Organizers' stacked lineup, at transpridewashingtondc.org.

🏳️‍⚧️ Follow WorldPride, Capital Pride and Mayor's Office of LGBTQ Affairs for more updates on Trans Pride 2025.

🏳️‍⚧️ Here’s a list of just a few of many accounts to follow for ways to support our trans and nonbinary communities, today and every day:

• Human Rights Campaign
• GLAAD
• Advocates for Trans Equality
• Trans Lifeline
• Transgender Law Center
• Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington DC - PPMW
• Interfaith Alliance

🌈

03/28/2025

Black Cowboy: American Muscle 🌵🔴

Last night, hundreds of locals came out for the opening reception of Brandon Hill’s solo exhibition “Black Cowboy: American Muscle” at Culture House in Southwest DC.

Hill, the talented mind behind public art studio and one of the city’s most beloved artists, invites audiences to “challenge how history books and pop culture have shaped, or distorted, our understanding of the American Cowboy.”

The multidisciplinary show features immersive works that reimagine the world through the lens of Black cowboys and their contributions to the fabric of Americana and nostalgia.

Hill encourages us to ask ourselves how we might safeguard long-neglected stories from erasure, a question that couldn’t be more relevant in 2025.

“Black Cowboy: American Muscle” runs at nonprofit art gallery until April 26, with an artist talk on April 5 and some yet-to-be-announced programming in the works.

Stay tuned for more coverage from Wild Side Media, coming very soon.

📷: @905.studio |
art: .of.insta |
curation: +
location:

03/16/2025

✨ THIS WEDNESDAY ✨

Wild Side Media invites you to choose your own adventure at our curated micro-workshop stations inside La Cosecha in Union Market District THIS Wednesday, March 19 from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

We’re offering seven community building, creative mindfulness and networking exercises led by a diverse group of local leaders who directly support female, q***r and other underrepresented communities in the District through their professional and creative pursuits.

They’ve each crafted a hands-on experience for our attendees that’s authentic to their practice and reflective of their area of interest/expertise.

For $5:
Gain entry to the event and check out six of the workshop stations. Your $5 donation directly supports SHE:DC, an initiative powered by Shop Made in DC to illuminate women and nonbinary artists, makers, and creative entrepreneurs.

For $30:
Enjoy libations (zero-proof is an option!) and breathwork exercises with Erica Christian and Felicia "Fela" Taliaferro as part of their Presence in Pleasure workshop.

Learn about a few of our featured workshop hosts and their activations in this post, including a sneak peek of the DJ set.

Go to bit.ly/walkonthewildsideworkshops to register 🦋🩵

•••

graphics by Sophia Orhea Parrillo

03/14/2025

’s + invite you to their Exchange + Elevate workshop next Wednesday, March 19 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at in .

is joining forces with for an evening of curated micro-workshop stations featuring community building, creative mindfulness + networking exercises led by D.C. area entrepreneurs, creators + curators.

Scroll through this post for all the details about what the team has in store for attendees.

$5 tix are available in ’s + here: bit.ly/walkonthewildsideworkshops

The full ticket price goes directly toward supporting ’s SHE:DC initiative to illuminate women + nonbinary artists, makers, + creative entrepreneurs.

•••

graphics by ’s

03/12/2025

A Room in the Castle 🏰✨

Wild Side Media's Monica Alford spoke with playwright Lauren M. Gunderson and director Kaja Dunn about the world premiere of Gunderson’s “A Room in the Castle,” at the Folger Shakespeare Library until April 6.

The brand-new play looks at the women of “Hamlet” and if their fates can be changed, so come and find out.

Enjoy the first part of Wild Side Media's conversation with the director and playwright, and stay tuned for more from the wildly talented duo.

Also, do. not. miss. this. play. Burgess Byrd (Anna), Oneika Phillips (Queen Gertrude) and Sabrina Lynne Sawyer (Ophelia) are absolutely incredible, breathing new and empowered life into their characters. And Nicole Jescinth Smith’s costumes are absolutely STUNNING.

Learn more about “A Room in the Castle" at folger.edu.

•••

interview + creative direction: Monica Alford
editorial videography + photography: Cedric Craig
BTS photography + footage: Sophia Parrillo

03/12/2025

Walk on the Wild Side Workshop Series Sneak Peek with Katie Partlow of Little Face Events 🍒❤️

WHEN:
Wednesday, March 19, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

WHERE:
in

WHY:
To support SHE:DC, an initiative powered by to illuminate women and nonbinary artists, makers + creative entrepreneurs

WHAT:
’s curated micro-workshop stations will feature community building, creative mindfulness + networking exercises led by D.C. area entrepreneurs, creators + curators.

FEATURED WORKSHOP HOST:
Scroll through this post for all the details about what workshop host of has in store for attendees.

FULL LINEUP:
• Jen Pape |
• Adriana Mendoza + Cee Smith |
• Erica Christian |
• Felicia Taliaferro | .sol
• A Tribe Called Vibe |
• Skye Marinda | .marinda.tarot
• Katie Partlow |
• Monique Henningsgaard |
• Roquois Clarke | +

$5 TIX:
Available in ’s + here: bit.ly/walkonthesideworkshops

•••

graphics 1-2 by | 📷 of

graphic 3 by | 📷 by at ’s 2024 SHE:DC panel discussion + activation featuring +

03/10/2025

Jen Pape, Wild Side Media + Shop Made in DC invite you to choose your own adventure next Wednesday, March 19 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at La Cosecha in Union Market District.

Our curated micro-workshop stations will feature community building, creative mindfulness + networking exercises led by D.C. area entrepreneurs, creators + curators.

Scroll through this post for all the details about what experience engineer + workshop host Jen Pape has in store for attendees.

Stay tuned for introductions to ALL of next week’s workshop hosts, coming soon ✨

$5 tix are available here: bit.ly/walkonthesideworkshops

The full ticket price goes directly toward supporting Shop Made in DC's SHE:DC initiative to illuminate women + nonbinary artists, makers, + creative entrepreneurs.

•••

graphics by Wild Side Media's Sophia Orhea Parrillo

03/06/2025

✨ SHE:DC Walk on the Wild Side Workshop Series ✨

WHEN:
Wednesday, March 19, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

WHERE:
La Cosecha in Union Market District

WHY:
To support SHE:DC, an initiative powered by Shop Made in DC to illuminate women and nonbinary artists, makers and creative entrepreneurs

WHAT:
Wild Side Media's Monica Alford invites you to choose your own adventure at our curated micro-workshop stations featuring community building, creative mindfulness and networking exercises led by D.C. area entrepreneurs, creators and curators

WHO:
This diverse group of local leaders directly supports female, q***r and other underrepresented communities in the District through their professional and creative pursuits, and they’ve each crafted a hands-on experience for our attendees that’s authentic to their practice and reflective of their area of interest/expertise. Our lineup includes:

• Jen Pape Designs
• Adriana Mendoza + Cee Smith | Femme Fatale DC
• Erica Christian
• Felicia "Fela" Taliaferro
• A Tribe Called Vibe
• Skye Marinda Tarot
• Katie Partlow | Little Face Events

PLUS:
• Beats from DJ M$NP
• Live podcast studio interviews with Studio|Couture + Plus Ultra Entertainment
• Some surprises in store

Register here NOW: bit.ly/walkonthewildsideworkshops ✨

•••

graphic by Nicole Bennett | 📷 by Kimchi Photography at Wild Side Media's 2024 SHE:DC panel discussion + activation

03/05/2025

Signature Theatre's “JOB” is a therapy session in real time according to actor Jordan Slattery, who plays lead character Jane.

Signature’s artistic director, Matthew Gardiner, brings this regional premiere to life in Arlington, Virginia through March 16.

Slattery’s Jane, a content moderator at a tech company, must receive an evaluation from a crisis therapist (Loyd, played by actor Eric Hissom) to return to work post-mental breakdown.

Check out part one of Wild Side Media's onsite interview with Slattery about “JOB” and visit sigtheatre.org to learn more about the show.

•••

interviewer: Monica Alford
cover 📷 + interview footage: Cedric Craig
reel: Sophia Orhea Parrillo

03/01/2025

🌽 Only TWO days left 🌽

Don't miss the final performances of "Shucked" at Broadway at The National THIS weekend.

Get your tix here: broadwayatthenational.com/show/shucked

…

content capture by Wild Side Media contributors Emily Blumberh, Chloe Zang + Teya Pompeo

02/25/2025

✨ Backstage at Signature Theatre ✨

Here’s a little sneak peek of Wild Side Media's photo shoot + interview with actor Jordan Slattery, star of “JOB” at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia through March 16.

“‘JOB’ is a therapy session in real time,” Slattery told Wild Side’s Monica Alford. “It’s important for her because she needs clearance from this doctor to go back to her tech job, which is her dream job. It’s everything to her.”

Stay tuned for part one of the interview, going live this week.

In the meantime, visit sigtheatre.org for more details about this show + Signature Theatre's spring season.

•••

cover 📷 by Cedric Craig
packaged reel by Sophia Parrillo + Kathryn Sturniolo

02/20/2025

Heartbreakers Ball recap: A Gothic Romance 🖤🥀

Here are a few of our favorite photos from last Friday’s Heartbreakers Ball at The LINE DC, Transformer's ninth annual Valentine’s Day celebration.

250+ locals hung out with Transformer and Wild Side Media at this counter-culture celebration of free creative expression inspired by all things Goth.

P***y Noir, King Molasses and haus of bambi stole the show with gothtastic performances, Heidi Phelps offered occult parlor games, art lovers purchased Transformer FlatFile pieces, and we all danced to an epic goth playlist courtesy of Transformer’s founder/director Victoria Reis (message us for the link!)

Follow Transformer to learn more about how you can support emerging D.C. artists.

And a BIG thank you to The LINE DC and Aesop for their generous in-kind support 🖤

•••

📷 by Sophia Orhea Parrillo for Wild Side Media

02/16/2025

Actor Jordan Slattery says the third character in psychological thriller “JOB,” at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia through March 16, is Tension with a capital T.

Last week, Wild Side Media went backstage at Signature Theatre with Slattery for the inside scoop on this new play, which premiered off-Broadway last season to critical acclaim.

Signature’s artistic director Matthew Gardiner brings the regional premiere to life with Slattery and actor Eric Hissom playing opposite one another.

Slattery plays Jane, a content moderator at a tech company who must receive an evaluation from a crisis therapist (Loyd, played by Hissom) to return to work post-mental breakdown.

“I do it every day and I still don’t know how it happens,” Slattery says of the intensity she and Hissom bring to the stage daily for 80 minutes with no intermission.

“It really is a testament to [Gardiner’s] brilliance and commitment to this show and how it can affect people.”

Stay tuned for Monica Alford's interview with Slattery, and more stunning shots from photographer Cedric Craig.

Visit sigtheatre.org for more details about this show.

•••

📷: Cedric Craig for Wild Side Media

02/12/2025

Heartbreakers Ball: A Gothic Romance 🖤

Join Transformer THIS Friday, February 14 from 6-10 p.m. at The LINE DC for a counter-culture celebration of free creative expression inspired by all things goth.

Wild Side Media can’t wait to help select the Best Dressed Goth of the night 💀✨

Plus:

• glamorously melancholic performances from Haus of Bambi, King Molasses + P***y Noir
• occult parlor games with artist Black Violet Creative
• dark + stormy drink specials
• Transformer's FlatFiles on display

Tickets start at $15. Nab them here: transformerdc.org/heartbreakers-2025.

Be there or be square 🖤

•••

📷 taken by Tom Woodruff for Transformer's 2024 Heartbreakers Ball

02/04/2025

There are no words to describe our absolute heartbreak over the 67 lives lost in last week’s D.C. plane crash:

• 28 members of the figure skating community, including 11 young skaters 💔💔💔
• 7 Southern Maryland fathers, husbands and friends
• 32 attorneys, farmers, students, soldiers and others

We’ve put together a list of relief and family support funds with short bit.ly links you can contribute to in an effort to help the families and communities devastated by this harrowing loss:

U.S. Figure Skating family support fund:
bit.ly/skatingfund

Southern Maryland families fund:
bit.ly/southernmdfund

DCA Together fund:
bit.ly/dcatogetherfund

D.C. plane crash victims funds:
bit.ly/dcplanecrashfund

Please consider donating to these relief + family support funds.

Wild Side Media

04/04/2025

04/04/2025

04/03/2025

03/31/2025

03/28/2025

03/16/2025

03/14/2025

03/12/2025

03/12/2025

03/10/2025

03/06/2025

03/05/2025

03/01/2025

02/25/2025

02/20/2025

02/16/2025

02/12/2025

02/04/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Share

Category