The D.C. LGBTQ community gathered at Pitchers, a popular gay bar in the city, on Saturday to celebrate the life and legacy of late drag performer Dustin Michael Schaad, better known as Ba’Naka. Schaad, who passed away on January 11th due to complications related to a long-standing illness, was a beloved figure in the D.C. drag scene and a fixture at several venues throughout the city. Many who attended the gathering were dressed in black or in drag to pay their respects to the iconic performer.
During the event, Tyler Edge, Associate Director of the D.C. Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, presented a letter of appreciation from Mayor Muriel Bowser to Schaad’s family. Edge praised Schaad as a “dynamic performer” and a “vital part” of the D.C. LGBTQ nightlife community. Schaad was also recognized for being named “DC’s Best Drag Queen” in the Washington Blade’s Best of LGBTQ D.C. Reader’s Poll for multiple years.
Attendees at the celebration shared fond memories and stories of the late performer, including Ed Bailey, the former owner of the now-shuttered Town Danceboutique, where Schaad performed in a leading role for many years. Bailey spoke of Schaad’s magnetic presence, saying, “She just had this thing that attracted you to her – whether it was good or bad.”
The event concluded with a drag show featuring some of Schaad’s favorite numbers, hosted by Schaad’s drag mother Kristina Kelly and longtime coworker from Town Danceboutique, Tatianna. Despite mobility issues in recent years, Schaad continued to perform as Ba’Naka and remained a crowd favorite. The event was a touching tribute to an iconic figure in the D.C. drag scene, whose legacy will continue to inspire and entertain for years to come.