The Death of the Party
Someone's killed at a D.C. club. Who's the first to arrive at the scene? The cops or Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham?
Cover Story
It was Friday, Feb. 23, and Cada Vez on U Street NW was throwing a dance party. To get the word out, promoters circulated an e-mail promising a show with “hot models wearing nothing but racy lingerie.” Customers were told to come in camo. “Sergeant Vinny will be checking if your boots are shined properly, and WILL make you do 50 pushups if he does not like what he sees!”
Sometime around 11 p.m., two girls, ages 15 and 17, entered the establishment. Both showed their own IDs at the door, and both girls’ hands were stamped with large X’s indicating they’re under 21. “The party had just started,” the 15-year-old said, and “there were only a few people on the dance floor.” She looked around. Lights flashed while a few dancers shimmied to techno beats. The women were wearing short skirts and open blouses, she remembers, making her feel “overdressed” in a long-sleeve T-shirt, jeans, and boots. The 15-year-old approached the bar to get a drink, placing both hands on the counter. The bartender gestured he’d be with her in a moment. She asked for a Heineken, and he handed her the beer.
Busted.
As it turns out, the girl was part of the National Capital Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking, an organization that partners with the city’s Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) to ensure that D.C.’s bars, clubs, and liquor stores do not sell alcohol to minors. Most weekends, coalition kids fan out across the city checking for illicit libations.... Continued 
Issue of Mar. 9 - 15, 2007
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