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Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington celebrates 30 years

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The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington performs on Dec. 13, 1985. (Blade file photo by the late Doug Hinkle)

There are several ironies about the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, a nearly 300-member choir that is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month: it was started by a straight woman, its most dedicated member has never sung a note with the group and despite numerous classically trained musicians among its ranks and at its helm, it’s eschewed standard repertoire in recent years.

Despite a bounty of obstacles though — AIDS ravaged the membership roster well into the ‘90s and mainstream venues (including present home the Lisner) were skittish about renting to the group — the Chorus has thrived, is considered among the best of its kind in the U.S. and enjoys such a bounty of interest, the audition process has gotten tougher simply because there’s no room left to get many more bodies on stage or in the rehearsal hall.

“D.C. is absolutely at the top of its game,” says Tim Seelig, artistic director of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and a 20-year veteran of the Turtle Creek Chorale, a well-respected gay male chorus in Dallas. “I hesitate to start naming names because I’ll certainly leave somebody out but Seattle, New York, Boston, Dallas, San Francisco, the cities that really have the stronger choruses within the movement, D.C. is absolutely at the top of its game. It’s not a competition, we don’t compete for audience or anything and it’s different in different cities, but the D.C. Chorus is absolutely one of the brightest stars.”

Seelig got insight into how good the Washington choir is during an unexpected moment. Many of the larger choirs of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA) have done substantial recording over the years. Seelig has heard practically all the CDs and there are many hundreds. He’d picked up the D.C. choir’s “Songs of My Family” CD at a GALA gathering in Miami a few years before but didn’t get around to playing it for a year. He popped it in his car stereo and says he was blown away.

“It was so beautiful, I literally had to pull over,” he says. “It was the finest CD I’d ever heard by a GALA chorus quality wise and I’ve heard thousands of these things. The proof is pretty much there in the pudding. You can’t really fool microphones. You can adjust them a little but they pick up what they hear … they sing really well and they’ve crossed some really important bridges and boundaries. D.C. is absolutely in that top tier.”

The D.C. Chorus is a quasi-unofficial spin off of its San Francisco counterpart. During an early ‘80s national tour, the San Francisco group performed at Washington’s Kennedy Center and had a profound effect on local audiences. Marsha Pearson, a straight woman who lived in Dupont Circle at the time and enjoyed hanging out with gay men, was one such person.

“I couldn’t believe we didn’t have one of these,” she says during a phone chat this week from her home in the Philadelphia area. “I thought, ‘We’re the nation’s capital, how come we don’t have this?’”

She hand wrote fliers — four to a sheet — had her sister photocopy them at her office, cut them up by hand and passed them out at Capital Pride in 1981. Accounts vary about how many showed up to the first practice at the long-defunct gay community center (no connection to the D.C. Center) on Church Street. Pearson remembers about 30. Others say it was more like 15-ish. It was June 28, 1981 (30 years Tuesday), and, by all accounts, an innocuous beginning.

Pearson never sang with the group — it was exclusively a men’s chorus all along. She asked if anybody had any conducting experience. The late Jim Richardson did and became the first director.

“I still remember the first chord,” Pearson says. “It was just a simple thing, you know, like do, mi, so, do, but I just got goosebumps. I was just elated that even one note came out, I was so excited. I got those same goosebumps at the anniversary concert last weekend. I put their CDs on and I get the same thing, especially on certain things they sing. You just can’t believe it sounds so great.”

Steve Herman, who was also at the San Francisco group’s Kennedy Center performance, dropped his then-partner off at the first rehearsal, said hi but didn’t stay. At the second gathering, members told him they needed behind-the-scenes help. He became a non-singing member and is the only person who’s been continuously involved with the Chorus for its entire 30 years. He’s been incredibly active and been on the board most of those 30 years, even president for four.

Jennifer Holliday sings with the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington at its 30th anniversary concert on June 4 at the Lisner Auditorium. (Blade photo by Joey DiGuglielmo)

“I’m not a singer so I don’t have that experience, but I wouldn’t be there for 30 years if it wasn’t a major part of my life,” he says. “I wouldn’t have supported it so long if I didn’t think it was first rate.”

It was decided early on that the word gay would be the first word of the name. Members didn’t want any subtlety when it came to who they were and what they were about.

The first performance was in September at City Hall. The second was at the Eagle, then on 9th Street. Members stood on the steps between the first and second floors. One of the first songs performed was “This Train is Bound for Glory,” a gospel standard. The first ticketed show was at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Capitol Hill. By summer’s end, the group had swelled to about 80 members, a size it retained for several years.

“We weren’t that good, but the audience was unbelievably responsive,” Herman says. “We did three nights, two at St. Mark’s and one in Baltimore and it was packed.”

Larry Cohen, a baritone who joined in 1986 shortly after he came out and moved to Washington, remembers a varied repertoire in those years with a mix of classical, show tunes and pop. He says the group didn’t start putting on theatrical productions until about 10 years ago.

“It used to be more of a show choir, you know, stand-on-the-risers-and-sing-kind of thing,” he says. “But in this age of multi-media technology, the audience has come to expect a lot of visuals, action and movement on stage so we mix it up and give them everything from a cappella close harmony to show-stopping production numbers.”

Jeff Burhman, artistic director since 2000, joined the Chorus first as a baritone in 1986. He says the evolution of the Chorus has entailed a number of factors from what other choral groups in the region offer, what arrangements and repertoire is, or was, available at any given time and what has proven successful at the box office.

“We’ve always had what I call the GTGs and the SMQs,” he says. “The ‘good time girls’ who enjoy the Broadway and pop stuff and want to have a good time, and the ‘serious music queens’ who want classical and traditional western stuff. When we were founded and even when I came on in ’86, we were still a novelty if you think about it. There wasn’t a lot of repertoire to be had so the choruses tended to be more traditional. They were doing a lot of college glee club repertoire and whateve we could find. When I joined we were singing German and French and traditional choral literature. That’s my background in classical music, so I was used to it and the audience accepted it. But then in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, it started to reflect what was going on in the gay community. You started to see the AIDS crisis, for instance, reflected in the music. We wanted to sing about things that resonated with us, not just AIDS, but what it was like growing up as a gay man, so there became less interest in the traditional stuff. This has happened with all the large (gay) men’s choruses. Some of the directors have come in with more of a classical bent, but it just doesn’t sell tickets.”

During the nine years that Buhrman was assistant director, he saw the shift.

“I clearly saw that when we did the shows with a more entertaining twist, we got a bigger audience,” he says. “We would do something with a lot of opera and the serious music queens would come and everybody else would stay home.”

In time, the Chorus became known for its commissions — there’ve been three so far that have explored modern gay themes — and its all-male productions of popular musicals like “Grease,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.”

Jack Reiffer, who came out of a straight marriage and joined the Chorus in 1998 shortly after coming out, says the Chorus has exposed him to many musical styles that had previously been off his radar. As a first tenor — the Chorus uses barbershop harmonies (first tenor, second tenor, baritone and bass) but in a much different style — Reiffer quickly became a leader within the group, leading sectionals and mentoring new members.

“We prefer to talk about putting on shows now rather than giving concerts,” he says. “The word is out in a town like this that it’s great entertainment.”

Membership has tripled under Buhrman’s leadership and most involved agree the quality has improved dramatically over the years. Burhman is careful not to make the music too intimidating — the singers are volunteers and some don’t read music — while also expecting them to memorize their parts and rise to the occasion.

“It’s a catch 22 in a positive way,” he says. “By having a good Chorus, you attract good singers and by having good singers, you have a better Chorus.”

Cohen says the sense of family that exists has kept him involved along with the music and message.

“It’s an extended family in the truest sense of the word,” Cohen says. “You really form life-long friends and look out for one another and celebrate milestones together. And then you have the message on top of that, of hope, love, acceptance and tolerance. It really does change hearts and win people over in time. It’s affirming the value of our lives.”

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Miscellaneous

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Five easy tips to help you avoid common risks

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Be sure to install baby gates if you have stairs in your home with young children. (Photo by Kasia Bialasiewicz/Bigstock)

Your home is more than just a place to eat and sleep; it’s your safe haven. As much as you might cherish your home, you should probably also recognize the potential hazards within its familiar walls. Accidents can happen in an instant, yet with a little foresight and some simple adjustments, you can transform your house into a safer haven. 

Accidents can happen anywhere, and with a few simple tweaks, you can lower risks in your space. Below you’ll find five tips for each room in your home to help prevent injuries, falls, and other mishaps. In short, home safety. 

This article was inspired by a shower in a rental we managed that began leaking through the kitchen ceiling below. If only the landlord had installed grab bars, right!? Below, we’ll guide you through the steps to fortify your bathroom, making it a place of relaxation without the fear of slips and falls. Then, we’ll venture into the room where the magic happens, where proper planning can ensure great nights and peaceful mornings. We’ll show you how to prevent accidents while you experiment becoming the next Gordon Ramsey. And we’ll include a few surprising solutions for those other rooms that hold their own unique hazards, offering solutions to safeguard against unexpected mishaps.

Bathroom Safety

Install Grab Bars: Adding grab bars near the shower and toilet can provide essential support for family members of all ages. Not only can they help with getting in and out, but they can help provide stability when washing. Make sure they are securely anchored to the wall.

Non-Slip Mats: Place non-slip mats inside the shower and bathtub to prevent slips. They’re a small investment that can save you from falls and head injuries.

Adjust Water Temperature:  Ensure your hot water is set to a safe temperature to avoid scalding. The hot water heater should be set to around 120°F (49°C)l, the middle setting on many water heater settings. 

Medicine Cabinet Locks: If you have young children, use childproof locks on your medicine cabinet to keep harmful substances out of reach.

Proper Lighting: Ensure there’s adequate lighting in the bathroom to avoid trips and falls during nighttime visits. Nightlights can be a simple and effective solution. 

Bedroom Safety

Clear Pathways: Keep pathways in the bedroom clutter free to prevent tripping. Ensure there’s enough space to move around comfortably, particularly getting around the bed.  Be aware where all furniture is when walking around to avoid stubbed toes, particularly at night.

Secure Rugs: If you have throw rugs, use rug grippers or double-sided tape to keep them from slipping. Loose rugs are a common trip hazard. 

Bed Rails: For anyone at risk of falling out of bed, consider installing bed rails to provide extra support and prevent falls.

Nightstands with Drawers: Opt for nightstands with drawers to keep essential items.  This reduces the need to get out of bed at night, minimizing the risk of falls, as you race to grab what you need and not lose a moment’s rest.

Fire Safety: Install battery-operated smoke detectors in the bedrooms if there are none. Make sure to install them 36 inches away from an air vent or the edge of a ceiling fan.  Also six inches away from the joint between the wall and ceiling.  And test smoke detectors regularly.

Kitchen Safety

Non-Slip Flooring: Choose slip-resistant rugs in the kitchen, especially in areas where spills are common. Mats near the sink and stove can also help and you can often buy them fairly cheaply at Costco.

Childproof Cabinets: If you have little ones, use childproof latches on cabinets and drawers to prevent them from accessing potentially hazardous items.

Anti-tip brackets: Install an anti-tip bracket behind the range. These are often used when children are in the home. Although they are less likely to open the oven door and use it as a step stool to get to the stove-top, adults can also benefit from installing these. 

Adequate Lighting: Proper lighting is crucial in the kitchen to avoid accidents. Under-cabinet lighting can illuminate work areas effectively.

Secure Heavy Items: Ensure heavy pots and pans are stored at waist level to prevent straining or dropping them from high shelves.

Sharp Object Storage: Keep knives and other sharp objects in a secure drawer or block. And handle all sharp items with extreme care, even when washing and drying. These steps reduce the risk of accidental cuts.  

Other Safety Tips

Furniture Anchors: Secure heavy furniture, like bookshelves and dressers, to the wall to prevent tip-overs, especially if you have young children.

Adequate Outlets: Check for damaged outlets and replace them promptly. Avoid overloading circuits with too many devices. Install placeholder plugs in outlets to prevent young curious fingers (or tongues?) from going inside an electrical outlet.

Stair Gates: If your home has stairs, install safety gates at the top and bottom to prevent falls, especially if you have toddlers or pets to keep them off of the stairs when you cannot monitor them.

Emergency Escape Plan: Develop and practice an emergency escape plan with your family, including a designated meeting place outside.

Carbon Monoxide Detector:  If your home burns any fossil fuels for heating or appliances, install carbon monoxide detectors in common areas of your home to detect this odorless gas. The D.C. building codes require this if you use a fireplace or if you have an attached garage. In essence, if there is any potential source of carbon monoxide in the home, be sure to install these detectors.

Remember, a safer home not only prevents accidents but also provides peace of mind for you and your family. Implement these simple tips to create a secure environment in every room of your house.

With these practical tips and a few adjustments, you can significantly reduce the risk of injuries and falls in your home. Enjoy peace of mind in your now much safer haven.

Scott Bloom is owner and senior property manager of Columbia Property Management.

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Celebrity News

Lizzo makes $50K donation to Marsha P. Johnson Institute

Singer is vocal LGBTQ ally

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Lizzo at the 65th Grammy Awards (Screenshot from the Grammy Awards)

When Lizzo sings “If I’m shinin,’ everybody gonna shine,” in her hit song, “Juice,” she means it. Proof of that came this week on Instagram when the LGBTQ ally announced the first winner of her annual Juneteenth Giveback Campaign is the Marsha P. Johnson Institute, a national nonprofit based in Richmond, Calif., dedicated to the protection and defense of Black transgender people. 

And she did so in song: “On the first day of Juneteenth, Lizzo gave to me,” she sang in her video, posted Tuesday, as she revealed her $50,000 gift to MPJI.

“That’s right, we know who Marsha P. Johnson is. We know what Marsha P. Johnson has done for the LGBTQ, emphasis on that ‘T,’ Q community,” said Lizzo to her 13.5 million followers. “Thank you so much to the people at the Marsha P. Johnson Institute. You deserve this, and I hope this helps you so much as you help protect our Black trans family.” 

“What the Marsha P. Johnson Institute does is protects and defends the rights of Black transgender people. They do this by organizing community, advocating for the people, and creating an intentional healing community, developing transformative leadership and promoting collective power,” she said. 

“We are overjoyed for the shoutout from Lizzo today, the generosity of her sharing her platform and the recognition of MPJI and its work,” said Elle Moxley, MPJI’s executive director. “The resources from this campaign will ensure the protection and defense of Black transgender people continue at a time where it is so vitally needed. We are so grateful for the support of Lizzo and her fans.”

As one of Time Magazine’s Persons of the Year for 2019 and a 2023 Grammy winner, Lizzo is more than a pop star but an inspiration to millions of fans for her body-positive attitude, her self-confidence on stage and in her videos, her empowering music and her activism. She’s also the founder of her own clothing line, Yitty. In 2021, she made headlines when she publicly corrected a paparazzo for using “she/her” pronouns and misgendering Demi Levato.

As part of her campaign, now in its 4th year, Lizzo recognizes Black-led grassroots organizations and businesses and encourages her fans to join her in supporting each of the five organizations she highlights this week. Fans who take action by donating are  entered into a drawing for an all-expenses paid trip to see her perform at Fuji Rock in Japan later this year. 

This week’s other nonprofits receiving gifts are: Black Girls Smile, Sphinx Music, the University of Houston and Save Our Sisters United.

Find out more about Lizzo’s 4th annual Juneteenth Giveback Campaign by clicking here.

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Celebrity News

Anne Heche dies after removal from life support

Actress dated Ellen DeGeneres in late 1990s

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(Screenshot/YouTube Inside Edition)

Actress Anne Heche died after she was removed from life support on Sunday, nearly two weeks after her Mini-Cooper crashed through a two-story house in Los Angeles’ Mar Vista neighborhood. Investigators with the Los Angeles Police Department believe she was intoxicated at the time.

She sustained a severe anoxic brain injury along with severe burns and was being treated at the Grossman Burn Center at West Hills Hospital, near Chatsworth in the San Fernando Valley.

The 53-year-old actress who was a star of films like “Donnie Brasco,” the political satire “Wag the Dog” and the 1998 remake of “Psycho,” had been declared legally dead under California law on Friday, however, her family kept her alive long enough to be an organ donor.

In a statement Friday, the LAPD announced that: “As of today, there will be no further investigative efforts made in this case. Any information or records that have been requested prior to this turn of events will still be collected as they arrive as a matter of formalities and included in the overall case. When a person suspected of a crime expires, we do not present for filing consideration.” LAPD detectives had previously made public that investigators into the crash found narcotics in a blood sample taken from Heche.

The actress’s family released a statement on Friday:

“Today we lost a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother, and a loyal friend. Anne will be deeply missed but she lives on through her beautiful sons, her iconic body of work, and her passionate advocacy. Her bravery for always standing in her truth, spreading her message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact,” the statement added.

Heche was married to camera operator Coleman Laffoon from 2001 to 2009. The two had a son, Homer, together. She had another son, named Atlas, during a relationship with actor James Tupper, her co-star on the TV series “Men In Trees.”

Laffoon left a moving tribute on an Instagram reel in which he also gave an update on how their 20-year-old son Homer Laffoon is coping with the loss of his mother.

“I loved her and I miss her, and I’m always going to,” he said adding: “Homer is okay. He’s grieving, of course, and it’s rough. It’s really rough, as probably anybody can imagine. But he’s surrounded by family and he’s strong, and he’s gonna be okay.”

“Rest In Peace, Mom, I love you, Homer,” the actor’s 20-year-old son, Homer, said in a statement after Heche was declared legally dead on Friday.“ My brother Atlas and I lost our Mom,” read the statement. “After six days of almost unbelievable emotional swings, I am left with a deep, wordless sadness. Hopefully, my mom is free from pain and beginning to explore what I like to imagine as her eternal freedom. Over those six days, thousands of friends, family, and fans made their hearts known to me. I am grateful for their love, as I am for the support of my Dad, Coley, and my stepmom Alexi who continue to be my rock during this time. Rest In Peace Mom, I love you, Homer.”

Tupper, a Canadian actor who starred alongside Heche in “Men in Trees,” had a 13-year-old son, Atlas, with her. “Love you forever,” Tupper, 57, wrote on his Instagram post’s caption with a broken heart emoji, which shared an image of the actress from Men in Trees.

Between 1997 and 2000, Heche was also in a relationship with talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.

“This is a sad day,” DeGeneres posted on Twitter. “I’m sending Anne’s children, family and friends all of my love.” The year after her break-up with the comedian, in September 2001, Heche recounted in her memoir “Call Me Crazy,” about her lifelong struggles with mental health and a childhood of abuse.

KTLA’s entertainment reporter Sam Rubin noted that over the past two decades, Heche’s career pivoted several times. In 2017, she hosted a weekly radio show on SiriusXM with Jason Ellis called “Love and Heche.”

In 2020, Heche made her way into the podcast world. She launched “Better Together” which she cohosted alongside Heather Duffy Boylston. The show was described as a way to celebrate friendship. 

She also worked in smaller films, on Broadway, and on TV shows. She recently had recurring roles on the network series “Chicago P.D.,” and “All Rise” and was a contestant on “Dancing with the Stars.”

People magazine reported that several of Heche’s acting projects are expected to be released posthumously.

These include “Girl in Room 13,” expected to be released on Lifetime in September, “What Remains,” scheduled to be released in 2023, and HBO Max TV series “The Idol,” created by Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd) and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson.

In her Instagram post from earlier this year Heche stands between her sons Atlas, 13 and Homer, 20.

From KTLA:

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