Arts & Entertainment
Baltimore arts briefs: Feb. 24
Hippo hosts events, ‘Agnes of God’ production opens and more
Club Hippo hosts two parties
Club Hippo (1 West Eager St.) has two large events going on this weekend.
On Friday, the Ladies of LURe present “Lust,” celebrating LGBT history with the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore.
DJ Rosie will be providing music and Dystruxion dancers will be there. There will also be a raffle for Club Skirts Dinah Shore tickets.
Admission is $5 before midnight and $7 after.
On Saturday, Bellezza Entertainment and Club Hippo present their first major event of the year with Winter Pride.
This event will feature drink specials, give-a-ways, live performances by the Charm City Cabaret and more.
Admission is $10 and doors open at 10 p.m.
Both events are for 21 and older only.
Joan Crooks plays Dr. Livingstone, a psychiatrist who puts Sister Agnes, played by Julie Milillo, under hypnosis after she has visions in ‘Agnes of God.’ (Photo by Ken Stanek)
‘Agnes of God’ production opens
Spotlighters Theatre (817 Saint Paul St.) presents “Agnes of God” starring Joan Crooks, Nancy Linden and Julie Milillo opening tonight at 8 p.m.
“Agnes” tells the story of Dr. Martha Livingstone and how she assesses the sanity of Sister Agnes after she’s accused of murdering her newborn.
The show will run through March 18 with Friday and Saturday performances at 8 p.m. and Sunday performances at 2 p.m. There will be a “talk back” session with the cast and director on March 11 following the show.
Tickets range from $16 to $20 and can be purchased online at spotlighters.org.
There will also be a special performance on March 14 at 8 p.m. Tickets for this performance are $10.
Oscar night fundraiser for homeless youth
The 11th annual AIRS Oscar Night to Benefit is tonight at Pazo Restaurant (1425 Aliceanna St.) starting at 6 p.m. with dinner, cocktails and a short program followed by the Oscars.
Tickets are $125 and can be purchased online at oscarnightbaltimore.
AIRS is an organization founded as the faith community’s response to the AIDS epidemic and has been helping individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS since 1987.
For more information on AIRS and CitySteps, visit airshome.org.
Two diverse groups set to play France-Merrick this weekend
The France-Merrick Performing Arts Center (12 North Eutaw Street) presents Darwin Atwater’s “Evolution of a People” on tonight at 8 p.m. and the Peking Acrobats on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
“Evolution” is a musical monument to the varied aspects of African-American life, including business, sports, politics, cowboys, religion, fashion and more. Atwater has taken an entire culture and set it to music accompanied by a photographic narrative by Ellis Marsalis III.
Tickets range from $30 to $65.
For more information, visit soulfulsymphony.org.
The Peking Acrobats are a troupe of China’s most gift tumblers, contortionists, jugglers, cyclists and gymnasts complemented by live musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments.
Tickets range from $20 to $55.
All tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.
a&e features
Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington held the annual Spring Affair gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The theme for this year’s fete was “Sapphire & Sparkle.” The chorus celebrated 45 years in D.C. with musical performances, food, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Executive Director Justin Fyala and Artistic Director Thea Kano gave welcoming speeches. Opening remarks were delivered by Spring Affair co-chairs Tracy Barlow and Tomeika Bowden. Uproariously funny comedian Murray Hill performed a stand-up set and served as the emcee.
There were performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington groups Potomac Fever, 17th Street Dance, the Rock Creek Singers, Seasons of Love, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus.
Anjali Murthy, a member of the chorus and a graduate of the GenOUT Youth Chorus, addressed the attendees of the gala.
“The LGBTQ+ community isn’t bound by blood ties: we are brought together by shared experience,” Murthy said. “Being Gen Z, I grew up with Ellen [DeGeneres] telling me through the TV screen that it gets better: that one day, it’ll all be okay. The sentiment isn’t wrong, but it’s passive. What I’ve learned from GMCW is that our future is something we practice together. It exists because people like you continue to show up for it, to believe in the possibilities of what we’re still becoming”
The event concluded with the presentation of the annual Harmony Awards. This year’s awardees included local drag artist and activist Tara Hoot, the human rights organization Rainbow Railroad as well as Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director, Dr. Chipper Dean.
(Washington Blade photos and videos by Michael Key)
Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Photos
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Ashley Biden accepts award for Beau Biden at annual Rehoboth fundraiser
The 19th annual Blade Foundation Summer Kickoff Party was held on Friday, May 15 at Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach, Del. An award presentation was held for former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Ashley Biden accepted the award on her brother’s behalf and gave remarks. Other speakers included Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff. The event was a fundraiser for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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