Arts & Entertainment
Arts briefs: March 18
Jackie Beat at Cobalt, queer prom, drag pageant and more
Jackie Beat at Cobalt tonight with two shows
Drag queen and celebrity entertainer Jackie Beat will have two performances at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) tonight.
First, at 9 p.m., Beat will be performing a dinner show downstairs at Level One. She’ll move upstairs at midnight for another show with DJ DeMarko.
Beat is the drag persona of Kent Fuher. She has appeared in many movies such as “Bam Bam and Celeste” and on television, including an episode of “Sex and the City.”
Beat also writes a weekly column, “Little Miss Know-It-All,” for FrontiersWeb.com, covering topics like Facebook, movie fashions and many others. The event will feature free vodka drinks will be available from 11 p.m. to midnight upstairs. DJ Keenan Orr will spin. Reservations for Beat’s dinner show can be made at opentable.com. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.
Capital Queer Prom to benefit Youth Pride Alliance
The fifth annual Capital Queer Prom is Saturday from 9 p.m. to midnight abroad the Spirit of Mount Vernon (600 Water St., S.W., Pier 4).
Queer Prom is a formal gala that gives LGBT men and women a second chance at their dream prom.
This year the celebration spans three days. There’s a pre-Prom maritime meet and greet tonight from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at The Reef (2446 18th St., N.W.) that will include complimentary wine, happy hour specials and music.
The celebration ends with a post-Prom drag brunch at Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.). The brunch includes an all-you-can-eat buffet, complimentary mimosas, drag queen performances and a special treat exclusively for prom guests. Every year, the prom benefits a local non-profit organization. This year it’ll benefit the Youth Pride Alliance, an organization in its 15th year dedicated to creating safe events and support for LGBT youth, including its annual Youth Pride Day, which is Apr. 30.
The Queer Prom is for ages 21 and older. Tickets to the prom and brunch are $95 each. Tickets are also available for the prom only and are $75 each. For more information on Queer Prom and to purchase tickets, visit capitalqueerprom.com.

Coti Collins (David Lowman) being crowned Miss Gay D.C. America last year. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Miss Gay Regional Pageant this weekend
The Miss Gay D.C. America 2011 regional pageant is Saturday at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.).
This is the 40th anniversary of the Miss Gay America pageant, the first female impersonator pageant.
Miss Gay honors regional pageants that stand out and the D.C. one has been honored as such. Since 2004, more than 50 local contestants have competed for the crown.
Pre-judging and evening gown starts at 5:45 p.m. and the pageant will begin at 6:45.
The winner will be crowned Miss Gay D.C. America 2011 and receive a prize package worth $4,025. The first alternate will received a prize package worth $2,000.
Last year, Coti Collins not only won Miss Gay D.C. America 2010, but went on to be crowned Miss Gay America 2011. Victoria DePaula, who won Miss Gay D.C. America in 2008, also went on to be crowned Miss Gay America 2009.
Special guests at this year’s pageant will include Collins and DePaula, as well as Jessica Jade, Miss Gay D.C. America 2009 and first runner-up for Miss Gay American 2010, Victoria Parker, Miss Gay D.C. America 2007, Ashley Bannks, Miss Gay D.C. America 2006, Catia Lee Love, Miss Gay America 2000, Miss Peaches, Miss Gay D.C. America 2005, Maxine Blue, Miss Gay D.C. America 1998 and Champagne Douglas, Miss Gay D.C. America 1990 and Miss Gay D.C. America 1991.
There will be a $10 cover. For more information, visit missgaydcamerica.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
PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
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)















