Arts & Entertainment
Arts news in brief: Oct. 7
Stein exhibit opens at Portrait Gallery, Center hosts two weekend events and more
Gertrude Stein posing for Jo Davidson in 1922. A tribute to the iconoclastic lesbian poet and art collector opens next weekend at the Portrait Gallery in Washington. (Image courtesy of the Smithsonian)
Stein exhibit opens at Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery has a new exhibit, “Seeing Gertrude Stein: Five Stories” opening Oct. 14.
The exhibit features more than 50 artifacts and 100 works by artists detailing the groundbreaking lesbian writer’s life and work.
Wanda Corn, who is serving as guest curator, and Tirza True Latimar, serving as associate guest curator, have written a book of the same name which analyzes the portraits Stein posed for and more.
The gallery is open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and admission is free.
Mackey: the ‘Knife’
Lesbian singer/songwriter Jeanne Mackey will be performing “Drop the Knife: A Memoir-in-Song” on Oct. 14 at the Takoma Park Community Center Auditorium (7500 Maple Ave.) at 7:30 p.m.
As a young musician, Mackey advocated feminist values and social justice and in this musical she chronicles her search for personal and ancestral healing, exploring the meaning of magic, homeland, curses and death.
There is a suggested donation of $10 to $15.
Center hosts two artists this weekend
The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) has two events this weekend.
First up is the Center’s monthly open mic night tonight at 8 p.m. featuring Liz Prescott, a semi-finalist in Capturing Fire, the first national, queer poetry slam. Prescott has also been featured at Busboys & Poets and Bloombars.
The night will be hosted by Mike Brazell and those who wish to participate should sign up by 7:30 p.m.
Then on Saturday, Kimberly Dark, a writer, mother, performer and professor, will be performing “Good Fortune” tonight at 8 p.m. Dark has compiled her own “tarot deck” of 49 large-size art images that correspond to stories. At each performance, an audience member chooses cards from the deck to form the show’s “reading.” The cards’ selection, arrangement, and impromptu interpretation ensure that no two shows will ever be alike.             Tickets are $10 and can only be purchased at the door.
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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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PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
