Arts & Entertainment
Arts news in brief: Dec. 16
Ellen Greene with GMCW, Chantry in recital and more
Ancient music specialists in recital this weekend
Singing group Chantry will be performing the first concert of its season, “O Magnum Mysterium” at St. Bernadette’s (70 University Blvd. East) in Silver Spring on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
The group, founded in 2001, features between 10 and 16 professional early music voices. Some members are gay.
General admission tickets are $27 in advance and $30 at the door and student admission is $13 in advance in $15 at the door. For more information on the group and to purchase tickets, visit chantrydc.com
Greene joins Chorus for weekend shows
Ellen Greene in a still from her show ‘Pushing Daisies.’ (Photo courtesy ABC via GMCW)
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington has its annual holiday show opening tonight at Lisner Auditorium (730 21st St., N.W.) and continuing through Sunday.
The show will feature Ellen Greene, the original Audrey from “Little Shop of Horrors” singing with the full chorus.
Tonight’s performance is at 8 p.m. Saturdays performances are at 3 and 8 p.m. and there will be a final performance Sunday at 3 p.m. featuring ASL interpretation.
Tickets range from $20 to $50 and can be purchased online at gmcw.org.
 TV’s Taylor in ‘Ann’
Emmy Award-winning actress Holland Taylor, who has appeared on shows like “Two and a Half Men” and “The L Word,” comes to the Kennedy Center’s stage with her one-woman play “Ann,” opening tonight at 7:30 p.m.
The show, written by Taylor, tells the story of Ann Richards, the second female governor of Texas.
Tickets range from $54 to $95 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.
The show will run through Jan. 15.
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)
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Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
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PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
