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Whole lotta covers

Many returning acts stick to tried-and-true material for new releases

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Out singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright returns with his seventh studio album "Out of the Game" to be released May 1. (Photo by Tina Tyrell; courtesy the Karpel Group)

This spring brings the release of several albums from icons, “American Idols,” Broadway divas and more. Some artists, such as Madonna and Adam Lambert, are releasing long-awaited returns to the music scene, while others are reworking their sound or releasing covers projects.

After a successful performance at the halftime show of the Super Bowl this year,Madonna’s long-awaited new album, “MDNA” drops March 26. The album will have 15 tracks, including first single “Give Me All Your Luvin'” and her Golden Globe-winning, “Masterpiece.”

Adam Lambert, of “American Idol” fame, has his second album, “Trespassing,” slated for a March 20 release. The out singer acted as an executive producer and co-wrote many of the tracks, working with guest artists such as Pharrell Williams, Sam Sparro and Bruno Mars.

Tony winner Idina Menzel, best known for her work on Broadway in “Wicked” and “Rent,” has a new CD and DVD coming out March 6 for her PBS special, “Idina Menzel Live: Barefoot at the Symphony.” The concert, recorded in Toronto, will feature Broadway numbers and reworkings of songs such as Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” and Sting’s “Roxanne.” Taye Diggs, Menzel’s husband, also makes a guest appearance.

Another “American Idol” alum Clay Aiken has a new album “Steadfast” coming out on March 26. This new album comes on the heels of the out singer’s participation on the NBC’s reality series “The Celebrity Apprentice.” The album is an extension of Aiken’s previous album, “Tried and True,” with an original song, “Bring Back My Love” and covers of songs by Neil Sedaka and Connie Francis.

Gay singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright has teamed up with producer Mark Ronson for his newest album “Out of the Game” to be released May 1. This is Wainwright’s seventh studio album and features musicians such as the Dap-Kings, Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Wainwright’s sister, Martha Wainwright.

Local gay indie singer/songwriter Tom Goss releases “Lost Songs and Underdogs” on April 3. Goss holed up in a one-room cabin in rural Virginia, turned off his phone and computer and wrote the project during a time of soul searching. He calls it “direct, honest” and his “most intimate” project yet. It’s available in a couple editions with various bonus tracks and perks. Go to tomgossmusic.net for details.

Pop singer Katy Perry is releasing a special edition of her album “Teenage Dream” on March  27. The new album, entitled “Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection,” will feature the original 12 tracks plus three new ones, a Tommy Sunshine megamix of Perry’s previous six singles, the Kanye West version of “E.T.,” the Missy Elliot version of “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” and an acoustic version of “The One That Got Away.”

Grammy-winning R&B singer Macy Gray returns with a new album “Covered,” set to release March 26. The album features 16 covers including Gray’s take on the Eurythmics’ “Here Comes the Rain Again,” the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ “Maps” and even Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters.”

Lionel Richie has a new album coming out on March 26, “Tuskegee.” The album includes 13 tracks, each one featuring a different country act with Richie, such as the Rascal Flatts joining him on “Dancing on the Ceiling,” Jennifer Nettles on “Hello” and Shania Twain on his classic duet with Diana Ross, “Endless Love.”

Bruce Springsteen is back on March 6 with “Wrecking Ball,” his 17th studio album. The album features 11 new recordings including “We Take Care of Our Own” and two bonus tracks on the special edition.

Coming off a touching tribute to Etta James at the Grammys, Bonnie Raitt has a new album, “Slipstream” slated to drop April 10. This is her first studio album in seven years and will feature renditions of classics songs by artists such as Bob Dylan and more.

The Counting Crows have a new album, also coming out April 10, entitled “Underwater Sunshine (or What We Did on Our Summer Vacation).” They too are covering Bob Dylan with their own rendition of “You Ain’t Going Nowhere,” as well as Big Star’s “The Ballad of El Goodo” and “Ooh La La” by The Faces.

And don’t forget local drag queen Shi-Queeta-Lee’s debut single “My Name is LOVE,” about making a difference and stopping the hate and bullying. The single is available for download at cdbaby.com/cd/shiqueetalee for $1.29.

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Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C

Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement

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Gay Pride Day 1976 (Washington Blade archive photo)

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.

D.C.’s Different Drummers march in the 2006 Capital Pride Parade. (Washington Blade archive photo by Adam Cuthbert)

The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies. 

Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays. 

The 1995 Lesbian and Gay Freedom Festival was held on Freedom Plaza on June 18. (Washington Blade archive photo by Clint Steib)

The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.

We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.

I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.

The D.C. Black Gay Men & Women’s Community Conference table at Gay Pride Day in 1978. (Washington Blade archive photo by Jim Marks)
A scene from 1985 Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)
A scene from the 1988 Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)
A scene from the Capital Pride Block Party in 2018. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)
Keke Palmer performs at the 2024 Capital Pride Festival. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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PHOTOS: Equality Prince William Pride

Fourth annual event held in Old Town Manassas

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Muffy Blake Stephyns performs at 2025 Prince William Equality Pride. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party

Gov. Meyer speaks at annual Rehoboth event

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Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer speaks at the Washington Blade's 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on Friday, May 16. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)

The Washington Blade held its 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on Friday, May 16. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer spoke along with State Sen. Russ Huxtable, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Kim Leisey, Blade Editor Kevin Naff, and Clear Space Theatre Managing Director Joe Gfaller. The event raises funds for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which was awarded to AU student Abigail Hatting. 

(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)

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