Arts & Entertainment
Cherry blossoms under new leadership
D.C.’s trademark gay dance weekend returns with series of events
Cherry Fund board member James Decker. (Blade photo by Michael Key)
This year marks the 15th anniversary of Cherry and the Cherry Fund, which is now under new management.
The Cherry Fund has raised and provided about $980,000 in grants since its start in 1997 and 90 percent of that comes directly from ticket sales to Cherry, Washington’s trademark gay dance party. James Decker, a member of the Fund’s board, says this year’s goal is to raise $20,000, which could be double what was raised last year and would bring the organization over the $1 million milestone.
“There’s definitely something symbolic behind it,” Decker says of hitting that milestone on this anniversary. “That would be a significant achievement given the economy and a lot other factors, but there’s no reason why they couldn’t reach that goal.”
Last year’s beneficiaries were The Metro D.C. Center, Capital Pride, Us Helping Us, Whitman-Walker Health, Metro TeenAIDS, Pediatric AIDS/HIV Care, Women’s Collective, La Clinica del Pueblo, Youth Pride Alliance, Capital Trans Pride, Latino GLBT History Project (Latino Pride), API Queers United for Action and D.C. Black Pride.
“We try to spread the wealth,” Decker says.
This year’s beneficiaries will not be announced for another couple months.
“We get a lot of people from out of town,” Decker says. “That’s how the circuit works. A lot of people will just go from party to party.”
There are some new venues this year, including Phase 1 Dupont (1415 22nd St., N.W.), Ibiza Nightclub (1222 1st St., N.E.) and Warehouse Loft (411 New York Ave., N.E.).
While Fund organizers think the local DJs are great, they try to recruit those who don’t come to the D.C. area that often, making their events a bigger draw. There are many DJs who ask about participating and this year, all the opening DJs are volunteers.
Tonight’s (Friday) events start with a welcome center at No. 9 (1435 P St., N.W) from 5 to 9 p.m. followed by two events. There will be a women’s event at Phase 1 Dupont from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. and “Boys on Fire” with DJ Paulo from Los Angeles at Warehouse Loft from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. with DJ David Merrill (check out his Queery profile on page 32) spinning the opening set and DJ Bryan Yamasaki in the back room.
Saturday brings the “Moody Horror Picture Show,” a birthday celebration for party pioneer, Moody Mustafa featuring DJ Joe Gauthreaux from New York City at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) from 2 to 7 p.m.
Town is also hosting that night’s “Blossom” with DJ Mark Anthony from Montreal from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. DJ Timothy Mykael will provide the opening set. There will also be a special performance by Circuit Mom. Attendees are asked to wear red to this event.
The festival ends on Sunday with “Momentum” with Cherry alum DJ Alyson Calagna from Miami at Ibiza Nightclub from 4 to 9 a.m. with an opening set by DJ BennyK.
“She’s great, a real sweetheart and an awesome DJ,” Decker says of Calagna. “We’re honored to have her back.”
That will be followed by a brunch and tea dance at Cobalt from noon to 6 p.m. with DJ Tim e. The final event is “Ovation” with DJ Eddie Elias from New York City at Ultra Bar (911 F St., N.W.) from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. with DJ Sean Morris opening.
“They give us that club for the night,” Decker says of Ultra Bar. “They are very generous, very supportive of our event.”
Tickets for individual events range from $17 to $50. The 2012 Cherry Host Pass is $120 and includes entrance to all six major events, access to VIP lounge at Ibiza, goodie bag, complimentary day pass to VIDA Fitness, two-hour open bar at Sunday tea, T-shirt and CD, but it does not include admission to “Moody Horror Picture Show.”
For more information and to purchase tickets visit cherryfund.org.
Impulse Group DC held “10’s Across the Board: A Celebration of 10 Years” at Bravo Bravo (1001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) on Sunday, Dec. 14. Impulse Group DC is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) and affinity group of AIDS Healthcare Foundation dedicated “to engaging, supporting, and connecting gay men” through culturally relevant health and advocacy work.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Rob Reiner, most known for directing untouchable classics like “The Princess Bride,” “Misery,” “When Harry Met Sally…,” and “Stand by Me,” died Dec. 14 alongside his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, in their Los Angeles residence. While investigations are actively underway, sources have told PEOPLE Magazine that the pair’s son, Nick Reiner, killed his parents and has been taken into custody.
Reiner was a master of every genre, from the romantic comedy to the psychological thriller to the coming-of-age buddy movie. But in addition to his renowned work that made him a household name, Reiner is also remembered as a true advocate for the LGBTQ community. In 2009, Reiner and his wife co-founded the American Foundation for Equal Rights, helping fight against California’s Prop 8 same-sex marriage ban. They were honored at the 2015 Human Rights Campaign Las Vegas Gala.
In a statement, HRC President Kelley Robinson said: “The entire HRC family is devastated by the loss of Rob and Michele Reiner. Rob is nothing short of a legend — his television shows and films are a part of our American history and will continue to bring joy to millions of people across the world. Yet for all his accomplishments in Hollywood, Rob and Michele will most be remembered for their gigantic hearts, and their fierce support for the causes they believed in — including LGBTQ+ equality. So many in our movement remember how Rob and Michele organized their peers, brought strategists and lawyers together, and helped power landmark Supreme Court decisions that made marriage equality the law of the land — and they remained committed to the cause until their final days. The world is a darker place this morning without Rob and Michele — may they rest in power.”
Reiner’s frequent collaborators have also spoken out as the industry is in mourning, including figures like Ron Howard and John Cusack.
A joint statement from Jamie Lee Curtis and Christopher Guest (who starred in Reiner’s “This is Spinal Tap”) reads: “Christopher and I are numb and sad and shocked about the violent, tragic deaths of our dear friends Rob and Michele Singer Reiner and our ONLY focus and care right now is for their children and immediate families and we will offer all support possible to help them. There will be plenty of time later to discuss the creative lives we shared and the great political and social impact they both had on the entertainment industry, early childhood development, the fight for gay marriage, and their global care for a world in crisis. We have lost great friends. Please give us time to grieve.”
While attending the 2019 HRC Los Angeles Dinner, Reiner spoke out about the need for equality: “We have to move past singling out transgender, LGBTQ, black, white, Jewish, Muslim, Latino. We have to get way past that and start accepting the idea that we’re all human beings. We’re all human beings, we all share the same planet, and we should all have the same rights, period. It’s no more complicated than that.”
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington perform “The Holiday Show” at Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.). Visit gmcw.org for tickets and showtimes.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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