Arts & Entertainment
Arts briefs: Baltimore
BSO performance includes fireworks, ‘Big Show’ at Creative Alliance and more
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performs for two nights to celebrate America’s independence. Photo courtesy of BSO, credit Chris Lee.
BSO performance includes fireworks
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra presents “Star-Spangled Spectacular” on July 3 and 4 at Oregon Ridge (13555 Beaver Dam Rd., Cockeysville) at 8 p.m.
The symphony, conducted by Robert Franz, will perform songs like Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever” and more, all choreographed to a fireworks display.
The evening will also feature the BSO’s “Oh, Say Can You Sing” contest winner performing the national anthem.
Tickets range from $9 to $18 and can be purchased online at bsomusic.org.
‘Big Show’ at Creative Alliance
The Creative Alliance at the Patterson (3134 Eastern Ave.) presents “The Big Show 2012” opening on Friday.
The show will feature 200 pieces of artwork from any CA member who wanted to participate. This annual show was the first project Creative Alliance mounted when it first started.
There will also be a Big Show Big Party that night from 7 to 10 p.m. with the Motorettes. The party is $5 for general audience and free for CA members.
The gallery is free and open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
NOW conference in Baltimore
The National Organization for Women is having its national conference in Baltimore this year at the Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport hotel (1739 West Nursery Rd., Linthicum Heights) starting Friday and running through Sunday.
This year’s conference theme is “Energize! Organize! Stop the War on Women” and attendees can look forward to various speakers, skill-building workshops, issue hearings and networking sessions.
The conference will feature speakers such as MSNBC contributor and former congressional candidate Krystal Ball; former NOW president Patricia Ireland; Sarah E. Reece of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force and more, as well as keynote speaker Eve Ensler.
For more information, including a complete list of speakers and workshops, and to register for the conference, visit now.org/organization/conference/2012.
Drag, dance parties at Hippo
Club Hippo (1 West Eager St.) has a couple of events this week.
On Friday, drag queen Alexis Mateo will be performing as well as Alondra Sanchees, Sue Nami, Scarlett Dupry and Brillet Garrison. DJ Dann will be providing music. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 day of show. Doors open at 10 p.m.
Saturday is a dance party with DJ Kuh Meleon starting at 10 p.m. There is a $6 cover and all attendees must be 21 or older.
Thursday is hip-hop night at Hippo with DJ Rosie spinning from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Cover is $6 before 11 p.m. and $8 afterward.
For more information, visit cluphippo.com.
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony
The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
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.
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 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.
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