Arts & Entertainment
D.C. arts briefs: July 13
Galactica at the Black Fox, Pride in the Sky in Rockville and more

Galactica and guests continue their weekly engagement at Black Fox Lounge tonight from 6-9 p.m. (Photo courtesy Jeffrey Johnson)
Galactica continues Black Fox run Friday
Special Agent Galactica performs with her signature pink hair and Very-Sexy-Cute-Boy Combo tonight (Friday) at the Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 6-9 p.m.
Galactica (Jeffrey Johnson) will be singing live and lip syning (her original claim to fame). The live numbers will be performed with her band. Tonight she will add a few new songs to her bi-monthly show. R&B bass guitarist Percy White and drummer Winston Johnson will accompany her band.
Barbara Papendorp, who performs French cabaret numbers, will add her own vocal styles to the show as a guest performer. She will join Galactica during the third set as a back-up singer to one of the new songs featured.
Tickets are free. For more information, visit blackfoxlounge.com or pinkhairedone.com.
Pride in the Sky event in Rockville
B.O.I. Marketing and Promotions and the Ladies of LURe host the monthly “Pride in the Sky” party on Saturday at The Rooftop in Rockville (155 Gibbs St., Rockville) from 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
Drink specials will be served all night long and food and light fare will be available. Leblon and Absolut are both sponsors of the party, and music by DJ Rosie will be featured.
Admission is $10 and limited to guests 21 and over. The Rooftop is a 10-minute walk from the Rockville Station on Metro’s Red Line, and parking garages are free if you leave after midnight. For details, visit the “Pride in the Sky – July 14th” event on facebook.com.
Women’s painting-and-wine event at the Center
Center Women, a group within the D.C. Center for the LGBT Community, hosts a step-by-step painting class led by local artists on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Brush-n-Blush (3210 Grace St., N.W.).
Guests are encouraged to bring their own favorite bottle of wine or purchase a bottle or glass from Brush-n-Blush’s selection of affordable premium wine. Cheese, chocolate or other choice foods can also be brought.
All levels of interest and painting expertise are welcome. The registration price is $64 per person, and includes art instruction, supplies and a $10 donation to the D.C. Center.
For more details and to purchase tickets, visit thedccenter.org.
Afternoon Royale pageant Saturday at Remington’s
The Imperial Court of Washington is having a “Mr. and Miss D.C. Royale Pageant” at Remington’s Nightclub (639 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E.) on Saturday at 3 p.m.
The Imperial Court is part of the International Court System and is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for organizations that support LGBT causes, including youth enrichment programs, HIV/AIDS services and social services organizations.
The pageant will include self-expression, talent, evening gown, formal wear and Q&A categories, as well as a raffle drawing.
Tickets are $10. If interested in competing, contact [email protected]. For more information, visit remingtonswdc.com or the “Mr. & Miss D.C. Royale Pageant” Facebook event page.
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)














