Arts & Entertainment
Best of Gay D.C. 2012
Our 11th annual awards highlight the best in dining, nightlife and community
(Washington Blade graphic)
We’ve taken a slightly different approach this year for our annual Best Of Gay D.C. readers’ poll awards, now in its 11th year, with a more photo-driven presentation.
Having written about many of the perennial winners year after year, we nixed their oft-told bios to make space for larger photos. By all means, if you’re new to town, take time to discover Freddie’s Beach Bar, a worship service at Foundry or a concert by Tom Goss. They all have websites or search washingtonblade.com and you’ll find a bounty of information.
This also gave us more room to spill the ink on first-time winners or those that might not be as familiar to you.
So whether it’s going for oysters at Hank’s, going to see the magnificently versatile Holly Twyford in a play or getting a new ‘do from Brandon Hoover at Zoe Salon, these are, in essence, your recommendations to each other about the best LGBT Washington has to offer — from cupcakes to congressional representation.
We tweaked the process this year, too, which began back in August with reader-submitted nominations in each of 73 categories. Then we took the top five vote getters in each and created an online ballot. Nearly 11,000 of you cast votes — the most ever — and the winners in each are featured here.
Profiles were written by Brian T. Carney, Jonathan Howard, Patrick Folliard, Kevin Naff and Juliette Ebner. Most photos by Michael Key.
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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PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
