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‘Fire and Air’

Classical ballet, modern dance, Cherry weekend and more among season’s dance highlights

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Dustin Kimball, Junichi Fukada, Bowen McCauley Dance, gay news, Washington Blade
Dustin Kimball, Junichi Fukada, Bowen McCauley Dance, gay news, Washington Blade

Dustin Kimball, left, and Junichi Fukada of Bowen McCauley Dance. (Photo by Jeff Malet; courtesy the company)

Washington Ballet, led by gay artistic director Septime Webre, is considered one the country’s finest ballet companies. This spring the company will put on several performances.

From March 5-9, the Ballet will perform “British Invasion: the Beatles and the Rolling Stones” at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater (2700 F St., N.W.). This three-piece production includes Trey McIntyre’s “A Day In the Life,” Christopher Bruce’s “Rooster” and “There Where She Loved.” Tickets start at $25 and are available at kennedy-center.org.

From April 16-25, the company’s “Peter Pan” will take audiences on a highflying adventure to Neverland. This coming-of-age story is told through the vibrant and powerful dances choreographed by Webre. Tickets range from $25-125 and can be purchased at kennedy-center.org.

And on April 23-25, for just three performances, the Washington Ballet will be presenting “Tour-de-Force,” a program that contains provocative and engaging classical and contemporary ballets. The centerpiece of the evening is George Balanchine’s “Themes and Variations,” which evokes the great period in classical dance where Russian Ballet flourished. Tickets are only available to subscribers and start at $35.

Bowen McCauley Dance performs at Atlas Intersections Festival today at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St., N.E.). The performance will explore the environment’s influence in movement in “Afoot in Vienna” and “Fire and Air.” It also includes a re-imagination of Shakespeare’s “Antony and Cleopatra” with a rare performance by Lucy Bowen McCauley herself. To purchase tickets, visit atlasarts.org.

The Atlas Intersections Festival ends Saturday. Intersections allows onlookers and artists to discover the collaborative energy of audiences and artists with eight days of boundary-crossing performances.

From April 1-6, the New York City Ballet performs Balanchine’s dazzling full-length piece “Jewels” at the Kennedy Center Opera House (2700 F St., N.W.). Tickets are on sale now and cost $25-95. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit kennedy-center.org.

On April 19 starting at 1 p.m., the gay-led Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company performs a new work at the National Portrait Gallery (8th and F streets, N.W.) where this company maintains its residency and performs regularly. It’s free.

Sean Dorsey Dance performs May 9-10 at Joe’s Movement Emporium in Mount Rainier, Md., with a work called “Secret History of Love,” which reveals the ways that LGBT individuals found love and happiness in decades past. This work by transgender dance director is packed with full throttle dancing, riveting storytelling and truly reveals the strength of the human heart. Tickets are $22.

On May 16-17, Jessica Lang Dance premieres a new work at the Kennedy Center along with the National Symphony Orchestra (2700 F St., N.W.). For tickets visit kennedy-center.org.

Gay choreographer Kyle Abraham and his company Abraham.In.Motion will perform “Live: The Realest MC” on May 17-18 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St., N.E.). Abraham, who was awarded a 2013 MacArthur Genius Award, has created a production that explores what it means to be a real boy a la Pinocchio. Tickets are $31.50 in advance or $35.50 at the door. Visit atlas arts.org for details.

The Bolshoi Ballet performst at the Kennedy Center May 20-25 with “Giselle,” a powerful piece that deals with betrayal, physical fragility and spiritual strength. Tickets are available by visiting kennedy-center.org.

From June 9-20, gay-helmed Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company partners with Georgetown Day School to allow advanced and intermediate dancers in seventh through 11th grades to have one-on-one instruction with members of the company.

Dance Place (3225 8th St., N.E.) is always the center of dance activity in Washington with performances every weekend as well as dance classes for adults and children.

In radically different dance news, the Chippendales male dance revue — geared to straight women but, like Playgirl, long a gay guilty pleasure — performs March 27 at 9 p.m. at the Fillmore in Silver Spring (8656 Colesville Rd.). Tickets are $25-35 and available at fillmoresilverspring.com.

And D.C.’s trademark benefit circuit party Cherry is the weekend of April 4-6 with DJs Eddie Elias, Paulo, Alain Jackinsky, Joe Gauthreaux, TWiN and Mike Reimer at the various locations throughout the weekend such as Cobalt and Town. This year’s event is dubbed “Metamorphosis.” Visit cherryfund.org for full details.

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Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala

‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton

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17th Street Dance performs at the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington's Spring Affair 'Sapphire & Sparkle' gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday, May 16. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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 speaks at the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s Spring Affair on Saturday, May 16. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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)

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PHOTOS: Equality Prince William Pride

Fifth annual LGBTQ celebration held in Manassas, Va.

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Mayor of Manassas Michelle Davis-Younger, center, cuts the ribbon to open Equality Prince William Pride at Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16. (Washington Blade photo by Landon Shackelford)

Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.

(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)

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PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party

Ashley Biden accepts award for Beau Biden at annual Rehoboth fundraiser

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Ashley Biden accepts an award on behalf of her brother, Beau Biden, at the Washington Blade's Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)

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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