Arts & Entertainment
Reclaiming our faith
Many LGBT-affirming houses of worship offer Holy Week services
Palm Sunday at Foundry United Methodist Church. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Many churches in the D.C. area are LGBT-affirming. Here are a few that are having Holy Week services.
Saturday, April 12
Dignity Washington, an LGBT-affirming Catholic group, meets for weekly Mass on Saturday evenings and will have a special Stations of the Cross service today at 11 a.m. at the Franciscan Monastery (14th and Quincy streets, N.E.). Visit dignitywashington.org for details on all its Holy Week events.
Sunday, April 13 (Palm Sunday)
Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) is having a Palm Sunday service today at 8 a.m. Details at nationalcathedral.org.
Metropolitan Community Church of D.C. (474 Ridge St., N.W.) holds Sunday worship services today at 9 and 11 a.m. Details at mccdc.com.
The United Church (1920 G St., N.W.) has a Palm Sunday service today at 11 a.m. Details at theunitedchurch.org.
Foundry United Methodist Church (1500 16th St., N.W.) holds Palm Sunday services at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Details at foundryumc.org.
Unity Fellowship D.C. under the leadership of founding pastor Rev. Abena McCray has a Palm Sunday and pastoral anniversary service today at its new location at the Howard Thurman Chapel (1400 Shepherd St., N.E.) at 10:30 a.m. Visit ufcdc.com for details on this and other Holy Week services.
Friday, April 18 (Good Friday)
The 6th and I Historic Synagogue (600 I St., N.W.) hosts a Passover Shabbat tonight at 6:40 p.m. for those in their 20s and 30s. Admission is $8 in advance and $10 day of service. Details at sixthandi.org.
Bet Mishpachah holds Shabbat service at the Washington Jewish Community Center (1529 16th St., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. Visit betmish.org for details.
National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.) holds a Good Friday organ meditation service at 12:15 p.m. and a Good Friday service at 7:30 p.m. Details at nationalcitycc.org.
Foundry United Methodist Church (1500 16th St., N.W.) holds Good Friday services at noon and 7 p.m. Details at foundryumc.org.
Saturday, April 19
Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) holds the Great Vigil of Easter tonight at 8 p.m. Details at nationalcathedral.org.
St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1830 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) celebrates the Great Vigil of Easter tonight at 6:30 p.m. Details at stmargaretsdc.org.
Sunday, April 20 (Easter)
Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) will have its Easter Sunday Festival Holy Eucharist today at 8 and 11 a.m. Admission is free but tickets are required. Visit nationalcathedral.org for more information. Details at nationalcathedral.org.
Foundry United Methodist Church (1500 16th St., N.W.) has its Sunday worship services today at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Details at foundryumc.org.
National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.) holds Easter worship in a gospel service at 8:30 a.m. and traditional service at 11 a.m. Details at nationalcitycc.org.
Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1830 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) celebrates the Festival of the Holy Eucharist at 9 and 11:15 a.m. Details at stmargaretsdc.org.
Metropolitan Community Church of D.C. (474 Ridge St., N.W.) has its Easter Sunday services at 9 and 11 a.m. Details at mccdc.com.
The United Church (1920 G St., N.W.) has a bilingual Easter service today at 11 a.m. Details at theunitedchurch.org.
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)
Iran war causes condom shortage in India
U.S. attorney nominee confirmed despite anti-LGBTQ history, no trial experience
Vt. lawmaker equates transgender identity with bestiality
Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
BREAKING NEWS: Barney Frank dies at 86
Disillusioned about democracy? Think of it as a community garden
Honey, have we been priced out of gay paradise?
IDAHOBiT a reminder we all must stand up against transphobia
PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
