Local

Gay Men’s Chorus performer Mark Hennen dies at 58

Worked for Phil Collins, other notables

Published

11 years ago

August 13, 2014

Lou Chibbaro Jr.

Mark Steven Hennen

Mark Steven Hennen, a singer and dancer with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington for more than 10 years who has worked as a touring director for internationally known entertainers, died June 15 at a hospice in Arlington, Va., following a six-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 58.

According to information provided by his friend Rick Davis, Hennen was born and raised in West Branch, Mich., where he worked on his family’s dairy farm through his high school years. He graduated in 1980 from the University of Detroit Mercy, a Jesuit school, where he received a bachelor’s degree with a major in theater.

While pursuing a life-long career in the entertainment industry, Hennen lived and worked in Minnesota, Rhode Island and California, among many other places, Davis said in a biographical write-up.

Along the way he worked as an actor and model before becoming a tour director for many big-name acts, Davis said. Among them was his role in handling the logistics operations for a European tour of British singer-songwriter Phil Collins and Collins’ rock group Genesis.

Hennen also toured with U.S. country music singer, songwriter and actress Reba McEntire and with famed Beatles singer Ringo Star.

Most recently, Henning served for 11 years as a booking director for Feld Entertainment, which produces the Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus and Disney on Ice, among other entertainment acts.

“To those in the entertainment industry, Mark was known as ‘Radar,’ a moniker he received from Phil Collins, who felt Mark’s work habits matched the dutifully efficient character from the television show M*A*S*H,” Davis said in his write-up.

Among other things, Hennen was a “very active” member of the Washington National Cathedral Episcopal parish, Davis said.

The Gay Men’s Chorus honored Hennen with its prestigious Harmony Award recognizing his leadership and devotion to The Care Corps, a chorus project that supports chorus members in times of illness and other personal hardships.

Hennen is survived by his two sisters and their spouses, Maurene and Larry Hennen Schumann of Whitehall, Mich.; Lois and John Hennen Wheeler of Poway, Calif.; a nephew, Paul, and his spouse Jenny Schuman of Spring, Tex.; and a grandnephew and a number of grandnieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Marilyn Hennen of West Branch, Mich. Hennen is also survived by his life-long friend Drew Bell and a large loving family of friends.

A “Celebration of Life” service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at the National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C. Davis said Hennen’s remains were cremated “for scattering on the old Hennen farm” near West Branch, Mich.

Hennen has requested that any memorial contributions be made to the Federal City Performing Arts Association, Inc., the organization that operates the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, at 2000 P St., N.W., Suite 730, Washington, D.C. 20036.

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World Pride 2025

D.C. liquor board extends drinking hours for WorldPride

Gay bars, other liquor-serving establishments can stay open 24 hours

Published

8 hours ago

May 2, 2025

Lou Chibbaro Jr.

Sasha Colby performs at Pitchers in 2023. Liquor-serving establishments in D.C. will be able to remain open for 24 hours during WorldPride. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

D.C.’s Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board, which regulates liquor sales for the city’s bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and other establishments licensed to serve alcoholic beverages, has approved extended hours for alcohol service and sales during the days when most WorldPride events will be held in the nation’s capital.

In a May 2 announcement, the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration, which works with the board, said the extended liquor serving and sales hours for WorldPride will take place beginning Friday, May 30, through 4 a.m. Monday, June 9.

Although the official schedule for WorldPride events shows the events will take place May 17-June 8, most of the large events, including a two-day Pride street festival, parade, and concert, were expected to take place between May 30 and June 8.

According to the ABCA announcement and an ABCA spokesperson, liquor servicing establishments with the appropriate license can stay open for 24 hours and serve alcoholic beverages from 6 a.m. through the day and evening until 4 a.m., with no liquor sales allowed from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. during the May 30-June 9 period.

The ABCA announcement says liquor serving establishments must apply for the extended hours option and pay a $100 registration fee by a deadline on May 27.

Sources familiar with the liquor board have said the board has for many years approved the extension of liquor serving and sales hours for important events and for certain holidays such as New Year’s Eve.

At the time it approved the extended hours for WorldPride the liquor board also approved extended hours during the time when games for a World Cup soccer tournament will be held in the city on June 18, June 22, and June 26.

It couldn’t immediately be determined how many of D.C.’s 22 LGBTQ bars plan to apply for the extended drinking hours. David Perruzza, owner of the Adams Morgan gay bar Pitchers and its adjoining lesbian bar A League of Her Own, said he will apply for the 4 a.m. extended hours option but he does not intend to keep the two bars open for the full 23 hours.

Under the city’s current alcoholic beverage regulations, licensed liquor serving establishments may serve alcoholic beverages until 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends.

World Pride 2025

Episcopal bishop to speak at WorldPride human rights conference

Trump demanded apology from Mariann Edgar Budde over post-Inauguration sermon

Published

17 hours ago

May 2, 2025

Michael K. Lavers

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde. (Screen capture via PBS NewsHour/YouTube)

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde is among those who are scheduled to speak at the WorldPride 2025 Human Rights Conference that will take place from June 4-6.

Budde, who is the bishop of the Diocese of Washington, in January urged President Donald Trump “to have mercy” on LGBTQ people, immigrants, and others “who are scared right now” during a post-Inauguration service that he and Vice President JD Vance attended at the Washington National Cathedral. Trump criticized Budde’s comments and demanded an apology.

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde speaks at the Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 21, 2025. (PBS NewsHour clip)

A press release the Washington Blade received notes Icelandic Industries Minister Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, UK Black Pride founder Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, and Bob the Drag Queen are among those who are also expected to participate in the conference.

The conference will take place at the JW Marriott (1331 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) and registration is open here.

World Pride 2025

Pabllo Vittar to perform at WorldPride

Brazilian drag queen, singer, joined Madonna on stage in 2024 Rio concert

Published

1 day ago

May 1, 2025

Staff reports

Pabllo Vittar (Screen capture via Pabllo Vittar/YouTube)

A Brazilian drag queen and singer who performed with Madonna at her 2024 concert on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach will perform at WorldPride.

The Capital Pride Alliance on Thursday announced Pabllo Vittar will perform on the Main Stage of the main party that will take place on June 7 at DCBX (1235 W St., N.E.) in Northeast D.C.

Vittar and Anitta, a Brazilian pop star who is bisexual, on May 4, 2024, joined Madonna on stage at her free concert, which was the last one of her Celebration Tour. Authorities estimated 1.6 million people attended.