Arts & Entertainment
Broadway stars record song to benefit Orlando LGBT community
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Rosie O’Donnell and more to participate
(Screenshot via YouTube)
Scores of Broadway stars will record a new version of the 1965 song “What the World Needs Now is Love,” originally sung by Jackie DeShannon, with proceeds going to the LGBT Center of Central Florida.
People magazine reports SiriusXM Radio host Seth Rudetsky and his husband, producer James Wesley, organized the recording which was inspired by the We Are the World benefit recording for Africa in 1985.
“The Broadway community was so terribly shaken and devastated by the horrific tragedy in Orlando. Everyone wanted to do something as quickly as possible that would truly make a difference,” Rudetsky said in a press release.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Audra McDonald, Idina Menzel, Sara Bareilles, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Kristen Bell, Joel Grey, Sean Hayes, Gloria Estefan, Carole King, Rosie O’Donnell, Sarah Jessica Parker, Nathan Lane, Fran Drescher, Sutton Foster, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Rosie Perez, Billy Porter, Bernadette Peters, Chita Rivera, Alice Ripley, Tommy Tune, BD Wong, Whoopi Goldberg and more will sing on the track.
Pre-order purchase for the song is $1.99 on BroadwayRecords.com and will be available for download on Monday, June 20.
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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
