Arts & Entertainment
Blade ‘Eligible Single’ marries
Hank’s Oyster Bar owner finds love
Jamie Leeds (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Jamie Leeds, one of Washington Blade’s Most Eligible Singles in 2015, has married her partner Tina McDaniel, according to the Washington Post.
The Hank’s Oyster Bar owner described her ideal mate to the Blade as someone who “Likes to laugh, traveler, adventurous, fun-loving, loves to eat good food/drink wine, confident.” Her Eligible Singles profile came out on Feb. 9 2015. Days later on Feb. 15 2015 she attended a party where she met independent communications consultant McDaniel, who fit the ideal mate description.
Washington Post reports a mutual friend introduced Leeds, 54, and McDaniel, 40. The couple spent the night talking about food, among other topics.
“I would consider myself a foodie . . . and I was very fascinated with the fact that Jamie was a chef. I remember asking her all of these questions like, ‘What’s your favorite bite? What’s your favorite restaurant?'” McDaniel told Washington Post.
McDaniel went home after their meeting and Googled Leeds, discovering she had been named one of Washington Blade’s Most Eligible Singles.
Leeds was also interested in McDaniel from the start.
“From the minute I met Tina and we started talking, it was like everything fell from around us,” Leeds told Washington Post. “I was totally enamored by her and felt like I could just be myself around her. I didn’t have to put on an act . . . and that felt really comfortable.”
After a few weeks of dating, Leeds asked McDaniel to be her girlfriend. Leeds planned to propose to McDaniel in Greece, but after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Marriage Equality Act she decided not to wait. According to Washington Post, Leeds proposed at the Salamander Resort and Spa in a room with chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne.
The couple were married at Hank’s Pasta Bar in Old Town Alexandria last month.
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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
