Arts & Entertainment
Where are they now? Blade singles class of 2016 checks in
Find out who found love and who’s still on the market
2016 Most Eligible LGBT Singles (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
OLIVIA CONETTA
Olivia Conetta (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
What is your relationship status now, one year after being named a Blade Most Eligible Single?
Single.
How was the experience of being named a Blade Most Eligible Single — did it lead to any dates?
I don’t think it led to any dates, but it did lead to some lighthearted, affectionate teasing from friends.
Any advice to this year’s winners?
Take a great picture and enjoy cracking sarcastic jokes about how eligible you are.
SASANKA JINADASA
Sasanka Jinadasa (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
What is your relationship status now, one year after being named a Blade Most Eligible Single?
Still single!
How was the experience of being named a Blade Most Eligible Single — did it lead to any dates?
Yes — actually the very same night it was announced.
Any advice to this year’s winners?
Resist fascism and live your best life.
CHRIS JENNINGS
Chris Jennings (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
What is your relationship status now, one year after being named a Blade Most Eligible Single?
Engaged
Where/how did you meet?
We met a while ago but we were both in relationships at the time. Last year we were finally both single and now it’s a thing.
How was the experience of being named a Blade Most Eligible Single — did it lead to any dates?
It was fun, my fiancé tells her friends that I was one of the most eligible singles. It’s a conversation starter.
Any advice to this year’s winners?
Wear this title with pride and you never know what will happen in a year.
MARIO AUSTIN
Mario Austin (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
What is your relationship status now, one year after being named a Blade Most Eligible Single?
I’m currently still single but actively dating.
How was the experience of being named a Blade Most Eligible Single — did it lead to any dates?
It was a cool experience. I got to meet some amazing people and earn a few cool dates.
Any advice to this year’s winners?
Have fun! Enjoy every minute of the celebration.
ADAM SMITH
Adam Smith (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
What is your relationship status now, one year after being named a Blade Most Eligible Single?
I am still single.
How was the experience of being named a Blade Most Eligible Single — did it lead to any dates?
It was fun being chosen for this and I had a few people recognize me at the bars or random people I’m Facebook friends with send messages about it, though I’m not sure it led to any actual dates.
JOHN JACK GALLAGHER
John Jack Gallagher (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
What is your relationship status now, one year after being named a Blade Most Eligible Single?
“Alone Again, Naturally” Gilbert O’Sullivan.
How was the experience of being named a Blade Most Eligible Single — did it lead to any dates?
Mashup: “Protect Ya Neck” Wu Tang Clan, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” Whitney Houston and “Precious & Few” Climax
Any advice to this year’s winners?
“Tears Dry On Their Own” Amy Winehouse
Celebrity News
Madonna announces release date for new album
‘Confessions II’ marks return to the dance floor
Pop icon Madonna on Wednesday announced that her 15th studio album will be released on July 3.
Titled “Confessions II,” the new album is a sequel to 2005’s “Confessions on a Dance Floor,” an Abba and disco-infused hit.
The new album reunites Madonna with producer Stuart Price, who also helmed the original “Confessions” album. It’s her first album of new material since 2019’s “Madame X.”
“We must dance, celebrate, and pray with our bodies,” Madonna said in a press release. “These are things that we’ve been doing for thousands of years — they really are spiritual practices. After all, the dance floor is a ritualistic space. It’s a place where you connect — with your wounds, with your fragility. To rave is an art. It’s about pushing your limits and connecting to a community of like-minded people,” continued the statement. “Sound, light, and vibration reshape our perceptions. Pulling us into a trance-like state. The repetition of the bass, we don’t just hear it but we feel it. Altering our consciousness and dissolving ego and time.”
Denali (@denalifoxx) of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” performed at Pitchers DC on April 9 for the Thirst Trap Thursday drag show. Other performers included Cake Pop!, Brooke N Hymen, Stacy Monique-Max and Silver Ware Sidora.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Arts & Entertainment
In an act of artistic defiance, Baltimore Center Stage stays focused on DEI
‘Maybe it’s a triple-down’
By LESLIE GRAY STREETER | I’m always tickled when people complain about artists “going political.” The inherent nature of art, of creation and free expression, is political. This becomes obvious when entire governments try to threaten it out of existence, like in 2025, when the brand-new presidential administration demanded organizations halt so-called diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming or risk federal funding.
Baltimore Center Stage’s response? A resounding and hearty “Nah.” A year later, they’re still doubling down on diversity.
“Maybe it’s a triple-down,” said Ken-Matt Martin, the theater’s producing director, chuckling.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
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Comings & Goings
Trump budget targets ‘gender extremism’
Minimal version of ‘Streetcar Named Desire’ heading to Dupont Underground
