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Grammys 2017: Adele sweeps awards; David Bowie posthumously wins big

George Michael, Prince given tributes

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(Screenshot via Twitter.)

(Screenshot via Twitter.)

Adele collected all five of her nominated categories at the 59th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday but when she won Album of the Year, for “25,” she was more disappointed because her big win meant something else.

Beyoncé hadn’t won for her visual album “Lemonade.”

Adele used her time on stage to explain just how important Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” was to her.

“I can’t possibly accept this award, and I’m very humble and very grateful and gracious, but my artist of my life is Beyoncé,” Adele says. “And this album for me, the ‘Lemonade’ album, was just so monumental and so well-thought-out and so beautiful and soul-baring.”

Beyoncé looked on tearfully from the audience mouthing “Thank you” to Adele’s praise.

“The way you make me and my friends feel, the way you make my black friends feel is empowering,” Adele continued. “And they stand up for themselves. And I love you and I always have and I always will.”

Adele also won Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album. She opened the show with a performance of her hit song “Hello.” She later gave a tribute to the late George Michael, which she requested to restart on stage, after beginning the performance on a flat note.

Beyoncé took home awards for Best Urban Contemporary Album and Best Music Video for “Formation.” She gave her first post-pregnancy performance with artistic renditions of “Love Drought” and “Sandcastles.”

Chance the Rapper, whose brother Taylor Bennett came out as bisexual last month, won Best New Artist and Best Rap Album for “Coloring Book.”

David Bowie posthumously won five awards, tying Adele for the most wins of the night, for his last project “Blackstar,” including Best Alternative Music Album.

Laverne Cox introduced a Lady Gaga and Metalica rock duet but before the performance began she drew attention to transgender high school student Gavin Grimm’s legal battle to use the boys’ restroom.

“Everyone, please Google ‘Gavin Grimm,'” Cox told the crowd. “He’s going to the Supreme Court in March. #StandWithGavin.”

Lady Gaga, who gave a tribute to Bowie at last year’s Grammys ceremony, rocked out with Metallica in a performance that had some technical difficulties when frontman James Hetfeld’s microphone went out.

The ceremony also included another tribute, this time in honor of Prince. Morris Day and the Time performed “Jungle Love” and “The Bird” before Bruno Mars came out to sing “Let’s Go Crazy” donning Prince’s trademark white ruffle shirt and sparkly purple suit.

For a complete list of winners, visit here. 

 

 

 

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Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala

‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton

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17th Street Dance performs at the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington's Spring Affair 'Sapphire & Sparkle' gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday, May 16. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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 speaks at the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s Spring Affair on Saturday, May 16. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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)

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PHOTOS: Equality Prince William Pride

Fifth annual LGBTQ celebration held in Manassas, Va.

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Mayor of Manassas Michelle Davis-Younger, center, cuts the ribbon to open Equality Prince William Pride at Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16. (Washington Blade photo by Landon Shackelford)

Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.

(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)

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PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party

Ashley Biden accepts award for Beau Biden at annual Rehoboth fundraiser

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Ashley Biden accepts an award on behalf of her brother, Beau Biden, at the Washington Blade's Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)

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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