Arts & Entertainment
Acrobat who plunged 100 feet to his death left final message for boyfriend
the aerial performer plummeted from a glass box suspended by a crane
(Photo via Facebook.)
An acrobat who fell to his death while entertaining festival-goers before a Green Day concert at Mad Cool Festival in Madrid on Friday posted a heartbreaking message to his boyfriend on Facebook the day before.
Pedro Aunion Monroy, 42, was performing inside a glass box suspended by a crane 100 feet in the air. Although he was reportedly wearing a harness, Monroy plummeted to the ground in front of 35,000 people and later died from his injuries. It is still unclear exactly how Monroy fell. A video of Monroy’s fall has been circulating online with almost half a million views.
On Thursday, the day before his death, Monroy had posted an illustration of him and his boyfriend, Michael Sells, on Facebook.
“I can’t wait to see my beautiful boyfriend. Love, come to my arms!!!!!” Monroy captioned the photo.
After Monroy’s fall, Green Day took the stage to perform less than 30 minutes later with no mention of the incident. The band later tweeted that they did not hear about the tragedy until after the performance.
“We just got off stage at Mad Cool Festival to disturbing news. A very brave artist named Pedro lost his life tonight in a tragic accident,” Green Day tweeted after the show. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends
— Green Day (@GreenDay) July 8, 2017
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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
