Arts & Entertainment
Adam Rippon wins ‘Dancing with the Stars: Athletes’
The 28-year-old is the first male figure skater to secure the Mirror Ball
Jenna Johnson and Adam Rippon on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ (Screenshot via YouTube)
Adam Rippon and his dancing partner Jenna Johnson were crowned the winners of “Dancing with the Stars: Athletes.”
The 28-year-old is the first male figure skater to receive the title.
Former Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding and her partner Sasha Farber tied with Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman and his partner Sharna Burgess for second place.
Johnson and Rippon wrapped up the season with a jazz dance routine to “Anything You Can Do” which earned them a perfect score of 30 from the judges.
The last round was the freestyle dance which had Johnson and Rippon dancing to “Scooby Doo Pa Pa” by DJ Kass. The judges weren’t as pleased with the performance earning the dance partners a score of 26.
However, Johnson and Rippon still secured the coveted Mirror Ball.
Even though the show is over, Rippon and Johnson say they will be “forever friends.”
“May the record show, Adam Rippon and Jenna Johnson’s names are forever engraved, well-printed,” Rippon told Entertainment Tonight. “This has been such an incredible experience, just pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, and more than that, getting to meet somebody who I’m gonna be friends with for the rest of my life. It’s just been such an incredible experience.”
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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
