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Madonna lashes out after London Palladium cuts off concert for going past curfew

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Madonna perfoms “I Rise” in front of the curtain at the close of Wednesday night’s late-running show (Image via YouTube)

Madonna is making news again for a disruption of her current “Madame X” tour, but it’s not because she cancelled another show.

Variety reports that the 61-year-old “Queen of Pop” has been venting her anger at the London Palladium after the venue cut short her concert for running over an 11 p.m. curfew on Wednesday night.

The singer was still performing when Palladium staff closed the stage curtain and switched off the sound when she went past the deadline, prompting an expletive-laced outburst from the “Vogue” hitmaker, who emerged from behind the curtain and continued the show despite the house lights being on and her microphone being off.

The pop icon later took to Instagram to further express her fury at the Palladium, accusing the venue of attempting to “censor” her “Madame X” performance in a post which included a video showing her coming through the curtains with her backup dancers and launching into the concert’s final song, “I Rise,” as the audience applauded and sang along.

The singer wrote, “…it was 5 minutes past our 11:00 curfew—-we had one more song to do and The Palladium decided to censor us by pulling.down the metal fire curtain that weighs 9 tons. Fortunately they stopped it half way and no one was hurt………….. Many Thanks to the entire Audience who did not move and never left us. ?????? Power to The People!! #Irise #ongod #madamextheatre #thelondonpalladium”

The video as posted on Madonna’s Instagram begins with a caption that says, “Everybody’s hurt. What is important, what drives you, torments you, is that you must find some way of using this to connect with everyone else alive. Artists are here to disturb the peace.”

On Thursday, a Palladium spokeswoman issued a statement disputing the controversial star’s claim that the metal fire curtain had been lowered, saying, “Contrary to a number of reports, at no point during last night’s performance did staff at The London Palladium pull down, or attempt to pull down, the Iron Fire Curtain.”

At a previous Palladium show last week, Madonna told the audience that she had been warned by the local Westminster council that an “iron curtain” would fall over the production if she went beyond the designated cutoff time.

According to The Daily Mail, the star trolled the venue again at her Palladium show on Thursday, the following night, by saying on stage, “You know there’s an iron curtain waiting for me. Some handcuffs? I hope someone will arrest me.”

Not all of Madonna’s fans agreed with her take on the incident. At least one fan at the Wednesday show blamed the singer, telling The Mail, “Classic Madge. All her own fault.” Her original Instagram post also included several comments from concert-goers scolding her for her tardiness, such as @jpstunnas, who wrote, “Bravo to the theater. This should of been done in the states. You need to learn to not be super tardy.”

The Wednesday concert had been scheduled to begin at 8:30pm, but the singer did not take the stage until approximately 30 minutes later, causing the performance to run past its scheduled ending time. Madonna has a long history of being late for performances, and is currently being sued by fans over the devaluation of show tickets due to her tardiness.

She has previously cancelled 10 of the 93 scheduled dates for her current tour due to injury.

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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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