Arts & Entertainment
GMCLA releases dance mix of ‘Gay Spirit Song’ celebrating Laura Dern


The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles might have a brand new dance track heading into the clubs, thanks to a one-off appearance at the Film Independent Spirit Awards that turned into a viral steamroller.
The iconic LGBTQ singing group showed up at the February 8 Spirit presentation to perform “Gay Spirit Song,” penned by lyricist Jordan Firstman and Greg O’Connor as a tribute to the year’s “gayest movies that you didn’t know were gay.” Accompanied by a hilarious video presentation that singled out “all things gay” in the movies of 2019, the song pointed up the gayness of such cinematic moments as “Idina Menzel in ‘Uncut Gems,’ J. Lo pole-dancing to Fiona Apple,” and “FKA Twigs talking about snakes” while paying special homage to actress and LGBTQ ally Laura Dern’s performance in “Marriage Story.” Dern, in the audience, was moved to laughter, and later posted on Twitter, “Did this…really happen? Thank you @GMCLA @filmindependent and @JTfirstman for making me realize how much I need a choir to go everywhere with me!”
A video of the performance went viral after being shared by the likes of the Hollywood Reporter, IFC, James Corden, and Dern herself, receiving over 7 million views online. Prompted by its success, GMCLA’s new Music Director and Conductor Ernest H. Harrison took thirty GMCLA members back into the studio to work with the song’s original composer O’Connor, lyricist and producer Firstman, and GMCLA member Quinn Coleman and the Perry Twins – known for some of the best dance tracks in clubs today – to create a brand new dance mix. The resulting track is a fundraiser for the organization, which has grown into a world-class performance and advocacy group since being founded in 1979 during the emergence of the gay rights movement.
GMCLA Executive Director and Producer Lou Spisto commented, “This entire experience has been amazing. The response to the original video was both unexpected and unprecedented and now Greg, Quinn, and the Perry Twins have generously created this dance version to benefit GMCLA. At the heart of our success is always the members of the Chorus, who donated their time to perform at the Awards show and again on this track. We are grateful to all of the guys, and especially Dave Pannell, who brilliantly sang the part performed by the wonderful Alex Newell in the live show. Without the GMCLA members none of this is possible. I invite any of our 7 million new fans to our next concerts at Alex Theater in Glendale, where Ernest H. Harrison, our new Music Director, will take the main season podium and we will celebrate all things California.”
That show, “The California Sound,” will perform April 4 and 5 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California, and features GMCLA’s 250 singers, dancers, and musicians in a celebration of California songs and songwriters, from classical to pop, spanning the decades. The program includes legendary songs from The Beach Boys, The Mamas and The Papas, The Byrds, The Turtles, Sonny & Cher and some of today’s artists including Billie Eilish. Also on the program is the male chorus world-premiere of “There Will Be Rest” and “Earth Song” by nationally-esteemed Los Angeles composer and USC professor Frank Ticheli, and the acclaimed work “I’ll Be On My Way” by Shawn Kirchner of Los Angeles Master Chorale.
No word yet on whether GMCLA plans to launch a new campaign to dominate the dance charts, but in the meantime, you can help them raise funds for their various outreach programs, like the Alive Music Project and the Arts for Incarcerated Youth Network, by streaming the new dance mix here.
You can also watch the video of the original Spirit Awards performance below.

Below are our picks for some of the most fun and creative things to do this week in D.C. that are of special interest to the LGBTQ community.
BenDeLaCreme “Ready to be Committed”

Monday, May 23
7 p.m.
9:30 Club
815 V Street, N.W.
$45
Facebook | Website | Ticketmaster
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” alumni BenDeLaCreme performs “Ready to be Committed” at the 9:30 Club Monday. Doors open at 7 p.m. Seating is first come, first serve.
Mystery Reveal Party

Wednesday, May 25
9 p.m.
Trade
1410 14th Street, N.W.
Facebook
Meet the mystery guest at a mystery reveal party hosted by Jaxknife on Wednesday. Mystery drink specials include $3 shots and $7 beer/shot combos.
Black, Gay and Thriving

Thursday, May 26
5:30 p.m.
ANC 5D Community Meeting Room
371 Morse Street, N.E.
Facebook | Eventbrite
Gay Professional Men of Color (GPMC) holds a networking event on Thursday at the beginning of Black Pride Weekend in D.C.
LGBTQ+ Evening Out in Del Ray

Thursday, May 26
7-10 p.m.
Bar No. 9 Lounge at the Evening Star
2000 Mt Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, Va.
Facebook | Eventbrite
Join a free gathering and make some new friends at the Bar No. 9 Lounge (upstairs) in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, Va. on Thursday.
Trans Agenda

Thursday, May 26
9 p.m.
JR.’s
1519 17th Street, N.W.
Facebook
A show featuring all trans performers at JR.’s includes host MasVusi, Silver Ware, Chata Uchis and St. Patrick Star.
RuPaul’s Drag Race British Invasion Tour

Friday, May 27
8 p.m.
Warner Theatre
513 13th Street, N.W.
$45-$153
Facebook | Live Nation
See the queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race U.K. as the British Invasion Tour makes its Washington, D.C. stop at the Warner Theatre on Friday.
GLOW/CRAZY

Friday, May 27
9 p.m.
Green Lantern
1335 Green Court, N.W.
no cover
Facebook
Enjoy a Kicks & Giggles dance party at the Green Lantern complete with DJs and glow paint. From 9 to 10 p.m., if you’re wearing body paint on your chest or back, you drink for free!
Anything But Clothes Party

Saturday, May 28
9 p.m.
The Lodge
21614 National Pike
Boonsboro, Md.
$5 cover before 10 p.m. / $8 cover after 10 p.m.
Facebook
Join Capital DJ Chase for the “Anything But Clothes Party” at The Lodge on Saturday. There will be a most creative outfit (not clothes) contest at midnight.
Black Pride Brunch & Babes

Sunday, May 29
11:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Karma Night Club
2221 Adams Place, N.E.
$60
Facebook
Celebrate Black Pride with the Capitol Ballroom Council at a ballroom performance with a catered brunch buffet and bottomless memosas- Sunday, May 29, 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Black Pride Brunch & Babes at Karma Night Club.
Flashy Memorial Day Weekend

Sunday, May 29
10 p.m.-5 a.m.
Flash
645 Florida Avenue, N.W.
$30 advance / $40 door
Facebook | Eventbrite
Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend Sunday night into the wee hours of the morning at Flash. Music by DJ Twin, DJ Sean Morris and DJ Lemz.
If you would like to let us know about an upcoming event, email [email protected] with details.
Photos
PHOTOS: Summer Kickoff Party
Washington Blade holds annual event at The Pines in Rehoboth Beach

The Washington Blade held its 15th annual Summer Kickoff Party at The Pines in Rehoboth Beach, Del. on Friday, May 20 with special guest Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.).
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)













Carson Kressley of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” served as the emcee for the Worthy Mentoring Pride Brunch at the Four Seasons Washington Hotel on Sunday, May 22. Worthy Mentoring is a nonprofit that connects mentors and mentees in the LGBTQ+ community through a mobile iOS and Android App.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)






















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