Local
Baltimore Eagle looks to reopen in March 2016
License flap, structural problems create delays
Charles and Ian Parrish (center) discuss building plans inside the gutted Baltimore Eagle. (Blade photo by Steve Charing)
After a three-member Baltimore City Liquor Board on April 9 unanimously denied the Baltimore Eagle’s building ownership group a requested liquor license transfer, Charles and Ian Parrish, a father-son real estate development team, vowed to re-open the bar, located at 2022 N. Charles St., following renovations.
That board ruled that the reconstruction was not completed within the required 180 days, rendering the license dead. Ian Parrish contends that he was told by the liquor board that the license was secure and to proceed with the renovations, which were hampered by unforeseen structural problems and other issues. Since then, the board was dissolved and a new one appointed.
“No other developer in this region wanted to touch the Baltimore Eagle project, and we still aim to prove them wrong,” Parrish told the Blade. “This team is moving forward. We’re spending over a million dollars to reconstruct the Baltimore Eagle because this building and this business are good for this city, because our neighbors want to go back to work, and because the loyal patrons of the Eagle are still hoping to return.”
He added, “Mayor Rawlings-Blake called for investment in Baltimore City; well, we’ve made our investment, we were promised a license, and here we are still waiting for promises to be honored.”
Attorneys for the Parrish team and supporters appealed the board’s decision on Sept. 15 to a Baltimore City Appellate Court but have yet to receive a ruling by Judge Mays. Undaunted, the project is moving forward.
When they first purchased the building and exploratory work was conducted, the Parrishes saw that besides garbage and debris removal, there were major structural problems that needed to be addressed and most of the building had to be gutted. Currently, the building’s shell remains as the early stages of rebuilding begin.
The Parrish development team explained in a statement that it has “designed an energy-efficient building with an entirely new floor plan that will improve traffic flow and make better use of the space. Visitors will discover new services, including a restaurant, a full-service leather shop, and event catering.”
Plans have been made to also include an entertainment area in the multi-level structure as well as a dress code-exclusive area for members of the leather community.
While the Parrish family owns the land and the building, the Baltimore Eagle is owned by Chuck King and Robert Gasser who are leasing the property. They will have full responsibility for the operation of the bar. King is the general manager.
“We’re thrilled to revitalize a home for Maryland’s leather community,” King said in a statement. “We’re dedicated to making The Baltimore Eagle innovative, edgy and fun for newcomers, while preserving the culture and attitude that attracted guests from all over the world.”
Members of the community are eagerly anticipating the re-opening, which is targeted for March 2016. “I’m happy to hear and see there is such a great buzz in the community of a new bar opening,” Rich Wertman, treasurer of The Shipmates Club of Baltimore, a leather organization, told the Blade. “I feel like I’m coming home to a place where my leather roots started.”
The Baltimore Eagle, founded in 1991, closed in 2012 following the death of its previous owner, Richard Richardson. For more information on the progress of the renovations, visit thebaltimoreeagle.com.
District of Columbia
Billy Porter, Keke Palmer, Ava Max to perform at Capital Pride
Concert to be held at annual festival on June 9
The Capital Pride Alliance, the group that organizes D.C.’s annual LGBTQ Pride events, announced this week the lineup of performers for the Sunday, June 9, Capital Pride Concert to be held during the Capital Pride Festival on Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. near the U.S. Capitol.
Among the performers will be nationally acclaimed singers and recording artists Billy Porter and Keke Palmer, who will also serve as grand marshals for the Capital Pride Parade set to take place one day earlier on Saturday, June 8.
The Capital Price announcement says the other lead performers will be Ava Max, Sapphira Cristal, and the pop female trio Exposé.
“The beloved pop icons will captivate audiences with upbeat performances coupled with their fierce advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, echoing the vibrant spirit of this year’s theme, ‘Totally Radical,’” according to a statement released by Capital Pride Alliance.
“With Billy Porter and Keke Palmer leading the parade as Grand Marshals, we’re not only honoring their incredible contributions to the LGBTQ+ community but also amplifying their voices as fierce advocates for equality and acceptance,” Capital Pride Alliance Executive Director Ryan Bos said in the statement.
“The concert and festival serve as a platform to showcase the diverse array of LGBTQ+ talent, from the chart-topping hits of Ava Max to the iconic sounds of Exposé and the electrifying performances of Sapphira Cristal,” Bos said in the statement. “Capital Pride 2024 promises to be a celebration like no other.”
The concert will take place from 12-10 p.m. on the main stage and other stages across the four-block long festival site on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Arts & Entertainment
Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier and fireworks show returning June 8
The annual Pride on the Pier Fireworks Show presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation will take place on Saturday, June 8 at 9 p.m.
The Washington Blade, in partnership with LURe DC and The Wharf, is excited to announce the 5th annual Pride on the Pier and fireworks show during D.C. Pride weekend on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 2-10 p.m.
The event will include the annual Pride on the Pier Fireworks Show presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation at 9 p.m.
Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Southwest waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older. Local DJ’s Heat, Eletrox and Honey will perform throughout the event.
3 p.m. – Capital Pride Parade on the Big Screen
3:30 p.m. – Drag Show hosted by Cake Pop!
9 p.m. – Fireworks Show Presented by Leonard-Litz Foundation
The event is free and open to the public. The Dockmasters Building will be home to a VIP experience. To learn more and to purchase tickets go to www.prideonthepier.com/vip. VIP tickets are limited.
Event sponsors include Absolut, Buying Time, Capital Pride, DC Brau, DC Fray, Burney Wealth Management, Infinate Legacy, Leonard-Litz Foundation, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, MISTR, NBC4, The Wharf. More information regarding activities will be released at www.PrideOnThePier.com
Maryland
Trone discusses transgender niece
Blade interviewed Md. congressman, Angela Alsobrooks last week
Editor’s note: The Washington Blade last week interviewed both U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-Md.) and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. The full interviews with both Democratic candidates for retiring U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.)’s seat will be on the Blade’s website later this week.
Maryland Congressman David Trone last week discussed his transgender niece during an interview with the Washington Blade about his U.S. Senate campaign.
Trone, who is running to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), on May 1 told the Blade during a telephone interview that his niece transitioned when she was in her early 20s. Trone also noted she attended Furman University, a small, liberal arts university in Greenville, S.C.
“I was concerned about how she would be able to transition there,” said Trone.
Trone, who founded Total Wine & More, attended Furman University as an undergrad and is on the school’s board of trustees. Trone told the Blade he donated $10 million to the university to “build out their mental health capacity, which I felt was a way that she could have the best mental health care possible when she worked her way through (her) transition.”
Trone’s niece graduated from the university after she spent five years there.
“She had a great relationship with Furman,” said Trone.
Trone and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks are the leading Democrats running to succeed Cardin. The winner of the May 14 Democratic primary will face former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan in November.
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