Arts & Entertainment
Cherry Blossom Festival Parade welcomes multiple LGBT performers
the event takes place on April 14
The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade will have a strong LGBT presence with out country singers Billy Gilman and Ty Herndon and singing string quartet Well-Strung among the line-up.
On April 14 from 10 a.m.-noon, the parade will run along 10 blocks on Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Streets, N.W.
Hip-hop group Arrested Development, “The Voice” season eight contestant Sarah Potenza and extreme pogo stunt team XPOGO will also perform. “The Chew” co-host Carla Hall will serve as Grand Marshall.
Grandstand seating tickets start at $20. Standing along the parade route is free.
On Thursday, the National Park Service announced that the Yoshino cherry trees will be at peak bloom, when 70 percent of the blossoms are in bloom, along the Tidal Basin on March 17 to March 20. The festival will run from March 20-April 15.
For more information on the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s events, visit here.
Out & About
Blade Summer Kickoff Party returns to Rehoboth
Politicians slated to speak at annual Blue Moon party
The Washington Blade’s 17th annual Summer Kickoff Party returns Friday, May 17, 5-7 p.m. at the Blue Moon (35 Baltimore Ave.) in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
It’s an exciting election year in Delaware, which is poised to elect its first Black woman senator (Lisa Blunt Rochester) and the nation’s first transgender member of Congress (Sarah McBride).
McBride is scheduled to speak at the party along with several politicos from the area. With the retirement of longtime state Rep. Peter C. Schwartzkopf, a staunch LGBTQ ally, three strong contenders are running to replace him. All three — Marty Rendon, Kathy McGuiness, and Claire Snyder-Hall — are slated to speak at the party. A representative from Blunt Rochester’s campaign is scheduled to speak, along with Kim Leisey, the new executive director of CAMP Rehoboth.
Tax-deductible tickets are $20 and available on Eventbrite or via the Blade’s Facebook page. The party is sponsored by Justin Noble of Sotheby’s, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Blue Moon.
Andy Cohen, executive producer of “The Real Housewives” franchise and host of “Watch What Happens Live,” will return to Sixth & I on Wednesday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m.
This event will be his fifth appearance at the venue to celebrate the paperback release of his New York Times bestselling memoir, “The Daddy Diaries,” talk about the latest Housewives happenings, and answer audience questions about everyone’s favorite Bravolebrities.
Cohen will be in conversation with Rep. Robert Garcia, who represents California and is the first LGBTQ immigrant to win a congressional seat. Rep. Garcia has also been known to quote from “The Real Housewives” in congressional hearings.
Tickets start at $12 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
“Herses- Purse Frist Extravaganza” will be on Friday, May 3 at 9 p.m. at 1835 14th St. N.W. This will be an evening of dancing and performances, hosted by HAUS of Bambi Award-winning Performance Artist, BUMPER. Refreshments are also available for purchase.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.