Arts & Entertainment
Youth Pride this weekend
Event back for 16th annual festival and dance Saturday in Dupont Circle
Teens at last year's Youth Pride. (Blade file photo by Pete Exis)
D.C.’s Youth Pride is celebrating its 16th year Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. in Dupont Circle.
The day will include performances, games, speakers, resources, free stuff and more. Various LGBT groups and organizations will also have booths set up around the circle.
Infatuation, the Youth Pride after pary, begins at 5 p.m. at Patty Boom Boom (1359 U St., N.W.) with DJ Keenan spinning house, electro, Baltimore club and more until 9 p.m. Attendees must be 21 or younger and there is a $3 cover.
Youth Pride Alliance also produces other events for LGBT youth throughout the year. The group is independent and has no ties to Capital Pride though the two organizations cross promote their events and support each other’s missions.
“I think it’s always important to really stress the care and development of youth and the LGBT community in D.C. is a pretty large community,” says Nikisha Carpenter, board president of the Alliance. “One of the great things about Youth Pride Day is that it connects the two … it’s a fun festival with a lot of activities … you just don’t get the same emphasis at Capital Pride where it’s very much geared for adults.”
Carpenter, a lesbian who has volunteered with the organization for seven years, says between 600 and 700 attended last year. Organizers are hoping for that many again this year though this weekend’s cooler temperatures and possible rain may be a factor.
Some of this year’s sponsors include the D.C. Center, The Trevor Project, SYMAL and more.
For more information, visit youthpridedc.org or youthpridealliance.org.
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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.
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Anjali Murthy, a member of the chorus and a graduate of the GenOUT Youth Chorus, addressed the attendees of the gala.
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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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(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
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