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Block Party concerns spark debate

Issues raised by Mount Vernon Association, business owners

Published

13 years ago

on

Baltimore Pride, gay news, Washington Blade
Baltimore Pride, gay news, Washington Blade

Baltimore Pride block party (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

A week before Baltimore was to celebrate its annual Pride weekend, a brouhaha developed as City Café owner Gino Cardinale and others met with the Mount Vernon-Belvedere Association (MVBA) to discuss issues relating to the block party planned for June 15.

“There is concern from area residents and businesses regarding Pride’s block party this year,” said MVBA president Jason Curtis in a statement. “Concerns are mostly regarding cleanliness after the event and the underaged drinking during the event.”

At the meeting, Cardinale allegedly charged that the Club Hippo, Grand Central and the GLCCB’s vendor that serves alcoholic beverages are not doing enough to prevent underage people from purchasing drinks.

This led to spirited arguments carried out on Facebook between supporters of the bars and City Café.  From the bars’ perspective, each establishment maintains that it dutifully cards customers to ensure they are of legal age.

The City Café’s point of view as well as those of other Mount Vernon businesses and residents who believe they are negatively affected by the block party, is they want to protect their interests and keep the area clean. They charged there is urination and defecation on private property and much litter strewn around the neighborhood.

Club Hippo owner Chuck Bowers insists that his club as well as Grand Central consistently cards customers at this event. He told the Blade that underage drinking at the block party often occurs when kids bring alcoholic beverages to the event. “They bring the alcohol from other places and from coolers stored in cars,” Bowers said.

Cardinale said he is not singling out Bowers and Grand Central’s owner Don Davis but that more efforts must be taken to prevent such behavior. He cites turnover within the GLCCB for his inability to fully discuss and resolve the situation with the organization.  That is why he approached the MVBA for resolution.

MVBA’s Curtis stated on a Facebook post that, “the City Café never asked that Pride be stopped or cancelled. City Café requested, as did other businesses and residents, that GLCCB step up and start properly managing the event which they obtain a permit for. I won’t deny that it was discussed that if GLCCB can’t do a better job in managing this event, that the event itself should be reconsidered. City Café was not alone in this request.”

The boundaries for consuming alcoholic beverages that have been agreed to consist of Longrove Street on the east, Morton Street on the West, Read Street on the south and half a block of Charles Street on the north. Alcoholic consumption outside that designated area would be subject to enforcement of Baltimore’s open container law. In addition, people will be stamped to designate whether they are 21 or above or not.

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Maryland

Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes

Pride Center of Maryland among recipients

Published

24 hours ago

on

September 9, 2026

By

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks at the Human Rights Campaign's National Dinner in D.C. on Sept. 13, 2025. His administration in the 2027 fiscal year will give $10 million in grants to the Pride Center of Maryland and other groups that work to prevent hate crimes in Maryland. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy are awarding a total of $10 million in grants in the 2027 fiscal year to nonprofit organizations that work to prevent hate crimes in the state.

The funds will be used to support those who feel targeted or discriminated against because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status.

The Pride Center of Maryland is among the recipients. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and LGBTQ organizations are all eligible to receive grants

“The safety and security of all Marylanders is my top priority, so we are drawing a hard line because we have no tolerance for hate,” said Moore, according to media reports. “We are committed to protecting and ensuring safe and sacred spaces stay that way by investing in non-profit organizations, houses of worship, and community centers to protect and honor every community that makes our state so diverse and special.” 

“Protection Against Hate Crime funding has strengthened the Pride Center of Maryland’s ability to protect, educate, and support the communities we serve … at a time of heightened concern associated with the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ/SGL (same-gender-loving) policies and pressures,” Pride Center of Maryland CEO Cleo Manago said. “PAHC funding helps us do more than improve physical security — it strengthens our community’s knowledge, preparedness, connection to resources, and ability to respond to hate with greater awareness and support.”

Maryland’s hate crimes law includes both sexual orientation and gender identity. The state’s nondiscrimination statute is also LGBTQ-inclusive.

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District of Columbia

Blade welcomes fall intern

Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida

Published

1 week ago

on

September 2, 2026

By

Alexis McLean (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.

Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.

“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”

Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.

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Rehoboth Beach

SUNFESTIVAL takes center stage as Rehoboth Beach closes out summer

Labor Day Weekend bustling with events, including David Archuleta performance

Published

1 week ago

on

September 1, 2026

By

David Archuleta headlines this year’s SUNFESTIVAL on Saturday in Rehoboth Beach. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Labor Day Weekend marks the unofficial end of summer in Rehoboth Beach, but there will be no shortage of LGBTQ events, with CAMP Rehoboth’s annual SUNFESTIVAL taking over town this weekend.

Thursday (9/3)

Get your Labor Day Weekend started early Thursday night with happy hour from 5-7 p.m. at Diego’s Bar & Nightclub, followed by Naughtee Bingo hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 8:30 p.m.

After bingo, the party continues with Dancing at Diego’s from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Aqua Bar & Grill will also kick off its Labor Day Weekend festivities Thursday with a DJ spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Friday (9/4)

The weekend ramps up Friday night at Aqua, where DJ Matt Bailer will keep the dance floor moving from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Over at Diego’s, DJ Steve Sidewalk will then take over Diego’s for Freedom Friday from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m.

Saturday (9/5)

The main event of the weekend arrives Saturday with the opening night of CAMP Rehoboth’s SUNFESTIVAL.

Billed as the ultimate party to close out the summer, SUNFESTIVAL has become one of Rehoboth’s signature Labor Day Weekend events. The annual celebration sells out each year, with proceeds benefiting CAMP Rehoboth.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments available at the cash bar while attendees are invited to socialize and find their seats.

Saturday night will feature local singer Ashley Williams as the opening performer, followed by headliner David Archuleta. The event will also feature a live auction.

Back across town Saturday, Aqua will continue its Labor Day Weekend DJ lineup from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Diego’s will also have plenty happening, with ‘Splash Party’ hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 5 p.m., followed by a Saturday Dance Party with Brett Oosterhaus from 9 p.m.- 1:30 a.m.

The Blue Moon hosts its popular Legends Show at 9 p.m. It’s an all-live singing show by the Blue Moon cast of celebrity impersonators.

Etienne Pilon has taken Rehoboth by storm this summer. Check out the talented singer/pianist at The Pines from 7-10 p.m.

Sunday (9/6)

Sunday’s SUNFESTIVAL event will shift the focus to the dance floor, with globally renowned DJs Robbie Leslie and James Anthony scheduled to perform. Doors open at 7 p.m., with dancing continuing until 1 a.m.

On Sunday, Aqua will throw its annual White Party, with DJs spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Guests are encouraged to dress in white for the holiday weekend celebration.

Diego’s will host its Sunday High T-Dance with Pamala Stanley at 5 p.m. Later that evening, DJ Tannr will be spinning at 9 p.m.

John Flynn is on the piano from 6-8 p.m. at the Blue Moon.

Monday (9/7)

The final day of Labor Day Weekend brings one last chance to hit the dance floor before summer officially winds down.

Aqua will close out its five-day Labor Day Weekend celebration with DJ Biff from 3-7 p.m.

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