Arts & Entertainment

Arts news in brief: Dec. 2

Gay Men’s Chorus joins MCC; Us Helping Us presents awards

Published

13 years ago

December 1, 2011

Saturday night's MCC concert is choir director Shirli Hughes' swan song with the church. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Gay Men’s Chorus joins MCC-D.C. for Christmas concert

Metropolitan Community Church of Washington is having its “Joy All Over the World” Christmas concert at Lincoln Theater (1215 U St., N.W.) on Saturday at 7 p.m. featuring special guests the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and along with soloists Oleta Adams and Natalie Carter.

The evening will feature traditional holiday classics and some surprises.

Tickets range from $20 to $30 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit mccdc.com.

Us Helping Us to present awards

Us Helping Us, People Into Living is having its annual awards reception “A Passion for Living” to raise funds and recognize individuals and businesses for their commitment to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic, on Saturday at Arena Stage (1101 6th St., S.W.) from 6 to 9 p.m.

This years honorees are Greg Millet, receiving the Founders Award for outstanding leadership; Justine Love, receiving the Thurlow Tibbs Award for outstanding community service; and Janssen Therapeutics, receiving the Chairman’s Award for philanthropy.

Millet is a senior behavioral scientists in the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control. He was one of the principal authors of the President’s National HIV/AIDS Strategy and is serving as the HHS/CDC liaison to the White House’s Office of National AIDS Policy.

Love is the director of community and public affairs for CBS Radio Washington and is a known health advocate and cause educator in the community. She has worked with countless organizations to bring awareness regarding issues plaguing citizens in and around D.C.

Tickets are $125. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit uhupil.org.

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Arts & Entertainment

Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier returns bigger than ever with two-day WorldPride celebration

Published

21 hours ago

April 15, 2025

Staff reports

The Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier will be extended to a two-day celebration in honor of WorldPride coming to D.C. this year. Taking place on Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 at The Wharf, this year’s event promises more entertainment, more community, and more pride than ever before — all set against the stunning waterfront backdrop of our nation’s capital.

With the addition of Friday, the party kicks off at 3 p.m., with the inaugural WorldPride Boat Parade at 7 p.m. As an Official WorldPride Partner event, the boat parade will feature 30 decorated boats parading along the Washington Channel. For information on signing up for the boat parade contact Stephen Rutgers at [email protected].

Saturday’s signature Pier Party kicks off at 12 p.m., featuring a drag show, DJ’s, streaming of the WorldPride Parade, and the iconic Fireworks Show Presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation — one of D.C. Pride’s most anticipated spectacles.

“We’re expanding Washington Blade Pride on the Pier to reflect the excitement and momentum building for WorldPride in D.C.,” said Blade publisher Lynne Brown. “It’s a celebration of our community’s progress and a powerful reminder of the joy and visibility Pride brings to the heart of our city.”

Now in its seventh year, Washington Blade Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Wharf 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.

Pride on the Pier is free and open to the public, with VIP tickets available for exclusive pier access, hosted bars, and private viewing areas for the boat parade and the fireworks show. To purchase VIP tickets visit www.prideonthepierdc.com/vip.

Friday VIP: 5-9 p.m., enjoy an air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, cash bar and complimentary drink.

Saturday VIP Session #1: 2-5 p.m., enjoy an air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, catered food, and an open bar.

Saturday VIP Session #2: 6-9 p.m., enjoy the air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, catered snacks and dinner, and open bar with a front-row view of the fireworks.

Event Details:

📍 Location: District Pier at The Wharf (101 District Sq., S.W., Washington, D.C.)
📅 Dates: Friday, June 6 & Saturday, June 7, 2025
🛥️Boat Parade: 7 p.m. (June 6). 🎆 Fireworks Show: 9 p.m. (June 7)
🎟️ VIP Tickets: www.PrideOnThePierDC.com/VIP

Event sponsors include Absolut, Capital Pride, DC Fray, Infinate Legacy, Heineken, Leonard-Litz Foundation, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, Relish Catering, Washingtonian, and The Wharf. More information regarding activities will be released at www.PrideOnThePierDC.com