Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: Sept. 14
Parties, concerts, exhibits and more through Sept. 20
Along with Emperor Fidel I, seated, are (from left to right) Empress XXI of Corpus Christi, BeBe Evanson-Hughes; Empress XXVI of New York, Witti Repartee; and Absolute Empress XLVI of San Francisco, Saybeline Fernandez. The Imperial Court has a charity coronation event Saturday at Washington Mariott. (Photo courtesy Imperial Court)
TODAY
Special Agent Galactica performs at the Black Fox Lounge (723 Connecticut Avenue NW) from 6-9 p.m. tonight. Galactica will give a performance of live singing, lip sync, jazz, comedy and more to Friday nights. Known for her “Very-Sexy-Cute-Boy Combo,” Galactica will sing numbers ranging from Cy Coleman, Harold Arlen, and Irving Berlin to Quincy Jones, The Beatles and Prince. For more information, visit blackfoxlounge.com.
Bear Happy Hour Fridays are back at Town (2009 8th St NW) from 6-11 p.m. every Friday night. There is no cover charge, however, you must arrive by 9:30 p.m. to get inside for free. There will be free pizza at 7 p.m. and drink specials. For more information, visit dcbearcrue.com.
Cobalt (1639 R Street NW) is hosting its Free Vodka Fridays called “Boy’s Life” again tonight. You must be 21 and up to enter and there will be open bar from 11 p.m. until midnight. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.
Saturday, Sept. 15
Ziegfeld’s DC (1824 Half Street SW) is hosting its Miss Ziegfeld’s 2013 competition tonight. Former title holder Patti Lovelace will be honored. Doors open at 7 p.m. The competition will begin at 8 p.m. For more information, visit ziegfelds.com.
Burgundy Cresent Volunteers will donate their time at the Falls Church PetSmart (Seven Corners, 6100 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church) from 11:45 a.m. until 3 p.m. today. Also, The Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation is looking for dog-handlers for their adoption events. For more information on this event, visit ldcrf.org. To volunteer, email [email protected].
The Imperial Court will crown Emperor I during a charity event today at “Coronation I: Gala of the Americas” at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center (12th St NW). Doors open at 6 p.m. with a cocktail and VIP reception. The Gala will begin at 7 p.m. The beneficiaries of this year’s event are: PFLAG-DC, The Mautner Project, and Grandma’s House. Tickets are available at imperialcourt.org.
Sunday, Sept. 16
The SpeakEasy presents the return of drag performer Joey Arias to L’Enfant Café (2000 18th St NW) along with Sherry Vine and Raven O! The Dinner Show begins at 7 p.m. and includes a three course dinner and show. The late night show starts at 10:30 p.m. with cocktails and a show. Both events are reservation only. For more information, visit laboumbrunch.com.
Phase 1 (525 8th St. SE) will hold its monthly open mic night tonight starting at 7:30 p.m. Drinks range from $2-$10 and all are welcome. Phase 1 has seen performances from singer-songwriters, spoken word artists, stand-up comics and live bands. For more information, visit phase1dc.com.
Monday, Sept. 17
The Arlington Central Library (1015 N Quincy St.) hosts a book talk with Garrett Peck, the gay author of “The Potomac River: A History and Guide” today on the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam. Books will be available for sale and Peck will also be signing them. For more information, visit library.arlingtonva.us.
Tuesday, Sept. 18
Whitman-Walker Health Center (1701 14th St., NW) hosts its 10-week Coming Out Women’s discussion group tonight at 7 p.m. This group is for women who want to discuss their interest in women, sexuality, relationships and coming out. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
Wednesday, Sept. 19
The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m., at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE) for social bridge. No partner needed. For more information, visit lambdabridge.com.
Human Rights Campaign staff and supporters meet tonight at 7 p.m. at HRC Headquarters (1640 Rhode Island Ave. NW) to increase its grassroots membership base. Visit hrc.org for more information.
Thursday, Sept. 20
Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U Street NW) has its weekly “Beat the Clock Happy Hour” today. Discounts last from 5-8 p.m. with specials on bottles of Miller Lite and House Vodka drinks. From 5-6 p.m. drinks are $2. From 6-7 p.m., drinks are $3 and from 7-8 p.m. drinks are $4. For more information, visit nelliessportsbar.com.
The Freddie’s Follies drag show was held at Freddie’s Beach Bar in Arlington, Va. on Saturday, Jan. 3. Performers included Monet Dupree, Michelle Livigne, Shirley Naytch, Gigi Paris Couture and Shenandoah.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
a&e features
Queer highlights of the 2026 Critics Choice Awards: Aunt Gladys, that ‘Heated Rivalry’ shoutout and more
Amy Madigan’s win in the supporting actress category puts her in serious contention to win the Oscar for ‘Weapons’
From Chelsea Handler shouting out Heated Rivalry in her opening monologue to Amy Madigan proving that horror performances can (and should) be taken seriously, the Critics Choice Awards provided plenty of iconic moments for queer movie fans to celebrate on the long road to Oscar night.
Handler kicked off the ceremony by recapping the biggest moments in pop culture last year, from Wicked: For Good to Sinners. She also made room to joke about the surprise hit TV sensation on everyone’s minds: “Shoutout to Heated Rivalry. Everyone loves it! Gay men love it, women love it, straight men who say they aren’t gay but work out at Equinox love it!”
The back-to-back wins for Jacob Elordi in Frankenstein and Amy Madigan in Weapons are notable, given the horror bias that awards voters typically have. Aunt Gladys instantly became a pop culture phenomenon within the LGBTQ+ community when Zach Cregger’s hit horror comedy released in August, but the thought that Madigan could be a serious awards contender for such a fun, out-there performance seemed improbable to most months ago. Now, considering the sheer amount of critics’ attention she’s received over the past month, there’s no denying she’s in the running for the Oscar.
“I really wasn’t expecting all of this because I thought people would like the movie, and I thought people would dig Gladys, but you love Gladys! I mean, it’s crazy,” Madigan said during her acceptance speech. “I get [sent] makeup tutorials and paintings. I even got one weird thing about how she’s a sex icon also, which I didn’t go too deep into that one.”
Over on the TV side, Rhea Seehorn won in the incredibly competitive best actress in a drama series category for her acclaimed performance as Carol in Pluribus, beating out the likes of Emmy winner Britt Lower for Severance, Carrie Coon for The White Lotus, and Bella Ramsey for The Last of Us. Pluribus, which was created by Breaking Bad’s showrunner Vince Gilligan, has been celebrated by audiences for its rich exploration of queer trauma and conversion therapy.
Jean Smart was Hack’s only win of the night, as Hannah Einbinder couldn’t repeat her Emmy victory in the supporting actress in a comedy series category against Janelle James, who nabbed a trophy for Abbott Elementary. Hacks lost the best comedy series award to The Studio, as it did at the Emmys in September. And in the limited series category, Erin Doherty repeated her Emmy success in supporting actress, joining in yet another Adolescence awards sweep.
As Oscar fans speculate on what these Critics Choice wins mean for future ceremonies, we have next week’s Golden Globes ceremony to look forward to on Jan. 11.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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