Arts & Entertainment
Baltimore arts briefs: events through Nov. 15
Waters to interview Travolta, Iron City hosts ‘Queer’ reading and more
John Travolta (center) in a scene from ‘Savages.’ Travolta drew controversy when he starred in a film adaptation of Waters’ ‘Hairspray.’ The original starred late drag legend Divine, a notorious Waters cohort. (Photo courtesy Maryland Film Festival)
Travolta joins Waters for conversation
Maryland Film Festival is holding a tribute to John Travolta, who is being awarded the Festival’s “Reel Guy” for his performance in “Savages,” Saturday night at 10 p.m. at the MICA Brown Center (1300 West Mt. Royal Ave.).
Travolta will be joined by John Waters for Maryland Film Festival’s fifth annual “Open Conversations.” The program was designed to bridge the community to people who create the movies. Both Travolta and Waters have a history of performing in Baltimore.
Tickets are $75 for the conversation only and $300 for the conversation and a personal dinner with the guests. For more information, visitmdfilmfest.com.
Bump, set, spike with Charm City
Charm City Volleyball is hosting social play for volleyball players of all levels Wednesday evening starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Mount Royal Recreational Center (137 McMechen St.).
The group is an LGBT volleyball organization. The weekly social play is to promote volleyball in the community. Charm City Volleyball hosts competitive events and social clinics.
The sessions are $3 each and $30 for the fall season. There are discounts for students. For more information, visit volleybaltimore.org.
BRAS hold final event
Baltimore Recreation Alternatives (BRAS) has its “Last Dance: Just Us Gals Throwback Dance” Saturday night at 8 at Holiday Inn (9615 Deereco Rd., Timonium).
This is the last throwback dance party BRAS is hosting. The last blow-out will feature ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s music.
Tickets are $25. For more information, visit brasmaryland.com.
‘Queer Bathroom’ gets reading
Iron Crow Theatre Company presents “The Queer Bathroom Monologues: A Staged Reading” at Towson University Center for the Arts (8000 York Rd.) Monday at 7 p.m.
The piece takes a look at LGBT experiences in Canada’s public facilities. There will be a pre-event with an opportunity to meet the write Sheila Cavanagh and refreshments.
This event is free. For more information, visit towson.edu.
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)
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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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