Arts & Entertainment
Calendar through Feb. 28
Meetings, events and parties
A still from ‘The Invisible War,’ one of the documentaries nominated for an Oscar that will be screened today at the McGowan Theater in the National Archives Building. It’s from the makers of the LGBT documentary ‘Outrage.’ (photo courtesy Docurama Films)
Friday, Feb. 22
National Archives Experience hosts free screenings of Academy Award nominees in four categories: documentary feature, documentary short subject, live action short film and animated short film at William G. McGowan Theater in the National Archives Building (700 Pennsylvania Ave., NW). Tonight’s lineup, which starts at 7 p.m., includes screenings of “How to Survive a Plague,” “The Invisible War” and “5 Broken Cameras.” Tomorrow the screenings continue at noon with the showing of Live Action Short Film nominees. Screenings of Animated Short Film nominees follow at 3:30 and 5 p.m. The screenings concluded on Sunday at 11 a.m. with showing of Documentary Short Subject nominees. Seating is first come first serve. Free tickets will be handed out at the entrance on Constitution Ave. an hour prior to the event. For more information, visit archives.gov.
Special Agent Galactica returns with her happy hour show this evening at 6 p.m. at Black Fox Lounge (1732 Connecticut Ave., NW). This week she welcomes singer and actress Nora Palka as her special guest. The show includes live jazz, blue cabaret, standards and comedy. There is no cover charge. For more information, visit pinkhairedone.com.
Saturday, Feb. 23
Rooting D.C., a free all-day gardening forum, takes place today at Wilson High School (3950 Chesapeake St., NW) from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This forum aims to educate about urban food production and consumption while cultivating health. Pre-registration is closed but walk ins will be permitted if attendees arrive early. Coffee and lunch will be provided. This event is free. For more information, visit rootingdc.org.
Burgundy Crescent volunteers this morning at Food and Friends (219 Riggs Rd., NE) at 8 a.m. and again at 9:45 a.m. Volunteers will help with food preparation and packing groceries. The shifts are limited to 10 per shift. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.
Military Partners and Families Coalition (MPFC) seeks five volunteers to assist in the celebration of the recordings and stories of LGBT military families that are to be archived in the Library of Congress today at 5:30 p.m. at the Human Rights Campaign building (1640 Rhode Island Ave., NW). Volunteers will set-up before the event, staff the check-in table and greet attendees, hand out information and clean-up afterwards. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.
GLOE’s Masquerade & Mischief Purim Party, described as the queerest annual Purim Party, takes place tonight at 8:30 p.m. at the DC Jewish Community Center (1529 16th St., NW). Attendees are asked to come in costume and enjoy an open bar, food and performances all night. Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door. For more information, visit washingtondcjcc.org.
Sunday, Feb. 24
Metropolitan Community Church (747 Ridge St., NW) welcomes LGBT Latinos and their friends for a potluck today at 12:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring a dish to share. For more information, email [email protected].
Monday, Feb. 25
Matchbox 20 brings its “2013 Changed Tour” to the Lyric Opera House (140 West Mount Royal Ave.) tonight at 7 p.m. with all new material from its fourth album “North.” Tickets are $75. For more information, visit 930.com.
The D.C. Lambda Squares holds its dance series tonight at 7:30 p.m. at National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, NW). The only square dance club located in Washington, the group invites everybody to learn square dancing in just 16 Mondays. No special outfits, partner or prior dance experience is needed. The cost is $100. For more information or to register, visit dclambdasquares.org.
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St., NW) holds its HIV+ Newly Diagnosed Support Group tonight at 7. It is a confidential support group for anyone recently diagnosed with HIV and the group welcomes all genders and sexual orientations. Registration is required and attendees must call 202-797-3580 or email [email protected]. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.
Tuesday, Feb. 26
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St., NW) holds its group Starting Over for Women group tonight at 7. The group is for women whose long-term relationship with another woman. Registration is required and attendees must call 202 797 3580 or email [email protected]. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) hosts its Safer Sex Kit-packing program tonight from 7-10:30 p.m. The packing program is looking for more volunteers to help produce the kits because they say they are barely keeping up with demand. Admission is free and volunteers can just show up. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Wednesday, Feb. 27
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St., NW) holds its HIV+ Newly Diagnosed Support Group tonight at 7. It is a confidential support group for anyone recently diagnosed with HIV and the group welcomes all genders and sexual orientations. Registration is required and attendees must call 202-797-3580 or email [email protected]. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.
The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club meets tonight at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE) at 7:30 p.m. for social bridge. Newcomers are welcome and no reservations are needed. For more information or if you need a partner, visit lambdabridge.com.
Thursday, Feb. 28
Lambda Sci-Fi book group meets to discuss “Black Blade Blues,” by J.A. Pitts this evening at 7 p.m. at 1425 S St, NW. Please bring a snack or non-alcoholic drink to share. For more information, visit lambdascifi.org.
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St., NW) holds its gay men over 50 support group this evening at 6:30 p.m.. The group is for gay men entering a new phase of life. Registration is required to attend. Registration is required and attendees must call 202-797-3580 or email [email protected]. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
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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