Arts & Entertainment
TV: Something old, something new
‘Development’ not so arrested, ‘Psycho’ gets reboot and interesting reality participants sign on
Freddie Highmore as Norman Bates and Vera Farmiga as his mother in A&E’s new series’ ‘Bates Motel.’ The famous creepy old house, seen here in the background, was rebuilt in Vancouver for the new show. Look for it March 18 at 10 p.m. (Photo courtesy A&E)
The 22nd season of CBS’s “The Amazing Race” is in full swing. Contestants include a team of YouTube hosts, Joey Graceffa and Meghan Camarena. Episodes air Sundays at 8 p.m., and the season will run until May 5.
After seven years off the air, “Arrested Development” fans will rejoice when the show returns for a fourth season in May on Netflix. Portia de Rossi, Jason Bateman and the rest of the Bluth family are reuniting along with some of the series’ famous recurring stars, including Liza Minnelli. Kristin Wiig will join the cast, playing a young Lucille Bluth.
In addition to his time as a Bluth, Tony Hale returns to “Veep,” starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Vice President Selina Meyer. The new season premieres April 14 on HBO.
“Celebrity Apprentice” returns to NBC with its first All Star edition on Sunday at 9 p.m. Celebrities returning to the competition include Penn Jillette, LaToya Jackson and Lisa Rinna. Omarosa will compete in the show for the third time. Past winners Joan Rivers and Piers Morgan will appear as guest judges.
CBS’s “How I Met Your Mother,” starring Neil Patrick Harris, continues to air Mondays at 8 p.m. This season saw the return of Rachel Bilson as Ted’s lesbian ex-girlfriend and the latest installment in the Robin Sparkles opus. The season finale is on May 13.
A new web series, “The 3 Bits,” launches soon. Promoted as “a queer show about sex, love, booze, drugs, friendship, family and amazing acts of stupidity,” the show stars Cole Escola who tries to navigate issues like online dating, STDs and foot fetishism. A preview for the upcoming series can be found on the3bits.com.
A&E premieres “Bates Motel” on March 18 at 10 p.m. The series depicts the early life of Norman Bates, a character immortalized by late gay actor Anthony Perkins in “Psycho.” The show stars Freddie Highmore as Norman Bates and Vera Farmiga as his mother Norma.
“Happy Endings,” starring Adam Pally and Casey Wilson, returns from its hiatus on March 29 at 8 p.m. on ABC with back-to-back episodes. RuPaul will make a guest appearance this season, as will Abby Elliot, reuniting with fellow SNL alum Casey Wilson. With the show’s move to the “Friday night death slot,” the future of the GLAAD Media Award-nominated sitcom is uncertain.
Bravo debuts a new reality show called “Dukes of Melrose” on March 6 at 10:30 p.m. The series will follow Christos Garkinos and Cameron Silver, owners of the couture store Decades. It follows the season premiere of “It’s a Brad, Brad World” at 10 p.m.
“Ke$ha: My Crazy Beautiful Life” airs on MTV on April 23 at 11 p.m. The documentary covers the drama in Ke$ha’s personal and professional life over the past two years and the making of her album “Warrior.”
Courtney Cox will join fellow “Friends” alum Matthew Perry in an April episode of NBC’s struggling sitcom “Go On.” This will be Cox and Perry’s first television appearance together since playing married couple Chandler and Monica. The series airs on Tuesdays at 9 p.m.
Sarah Chalke stars in ABC’s “How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life).” Chalke plays a recently divorced mother forced to move back home with her parents. Elizabeth Perkins plays her vulgar mom with a rich sexual past. The show premieres April 3 at 9:30 p.m.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vWkCY_NQJg
Just because the Oscars have passed doesn’t mean awards season is over. Rebel Wilson hosts the MTV Movie Awards on April 14 at 9 p.m., and Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan will host the Academy of Country Music Awards on April 7 at 8 p.m. on CBS. Taylor Swift is nominated to win her third consecutive Entertainer of the Year at the ACMs.
“Shameless” continues its third season on Showtime on Sundays at 9 p.m. Fiona tries to keep the Gallagher family together despite issues with her alcoholic father, a run-in with child protective services, and Ian’s affair with Jimmy’s dad Lloyd. “The West Wing” alum Bradley Whitford will appear on the show in a multi-episode arc, playing a sophisticated gay man and political activist. The season finale airs April 7.
A new season of HBO’s “True Blood” starts June 9 at 9 p.m. It picks up where season five left off: Bill turned evil and empowered himself with Lilith’s blood, Sookie and the gang are trying to escape the Authority, Andy was forced to raise four fairy babies and the mystery surrounding the vampire Warlow began unfolding.
“Game of Thrones” returns to HBO March 31 at 10 p.m. Winter is coming to Westeros as Arya Stark continues her quest to reunite with her family, Sansa tries to escape from King Joffrey, Daenerys uses her dragons to reclaim her family’s throne and a swarm of White Walkers descends on the Night’s Watch camp.
Fairfax City Pride was held at the Sherwood Center (3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, Va.) on Saturday, June 6.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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D.C. prepares to party as Pride celebrations kick off Saturday
Bars, clubs have busy lineups; Pride on the Pier returns
Capital Pride’s date change isn’t slowing down the festivities. Back in December, the Capital Pride Alliance shifted the calendar for Pride celebrations in the nation’s capital from the second weekend of June to two weeks later to the weekend of June 20-21 to not conflict with President Trump’s birthday and 250th anniversary of America celebrations, with the aim that “our community can gather safely and without unnecessary barriers… We are protecting our space and preserving Pride as a powerful act of visibility, solidarity, and resistance.”
On the heels of WorldPride last year, the city shows no sign of slowing down. Instead, restaurants, bars, clubs, and neighborhoods are taking the opportunity to be even more visible. The Blade has put together a (non-comprehensive) list of parties, activations, and activities across town:
Pride on the Pier returns on Saturday, June 13 to the Wharf on the Southwest waterfront. The event, sponsored and hosted by the Washington Blade, is free and runs from 4-9 p.m. There will be vendors, DJs, and drag performances all day. VIP tickets are $25 and come with air conditioned party room, private bathrooms, and free cocktail. More details at prideonthepierdc.com.
Capital Pride Official Opening Party: RIOT! is the official opening dance party of Capital Pride, taking place Friday June 19, 9 PM-3AM. The 2026 edition headlining performer is Myki Meeks, a finalist of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 18; Bob The Drag Queen will perform a special set. DMV-area DJs and performers include: Bambi, Baphomette, Bumper, Cake Pop!, Connor, DJ Ed Bailey, DJ Diyanna Monet, Evry Pleasure, Jakknife Complex, Mari Con Carne, Pussy Noir, WessTheDJ. Trade owner Ed Bailey is producing the event.
Kinetic Presents brings the heat across the entirety of Pride weekend as well. It again is partnering with Capital Pride Alliance to produce four events over four days this Pride, including the Official Main Event on Saturday (the Friday official event is at Echostage). Kinetic’s parties are splayed across various D.C. venues, with special performances, massive productions, shirtless dancers, play zones, dance-forward audio and visuals, and international DJ talent. Thursday, June 18 at 10 PM at District Eagle is Lust, with music by Dan Slater and TOMI. Friday, June 19 at 10 PM is UNCUT XXL Heavy Load, at A.i. Warehouse in Union Market District, with music by Alex Acosta, Felipe Lira & Mitch Ferrino; the party is a “high-octane night of muscular house and tribal rhythms.” Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM brings that official main event, Kinetic Toy Land, at Echostage, with music by GSP & Matt Suave. Alaska Thunderfuck headlines. Sunday evening June 21 at 10 PM closes with discoVERS at SAX. A portion of tickets supports the DC LGBTQ+ community through Capital Pride Alliance.
9:30 Club always comes in clutch for the LGBTQ community. Already in June, it produced Kitty Kat Ball on June 7, and Kiesza performed on June 8. On June 20 at 10 PM, the famed Mixtape party hits the stage, care of gay DJs Shea van Horn and Matt Bailer, who have spun together for coming up on two decades. Mixtape has been held at several venues across the city over those years, and now settled on 9:30 Club for Pride. On June 25 at 7 PM, Big Freedia – the bounce artist from New Orleans – hits the 9:30 Club scene for the eighth time, as part of the Big Freedom Tour.
Crush: New this year from the 14th Street bar is the Pride Pop-Up, sitting pretty in the parking lot at 1820 14th St., N.W., at the corner of Swann Street by the start of the Pride Parade route. Hours are Friday from 2-10 PM and Saturday from 12-10 PM. Friday evening features Grizzly Bear Happy Hour, a DJ will set up shop on Saturday, and for those needing another layer, there’s a Crush merch store. Co-owner Mark Rutstein “has always wanted to throw a party in that parking lot, so he did,” said co-owner Stephen Rutgers. Note that Crush (the bar) will have a cover on Friday and Saturday.
Kiki: Over at Kiki, there’s a full slate of Pride-themed programming all week. Tuesday, June 16 at 9 PM brings karaoke; Wednesday, June 17 at 7:30 PM is trivia; Thursday June 18 at 9PM is “Night of 1000 Tatianna’s Drag Show”, and Friday June 19 at 9 PM brings the Juneteenth Serve Drag Show. Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM, post-parade, is a Pride Dance Party with DJ Lemz. Sunday daytime at 5 PM is the Father Figures Daddy Issues Special Drag Show; and after the festival at 8 PM, DJ Tezrah hits the tapes.
Jane Jane: Right along the parade route, gay-owned Jane Jane has transformed its space into a “No Kings, Yas Queens” activation in a direct response to the America 250th commemorations happening downtown, from the colorful window installation, to merch (including a custom bandana and tank) to disco wig installations. Events include industry night on Mondays, donations to LGBTQ charities, and to-go cocktails during the Pride Parade.
Shaw’s Tavern: Gay-owned Shaw’s Tavern on Florida Avenue celebrates Pride week with a full lineup of themed events, entertainment, and specials, including Pride trivia on Monday, June 15 at 7:30 PM, bingo on Tuesday, June 16 at 8 PM, a cabaret on Thursday, June 18 at 9 PM, Juneteenth Drag Brunch on Friday, June 19 at 12:30 PM, and both a pre-parade brunch (10 AM-4 PM) and post-parade party (5-9 PM) on Saturday, June 20. Sunday, June 21 at 7 PM brings Mama’s Sunday Supper & Drag Pride Show in the evening for anyone who is still awake.
Trade: This classic has a weekend of events, starting on Thursday, with Tiburon Pride Edition, a Latin Dance party in the Shark Tank. On Friday, the bar opens early (at 2 PM), with all-day happy hour and the Jx&Evry Show. On Saturday, the bar opens at noon, offering a prime parade viewing spot from its windows. There will be the CLASH drag show hosted by Tatianna and Crimsyn, and Sweet Spot party that night. On Sunday, the bar opens for normal hours at 2 PM, with DJs Adam K, Alex Love, and WESSTHEDJ.
Pitchers: The multi-level bar in Adams Morgan is hosting a Pride-themed show on Thursday, June 18 at 10 PM, with drawstring bag giveaways – the only kind of bag that will be allowed into the bar during Pride weekend. The show features drag queen Kyle Sonique Love.
Barrel House Cafe and Bar: Also by the parade route on 14th Street, Barrel House Cafe takes advantage of its large patio to have a slate of events during Pride week, including Schism, a drag and burlesque show on June 18 at 10 PM, as well as an all-day Pride party coinciding on parade day.
Bunker: Bunker again plays host to a series of afters. Friday night (Saturday 3:30 AM) is Unhinged, and Saturday night (Sunday 3:30AM) is Unholy. The regular Saturday night party (10 PM) brings in Venetian and Tiara Missou. All parties have cover charges.
District Eagle: Beyond the Kinetic party on Friday, June 19 brings Gear Night at 10 PM; Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM is LOBO presents PRISM, and Sunday, June 21 is Sundaze wit Papi at 6 PM.
African Art Museum: On Thursday, June 18 at 5 PM, this Smithsonian museum is hosting a free event with artists and curators celebrating its exhibit, “Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art,” “based on years of close collaboration and dialogue with African visual art practitioners who claim belonging in the LGBTQ+ community, however they define those terms,” according to the museum.
KNEAD Hospitality & Design: The gay-owned KNEAD restaurant group (including spots like Gatsby, Mi Vida, Succotash The Grill) is featuring the GLITTERATI cocktail, made with Tito’s, St-Germain Elderflower, Butterfly Flower, ginger, and yes, glitter. A portion of proceeds from every Glitterati cocktail sold will benefit The Trevor Project. The cocktail will be sold throughout June.
The Fountain Inn is partnering with Rhodium spirits (Rhode Island’s first LGBTQ+ owned distillery) all month, making cocktails like gimlets and espresso martinis featuring Rhodium’s liquors. Proceeds benefit SMYAL, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ youth.
Hard Rock Cafe: Hard Rock DC is taking part in the chain’s annual “LOVE OUT LOUD” campaign, with Pride merch, specials on June 20, and a donation to The Trevor Project.
The D.C. Front Runners held the 14th annual 5K Pride Run at Congressional Cemetery on Saturday, June 6.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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