Arts & Entertainment
Baltimore arts briefs: May 11
‘Ruined’ continues at Fells Point, Charm City Roller Girls gear up for battle and more
Erika Jones, Chevee’ Crafton, Dionne Johnson and Yakima Rich star in Fells Point Corner Theatre’s production of ‘Ruined,’ running through June 3. (Photo by Ken Stark; courtesy Fells Point Corner Theatre)
‘Ruined’ continues at Fells Point Corner Theatre
Fells Point Corner Theatre (251 South Ann St.) is presenting its production of “Ruined,” a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Lynn Nottage, this weekend and throughout the month.
The play, which opened May 4, follows Mama Nadi, a businesswoman in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as she shelters women during the Civil War.
The show runs through June 3 with performances on Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $12. There will be two performances on May 24 and 31.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit fpct.org.
Charm City Roller Girls battle Nashville rivals
The Charm City Roller Girls, a local roller derby league, have a bout on Saturday at DuBurns Arena (1301 S. Ellwood Ave.) from 5:30 to 10 p.m.
The CCRG Female Trouble will be making their 2012 debut when they take on the Salisbury Rollergirls.
Immediately following that bout, the CCRG All Stars, ranked third on the East Coast, will be taking on the Nashville Rollergirls, ranked third in their region.
Tickets to the bout are $12 for adult general admission, $5 for children under 12 general admission and $25 for VIP.
For more information on the Charm City Roller Girls and to purchase tickets, visit charmcityrollergirls.com.
Hippo packed with events, parties
Club Hippo (1 West Eager St.) has several events this week.
Friday, Josie & the PussyCats presents “A Night of Whitney: A Whitney Houston Tribute Show” hosted by Josie Foster. There will be performances by Foster, Chi Chi Ray Colby, Sue Nami and more. Doors open at 10 p.m. Tickets are $7.
Saturday brings what’s being touted as Baltimore’s hottest queen dance party with DJ Jayson Royce. Doors open at 10 p.m. Admission is $6 and attendees must be 21 or older.
Tuesday is Showtunes Video Madness at 8 p.m. with VJ Brian Mongeon.
Wednesday is gay bingo at 8:30 p.m. hosted by Roger Dimick. Participants can win prizes from The Wanted. Proceeds from bingo will benefit the GLCCB.
Thursday is hip hop night with DJ Rosie. Admission is $6 before 11 p.m. and $8 afterward. Doors open at 10 p.m.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit clubhippo.com.
Monthly alt dance party at Grand Central
S.h.e. productions presents ReHab, a monthly alternative dance party, featuring DJ Katrina at Grand Central Disco and Sapphos (1001 N. Charles St.) on Saturday.
The night will include a power hour and a half featuring $2.50 domestics, rail drinks and wine until 10:30 p.m. There will also be $2 shots all night.
Doors open at 9 p.m. and there is a $5 cover for this 21-and-older event.
For more information, visit facebook.com/sheproductions.
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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