Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: Sept. 21
Parties, concerts, exhibits and more through Sept. 27
Diamond Ring, gay singer John O’s performance alter ego, is at the 9:30 Club Sunday night. (Photo courtesy the Karpel Group)
TODAY (Friday)
“Clean House” star Mark Brunetz is featured in The Capital House Show at the Dulles Expo Center (4320 Chantilly Center Chantilly, Va.) today from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the box office adult admission, $7 adult online admission and $3 children (6-12 years old) admission and free for children 5 years and under. For more information about the show and tickets, visit capitalhomeshow.com.
The Nitecamp Dancers will perform at Town (2009 8th St. NW) tonight at 10:30 p.m. Doors open at 10. There is a $5 cover from 10-11p.m. for the 21-and-up crowd and $10 cover after 11 p.m. Those 18-20, have a $10 cover all night. $3 drinks last from 10-11 p.m. For more information, visit towndc.com.
Saturday, Sept. 22
Team D.C. Dodgeball holds its first ever tournament at the Columbia Heights Recreation Center (1480 Girard Street) today at 10 a.m. Team D.C. was created to educate the LGBT community on the benefits of sports participation, while dismissing discrimination of those partaking in sports. The group also gives the opportunity for the community to participate in various local, regional, national and international competitions. For more information, visit teamdc.org/Dodgeball.htm.
Brother Help Thyself has its rain date for Gay and Lesbian Night at Kings Dominion for tonight from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. As the group’s biggest fundraiser, all benefits go to Brother Help Thyself. Although the event was changed because of bad weather, all Sept. 8 tickets will be accepted. Tickets costs $34 online and $36 at the gate. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
The third annual 17th Street Festival is today from noon-6 p.m. The community will celebrate the 17th Street Corridor from Riggs Place to P St. N.W. Including many different musical performances, artist vendors, a pet and kid zone and appearances from various city officials, everyone is coming together to commemorate business and the community itself. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
The Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct.) hosts The Tainted Love, an International ‘80s Dance Party tonight from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. The party features all worldwide hits provided by DJ Tom from Prague. Dress code is enforced, meaning high tops, big hair and bright makeup. The cost is $5 all night. For more information, visit greenlanterndc.com.
The 12th annual National Book Festival is back at the National Mall today at 10 a.m. This free event, organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as honorary chairs, will celebrate many different books while honoring authors such as, Michael Connelly and R.L. Stine. Singer Jewel will make presentations, along with a variety of other illustrators, poets and writers. For more information, visit loc.gov/bookfest/.
Grubb’s NW Specialty Pharmacy (1517 17th St. NW) hosts a free seminar today at noon, for those interested in learning how to accomplishment parenthood in the LGBT community. Discussions will include psychological issues related to in vitro fertilization in the LGBT community and legal implications of the process. Space is limited and RSVP is required. To RSVP, contact Emily or Daphne at 202-503-2644.
Sunday, Sept. 23
Diamond Rings performs at the 9:30 club (815 V St. NW), for the Stars Concert with the California Wives tonight at 7 p.m. The Canadian gay singer is known for his glittery makeup, animal print and leotards. For more information, visit 930.com.
Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St. NW) hosts its weekly Drag Brunch today at 11. The cost is $24 for the brunch buffet, while your first mimosa is free. Also, Zing Zang Bloody Marys are $4 and Absolut Peppar Bloody Marys are $6. For more information, visit nelliessportsbar.com.
LGBT Families Day at National Park (1500 South Capitol Street SE) happens today at 1:30. The Nationals will play the Milwaukee Brewers today at 1:35 p.m. For more information, visit washington.nationals.mlb.com.
Monday, Sept. 24
Cobalt (1639 R St. NW) hosts its Martini Monday tonight at 10. There is no cover charge and martinis are $5. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St. NW) holds its HIV+ Newly Diagnosed Support Group tonight at 7. The group is a confidential support system for those recently diagnosed with HIV and all are welcome. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
The 2012 Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Reception will be tonight at 7 p.m. at The D.C. Center (1318 U St NW). The center will be thanking bars, clubs and other local businesses that have helped fight HIV in D.C. by distributing the safer sex kit, FUK!Ts, around town.
The Marylander’s for Marriage Equality is holding a fundraiser at Joe’s Movement Emporium (3309 Bunker Hill Road Mount Rainier, Md) tonight at 6. Entertainment, wine and light fare will be included. For details, visit marylandersformarriageequality.org.
Tuesday, Sept. 25
The Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct.) hosts the D.C. Center’s FUK!T Packing Party tonight at 7 p.m. The goal is to circulate these packets around the city and the clubs to spread HIV awareness. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.
Wednesday, Sept. 26
The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 at the DignityCenter (721 8th St., SE) for duplicate bridge. No reservations are needed and newcomers welcome. For details and/or a partner, visit lambdabridge.com.
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St. NW) holds its Gay Men Over 50 group meeting tonight at 6:30. This support group is confidential for gay men over 50 (or soon to be 50) seeking to continue their quality of life and sense of purpose while beginning a new chapter. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.
Thursday, Sept. 27
The Lambda Sci-Fi Book Group meets tonight at 7 to discuss this month’s book, “Beyond Binary,” edited by Brit Mandelo. Bring a snack and/or a non-alcoholic drink to share. The meeting will be held at Peter and Rob’s Place (1425 S St. NW). For more information, visit lambdascifi.org.
Arts & Entertainment
2026 Most Eligible LGBTQ Singles nominations
We are looking for the most eligible LGBTQ singles in the Washington, D.C. region.
Are you or a friend looking to find a little love in 2026? We are looking for the most eligible LGBTQ singles in the Washington, D.C. region. Nominate you or your friends until January 23rd using the form below or by clicking HERE.
Our most eligible singles will be announced online in February. View our 2025 singles HERE.
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.
2026 Most Eligible LGBTQ Singles nominations
Gay Venezuelan man who fled to Colombia uncertain about homeland’s future
PHOTOS: Freddie’s Follies
Imperial Court of Washington drag group has ‘dissolved’
What to watch for in 2026: midterms, Supreme Court, and more
A look back at the best books of 2025
D.C.’s 10 best theater productions of 2025
Safer Ways to Pay for Online Performances and Queer Events
The year in photos
