Arts & Entertainment
And the Oscar goes to…
D.C. Center, Film Society & more hosts parties
(Washington Blade file photo by Pete Exis)
The Oscars are back, and with it are the annual parties and galas that make the night even more glamorous. Here are a few events happening in the Washington area to celebrate the awards show:
- The DC Center hosts its eighth annual Oscar Gala “Glamour, Glitter and Gold” Sunday night at 7 p.m. at Town Danceboutique (2009 8th St., NW). The Center has teamed up with Reel Affirmations to throw the party and will be holding a silent auction while attendees wait to see who walks away with Oscars. Attendees can bid on items that appeal to the business owner, the traveler, the party girl or boy, the foodie, the wine drinker, the health nut and the theater goer. All proceeds from the Silent Auction will got toward their efforts to present LGBT visual arts. Tickets are $15-$200. Attendees can also sponsor the event by giving $500-$5,000. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
- Commissary Bar and Lounge (1443 P St., NW) hosts a red carpet and Oscar viewing party Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. Attendees will be able to stroll onto a red carpet, sip on “Academy Award” cocktails inspired by the nominated films while munching on Commissary’s famous truffle popcorn. They will also be able to watch the show with complimentary Oscar ballots. Prizes will be given to the winning ballot. There is no cover charge but reservations are recommended. For more information, visit commissarydc.com.
- D.C. Film Society hosts its 21st annual Oscar Party at the Arlington Cinema ‘N Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington) at 6:30 p.m. The show will be broadcast on the big screen. The evening will include a silent auction along with food and drink. Tickets are $15 for basic Film Society members and $20 for non-members. For more information, visit dcfilmsociety.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)
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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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