Arts & Entertainment
Diana Ross to perform at free World AIDS Day concert
Iconic diva Diana Ross will be performing a free concert on World AIDS Day.
That announcement comes from AIDS Healthcare Foundation in Los Angeles, the largest global AIDS organization, who is once again set to hold a variety of free concerts, community events and formal observations in many of the 43 countries around the globe that AHF serves in to mark World AIDS Day, formally observed each year on December 1st.
In the US, AHF will host four free high-profile concerts in Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami and Atlanta, with the incomparable Diana Ross featured as special guest at the Dallas concert on November 29th at the Bomb Factory.
The lineups:
- DALLAS – Nov. 29 (Friday) – AHF is partnering with respected local AIDS organization, AIN, to host a free concert with the incomparable Diana Ross. Joining Ms. Ross will be host Dascha Polanco, R&B singer KeKe Wyatt and singer, actress Teyana Taylor. The concert will take place at the Bomb Factory.
- LOS ANGELES – Dec. 1 (Sunday) – 2019 Primetime Emmy Award-winner, Billy Porter, will host a concert at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre with Grammy award-winner Faith Evans, singer/songwriter, Daya and entertainer Miss Shalae. Partnering with AHF is Impulse United, which are celebrating its 10-year anniversary.
- ATLANTA – Dec. 5 (Thursday) at Center Stage Atlanta will be Grammy nominated artists Deborah Cox, Raheem DeVaughn and rapper K Camp.
- MIAMI – Dec. 7 (Saturday) – The Adrienne Arscht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami Dade County is the site with performances by singer/songwriterIndia, multi-talented musician Amara La Negra and singer/songwriter Todrick Hall.
There will also be scores of other events set in the fifteen U.S. states that AHF operates in as well as more than 100 additional AHF World AIDS Day commemorations and events around the globe.
The Dallas concert, presented in partnership with AIN (formerly AIDS Interfaith Network), is AHF’s premier US event.
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
