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LGBTQ
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| Courtesy of DJ Ipek |
Every Thursday, we give you this week's LGBTQ to-do list.
Before I begin, let me just say: Shame on you, Maine, for voting to repeal the state's decision to allow gays to marry. I'm truly disappointed. I thought you were cool.
OK, moving on '
' On Fri., Nov. 6 at 5:30 p.m., for a $20 donation, Giovanni's Room (345 S. 12th St., 215-923-2960) is hosting a Philly Drag Poetry soiree to benefit the Global Women's Strike. A diverse group of nine artists will be reciting their poetry while clad in drag. The best part is that these performers aren't professional drag queens and kings ' so be ready to see a room full of hot mess (and I mean that kindly). It'll be hilarious. Among the most well known participants is Eleanor Wilner, famed author and recipient of a prestigious MacArthur Foundation Fellowship.
' If dancing is on your agenda this weekend, you should head to Rise & Fall at Stir (1705 Chancellor St., 215-732-2700) on Fri., Nov. 6 at 9 p.m. for a free dance party that's going to tear the walls down ' literally. Held in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the falling of the Berlin Wall, Stir has invited German DJ Ipek Ipekcioglu (pictured) to spin a sexed-up set of Middle Eastern beats mixed with gritty Berlin elektro. This edgy mix of tunes will be a welcome break from the same old same old mash-up of pop divas you hear everywhere else. Wear something sexy like the cool German kids from one of my favorite fashion blogs, Still in Berlin.
' See what it's like to be on a gay game show at Bike Stop (206 S. Quince St., 215-627-1662) on Thu., Nov. 12 at 6 p.m., by participating in the free Fetish Feud. Hosted by the fierce and feisty Crystal Tee Electra, the game is styled after the classic TV show Family Feud. You can form your 'family' with your friends or be spontaneous and team up with strangers in the bar. Keep in mind that this event is centered around the annual Philadelphia Leather Weekend, so don't be afraid if the strapped-up guy next to you bends over for a playful spanking.
' Don't forget: The First Person Festival started this Wednesday. (Check out our A&E and Agenda sections for lots of FPF coverage.) There's an exciting program of events scheduled at the Painted Bride Art Center (230 Vine St., 215-925-9914) that are taking place throughout the weekend. Among them is a reading of' Sweet Tea on Sun., Nov. 8 at 6 p.m., for $12-$20, which I wrote about in this week's A&E section. I'll also be stopping by Karaoke Obsessed on Fri. Nov. 6 at 9 p.m., for $15-$20, and the Still Bill screening on Sun., Nov. 8 at 7 p.m., for $20-$30. Check out Critical Mass throughout the week for a review of these haps and more.
Itching for more gay events? Check out our LGBTQ listings.
Every Thursday, we give you this week's LGBTQ to-do list.
Halloween is arguably one of the best weekends in Philadelphia and ' come on! ' this year it's on a Saturday. You shouldn't have any trouble finding spooky ways to entertain yourself this weekend, but I thought I'd do a little wrap-up of a few gay events I thought looked the freakiest. And by freakiest I mean totally friggin' awesome.
-Celebrate like they did in the '20s at a screening of the 1922 horror film, Nosferatu ($5-$10). The film, which will still spook you out of your skivvies, plays on Fri., Oct. 30 at 7 & 11 p.m. in the Neo-Gothic sanctuary of the First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St., 215-563-3980). The thing that takes this event from being kind-f cool to fantastic is the live pipe organ accompaniment by diva organist T. Desiree Hines, who Carolyn Huckabay wrote about back in May. Hines will not only be improvising throughout the film, but she will also key traditional organ repertoire and an original piece by Philly-born composer Joseph Hallman entitled "Petite Suite Macabre."
-Pull out your naughtiest attire to attend Q Lounge's (1234 Locust St., 215-732-1800) S&M Halloween Party on Sat., Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. (free). The entire staff will be decked out in S&M gear, so don't be afraid to take your costume to the limits. The person sporting the hottest get-up will receive a $200 cash prize.
-If you still have some Halloween spirit left on Sunday head back to the First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St., 215-563-3980) for the Name That Tune Costume Party ($25) on Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. The deal: Come dressed as your favorite song. Whether it's Madonna, Cher or Debbie Harry, there's a whole slew of hits you can deck yourself out in. Whatever you do, though, skip the Miley Cyrus/Taylor Swift numbers. That's so summer 2009.
Itching for more gay events? Check out our LGBTQ listings.
I dont remember you asking permission to use my artwork of tina turner!!!!!! John Hayes
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| Courtesy of Academy of Art University |
Every Thursday, we give you this week's LGBTQ to-do list.
' Like we told you in this week's Agenda section,' the entire world is joining forces for yet another Michael Jackson tribute, and this one's going to be a lot cooler than Madonna's 20-minute me-fest at the VMAs. Doing Philadelphia's part in the global Thrill the World campaign is Salsita Dance Studio (1624 South St., 267-687-6886), which is offering free classes on the "Thriller" routine tonight at 6 p.m. You must also be available on Sat., Oct. 24 at 8:30 p.m. at the Piazza (2nd & Hancock sts.), where the dance will be videotaped and then telecast around the world. There will be a make-up crew on hand to zombify each dancer at 7 p.m., so arrive early. Combined with other performers across the planet, this will be the largest, simultaneous rendition of M.J.'s 'Thriller' ever performed. I'm sure M.J. will be smiling down from heaven with his crotch in his hand and a 'hee-hee!' in his heart.
' The 2009 Arts of Fashion symposium is coming to Drexel University this week. The five-day affair, which honors the best of up-and-coming fashion design, will feature a variety of trendy activities that should satisfy the hankerings of the fiercest fashionista. Here are the highlights: On Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. at Drexel's Leonard Pearlstein Gallery (3215 Market sts. 215-895-2548), there will be an opening reception of the exhibit "Traces: Installation and Memory Clothes by Aurore Thibout." The collection will feature ghostly garments that Thibout refers to as a 'wardrobe ballet between life and death.'On Tue., Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. in the Mitchell Auditorium (3128 Market St.), the CineToile Series will present two films from director Loic Prigent's The Day Before series. The documentaries follow fashion design icons a day before their major shows at NYC Fashion Week. The first highlights Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton, while the second goes behind the scenes at Fendi with Karl Lagerfeld. Closing the festivities on Wed. Oct. 28 at 8 p.m. is the Grand Finale Fashion Show at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (2600 Ben Franklin Parkway). During the event, models will grace the catwalk adorned in the designs of 50 top students from around the world. Stay around for the after-show party at 11 p.m. How often do you get a chance to dance in the Art Museum? Tickets for the whole five day shebang go for $150 to $350.
' Having a good time is always better when there's a good cause attached to it. On Mon., Oct. 26 at 8 p.m., Valanni (1229 Spruce St., 215-790-9494) is hosting the Art Loves Animals party to benefit the S.P.C.A. There will be artwork displayed by gay artists Dennis Flynn and Raven, and live performances by poet Vincent John Ancona and comedian Tim Stevens. DJ Mike Mesa will also be on site providing the tunes. Valanni is a great place to wind down with a few cocktails after work, so come by and have some fun to help the critters.
Itching for more gay events? Check out our LGBTQ listings.
If you support the arts, you may want to know that I've just launched a new site devoted to art, www.grassfedart.com, and I invite artists and artisans to join. You'll be the first, or among the first. Thanks!
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| ALNTV |
Every Thursday, we give you this week's LGBTQ to-do list.
' Have you ever wondered what you'd look like in drag? Tonight, let loose and slip yourself into a garter and a pair of hose. If you like what you see, hit up Daly's Irish Pub (4201 Comly St., 215-533-2080) at 9 p.m., for free, where Donna St John will be hosting an amateur drag contest. It couldn't hurt. If you lose, no one will necessarily know it was you under that tussled wig, and if you win, then you just may have found a new calling. Give it shot. $50 is up for grabs.
' There's been a lot of excitement going on lately, especially with OutFest and the Equality March last weekend, so if you ask me it's time to take a moment to chill. I vote for a nice, relaxing walk in the park. On Sat., Oct. 17 at 11 a.m., for free,' join Philadelphia Family Pride members as they lead a kid-friendly excursion through Wissahickon Valley Park. This is a perfect opportunity to gawk at the beautifully changing fall foliage and not the shaking toosh in front of you on the dance floor. The group will be meeting at Valley Green Inn (Vallley Green Rd. & Wissahickon Dr., 215-247-1730). Bring a picnic lunch to nibble when the hike is complete.
' If you're like me, you love a good diva fest. That's why Silk City (500 Spring Garden St., 215-592-8838) gets my Dance Party of the Week award. On Sat. Oct. 17 at 10 p.m., for $5, three reigning, chart-topping princesses will be crowned the newest Queens of Pop. Farewell Mariah, Madonna and Whitney; hello Lady Gaga (pictured), Beyonc' and Britney. To celebrate the latest coronation into divadom, DJ Deejay will be spinning some of their dance floor favorites, including "Poker Face," "Get Me Bodied" and the now classic "Slave 4 U." It's about time Britney is recognized as the queen that she is. I bet Christina's going to be pissed.
' I'm not usually one for scary things, but sometimes a good haunted house is hard to resist ' especially if I'm not the only screaming dude in the place. On Wed., Oct. 21 at 7 p.m., for $20, there will be an LGBTQ night at Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary (2124 Fairmount Ave., 215-236-5111). New this year is a long-deserted medical wing where visitors can explore bloodstained operating rooms, recovery wards for the craziest mental patients, and even a chilly, musty morgue where there still may be a body or two lying about. I'm getting scared just thinking about it. Be sure to take a strong man or a butch lesbian to protect you.
Itching for more gay events? Check out our LGBTQ listings.
It's ok
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| We are California |
Every Thursday, we give you this week's LGBTQ to-do list.
-- There's a series of benefit balls being held in Philly this weekend leading up to OutFest on Sunday. I had a hard time picking only one, so here's a quick rundown of all four: To get the balls rolling, Q Lounge (1234 Locust St., 215-732-1800) will host the Blue Ball Weekend Kickoff at 8 p.m. tonight. On Fri., Oct. 9 at 7 p.m., throw on your snazziest attire for the Indigo Ball, a highfalutin fundraiser at the Park Hyatt (200 S. Broad St., 215-893-1234). If high-priced fundraisers aren't your scene, you could check out the hipper, sweatier Blue Ball 2009 on Sat., Oct. 10 at 10 p.m. Held at Voyeur Nightclub (1221 St. James St., 215-735-5772), this soiree will be flooded with queer ladies and gents from up and down the coast shaking to the beats of DJ Tony Moran. And finally, if you can muster up energy for one more, G Lounge (111 S. 17th St., 215-564-1515) will host Ultra Blue on Sun., Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. Proceeds from each and every event will benefit the Sapphire Fund, which provides money to support local LGBTQ organizations. With so many balls, I feel like Scarlett O'Hara in the height of barbecue season. I better check my dance card.
-- On Fri., Oct. 9 at 8 p.m., get your giggle on at Tuscany Caf' (222 W. Rittenhouse Square, 215-772-0605), for $10, where local comedian Neil McGarry will perform standup in his self-produced, recurring comedy series, 'Attack of the 1-4-5.' Joining him will be other LGBTQ comedians, including Mike Eiswerth and Jess Carpenter, recent "Outstanding Comedian" winner at the Gayborhood Games. McGarry, a self-proclaimed meta-comedian, says his routine will include material about his experience as a gay comedian. 'I will talk about times I or other comedians have been heckled on stage,' he says, 'or about the experience of being gay in the straight guy's world of comedy.' I saw both McGarry and Carpenter perform at the Gayborhood Games, and thought they were great.
-- If your interests lie more in the area of activism, consider a bus trip to Washington D.C. for the National Equality March at noon on Sun., Oct. 11. Supporters will parade the nearly 2.5-mile distance from McPherson Square to the U.S. Capital West Lawn demanding equal protection rights for the LGBTQ community. Visit the Web site to find ways to get involved right here in Philadelphia. This is the perfect weekend to celebrate how far we've come, and to rally for the road ahead. Go gays!
-- And for art and history connoisseurs, there will be an opening reception at William Way Community Center (1315 Spruce St., 215-732-2220) at 6 p.m. on Thu., Oct 15 to reveal its newest gallery exhibition, "Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals: 1933'1945." This traveling exhibit from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum will be on display in the Mark Segal Ballroom through Dec. 4. Following the reception, there will be a screening of the documentary Paragraph 175. Space is limited for the film, so be sure to RSVP.
-- And, of course, OutFest! Check out my preview here. It goes down Sun., Oct. 11.
Itching for more gay events? Check out our LGBTQ listings.
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| Courtesy of Philadelphia Theatre Co. |
Every Thursday, we give you this week's LGBTQ to-do list.
-Who's going to the Pink concert on Sat., Oct. 3? I won't be at the Wachovia Center, but I will be celebrating her dyke-ish presence at Blend, a post-show dance party at Stir Lounge (1705 Chancellor St., 215-732-2700). DJs JD and Jivey will be there spinning funky disco-house music, so I'll be shakin' my booty all night long. Wanna join me? The party is going from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., with drink specials and no cover charge.
-I love a good street festival, especially when the weather is nice and cool, so I can't wait to hit up the fourth annual Midtown Village Festival (13th and Sansom streets) on Sun., Oct. 4 from noon to 8 p.m. The Village shares borders with the Gayborhood, so this is definitely a neighborhood affair not to miss. Participating shops will bring their goods out onto the street for easier access, food vendors will be dishing out the grub, and there'll be plenty of dizzying beverages to sip. I'm guessing the eye candy won't be so terrible either. Wink.
-If you're dying for a new scene, you'll find it at Le Virt' (1927 E Passyunk Ave., 215-271-5626) on Tue., Oct. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. Each month the group Queers on the Avenue gets together to throw a spirited fest in one of the many East Passyunk Avenue eateries. This party's gonna be packed with South Philly's finest. If you don't believe all the hype about Passyunk Square becoming the next Gayborhood, you'll find your proof here. And many Passyunkers are not only super gay, but they're generous, too: a portion of the evening's proceeds will benefit the Mazonni Center.
-On Thu., Oct. 8 from 6:45 to 8 p.m., the Philadelphia Theatre Co. (480 S. Broad St., 215-985-1400) is holding a LGBTQ cocktail an hour prior to its current show, Humor Abuse. In addition to light fare, such as cheese, vegetables and dip, wine will also be freely served to anyone who has a ticket to the evening's performance. 'It's just a way for folks to get together before the show, have a drink and chill,' says event planner Janette Amadio. Humor Abuse is a one-man show starring hunky physical comedian Lorenzo Pisoni (pictured). You may recognize him for his stint on Broadway in Equus, alongside Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe. Ticket prices range from $10 to $52. Be sure to RSVP at nightout@philadelphiatheatrecompany.org.
Itching for more gay events? Check out our LGBTQ listings.
The Gayborhood Games, which I told you about in the Agenda and my LGBTQ column Art Phag last week, kicked off Saturday night in the slick Voyeur Nightclub. The impressive, newly designed house was flooded by spectators, eager competitors and an impressive roster of celebrity judges, including Madonna's brother Christopher Ciccone, up-and-coming porn star Bobby Rail, singer-songwriter Karen Gross and Sirius radio's Derek Hartley. The show, which was hilariously hosted by Philly duo Chumley and Carlota, featured singers, comedians, models and drag queens taking to the stage to present their talents. Bartenders and chefs also competed and brought along generous samples of their submissions, which were floating around the club via sexy, sometimes-shirtless servers. In the end, however, only seven contestants were named the best of the Gayborhood:
- Outstanding Vocalist: Howard Frankel
- Outstanding Drag Act: Alexis Cartier
- Outstanding Comedian: Jess Carpenter
- Outstanding Male Salon: Andre Richard Salon
- Outstanding Female Salon: Ettore Salon & Spa
- Outstanding Chef: Rachel from More than Just Ice Cream
- Outstanding Bartender: Henry from the Venture Inn
What do you guys think? Did your favorites win?
To see more images from Neal Santos' Gayborhood Games slideshow up top, click here.
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| Dangerous Ponies |
Every Thursday, we give you this week's LGBTQ to-do list. -Author Frederick Hertz will be at Giovanni's Room (345 S. 12th St.,'215-923-2960) today, Sept. 24 at 5:30 p.m., reading from his book Making It Legal: A Guide to Same-Sex Marriage, Domestic Partnerships, and Civil Unions for free. Hertz, an attorney from Oakland, Calif., makes a living providing legal advice to gay couples about marriage, divorce and property ownership. Get ready to be informed. -We've been hearing it for weeks, but on Fri., Sept. 25 at 11:30 p.m. Pure is officially transitioning into what's being hyped as one of the most fab clubs in town, Voyeur Nightclub (1221 St. James St., 215-735-5772). The newly designed, multi-level club will be filled with tunes by DJ Dozia and DJ Tripp. You know you wanna be there. Everyone else will be. -On Sun., Sept. 27 from noon to 4 p.m.,'Philly AIDS Thrift will be pulling their goods out onto the street for their So-So (South of South Street) Block Party and Flea Market. The area on Bainbridge between Fifth and Sixth streets will be flooded with thrifty threads, live music and local restaurant booths. Do it for the fun, do it for the cause. All proceeds go toward the AIDS Fund. -A slew of queer, lady rockers and DJs will be infiltrating Tritone (1508 South St.,'215-545-0475) on Sat., Sept. 26 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. for a $10 show that will surely rock you out of your skinny jeans. Among the list of performers will be Dangerous Ponies (pictured), Rachel Tension and DJ Lil Sis. -And don't forget about the Gayborhood Games on Sat., Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m., which I wrote about in this week's Agenda section. Itching for more gay events? Check out our LGBTQ listings.
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