No question, it’s been a rough year for a lot of folks. One minute we’re celebrating the Phillies and Barack Obama, the next we’re watching our economy crumble and wondering why the hell Sarah Palin is still on television.
Even so, this year is definitely ending on a high note for me — thanks in no small part to one day I spent at The Bike Stop last weekend.
This past Sunday, The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St., kicked off what I truly hope will become a new annual tradition with its Holiday Drive. Conceived by Mike Casey and Stacey Franklin, it started with a simple idea: Invite Bike Stop customers and all the Philly clubs to get together and help decorate the bar for the holidays.
It just goes to show that the simplest ideas often turn out to be the most brilliant.
The turnout was spectacular! Every club (Liberty Bears, Keystone Boys of Leather and Philadelphians MC) was represented in force, as were the staff and customers of the bar. There was a ton of food, free beer and music, and enough decorations to make a grown Mummer cry.
Old friendships were renewed and plenty of new ones formed as everyone pitched in to spread cheer throughout the bar. Best of all, the big boxes by the front door, where the bar has been collecting clothes and personal-care products for Calcutta House and toys for the Mazzoni Center Toy Drive, were busting at the seams and literally overflowing with donations.
The icing on the already-perfect cake was the first-ever Living Nativity produced by Philadelphians MC. Everyone in the bar got a raffle ticket and parts were assigned by random drawing. The lucky winners were given a costume and 10 minutes to change. With no rehearsal, Ryan Goldner read a very faithful version of the Nativity story while the cast members appeared on stage at their appointed cues and then improvised their little hearts out.
As captain of the Philadelphians, of course I’m totally biased, but judging from the audience reaction I think everyone agreed it was hysterically brilliant and a great way to end the day!
Thanks to Jim Madden, Mike Casey, Stacey Franklin, all of the clubs and everyone at The Bike Stop — you guys are something else. Philly gets a bad rep sometimes, but events like this show what a great city this is and what a fantastic community we have, and prove that those people bad-mouthing Philly have absolutely no idea what they’re talking about.
Trivia returns to The Bike Stop
Starting Jan. 2, The Bike Stop will host monthly trivia nights again. With new hosts and a new attitude, it promises to be a lot of fun.
James Bradford and Toshio Mana (“I’m the Mary and he’s the Rhoda!” says James) will be raising money for Philly AIDS Thrift at the January event. In the future, they plan to benefit local charities like Equality Advocates Pennsylvania, the William Way LGBT Community Center and Mazzoni Center.
Proceeds come from the $5-per-team entry fee, all bartender tips and a portion of the register, so grab your smartest friends and put together a team for your chance to win amazing prizes. January’s theme will be ’80s trivia, so you know it’s going to be fun!
Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend
If you’re planning to hit Washington, D.C., for MAL on Jan. 16-18, be prepared for record-breaking crowds. Every four years, MAL unfortunately coincides with the inauguration, but this year will be like nothing MAL has ever seen before — and not just because the bars will be open all night!
Rooms at the host hotel sold out months ago and finding a room at an overflow hotel at this point is going to be a challenge, not to mention expensive. If you want to go and haven’t booked a room yet, do not pass Go, do not collect $200 — just head directly to the event Web site for the latest information on where you might find a room: www.leatherweekend.com.
Otherwise, it’s time to shake out your address book and start calling everyone you’ve ever tricked with in D.C. in hopes of finding someone with a spare couch you can crash on.
Upcoming events
Woof! Philly: Every Sunday starting at 5 p.m. at 200 S. 12th St. On Dec. 21 and 28, there will be special guests from Butch Bear Films and Max Scott Events. (Dec. 21 is Max’s birthday and Dec. 28 is boyshark’s birthday.) Go to www.woofphilly.com for more information.
Charity Trivia: From 7-9 p.m. on Jan. 2, join your hosts James and Toshio for a whacked-out trivia tribute to the ’80s, in the Pit at The Bike Stop! Visit www.queeropinion.com/charitytrivia for more information.
Bear Bingo: From 6-10 p.m. Jan. 3 at The Bike Stop. Bingo, prizes, Jell-O shots, cheap beer and hot bears! Go to www.libertybears.net for more information.
Get Out Get Laid: From 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Jan. 8 at The Bike Stop. Strap on your best leather, rubber, sport or fetish gear and come hang with MidAtlantic LeatherSir and Leatherboy Sir Andy and Steve boyshark.
Questions? Comments? Contact Jim at [email protected].