Many of us have professional and personal lives that intertwine on occasion. It makes sense: Our personal relationships can help create professional opportunities, and the colleagues with whom we have the most in common often become friends.
While it’s critical to maintain some balance, many of the most successful business and community leaders are those who can move seamlessly between their personal and professional lives, identifying opportunities and building relationships across these boundaries. Each event featured below provides a unique example of the professional-personal dichotomy.
While LGBT community members are generally supportive of one another, I’m particularly impressed by the ways in which lesbian women collaborate. For a little playtime with some of the city’s most exquisite women, check out the Cirque du Soleil Lesbian Party Upstairs at Risqué (1700 S. Columbus Blvd.) tonight. Organized by Gentlewomen and featuring exotic entertainers with a wild, retro, escapist theme, this party is certain to be a feast for all your senses. Excitement for the event has been building for weeks, so stop by when the doors open at 10:30 p.m. to see what all the buzz is about. The cover is $15 if you RSVP early, or $20 at the door. Visit Gentlewomen at www.myspace.com/gentlewomenclub for more information.
As a full-time marketing and promotions professional who has organized countless special events for the LGBT community over the last 15 years, my personal and professional lives are constantly enmeshed. On the promotional side, I’m incredibly excited about my next big event. On April 18, nightlifegay.com will host the 3rd Annual Mr. Gay Philadelphia contest at PURE Nightclub, 1221 St. James St. On the heels of the 2008 event that crowned John Caputo as Philadelphia’s Mr. Gay, I’m thrilled to invite all community members and supporters to a spectacular evening of heated competition and extravagant entertainment. The silent auction, which benefits Action AIDS, is back for a second year and features some great trips to bid on. Frank DeCaro of Sirius Satellite Radio and local drag persona Brittany Lynn will host this star-studded event. Advanced tickets are $15-$40 and can be purchased at nightlifegay.com. If you think you have what it takes to win the main event, contact me at [email protected].
As any entrepreneur will attest, the line between life and work begins to disappear when you start your own company, and it’s completely gone if you’re fortunate enough to be successful. One of our community’s entrepreneurial success stories is Matthew Izzo, who recently relocated his store from 11th and Walnut to 151 N. Third St. in Old City. Mark your calendar for his Jewelry Trunk Show on April 18 and the Wrath Arcane Fashion Show on May 1. As always, visit www.matthewizzo.com to check out all his new products (including hot new underwear styles for the boys), as well as information on upcoming events.
While Izzo has been an excellent representative for our community as a private entrepreneur, no person has done more for us in recent years than Judge Dan Anders. As Philadelphia’s only openly gay elected official, Judge Anders is an incredibly articulate, intelligent and accomplished attorney with an encyclopedic understanding of the law and its application to complex cases. Our city’s young LGBT professionals will have a chance to meet and support Judge Anders during his campaign fundraiser at Bump Lounge, 13th and Locust streets, April 20 at 5:30 p.m. With a long list of candidates on the ballot, Judge Anders needs support from our entire community to help retain his seat on the bench. Visit www.judgedananders.com for his background and a variety of ways to get involved with the campaign.
’Til next time, get offline and see what your community has to offer!
If you have comments or information on upcoming events, e-mail [email protected], reference Offline.