I want to start off by thanking everyone who stopped out to Mad River for Nightlifegay. com’s third annual Triumphant Pride party on Sunday. It was an incredible afternoon, and I’m already looking forward to next year! Jumping ahead to the next couple of weeks, it’s hard to believe that we’re already gearing up for July 4. While that means beach time for many of us, Philadelphia will be buzzing as residents and visitors take part in a week’s worth of activities for Sunoco Welcome America!
This is the time of year not only to celebrate the rights our community enjoys, but also to reflect on the freedoms and liberties for which we are still fighting. From DOMA to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” equal rights for gays and lesbians represent the most contentious social issue facing our country. We must remain strong, vocal and steadfast in our pursuit of equality, regardless of any resistance we encounter along the way. So as your social calendar for the next two weeks fills up, remember to celebrate your independence while continuing the fight for equality.
While some of us may take it a little easy this weekend in preparation for July 4, I strongly encourage you to consider supporting AIDS Fund’s season finale of Gay Bingo tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St. One of our community’s most popular events, Gay Bingo is always packed with surprises and campy fun. Floor seating for tomorrow night is already sold out, but balcony seating is still available. For more information, visit www.aidsfundphilly.org/gaybingo.
While we continue the fight for equality, we must not forget arguably the most complex issue to ever face our community: the battle against HIV/AIDS. On June 24, COLOURS and GALAEI are co-presenting a town-hall meeting entitled “The Future of HIV Prevention in Men of Color” at 6 p.m. at the Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55 N. Broad St. This promises to be an engaging and meaningful dialogue. If you have questions about the meeting, visit www.coloursorganization.org or www.galaei.org.
As mentioned above, Sunoco Welcome America! is Philadelphia’s annual celebration of the birthplace of the country. With July 4 falling on a Saturday this year, the celebration will build for an entire week leading up to Independence Day. Here are my top picks for a festive, cost-effective and memorable July 4 holiday in the city. For a complete schedule, visit www.americasbirthday.com.
— The first “official” Sunoco Welcome America! event is on June 23, when hundreds of locals will be treated to a special screening of “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.” Organized by Philly @ The Movies and beginning at 7:30 p.m., this is a fantastic opportunity to see one of the summer’s most hotly anticipated blockbusters. The show will screen at The Pearl at Avenue North, 1600 N. Broad St. — On July 3 at 8:30 p.m., Peter Nero and the Philly Pops will hold their annual outdoor “Pops on Independence” performance. This event is free and open to the public, and it’s an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy one of the world’s finest orchestral conductors at Independence Mall. Lawn seating always fills up quickly, with many people enjoying picnics before the concert, so arrive early to secure a spot. — Unlike previous years when the Penn’s Landing and Parkway concerts and fireworks were held on consecutive evenings, this year they are slated for consecutive weekends. The Penn’s Landing extravaganza, featuring a free concert by Angie Stone at 8 p.m. and a late-night fireworks display, will take place on June 27. On July 4, Sheryl Crow will be in concert at 8 p.m. with fireworks to follow in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the Ben Franklin Parkway.
If the preceding list isn’t enough to keep you busy, this is the perfect time of year to enjoy a Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park. There’s still excitement in the air from last year’s World Series victory, and the team has been playing well in recent pressure-packed series with the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox. Visit www.phillietickets.com or www.phillies.mlb.com to check the schedule and purchase tickets.
That’s it for this installment. ’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.