With last month’s Phillies’ run to the World Series so engaging and exciting, many of us will experience a “social hangover” in the next couple of weeks. No longer can we justify staying out late on any given weeknight. No longer can we scream at the top of our lungs while we sit down to eat and drink at popular neighborhood spots like Knock, Q, Woody’s or Joe Pesce. No longer can we pay more attention to the television than our family, friends and colleagues. Sure, we’ve still got the Eagles, Flyers and 76ers, but no local team captures the attention of our local LGBT community quite like the Phillies. We’ve got a couple weeks until the holiday season kicks into high gear and, as a friend of mine observed, “I have no clue what to do with myself until Thanksgiving weekend — what’s a girl to do?” To help answer that question, I’ve handpicked some events that offer a little something for everyone — no baseball required.
From 6-10 p.m. Nov. 7, the Liberty Bears will host Bear Bingo, a fundraiser for Calcutta House, at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. This charity isn’t one of our most visible community organizations, but they do exceptional work on behalf of people living with HIV/AIDS throughout the Delaware Valley. Bear Bingo will feature prizes, drink specials and special guests. Visit libertybears.net for more information.
Speaking of bears, Philadelphia Leather Weekend is right around the corner, with The Bike Stop serving as ground zero for a series of events from Nov. 12-14. The weekend kicks off next Thursday with registration from 6-9 p.m. and the Fetish Feud hosted by Crystal Tee Electra at 10 p.m. in The Bike Stop’s main bar. Other highlights during the weekend include the Kinky Karnival on The Bike Stop’s top floor from 10 p.m.-2 a.m., as well as the Liberty Bears Social and the Keystone boys of Leather Social on Friday evening and Sunday afternoon, respectively. For all the details, visit thebikestop.com.
Also taking place next weekend is the Drag Race for The Cure at Daly’s Irish Pub, 4201 Comly St. Hosted by Miss International Newcomer 2009, Cha Chi Devine, this decadent event will feature drag performances and drink specials early in the evening. The festivities start promptly at 8:30 p.m. Nov. 13 and proceeds will benefit breast-cancer research. To learn more about this event, including the charitable cause for which it was organized, visit Daly’s Irish Pub on Facebook.
Silk City, 500 Spring Garden St., is an institution in Philadelphia and, on Nov. 14, will open its doors for a special promotion celebrating the music of “Beyoncé, Britney and Gaga: The New Queens of Pop.” Guests will dance and sing their way through DJ Deejay’s spin on the music catalogs of the three contemporary pop icons from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Cover for the event is only $5, and all the juicy details can be found on DJ Deejay’s Web site, djdeejay.org/silk.html.
If you prefer Broadway belters to pop starlets, the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus has the perfect event for you. The PGMC will present “Showstoppers” featuring Andrea McArdle on Nov. 14 at Hamilton Hall, University of the Arts, 320 S. Broad St. McArdle, a Broadway legend who grew up in Bucks County, will be performing a selection of songs with the PGMC’s select ensemble, “Brotherly Love.” In addition to the concert, guests will be treated to a light buffet and cocktails. Tickets are $100 per person, and all proceeds from the event will support the PGMC’s mission and activities throughout the year. Visit pgmc.org for more information.
Looking beyond the next two weeks, I’m excited to announce the return of Nightlifegay.com’s Pink Pub Crawl on Thanksgiving eve, Nov. 25. With a number of new and renovated LGBT bar/restaurant spaces to choose from, and sponsored by p.i.n.k. vodka, this year’s Pink Pub Crawl promises to be the best ever. The route starts near Rittenhouse Square at Stir Lounge, 1705 Chancellor St., at 9 p.m. At 10:30, guests will head to Q, 13th and Locust streets, followed by a stop at Woody’s, 13th and Walnut, at 11:30. The Pink Pub Crawl will conclude at Voyeur, 1221 St. James St., from 12:30-1:30 a.m. Admission for guests wearing one major piece of pink-colored clothing (shirt, jacket, pants, boa, etc.) is only $20, or $30 for those not dressed in pink. The admission fee provides pub-crawlers with a drink ticket at each of the first three stops, as well as free admission to Woody’s and Voyeur, a $40 value in total. Tickets are only available on the night of the event at Stir Lounge and Q (the first two stops on the route). Visit Nightlifegay.com for more information.
So that’s that for this week. Please feel free to send your questions or comments to me at [email protected]. ’Til next time, get offline and see what your community has to offer!