A John Waters Christmas
The State Theatre in New Brunswick, N. J., will present a one-man show next month that looks at the holidays in a whole new light.
Openly gay filmmaker John Waters, director of “Hairspray” and other cult flicks, will perform his yuletide extravaganza “A John Waters Christmas” at 8 p.m. Dec. 18. Waters will take the audience on a rollercoaster ride through modern art, true crime and exploitation films, where absolutely nothing is sacred.
Niels Lind Larsen, head of programming for CPH:PIX, a film festival in Copenhagen that has hosted Waters’ standup performance, said the director is “brilliant, depraved and has an excellent sense of comic timing.”
Tickets for the show range from $27-$47.
For more information, visit www.statetheatrenj.org.
Ettoré Spa & Salon
Ettoré Spa & Salon, 1201 Market St., wants to help you keep your stress levels down as the holidays approach.
Countless trips to the mall, food preparations and house cleaning to get ready to host the in-laws are enough to make anyone forget about their own needs, but Philadelphians can take some “me time” at Ettoré to help the holiday season run more smoothly.
A facial, massage or any of the spa’s other relaxing services can help holiday pressures dissipate and can also serve as the perfect gift for your overstressed loved ones.
For more information, visit www.ettorespa.com or call (215) 928-9010.
International House of Pancakes
The International House of Pancakes at 1320 Walnut St. is the chain’s newest area store, located in the heart of Center City and the Gayborhood.
The gay-owned locale offers Center City residents and visitors a quick pick-me-up on the way to work, an affordable and delicious lunch or a tasty treat after a night out.
The restaurant management understands the importance of giving back to the customers and communities it serves, and is committed to supporting and strengthening the local LGBT community, its organizations and businesses through its day-to-day operations and the culture of openness and acceptance it fosters among employees and patrons.
IHOP is open every day from 7 a.m.-2 a.m.
For more information, visit www.ihop.com or call (215) 732-1626.
New Hope Celebrates Film
Take a weekend trip to visit your northern neighbors in New Hope as New Hope Celebrates Film presents “Take 2,” its second-annual LGBT film festival, Dec. 5 and 6. Held in the famed Oak Roam of The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St., the festival will screen seven LGBT favorites from the past year, all of which were award-winners in festivals throughout the country.
Between films, take some time to do your holiday shopping in the quaint and quirky specialty stores of New Hope, decked to the halls in gingerbread trim and sparkling tiny tree lights. The town’s clubs will roll out the red for caroling and dancing the night away.
Gay films, shopping, drinking, dancing and dining — in the most gay-per-capita mecca on the East Coast.
Lodging discounts are available at the Wishing Well Guesthouse (www.wishingwellguesthouse.com), and the entertainment schedule can be found at www.theravennewhope.com.
For more information on the festival or to purchase tickets, which are $5 per film or $25 for all of the shows, visit www.newhopecelebrates.com.