11th Street Auto Repair
The only thing harder to find than a politician you trust is a mechanic you trust. But the good people at 11th Street Auto, 820-22 S. 11th St., continue to win over customers every day with their expert automotive skills, friendly demeanor and ability to make you feel like you’re in good hands every step of the way.
Plus, they won Philadelphia Magazine’s 2009 “Best of Philly” and PGN’s Pink Penny Award for Best Place to Get Auto Repair.
For more information, call (215) 928-0376.
110over70
Don’t miss 110over70, 1100 S. Broad St., and this one-time offer: a three-month membership for only $99. This offer is only valid through Dec. 31, so don’t miss out.
Located in the Marine Club, this full-service fitness center offers state-of-the-art equipment, personal training, nutrition services, innovative group-exercise classes and specialty programs.
And if you join now, you can take part in the 110 Fitness Challenge starting Jan. 2 for a New Year and a new you.
For more information, visit www.110over70.com or call (215) 790-1025.
Twenty-Two Gallery
Since 2003, Twenty-Two Gallery, 236 S. 22nd St., has been showcasing local and national emerging and established artists’ work. The gallery represents 22 artist members who work in many media, including oil, pastel, watercolor, photography, sculpture and various printing processes, as well as mixed media.
The gallery’s bright, well-lit space, nestled in Philadelphia’s premier Rittenhouse Square neighborhood, hosts monthly “Second Friday” art openings, which include a wine-and-cheese artist’s reception from 6-9 p.m.
While the majority of the space is reserved for a solo artist’s show, the back area of the gallery offers a sampling of the other members’ work. Twenty-Two Gallery prides itself in showing a variety of quality artwork appealing to all tastes.
For more information, call (215) 772-1911 or visit www.twenty-twogallery.com.
A John Waters Christmas
The State Theatre in New Brunswick, N.J., will present a one-man show 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 Waters 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.
The Art Shop at Moore
The Art Shop at Moore College of Art and Design, 20th Street and the Parkway, sells the unique creations of the artists of Moore. The shop is comprised of the works of current students getting their feet wet in the business of art, emerging alumnae trying to make a name for themselves here in Philadelphia.
They sell handmade crafts, apparel, jewelry, paintings, prints, ceramics and ornaments. Even the Moore Gear apparel is alumnae-made.
Support local artists at The Art Shop at Moore College.
For more information, call (215) 965-8586 or e-mail [email protected].
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 won awards 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 carpet 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.
Sansom Coin Exchange
Established in New York City in 1979, Sansom Coin Exchange recently relocated to 721 Sansom St., in the heart of Jewelers’ Row.
The company deals with coins, bullion and paper money from all over the world.
Malcolm Kurin is the chief numismatist and a renowned gold-coin expert, with over 30 years of experience. Joe Gustino is the senior numismatist of the firm and an acclaimed expert, with more than 40 years’ experience with world coins and paper money.
The firm buys and sells coins and paper money and is quite active in foreign exchange. An important consideration is that there is no sales tax on coins and bullion in the City of Philadelphia.
Contact Sansom Coin Exchange at (215) 629-8898 for more information.
Scott Drake Photography
Scott Drake Photography is a great resource for art-portrait photography for the LGBT individual.
Drake’s photographs have been seen in the gallery at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, the Sketch Club and at numerous fundraising events throughout the city.
From artistic representations of emotions to historic and iconic images of Philadelphia to intimate and erotic photographs of men, nearly all needs and tastes can be fulfilled.
Intimate and formal portraits are two regularly requested services of Drake Photography. Drake offers everything from the simple headshot to specialized intimate photography. Getting a solo shot done as a gift or enjoying a photo shoot with your partner are only two of many ways to go with these ideas.
Commemorate a special event with a professional behind the camera by getting candid and professionally posed photos of your holiday, anniversary party, birthday or other party. Local and regional events are always a consideration and many community leaders and activists have come to expect Drake at large events.
Drake has been shooting around Philadelphia for over 20 years. Large collages of historic places, one-of-a-kind images of Philadelphia’s icons and special and commissioned works are also available.
For more information, visit www.scottdrakephotos.com or call (267) 736-6743.
VIX Emporium
One of the more unique shopping experiences in the city, VIX Emporium, 5009 Baltimore Ave., boasts a historic storefront built in the early 1900s featuring beautiful built-in cabinetry
The store carries an eclectic mix of jewelry, apparel and other gifts, mostly handmade by local artisans.
Visit the store or shop online at www.vixemporioum.com. For more information, call (215) 471-7700.