I want to start by congratulating the first two Mr. Gay Philadelphia preliminary winners. On Feb. 18, Emmanuel garnered the title of Mr. Gay Q Lounge. Two days later, Jacob was crowned Mr. Gay Woody’s, rising to the top of one of the hottest preliminary contests in Mr. Gay Philadelphia’s four-year history. In the coming weeks, several more winners will be crowned at the following preliminary events: Visit www.nightlifegay.com for information about each one, as well as details about the Mr. Gay Philadelphia Competition on April 17 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St.
— Mr. Gay Voyeur, Feb. 26 — Mr. Gay Tavern on Camac, March 3, 243 S. Camac St. — Mr. Gay Daly’s Pub & Restaurant, March 11, 4201-11 Comly St. — Mr. Gay Shampoo, March 19, 417 N. Eighth St. — Mr. Gay Stir, March 19, 1705 Chancellor St.
Additionally, a number of other local LGBT events shouldn’t be missed. On Feb. 27, the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus will present “A Potomac Love Affair” — a joint concert between PGMC’s select ensemble, Brotherly Love, and its counterpart from the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C., Potomac Fever. Beginning at 8 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion, 2110 Chestnut St., the concert will feature songs from five decades of hits from celebrated artists, including Elton John and Carly Simon. Tickets are only $20 and can be purchased online at www.pgmc.org; Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; PHAG Shop, 1225 Chestnut St.; or from any PGMC member.
If “A Potomac Love Affair” whets your musical appetite, also mark your calendar for the Philadelphia Freedom Band’s Spring Concert at 6 p.m. March 14 at Settlement Music School, 416 Queen St. This concert, entitled “3.14 = Pie,” will feature a series of uplifting numbers, a silent auction and pie served at intermission. Admission is free, but a $5 donation to help support the organization is encouraged. For more information on this exciting event, visit philadelphiafreedomband.com.
Also this weekend, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation is hosting a press trip for prominent LGBT journalists. If you’re bouncing around Center City and happen to spot Michael Musto from The Village Voice, Mickey Boardman of Paper Magazine or Frank DeCaro from Sirius OutQ Radio, make sure to say hello. During their trip, they’ll have the opportunity to preview the following spring events:
— “Picasso and The Avant-Garde in Paris,” Philadelphia Museum of Art’s heralded new exhibit, 26th and the Parkway. Always brilliant, but occasionally misunderstood by critics and fellow creators, Picasso is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Featuring a wide collection of his greatest works, this promises to be one of the hottest tickets in Philadelphia. The exhibit runs through April 25, but you should plan in advance to secure your tickets. For more information on the exhibit and ticketing details, visit www.philamuseum.org.
— The 2010 International Philadelphia Flower Show, starting Feb. 28 and running through March 7 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St., will feature a wide range of special exhibits from world-renowned landscape designers and architects, as well as garden and floral specialists. This year’s show has an international flavor, with attractions inspired by India, Brazil, the Netherlands, South Africa, New Zealand and Singapore. For more information and to purchase tickets in advance, visit www.theflowershow.com.
On Saturday evening, the visiting journalists will take a preview tour of the route for this spring’s “Pink Pub Crawl.” On March 20, the first Saturday of spring, the Pink Pub Crawl will lead hundreds of participants to a variety of Philadelphia’s most popular LGBT bars and social establishments. Beginning at 9 p.m., crawlers will assemble at Tavern on Camac, 243 S. Camac St., for registration and the evening’s first stop. Also on the list for the night are 12th Air Command, 254 S. 12th St.; Woody’s, 202 S. 13th St.; and Voyeur. Sponsors of the spring 2010 Pink Pub Crawl include P.I.N.K. Vodka, the 12th Street Gym and Gunner World. Visit www.nightlifegay.com for more information.
If you have any events to add to the list, please e-mail your suggestions to me at [email protected]. ’Til next time, get offline and see what your community has to offer!