What do you get when you combine one superstar from “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” two concerts of the best queer music, and three of summer’s most hotly anticipated gay events? Not sure of the answer? You get one of the busiest and most exciting times in Philadelphia in recent memory. There is a ton of ground to cover this week, so let’s get down to business:
On Aug. 20, international drag superstar Nina Flowers will take the stage at Voyeur, 1221 St. James St. Since she finished as runner-up on season one of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Flowers has taken the world of drag performance by storm. Her fan support and growing popularity after the show’s conclusion were so strong that RuPaul brought Flowers back to serve as a professor on Logo’s new show, “Drag U.” The event starts at 9 p.m. Cover is $25.
Big girls may not cry, but they certainly know how to lip synch. On Aug. 21, the best in the business of large-lady drag will take to the stage at New Hope’s Nevermore Hotel, 6426 Lower York Road, to compete in the Miss Gay NJ USofA At Large pageant. If you’ve never seen an “official” drag competition in person, don’t miss this opportunity. These guys go full out with makeup, gowns and performance numbers that would make Cher stand up and cheer. The winner will go on to compete at the national Miss Gay USofA At Large. For more information on the event, including ticket prices, ordering and directions, visit thenevermorehotel.com.org.
For the “real” women reading this column, there’s also something special this weekend. Ladies 2000 is hosting LADIES, its much-anticipated Saturday-night dance party at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del. DJ Michel Decero is spinning, and a portion of the $15 cover charge will benefit CAMP Rehoboth, the town’s most influential LGBT nonprofit organization. The party runs from 5-10 p.m. Visit www.ladies2000.com for more information.
On Aug. 23, hundreds of Philadelphia’s LGBT baseball fans will take Citizens’ Bank Park by storm for the eighth annual Gay Community Night at the Phillies. This event has been on most calendars all summer and it always sells out in advance. A portion of every ticket goes to the Sean Halpin Memorial Scholarship Fund. Visit www.phillygaydays.com for more information.
On Aug. 26 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., several LGBT musicians will perform at QueerChannel Presents: A Showcase of Queer Talent. Musical acts include Steph Hayes & the Good Problems, Humble Tripe, Nicole Reynolds, Chris Shutz and the Tourists, Dangerous Ponies and Aiden James. The cover charge for the event is only $15, and 30 percent of the proceeds benefit The Attic Youth Center. For more information on the concert, visit www.worldcafelive.com. To learn more about The Attic, go to www.atticyouthcenter.org.
After far too long, everyone’s favorite gender-bending, glam-rock guilty pleasure, the Scissor Sisters, have finally put out a new album: “Night Work.” If the music is as phenomenal as the critics are reporting, then we just may forgive Jake and the gang for making us wait so long. In promotion of the album, the Scissor Sisters will take to the stage at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St. This mid-sized venue is the type the Sisters thrive in, so I recommend that everyone who loves live music attend this show. For more information and to secure your tickets, visit www.electricfactory.info.
That’s it for this installment, but it’s merely a snapshot of the excitement that Philly has in store for its residents and visitors over the next several weeks. Make sure to check out www.nightlifegay.com for daily event updates and information. ’Til next time, get offline and see what your community has to offer!