I am so looking forward to fall this year.
It’s my favorite time of year for a lot of reasons. I love the cooler temperatures, I love watching the leaves change colors, I love football and I love the fall holidays.
I also love how September always feels like a fresh start. Whether or not you’re still in school, September is a time when you can wipe the slate clean and try something new.
The last few weeks have been really rough for a lot of people, thanks to the weather and the 10-year anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, so here are some things we can all do to take a deep breath, brush ourselves off and get ready for a fantastic autumn.
Third annual Gayborhood Games
Everybody loves voting in those “Best of Philly” polls, right? Have you ever wondered what it would be like if everyone up for an award was in the same room at the same time, duking it out on stage in a live smackdown where there can be only one winner?
Well, then have I got an event for you! Don’t miss the third-annual Gayborhood Games on Sept. 17 at 9 p.m. at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St.
There will be five categories in the competition: comedian, vocalist, drag act, bartender and chef. Comedians will have six minutes to make you laugh your ass off. Vocalist and drag acts will have five minutes to perform a song or a medley. And they’ll all be on stage that night, performing for you and the judges.
Bartenders will be charged with concocting a specialty Smirnoff cocktail offstage during the competition. Chefs will be competing in the category of “cakes,” which they will prepare offsite and bring to the club on the night of the competition. Judges will evaluate all drinks and cakes based on originality, quality, flavor and flair. Audience members will get a chance to sample all cakes and cocktails during intermission.
For more information, check out www.nightlifegay.com or www.voyeurnightclub.com.
Big Gay Boat Party encore
Back on Aug. 21 it wasn’t raining men, but it was raining hard enough to wash out the last Big Gay Boat Party of the summer. Escandalo!
But don’t fret: You’ve got one more chance before the start of fall to rock the boat at the best Sunday tea dance in Philly.
The last (and they really mean it this time) Big Gay Boat Party of 2011 will be held from 6-9 p.m. Sept. 18 at Moshulu, 401 S. Columbus Blvd. Cover charge is still only $10, and DJ DeeJay is back on deck to spin all your favorites while you dance beneath the stars. What better way to spend the last full weekend of summer?
RIP, DADT
Pardon me here while I jump up on my soapbox for a minute …
If you ask me, without a doubt, the most idiotic thing Bill Clinton ever did was mess around with Monica Lewinsky. Running a very close second to that fiasco was his institution of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
I know it was a compromise based on the politics at the time, but that doesn’t change the fact that it was ill-advised, incredibly expensive and arguably much more detrimental than the policy it replaced.
But none of that matters now because, after years of protests and legal challenges, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is finally dead. Dead, I tell you! (Cue maniacal laugh.)
OK, soapbox rant is over. Back to our regularly scheduled column.
Hooray! Come celebrate the repeal of the ban from 5-7 p.m. Sept. 20 at Tabu Lounge & Sports Bar, 200 S. 12th St.
The event is co-sponsored by the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, Equality Pennsylvania and Chatterblast Media, and will feature special guest Patrick Murphy, former U.S. Representative from the 8th District in Pennsylvania. Murphy was an outspoken leader in the efforts to repeal the policy.
There will be food and drink specials and, maybe if we’re lucky, a cigar and a blue dress or two, just for old-times’ sake!
Questions, comments or news about upcoming events? Contact Jim at [email protected].