It’s hard to bitch about the weather this winter, since every few weeks it has warmed up to the 50s or 60s, but still I cannot wait for the official start of spring.
Thankfully, there’s no shortage of excuses over the next couple of weeks to get out of the house and get a jump on your spring fever.
Sweethearts & Redhots Drag Extravaganza
Don’t miss the second-annual drag show fundraiser produced and performed by the kids of The Attic Youth Center, 6:30-8:30 p.m. March 2 at the Broad Street Ministry, 315 S. Broad St. Proceeds support the center’s trip to the annual True Colors LGBT Youth Conference later this month in Connecticut.
General admission is $12, or $200 for a reserved table for eight. For $50, you can sponsor a youth and help her/him attend the conference. For more information and tickets, visit www.atticyouthcenter.org/dragshow.
Spring revs up at The Bike Stop
Don’t miss the Liberty Bears St. Patty’s Day Warm Up from 6-9 p.m. March 3 at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. More info at www.libertybears.net.
That same night, you can catch the men of Excelsior MC from 8-midnight at The Bike Stop. They’re down from New York City for the Philadelphia International Flower Show and will host a beer bash at the bar celebrating “Apocalypse My Ass,” in honor of the world being scheduled to end in late 2012. More info at www.excelsiormc.org .
Our Night Out
Our Night Out welcomes the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus from 6-8 p.m. March 5 at R2L, 37th floor of Two Liberty Place, 50 S. 16th St. The chorus will provide entertainment and promote its upcoming concert, “Changes: In Good Time,” from its 30th-anniversary season.
LGBT Night Out at the Flower Show
There will be a VIP reception for the LGBT community from 6-8:30 p.m. March 5 at the Convention Center, 1101 Arch St. Join out Pennsylvania Horticultural Society president Drew Becher for a special meet-and-greet with QVC’s Phillip Watson, author of the new book “Pleasure Gardens,” while enjoying Hawaiian cocktails and tropical treats.
The $45 cover charge includes admission to the flower show. For more information and advance tickets, see www.theflowershow.com/Attractions.
Open Bar III
Open Bar is an annual event sponsored by Mazzoni Center to raise funds and awareness about legal services for low-income LGBT folks in Pennsylvania. This year’s event runs from 5:30-7 p.m. March 6 at Opa, 1311 Sansom St.
Councilwoman At-Large Blondell Reynolds Brown will receive Mazzoni’s 2012 Justice in Action Award in recognition of her dedication and commitment to Philly’s LGBT community.
A cover charge of $50 ($25 for professionals under 30 or pay-what-you-can for law students) includes drinks and appetizers. For tickets and more information, see www.mazzonicenter.org/OpenBar3.
Stimulus Presents: Miss Representation
It’s movie night from 6-9 p.m. March 8 at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. Join Stimulus Philly and community partners Elements Organization, GALAEI, Delaware Valley Legacy Fund, The Attic Youth Center and the William Way as they co-host a special screening of the documentary “Miss Representation,” about misogyny and sexism in the media.
Admission is a $5-10 sliding scale, and stick around for a Q&A after. For information, see www.genderreel.com.
Arouse turns two
Stimulus Philly has a surprise in store for you at the second anniversary of Arouse — get ready for a Latin twist! Join them from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. March 10 at Landmark Americana, 3333 Market St.
In addition to top 40, hip-hop, house and old school from DJs Kash and Jovi Baby, check out the Latin flavor of DJ NiiLo. Cover charge is $7 before midnight, $10 after, with free Latin dance classes from 11 p.m.-midnight.
Ladies 2000 ShamROCK Party
Get those Irish eyes a-smiling from 3-9 p.m. March 11 at Top Dog, 2310 Marlton Pike in Cherry Hill, N.J. The women of Ladies 2000 are back with their famous $1 Power Hour from 3-4 p.m. and with DJ Steve Singer’s music and light show. Cover charge of $10 includes an authentic Irish buffet. For more information, see www.ladies2000.com.
Bedtime Stories and Ballads
Join Mrs. P. and Jonathan Hernandez for naughty bedtime stories and sexy lullabies from 7-8:30 p.m. March 15 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.
There will also be experts on hand from University of Pennsylvania’s Division of HIV Prevention Research with information about their work and how to volunteer. For more details, see www.phillyvax.org.
Questions, comments or remedies for spring fever? Contact Jim at [email protected].