Fourteen of the Philly’s finest will take the runway this weekend for the chance to represent the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection nationally.
The sixth-annual Philadelphia Mr. Gay will kick off 9 p.m. April 14 at Voyeur, 1221 St. James St. The winner will head to the national Mr. Gay contest and, if successful, the international competition.
The contestants will compete in both evening/club wear and swimsuit portions, with the top five entrants moving on to a question-and-answer segment.
Their efforts will be judged by a panel comprised mostly of Philadelphia-area figures, which brought the price down about $10 a ticket, said organizer Bruce Yelk.
“In the past, most of the judges came from New York, but we wanted to lower ticket prices and we were able to do so by cutting out traveling costs and other expenses,” Yelk said. “And at this point, six years in, the show has brand recognition that people are either going to know it or they’re not.”
This year’s slate of judges includes Daily News gossip columnist Dan Gross, Inquirer fashion columnist Elizabeth Wellington, 95.7 Ben FM host Marilyn Russell, drag performers Diana Dharling, Carol Ann Carol Ann and Mimi Imfurst, who was on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” 2012 U.S. Mr. Gay Bryan Dorsey and Travel Matters owner John Chiaffa.
In addition to the pageantry, the event will feature top-notch performances, Yelk said.
The show will open with a performance by Aeryanah Von Moi, accompanied by dancers from the University of the Arts, and guests will also be treated to a drag performance by Poison, winner of last year’s Gayborhood Games, and Tammy Faymous, as well as the singing talents of Jesse Braff and Ginger Coyle.
“The show’s really entertaining,” Yelk said. “There’s a lot of energy that night. [Host Brittany Lynn] is always amazing, always very funny and can play well off the audience. People come out and cheer on their friends or their favorite contestant but it’s not just a bar or hot guy contest — it’s a great show with some incredible energy.”
Tickets range from $15-$25 and can be purchased at www.nightlifegay.com.