Last Sunday was cold and rainy and a perfect day for snuggling on the couch with my husband, watching disaster movies and hockey games (go Flyers!).
But now I am so ready to get my butt off the couch and out the door. Warm weather in Philly means Pride events and block parties, so get ready, people, because the fun is just getting started!
Philly Black Gay Pride
Philly’s annual celebration of black gay pride returns and kicks off with an opening reception and family reunion from 6-8 p.m. April 27 at the Crowne Plaza, 4010 City Ave. A $10 cover gets you an open bar, light appetizers and entertainment featuring MC Muthaknows from Power 99 FM, comedy, poetry, a fashion show and more. For a complete calendar of events, see www.phillyblackpride.org.
Ready, Set, Go!
Fire Island Black Out hosts its third-annual Penn Relays/Philly Black Pride party at 10 p.m. April 27 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. There’s a $10 cover charge, drink specials, a DJ battle featuring DJ Truuf and DJ Calvin and prizes, and you can sign up for a chance to win a free Caribbean cruise for two! For more info, check out www.fireislandblackout.com.
Miss Richfield 1981
With three performances in one weekend, you have no excuse for missing Miss Richfield 1981’s outrageous new show, “2012: We’ll All Be Dead By Christmas.” Evening shows are 8 p.m. April 27 and 28, with a matinee at 2 p.m. April 29. All performances are at the Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. Eighth St. Tickets are $30, which includes one drink.
Stalker tip: If you’re itching to ask Miss R for her autograph or want to secretly snip a lock of her shiny black hair while she’s looking the other way, you should camp out at Tavern on Camac. Rumor has it that’s her favorite place for kicking up her heels and unwinding after a show. (But don’t tell her I sent you — she scares me a little.)
RuPaul’s Drag Race
God bless Mimi Imfurst! The hardest working bitch in show business is bringing another butt load of Drag Racers to Philly over the next couple of weeks.
First up at 9 p.m. April 28 is the “Drag Race Season 4 Smackdown,” featuring fabulous losing queens (no T, no shade!) LaShauwn Beyond, “Little Kenya” Michaels, Dida Ritz and The Princess. They may not have won the competition, but these amazing girls are anything but losers. Prepare to gag yourself on their eleganza!
Next is your first-ever chance to see the one and only, the large and in charge, chunky yet funky Latrice Royale right here in Philly! She’ll be here 10 p.m. May 2. Latrice was my early pick to go all the way this season. I almost cried when she sashayed away in the last episode before the finale.
Both shows will be at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St., and will feature Philly’s very own Dollstars. Speaking of which, who do you think from the Dollstars would have the best shot on “Drag Race”? Hmm …
Bears ’n’ Otters ’n’ Cubs … Come play!
I don’t know about you, but after all those drag queens I like a heaping helping of big hairy men to get my motor running. If you can relate, then don’t miss the Liberty Bears’ spring party at 10 p.m. April 28 at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St., featuring DJ Re-Tic.
Remember DJ Re-Tic from Woof Philly? He’s big and he’s woofy and he’s back! He spins one of the best dance parties on the East Coast, so don’t miss your chance to groove to his tunes with the Liberty Bears. For more info, see www.libertybears.net.
Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus Fundraiser
Come out and support the gay arts in Philly at 8 p.m. May 3 at ICandy, 254 S. 12th St. They’ll have drink specials, a 50/50 raffle and amazing entertainment. It’s only $10, and proceeds benefit PGMC.
Equality Forum
The annual Equality Forum runs May 3-6 with a wide variety of panels and lectures, a formal dinner and, of course, lots of parties.
One highlight is the Stimulus party at 10 p.m. May 4 at ICandy. A $10 cover gets you all the Stimulus heat you’ve come to know and love, plus the international flavor of Equality Forum.
Another highlight of the Forum is SundayOUT, the super-fun closing block party from noon–7 p.m. May 6 at the Piazza at Schmidt’s, Second Street and Germantown Avenue. Cover charge is $10 for adults and $5 for students. SundayOUT features artists, food vendors, community organizations, seven hours of live and video entertainment, plus an old-school-style tea dance at 4 p.m.
But there’s so much more to the forum than just parties. Check out the complete schedule of panels, programs and entertainment at www.equalityforum.com.
Questions? Comments? Confusion over Philly’s countless Pride weekends? Contact Jim at [email protected].