Sorry, kids, but it looks like the unofficial end of summer is right around the corner.
Normally Philly is a ghost town over Labor Day weekend, but this year for those three days we will be at the absolute center of the music universe.
We’ve got the two-day “Made in America” festival on the Parkway with three stages, one dance tent and a jaw-dropping lineup that features co-headliners Jay-Z and Pearl Jam, plus Skrillex, Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Odd Future, Santigold, Calvin Harris, Drake, Jill Scott, Chris Cornell and the recently reunited Run-DMC among, believe it or not, many others.
If that’s not enough, we also have Bruce Springsteen coming to Citizens Bank Park for two more shows on his phenomenal Wrecking Ball tour, which started in March and is scheduled to run through mid-December.
Even if you don’t love music, there is literally something for everyone going on in Philly over Labor Day weekend.
So why go down the shore? We got everything you need right here in Center City!
Labor Day White Party
Do you know what they say about wearing white after Labor Day? Then you’ve got one last chance to run around dressed like the Great Gatsby, and it’s at the second annual Labor Day White Party from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Sept. 2 at ICandy, 254 S. 12th St.
With more drink specials than you can shake a stick at and free cover for anyone dressed in white, this one is quickly becoming the summer event to see and be seen at.
If you really want to rock a killer look, then check out Robert Redford and Mia Farrow in the 1974 version of Gatsby before the new Baz Luhrmann version comes out next year!
Big Gay Boat Party
You’ve got one more chance to rock the boat from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Sept. 2 at Moshulu, 401 S. Columbus Blvd. It’s another big gay boat party brought to you by Sisters, Philly Gay Calendar and DJ DeeJay.
They’ll have drink specials, surprise drag performances and of course some of the most amazing dance music in town. The decks are covered so you can party all night, come rain or come shine!
Plunge
Stimulus bids farewell to summer from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Sept. 6 at North Shore Beach Club, 1031 Germantown Ave. The party is starting one hour earlier to give you extra time to soak up the fun during this one-of-a-kind poolside dance party.
If you don’t want to swim, you can lounge by the pool, work up a sweat on the dance floor, feel the heat from the sexy-ass shot girls and go-go dancers, then chill out on the roof deck. Or try your hand at becoming the next ping-pong champion — it’s up to you!
Cover charge is $10 before 11 p.m. and $15 after.
Mixtape
The most unique party in town is back from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. on Sept. 8 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. Mixtape is the quarterly showcase for queer and trans performance artists that directly benefits a member of the community. Each quarterly event is a fundraiser for a local member of the community to help with the cost of gender-reassignment surgery.
Hosted by Cooper and featuring music by DJ Tay Tay, the theme for this month’s party is “Back to School.” Performers scheduled to appear include Tammy Faymous, Alize Elegance, Super Defstar, Jaci Adams and Nacee. The party is sponsored by Gender Reel Festival and Dr. Kathy Rumer, D.O.
Cover charge is $5-$10 on a sliding scale. For more information, check out www.genderreelfest.com.
Queers on the Avenue
Get a jump-start on your fall from 6-9 p.m. Sept. 12 at Noir Philadelphia, 1909 E. Passyunk Ave.
To get you into the fall spirit, the focus will be on football. A portion of proceeds from this month’s party will benefit the Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League. That means in addition to the amazing food and drink specials, there will be lots of football players around for you to mix and mingle with!
Questions? Comments? Can’t understand why summer flies by faster and faster every year? Contact Jim at [email protected] or follow him on Facebook for links to back articles and bitchin’ old pop music videos!