Some of my favorite childhood memories are of going to summer blockbusters with my friends. We’d save up for the $2.50 matinee tickets (yep, no kidding) and then spend weeks afterwards running around outside reenacting scenes from “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Clash of the Titans,” “Dragonslayer,” “E.T.” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”
While Hollywood plays it safer than ever this summer with sequels, prequels and other franchise tent poles, Philly celebrates independent filmmakers and risk-takers at the 19th annual QFest. Sadly the festival is almost over, but you still have a chance to see some great films and meet some of the brilliant artists from behind the scenes at Q&A sessions and after-parties all around town.
For complete information about films, parties and of course tickets, check out www.qfest.com. Then clip and save this handy guide to special events during the last weekend of the festival:
“I Am Divine” Drag Extravaganza: 11:30 p.m. July 19 at Tavern on Camac, 243 S. Camac St., featuring documentary producer Lottie Phariss Knowles and a Divine (or other John Waters characters) look-alike contest hosted by Brittany Lynn and the Drag Mafia. No cover charge.
Queeradelphia Splash Party: 10 p.m. July 19 at North Shore Beach Club, 1031 Germantown Ave., a late-night pool party presented by Stimulus and featuring some of Philly’s finest local filmmakers from the Queeradelphia shorts. Cover charge is only $10.
Jim McGreevey Benefit: 4-6 p.m. July 20 at Sofitel Hotel, 120 S. 17th St., a reception featuring former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey, subject of the documentary “Fall to Grace.” Donation is $25 per person and includes appetizers and drink specials at a cash bar. And don’t fret — the benefit is for the Philadelphia Cinema Alliance, producers of QFest, not for McGreevey.
“The Rugby Player”: 5 p.m. July 20 at Ritz East, 125 S. Second St., featuring a Q&A session with film director Scott Gracheff and film subject Alice Hoagland, mother of United Flight 93 passenger and gay rugby player Mark Bingham. Event co-sponsored by the Philadelphia Cinema Alliance, Philadelphia Gryphons Rugby Club and Team Philadelphia.
Roadstripping with the CockyBoys: 10 p.m. July 20 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St., featuring porn stars and directors from the CockyBoys crew, hot off the world premier of “RoadStrip.” Admission is $10 for Voyeur members, $15 for guests.
“Chastity Bites”: 11 p.m. July 20 at Sisters Nightclub, 1320 Chancellor St., featuring the writer and the director of this hot lesbian vampire fantasy film. Free admission with your ticket stub or VIP access badge.
Closing Night Party: 9:30 p.m. July 21 at Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St., with special guests from closing-night film “Hot Guys with Guns” and performances by Brittany Lynn and the Drag Mafia and the Philadelphia Freedom Band. Admission is $40 for film and party, $35 for film and party for PCA members, $25 party only, $15 film only, $10 parking. Film and party are free if you have an all-access VIP badge. Party is 21-and-over.
SandBlast
Escape to the Jersey Shore from July 19-21 for one hot weekend with thousands of sexy men and hot women in Asbury Park. You name it, they’ve got it at SandBlast: volleyball tournaments, porn-star parties, pool parties, a drag race and a handbag toss on the beach, an art show, a burlesque show, late-night underwear parties, yoga on the beach, surfing lessons, all-night dance parties, celebrity DJs, a tea dance, a morning bike ride, shopping excursions, brunch parties, more pool parties, more porn-star parties, more volleyball — and did I mention thousands of hot men and sexy women? For more details plus information on tickets and hotel reservations, visit www.sandblastweekend.com.
Ladies 2000 in New Hope
Escape to the countryside with hundreds of beautiful ladies from 4-9 p.m. July 21 at Havana, 105 S. Main St. in New Hope. DJ Steve Singer will keep you moving and the $3 Skyy Vodka specials will keep you grooving into the night. Grab your friends, get a room and make it a sleepover!
Drag yourself to the pageant
Don’t miss the Miss Fire & Ice Pageant from 7-10 p.m. July 21 at Fire & Ice Restaurant, Bar and Lounge, 312 Market St. The winner gets a spot in the 2014 Mummers Parade! Cover is only $2 and they’ll have drink specials all night long to help ensure you’re late for work on Monday morning. This is an all-ages event, children.
Blend queer coffee and games
Attention hard-core board gamers! Put your skills to the test from 7-10 p.m. July 26 at Chapterhouse Café, 620 S. Ninth St. Grab your coffee and head downstairs, where you can chill out to the music and make new friends during a good old-fashioned game night. No cheating!
Questions, comments? Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn. Just kidding! Contact Jim at [email protected] or follow him on Facebook for links to back articles and totally bitchin’ music videos!