It’s the dawn of a new year and hope is in the air!
Last year went pretty well for me, all things considered. Lord knows it wasn’t without its challenges, but there were some pretty sweet moments as well. For those keeping score, I did finally get my house in order and the producers of “Hoarders” did not come calling, thank goodness. And my 10-year-old Canadian marriage is finally recognized in my home state of New Jersey! I also managed to achieve a couple of professional milestones that I’d been working towards for a very long time.
That balanced out some of the more difficult moments, like losing a few very dear friends to age and illness. It’s a worn-out cliché, but it’s true that life goes on, and that it’s a banquet where most poor suckers are starving to death. Treasure your family, chosen or blood, and cherish your friends. They’re what life is truly all about.
My resolutions for this year? That’s easy: Continue to remove all unnecessary drama (and drama queens) from my life, and keep trying to be worthy of my husband’s love and affection. He is still way too good for me, and I truly don’t deserve him.
Oh yeah, and maybe get a dog. Happy New Year, everybody!
Songbird Concert
The first edition of Josh Schonewolf’s weekly singing competition at Tabu comes to its ultimate conclusion at 9 p.m. Jan. 3 at Adrienne Theater, 2030 Sansom St. The Songbird competition saw 16 crazy-talented vocalists compete in “American Idol”-esque fashion for top honors. Now see the winner, Jo Stones, headline a concert featuring six of his top competitors: Rob Anthony, Lobster Bisque, Jordan Szenicer, Stephanie Brown, Madelaine Novak and Luci Rising. Tickets are only $12 and will be available at the door. A Less Stupid Twelfth Night Gay Fantasia
Some people think that Shakespeare, if not done right, can be a little inaccessible to mainstream audiences. If you agree, then be there at 8 p.m. Jan. 3 at Curio Theater, 4740 Baltimore Ave. It’s one of your last chances to catch “Gender Comedy: A Less Stupid Twelfth Night Gay Fantasia.” It’s a queer take on Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” with robots, gender-benders and cruel drunks thrown in for good measure. Tickets are only $25 for adults or $20 for students and seniors. Show closes Jan. 4 so don’t miss it!
Free to Love Film Festival
Enjoy a classic collection of early queer cinema at 5 p.m. Jan. 11 at the International House, 3701 Chestnut St. “Pink Narcissus” is one of the first films in a month-long festival showcasing cinema of the sexual revolution. Featured films will cover gay, straight and other themes from a defining time in our cultural history. Tickets are only $9 and are available online, along with more information about the entire schedule, at www.ihousephilly.org/calendar.
RuPaul’s Drag Race Battle of the Seasons
If you’re a fan of “Drag Race,” then you have to catch the Battle of the Seasons when it comes to town at 9 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Trocadero Theater, 1003 Arch St. One or two of Ru’s girls come through town on a pretty regular basis, but you don’t often get a chance to see this many of them at once, live on stage, with none other than Michelle Visage playing host!
The lineup (subject to change) for this amazing show is Sharon Needles, Alaska Thunderfuck, Manila Luzon, Pandora Boxx, Ivy Winters, Carmen Carrera, Mimi Imfurst and Phi Phi O’Hara. Tickets are $29.50 for general admission or $75 for a VIP meet and greet. For more info and tickets, check out www.thetroc.com.
Questions, comments, sad that Sharon and Alaska broke up? Me too! Contact Jim at [email protected] or follow him on Facebook for links to back articles and some totally bitchin’ retro music videos!