The ice has finally melted away and the warm weather has people coming out in droves! I swear, even the suburban Wawas are getting cruisey as everyone is literally busting at the seams from cabin fever.
I really love snowy winters, but even I’m counting the days until spring and watching that forecast for the first hint of 70-degree weather. There’s a patch of sand at the Jersey Shore with my name on it and I can’t wait to get reacquainted with it!
Until then, check out all the different ways you can heat things up and shake off those winter blues in the next couple of weeks.
Flower Show preview
Celebrate the impending arrival of spring from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at Pennsylvania 6, 114 S. 12th St., at a VIP cocktail party right before the opening of the Flower Show preview. You’ll get a complimentary first drink and nibbly bits as you enjoy a special performance by Brittany Lynn and the Drag Mafia. You could end up having so much fun that you ditch the preview!
Leather Women’s Bar Night
Oh yes, it’s ladies’ night and the feeling’s right from 7-9:30 p.m. Feb. 28 in the basement at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. Whether you’re in leather or not, come and hang out with the girls. There’s no meeting, no agenda, and no fundraiser — just fun! If you do wear your leathers, though, Mid-Atlantic Bootblack Amelia Chan will be on hand to give them some tender loving care. Remember, no perfume or cologne in The Pit please!
Leather Men’s Bar Night
The very next night, from 8 p.m.-midnight March 1, at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St., the men of Excelsior MC from New York City will be in town hosting a bar night of their own. It’s the only local stop on their “Mars May Need Women, But Uranus Needs Men! World Tour,” promoting their upcoming annual run on Fire Island the weekend of May 16-18. And yes, you saw that right: Uranus. Needs. Men. God, I hope my mom doesn’t read this issue …
Damsels & Divas
It’s time to get your glitter on again at 8 p.m. March 1 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St., with the Liberty City Kings and special guests. The Kings will get you all hot and bothered, and then after the show you can shake your booty until your wig flies off dancing to the tunes of DJ Niilo. Cover charge is $10 in kink, drag or costume; $12 if not. Proceeds benefit SisterSpace of Delaware Valley. Rugby Social
Join the scrum or pant heavily from the sidelines from 9 p.m.-midnight March 1 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. The Philadelphia Gryphons will unleash a fresh batch of rookies during their first Saturday spring social. Don’t miss your chance to size up the new recruits!
Miss Mardi Gras
Can’t get to New Orleans? Catch the next best thing at 9 p.m. March 4 at The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St., in New Hope. It’s the Miss Mardi Gras 2014 Pageant and fundraiser, hosted by none other than Miss MG 2013 herself, Miss Thunder Showers. Get there early for great Creole dinner specials from 6-10 p.m. and stick around for the after-party with DJ Armando Martinez from 11 p.m.-close. Your $10 cover charge and all proceeds from the 50/50 will benefit LifeTies, providing a wide variety of care and services to youth in crisis.
CutN Paste
Get your cards read at a tarot-themed edition of the CutN Paste dance party, 10 p.m. March 7 at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. They’ll have portraits, tarot readings, photo booth, pool tables, projections, drink specials and literally hundreds of hot young guys and gals. This party may be one of the best-kept secrets in town, but it won’t be for long.
Rio Gay-Janeiro Bingo
Feel the excitement of Carnivale at GayBINGO! from 6-9 p.m. March 8 at the Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St. Get there early to get a good seat and to catch up with your favorite BVDs and to flirt with your hosts, the Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League. As always, GayBINGO! is sponsored by the AIDS Fund and your $20-25 cover charge will benefit their mission.
Giovanni’s Room 40th Anniversary
Something special is happening from 7:30-9 p.m. March 11 at the William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. You may remember this event was postponed a few weeks ago during all that crazy-ass weather. Don’t miss your chance to hear past and present owners of Giovanni’s Room share stories about our beloved hometown LGBT bookstore’s amazing history. Hear about its humble beginnings, how it became one of the cornerstones of our community and how it is now the oldest LGBT bookstore in the country.
Questions, comments, spring fever symptoms? Contact Jim at [email protected].