A belated Happy May the Fourth to everybody! As in, “May the Fourth be with you!” Yes, big time “Star Wars” nerd here. Always have been, always will be.
May comes with a big dose of melancholy this year, though. Sure, it’s exciting as hell to know that a new “Star Wars” movie is in the works, but it was heartbreaking to learn that two iconic Philadelphia gay bookstores are closing.
First it was Giovanni’s Room going out of business, and then the Tom Cat Bookstore and Sansom Cinema being evicted for non-payment of rent. Both provided so much joy to so many gay men over the years, albeit in different ways, but sadly I think only the former will get the honorable send-off that I think they both so richly deserve.
Let’s face it, not too long ago the Gayborhood was an absolute shithole — a “wretched hive of scum and villainy,” to quote my favorite movie — and we all loved it for that. There were bars, bathhouses and bookstores practically everywhere. It certainly wasn’t the safest place to be in Philly after dark.
Now the neighborhood has really cleaned itself up, and in some ways that’s a great thing but in other ways maybe not so much. Some of what made the Gayborhood unique and fun and what made it a home away from home for so many of us were those rough, gritty edges. Like it or not, those rougher elements are part of our history and part of our culture, but now they’ve been almost entirely scrubbed away.
Change is inevitable. Change is good. But change can leave you feeling a little sad sometimes.
Realistically, there’s no other choice but to embrace the change and live in the now. Celebrate the fact that even though we’re losing some of the things that make our community unique, there’s a lot of stuff we get to do now that was literally unthinkable just a few short years ago.
Like this event, for example …
Philadelphia Soul LGBT Night
Be part of LGBT Night at the Philadelphia Soul game from 6-10 p.m. May 10 at Wells Fargo Center, 3600 S. Broad St. When I was growing up, Bon Jovi fans were pretty much the ones most likely to beat the crap out of you every day after school. Now Jon Bon Jovi’s Arena Football League team is hosting the very first professional football LGBT night ever to be held in the United States. It truly boggles my mind. I cannot wait to support this and I hope it’s a huge success!
OurNightOut Happy Hour
Meet up with the ONO crowd from 6-8 p.m. May 15 at Stratus Lounge in the Hotel Monaco, 433 Chestnut St. Be dazzled by the views from the rooftop bar as you enjoy drink specials and light munchies while networking with some of the area’s best and brightest.
PGMC presents The Music of Cole Porter
Enjoy the wonderful music of legendary gay composer Cole Porter as only the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus (and dancers!) can perform it. Shows are from 8-10 p.m. at the Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., May 15-17, with a special matinee performance at 2 p.m. May 17. Tickets are $30-$55 and are available in advance either online at www.pgmc.org or at the box office, and also at the door.
The Chocolate Mixer
Oh my God, it’s back! Celebrate spring with the return of the Chocolate Mixer at 9 p.m. May 15 at Ladder 15, 1528 Sansom St. Enjoy a late-night happy hour for professional men of color and all those who love them. Dress will be chic but casual, and the night will be fun and electric. Say hello to old friends or make a whole bunch of new ones! Cover charge is only $5 before 11 p.m.
Real Pride
Join Ms. NJ Leather Nikki at 8 p.m. at Georgies, 810 Fifth Ave. in Asbury Park, N.J. She’s hosting a one-night-only fundraiser for Project REAL and Jersey Pride. Special guests will include Lascivious Jane of the Liberty City Kings, plus more drag kings, drag queens and burlesque performers than you can shake a stick at. Suggested donation of $5 at the door.
Drink or Swim
And so it begins! Grab your bikini, grab your Speedo, grab your friends and get yourself to the best pool party in town at 8 p.m. May 19 at North Shore Beach Club, 1031 Germantown Ave. That night and every Monday night until fall, you can beat the heat by lounging at the pool. The location is great, the music will be hot and the surprise performers will be … surprising! So drink or swim, or both! But not at the same time, please. Nobody wants chlorine in their cocktail.
Questions, comments, suggestions or requests? Contact Jim at [email protected].