The weekend that many in the city have been looking forward to (many with trepidation) is finally upon us. If you’re staying local or hitting the road, check out some of the LGBT-related activities happening in the region this weekend.
DELFIN BAUTISTA AND LUI FRANCESCO MATSUO IN LGBT REGALIA AT EQUALLY BLESSED’S OPENING RECEPTION TUESDAY Photo: Scott A. Drake
Staycation
If you’re hunkering down and riding out PopeFest (aka Popeapalooza, Popepocalypse) in Philly and want to get into the spirit, but avoid the pontificating, check out these LGBT-focused events.
Through Sept. 25, 95 North Productions is staging “Full of Grace: Journeys of LGBT Catholics” at Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American St. Comprised of more than 30 interviews with LGBT Catholics, including fired local teacher Margie Winters, the traveling play explores the intersection of LGBT and Catholic identities. Tickets are $15, and cash only if purchased at the door; fullofgraceplay.com.
A handful of LGBT Catholic families, organized by Equally Blessed Coalition, arrived in Philly this week for the World Meeting of Families. From 7-9 p.m. Sept. 25, the group and supporters will gather for “Conversation and Cake” at their home base, Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55 N. Broad St.
The pilgrims will be among the guests at a workshop entitled “Exploring Gender Identity” 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 16 at Arch Street UMC. This particular workshop is the event that raised the ire of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and may have led to the Equally Blessed Coalition being barred from using St. John the Evangelist Church.
At 1 p.m. Sept. 26, William Way LGBT Center, 1315 Spruce St., will host the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a San Francisco-based street-performance group.
From 1:30-3:30 p.m., an LGBT Family Papal Picnic will be staged at John C. Anderson Apartments, 251 S. 13th St. Democratic mayoral nominee Jim Kenney and Margie Winters, a local lesbian religion teacher who was fired from her position earlier this summer, will be in attendance. Refreshments will be provided.
At 8 p.m. at William Way, LGBTs and allies are invited to “Cabaret Vérité III: Our Family Meeting,” an inclusive musical cabaret featuring Andrew Crowley, Messapotamia Lefae, Jaye Sanders, Ibrahim Vicks and Tom Wilson Weinberg.
“We wanted to talk about alternative families, if you will: all the Catholic families — single-parent families, same-sex couples — who don’t fit into the Vatican’s rather-strict definition of ‘family,’” Wilson Weinberg said.
He added the show will be in the style of a musical revue, with material running the gamut.
“We take a broad look at family; some is humorous, some is more serious,” he said, noting that the production, which he expects will draw progressive Catholic tourists, is not meant to criticize the Catholic hierarchy or teachings. “It’s not our intention to trash the pope or the Church. We expect a lot of Catholic visitors here in town to see the pope and who like this pope. But we also want to recognize that real change hasn’t come yet, and that’s what we’re challenging with music.”
Tickets are $18 in advance or $25 at the door, with proceeds benefiting the center; www.facebook.com/cabaretverite, www.tomwilsonweinberg.com or [email protected].
On Sept. 27, LGBT Catholics can wrap up their weekend at Dignity Philadelphia’s weekly liturgy, 7 p.m. at St. Luke and The Epiphany, 330 S. 13th St.
Throughout the weekend, make sure to patronize the Gayborhood bars, restaurants and shops. While they hopefully will see a boon from the influx of visitors, they’ve all had their own headaches to deal with because of road closures and more — so let’s make sure to show them some love!
A TREVOR PROJECT FUNDRAISING POPESICLE WITH PGN STAFFERS
Vacation
Fleeing Francis? Here are some activities to keep you occupied if you’re high-tailing it out of Philly.
If you want to see a spectacle of a different kind, head south to Atlantic City for Miss’d America. Held Sept. 26 at Borgata Casino & Hotel, the annual drag pageant raises funds for local LGBT and HIV/AIDS causes. With new night and location this year, the show is sure to have some surprises. The show kicks off at 8:30 p.m., with an after-party to follow. And organizers extended an invitation to Pope Francis, so … you never know!
Or, if it’s a country respite you’re after, head north to New Hope, which is promoting the tourism tagline: “Can’t see the pope? Don’t worry, there’s New Hope!” this weekend.
The bucolic LGBT-friendly town is hosting its annual New Hope Outdoor Juried Arts & Crafts Festival Sept. 26 and 27 at New Hope-Solebury High School, 182 W. Bridge St., New Hope. Admission is free for the event, which will showcase more than 175 crafters — who will feature jewelry, sculptures, paintings, glass art, photography and much more. New to this year’s lineup is a riverside beer garden at Bucks County Playhouse, offering craft beers, interactive games and live acoustic music. The garden is free to enter, and patrons get a free hot pretzel with the purchase of a beer.
For more information, visit www.newhopeartsandcraftsfestival.com.
We’ll have staffers attending papal activities in Philly, as well as checking out Atlantic City and New Hope — so keep an eye out for post-papal weekend coverage next week!