Gay To Do: Sleep Over, Beauty Ball, live performances & more
Your top gay calendar picks for the week of Oct. 2-7.
Thursday, Oct. 2
Kick LGBT History month off right today at City Hall when community leaders join elected officials to raise the rainbow pride flag over City Hall. Every year, the event spotlights great community partners, achievements, and rallies attendees to work on new community initiatives. This year, groups to be celebrated are the Mazzoni Center, GALAEI, Philadelphia Black Gay Pride, and the Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League. The event will take place at 1:00 pm at the flagpoles located at the northeast corner of City Hall (1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd.) Once raised, the rainbow pride flag will fly high for the entire month of LGBT History Month.
Friday, Oct. 3
After First Friday frolicking around Old City for free glasses of boxed wine, head to the Gayborhood for some great dance parties to keep you on your toes. With no cover and amazing drink specials, the girl run party Sleep Over returns to the Venture Inn (255 S. Camac St.). This month's throwback theme is Scream. Party goers are asked to dress up for the flick while it plays overhead as DJ Trish spins throwback jams.
If Neve Campbell couture ain't your thing, Cutn' Paste continues to take over leather bar Bike Stop (206 S. Quince St.) every First Friday. With sickening beats that continue to draw a huge diverse crowd from our LGBT community, this party has established itself as one of the best nightlife mainstays in the Gayborhood. This edition is the goth prom, where party goers are asked to dress in their best Addams Family black. $5 cover at the door.
Saturday, Oct. 4
The Beauty Ball returns to Woody's (202 South 13th Street) for its 5th year. This amateur drag party brings all the boys out to don their best glamazon looks. Voyeurs join in on the fun to watch these jocks and twinks stumble around in heels after one too many cosmos. Hosted by comedy queen Bev, all proceeds generated from this event go to the Mazzoni Center. Doors are at 7:00 PM. For tickets.
Joshua Thomas, a singer songwriter based here in Philadelphia will be performing a "celebratory concert" honoring the release of his new EP, "The Harboring". The EP contains six original songs with Thomas on vocals, piano, electric and acoustic guitars, Rhodes and Wurlitzer keyboards, and Hammond organ. The concert begins at 8:00 PM with doors opening at 7:30 PM at the First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut Street). For tickets.
Sunday, Oct. 5
Instead of a boozy brunch, spend this Sunday Funday enjoying amazing activism in the form of film at the Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street). Gender Reel is an annual festival showcasing gender non-conforming and transgender identities in film and performance art. Sunday's programming will feature seven films exploring everything from the oppression of Trans woman of color to the inaccessibility of the public transit system for gender non-conforming individuals. Stay after the screening to chat with Seyi Adebayo, producer and director of Trans Lives Matter! Justice for Islan Nettles. For tickets.
Tuesday, Oct. 7
Philadelphia stand up "dramedian" R. Eric Thomas returns for the third time with his 80-minute solo play "Always the Bridesmaid." When asked about this go around for his play he responded, "When I first wrote it in 2011, marriage equality was just a twinkle in Brian Sims' eye. The socio-political landscape has changed so much so quickly but it's made the message of this show so much more powerful. People have had such strong reactions this time around. That's why I decided to do it again. I feel like this show taps into a well of emotion around the ideas of marriage and love and destiny that aren't being tapped many other places. For me, it's a privilege to be able to go there as often as I can." Always The Bridesmaid returns for two nights only October 7th and 12th at L'Etage (624 S. 6th Street). For tickets.
Wednesday, Oct. 8
Beginning Wednesday October 8th, Mr. Everything begins at Tabu Sports Bar and Lounge (200 S. 12th Street). Contestants in this 10 week competition include drag kings, go go boys, vogue champions, pole dancers, and a "side show freak". Producer Josh Schonewolf said, "Mr. Everything is the brother show of Miss Everything, and we are finding for the male-identified performer who has "everything". You need to have it all to win, and (our judges) Amber, Timaree, and Fahrenheit have quite the task for the next 10 weeks." Doors open at 10:00 PM. R. Eric Thomas hosts. $7 cover at the door.