Weekend Roundup: Freak Boutique Says Ta-Ta For Now, Pulse’s Lesbian Bar Fundraiser, Big Gay Boat Party, and More


Freak Boutique masterminds DJ evil v, Icon Ebony Fierce, and DJ Tay Tay.

Freak Boutique masterminds DJ evil v, Icon Ebony Fierce, and DJ Tay Tay.

We’ve seen a lot of long-running parties and performers take a final bow lately. Rudy Flesher recently announced that he’d be hanging up Notorious OMG’s corset, no longer performing with The Goddess Isis in Thank Goddess It’s OMG, or with the Liberty City Kings. (He is keeping those nails, though). And in May, Mimi Imfurst announced that her long-running drag show Dollhouse Revue would go black after five years.

Now, as summer comes to a slow close, Icon Ebony-Fierce is gearing up to host her last Freak Boutique at Tabu. The event, which was created by local DJs Evelyn Manlove (evil v) and Lars Kallich (Tay Tay) a little over three years ago, claims to be the city’s only no-cover benefit show. The concept is that it takes proceeds from money made at the bar and donates it to local LGBT charities, like the William Way, The Attic Youth Center, and Mazzoni.

So why is something with such a big-hearted mission coming to a close? Ebony-Fierce tells me “It was a decision made by Tabu to revive the way they want to do events,” and that “it wasn’t getting enough traffic.” Stay tuned for details.

This may not be the final farewell, though. Ebony-Fierce says she’s “working on another event that has the same soul as Freak Boutique in the fall, but it may not be at Tabu.”

Tonight’s party will feature performances by Gemini Rose, Lord Baltimore, and more, and will benefit The Attic Youth CenterFriday, August 15th, 10 p.m., free, Tabu Lounge and Sports Bar, 200 South 12th Street. 

More weekend events:

FRIDAY

Ukulele artist Eric Jaffe’s monthly live-singing cabaret stars Lili StQueer, Katie White, Songbird winner Larisa Bunch, and Philly America’s Next Top Model alum Cory Wade.

The Big Gay Boat Party departs for a bash on the Delaware tonight at 10 p.m.

SATURDAY

The Pulse Summer White Party kicks off at Smokin’ Betty’s to raise funds for Denise Cohen’s campaign to open a new lesbian bar in the Gayborhood. Pop in and show your support if you’d like to see a space for ladies who love ladies in the hood.

SUNDAY

Philly Black Gay Pride and the Colours Organization are teaming up to host the Community Appreciation Barbecue in Fairmount Park.

Broad Street Ministry, which recently ordained the city’s first openly gay minister, David Norse, is hosting an ice cream social.

Stop by Tabu Sunday night to toast to local photographer Patrick Hagerty’s 50th birthday. He’s holding a little shindig, called Fifty and Fabulous, thank you, that will benefit the Attic Youth Center and William Way. Happy birthday, Patrick!

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