11 Gay Things to Do in Philly This Week: Cutn Paste Spins Azealia Banks, Danger Drag, a Gay Bachelor Auction and More
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Michael Callahan Reading
On Tuesday night, author (and, full disclosure, former G Philly Editor in Chief) Michael Callahan will visit Barnes and Noble to read from his recently published first novel, Searching for Grace Kelly. The story is a fictional account of three young ladies who move to New York City in the 1950s to find fame, fortune and romance in the Big Apple. It's inspired by and centered around the famed Barbizon Hotel, a boarding house / charm school of sorts that played home to legends of page and screen like Joan Crawford, Sylvia Plath and Philly's own Grace Kelly. Read our Q&A with him on our sister blog Ticket here. Tuesday February 3rd, 7pm, free, Barnes and Noble, 1805 Walnut Street.
Eric Jaffe and Cory Wade LIVE!
Ukelele champion Eric Jaffe and former America's Next Top Model contestant Cory Wade Hindorff are joining forces for a sure-to-be-fab evening of tunes and smizing. Be ready for cover songs and mashups that will have you wanting to sing along. Wednesday February 4th, 8pm, free, BridgeSet Sound, 710 South Street.
Red Matters
Mazzoni Center's TRIP (The Real Impact Project) project is throwing an event at Tabu this week to mark National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Hosted By Daniel Theodore Harris (pictured) of the Black Gay Men's Leadership Council, Red Matters aims to "celebrate the courageous African American men and women who maintain resilience while living with HIV," and it will be packed with special guests. Among those attending are HIV-positive activist and health educator Louis Farmer, who works for Mount Sinai-Beth Israel Hospital in New York; and Deborah Johnson, of the African American Museum of Philadelphia (AAMP) will be in the house to discuss a partnership with AAMP and TRIP to provide free admission through the summer. There will also be a section of the AIDS Memorial Quilt on display. Thursday, February 5th, 6pm-11pm, free, Tabu Lounge and Sports Bar, 200 South 12th Street.
Cutn Paste
"Heavy Metal & Reflective" sounds familiar right? If you're a lover of Azealia Banks, you know this song by heart. Cutn Paste, the monthly dance party at Bike Stop, is paying homage to Banks and her music with a "heavy metal/metallic/shiny/reflective"-themed evening. Tigga Calore is coming from New York to perform along with Philly's own DJs Precolumbian and Nolita Selector. Friday, February 6th, 10pm, $5, The Bike Stop, 206 South Quince Street.
Danger Does Drag
A handful of Philly's "hairiest and witchiest" drag queens are hosting a First Friday event at Danger Salon—a good option if you're looking to head out of the Gayborhood for the night. Mistor Fahrenheit, Luna LaVey, and PrettyGirl will perform, with DJs Lili St Queer and Transmission DJs providing the tunes. Free PBR and Sailor Jerry drinks will add the kick you need to start the weekend. The space is small, so get there early. Friday, February 6th, 9pm, free, Danger Salon, 108 East Girard Avenue.
Philly Guerrilla Queer Bar: March
As always, details are mum about this week's Guerrilla Queer Bar, but this is what we know so far: 1. It's going to be in University City. 2. The words "Saint Patrick's Day" and "leprechaun" pop up a lot in a recent promo email and 3. They'll reveal all details here sometime toward the end of the week. 4. It's gonna be fun no matter where it is. Friday, March 6th, 9pm, free, Secret Location.
PASSIONAL & Sexploratorium 19th Anniversary
To celebrate 19 years of sex toy-selling and teaching local kink-wannabes about the wilder side of sex, PASSIONAL & Sexploratorium is hosting a party and sale on Friday. Take in a birthday or anniversary card to get 19 percent off any item in the shop. There will also be live performances, demos, and mini "teach in" classes during the celebration. Be ready at 19:00 (7pm in military time). Friday, February 6th, 7pm, free, Passional Boutique, 317 South Street.
Out at the Opera
Opera Philadelphia presents a chilling tale of one of literature's greatest—and gayest—scribes in Oscar. Fittingly, the company has put together an "Out at the Opera" night, so you and local LGBTers can sit together to watch the riveting opera about the life of Oscar Wilde and how his forbidden love reaped severe consequences to his career and reputation as a writer. Save $20 on “Out at the Opera” tickets when you use the discount code "PRIDE." And read our interview with David Daniels, the man who plays Wilde, here. Friday, February 13th, 8pm, $19-$219, Academy of Music, 240 South Broad Street.
Mothers and Sons
Philadelphia Theatre Company presents one of the latest works by playwright Terrence McNally. The Tony-nominated show concerns a mother who, on the 20th anniversary of her son's death, decides to visit his ex-parter Cal. There she meets his husband and son, and learns about the power of forgiveness and acceptance. The show stars Michael Learned, who you may remember as Olivia in 1970s television series The Waltons. More info and tickets here. Tuesday, February 10th - March 8th, 8pm, $52, Suzanne Roberts Theater, 480 South Broad Street.
14th Annual PGMC Bachelor Auction Fundraiser
For its 14th Bachelor Auction, the Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus will offer up at least five of their songbirds and two mystery bachelors to the highest bidder. The auction takes place on February 7th from 7 to 10 p.m. at Woody’s. The witty Stella D’Oro will play host to an evening of drink specials, raffles, games and eligible men who—if it all works out—can sing you sweet lullabies every night before bed. Here’s the list of this year’s five confirmed PGMC bachelors. Start saving now; it’s a selection worth forking over some dollars for. Saturday, February 7th, 7pm, $10, Woody's, 202 South 13th Street.
Into The Woods: An All Drag Production
Mimi Imfurst as The Witch (pictured). Steve Cizzle as The Prince. This is already looking like a winner. So many of your favorite local drag queens are putting on Into the Woods, giving Meryl and Anna Kendrick and all those others starring in the movies right now in theaters a run for their money. The one thing we need to know is ... who is playing the Mysterious Man? Through February 15th, 8pm, TBA, Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 Saint James Street.
