18 Gay Things to Do in Philly This Week

Loud and Proud: 50 Years of LGBT Activism in Philadelphia

After Tuesday night's production of Terrence McNally’s Mothers and Sons at Philadelphia Theatre Company, there will be an LGBT discussion panel moderated by Dr. Lance Wahlert, assistant professor in UPenn’s Department of Medical Ethics & Health Policy. With the 50th anniversary of Philadelphia’s first LGBT protests as inspiration, he will delve into not only the history of LGBT rights but how activism will influence the long road ahead. Tuesday, February 17, 6:30pm - 8:30pm, $52, Suzanne Roberts Theater, 480 South Broad Street.

Tavern on Camac 11th Anniversary Celebration

Tavern on Camac owners Stephen Carlino and Dennis Fee are celebrating their 11th year owning the favorite Gayborhood piano bar by turning back the clock to their beginning in 2004—when cocktails were $5 and beers were $3 all day long. The two-day event also includes free nibbles from 6pm to 9pm. on Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday to Thursday, February 18th and 19th, all day, Tavern on Camac, 243 South Camac Street.

QOTA at Brigantessa

Be there as new Passyunk pizzeria Brigantessa hosts its first Queers on the Avenue (QOTA) event. Delicious pies and great deals on adult beverages will abound. Wednesday, February 18, 6pm-9pm, Brigantessa, 1520 East Passyunk Avenue.

SEXx Preview Party

On Wednesday at L'Etage, Wicked Gay Ways will roll out a preview of its upcoming SEXx Interactive, a TEDx-style conference bringing over 40 sexuality based presentations, performances and how-to seminars to Philadelphia this May. The sneak peek offers guests the opportunity to meet some of the organizers and catch performances that will be presented at the conference. Wednesday, February 18th, 8pm, free, L'etage, 624 South 6th Street.

#VentureVariety

After a month-long hiatus, Billy Cavallo’s variety show is back with, as he tells us, "some of our favorite Valentine's winners from Drag Wars as well as Dr. Timaree and Brittany Marie from this season of Songbird." Wednesday, February 18th, free, Venture Inn, 255 South Camac Street.

6th Annual Justice in Action

The Mazzoni Center is hosting their annual Justice in Action luncheon where they'll honor Ms. Jessica Stern (pictured), executive director of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGHRC). For tickets and info click here. Thursday, February 19, 12pm-1:30pm, $50-$5000, Mazzonni Center, 200 South Broad Street.

Glamsino Royale: Havana Nights

This ActionAIDS-hosted event transforms Hotel Palomar into a high-rolling very gay casino for one night only. This year's party is themed "Havana Nights," and will feature DJ Sharyn Stone (AKA Matt Beirschmidt). Of course, there's plenty of casino games to try your luck at, and winning chips can be redeemed for raffle tickets to win amazing trips to various Kimpton Hotels across the country. There will be plenty of light bites and cocktails flowing. And the best part? It's all done for a good cause. Proceeds benefit ActionAIDS' work to "create an AIDS-free generation through a combination of proven strategies." Thursday, February 19th, 7pm-9pm, $50, Hotel Palomar, 117 South 17th Street. 

Drag Wars: Faux Queen

Mimi Imfurst's Drag Wars: Faux Queen Edition comes to an end with a performance by the contestants and their drag mothers. Then, one lucky "girl" will sashay away with the $500 prize. Thursday, February 19th, 11pm, $10, Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 Saint James Street.

Sweethearts and Red Hots

The Attic Youth Center presents its fifth-annual drag show, featuring rising local drag talents from the Center's Drag Company. Besides being one of the best drag nights of the year, your ticket will help fund The Attic's workshops focusing on leadership, civic-engagement and team building. Friday, February 20th, 6pm, William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce Street.

HRC Philadelphia: Equality Rocks!

Human Rights Campaign is hosting its first-ever Equality Rocks! event, where you can catch talents like Kriss Mincey (pictured), The Bad Bees, Kellyn Marie Goler, Crystal Cheatham and DJ G33k while supporting HRC's mission to promote equal rights worldwide. Tickets can be bought here. Friday, February 20th, 8pm-1am, $10-$15, Pub Webb, 1527 Cecil B Moore Avenue.

Winter Wonderland Ball

Stimulus is making the best of the cooooold week by hosting its fifth annual Winter Wonderland Ball. The evening, featuring DJs, go-go dancers and shot girls, benefits the William Way Community Center. Friday, February 20th, 10pm-1am, $10, Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 Saint James Street.

Rocky Horror at the Ritz

Night owls will enjoy a late-night showing of cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Ritz. The screening is hosted by Transylvania Nipple Production, and costumes are encouraged. Some of the best will be rewarded in a lingerie competition. Buy tickets here. Friday, February 20th, 11:30pm, $10, Ritz at the Bourse, 400 Ranstead Street.

Qventures Glass Blowing

Qventures is going on another glass-blowing adventure, because, well, people just love it so damn much. Join the crew as an experienced instructor will teach you how to make ornaments and paperweights. Space is limited so get there early. Saturday, February 21st, 5pm-7:30pm, $50, East Falls Glassworks, 3510 Scotts Lane.

Hump! Tour

“Savage Love” columnist and outspoken LGBT advocate Dan Savage is bringing his dirty movie tour, HUMP!, to Philadelphia for the very first time in February. The film series includes 17 risqué flicks made by everyday folks from the Northwest who were challenged to “become temporary, weekend porn stars by making their very own five-minute dirty movies.” The genres run the gamut from straight to gay to lesbian to, in true Savage fashion, "things we never knew existed." Saturday, February 21st, 6pm, 8:15pm, 10:30pm, $20, Union Transfer Theater, 1026 Spring Garden Street.

William Way's INDIGOGO: A Queer Polar Dance Party

A slew of LGBT party producers are banding together to supply the entertainment for this William Way Community Center fundraiser. There will be around 10 DJs playing on three dancefloors throughout Underground Arts, including Gayborhood dancefloor staple DJ Carl Michaels, Nolita Selector (courtesy of Cutn Paste), DJ Jovi Baby (Stimulus), and TRPRKPR and DJ Sharyn Stone (NSFW Dance Party), among others. There will also be drag and circus performances by HoneyTree EvilEye, Cirque Manikk, and 2014 Mr. Everything winner Kemar Jewel. To get tickets, which are $10 advance and $20 at the door, go here. Saturday, February 21st, 10pm-3am, $10-$20, Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill Street.

Recurring Events

• Butch Cordora continues his weekly poker night at Boxers PHL, where he promises "the crowd is getting bigger and even cuter every week." (Tuesday)
• This week at Songbird, the remaining eight contestants will sing songs chosen by competition creator Josh Schonewolf. (Tuesday)
• It's "All Around the World" week at Miss Everything 2. (Wednesday)

Have An Event For "Gay Things to Do?"

Send details to Josh Middleton at jmiddleton@phillymag.com.