Black-Tie Bingo is Back

It's not just for grandmothers anymore

Courtesy of GayBINGO

Move over, granny. The AIDS Fund has the daubers ready for the 12th Annual Black-Tie GayBINGO on April 1 (6:30 p.m.) at the Crystal Tea Room. The offbeat event is sponsored by PECO this year, and will feature all the favorite Bingo Verifying Divas – including Anita Manhattan and Summer Clearance – in their glam drag, as well as a good time to raise money for Philly’s AIDS Fund.

There’s even a “Favorite Straight Person of the Year” award which honors The Reverend Marlene “Mike” Haines of the Church of Saint Luke and The Epiphany. She also gives the opening prayer at the start of the AIDS Walk each year. Also part of the AIDS Walk, the Dukes of Destiny, a popular blues band that has played every AIDS Walk Philly since it first got started 24 years ago, will be presented with the Founders’ Award.

This year’s high camp event will also feature dinner, six bingo games, a silent auction and dancing. To date, GayBINGO has raised more than $2.5 million to fight HIV and AIDS in the community.

But even if you can’t shell out $150 for a black-tie ticket next month, there are plenty of monthly bingo games ($20) at the Gershman Y to get to this spring:

  • April 16 – Nashville Nights
  • May 21 – Always a Bridesmaid
  • June 11 – 15 Minutes of Fame

Black-Tie GayBINGO, The Crystal Tea Room, Wanamaker Building, 100 Penn Square East, 215-731-9255.