Phreak ‘N Queer Kicks Off

The ultimate guide to all of the artists and events

The annual Phreak ‘N Queer Festival kicks off today featuring some of Philly and New York’s most provocative queer artists (Aug. 2 through Aug. 5). For the first time, Super Phreak! opens at The Boom Boom Room (1300 N. Thompson Street) featuring artwork by Grace Moon, Lance Pawling, Kathy McLean, Tiffany Davis and John Donges. The exhibition’s curated by Kelly Burkhardt.

“Since this was the first year that Phreak ‘N Queer is having a curated art show, I decided to go with artists that new and have been tirelessly working to create and be an active part of our vibrant queer art community,” says Burkhardt. “Tiffany is a filmmaker and an actively blogging about being queer and an artist, Lance is a member of the Liberty City Kings and with John with the Dumpsta Players and Kathy has been working for a year on shooting her book on queer diversity ‘You Are Not Alone’ and is the resident photographer at the Stimulus parties. And lastly, I recently added the ‘Out Portrait Project’ by 18-year-old Liz Phillips who can be found tirelessly standing at LGBT events to capture the breadth and depth of our community. I met Liz during Qfest and I just loved her passion and energy”

Want more? Here’s a full listing of events through the weekend:

Shara Dae Howard plays live at Family Day in NoLibs (courtesy of Shara Dae Howard)

Thursday, Aug. 2

GlitterBomb (9 p.m.) at Elena’s Soul (4912 Baltimore Ave.) is an electro dance party that kicks off the five-day celebration with performances by Rainbow Destroyer, Words the Poet MC, Second Opinion, Ex by V, Alaya Richmin, Sir Lady Indeed and DJs PreColumbian and Evil V.

Friday, Aug. 3

Open Mic and Poetry Slam (6 p.m.) at Cake and the Beanstalk (1112 Locust St.) encourages spoken word artists, poets and writers to read from their works.

Hot Rods & Mustang Sallies (8 p.m.) at Johnny Brenda’s is a 1950s-theme sock hop featuring AnOmali, AV4AP, Miss Mary Wanna, Lascivious Jane, Alaya Richmin, Maura Darlington, LeRoi Prince and DJs Lucky 7 and Kit. Guests are encouraged to dress for the theme with everything from leather jackets and polka-dot dresses.

Sgt. Sass is featured in Homo Rama at Milk Boy (courtesy of Sgt. Sass)

Saturday, Aug. 4

Family Day (noon) at Liberty Lands (913 N. Third St.) with Raices Latino Pride features entertainment for all ages. Look for performances by The Simple Fix, Radium Angels, Myrna Cortes Y Sus Amigos, Celeste Polanco, Fauxlectralane, Shara Dae Howard and DJs Andi and Niilo.

Homo Rama (8 p.m.) at Milk Boy (1100 Chestnut St.) features the best hip hop, punk and electro acts on the East Coast, including Nicky Click, Sgt. Sass, The Shondes, IKP, Rachel Tension, Needles Jones, Candle Hartm Wuli and DJs BattleAxeBaby and Ashley of San Francisco’s Hella Gay dance party.

Sunday, Aug. 5

Gay Ole Opry (4 p.m.) at Ortleib’s Jazz House (847 N. Third St.) is back at the newly renovated club with a twist on country music featuring Karen & the Sorrows, Viva, Bryn Kelly and Wiley Gaby. There will even be a bake sale to benefit Ida’s Work Hard/Stay Hard.

Click here to visit Phreak ‘N Queer’s Facebook page.