TONIGHT: Ratchet Benefit for Nick Forte, December QOTA and More


It’s a particularly busy Wednesday night in gay Philly. Here are a few things you could get into:

The final QOTA of the year also serves as a five-year-anniversary celebration for East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District (EPABID) Executive Director Renee Gilinger. This month’s party kicks off at Adobe Café with lots of holiday-inspired drink specials, like a red margarita ($5), spiced rum holiday punch ($5) or a chocolate martini with whipped cream vodka ($6). 6 p.m., free, Adobe Café, 1919 E. Passyunk Ave.

Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia (GALLOP) is celebrating its 25th year with an homage to coming out. Guests to “Gay Back in the Day Anniversary Party” are asked to bring a photo of themselves prior to coming out to show that “we were gay long before we ever told anyone.” (The photo I would bring? Here. I’m the queen on the left.) This event’s a little pricier than the rest of tonight’s offerings, but I’ll give you one solid reason why it’s worth it: Young, hot, single lawyer types. 6 p.m., $20-$50, Pennsylvania 6, 114 S. 12th St.

Philly party promoter and (full disclosure) occasional G Philly contributor Josh Schonewolf is following Martha Graham Cracker’s lead with a benefit for Nick Forte, the young man who was recently attacked in the Gayborhood. The gist of “Ratchet Wednesday: Merry Christmas, Nick Forte!” is that guests show up with a wrapped present that will be slipped into a giant stocking and given to Forte for the holidays. Admission will be donated to him, too. Good cause. Good times. Lots of good reasons to go. 9 p.m., $6, Tabu Lounge and Sports Bar, 200 S. 12th St.

The Dumpsta Players return for their final performance of 2013: Prisoner on Passyunk Avenue. The show finds restauranteurs Patty and Petey Ponzio’s business in jeopardy after “the onslaught of one-word foodie empire gastropubs.” Can they save their business before Kunthy Twat and husband Dylan Douche gobble up all the businesses on Passyunk Avenue? You never can tell with these folks, but the journey is sure to be deliciously entertaining. 10 p.m., $1.99, Bob & Barbara’s, 1509 South St.

Gayborhood reality event stars and other performers are gathering at Venture Inn this evening for a little #VentureVariety show. On the roster? Drag Wars’ alums Stephanie Chic and Zsa Zsa St James, Lobstar Bisque and Jo Stones of Songbird, local comedian Chris Blondell and more. 10:30 p.m., free, Venture Inn, 255 S. Camac St.