WEEKEND ROUNDUP: Steve Grand to Perform at HRC Philadelphia Region Gala Dinner and More

From left to right: “30 Rock” star Maulik Pancholy, country singer Steve Grand and club diva Crystal Waters are set to attend/perform at the HRC 2014 Gala Dinner in Philadelphia
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is throwing its annual Philadelphia Region Gala Dinner this weekend, with a pretty impressive lineup of speakers and talent. Philly native and HRC Vice President of Policy and Political Affairs Tom O’Donnell will serve as the speaker for the evening, welcoming Philly State Rep. Brian Sims as special guest. It’s the entertainment that’s got my ears perked up, though.
Maulik Pancholy, the 30 Rock and Weeds star who recently came out by announcing his engagement to his boyfriend, will receive the Visibility Award. Out country singer Steve Grand will perform, just coming off an exciting, headline-making week where he raised more than $81,000 in 24 hours through a Kickstarter campaign to fund his first full-length album. And for your ’90s queens, house diva Crystal Waters — of “100% Pure Love” fame — will also take the stage, a fitting segue to the evening’s after-party at Voyeur (free before midnight with the password: “#hashtag ENGAGE.)
Tickets are pricey — from $125 to $225 — but the money’s well worth it, going toward HRC’s ongoing efforts to spread equality throughout the land. If you’re strapped for cash, HRC is looking for volunteers to help out the night of the dinner. Inquire about that with Yana Banerjee at yana.s.banerjee@gmail.com. Sat., March 8, 5:30 p.m., $125-$225, Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market Street.
FRIDAY
- HYBERNATE with Gunnar Montana in his wintry show of dance, drag, burlesque, and general shenanigans.
- It’s BYOBear at Tabu’s Bearlesque.
- Things will get crazy and magical at CUTN Paste, The Major Arcana.
- Gays unite: Philadelphia Guerilla Queer Bar will be gay-ifying Field House.
- Getting out for First Friday? Philly Mag’s A&E blog Ticket has a list of gallery recommendations.
SATURDAY
- Enjoy complimentary wine, beer, snacks, and giggles at Cookie Darling’s “Stand-Up: Funniest. Songs. Ever.”
- GayBingo! gets a Rio Gay-Janeiro makeover.
- It’s raining Queens at Voyeur’s Dragapalooza: Pop Divas.
- Get Back 2 Basics with Stimulus at Tabu.
SUNDAY
- Drag Mafia’s Brittany Lynn, Dtop Perry, and Thomas McNamee host this week’s Drag Brunch at Tabu.
- Passyunk’s monthly QOTA party celebrates five (!) years at Paradiso.