8 Gay Things to Do in Philly This Week: Drive-In Movie Nights, Warhol Operas, Brave New Voices and More
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Tomboy Screening at Valanni
What's better than a good movie on a rainy Tuesday night? Not being forced to stay in and watch it on your couch. Delaware Valley Legacy Fund's Wonder Women group is screening Tomboy, Céline Sciamma's 2011 film that follows a 10-year-old transgender boy as he struggles to embrace his identity after moving to a new neighborhood outside Paris. The picture won Best Feature Film at the 2011 QFest, and has been praised by critics, like The Examiner, which said it had, "more depth and heart than perhaps any film in the last several years." See the trailer here. And show up to Valanni a little early for one of the best happy hours in town. Tuesday, July 15th, 7 p.m., free, Valanni, 1229 Spruce Street.


Jason Varney / Townsend


Andy: A Popera
The Bearded Ladies Cabaret (BLC) present their second week of Andy: A Popera. So far the show has enjoyed a pop-up style performance run everywhere from 30th Street Station to local street corners to supermarket aisles, but it has moved on to phase two of its journey: the lobby at The Wilma. The Facebook event page says the show will seek to "figure out the enigma of Warhol" through singing-and-dancing "luminaries such as Edie Sedgwick, Candy Darling, Marilyn Monroe, Dr. Peter Never, and Soup Cans." It's a must-must see. Wednesday, July 16th through July 27th, various times, $10-$25, The Wilma Theater, 265 South Broad Street.


The Last Laugh
What would the Gayborhood be these days without some kind of talent competition? The latest is Josh Schonewolf's The Last Laugh, a 12-week contest to find Philly's funniest standup act. One of our favorite funny people, R. Eric Thomas (pictured), will host, and the contestants will be judged by Carol Ann Carol Ann, The Amazing Brettzo, and Drew Gaver (aka Bev.) The list of competitors is 17-people strong, including folks like DitheComedian Hargrove, Natalie Levant, and the one and only Needles Jones. Wednesday, July 16th, 9 p.m., Tabu Lounge and Sports Bar, 200 South 12th Street.


Brave New Voices
The 17th Annual Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam makes its way to our city, with young poets and artists—ages 13-19—from across the globe bringing their creativity and passion to a multi-round poetry slam competition. Fifty-four events will take place during the four-day festival, on the campus of University of Pennsylvania and various public spaces around Philadelphia, including community-based theaters and major performance venues. Among the events happening throughout the festival is the safe-space open-dialogue event, Queeriosity: A Queer/Questioning Open Mic, on Thursday, July 17th. For a full schedule of events, go here. July 16th through July 19th, various locations.—Marquesa Rotuski


Recurring Weekly Events
⇒On Wednesday night bartender with the mostest Ashley Coleman continues her weekly summer movie series at Tavern On Camac. "Wednesday Night at the Drive-In" will feature two films, played back to back starting at 9 p.m in the Ascend Lounge (upstairs.) This week: Mean Girls and Heathers, so wear pink and don't let people sit at your table. Wednesday, July 16th, 9 p.m., free, Tavern on Camac, 243 South Camac Street. ⇒ Just down the alley, Billy Cavallo will be hosting #VentureVariety at Venture Inn. This week, the theme is "Summer Splash," and it will feature performances by drag queen Aloe Vera, Songbird Season 2 winner Larisa Bunch, and ukelele player Eric Jaffe, among others. Wednesday, July 16th, 11 p.m., free, Venture Inn, 255 South Camac Street. ⇒ Mimi Imfurst's Drag Wars 4 continues with a special duets competition. Two queens will also have to lip-sync for their lives for a chance to stay in the competition. Thursday, July 17th, doors at 10 p.m., show at 11 p.m., Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 Saint James Street.
