15 Gay Philly Parties and Shows This July

A recent Stimulus Back 2 Basics party.

This July isn’t cooling off at many of Philly’s gay bars and performance spaces. In fact, there’s plenty of shows, dance parties, and cabarets to keep your summer nights very warm. We rounded up fifteen of Gay Philly’s hottest nightlife events for the month, in chronological order.

Martha Graham Cracker with the Bearded Ladies: This two-for-one extravaganza is nearly sold out and features a preview of the latest show from the Beards, Bitter Homes and Gardens. Of course, Martha will be on hand to present her signature tunes. Thursday, July 9th, 8 pm, L’Etage, 624 South 6th Street

Philly Drag Wars Golden Girls Night: The popular competition takes on a unique theme: Contestants have to channel celebrities who died young as if they didn’t die and lived to be 80 or 90. Thursday, July 9th, 9 pm, $7 for VIP Table, Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James Street

Darryl and Timaree Fun Hour: Think of it like the Gayborhood version of The View, but without Rosie Perez. This month, yours truly is one of the guest panelists. Friday, July 10th, 8:30 pm, Franky Bradley’s, 1320 Chancellor Street

Butchqueen: It’s a play on the famed documentary Paris is Burning, and Robert Alexander and Sutton Fearce are promising “gender fuckery, games, and powerhouse performances.” Friday, July 10th, 9 pm, Tabu Lounge, 200 South 12th Street

Big Phat Losers: Think of it like one of those Dove “Real Beauty” ads, but with the plus-sized cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Oh, and I’m sure there will be much more profanity, jokes, and inappropriate behavior for a group of ladies. Friday, July 10th, 10 pm, Theatre of Living Arts, 334 South Street

Butchqueen

BuffBoyzz All-Nude Party: It’s exactly what it sounds like. The NYC stripper troupe presents an all-male, all-nude night of dancing, drinking, and plenty of other naughty things. Saturday, July 11th, 9 pm, Sansom Street Gym, 2020 Sansom Street

Back 2 Basics, July Edition: Everyone’s favorite queer dance party returns with DJ Dior and DJ Deluxxx, drink specials, and a self-described “cheap ass cover” (only $5 before midnight and $10 afterwards). Saturday, July 11th, 10 pm, Tabu Lounge, 200 South 12th Street

Nitty Gritty Psycho Beach Party: Vintage beachwear is “encouraged,” but not required, at this monster mash at Venture Inn, where they will be spinning 50’s and 60’s jams all night. Saturday, July 11th, 10 pm, Venture Inn, 255 South Camac Street

Friends With Benefits: Join your favorite Christian grandmama, Bev, Mistor Fahrenheit, and Zsa Zsa St. James at this Sunday night comedy showdown. Sunday, July 12th, 9 pm, Franky Bradley’s, 1320 Chancellor Street

Fair Game: This five-week series features three teams of ten performers competing on a weekly basis for who has the best act. Come the end of the five weeks, the champion-winning acts will perform a final cumulative show. Starts Tuesday, July 14th, 9 pm, Tabu Lounge, 200 South 12th Street

Divine/Intervention

Divine/Intervention: This world-premiere production is a fully-staged play based on the life of Glenn Millstead, better known as Divine. Ryan Walker and Bobby Goodrich star in E. Dale Smith’s new play, directed by Braden Chapman. Starts Thursday, July 16th, various times, Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James Street

Summer in the City: This hot LGBTQ dance party features Dj KAsh and DJ Trish Silvestri spinning up beats all night long, with drink specials until midnight. Saturday, July 18th, 10 pm, Smokin’ Betty’s, 116 South 11th Street

The Mister Wives Destroy Your Childhood: Trixie Mattel will be joining the Mister Wives for this childhood toy-themed evening of performances and comedy, which they claim will “transform Voyeur into a children’s nursery.” Sunday, July 26th, 8 pm, Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James Street

Showtune Sundays: Wednesday Matinee Edition: Join Chris Bretz, Michael Rasmussen, and Ashley Coleman for a mid-week version of the very popular Showtune Sundays sing-a-long. It gives a whole new meaning to hump day. Wednesday, July 29, 8:30 pm, Tavern On Camac, 243 South Camac Street

The Tongue-In Cheek Cabaret: This show-within-a-show is a live improv soap opera featuring drag, burlesque, singers, and cabaret artists. Brittany Lynn, Joey Martini, and Honeytree Evil Eye star. Friday, July 31st, 9 pm, Tabu Lounge, 200 South 12th Street