Press Release

FUN AND FAB HAPPENINGS IN 2007 MAKE PHILLY A POPULAR SPOT FOR GAY TRAVELERS
Dance Parties, Drag Shows, Film Festivals And Pride Parades Make Philly Fabulous Year Round

PHILADELPHIA, February 1, 2007 - Gay travelers to Philadelphia eager to get their “history straight” and “nightlife gay” will find an eclectic mix of fun and fabulous happenings throughout the year. Dance parties, drag shows, pride parades and cultural events are among the offerings for gay travelers in 2007-2008.

Shampoo

Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC

Ongoing Events Make Philly Fabulous Year Round:

• Two left feet? Gay Country Western Two-Stepping lessons happen every Sunday at Woody’s, the city’s popular gay mega club. 5:00 p.m. 202 S. 13^th Street, (215) 545-1893, www.woodysbar.com
• Sequins, high heels and divas abound at the Thursday Night Drag Show at Bob & Barbara’s.
  This Philadelphia tradition brings together a diverse group of people every week at one of the
  city’s most welcoming bars. 11:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. 1509 South Street, (215) 545-4511
• The galleries stay open late at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Friday nights for Art After 5,
  a cabaret-like event featuring world and jazz music, light cuisine and cocktails in the Great Stair Hall. 5:00-8:45 p.m. 26^th Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (215) 763-8100, www.philamuseum.org
• A predominantly male crowd flocks to Shaft Fridays at Shampoo for a rotating schedule of themed dance parties and guest DJs. Club Papi Chulo is a Latin night taking place the second Friday of every month. 417 N. 8^th Street, (215) 922-7500, www.shampooonline.com
• At The Five Spot’s Peek-a-Boo Review, a “neo-burlesque” mix of bedraggled drag queens,
  can-can girls, tap dancers and musicians raise tacky entertainment to a new level on every first Saturday. 5 S. Bank Street, (215) 574-0070
• Gay Bingo, a Philadelphia tradition hosted by the “Bingo Verifying Divas” at the Gershwin Y, raises money for the AIDS Fund. Floating Saturday once a month. 1227 Locust Street,
  (215) 731-9255, www.aidswalkphilly.org

Annual Gay Happenings:

• Colours, Inc. sponsors Philadelphia Black Gay Pride, a four-day event with educational panels, networking events and parties for men and women that promote unity among African American sexual minorities. Location to be determined. April 26-29, 2007. www.phillyblackpride.org
• The week-long Equality Forum festival celebrates the cultural and political legacy of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community with social and informational opportunities made possible by more than 75 regional, national and international organizations. The festivities culminate with a street fair and concert at Penn’s Landing. April 30-May 6, 2007.
  (800) 990-3378, www.equalityforum.com
• Blue Ball, Philadelphia’s internationally famous circuit party, now coincides with Equality Forum and includes three nights of parties for women and men. Proceeds benefit local non-profit organizations. May 4-6, 2007. www.blueballphilly.com
• In New Hope, the country outpost of gay life surrounding Philadelphia, Somewhere Over the Rainbow brings together gays and lesbians in a bucolic setting. Organized by New Hope Celebrates, a “New Hope Idol” contest offers celebrity to one lucky winner. May 18-20, 2007. www.newhopecelebrates.com
• Philadelphia recognizes gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride with the annual LGBT Pride Parade and Festival in the “Gayborhood.” June 10, 2007. (215) 875-9288, www.phillypride.org
• The Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Theatre Festival gives new and emerging artists the chance to explore the LGBT experience at various host theaters throughout the city. June 14-
  July 1, 2007. (215) 627-6483, www.philagaylesbiantheatrefest.org
• For two weeks, the Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival celebrates all genres of film that pertain to or were created by members of the GLBT community. The 2007 festival marks its 13th anniversary. July 12-24 2007. (267) 765-9700, ext. 4, www.phillyfests.org
• Gay and lesbian tennis players of all levels meet in Bucks County each year for the New Hope Open, sponsored by the Gay and Lesbian Tennis Association. August 25-27, 2007. www.glta.net
• The Philadelphia Phillies welcome more than 1,500 gays and lesbians to Citizens Bank Park each August for Gay Community Day. Date to be determined. One Citizens Bank Way,
  (215) 463-6000, www.phillygaydays.com
• Taking place each October, OutFest, the National Coming Out Weekend, is a block party in Philadelphia’s “Gayborhood.” The festival marks National Coming Out Day and has grown over the past 15 years into the largest celebration of its kind in the world. October 7, 2007. (215) 875-9288, www.phillypride.org

Special Events in 2007:

• Sandra Bernhard: Everything Bad & Beautiful featuring the Rebellious Jezebelles opens the season at the Prince Music Theater. Always popular with the gay crowd, Bernhard uses her stellar voice and unforgettable comedy to wow audiences. January 18-21, 2007.
  1412 Chestnut Street, (215) 569-9700. www.princemusictheater.org
• Out at the Opera, a social group for gays and lesbians run by the Opera Company of Philadelphia, will reunite for the 2007 season. The organization offers behind-the-scenes tours and opportunities to meet the director and some cast members. Porgie and Bess runs from February 9-27, 2007 and is followed by Falstaff from May 2-19, 2007. Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad Street, (215) 893-3600, www.operaphilly.com
• In 2007, the prestigious Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus will have two major events: Sounds of the Silver Screen, which will feature Hollywood showtunes, March 16-17, 2007, followed by The Best of Time, a collection of the chorus’ favorite hits over the past 26 years. June 16, 2007.
  1315 Spruce Street, (215) 731-9230, www.pgmc.org

Gay-But-Not-Necessarily-Gay Happenings:

• Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs, presented by Mellon Financial, promises to dazzle with the first U.S. tour of the treasures of King Tut in 26 years. Philadelphia’s The Franklin Institute is the final North American stop. February 3-September 30, 2007.
  222 N. 20^th Street, (215) 448-1200, www.fi.edu
• The Pennsylvania Convention Center is the site of the Philadelphia Flower Show, the city’s annual gardening celebration. This year’s show, themed “Legends of Ireland,” features contests, special events and more than 100 vendors. March 4-11, 2007. 12^th & Arch Streets,
  (215) 988-8899, www.theflowershow.com
• Two plays at Philadelphia Theatre Company touch on themes close to LGBT hearts. In the Continuum, an Obie Award winner about two women of color with HIV plays from March 16-April 15, 2007, while Orson’s Shadow touches on the steamy sides of Orson Welles’ life,
  May 4-June 3, 2007. 1714 Delancey Street, (215) 985-0420, www.phillytheatreco.com
• Philly Fringe and the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival features more than 250 avant-garde performances (often with gay and lesbian themes) at various venues throughout the city.
  August 31-September 15, 2007. (215) 413-1318, www.pafringe.com
• The 12-kilometer AIDS Walk, celebrating its 21st anniversary in 2007, begins and ends at Eakins Oval in front of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The event supports direct care services, prevention and education, counseling and testing, medical care and public awareness efforts. October 15, 2007. (215) 731-9255, www.aidswalkphilly.org

Note to Editors: For photos of Greater Philadelphia, visit our Photo Gallery. On the pressroom, you can also subscribe to RSS feeds to receive updates on topics that are specifically of interest to you: What’s New, Dining, Events, Seasonal Travel, Hotel Packages and Tourism Research.

CONTACT:

Jeff Guaracino, GPTMC
(215) 599-2290, jeff@gptmc.com

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