Gay To Do: Wanda Sykes, First Person Arts Festival & more
Your top gay calendar picks!
Wanda Sykes
Queen of comedy Wanda Sykes is coming to Atlantic City this weekend for two shows at the Borgata Hotel Casino (1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ). Sykes, who splits her time living between Los Angeles and Media, is best known for her roles on The New Adventures of Old Christine and HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm. In 2008, Sykes came out at a same-sex marriage rally in Las Vegas regarding Proposition 8. Since then, she has been awarded for promoting a good image of equal rights for the LGBT community. What's on the docket for this Saturday we're not exactly sure. Regardless, expect lots of belly laughs from this hilarious diva of stand-up who always delivers.
Shows are Friday, November 7th and Saturday, November 8th at 9:00pm. Tickets are $59.50 and $65.
Story League Sings
Do you have an inner Mariah or Celine just itching to break out into song? That's the spirit behind Story League Sings, where performers each get to tell a shockingly funny story from their own lives, and then rip karaoke-style into a well-known song. We chatted with Story League Executive Producer S.M. Shrake who had this to say about the evening, "We have the Three Gay Musketeers of comedic storytelling: myself from DC, Alejandro Morales from Philly, and David Crabb from NYC. Who can sing best? Let's find out. Also, the crew from District Karaoke, the world's only competitive social team-based karaoke league, will be in the house telling funny stories as well as singing. Story and live song is a unique show concept that you have to see to believe. It's strangely emancipating, vicariously, for the audience." Sounds like music to our ears.
Story League Sings is Saturday, November 8th and is a part of the First Person Arts Festival. Doors open at 6:00pm for the 7:00pm show at the Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill Street). Tickets are $22.
It Gets Better
Inspired by Dan Savage's viral campaign that positively impacted the lives of LGBT youth, the It Gets Better tour has taken over The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts this past week. Over the course of a one-week residency, artists collaborate with local performers, community members, and local institutions. That collaboration culminates with a community performance responding to the issue of bullying in local schools. With a message of hope that no matter how difficult things may be today it gets better, the performance explores what "better" means for LGBT youth through stories, songs and multimedia. The It Gets Better Tour is a collaboration between The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, Speak Theater Arts and the It Gets Better Project.
Saturday's It Gets Better performance begins at 7:30pm at The Perelman Theatre at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (300 S. Broad St.). Tickets are $21.
Glitter and Grits: Burlesque Brunch with a side of Drag
Philadelphia's only burlesque brunch returns to Tabu Sports Bar and Lounge (200 S. 12th St.) on Sunday, November 9th. Presented by Liberty City Kings Draq and Burlesque, this installment will celebrate Philadelphia Leather Pride. Mimosas and Bloody Marys are $4 with $10 brunch entrees. Doors at 11:00am. Show begins at Noon. For reservations, email libertycitykings@hotmail.com. $5 cover.
OurNightOut
Get bougie Wednesday, November 12th for OurNightOut, an evening of networking and mingling at the 10 Arts at The Ritz-Carlton (10 Avenue of the Arts). This month's good cause host is OPAL, the umbrella organization for LGBT sports in Philadelphia. A chef's selections of light appetizers and cash bar with drink specials will be available for the evening. The mixing and mingling begins at 6:00pm.
First Person Arts Podcast LIVE!
The First Person Arts Podcast LIVE! produced by award winning Yowei Shaw (This American Life, Studio 360, NPR) includes a number of LGBT performers including Marissa Johnson-Valenzuela, Timothy Colman, and Linda Holtzman. Redefining "live radio", this interactive, multimedia event features curated storytellers prepared to share personal tales on the theme "Talk to Me". This is radio for the eyes.
First Person Arts Podcast LIVE! Is Wednesday, November 12th and is a part of the First Person Arts Festival. Doors open at 8:00pm for the 9:00pm show at the Christ Church Neighborhood House (20 N. American St.). Tickets are $22.