9 Gay Things to Do in Philly This Week: Drag Queens Do Hocus Pocus, a Spooky Run Through West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Thom Nickels and More
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Vamp Up Your Business
Independent Business Alliance (IBA) is heading to West Laurel Hill Cemetery for its October ConnX Networking Mixer. The organization invites you to "sink your teeth into networking," as you take a tour of the historic cemetery, nibble on bites from Joshua Catering, and sip on "blood succulent cocktails." Tuesday, October 28th, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., free (members), $10 (non-members), West Laurel Hill Cemetery, 215 Belmont Avenue, Bala Cynwyd.


Thom Nickels Book Signing
Prolific Philly journalist and author Thom Nickels will read and sign copies of his new book, Legendary Locals of Center City Philadelphia, at Philly AIDS Thrift's new location at Giovanni's Room. The work takes a look at some of Philadelphia's most renowned characters, like Gerry Lenfest, blues singer Bessie Smith, and even PR maven Nicole Cashman. This is one of the first book signings Philly AIDS Thrift is hosting since it took over Giovanni's Room, an attempt to keep the storied LGBT bookstore's legacy in tact. Light refreshments will be served. Tuesday, October 28th, 5:30 p.m., Philly AIDS Thrift at Giovanni's Room, 345 South 12th Street.


The Vicious Variety Show
Comedian Ian Morrison, who you just might also know as drag queen Brittany Lynn, joins The Vicious Variety Show. The LOL-worthy evening comprises a host of local comedians, like 2014 Philly's Phunniest winner Matt McCusker, the frighteningly funny Necrosexual, and standup comics N.A. Poe, David Piccolomini and Rick Robotin performing in drag, with, I'm guessing a few pointers from Brittany under their garter belts. Wednesday, October 29th, 8 p.m., $8, Trestle Inn, 339 North 11th Street.


Run4UrLife
A hodgepodge of LGBT businesses, like MANNA, Chatterblast Media and Unite Fitness are teaming up for the first annual Run4UrLife 3K through West Laurel Hill Cemetery. More from our sister blog Be Well Philly: "It's a 3K fun run (read: no timing) with spooks along the way. Race volunteers, led by Philadelphia City Councilman Jim Kenney, will jump out from behind tombstones and scare the bejeezus out of you. Consider yourself warned." Proceeds benefit MANNA. Thursday, October 30th, $30, West Laurel Hill Cemetery, 215 Belmont Avenue, Bala Cynwyd.


Mischief Night
This has can't-miss written all over it: Cory Wade as Freddy Krueger, Mistor Fahrenheit, Lili St. Queer and Pissi Miles as the the trio of witches in Hocus Pocus? Yes, please! Ukulele master/Ghostbuster Eric Jaffe will host the variety show, which promises all that, and an evening of music, more drag, a costume contest and spooks out the yang. A perfect pre-Halloween shebang. Thursday, October 30th, 9 p.m., free, Tavern On Camac, 243 South Camac Street.


Recurring Events Roundup
- On Tuesday, Josh Schonewolf's Burlesque Battle Royale continues with, wouldn't you know it, a Halloween theme. Guest judge Holly Ween (pictured) joins the judges' panel.
- On Wednesday, the Halloween theme continues at Schonewolf's Mr. Everything competition.
- Stop by Tavern On Camac on Wednesday night, where Ashley Coleman will be hosting a viewing party of the latest episode of American Horror Story: Freak Show.


Watch Scary Gay Movies
Don't feel like getting out for Halloween shenanigans? We round up some great horror films with an LGBT twist that you can stream instantly—everything from gay werewolves and lesbian vampires to gayest Freddy movie every made. See our 10 picks here.
