11 Gay Things to Do in Philly This Week: Songbird Returns, LGBT Night at Nutcracker Market, Mr. SEXO and More

Songbird 3 Kicks Off

Josh Schonewolf wrapped up Burlesque Battle Royale last week, which means it's time for something new. Well, sort of new. His ongoing Gayborhood singing competition Songbird enters its third go-round Tuesday night, with 21 contestants (meet them all here) vying to be crowned Philadelphia's best vocal talent. R. Eric Thomas hosts, while Songbird 2 winner Larisa Bunch, America's Next Top Model alum and singer-songwriter Cory Wade Hindorff and ukulele star Eric Jaffe serve as hosts. May the best songbird win! Tuesday, December 9th, 9 p.m., $10, $75 for season pass, Tabu Lounge and Sports Bar, 200 South 12th Street.

My Big Gay Tacky Sweater Party

The Bronzed Bee, the airbrush tanning and waxing boutique located in Rittenhouse, is invading U Bar for a one-night-only event titled “My Big Gay Tacky Sweater Party.” The evening is a party for a purpose: Guests are asked to bring a toy to benefit Toys For Tots. In exchange, you’ll be able to enjoy the tawdriest affair around. Of course, you are expected to don your favorite gay apparel; more specifically, the hosts are asking that you show up wearing your tackiest holiday sweater. There will be prizes for the "best dressed," or, maybe a better way to put it, for the "ugliest dressed." Wednesday, December 10th, 6 p.m., free, U Bar, 1220 Locust Street. —Bryan Buttler

Merry Pissmas!

Drag Wars 4 winner—and up-and-coming Philly drag talent to watch—Pissi Myles returns with queens from her jam-packed Halloween show for an offering with a decidedly yule-time flair. The evening promises "raucous and offensive humor that pokes fun at all of your holiday favorites." Eric Jaffe, Mistor Fahrenheit, Cory Wade, and Lili StQueer star. Thursday, December 11th, 9 p.m., free, Tavern On Camac, 243 South Camac Street.

Mr. SEXO 2014

GALAEI and PhillyGayCalendar team up for this contest to find Mr. SEXO or, as the event invite puts it, the local "gay/queer Latino who is the epitome of sexy." Miss Philly Gay Pride Cyannie Famouz hosts, and there will be performances by Stoli Guy Philadelphia Mark Figueroa and the girls of kinetic-X. If you think you have what it takes to be Mr. SEXO, there's still time to sign up. Just email info@galaei.org. See photos from last year's Mr. SEXO event here. Thursday, December 11th, 10 p.m., free, Woody's, 202 South 13th Street.

LGBT Night at the Nutcracker Market

Pennsylvania Ballet's second annual Nutcracker Market opens this Wednesday, with three levels of shopping inside The Kimmel Center for Performing Arts. That's over "75 select exhibitors offering a variety of gifts and hand-crafted works such as ornaments, jewelry, photography, and dance-inspired pieces." PA Ballet is teaming with G Philly for its first-ever LGBT night on Friday. Besides shopping, there will be a special performance by the Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus (no doubt singing some of the numbers from their recent holiday hoedown), a meet-and-greet with Pennsylvania Ballet dancers, and food and cocktails from the Garces group. Should be a fun, festive night—and something a little outside the box. We hope to see you there! Friday, December 12th, 6 p.m., free, The Kimmel Center for Performing Arts, 300 S. Broad Street.

LGBT Tree-Lighting at M Restaurant

One of G Philly's go-tos for a romantic night out, M Restaurant, is hosting its third-annual tree lighting, complete with a holiday-inspired menu by Chef Kyle Beebe (think seasonal cocktails, apple butternut spiced soup with spiced pecans and holiday glazed ham with rosemary apples and cranberry glace) and a flea market. Saturday, December 13th, 5 p.m., pay as you go, M Restaurant at Morris House, 231 South 8th Street.

Pride Night at the Sixers

It's late fall, which means its basketball season, which also means its time to gay-up another local sports game. Gay Community Night in Philadelphia hosts a pride night at Saturday's 76ers game, so you can gather in the stands with family to cheer and shout sports-related things. There will be a 50/50 raffle during the game that benefits ACLU of PA. Just type in the word PRIDE when ordering your tickets, which can be purchased here. Saturday, December 13th, 7:30 p.m., Wells Fargo Center, 3601 South Broad Street.

Satine's Non-Denominational Holiday Spectacular

Notoriously grumpy Philly drag queen Satine Harlow is hosting a holiday affair of her own: and it doesn't require you to attach yourself to any sort of tradition. Performers include Bev, Mary D’knight, Brooklyn Ford, Navaya Shay, Omyra Lynn, the Goddess Isis, Eric Jaffe and Jonathan Hernandez. There will be an ugly Christmas sweater contest, so throw on something tacky, and be sure to bring an unwrapped toy that will be donated to the Mazzoni Center's Toys For Tots campaign (it will also get you a ticket for a free drink.) Now that's not very grumpy at all, is it. I didn't mean it, Miss Harlow. Saturday, December 13th, 10 p.m., call for price, Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 Saint James Street.

Messy's First Nutcracker

Catch Dumpsta Players muse Messapotamia Lefae (who looked stunning at this weekend's TOY event) in Pages-to-Pirouettes' ballet-meets-storytelling adaptation of The Nutcracker this Sunday at the Free Library. This is Lefae's return to dancing since taking a hiatus 2011. She's playing an Arabian dancer in the piece, under the hand of artistic director Susan Cade. Can't make this show? There's another on December 20th at Trinity Center for Urban Life. Just don't miss this opportunity to catch this magical performer, who is no doubt adding all kinds of sparkle to this production. Sunday, December 14th, 2 p.m., free, Central Branch of the Free Library, 1901 Vine Street.

Qventures Goes Ice Skating

For its third-annual gay ice skating foray, Qventures is heading to the brand new rink at Dilworth Park. After you had your feel of Johnny Weir-inspired loopty loops (that's an ice skating move, right) and triple axels (at approximately 4 p.m.), join the group at Tabu, where ticket holders will enjoy a belly- and soul-warming supply of free tater tots with any food and beverage purchase. Sunday, December 14th, $4-$8, 2:30 p.m., meet at ticket stand at Dilworth Park, 15th and Market streets.

Recurring

Tuesday: OurNightOut goes bougie at XIX at the Bellevue.

Tuesday: Butch Cordora continues his second week of Bluffin' With Butch at Boxers PHL. This week he's holding a Texas Hold 'Em tournament.

Wednesday: Mr. Everything enters semi-finals at Tabu. Who will win? The hula-hooper? The drag kings? The performance artists?

Thursday: Go time-traveling with guest DJ John Morrison at The Dolphin Tavern's monthly queer dance party Sissy Hop (pictured).

Have An Event For "Gay Things to Do?"

Send details to Josh Middleton at jmiddleton@phillymag.com.