Guide to OutFest 2014: Gay DJs at Dilworth Park, a Stimulus and Pulse Mashup Party, Stonewall Kickball’s Pub Crawl, and More
The party is always hoping on Camac Street, between U Bar and Venture Inn. | Photo by Josh Middleton
The 24th annual OutFest is on Sunday, but there’s no reason why you shouldn’t celebrate National Coming Out Day all weekend. To keep you on your gay-game we’ve rounded up the best events so you’ll know how to whoop it up from Thursday night till the sun goes down Sunday.
Thursday, October 9th
DJ Carl Michaels | Photo by Kevin Kong
DJs at Dilworth Park: LGBT Night
5 p.m.- 7 p.m.
Free admission
Dilworth Park, 1 South 15th Street
Q102’s Nik the Web Chick kicks off OutFest weekend with this night of top 40 and dance hits spun by DJs Tripp and legendary Gayborhod DJ—and G Philly columnist—Carl Michaels.
Friday, October 10th
Speaking OUT: Queer Youth in Focus Book Release Party
6 p.m.-9 p.m.
Free admission
William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce Street
Get things started right after work by celebrating the release of Rachelle Lee Smith‘s photographic essay book, Speaking OUT: Queer Youth in Focus, which features young people telling stories about their coming-out experiences. Look out for performances from the Attic Youth Center, a photo art gallery, a book signing, and more.
Miss Philly Gay Pride Pageant
10 p.m.
Tickets: $10
Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 Saint James Street
Later, Mimi Imfurst is kicking off a new tradition of holding the Miss Philly Gay Pride pageant on the Friday before OutFest. Imfurst will take over hosting duties, while judges Jay McCarroll, Cory Wade of America’s Next Top Model, and more pick the lady who will don the crown at next year’s Gay Pride parade. .
Saturday, October 11th
Philly Trans* March | Photo from Facebook
Stonewall Kickball Philly Charity Pub Crawl
12 p.m.-6 p.m.
Tickets: $30
Various locations
Get started Saturday by raising money for the Mazzoni Center and Philly AIDS Thrift while you perform karaoke, enter raffles, and get drink specials from Field House, Tabu, Woody’s and more. See the full crawl list here, and be sure to register here to get in on the drunken fun.
Philly Trans* March 2014
3 p.m.-6 p.m.
LOVE Park, 1599 JFK Boulevard
In the afternoon, march for equality and to protest against the hate, injustice, and inequality faced by trans*, gender variant, gender queer and gender non-conforming communities. This march is not only a demonstration on issues like hate violence and social discrimination. It is also a celebration of the progress Philadelphia has made and a means of raising visibility for the trans* community. The keynote speaker, award ceremony, and rally begins at 3 p.m, while the march leaves LOVE Park at 4 p.m. Various agencies will be tabling and the Mazzoni Center Mobile Testing Unit will be on hand for free, confidential HIV testing.
Gear Up, Get Out
9 p.m.- 2 a.m.
Suggested donation: $5
The Bike Stop, 206 South Quince Street
Later, it’s time to dance, and the place to be on Saturday night is The Bike Stop—in costume, of course. Put on your best sport, military, uniform, rubber, or leather gear and end your night with a (dress code-enforced) dance party. Jam to tunes by Dave Huge on Bike Stop’s top floor, all hosted by Philadelphians M.C.
Sunday, October 12th
Love is Love Project at OutFest 2013 | Photo by Ian Watson
OutFest Block Party
12 p.m.-7 p.m.
Pay as you go
Approximately 12th to 13th Street, Between Spruce & Walnut Streets
And it all comes down to this. The best Gayborhood block party of the year takes over about 10 blocks, and will go all day long with 160 different groups and vendors in the largest National Coming Out Day event in the world. The Main Stage, at 13th and Locust streets, plays host to live entertainment all day, including Mr. Philly Gay Pride 2014 “Jimmy Two Finga,” the Out Proud Award Ceremonies, high-heel races, belly-dancing, and a performance by out pop star J Carson.
The Official OUTFest Women’s/Queer Block Party
12 p.m.-5 p.m.
Pay as you go
13th Street & Chancellor Street
Where the ladies at? Look no further than Stimulus’s Back 2 Basics block party on Chancellor Street. The shebang comes complete with DJ Jovi Baby on the turntables, beer pong and flip-cup tournaments, go-go dancers, and drink specials.
Bazaar on Quince
12 p.m.-6 p.m.
Pay as you go
200 Block of South Quince Street
Where the leather at? Do you really need to ask? Philly’s leather, rubber, and fetish block party takes over Quince for a day of live performances, exhibitors, and an open-air marketplace full of vendors sponsored by The Bike Stop.
Ladies celebrating at OutFest 2013 | Photo by Josh Middleton
Back 2 Basics and Pulse Present: The Ultimate OUTFest Parties!!
4 p.m.-10 p.m.
200 South 12th Street
Tickets: $10
Follow the OutFest after-party to Tabu and Voyeur for a 2-for-1 $10 cover presented by Back 2 Basics and Pulse Events, who, by the way, are throwing a joint party for the very first time. Drink specials abound, with free food at Tabu from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., and DJ Kash spinning at both locations.
Always the Bridesmaid
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15
L’Etage, 624 South 6th Street
If you have any energy left, check out R. Eric Thomas’ one-man rom-com, Always the Bridesmaid at L’Etage to close out your OutFest celebration. We saw the performance last Tuesday night and can tell you you’ll be in for a thoughtful evening of gut laughs from one of Philly’s funniest, quick-witted storytellers.
Additional contributions by Josh Middleton.
