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Culture and Community

• Anna Crusis Women?s Choir - Considered the nation?s oldest feminist choir, Anna Crusis acts as a performing arts group and as an agent for social change. (215) 864-5991
• The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts - The $265 million facility is home to The Philadelphia Orchestra, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops and several other performing groups. Broad & Spruce Streets, (215) 893-1999

• Philadelphia Gay Men?s Chorus - Founded in 1981, this talented group of male singers performs a range of material, from folk songs, sacred music and classical works to comic pieces and Broadway and Hollywood numbers. (215) 731-9230
• Prince Music Theater - Named for Broadway great Harold Prince, the theater is a venue for new musical theater, cabaret and film. 1412 Chestnut Street, (215) 972-1000
• William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender (GLBT) Community Center - One of the nation?s few gay and lesbian community centers built with federal funds is home to a number of community groups and the host of many regular events. On the center?s west wall is a colorful new mural depicting the diverse GLBT community. The work, created under the city?s Mural Arts Program, is scheduled to be dedicated on May 17. 1315 Spruce Street, (215) 732-2220

Events

• Gay Bingo - The wildly popular bingo fundraiser, featuring drag queens on roller skates, takes place almost every month and benefits AIDS Fund Philadelphia. (215) 731-9255

• Blue Ball - Circuit party weekend fundraiser is held each January. (215) 985-4850
• Equality Forum - Formerly known as PrideFest America, this event is one of the nation?s largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender symposia and festivals taking place every spring. (215) 732-FEST
• LGBT Pride Parade and Festival - Each June, Philadelphians show their pride with a parade through Center City, culminating with a festival at Penn?s Landing. (215) 875-9288
• Philadelphia Gay & Lesbian Theatre Festival - Making its debut in June, 2003, this annual event provides a showcase for new plays, musicals, cabaret and other performances by or about the GLBT community. (215) 627-6483
• Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival - Held each July, it?s the largest gay film festival on the East Coast. (215) 733-0608, ext. 701

Regional Diversions

When Philadelphia?s lesbians and gay men crave a day or weekend in the country close to home, they head to New Hope. This funky, artsy community boasts interesting shops, good restaurants, several gay bars and an active cabaret and theater scene - all surrounded by bucolic farms and rustic covered bridges.

• Bucks County Playhouse - Musical comedy fans can take in a production of shows such as South Pacific, Oliver or Grease, with casts that might include your favorite soap or sitcom star. 70 S. Main Street, (215) 862-2041
• The Cartwheel - This casual, friendly bar-restaurant plays host to popular DJs and is welcoming to lesbians, as well as gay men. 437 Old York Road, (215) 862-0880
• Odette?s - Situated in a 200-year-old stone inn, this restaurant-bar presents a mix of up-and-coming local performers and nationally known cabaret acts like Julie Wilson, Sam Harris, Eileen Fulton and Ann Hampton Callaway. South River Road, (215) 862-2432
• The Raven - Popular with men, this club-like complex is a kind of mini-resort, offering several bars, a fine dining restaurant, a 17-room motel and a popular pool and sundeck. 385 W. Bridge Street, (215) 862-2081

Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC Used With Permission Culture and Community, Events, Regional Diversions
Culture and Community

• Anna Crusis Women?s Choir - Considered the nation?s oldest feminist choir, Anna Crusis acts as a performing arts group and as an agent for social change. (215) 864-5991
• The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts - The $265 million facility is home to The Philadelphia Orchestra, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops and several other performing groups. Broad & Spruce Streets, (215) 893-1999
• Philadelphia Gay Men?s Chorus - Founded in 1981, this talented group of male singers performs a range of material, from folk songs, sacred music and classical works to comic pieces and Broadway and Hollywood numbers. (215) 731-9230
• Prince Music Theater - Named for Broadway great Harold Prince, the theater is a venue for new musical theater, cabaret and film. 1412 Chestnut Street, (215) 972-1000
• William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender (GLBT) Community Center - One of the nation?s few gay and lesbian community centers built with federal funds is home to a number of community groups and the host of many regular events. On the center?s west wall is a colorful new mural depicting the diverse GLBT community. The work, created under the city?s Mural Arts Program, is scheduled to be dedicated on May 17. 1315 Spruce Street, (215) 732-2220

Events

• Gay Bingo - The wildly popular bingo fundraiser, featuring drag queens on roller skates, takes place almost every month and benefits AIDS Fund Philadelphia. (215) 731-9255
• Blue Ball - Circuit party weekend fundraiser is held each January. (215) 985-4850
• Equality Forum - Formerly known as PrideFest America, this event is one of the nation?s largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender symposia and festivals taking place every spring. (215) 732-FEST
• LGBT Pride Parade and Festival - Each June, Philadelphians show their pride with a parade through Center City, culminating with a festival at Penn?s Landing. (215) 875-9288
• Philadelphia Gay & Lesbian Theatre Festival - Making its debut in June, 2003, this annual event provides a showcase for new plays, musicals, cabaret and other performances by or about the GLBT community. (215) 627-6483
• Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival - Held each July, it?s the largest gay film festival on the East Coast. (215) 733-0608, ext. 701

Regional Diversions

When Philadelphia?s lesbians and gay men crave a day or weekend in the country close to home, they head to New Hope. This funky, artsy community boasts interesting shops, good restaurants, several gay bars and an active cabaret and theater scene - all surrounded by bucolic farms and rustic covered bridges.

• Bucks County Playhouse - Musical comedy fans can take in a production of shows such as South Pacific, Oliver or Grease, with casts that might include your favorite soap or sitcom star. 70 S. Main Street, (215) 862-2041
• The Cartwheel - This casual, friendly bar-restaurant plays host to popular DJs and is welcoming to lesbians, as well as gay men. 437 Old York Road, (215) 862-0880
• Odette?s - Situated in a 200-year-old stone inn, this restaurant-bar presents a mix of up-and-coming local performers and nationally known cabaret acts like Julie Wilson, Sam Harris, Eileen Fulton and Ann Hampton Callaway. South River Road, (215) 862-2432
• The Raven - Popular with men, this club-like complex is a kind of mini-resort, offering several bars, a fine dining restaurant, a 17-room motel and a popular pool and sundeck. 385 W. Bridge Street, (215) 862-2081