Top LGBT Events in NYC | Metrosource

Get 30 degrees warmer at Mardi Gras in New Orleans; swim and schmooze in a heated NYC hotel pool, or enjoying erotic anime. This week’s events include:

Thursday, February 1

The New Jersey Devils Kickoff Hockey is For Everyone Month takes place tonight in Newark with their second annual Pride Night. This evening’s game will feature exclusive Pride elements focused on expanding the Devils’ LGBT base, including players’ warm-up sticks wrapped in pride tape, a tee shirt sale, mascot N.J. Devils’ drum wrapped in tape and more. In addition, there’s a pre-game networking event featuring Metropolitan Riveter Harrison Browne.

Closer to home, it’s an event billed as “Boys Night:” An evening of circus, dynamic aerial and the best of boy-lesque (get it?), featuring Mr. Gorgeous, Jason Mejias, Eve Starr, Evil Hate Monkey, Tigger and more!

Friday, February 2

They’re not naughty; they’re just drawn that way. It’s the opening night of Animation First: New York’s first French Animation festival. Sensual, erotic, naughty, poetic or risqué, take pleasure in these fanciful and unconventional shorts that celebrate sexual desire and fantasies.

The festival launch party begins at 8:30, with screenings to follow at 10 p.m.

Saturday, February 3

So it’s freezing out in NYC right now. Who cares? This weekend, you can pretend it’s July at Saturday Night Swim, an indoor pool party at the Room Mate Grace Hotel with a drag performance by Yuhua Hamaski, music by deejay Logan’s Run and a burlesque show to boot.

As if that weren’t enough, you’ll also be treated to a swim-up bar in a heated pool and sauna access as well as drink tickets and a clothes check. Suggested attire: speedos, trunks, and . . . masks!

Wednesday, February 7

The Bongo Hour is a rhythmic romp of valiant variety only Peter Smith and Sandy Honig could provide! The two New York based performers act as ringmaster to a revolving cast of performance artists, comedians, stripteasers, singers etc. You’ll see sketch comedy, dance, music and mayhem! Ben Moss (Amelie on Broadway) provides his plush vocals and leads the choral charge as Musical Director. Come one, come all! $10 tickets online, $12 at the door. $25 reserved seating available. No drink minimum.

Around the corner . . .

A little advance notice that gay Mardi Gras takes place in New Orleans the weekend of February 8-13, so book that flight now!

Let the Good Times Roll, or Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler as they say in the Big Easy. The modern traditions of Gay Mardi Gras began in the 1950s, and today there are nine Gay Carnival organizations in New Orleans passing on those venerated activities and all-stops-out revelling. Be sure to get a good view of the Annual Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss on Fat Tuesday, and don’t miss the Bourbon Street Awards (hosted last year by Bianca Del Rio and Varla Jean Merman). Be sure to check out the ultimate costume contest, which features categories like best drag, best leather and best group.

Looking for more things to do in New York, check out our picks for the best LGBT events in NYC this week or visit our LGBT Events page.