(Photo courtesy Shutterstock/Satyrenko)
Looking for gay things to do in New York? Whether you’re looking for drag shows, parties talks & lectures, film screenings, theater, or art exhibits, Metrosource has got you covered. Our complete list of LGBT things to do is just a click away, but here are some upcoming queer events.
This week: A pair of holiday concerts from the Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus and the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus, a party for queer Arabs, Muslims, Egyptians, people of color and beyond called “Nefertitties.” And: keep those holiday calories at bay with a drag show-meets-jazzercise experience called Werk Out!
Behind the Stories: HBO’s Latino Series “Habla”
Thursday, December 12
Join LGBT author and filmmaker Alberto Ferreras for a deep-dive into the creative processes behind the award-winning HBO Latino series, Habla. Ferreras will discuss casting, the challenges involved in producing a bi-cultural and bilingual series about Latinos for a global cable platform, the importance of using television to build bridges beyond the Latino community and his latest literary and visual projects.
Salsa Party at the Brooklyn Museum
Thursday, December 12
Our season of salsa continues with our Salsa Party hosted by Balmir Latin Dance Studio! Start the evening with a class led by professional dancers at 6 pm, followed by live music, social dancing, and performances by Brooklyn’s best Latin dance teams.
This event is free.
Ten Crucial Days: Washington’s Vision for Victory Unfolds
Thursday, December 12
Evening Lecture Presented by William L. Kidder
On December 25, 1776, the American Revolution seemed all but defeated. Just six months after the Declaration of Independence was adopted, Washington’s army had suffered a series of defeats in New York, retreating to temporary safety in Pennsylvania. Kidder will discuss the ten crucial days in which Washington lead his upstart army in daring maneuvers that changed the course of history
Carthage Conquer’d: Dreams of Tunis in the Baroque Imagination
Thursday, December 12
The capital of Tunisia was once the legendary city of Carthage. Its Queen Dido, loved then abandoned by Aeneas on his mission to found Rome, inspired countless musical masterworks from the baroque era to Berlioz.
This concert alternates baroque cantatas and arias dedicated to the Carthaginian Queen with the Arabic form of improvisation known as Taksim, as two ensembles – one baroque and the other North African, share a stage, offering a new hearing of Dido the misused monarch and the site of Northern Africa as both exploited resource and object of fantasy in the Western European mythscape.
Music of Cavalli, Couperin, DeVisée, Legrenzi, Montéclair, and Purcell, in alternation with traditional Taksim improvisations close our fall season, in this original program, previously presented by the Sorbonne and NYU Villa La Pietra in Florence, Italy.
Ensemble Aeneid
Jessica Gould, soprano
Mary Riccardi & Dongmyung Ahn, violin
Christa Patton, recorders & baroque harp
Arash Noori, theorbo
John Mark Rozendaal, viola da gamba
Gwendolyn Toth, harpsichord
Fatima Gozlan, ney
Brian Prunka, oud
House of Bricks
Friday, December 13
House of Bricks is a rip-roaring comedy show hosted by your three best friends Michael Good, Brandon Ream and Gideon Hambright. The second Friday of every month they bring out their absolute favorite comedians to tell jokes, party and have an all-around good time. It’s the most fun you’ll ever have in Brooklyn; put together by the nicest people you’ll ever meet.
This month we’re excited to feature:
Rufat Agayev (ROASTMASTERS)
Annie Russell (208 COMEDY FESTIVAL)
Adam Sokol (S.F. SKETCHFEST)
Caroline Twyman (CHICAGO SKETCHFEST)
Lucia Whalen (ASHEVILLE COMEDY FESTIVAL)
Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus – Make The Yuletide Gay!
Saturday, December 14
Celebrate the season with the Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus at “Make The Yuletide Gay!” on Saturday, Dec. 14, an annual holiday concert featuring swinging seasonal favorites and satirical parodies that will have you hanging on every word and laughing all the way. Showtime is 8 p.m. For advance tickets, visit ligmc.org.
Nefertitties: The Holigay Ball
Saturday, December 14
HO HO HOE! We’re back again to celebrate the Yule Tide GAY!
Halloqueen was a show, but baby, the Holigays call for a ball! Sickening performances from: Ana Masreya, Koko Rokoko, Rify Royalty, and Anya Kneez with DJ Fursa keeping you dancing all night long!
If you’ve been to Nefertitties before you already know the electric energy that exists at this party. If you haven’t, you *need* to check out the New York Times acclaimed drag cabaret creating a revolutionary space for queer Arabs, Muslims, Egyptians, people of color & beyond. It’s true. No one walks like an Egyptian, and no one parties like us either! We’ll be dancing till dawn do us part and hope to see you shakin’ your Nefertitties! Dress to impress baby cuz it’s the final ball of the year and we’re coming to Sleigh at our biggest venue yet! We can’t wait to leave you gagged, gooped and mesmerized through the sparkliest holigay season yet. Come for the zaghareet and stay for the sharameet, bitch! This’ll be the grandest Nefertitties to date!!!
Voss Events Drag Brunch
Sunday, December 15
Unleash your inner diva at our world famous Drag Brunch with wild performances by NYC’s top female impersonators and special guests from the hit television series RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Winter Tavern Night
Sunday, December 15
Join us for a cozy winter evening of authentic 18th century food tastings and a lecture on the history of early American cookery! Culinary historian Lavada Nahon will explore the history of everyday dining in the early Republic, accompanied by a tasting buffet of common 18th century dishes.
A Cocktail Party Social Experiment
Monday, December 16
Is it possible to have a meaningful conversation with a perfect stranger in our fast-paced, increasingly lonely world? This question has inspired the cocktail guru, theatre artist and storyteller Wil Petry to create A Cocktail Party Social Experiment – an unconventional hybrid of immersive theater, story slam and an evening of boozy voyeurism. The guests are asked to turn off their cell phones for the duration of the event; some can just watch and listen – while eight volunteers skip the small talk, and get into the good stuff. Ticket price includes one free cocktail; a bar on the premises opens an hour before the show and serves drinks throughout the performance.
LGBTQ Holiday Party & Food Drive
Monday, December 16
Celebrate the holidays with community! Join us for a special evening of spirits tasting and giveaways from Stoli, sumptuous BBQ buffet, raffle and more, hosted by NJP Equality Sponsor SuzyQue’s!
The buffet is all-you-can-eat at a special Pride rate: $25 (see link below) (or $30 at the door). Dining is optional; if you’d like to join us just for drinks and merry-making, we’d love to have you! We will be asking for a $5 donation at the door. Full cash/credit bar.
We will also be collecting food donations for the RAIN LGBT homeless shelters, so please bring cans and boxes if you have them! NJP will receive a portion of proceeds as well as a percentage of every drink purchased so you’ll get the best of both worlds: a great night out for an even greater cause!
Sounds Great! Comedy Show
Tuesday, December 17
Free comedy never sounded so good. Sounds Great! Comedy show is hosted by Nora Jefferies & Paige Smith-Hogan. This month they are joined by some of the best comedians Brooklyn has to offer.
With comedy by:
- Alison Leiby (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
- Mohanad Elsheiky (Conan, Full Frontal w. Samantha Bee)
- Wanjiko Eke (Cinder Block Comedy Festival)
- Justin Covington (Netflix)
- Colin Rankin (Lover Boys)
Annual Holiday Extravaganza
Ongoing | Friday, December 13 – Saturday, December 14
The New York City Gay Men’s Chorus (NYCGMC) celebrates this festive time of year, presenting its annual Holiday Extravaganza. Under the leadership of new Artistic Director Gavin Thrasher, the chorus of nearly 300 voices will perform holiday classics and unique seasonal offerings with a special twist, some of which have been part of the NYCGMC’s annual holiday concert tradition since the chorus’ founding 40 years ago.
Selections include: “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),“ “Joy to the World,” “Hanukkah in Santa Monica,” “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening,” “Put a Little Holiday in Your Heart,” Barbra Streisand’s “Jingle Bells,” Sara Bareilles’ “Love is Christmas,” plus more.
The Gospel Electric, A Family Program
Ongoing | Saturday, December 14 – Sunday, December 15
As part of its educational programming, the Armory will premiere its next commission for young audiences from The Electric Doyenne by Trusty Sidekick Theater Company. The Electric Doyenne is a trilogy of theatrical, immersive live concerts intended for young audiences (age 10 and up) and their families each surrounding a different prominent woman in music history, while reimagining what a concert and music theater experience for young people can be. Each features exciting original music by the performers and asks young people to grapple with new ideas about the impact of art.
In 1939, evangelical Christians and gospel music listeners had decided Sister Rosetta Tharpe had lost her way. Her music was too risqué and her sound was too cavalier. Yet, somehow, this young woman from Cotton Plant, Arkansas, stitched together a musical palette of Mississippi Delta, Chicago blues, Philadelphia church music, and New York swing to create an entirely new sound, and in the process, became the most renowned female gospel singer and musician of the day and is considered by many to be the “Godmother of Rock’ n’ Roll.”
The Gospel Electric explores her musical coming of age and her navigation of a segregated, male driven, and spiritually overbearing society. Combining original songs as well as motifs and songs from Tharpe herself, the new work asks the question, “who decides what ‘holy’ sounds like?” This third and final installment of The Electric Doyenne receives its world premiere in December 2019 with performances presented to students from underserved New York City public schools as part of the arts education program as well as public showings for families. The project is inspired by the Armory’s building and advances the Armory’s role as an incubator of new works for young audiences and a leader in arts education.
Winter Solstice Queer Readings with Kiki Slugqueen
Ongoing | Tuesday, December 17 – Friday, December 20
Interactive. Intimate. Intersectional.
For four evenings, Kiki Slugqueen will be live in person, offering complimentary Queer Readings to guests and bar patrons.
A Queer Reading is a one-on-one, intuitive reading that draws insight and guidance from either four of your objects (any four will do!), or Kiki Slugqueen’s original deck of queer tarot cards.
Kiki Slugqueen is a mystic drag queen who connects with all types of people through the medium of Queer Readings.
To celebrate the winter solstice, Kiki Slugqueen is traveling from her home in Puerto Rico for a residency in New York City.
Ongoing Through Sunday, December 15
Heartbeat presents a new, immersive staging of a twisted fairy tale about a deal with the devil and seven bullets that cannot miss their mark. With the band at center stage and the audience surrounding the playing space, the production features a cast of stellar singers and Heartbeat’s signature rearrangement of Weber’s Romantic score.
Estimated run time: 100 minutes
This production will feature gun shots.
Creative Team
Conceived, adapted and directed by Louisa Proske
Co-directed by Chloe Treat
Newly arranged and music directed by Daniel Schlosberg
New English dialogues by Michaël Attias and Louisa Proske
Scenic design by Sara Brown
Costume design by Beth Goldenberg
Lighting design by Oliver Wason
Sound design by Will Gardiner
Props designed by Corinne Gologursky
Cast: Derrell Acon (Caspar), Samarie Alicea (Ännchen), Casey Candebat (Max), Rubin Casas (Hermit), Jessica Faselt (Agathe), Nicole Haslett (Ännchen), Daniel Klein (Caspar), Ian Koziara (Max), Quentin Lee (Kilian/ Ottokar), and more still to be announced
Sibyl McCormac Groff’s Christmas Tours
Ongoing | Wednesday, December 4 – Saturday, December 28
Hohoho! Light up the Christmas spirit by joining the legendary Lady in Red. Carrying a candy cane and dressed like a Christmas tree, The New York Times reports that this “elf’s tours are whimsical and informative, part personality, part history.”
Topics include the history and the multi-faceted importance of of the Rockefeller Center Christmas trees, decorations, festivities together with learning about the importance of Rockefeller Center, the most important urban complex of the 20th century made for commerce but created with art. Be dazzled about the role of New York’s commercial stores, the printed word, the family, charity and transportation in making Christmas the most popular holiday by the end of the 19th Century. You will be electrified by the lights not only at Rock Center but also the vibrant sound and light show across the street at Saks Fifth Avenue and on Fifth Avenue.
Sibyl McCormac Groff — a.k.a. Queen Santa, The Lady in Red and The Spirited New Yorker — legendary cultural historian and tour guide of Rockefeller Center for NBC. She is an experienced and highly acclaimed licensed New York City tour guide whose expertise includes the architecture, artwork and history of Rockefeller Center, midtown Manhattan and New York City.
Sibyl coined the expression “Gothamtide” to describe the secular and universal holiday traditions that have historically been associated with New York City. She leads Christmas holiday walking tours from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve.
Werk Out
Ongoing | Thursday, December 5 – Thursday, December 19
Werk Out is a new fitness experience led by a Drag Queen and a fabulous fitness guru. However, it’s much more than just a fitness class, it is a hilarious event that is designed to be a destination for the night. A Drag Queen will serve as the host for the experience curating a light, comedic atmosphere while working with a fitness guru to create an outrageous routine that that embrace queer identity and body positivity.
Leading with inclusivity, Werk Out opens the fitness world up to every identity along the rainbow spectrum and does so with a healthy dose of humor. Each month, we will curate a new musical themes of high-energy, high-octane pump-up songs. Think of it as Jazzercise, but with drag queens! Our Drag Queen is Brita Filter and Queer Fitness Instructor AJ Blankenship. We’re working with comedians Hilton Dresden and Marty Miller.
Cirque Mechanics’ 42 FT
Ongoing | Friday, December 6 – Sunday, January 5
Behold! A man so strong he juggles trees! An acrobat so light she floats on air! With a brilliant blur of sequined stilts, feathered frocks and flashing circus stripes, the endlessly inventive Cirque Mechanics upends expectations in a dizzying, dazzling array of acts. Bright with light, laughter and good cheer, this stunning spectacle is a high-flying hit for the holidays!
LGBT Winter Ball
Ongoing | Friday, December 6 – Saturday, December 7
Join the LGBT Network as we commemorate World AIDS Day at Winter Ball 2019! Winter Ball is a fundraising event for LGBT Network’s lifesaving HIV/STD services, complete with an evening of dancing (courtesy of an exclusive set by DJ Hannah Lou), philanthropy, and fun as we work to #EndTheEpidemic. This year, we are honoring Dr. Kelly Bay for her innovative leadership in the HIV field and her commitment to the LGBT Network’s critical HIV/STD services for Queens and Long Island.
theSkimm Celebrate Smarter Shop
Ongoing through Tuesday, December 24
theSkimm, the membership company dedicated to helping millennial women live smarter, announced today the launch of its Celebrate Smarter Shop, a curated retail experience designed to streamline holiday shopping. The e-commerce site is live today, and a physical pop-up shop in the Flatiron neighborhood of Manhattan will open on November 29 (Black Friday) and run through December 24.
The Celebrate Smarter Shop presents a highly-curated collection of products (largely direct-to consumer, and ranging in price from $8-$399) to solve the holiday gifting, hosting, travel and wellness needs of the millennial woman on the go. The shop features apparel from ADAY and Primary; plants and planters from The Sill; skincare from Ursa Major, Wander Beauty and Paradox; accessories from Nisolo, Artemis Designs and State Bags; nail colors from Fluide; candles from Otherland; cookware from Material; and fitness gear from Amanda Kloots.
For a company founded on the concept of “time well spent,” first-party data showing that the average Skimm’r spends 20 hours prepping for the holiday season presented a very clear challenge: Skimm the holiday routine. Using the same “live smarter” lens that drives all of theSkimm’s offerings, products in the Celebrate Smarter Shop are selected by prioritizing the things that matter most to theSkimm’s audience — from price point and brand discovery to product categories and factors like sustainability and social consciousness.
Implicit Tensions: Mapplethorpe Now
Ongoing through January 5, 2020
Implicit Tensions: Mapplethorpe Now will show the groundbreaking work of gay photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. The prolific artist captured the images of famous folks like his friend Patti Smith, as well as striking self-portraits and images of the S&M scene that drew controversy during Mapplethorpe’s lifetime. This exhibition will also showcase artists who succeeded Robert Mapplethorpe, portraying self and/or the body with similar frankness and beauty. These artists will include Rotimi Fani-Kayode, Lyle Ashton Harris, Glenn Ligon, Catherine Opie, and Paul Mpagi Sepuya.
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Last modified: December 12, 2019
