I’ve always enjoyed this photo Izzy Berdan took years ago. I believe it was taken before the Santa Speedo Run (back when that was a thing in Boston), but I can’t quite recall. Regardless, it hits all the buttons for a Christmas holiday post for this blog, and I hope it makes you smile.
Wishing you, your family, and friends a happy, safe, and healthy holiday.
Posted in Christmas
Below is a post that I initially wrote back in 2011 when I hosted this blog on Blogspot. I’ve modified it slightly but you can read the original post here.
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It seems to me that aside from health and happiness the thing people are most often wish they had more of is time. We make lists and check off each “to do”, and we schedule personal dates with friends and family much like business meetings; busily tapping these appointments into our phone calendars.
As the average work day / week encroaches into what was traditionally personal or family time, it seems like we’ve started to adopt behaviors from our work life for our personal lives. I see many friends (especially this week) killing themselves to make the most of their time out of the office; scheduling every minute to run errands, see family and friends, etc…
So here we are on the cusp of the final week of the year. The holiday season is chaotic for many people so I thought it might be a good time to remind everyone to take time to do absolutely nothing.
Have you scheduled yourself into oblivion this week? Is your checklist of errands and commitments so long that you’ll need a vacation once the holidays are done? If so, hit the pause button and take time to do absolutely nothing even if it is just for one afternoon – you just might find that the holiday spirit isn’t quite so elusive if you make time for yourself too.
Posted in Christmas
The holiday season is in full swing so I thought I’d share a few of my all-time favorite holiday films and ask if you wouldn’t mind sharing a few of your own in the comments section.
While these are in no particular order, as a child I loved the Christmas specials that would come on the television this time of year and would wait for them to come on with great anticipation. Some of my favorites included A Charlie Brown Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.
In the 80s and 90s several movies came out that became instant favorites for me including, A Christmas Story and Home Alone. Years later the fantastically funny and enjoyable Christmas Rom-Com, Love Actually was released and became not only a favorite holiday film of mine but one of my favorite films.
Lastly listed above you’ll see the fabulous Julie Andrews from The Sound of Music. How can you not love Julie Andrews? Growing up, this would always come on television after Thanksgiving and it signified the start of the holiday season in my mind.
Notably absent from this list are any gay-themed Christmas films. I do recall watching on Netflix, Single All The Way, and I did think it was cute but I’d be hard-pressed to consider it a favorite – although I will admit I loved Jennifer Coolidge in this movie.
Do you have any favorite Christmas films? Can you suggest any queer-themed films? I’d love to put them on in the evening and watch films that have been recommended.
Holly Folly is the nation’s first LGBTQ+ Holiday Celebration. The tradition began 26 years ago in 1997, and over the years the event has grown with the queer community traveling from far and wide to enjoy the annual Holly Folly weekend. This year the Holly Folly celebration is December 1-3, 2023 with some programming starting on Thursday, November 30th.
Below is a selection of programming you can expect to see at this year’s Holly Folly weekend. You can see the full list of “official” events and purchase tickets by visiting this Holly Folly event page.
Tina Burner’s show, I’d Rather Be Naughty Than Nice, at The Crown and Anchor.
The Petty Four, Just Desserts Holiday Tour, at The Crown and Anchor.
Drew Sebastian’s, Cozy Christmas Cabaret, is at The Pilgrim House
Holly Folly Follies, A Gay Holiday Extravaganza, cabaret show at Town Hall
2023 Annual Holly Folly Jingle Bell Run join in the [fun]d raiser or cheer on runners
There is much more to see and enjoy ranging from the annual Boston Gay Men’s Chorus to the annual World AIDS Day commemoration to the Holly Folly Gallery Stroll and much more. To find out more about all the programming for this fun weekend, visit ptown.org/calendars/holly-folly
Posted in Christmas, Gay, Provincetown
Tagged Drew Sebastian, Holly Folly, Tina Burner
Even though it is the height of summer, tickets to see Jinkx Monsoon and Ben DeLaCreme’s annual holiday show went on sale earlier this week. The duo has worked up a brand new edition of this annual show which comes to Boston each year.
Make plans with friends for a fun night out in November and purchase your tickets before this sells out.
THE JINKX & DELA HOLIDAY SHOW!
Tuesday, November 28
Wang Theatre
Posted in Boston, Christmas, Gay, Theater
Tagged Ben DeLaCreme, drag, drag show, jinx monsoon
It may be difficult to think of the holiday season as we enter the second half of June but earlier this week tickets went on sale for the 9th annual tour: A Drag Queen Christmas. The holiday tour comes to Boston, making a stop for one night at the Emerson Colonial Theater on Saturday, November 18th.
For more information and to purchase tickets click on the link below.
Posted in Christmas, Gay, Theater
Tagged A Drag Queen Christmas, drag show, Miz Cracker, RuPaul Drag Race, Todrick Hall
I’m forgoing my weekly java-themed mancandy post to wish eveveryone who celebrates Christmas a wonderful holiday.
The Mass Bears and Cubs annual holiday Toy Drive runs through December 15th. You can bring a little holiday cheer by dropping off new, in original packaging, unwrapped toys, at their collection box located at the Alley Bar Boston.
In just a few weeks Provincetown’s annual Holly Folly celebration will take place December 2-4, 2022.
This year’s festive weekend includes popular annual traditions like the holiday market, Inn stroll, Jingle Bell Run and Champagne Brunch, as well as many new events like HUNG with Care Burlesque show. Make your reservations and start planning. Below, is a partial listing of Holly Folly programs you won’t want to miss. Some of these events require tickets in advance so don’t delay.
If you’re looking for lodging recommendations click here.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2ND
Holly Folly Gallery Stroll
T’is The Season For Giving: A Benefit for the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod
The Holly Folly Follies Presented by the Crown & Anchor
The Nutcracker’s Ball
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3RD
Jingle Bell Run & Brunch
Holly Folly Inn Stroll
Snowball Bar Crawl
Anita Cocktail Variety Hour
HUNG with Care: Queer Holiday Burlesque Spectacular
Anne Hutchinson Solo Comedy Show
HO: The Hung With Care After Party
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4TH
Paige Turner’s Drag me To Christmas
For more information visit 2022 Holly Folly web page.
Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme return to Boston’s Wilbur Theater tonight for one show only at 8:00PM to spread holiday cheer. Very few tickets remained at the time I wrote this post so if you’re interested in seeing this duo, visit Ticketmaster’s website here.
Note: vaccination required for entry or negative test required.
Last week Steve Grand released his version of the Bing Cosby classic “I’ll be home for Christmas”, which many have covered over the years. The video brings back handsome actor / model, Trevor LaPaglia who played the role of Grand’s boyfriend in his 2015 remake of the Mariah Carey Christmas classic, All I want for Christmas.
You can download Steve Grand’s version of the holiday classic at, https://shop.stevegrand.com/.
Merry Christmas
Through “The Wunderfund of Massachusetts”, Toys for Joys is shipping $1,000+ worth of toys and gifts to each and everyone of the 29 DCF (Department of Children and Family) offices. To date the organiztion has funded 22 DCF offices. THEY NEED TO RAISE $7,000 more to cover all 29 offices!
Toys for Joys aims to send gifts to EVERY foster office in Massachusetts. But they need your help.
This year, Toys for Joys has already raised enough funds to sponsor the following organizations; representing thousands of children.
Casa Iris/Multicultural AIDS Coalition (Jamaica Plain): 465 Gifts Purchased ($6,000)
IBA (South End): 367 Gifts Purchased ($5,000)
Eastern Service Worker’s Association (Dorchester, East Boston, Mattapan): 430 Gifts Purchased ($6,000+)
Urban Farming Institute (Mattapan, Dorchester): 191 Gifts Purchased ($2,500+)
Boston Housing Authority, Joseph Tierney Learning Center 313 Gifts Purchased ($6,000+)
Boston Public Health Commission Homeless Shelter 22 gifts purchased ($800)
St. Ann’s Home and School (Methuen): purchase pending ($2,200)
If you know of any individual or company who would like to sponsor a DCF office, please email, james@toys4joys.org. Donations can also be made through their website, www.toys4joys.org, or by sending your donation to: Toys for Joys, Inc., PO Box 315, Belmont, MA 02478.
Toys for Joys is a 501(c)3 organization, that is 100% volunteer run and all donations are 100% tax deductible. Won’t you please join me in helping this worthwhile organization?
BosGuy 