Is it just me, or has it gotten pretty busy around here lately?

Seems I can’t turn around without hearing news about a new hot party, event, club, exhibit, or activity. It seems that our local impresarios, promoters, and culturati must have heard all that grumbling about how tired the scene in Philadelphia had gotten and all at once decided that it was time to Do Something About It.

These past few weeks have been loaded with interesting goings-on, and the pace doesn’t look like it’s going to slacken anytime soon. I’ve been hanging out at some very interesting places and events, and thought I’d share a few that are coming up with you. About the only way to do them all justice is to put them in a grab bag, shake them up, and pour them out for you to examine. So here goes:

Naked Guys Hanging From the Walls: For more than two years now, the Gayborhood’s answer to First Friday has been the month-long exhibits at AxD Gallery, the artistic side of Always By Design, a two-man architectural practice located on the South 10th Street business strip between Locust and Spruce. Even if its walls were completely blank, the gallery space itself is a little gem, a minimalist work of art that won a design award from the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. But the architects of AxD also have a good eye for painting, sculpture, photography, and graphic design that provokes, challenges, and inspires.

And this time around, maybe titillates too. AxD’s October exhibit, "Shooting Men," features the work of photographer Vivienne Marcevic, who has been photographing the male body since the 1970s. Marcevic got her start – and her inspiration – back in Times Square’s seedier past, when Broadway and go-go boys jostled for visitors’ attention. From photographing the exotic dancers in the Times Square strip clubs, Marcevic moved on to porn stars, transsexuals (both ways), drag queens, androgynous women, and, of course, the male nude. Her works are in the collections of the International Center of Photography, the Kinsey Institute, and numerous private collections. The AxD show features a cross-section of her work through the years.

"Shooting Men" runs from Oct. 9 to Nov. 7 at AxD Gallery, 265 South 10th Street, Philadelphia. On Saturday, Nov. 10 at 8 p.m., Sue Russell will perform her cabaret "Little Girl Blue," featuring songs by Carole King, Noel Coward, Richard Rodgers and other songwriting legends, in the gallery space (admission to the concert $10). For more information about Marcevic, visit www.sheshootsmen.com online; for information about the gallery, visit www.a-x-d.com/gallery or call 215-627-6250.

Sunday is the New Friday: I’m sure I’m not the only one who felt that Friday nights at Shampoo just weren’t what they used to be. Good news – the creator of "Shaft Fridays at Shampoo" has brought back the feeling in classy new digs. Dan Contarino launched "Ultra Sundays at G Lounge" in September, and the party has taken off like a rocket. Your correspondent was there for the grand opening, which showcased G Lounge’s stylish spaces, including a mesmerizing 55-foot-long LED display, DJ Reenie Kane’s very danceable old-school spinning, and just about everyone in the party crowd (and I mean everyone: it isn’t a grand opening unless Donald Carter shows, and he made this one). Doors open at 8 p.m. every Sunday. It’s free to enter before 10 p.m.

The "Ultra Blue" is every Sunday from 8pm – 2am at G Lounge. G Lounge is located at 17th and Sansom streets, below Davio’s restaurant and next door to the Kimpton Hotel Palomar.

Livin’ Large to Fight Breast Cancer: If you didn’t make the Blast Entertainment bowling night and networking event at Lucky Strike Lanes last month – and I know a lot of you didn’t – you missed an evening of fun. Guests enjoyed unlimited bowling, a complimentary buffet, drink specials, complimentary facials from Bellezza DermaCenter MedSpa Clinic, and more.

So for its next event, Blast Entertainment is taking things to a higher level. On Thursday, Oct. 15, you and your friends can spend an evening in the "Lap of Luxury" at a special benefit fundraiser for breast cancer awareness at Privé in Old City. The party includes a runway formal wear show, outdoor limo exhibit, complimentary appetizers, live entertainment from the Material Girl, special guest speakers that include environmental activist and cancer survivor Patty Ameno and representatives of the American Cancer Society, and more. The event also includes a grand prize drawing for a dream date for two, including limo transportation to the winner’s favorite Atlantic City casino and dinner at Privé. Ten percent of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

The "Lap of Luxury" breast cancer fundraising benefit takes place Thursday, Oct. 15, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Privé Mediterranean Tapas & Lounge, 246 Market Street in Old City. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at lapofluxuryshowcase.eventbrite.com online. Limited tickets ($150) are available at the same site for a VIP Diamond After Party following the event from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.