Hey kids,

It’s only the first week of the new year and I’m already exhausted! After the onslaught of both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, I’m ready to put on a new housecoat and curlers and call it a year…

But since some jitbag won the mega – millions and I’m using coupons for shake – n – bake, a girl’s gotta suck it up, slap on a wig and some falsies, and shake it like a one legged hooker in Tijuana.

I chatted with the VIP’s of the Gayborhood to see what they had in store for the gay kids in 2011.

But first here’s what coming at me already this month – showbiz never gives a girl a break, but that’s ok with me long as the duckets keep rolling in…

This Sunday is the debut of Divalicious at Wineo, at 5th and Poplar Streets, smack dab in Northern Liberties. Hosted by yours truly, we will be carryin’ on with an 8pm and 10 pm show the first Sunday of each month. With $4 stoli drinks, $3 PBR pounders, and a light fare buffet, we will be showcasing all your favorite divas while feeding you and getting you lit. Cherry Pop, Navaya Shay, and Miss Pinklewinkle join me on the first night, as well Miss Kyle from Tavern slinging drinks behind the bar. Wineo has an extensive imported and domestic beer selection and an outrageous wine list for all your drinking needs – so I’ll see you all there this Sunday!

The following Sunday, January 16, is the long – awaited "Miss’d AmericaPageant" held at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Hosted by creator/writer Sandy Beach and Suzanne Westenhofer (Carson will not be returning this year we wanted someone funnier and with a penis), contestants are flying in all over to try and win the coveted crown. Last year’s winner, Michelle Dupree,will be on hand to help host and show the girls how it’s all done. Philadelphia’s own Navaya Shay (WERQ Wednesdays at Q Lounge) will be representing Philly that night – "If it wasn’t for my first ever public performance at Shampoo hosted by one of my drag mothers Brittany Lynn, Navaya Shay would not be where she is today. But it’s time to move over mom, it’s your daughters time to shine." said Miss Shay.

Well look at her telling me to move over…I only hope her eyebrows grow back…

The opening number will be performed by the Bingo Divas Darrina Ho, Joey Joesephs, Feressa, and Sunny Dazes, as well as former Miss’d winners such as Mortimer, Lemon Fresh Joy, Morgan Wells, Miss Andrea L’amor, and myself, among others. You can’t imagine the joy we all felt to walk down the runway at Boardwalk Hall in our sashes as formerly crowned Miss’d Americas – I’m starting to swell just thinking about it…especially in my ankles after wearing heels for almost 22 hours straight!

For tickets go to ticketmaster.com – do it…do it now…

Venture Inn is getting a facelift! Think more of the "lunchtime lift" rather than a full – out Kathy Griffin. I sat with Miss Henry and she gave me the 411. Venture will be getting new paint on the walls as well a new – shaped bar. Sandy Beach, mixologist and comedienne extraordinare will be starting up the SRO Show with dates tba…Kinky Quizzo will be a new feature (possibly Mondays) and Chef David, aka the "Wicked Witch", will be serving the kids a new menu until 1am, and bringing a new spice to the Sunday Brunch. A new stage and DJ booth will complete Venture’s new atmosphere and look.

Woody’s will be continuing their Karaoke on Mondays with Chris Yeager up in the Cyber Bar. A Woody’s tradition and eternal institution is Wednesday’s College night – 18 to enter and 21 to drink – I always love seeing the new line of potential ex’s every season when the kids come back or school. Thursdays are "muy caliente" with their latin night, and of course, Friday and Saturday Nights give us the gayest of the gays dancing the night away on the main dance floor to today’s top beats. Sundays end the weekend off with 80 cent drink night – yep dance floor drinks are 80 cents from 9 – 11 pm, and all 80’s music on the dance floor courtesy of Carl Michaels – then follow the kids down to the Pub for the Ricky Mac Sunday showcase – that gal always has a great set. Be on the look out as some of these nights include great promo giveaways such as cd’s and dvd sets from all your fave pop artists before they hit the stores!

Bob and Barbara’s continues as the longest running drag show in Philly on Thursday nights with their hostess, Miss Lisa Lisa – with an always changing cast and the best shot and a beer special on this coast. Watch the girls wow and confuse both hetero and gay alike as this crowd gives you every demographic you can possibly think of – showtime starts promptly at 11:15 each week, and get there early as this place fills up quick! Coming in March is the Miss Bob and Barbara’s Pageant – Desiree will be giving up her crown as the latest up – and – coming girls battle it out for the title of Miss Bob and Barbara’s.

Voyeur will be continuing to give you the after – hours experience you kids always crave after a night on the town. Open till 3:30 am (no liquor after 3), Voyeur remains as Philly’s number one, three – floor mega – club. The Ruby Lounge gives the old – school vibe with the Mak n Morelli show on Tuesdays with Lee Jones at the music helm. And on Fridays and Saturdays, Natasha entertains with various trivia and barbie runway contests on Fridays, and the city’s hottest Karaoke on Saturday Nights. The main dance floor cuts up from Wednesday to Saturdays opening up at 11pm with the best in music from all your favorite DJ’s both local and imported. The mezzanine third floor gets your hips moving and grinding to hip hop with Tripp, Lee Jones, and Dozia. All this plus a couple of Making Times for the hipsters on various nights, and there’s something there for everyone. Always keep an eye out for Voyeur staff walking through the gay hood with reduced wristbands and some freebies for you well – mannered gays lol…

Tavern on Camac is making a few changes. According to owner, Stephen Carlino, jetsetter and big business woman, each floor will be having some cosmetic makeovers. The main bar of the first floor piano bar will be pushed back for some more space for the customers. The "princess bar", as it’s called, will be shifted more towards the piano to redo the feel of the place. Terra, the downstairs restaurant, will have a new autumn menu, serving from 5 – 10pm and on Saturdays 5 – 11pm. Penny Production’s Karaoke will continue in the Ascend Lounge on Tuesdays with Kyle behind the bar, and Faggot Feud, hosted by Carol Ann Carol Ann and Miss Heaven Leigh, will follow on Wednesdays. Showtune Sundays with Mike Raz serving the cocktails and VJ David Petrilla end your weekend (or start it lol) as Broadway Queens try to out lip – synch each other till 2am. And, of course, the main floor piano bar is always open for all your gay, piano singing needs with various talents throughout the week.

That’s it for now kids, Momma’s got work ta do and a drag – a – thon to prepare for on Sunday.

See y’all around the gay hood!

Love and lashes,
Brittany Lynn