W Philadelphia Celebrates Pride Month with a Full Weekend of LGBTQ+ Programming, including a Panel Discussion & Art Exhibits,
W Philadelphia (1439 Chestnut St.) is celebrating Pride this June by stacking Philadelphia Pride weekend (June 3 – June 5) with a series of events that brings the hotel’s Love Out Loud campaign to life. This three-day event will include experiences designed to make everyone feel inspired and proud. With all-star collaborations, one-of-a-kind performances, and a legendary panel discussion, W Philadelphia is breaking boundaries and living out loud with a weekend long PRIDE celebration.
“W Philadelphia is proud to create memorable, and inclusive experiences for all travelers and guests year-round,” said Ed Baten, Complex General Manager of W Philadelphia. “Our Pride weekend lineup continues in that spirit by spotlighting the trailblazers who are shaping Philadelphia’s LGBTQ community, and by providing a backdrop for dynamic discussion, art, music, and performances.”
Click here for full list of events. W Philadelphia’s Pride celebration kicks off the first weekend of June with the following programming:
Friday, June 3rd
Taking place on Friday at 5pm within W Philadelphia’s event space will be the Bootleg Fantasy Art Show by artist Brad Hoseley. This free event will feature works by the artist, a DJ set, and a cash bar. Taking place at 7:00pm will be the global event series from W Hotels, Queer Me Out, a groundbreaking panel amplifying queer voices to raise the volume on important issues of equality, acceptance and impact. Moderated by Philadelphia-based writer and Executive Director of Asian Arts Initiative, Anne Ishii (she/her), the discussion will cover the evolution of queer voices and discuss what the future of allyship in Philadelphia looks like in nightlife, media, and public space. The topic of W Philadelphia’s Queer Me Out is Creating Space: The Impact of Queer Trailblazers.
Panelists include:
· Alyssa Al-Dookhi (they/them/theirs), Arab American Comedian, Educator, Activist and POC (Person of Comedy) with YallaPunk
· Conrad Benner (he/him), public art and public space advocate, Founder of StreetsDept.com
· Icon Ebony-Fierce (they/she), Drag Performer, Curator, and community organizer
· Jacen Bowman (he/him), Celebrity Make Up Artist, Social Critic, Icon in the House/Ballroom Community, and star of HBO Max’s Legendary
· Rasheed Ajamu (he/they), Founder of PhreedomJawn, Reporter and Radio Host at Germantown Info Hub
Tickets for the panel are $30.00 and can be purchased here. All proceeds will benefit two organizations selected by the panelists.
Saturday, June 4th:
On Saturday, W Philadelphia’s Secret Garden is transforming into SOUVENIR & Friends Marketplace —the largest SOUVENIR market to ever be produced. SOUVENIR, founded by Richmond Tan (He/Him) is an ever-changing concept shop that features selective pop-up collections and collaborations from cities around the world. From 12-5pm, attendees can shop LGBTQ+ vendors while enjoying refreshing cocktails. The market is open to the public – no ticket or RSVP necessary.
Local vendors and SOUVENIR collaborators include: Tom of Finland, Massive Goods, Bootleg Fantasy, Roberto Sanchez, Littlest Mugshot, Official Mayorga, D’Frunzi Ceramics, Feast Jewelry, James Joseph Rich Jr, Carl Durkow, Utilitario Mexicano, Thomas Lauria, Sister Friend, Odabu, Room Shop, Elias Gurrola , Sabbatical Beauty, Low Timers, SQRL World, Cowboy Surf, Come on Strong, Walter Pine, Spare Room, Stahl Knit, Cruel World, Charlie Welch, Ben Rodrigo, Brian Oarach, The Woven Soul, Amiri Prize Winner Paulo Redeem, Moore Vintage Archive, All Caps Studio, Smock Consciousness, Studio Conchita, Room Shop, The Brujologist and Jefferson Fashion Thesis Collection: Lucas Circello.
From 12-11pm, the public will be welcomed to the WET Deck for a Polari, LGBTQ+ pool party with beats from Firestone, Urbankowboi, and Wassupgina. The evening portion of the party will revolve around compelling performances by Icon Ebony-Fierce and Pi, followed by an Elias Gurrola fashion show. WET Deck event tickets for Saturday, June 4th start at $25 in advance, and $30 at the door.
Tickets and cabana packages for the Polari Party WET Deck Event can be purchased here.
Sunday, June 5th:
On Sunday, Club Congress will be taking over the WET Deck from 12-5pm for an afternoon pool party. WET Deck Club Congress tickets for Sunday, June 5th start at $25 in advance, and $30 at the door.
Tickets and cabana packages for Club Congress WET Deck Event can be purchased here.
Rhinestone Jetski will close the weekend with a splash and an infamous drag show featuring performances by The Moon Baby, Divababy, Luna the Jawnette, Icon Ebony-Fierce, Savvy, Tiffany Uma Mascara, Allyria Everlasting and DJ set by Lindo. Rhinestone Jetski will take over the WET Deck at 6pm, with performances starting at 7pm. Tickets are $35 in advance, and $40 at the door.
Tickets and cabana packages for Rhinestone Jetski at the WET Deck can be purchased here.
On Sunday, SOUVENIR & Friends Marketplace will also be open to the public from 12-5pm in the Secret Garden.
During the weekend of June 3rd-5th, W Philadelphia is partnering with SOUVENIR for a PRIDE room package, a limited-time promotion where guests who book the package will receive curated gifts centered around the weekend’s programming and activities. Guests who book the room package will also have access to the many LGBTQ+ themed programs for the weekend. This package includes:
· All Access WET Deck Event Pass/ SOUVENIR Friendship Bracelet
· SOUVENIR x W Philadelphia Branded Tote
· SOUVENIR/Brian Ourach City Guide
· SOUVENIR/YesPaper Studio Notebook
· W Philadelphia Water Bottle
· W Philadelphia Disposable Camera
