Hosted by Sam Rise
Directed by MK Tuomanen
Co-created: Sam Rise, MK Tuomanen, and ILL DOOTS with John Jarboe
Partner Organizations: Free Library of Philadelphia, ILL DOOTS
The Beardmobile gets into her finest book-lover drag for a family-friendly show about libraries and the people who make them so wonderful. CHECK IT OUT!!!! celebrates Philly’s free libraries as places of freedom for all families with especial love to families who are queer, questioning, and learning who they are. Filled with songs, books (banned and not), drag, glitter, joy, and community, CHECK IT OUT!!! is hosted by former librarian and current rock star Sam Rise and features hip-hop collective ILL DOOTS and cabaret dream Lili St Queer. For bookworms of all ages, orientations, genders, and genres, this hour-long outdoor performance tours to library branches around Philadelphia this spring.
After the performance, enjoy a community Pride party complete with photo ops with CHECK IT OUT! drag performer Lili St. Queer, balloon twisting, face painting, crafts, free pretzels and water ice, library resources and giveaway books from the library, Book Bike, Summer Reading sign-up, and more!!!
In unfavorable weather, the performance and party will shift to the lobby of the Parkway Central Library (enter via Vine St, or the accessible entrance via Wood St, behind the library).
Date: Monday, June 26, 2023 at 12pm
Location: Parkway Central Branch
The Beards in partnership with the Free Library have developed a security plan that reduces the need for a police presence.
FREE: just like the library, everyone is welcome, just show up!