Christopher Rice

Sat., Jan. 30, 7:30 p.m., $50, The Plastic Club, 247 S. Camac St., 215-923-2960, giovannisroom.com.

by Josh Middleton

reading/signing/fundraiser

With LGBTQ bookstores dropping like hot pants nationwide, author Christopher Rice believes the gay community is losing a vital respite from the booze-guzzling, sex-hounding club scene. "These bookstores are like community centers," he says. "It's a place where people can feel comfortable hanging with others who have similar interests." Thankfully, Philly's own Giovanni's Room is open for business, but it still needs help paying for the remaining $17,000 debt accrued from last fall's renovation project. To put a dent in that number, Rice is bringing his star power to a fundraising cocktail party and reading, which will feature book signings and a sneak peek from his forthcoming gay thriller, Moonlit Earth (Scribner, April 6).

Sat., Jan. 30, 7:30 p.m., $50, The Plastic Club, 247 S. Camac St., 215-923-2960, giovannisroom.com.