While all that merriment is happening on the West Coast, your beloved Billy has touched down in Boston and is heading down to Provincetown for July 4^th.  People always ask me what shows they should see each summer in Ptown, so here are my picks.  My favorite venues are The Ptown Art House and The Crown & Anchor.  After an impartial coin toss, I’ll be starting with what’s coming up at The Crown.  Plus, how can you go wrong with any season that includes Lucie Arnaz Jr.?  Little Lu comes to The Crown on July 23^rd.  Telly Leung appears on August 5^th.  Internet sensation Randy Rainbow was supposed to play August 6^th and 7^th.  But then Leslie Jordan cancelled the following weekend due to work, so Randy took those dates, too – August 13^th and 14^th.  Bruce Vilanch blows into town (and I mean that literally) on August 17^th and 18^th.  Anthony Rapp will be there August 25^th, and Linda Eder will perform on August 27^th and 28^th.  Of course, there are people who perform all season long.  I’m always happy to see Thirsty Burlington (because, we go WAY back), and her Cher Show is a must-see.  I’m curious to check out Star Boys.  Any show described as “a sci-fi burlesque show” is right up my…well, it’s up my something.  You can get tickets and more information about all of these events at OnlyAtTheCrown.com.

Now we turn to The Ptown Art House – which, alas, will be no more after this season.  The usual suspects return for the full summer – Judy Gold, Varla Jean Merman, Well-Strung, Steve Grand, and more drag queens than you can shake a shtick at.  Some of the special guests (performing with and without Seth Rudetsky) include Judy Kuhn on July 15^th and 16^th, Adam Pascal on July 17^th, Christine Ebersole on July 19^th and 20^th, Will Swenson on July 28^th and 29^th, Liz Callaway on August 12^th, Jeremy Jordan on August 13^th, Emily Skinner on August 19^th, Stephanie J. Block on August 21^st and 22^nd, and the ageless Marilyn Maye August 24 through 27.  Throughout the season, you can see Jinkx Monsoon in Beach City Bimbo, Miss Conception in Forbidden Diznee, and Hocum Pokem with Jinkx, Peaches Christ, and Liza Lott.  Naturally, you can get info and tickets at PtownArtHouse.com.

What will I go to over the Fourth?  I tend to check out Varla and Well-Strung early in their runs because I like to see how their shows develop over the season (and I’m big on giving notes).  Otherwise I can be seen performing acts of a more adult nature in more intimate – and yet still public – settings.  And, no, I do not like being critiqued.