Happy Mummies' Day: Ancients Roar Back to Life

Story by Ed Salvato; image above, courtesy Lippisches Landesmuseum, Detmold, Germany, is the mummy and sarcophagus of a man named Nes-pa-qa-shuti, part of the Mummies of the World exhibit (below), dating to about 650 B.C., from a necropolis at the site of Akhmim, an important site in Egypt

Better than Cher and Madonna combined (at least), Ancient Egypt has to be one of the most prolific and successful icons of reinvention. Many millennia have passed since this sandy north African country built spectacular pyramids and temples but it still draws our rapt attention.

Perhaps it's the fabulous bling or maybe all the palace intrigue. It could even be the role of some spectacularly powerful women or even a dash of gender-bending found in some of the queens who lived as kings, like the famous Hatshepsut. Who knows? But every few years yet another blockbuster show splashes onto the scene attracting hordes of Egypt-loving crowds.

Just today, we've unearthed three fantastic events in three of our favorite gay-popular cities.

Philadelphia: The Queen is Back!

• The exhibit: In the City of Brotherly Love (and Sisterly Affection), The Franklin Institute unveils never-before-seen artifacts in Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt, opening June 5 as a world premier.
• Photo right: Found at the site of Heracleion, the statue is most likely a representation of Cleopatra II or Cleopatra III dressed as goddess Isis.
• Hotel recommendation: The Loews Philadelphia Hotel, along with several others, offers Cleopatra-related packages, including VIP tickets to the exhibition. Loews is also among the gay-friendliest of hotels, offering LGBT-related packages and close proximity to the gayborhood.
• Destination information: VisitPhilly.org/Gay

New York: King of the World

• The exhibit: In New York,King Tut reigns at the Discovery Times Square Exposition in Times Square through January 2, 2011. The exhibition focuses on the 18th dynasty, a 100-year period when Egypt was at the height of its power and the "golden age" of Egyptian artistry.
• Hotel recommendation: Starwood's W (and other related hotels) offer packages. Click here to learn more. The Marriott and Renaissance Hotels in Times Square offer an LGBT special, Marriott.com/OUTInNY.
• Destination information: NYCgo.com/gay

Los Angeles: Mummies Dearest

• The exhibit: Across the country in another premier, L.A.'s California Science Center brings you Lost  Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science through September 6, 2010 and Mummies of the World, debuting July 1, with the largest traveling exhibition of mummies and artifacts ever assembled. The oldest example dates back 6,420 years.
• Hotel recommendation: The 16-story W Los Angeles is in Westwood, near UCLA and close to the 405 Freeway so incredibly convenient for travel throughout L.A.
• Destination information: Discover Los Angeles LGBT 

If you want to see the real McCoy in Egypt, consider joining one of the upcoming tours to the Land of the Nile offered this year by Alyson Adventures (on bike) and its brother company Hanns Ebensten Travel.

Story by Ed Salvato; image above, courtesy Lippisches Landesmuseum, Detmold, Germany, is the mummy and sarcophagus of a man named Nes-pa-qa-shuti, part of the Mummies of the World exhibit (below), dating to about 650 B.C., from a necropolis at the site of Akhmim, an important site in Egypt

Better than Cher and Madonna combined (at least), Ancient Egypt has to be one of the most prolific and successful icons of reinvention. Many millennia have passed since this sandy north African country built spectacular pyramids and temples but it still draws our rapt attention.

Perhaps it's the fabulous bling or maybe all the palace intrigue. It could even be the role of some spectacularly powerful women or even a dash of gender-bending found in some of the queens who lived as kings, like the famous Hatshepsut. Who knows? But every few years yet another blockbuster show splashes onto the scene attracting hordes of Egypt-loving crowds.

Just today, we've unearthed three fantastic events in three of our favorite gay-popular cities.

Philadelphia: The Queen is Back!

• The exhibit: In the City of Brotherly Love (and Sisterly Affection), The Franklin Institute unveils never-before-seen artifacts in Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt, opening June 5 as a world premier.
• Photo right: Found at the site of Heracleion, the statue is most likely a representation of Cleopatra II or Cleopatra III dressed as goddess Isis.
• Hotel recommendation: The Loews Philadelphia Hotel, along with several others, offers Cleopatra-related packages, including VIP tickets to the exhibition. Loews is also among the gay-friendliest of hotels, offering LGBT-related packages and close proximity to the gayborhood.
• Destination information: VisitPhilly.org/Gay

New York: King of the World

• The exhibit: In New York,King Tut reigns at the Discovery Times Square Exposition in Times Square through January 2, 2011. The exhibition focuses on the 18th dynasty, a 100-year period when Egypt was at the height of its power and the "golden age" of Egyptian artistry.
• Hotel recommendation: Starwood's W (and other related hotels) offer packages. Click here to learn more. The Marriott and Renaissance Hotels in Times Square offer an LGBT special, Marriott.com/OUTInNY.
• Destination information: NYCgo.com/gay

Los Angeles: Mummies Dearest

• The exhibit: Across the country in another premier, L.A.'s California Science Center brings you Lost  Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science through September 6, 2010 and Mummies of the World, debuting July 1, with the largest traveling exhibition of mummies and artifacts ever assembled. The oldest example dates back 6,420 years.
• Hotel recommendation: The 16-story W Los Angeles is in Westwood, near UCLA and close to the 405 Freeway so incredibly convenient for travel throughout L.A.
• Destination information: Discover Los Angeles LGBT 

If you want to see the real McCoy in Egypt, consider joining one of the upcoming tours to the Land of the Nile offered this year by Alyson Adventures (on bike) and its brother company Hanns Ebensten Travel.