LAMBDA LEGAL
and its partner and sponsor organizations
cordially invite you
 to a FREE event:
 
 
The 9th Annual
 Freedom to Marry  Reception
 
Educate. Advocate. Celebrate. 
 
 

 Thursday, February 18, 2010
6 p.m. until 9 p.m. 
 

 
The National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W. 19th Street, Chicago
(Three blocks from the 18th Street stop on the Pink Line.) 

 
Music by DJ Harry T, Cake-Cutting, Hors d’Oeuvres, Open Bar & much, much more!

Also, a special performance of “Let Them Eat Cake,” created by Holly Hughes and Megan Carney with Maureen Angelos and an ensemble of Chicago’s finest artists & activists.  ASL interpretation provided. 



 
BE PART OF A MOVEMENT!
Join us as we honor the commitment of local same-sex couples and continue the fight for marriage equality.
 
RSVP preferred: Lambda Legal Events
Lauren Hernandez or Simon Aronoff @ lhernandez@lambdalegal.org
(312) 663-4413 x327
 

        

V I C K I E
        


Lesbian comic  VICKIE SHAW
will be doing a show this  Friday, February 12th
at Circuit Nighclub.   3641 North Halsted Street.

The evening is part of the Circuit Girl / Laugh Out Loud Fridays.
 
Seating begins @  8pm.  Show  at  9pm. 
$10 admission ($5 for members) and hosted  by  TAMALE!

She looks like the woman next door ... All-American with blond hair, lipstick and polished nails. Once she opens her mouth, you'll know she was born and raised in Texas and you'll never stop laughing.


Vickie has performed in almost every state in the US over the last five years and has headlined in various venues including: Michigan Womyn's Festival, National Women's Music Festival, Monterrey Beach Women's Festival; and the Dinah & Lina Shore Golf Tournament in Palm Springs.




She can also be seen  in The Outlaugh Festival on Wisecrack, The Complete Series
and  in  her  DVD  Vickie Shaw: You Can Take The Girl Out of Texas .


The Best of Gay Chicago

        

Singer-songwriter and beatboxer BLAKE LEWIS  who was the runner-up on the sixth season of American Idol, will be in town spinning music at Borderline Music.

Saturday, February 13th  2:00pm 
at the Boystown store, 3333 N. Broadway.



His second album  HEARTBREAK ON VINYL was released this past October. You can come hear some of his favorite music and he will be signing autographs!







The  Best of Gay Chicago

        

TPAN, Test Postive Aware Network, along with a few other organizations, have decided to bring gay Black men together to discuss the meaning of  'justice' for gay Black males. 

On the panel, Keith Boykin, from The Daily Voice, CNBC, and BET, E. Patrick Johnson, creator of "Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South-An Oral History," and Antonio D. Jimenez, professor at Northwestern University and from the University of Illinois Chicago's School of Public Health.

The forum hopes to start the discussion on the meaning of 'justice,' obtaining equality, the role of our allies, and some strategies to bring real and lasting change for Black gay men. 
 
"It's not only important for Black gay men to be cognizant of how we are impacted by our lack of justice, but also, how we too, impact this innate right for others," stated Boykin.  "Events like these continue to challenge and illuminate this fact."

I'm most excited to talk about the plight of the gay Black male and how we can change or eliminate some of the stereotypes bestowed upon our community. Another topic that's been bugging me for some years now, interracial dating within the gay community. I've discovered, in my own personal experience, a bit of a stigma with White males dating Black males. I'm curious to hear what the panelists may have to say about that.

This forum is a first-time collaboration between the Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus, the Communities of Color Collaborative,a new initiative launched by the AIDS Foundation of Chicago in June 2009, Project CRYSP and LifeLube.org, as well as National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (set for February 7, 2010).

The event will take place at the University Center, 525 South State, on the second floor. 
Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. for appetizers and socializing, and the program begins at 7:00 p.m. 
Admission to the event is free. Come out! It'll be sure to be an explosively epic conversation.


The Best of Gay Chicago

        

An alternative to the traditional
 Valentine's show!

Join Tommy Hensel for a journey into some of love's more "entertaining" aspects.

LOVE HURTS is a collection of songs of Lust, Loss, Obession and Revenge!

A newly-transplanted resident of Chicago, Thomas A. Hensel was recently named as Managing Director of the Fine & Performing Arts Center of Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, IL.  

He also works as an actor, director, singer and cabaret artist as well as a  spiritual coach and counselor, Feng Shui consultant and hands-on healer. He has worked with hundreds of people both privately and in workshops to transform their lives using the techniques described in his book Invisible Armor: Protecting Your Personal Energy.  He is also one of the creators and teachers of the Wei Chi Healing™ system of hands-on healing.
.

 Tommy has quite the eclectic resume and life!  "My iPod might frighten you!  I have an incredibly eclectic mix of songs that I love. Broadway soundtracks are probably the winner in amount of space usage, but I also have everything from opera to ABBA, from 80s rock songs to classical, from Melissa Etheridge to Doris Day. I do love the Indigo Girls and for some odd reason Nanci Griffith.
 
I tend to not have anything extremely new or recent since most new music leaves me bored. But if you want to know anything about Broadway, I can probably help. OK, OK. I guess I am a card-carrying gay man after all."

Catch him live Sunday, February 7 at 7pm
and/or Sunday, February 21 at 7pm

LOVE  HURTS
Featuring Cheryl Szucsits    
Musical Direction by Beckie Menzie   
Direction by Daryl Nitz

Davenport's Piano Bar
1382 N. Milwaukee Avenue      Phone: 773-278-1830


Visit  Tommy Hensel online  and  on  FaceBook

Tickets for Love Hurts ONLINE 



The Best of Gay Chicago

        

Founded in 1974 by a group of ballet enthusiasts for the purpose of presenting a playful, entertaining view of traditional, classical ballet in parody form and en travesti, LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO first performed in the late-late shows in Off-Off Broadway lofts. Within 2 short years they rose to international fame. Everyone from The New York Times, Variety to The London Daily Telegraph sat up and took notice.

Since those beginnings, the TROCKS have established themselves as a major dance phenomenon throughout the world. They have participated in dance festivals in Bodrum (Turkey), Holland, San Luis Potosi, Madrid, Montreal, New York, Paris, Spoleto, Turin, and Vienna.

The original concept of LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO has not changed. It is a Company of professional male dancers performing the full range of the ballet and modern dance repertoire, including classical and original works in faithful renditions of the manners and conceits of those dance styles.

The comedy is achieved by incorporating and exaggerating the foibles, accidents, and underlying incongruities of serious dance. The fact that men dance all the parts--heavy bodies delicately balancing on toes as swans, sylphs, water sprites, romantic princesses, angst-ridden Victorian ladies--enhances rather than mocks the spirit of dance as an art form, delighting and amusing the most knowledgeable, as well as novices, in the audiences. For the future, there are plans for new works in the repertoire: new cities, states and countries to perform in; and for the continuation of the TROCKS' original purpose: to bring the pleasure of dance to the widest possible audience. They will, as they have done for thirty four years, "Keep on Trockin'."

        

Lady HaHa -

Kate Clinton has been a comedian for over 25 years, specializing in political commentary from a gay/lesbian point of view. She was born in Buffalo, New York. She grew up Catholic in New York State and taught high school English for eight years before becoming a comedian. She began her stand-up career in 1981 using her lesbianism, Catholicism and current politics for her jokes. Clinton is a self-described "fumerist," or feminist humorist, who has set out to prove that being lesbian can be, and often is, funny.

        

A BIG Thanks

to everyone who came out to help us celebrate our 2nd year anniversary of Best Gay Chicago.com!

Thanks to Absolut 100, ROSCOES and their amazing staff, and Sugar Hills Bakeries, who brought a magnificent cake! The inside was filled with fluffy chocolate and pear mousse!

We raised about $200 for TPAN and
everyone had a great time. (I think!)

Best Gay Chicago.com  is now attracting
over 13,000  readers each month and growing!

Watch for more events in 2010!


                                                                                                                            Michael  Snell  &   Derrick  Sorles

MORE EVENT PHOTOS ON FACEBOOK     BE OUR FAN ON FACEBOOK

        

We moved from Michigan to Chicago in March of 2003 and of course, needed to find a great place to get our hair cut. 

One day that Spring, we were walking past VP SALON on Broadway and Salon Owner, Vincenzo Papasidero, greeted us as we walked by invited us to come in and see him for a haircut next time we needed one (think thick, sexy Italian accent and very easy on the eyes).  The Salon was still new and he was building his clientele.  We took his card and, of course, said "Sure, we'll give you a try," and the rest is history.

 

Almost 8 years later, we are still just as elated with Vincenzo's every hair cut as we were that first visit. 


We call Vincenzo "Edward Scissorhands" because it is as though the scissors and comb are attached as extensions of his arms and hands! 


He is truly an artist and expert when it comes to cutting and styling hair.  He makes it look so effortless with unparralled precision and attention to detail specific to your head of hair ~ simply amazing to watch!

 

VP SALON 's focus is simple:  "Making Your Hair Look Great!" 

Don't expect of wide array of additional services, like waxing or nails, VP SALON simply specializes in superior hair design - and it shows. 

The VP professional team has been hand-selected and trained by Vincenzo to compliment his positive vision and energetic style in the salon. 


They view themselves as consultants, and have the knowledge and ability to create individualized looks for any type of lifestyle.


Together with the VP professional team, you can both re-energize the way you look and the way you feel about yourself.

 

Vincenzo (center left) says "I began my career in hairstyling at the ripe old age of eleven years old.

Yes, like the most talented hairdresser on the planet, at eleven years old. Then, while in my teens, I moved away from my family to live on my own and very independently.

It was then that I took up residence in one of the most beautiful places in Italy – Sanremo – the Italian Riveria. It was here that I thrived and began to discover what life was about.

You can only imagine what my life was like, a very young hairdresser, trying to survive on my own, stay off the streets and succeed, it was there that I found my calling.

So, I remained calm, spiritual and ever trusting of life – and was able to discover that the art of cutting hair was already inside me.

I believe that using scissors on dry hair creates greater precision than any other styling technique—a unique approach that requires years of training, energy, precision, focus, and a desire to create art.

With dry hair, I can organically feel the natural texture of the hair and transform it into a shape that truly flatters clients of all ethnicities and with every type of hair: curly, fine, thick, course, wavy, dry and/or damaged. 

Benefits of cutting hair dry are to give volume and body when needed, or take out unwanted bulk, dryness, and/or frizziness."

VP SALON is located at 3321 N. Broadway between W. Roscoe and W. Aldine. 

The Salon is open Mondays 2-8 PM, Tuesday thru Friday Noon to 9 PM
and Saturdays 10 AM - 6 PM,  (773) 929 - 7909, info @ VPSALON.com 

"Getting a great haircut should be a stimulating experience.  If I could summarize my passion and life so far – I would say that I have evolved, grown and now thrive happily within the creative world, helping enrich my clients’ lives by bringing out each person’s natural beauty from within.  I look forward to treating you!"  Vincenzo Papasidero 

See for yourself why Best Gay Chicago votes Vincenzo and his team of professionals at VP SALON - Best Hair Design in Boystown!

 

        

 

LOCATION,
      LOCATION,
           LOCATION!

Many first time visitors to Chicago choose to stay downtown, near all of the hustle and bustle of Michigan Avenue. Once you have been there, done that, visitors realize all that Chicago has to offer beyond downtown. Plus, the entire LGBT community is 3 miles  north of downtown and cabs can get expensive going back and forth.

 

Why not stay in the heart of Boystown and experience Chicago as the locals do? Stay in a  neighborhood away from the craziness of touristy downtown. Dine where the locals dine, away from the big name chain restaurants. In Boystown/Lakeview you get  small, intimate restaurants and a treasure trove of shopping neighborhoods with unique shops and art galleries! Golf courses, the Lincoln Park Zoo, Wrigleyville and the Cubs Stadium, Old Towne, marinas and harbors, Hollywood gay beach, Andersonville, plus endless waterfront  walking and bike paths, are all very accessible!

We recently had family in over the holidays. They have stayed  downtown before and we wanted to show them the neighborhoods of Chicago so we had them stay at the Majestic...what a beautiful spacious property!  Located at 528 West Brompton Avenue.  52 rooms on 3 floors.

For years, visitors and locals alike have branded The Majestic Hotel the pre-eminent boutique hotel in Chicago. Offering the atmosphere of a well-appointed, upscale English country estate, this 100 percent, non-smoking Hotel offers the perfect haven of relaxation amidst the  energetic city life found in the  popular Lakeview neighborhood.


The City Inns of Chicago are comprised of three properties – The Majestic Hotel, The Willows Hotel & The City Suites – each welcome you with an abundance of personality, style and charm that epitomizes the essence of their environments.


Exuding the charm of historic buildings – circa 1920s – The City Inns are a collection of boutique hotels that combine a stylish, unique and alluring atmosphere with a location that is ideal and accessible – just 10 minutes north of downtown Chicago's business, financial and shopping districts – and brimming with the quintessential qualities of an upscale, city hotel.



The  Willows  is  at   555 West Surf Street.  55 rooms on 4 floors. 19th-century French Provincial style, opens onto a tree-lined street in Lakeview, a lively area three blocks from the lake and central to stores, restaurants, and movie theaters.  The complimentary continental breakfast and afternoon cookies make it an inviting alternative to local bed-and-breakfasts. Workout buffs don't despair: although there is no on-site fitness center, guests have access to a local Bally's Health Club, which attracts many local gay guys.

City Suites is at 933 W. Belmont Ave with  45 rooms. Just steps from the El stop on Belmont Avenue, this former transient dive has been transformed into a charming small hotel. Most rooms are suites, with separate sitting rooms and bedrooms, all decorated in a homey and comfortable style. The overall feel is that of a bed-and-breakfast, with added amenities such as plush robes and complimentary continental breakfast.  A bonus -  or drawback, depending on how you look at it, is It's a little noisier and the neighborhood is very bustling here, since the location is right on a main street.  You also  get free access to Bally's health club 5 blocks away, and it has a very large gay clientèle.



The City Inns pride themselves on their personalized care, premier service and exceeding the needs of their discriminating leisure and business travelers. The staff is passionate here and  ensure an enjoyable and memorable stay - something you don't often see in the big hotels downtown. These properties boast a welcoming “neighborhood” charm yet with all the services and amenities of a full-service hotel. Many packages are available depending on your interests. Everything from theatre and dining to comedy and baseball!
 
For Valentines (or anytime) ask about the Cupids Arrow promotion. 



Beautiful Boutique Hotels in Chicago's
 Gay Boystown Neighborhoods!



THE CITY INNS



The Best of Gay Chicago

 

        

Commuters across the United States (and the world) shed their pants  this past weekend  for "No Pants Day."

The event started officially 8 years ago in New York City where participants with bare legs were required to mingle with other-- equally half-naked-- travelers. But It is said that earlier versions of No Pants date back to the 1990's.

Improv Everywhere causes scenes of chaos and joy in public places. Created in August of 2001 by Charlie Todd, Improv Everywhere has executed over 85 missions involving thousands of undercover agents. The group is based in New York.

The annual event encourages riders to strip down to their underwear on the Subway as they go about their normal routine.

The event's organizers, Improv Everywhere, said that as many as 2,000 people participated in the "No Pants Day" event in New York alone, with more participating in  other cities including Chicago and  Washington DC. It is estimated as many as 44  similar events took place in  transit systems in 16 countries!

It is estimated about 120  people  gathered in Edgewater. Got onto a train at the Granville station. From there, groups of people  would get off at each stop and then get on the following train - that way they could surprise the people on different  platforms as well as overwhelm the people already on the train.

 

 

According to its official website, Improv Everywhere is a long form improvisation troupe that executes pre-planned "missions" or performances that usually involve socially awkward or unusual situations.

 

 

Some commuters who participated in "No Pants Day" said they got phone calls from friends or invitations to join the event on Facebook.

The first Friday in May is another  "No Pants Day".  
 But no pants in the Winter is a  little  funnier and crazier! 

 

        

COME   CELEBRATE!

as   BEST   GAY    CHICAGO   celebrates  our
 
2nd Year Anniversary!       And You are Invited!

Thursday, Jan. 14th      7 - 9 pm  @  Roscoes     3356 N. Halsted

Hosted bar by    ABSOLUT 100 Proof

Private invite - You are invited but You MUST  RSVP   
by  Jan 13th to get on  the guestlist. SPACE IS LIMITED!

Just send an email or call with your names to be on the list.
bestgaycities @ gmail.com       773-878-5323

        

Chicago Takes Off is the annual burlesque revue-style show where talented male and female dancers donate their time and energy to strut their stuff in support of TPAN. Colorful and energetic choreographed performances and entertainment engage audiences in this sexy celebration of life.

Chicago Takes Off: TV Land Outside the Box will expose the finest assets of Chicago's dance community. As the title signifies, this years theme,TV Land Outside the Box, will showcase burlesque, theatrical and variety acts using classic TV shows as inspiration. 

The  two shows, sponsored by TPAN, a charity, will be held on Saturday, March 6th at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the Park West (322 W. Armitage).

Chicago Takes Off Table Captain Kickoff Party on Sunday, January 17 from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Scarlet Bar
(3320 N. Halsted) with a special preview performance.

Only tables will be sold on Sunday.  Individual tickets can be purchased beginning Monday, January 18.


Purchase tickets to the 7:30 PM show

Purchase tickets to the 10:00 PM show


Chicago Takes Off Video Clip



The Best of Gay Chicago

        

 

For New Years Eve, we attended a party at a friends house in Boystown. We were treated to delcious desserts from his Polish friend and pastry chef Anna Majewski, from Sugar Hills Bakery. Cookies that were delicious, European pastries to die for and a cake that was out of this world!

The cake was  NUTCRACKER. It was done in  traditional European old-world-style. A combination of walnut cake filled with mocha kahlua and  chocolate vodka REAL  buttercreams, raisins and nuts! WOW! It was heaven!

 

From specialty and wedding cakes (yes they do very nice gay wedding cakes!)  to elegant pastries and  delectable cookies, this bakery has it all. Delicious goods made completely from scratch from only the highest quality ingredients with great attention to detail. "Because we are small we have complete quality control," explained Anna. "I use only the best and finest ingredients. If I wouldn't put it in my mouth - I won't make it."


    

    Anna is a  self-taught pastry chef  spending most of her life working for various bakers and pastry shops. With her European background and pastry knowledge, she has a very strong decorating and design sense, as well as a real knack for pairings of flavors as well as delicious and unique combinations.

  “Our options of flavors and fillings can be anything you like,” she explains. “From very simple like vanilla or more complex, such as Kahlua or orange flavored with Grand Marnier. You can choose anything, but I will draw the line with weird combinations. We’re not going to put together mismatched flavors, such as lemon and mocha. That’s not a good combination.”

 
Cake choices range from vanilla and chocolate to red velvet and lemon. Mouth watering  fillings that  like chocolate and vodka, mint white chocolate, mocha and Kahlua. Nearly 2 dozen different flavored  mousses. And specialty cakes ranging from Raspberry Snow, Double Chocolate Passion and Straciatella, just to name a few!



     

Sugar Hills Bakery offers a daily selection of European style pastries and baked goods at their shop. Fruit tarts, napoleons, éclairs, tiramisu slices, pecan slices, lemon bars, brownies, apple and cherry slices, raspberry tarts, opera cake slices, French macaroons with fresh raspberries, cheesecake slices, chocolate rum slices, Italian butter cookies and cut out sugar cookies. But if you can't make it to the shop, they will arrange delivery.

Sugar Hills Bakery has been in business since 2006 in Algonquin.  Over 10 years of experience and offer unparalleled expertise. Count on them for upscale cakes and pastries, great catering services, and excellent attentive  customer care. Customized bakery creations  from shaped, iced sugar cookies to formal cakes, most designs can be created for any occasion with at least five days notice. 
  

Custom orders are welcomed and on request,  they will  make special items that are a little  gay & risque' !

You will not find better baked goods in the entire Chicago area!

BEST BAKERIES / PASTRY SHOPS IN CHICAGO!


 Visit their European-style bakery in Algonquin, near Barrington Hills,
at 644 S. Main Street (Rt. 31)  PH 847-658-8765  

 The  new  location will be  open in a  couple  weeks -  
532 W. Dundee Rd.   Wheeling, IL. 60090  PH  847-541-4800

 Watch for a Chicago location in the city coming soon!






The Best of Gay Chicago

 

        

        

Broadway Revue in Color:
Hit Songs from Black Broadway Shows

Featuring Gordon Michaels

Saturday, Jan. 16, 7:30 p.m.

$25 general public/$20 seniors
$15 students and MVCC staff
@Dorothy Menker Theater

Powerful baritone vocalist Gordon Michaels will return to Moraine Valley Community College to perform “Broadway Revue in Color: Hit Songs from Black Broadway Shows”.  This musical revue features show-stopping numbers from most of the well-known traditional black musicals from Broadway, including selections from Dreamgirls, Five Guys Named Mo, Ain't Misbehavin’, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Porgy & Bess, The Wiz, The Lion King, and others. Gordon Michaels’ delivery seems almost effortless and his stylistic range is diverse. 

A Boston cabaret artist, Michaels has performed with Patti Labelle, Aerosmith, Rod Stewart, and other legendary artists. He was awarded first place in the 2000 Encore Silver Note Sing Off and has been nominated twice for best male vocalist for Jazz and Gospel by the Boston Music Awards. He also is the creator of the popular Gospel Brunch at the original House of Blues in Harvard Square Cambridge, Massachusetts.



GET TICKETS for BROADWAY REVUE IN COLOR

        

 

While the weather outside
 may be frightful...
it's HOT  in Palm Springs!

 

We love California. And unlike Florida, which is susceptible to cool winter months, Southern California is pretty ideal, all year round.  If you have never been, Palm Springs is a desert city in  California - approximately 110 miles (177 km) east of Los Angeles and 140 miles (225 km) northeast of San Diego. Palm Springs is the jewel among desert cities and rightly so. Its village atmosphere has been preserved and embellished over the years.

The downtown area with its quaint lampposts, benches and Mexican tile-paved enclaves invites strolling among the shops, galleries, eateries and coffeehouses. Rich in history and blessed with glorious weather, it is a prime destination
of travelers from all over the world. ESPECIALLY this time of year!

Palm Springs offers over 20 top attractions , including Joshua Tree national park, the Living Desert, art galleries, casinos, and of course, endless golf! It’s a huge outdoor playground with consistently brilliant sunshine, great for sunning and all types of outdoor activities with the sweet, clean air.

It's a very gay and gay-friendly city. Late March, early April thousands of LGBT tourists take over the city! March 31st - April 1st they host THE DINAH. It  is considered the largest lesbian event in the world. Then April 9th-12th, it's the Palm Springs White Party. A huge line-up of International Dj's and 8 assorted  parties and events.

 

Every Thursday night the main street in Palm Springs, Palm Canyon Drive, is closed to traffic and opened to a vibrant street festival. Food vendors, arts and crafts exhibits and loads of free entertainment by numerous artists. Strolling, munching, looking and sipping the length of Palm Canyon Drive from one end to the other in the heart of Palm Springs is a great way to ‘people and puppy watch’ for an hour or an entire evening.

 

The current gay and lesbian population in Palm Springs is estimated to be about seven times the national average.  This concentration is even greater than that of San Francisco, which has approximately five times the national average. Gay residents represent about 35 percent of those who are year-round residents.

 

There are over 35 openly-gay resort hotels in the city to choose from. Our favorite is INNdulge A Resort Hotel for Gay Men.  @ 601 Grenfall Road, Palm Springs CA 92264  
PH 800.833.5675 / (760) 327.1408.     Rest; Relaxation; and Pampering!

 

INNdulge is one of the most established guesthouses here in Palm Springs. Located in the Warm Sands neighborhood (an area flush with clothing-optional gay accommodations), this elegant award-winning 24-room facility offers several sizes of rooms, most of which look out on the spacious pool, open 24 hours. And by the way, it  is actually cooled down in the hot hot summer months!

 

From breakfast time until well after 3AM each night, there is always something going on at this resort and you can't help but get caught up in it. At any time of the day there is a whole crowd of friendly guys to mingle with, and you are sure to develop both instant crushes and lasting friendships.

INNdulge Palm Springs is a wonderful example of Palm Springs 50's architecture. You can appreciate the architecture and the mountain views during the hotel's free social hour that extends for two hours. It is a great way to meet the hotel's wonderful owners, John and Jean-Guy, as well as your fellow guests.

Don't take our word for it, just read the reviews left by members of the press worldwide.

INNdulge your fantasies, INNdulge your fancy, INNdulge your spirit!

Palm Springs is a great get away city. Sun, relaxation, shopping, dining and golf.
 
This week, while it's  30 in the Midwest... It's a gorgeous 75 there. Where would you rather be??



Best of Gay Chicago

Best of Gay Palm Springs

        

 

DID  YOU  KNOW...


You can get


BEST  GAY  CHICAGO


delivered  to your  phone?



BEST GAY CHICAGO MOBILE

        

BEST
      GAY
           CHICAGO

     celebrates  our
 
2nd Year Anniversary!

And You are Invited!



Thursday, Jan. 14th

7 - 9 pm  @  Roscoes
3356 N. Halsted

Hosted bar by 
Absolut 100 Proof

You MUST  RSVP 
by  Jan 13th to get
on  the guestlist for this event.


Just send an email or call with your names to be on the list.
bestgaycities @ gmail.com
773-878-5323

        

If you don't know the name YONY LEYSER yet, you will soon! This young filmmaker is on his way!

What started as a fascination with one of the pioneers of the alternative-beat generation, Chicago native, Yony Leyser began a film that was at first, just a William S. Burroughs documentary but by the end of the project, the Burroughs estate and Leyser himself realized he was creating the Burroughs documentary.


William S. Burroughs: A Man Within will be premiere opening night of  the SlamdanceFilm Festival  January 22nd at 5:30 pm in Park City  Utah, and then again on January 27th at 7:30. Gus Van Sant will be at the screening.

After being kicked out of film school  in  Los  Angeles, Yony moved to Kansas. "I knew Burroughs had lived in Lawrence, Kansas, where my sister lived. So, I moved there 2003 and got a job at the KU newspaper. I wrote a big article for the paper about the history of counter culture called, “From Beatnik to Anarchist: Radical Eruption in Lawrence.” And in it I talked about Burroughs moving to town in the 80’s. His estate got hold of it, and I kind of befriended the estate, and brought up the idea of making a documentary. At first they were like, “Sure, kid. Be another one of the 100 people that think they’re going to the one to make a documentary about Burroughs.”

I just started, and I interviewed his friends that were still in Lawrence and then they started introducing me to other people. They introduced me to a beat poet by the name of Charles Plymell in upstate New York, who introduced me to Sonic Youth, who introduced me…On and on, and that’s how I got all the interviews. And doing this with no money, I just had a camera, puts you in some pretty interesting situations.

It’s been a lot more fun doing it this way, but now I have a professional post production house and I showed the Burroughs’ estate a rough cut of it about a year ago, and they were really shocked how far I’d gotten, and that’s when they become completely supportive. And I moved back here to Chicago to finish it, linking up with Bullet Proof Films.Bullet Proof Films.

William Seward Burroughs II was an American novelist, essayist, social critic, painter and spoken word performer. Much of Burroughs's work is semi-autobiographical, drawn from his experiences as an opiate addict, a condition that marked the last fifty years of his life. A primary member of the Beat Generation, he was an avant-garde author who affected popular culture as well as literature. 


William S. Burroughs: A Man Within is a feature-length independent documentary that  features never before seen footage of William S. Burroughs, as well as exclusive interviews with his closest friends and colleagues including John Waters, Genesis P-Orridge, Laurie Anderson, Peter Weller, David Cronenberg,
Iggy Pop, Gus Van Sant, Sonic Youth, Anne Waldman, George Condo, Hal Willner, James Grauerholz, Amiri Baraka, Jello Biafra, V. Vale, David Ohle, Wayne Propst, Dr. William Ayers, Diane DiPrima, Donovan, Dean Ripa (the world's
largest poisonous snake collector), and many others, with narration by actor Peter Weller, and soundtrack by Sonic Youth.


The film investigates the life of legendary author and American icon.  Born the heir of the Burroughs’ adding machine estate, he struggled throughout his life with addiction, control systems and self. He was
forced to deal with the tragedy of killing his wife and the repercussions of neglecting his son. His novel, Naked Lunch, was one of the last books to be banned by the U.S. government. Allen Ginsberg and Norman Mailer testified on behalf of the book. The courts eventually overturned their decision in 1966, ruling that the book had important social
value. It remains one of the most recognized literary works of the 20th century.

In the 1970's, he  began to associate with New York cultural players such as Andy Warhol, John Giorno, Lou Reed, Patti Smith, and Susan Sontag, frequently entertaining them at his "Bunker". 

In the  late 1980s, Burroughs had become a counterculture figure and collaborated with performers ranging from Bill Laswell's Material and Laurie Anderson to Throbbing Gristle, Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy and Ministry, and in Gus Van Sant's 1989 film Drugstore Cowboy, playing a character based on a short story he published in Exterminator!, "the "Priest" they called him".

William S. Burroughs: A Man Within  is the first and only  posthumous documentary about this legendary figure.

A note from  Yony -

The goal at the Slamdance Film Festival is to connect with a distributor that will release the film in theaters and on DVD, exposing the odd and beautiful world of Burroughs to the public. Slamdance runs concurrently with its big brother, Sundance, and is our best shot to do this.

The expenses associated with putting a film in a festival are substantial — we have to hire a publicist, cover travel costs, print posters, convert the film to HD, and pay for final footage rights. Our credit cards are maxed out, our checking accounts empty. Regardless, we want to make this happen.

Make a donation at KICKSTER and  become part of this filmmaking history project!



YONY LEYSER on FaceBook            Burroughs The Movie


The Best of Gay Chicago

        

TONY N' TINAS WEDDING 

is the longest running Off-Broadway show in history! It started in 1988 in New York City and has been playing in Chicago about 15 years.

It is a unique theatrical experience that  has won over the hearts of thousands of people, in over 100 cities worldwide, including Japan, Australia and many European cities.

At Tony n' Tina's Wedding, audience members actually play the roles of Tony n' Tina's family and/or friends. You a part of the show and experience. You become part of the Long Island Italian families festivities. And you don't have to bring a gift!

It's an interactive show with a crazy cast that features 2 Brooklyn families - the Nunzio's  and the Vitale's. Big mouths and little class! Tacky, campy, kitschy and cheesy. It's very spontaneous and you are never quite sure what you'll you experience. The show is three-fourths improvised, with the actors depending more on "beats" of structure than dialogue. "The conga line goes exactly the same direction at exactly the same time every night," explains the director. But you're never quite sure what  Mama Vitale will say TO YOU!

The extremely pregnant maid of honor drinks like a fish and smokes like a chimney. Tina's ex-boyfriend, crashes the party in a last-ditch effort to win her back. Maddy a girl from Tony's pop's joint, does an impromptu musical number. Father Mark , the priest who officiated at the wedding ceremony, gets blitzed on scotch and is unable to stop himself from being brutally honest to anyone he speaks with. And then there is Tina's gay older brother who is  a hoot and more than willing to do the $1  dance with you!

 Do not expect to simply be an observer at this show. You're a part of the production - relax. Join the fun. Be spontaneous and go with the flow. There is food.  An average  Italian  "Boo-Fay". Some mostacolli, bad salad and bread, and some wedding cake. But you're not going for the food - you are going for the show. Mama Nunzio apologized for the bad food. "Those damn cheap ass Vitale's!"


So if you haven't been part of the excitement then get a group together and come  down and join in on the fun, because at Tony n' Tina's Wedding you're not just a member of the audience, you're a friend of the family!!  The Chicago show is running thru the end of the year - and it is rumored, they will be taking a break and coming back with something new and different  in  2010!


NEW  YEARS   EVE  is  a riot because the wedding goes on all night! 
Join the family for a special performance on December 31! Dance the night away with music from DJ Monty, and sip champagne as you watch the ball drop from the comfort of Vinnie Black's Coliseum! The party goes until 2am.  Call the box office and mention this article...but hurry!

TONY N TINA TICKETS

Pipers Alley, 230 West North Ave.    Old Towne      Chicago, IL 60610   312-664-8844

 

        

Every 10 minutes, someone in the United States is infected with HIV. A preventive vaccine against HIV offers the best long-term hope to end this worldwide epidemic. Finding a safe and effective HIV vaccine that will protect people is a huge task. We cannot do it without your help.

• We are currently seeking 1350 men who have sex with men to participate in a vaccine trial. You cannot become infected with HIV from the vaccines.
• The study will take place in several cities in the United States.

Participants must be:

• Men who have sex with men
• 18-45 years old
• HIV-negative
• Circumcised

Safety is a primary goal of the vaccine trial. This is a Phase II study, designed to yield limited information on the effectiveness of the vaccine. The research vaccines have been found to be safe in animals and hundreds of humans in previous trials. One of the vaccines is made from an inactivated cold virus known as an adenovirus. The vaccines do NOT contain the HIV virus, and CANNOT cause HIV infection. Since these vaccines are still being researched, we urge all of our participants to practice safe sex.

The HIV vaccine trial is a collaboration between the HIV Vaccine Trials Network, the Division of AIDS, NIAID and the Vaccine Research Center, NIAID.

For  Chicago  -  contact   Project WISH / University of Illinois at Chicago
840 S. Wood St, Room B39      Chicago, IL 60612          312 413-5897


The  Best   of  Gay  Chicago

        

Tony Award® winners
Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth 
put on a fresh new 
THE  ADDAMS  FAMILY
on Broadway last night.
 
It was the official Pre-Broadway World Premiere last night in Chicago at the Ford Center Oriental Theatre. The show runs thru January 10th then heads to New York City at the Lunt-Fintanne Theatre in March.

It’s an Addams Family portrait slightly different than the television  and movie versions.  So at times, it is difficult to grasp the new Gomez and the new and changed Pugsley. John Astin was a brilliant Gomez! And Raul Julia was  suave and romantic. Nathan Lane - is Nathan Lane - as Gomez. It's not  necessarily a bad thing - just different than what you would expect.

Gomez, is still all mad impetuosity, Bebe Neuwirth is a convincing Morticia, equal parts fire and ice, eye-popping Uncle Fester (Kevin Chamberlain), is  entertaining, restless and romantic, the crazy Grandma (Jackie Hoffman) is brilliantly funny  and underused, Pugsley the little brother is still Pugsley  and Wednesday, who is now eighteen years old and finally feeling what it means to be a woman, really brings something different to the character and the story.  It's a  family that’s quite shockingly, and endearingly dysfunctional, probably  just like yours!

 

The last time Nathan Lane was similarly in Chicago – for the pre-broadway  premiere of Mel Brooks’   The Producers – the show quickly turned into international gold, so hopes are high for  The Addams Family. 


It's important to remember, that this original musical by Tony-nominated librettists Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice (Jersey Boys) and Drama Desk Award winner Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party) is not based on past Addams Family properties, but uses characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams. The Addams illustrations inspired a TV sitcom, a TV cartoon series and two live-action feature film comedies.

I grew up with  the TV show - and I adored Raul Julia, Angelica Houston, Christopher Lloyd and Christina Ricci in the film versions! Just go with an open mind, knowing it will be different.  It's the Addams Family - Meets  Broadway.

I think in New York, the 1,400-seat Lint-Fintanne will be much better suited for the show and it's wonderful stage - as oppposed to the much larger 2,400-seat Oriental Theatre here in Chicago. 
I LOVE the Oriental Theatre! But the intimacy of being in the Addams house, is sometimes lost, especially for those further back from the stage. The staging and set itself is gorgeous and costumes and lighting are all great.

Ticket prices are $28 to $105


Ford Oriental Theatre   
24 W. Randolph
Chicago 60601



Broadway In Chicago Ticketline
at (800) 775-2000.

        

This is  always a great, great party!

Wednesday, December 16th

VIP Reception: 5:30 PM
6 - 9 PM

Hotel Sax
333 N Dearborn

Regular Tickets:
$65 in advance/$75 at door
VIP Tickets: $125



The  champagne is flowing all evening at this festive cocktail party and silent auction benefit. Join Chicago House for an evening of Champagne and art, with LIVE music from cabaret duo Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen!

This year, they are  bringing back the VIP reception, with tastings of rare vintage Champagne, a gourmet seafood and caviar buffet, and the comic cooking capers of “Baking with Bertha's” Bertha Mason! Only 40 tickets are available, so be sure to reserve your spot today!

GET TICKETS ONLINE TODAY FOR CHAMPAGNE WRAPTURE  SAVE  $10


*SIDENOTE -  Facebook Users: Vote For Chicago House!
Chase Bank is doing a Charity Vote contest on Facebook. In round one, any non-profit is eligible for votes between now and Dec. 11th. A total of $5 million is up for grabs based on user votes! Vote for Chicago House TODAY and we could be granted up to $25,000! Click here to vote now!



The  Best  of Gay  Chicago

        

Daniel Sotomayor, an inductee in the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame — A HERO COMES HOME , an exhibit on his life and times,  is on display until March 5, 2010, at the Institute of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, 3015 W. Division Street, in Humboldt Park, Chicago, Illinois.


Sotomayor was a cartoonist and one of Chicago's most explosive AIDS activists. The exhibit includes cartoons by Sotomayor, photos, T-shirts, the AIDS Quilt panel created in Sotomayor's honor, and more. 



Daniel Sotomayor was born on August 30, 1958. He grew up in the Humboldt Park area of Chicago, at troubled youth of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent. He attended Prosser High School, studied acting at the Center Theatre, attended the American Academy of Art and graduated from Columbia College with a degree in graphic arts. He began to pursue a career in acting and graphic design.
 
Daniel's HIV seroconversion and sudden diagnosis with AIDS in 1988 shattered his personal and professional aspirations awakening in him the activist who changed forever the standard by which our community leaders are judged. After joining ACTUP/CHICAGO, Daniel proceeded through sheer force of will to propel that organization to its highest effective visibility. Daniel became widely known for his public confrontations with Mayor Richard M. Daley to bring attention to the AIDS crisis, the Chicago Health Department's responsibility to implement the City's AIDS Strategic Plan and inadequate education, prevention and media programs.
 
Daniel also established himself as the first nationally syndicated, openly gay political cartoonist. During his brief but brilliant three1year career, he created over two hundred scathing, and often humorous, cartoons illustrating his anger with AIDS, with government inaction, with the insurance industry, the health care system, pharmaceutical companies and, frequently, with AIDS activists themselves. Daniel has left his indelible mark on the AIDS movement, on our community's awakening as a political force, on the minds of "leaders" who have had reason to fear his unblinking honesty, and on the hearts of those who came to know the human being behind the headlines. Daniel's relentless pursuit of the truth helped him to live his life with a consistency of ethic that most of us can only aspire towards. In doing so, he changed forever our definition of "leader". Daniel passed in 1992. But his spirit and efforts made an impact on many!

 
The institute is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
 It is closed on Wednesday and Sunday.


The  Best  of  Gay  Chicago

        

   

Heather McDonald is a  seasoned stand up   comedienne, actress and writer.

For the last 2 years she has gained popularity on Chelsea Handler's  Chelsea Lately show  on  E! She is a full-time  writer and story producer on the show and makes regular appearances at the show's "round table discussions".


Last summer E!  put together several special shows called  The Comedians of Chelsea Lately, featuring all of the comics that are regularly seen during her roundtable discussions on the show. Now the various comedians venture out on the road touring around the country.  Heather  McDonald will be coming to the CHICAGO  area  for  3  nights!

ZANIES in  Old Town  December 29th,
ZANIES  in  St. Charles  December 30th,
and ZANIES in Vernon Hills  December 31st
Zanies Box Office at 312-337-4027

What can we expect from Heather?  "I talk about my life. I’m married and have been married for 9 years and I have two kids and a stepdaughter and I talk about all that. I don’t know what they edited from it but I did a lot of my impression stuff since I know that’s what I’m known for but I tell stories…my life is pretty funny. I live next door to my parents; I chose to buy a house next door to my parents. [laughs] It’s great if I run out of milk or chardonnay or if my husband used one of my last Vicodin but it’s also like sometimes there’s a lot of pressure. My Mom is practically having an affair with my husband because she wants him to fix things but my Dad is this former Marine that has major ego problems so she’ll be like “Peter, Bob is going to the doctor. Can you come over?” And I talk a lot about pop culture and things. I watch a lot of TV and I can act out episodes and stuff."

And NO, she doesn't really have  LONG BOOBS, as Chelsea affectionately likes to imply!  "Oh my God!  I was at the Playboy mansion and someone was like ‘Long Boobs!’ Or someone will come up and say ‘I’ve got long boobs, too!’ I say ‘Listen, it’s a joke. I don’t. But if you want to go to the bathroom to show you, I will.’ But I don’t care because it is such a funny name and one time I did a show with Chelsea and this woman gave me a joke thing that was this long boobs bra, like something you’d get at Spencer’s, and it was hilarious. I mean, I show them off a lot so they deserve to be made fun of. I’m huge on the cleavage so fine, go ahead and do it."


See you  at  ZANIES!


Follow Heather  on twitter!        Join Heather  Facebook Fan Page!           

Add Heather  on Facebook!   Add Heather on MySpace



The  Best  of  Gay  Chicago

        

Do you admire those of the, how should I say, tranny kind??

This is a new party for * TS/TG/TV  girls
and the men that love them!

Happening Monday, Dec 14th

@Spin Nightclub     800 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL      773.327.7711

Doors Open 9pm-2am

Cover get a FREE DRINK!
$10 Gentlemen / $ 5 Ladies



Fabulous Entertainment Includes:

Shows by Your Hostess AURORA SEXTON!
Additional ENTERTAINMENT by Mercedes, Reina Valentino and Kinley Preston.
Special guest from NYC Legendary Party Hostess Sunny Dee-Lite
And FEATURED Guest Dancer from Los Angeles -XXX Film Star Yasmin Lee!!!!!


This will surely be a night to remember!

*TS -   transexual - a person who has undergone a sex change operation.
*TG-  transgender - involving a partial or full reversal of gender.
*TV-  transvestite -  relates more to the desire to cross dress.


TRANNY PALLOOZA on MySpace


The Best of Gay Chicago

        

Get them while they are hot!

This month the Illinois State Lottery brought back the RED RIBBON  BONUS  BUCKS  game.  For  just  $2  per  card, the odds of winning  are  1  in  4.59  and  100% OF NET PROCEEDS GO TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF THOSE WITH HIV/AIDS.

The Illinois Lottery, in partnership with Illinois Department Public Health, is once again working together to raise millions of dollars to help people living with HIV/AIDS in Illinois and is encouraging residents to “Wrap it Up Illinois.”

“We are incredibly pleased to launch this new ticket and along with the ‘Wrap it Up Illinois’ initiative where we can all stand together to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS in Illinois and across the globe,” said Illinois Lottery Acting Superintendent Jodie Winnett.

During this winter season, the Illinois Lottery is encourage residents to “Wrap it Up Illinois,” and are offering a special red Quality of Life commemorative scarf (while supplies last) to those who submit $20 worth of non-winning “Red Ribbon Bonus Bucks” scratch-off tickets.

Players can submit their non-winning “Red Ribbon Bonus Bucks” tickets to:

Wrap it Up Illinois ,  c/o Emmis Communications
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza ,  Suite 230 ,  Chicago, IL 60654


Illinois has the sixth highest number of AIDS cases in the nation, with more than 40,000 reported cases of AIDS since 1981. Of those diagnosed with the disease, about 19,996 persons have died. In 2008, there were 1,915 persons newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. This represents an 8 percent increase in the number of new diagnoses over the previous year.

        

Looking for some

gay yuletide fun this season? 


Two great shows at the  Theatre Building Chicago  are sure to help you get your holiday queer cheer on.

Theatre Wit presents  The Santaland Diaries.
Running  now  thru  January 2nd,
Thursdays thru Sundays, at  Theatre Building Chicago.

Santaland diaries launched the career of writer and commentator David Sedaris. A true story, he recounts his days as a Christmas elf at Macy's department store in New York City. The experience eventually made its way into the book Barrel Fever and has been made into a short play.

David Sedaris' sardonic tale of his stint as an Elf in  Santaland returns for its annual visit, starring Mitchell Fain who headed this sold-out run last year, praised by the Chicago Tribune as a "singular  interpretation that feels fresh again" in a production with "just the right sensibility". He is  GREAT in the role he plays the audience well.

At first the job is simply humiliating, but once the thousands of visitors start pouring through Santa’s workshop, he becomes battle weary and bitter. Taking consolation in the fact that some of the other elves were television extras on One Life to Live, he grins and bears it, occasionally taking out his frustrations on the children and parents alike.

The piece ends with yet another Santa being ushered into the workshop, but this one is different from the lecherous or drunken ones with whom he has had to work. This Santa actually seems to care about and love the children who come to see him, startling our hero into an uncharacteristic moment of goodwill just before his employment runs out.

Showtimes and Prices for Santaland Diaries.




Something a little different -


Girlie-Q Productions, Chicago's premiere LGBT alternative to mainstream burlesque, presents its first original, full-length production, Delight Before Christmas, a sexy, campy, comic burlesque journey to discover the meaning of Christmas.

Delight Before Christmas incorporates a stunning variety of classic burlesque, modern dance, variety acts, and performance art to tell the story of a hopeless Fox News intern who posts a sad message on Craigslist and then is led on a sexy, magical quest by the Fairy Craigster to find the true meaning of the season. Along the journey, they encounter a gender-bending gang of burlesque and variety performers who each express the meaning of the season in their own unique and titillating ways.

One part Baz Luhrmann and one part Dickens, with a dash of 1940's & 1970?s holiday claymation and a heaping tablespoon of Bing Crosby & Howard Hawkes, combined in a cocktail shaker with several shots naked ladies, boylesque dancers, jugglers, drag and butoh performers, and all the ingredients for a flaming rum punch, Delight Before Christmas goes behind the glittery holiday facade, exploring the agony and ecstasy of the season, with an ending wrapped in a sparkling bow.

SPECIAL  nightly guest performers include RTG Dance & Cruel Valentine (12/3), Siren Jinx & The Revelettes (12/4), Backdoor Aly & Scarlett D'Evil (12/5), The Lady Miss Vagina Jenkins & Bizarre Sally (12/10), The Lady Miss Vagina Jenkins & The Revelettes (12/11), The Lady Miss Vagina Jenkins & Holly Wouldn't (12/12), Tribal Bellydancer Jolie & Siren Jinx (12/17), Tribal Bellydancer Jolie & Holly Wouldn't (12/18), and Dizzy Lizzy Delicious (12/19).


Plays  Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays ONLY thru December 19th!

Get a sneak peak at YouTube



The Best of Gay Chicago

        

THIS  SHOW  IS 

ALMOST  SOLD  OUT!


The original Vampire Lesbians of Sodom will be together again, if only for one night, when alt-theater mainstays Charles Busch and Julie Halston present an unpredictable evening of fun and conversation, Monday, December 7 at 7:30 pm at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago.

Known for his drag star alter-egos in works like Die, Mommie, Die! and Psycho Beach Party, as well as the Tony nominated Broadway hit, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, writer-director-actor Charles Busch will take the stage with his best friend and muse, Julie Halston. She is the acclaimed actress most recognized as Bitsy Von Muffling from Sex and The City who began her career originating roles in Busch’s Vampire Lesbians of Sodom.
 
For one night only, the pair will recount their theatrical climb from campy cult success to critical acclaim on film, television, and Broadway. Through anecdotes, film clips and recreating scenes from Busch's plays, the duo will share the triumphs and tribulations that made for longevity in not only their professional lives but their friendship as well.
 
An Evening with Charles Busch & Julie Halston is presented as part of Victory Gardens Fresh Squeezed, a series of offbeat performance-based events targeting younger and diverse audiences, featuring a special spotlight on LGBTQ-focused work in 2009/2010. 

Tickets to An Evening with Charles Busch & Julie Halston are $30 in advance; $35 at the door - if available . 
For tickets and information, call 773.871.3000, or purchase online at Victory Gardens .




The  Best  of  Gay  Chicago