Monthly Archives: November 2009
Boystown Chicago Hotels Gives Back This Holiday Season
Located in the heart of the stylish and exclusive Lakeview section of Chicago, The City Inns of Chicago – The Majestic Hotel, The Willows Hotel & The City Suites – welcome you with an abundance of personality, style and charm that epitomizes the essence of their environs.
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.
During this holiday season they have a special promotion! Help them decorate a tree this season for a less fortunate family, and you can save $10 off your room rate.
“Bring in a new boxed ornament to add to our trees and upon check-in, we’ll give you an additional $10 off any of our existing deals. We’ll be donating the decorated trees, along with gifts and a holiday breakfast.”
“A little generosity can go a long way. Bring an ornament and help make someone’s holiday season and tree’s a little brighter!”
Broughton Hospitality and City Inns
Luxury Boutique Hotels in Chicago’s Boystown
City Suites Hotel Majestic Hotel Willows Hotel
The Best of Gay Chicago
Terror in the Aisles – Attention Scarey Movie Fans December 5th
JUST A WEEK AWAY!
Do you like horror movies
and scarey movies?
From the people who bring us
MASSACRE AT THE MUSIC BOX…
now comes
TERROR IN THE AISLES 3
$12 for a Night of Totally Terrifying films, music, vendor tables, vintage movie trailers, prizes, surprises and more!!!
Dec. 5, 2009
Portage Theater
4050 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60641
1.773.736.4050
Doors open at 7pm.
THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT
(10th Anniversary!)
with director Eduardo Sanchez
in person!
NIGHT OF THE CREEPS
(director’s cut)
with director FRED DEKKER
in Person!
BLACK CHRISTMAS
Bob Clark’s legendary holiday slasher classic!
Special Guest WENDY ROBIE
(star of People Under The Stairs & Twin Peaks)
Reads Edgar Allan Poe for Poe’s Bicentennial Birthday Celebration!
Short films include:
TREEVENGE (A Chilling Tale of Christmas Gone Wrong!)
CHEMICAL 12-D (Moral Confusion After a Zombie Apocalypse!)
Bands: My Damn Butterfly Modern Day Rippers
For more info online at MOVIE SIDE FESTIVAL or Portage Theater
Terror in the Aisles on FaceBook!
Can A Leather Daddy Run For a Senate Seat? Joe Laiacona says YES!
Did you see the READER last week?!
Joe Laiacona, a part-time computer science teacher at Columbia College, is running as a reformer (state representative of the 40th District) against the incumbent, Deborah Mell, daughter of powerful 33rd Ward alderman Richard Mell.
With the help of veteran election lawyer Richard Means, Laiacona has filed a gutsy challenge to her nominating petition, alleging that she’s not a registered voter at her current residence.
That has election watchers buzzing, but it’s not what makes him a historic candidate. And he’s an openly gay man going toe-to-toe with an out lesbian for state office in a working-class northwest-side district—a first.
But there’s more: if elected, Laiacona would be the first known leather master to take office in Illinois.
Read the full article at the Chicago READER online.
(model from Hot House)
Is the End of HIV Within our Grasp?! Dr. Surhid Paul Say’s YES!
THIS IS A MUST SEE!
The end of HIV may be closer than we think! Actors, performers, comedians, HIV activists, and scientists come together to show support for Covalent Immunology, and Dr. Sudhir Paul. The Cast includes Lady Bunny, Justin Bond, Ben Andrews, and more!
$5 is all it takes – lets face it, a cure and vaccine isn’t gonna come from the big pharma, its gonna come from a brilliant scholar/researcher…DR. PAUL!!
WATCH THE VIDEO
Covalent Immunology Foundation
READ MORE AT FOX NEWS
Gay Dating Online Brings Chicago Together!
Whether you are hitting the town for a wild night or you’re heading to the theater for a play or concert, doing what you enjoy is always better when you’re with someone special. Whether that someone is a friend, a companion for the evening, or someone you’ve been with for awhile, finding that exceptional someone you want to share your passions with can be hard to do in a city of Chicago’s size.
Sure, you could try gay dating the old-fashioned way and place a personals ad in the paper or you could hit up a club every weekend – but that won’t necessarily mean you’ll find the gay heart-throb or lesbian lover of your dreams. Encountering that special homosexual someone in a large city can be hard to do in a crowded club or without even seeing their picture.
In a city like Chicago you could club every night or put in a personals ad every week and still not meet the right gay or lesbian partner for you; but at a gay dating site like PrideDating, it’s a convenient way to get together with homosexual singles in your area looking for relationships, not just hookups. The right gay dating site makes it easy for you to find the right someone for you so you can forget the drama of the club scene, and forget waiting for a personals response.
Make the most of the right gay dating site and find someone near you that will make going out in the evenings fun and pleasurable. There is so much to experience in the city of Chicago – when you find that special someone near you that enjoys the same things using a gay dating site, you’ll look so forward to going out and hitting up every hot spot in town!
Board Game Dating for Gay and Lesbian Nerds
My partner and I belong to a Meetup.com group here in Chicago for Gay and Lesbian Professionals. From time to time, organizers throw different events. So in an effort to reach a new audience, I thought I would share those events here, as they come up. It’s only $5 per year to be member and most of the events are very inexpensive to attend. Plus it’s a great way to network with other LGBT Professionals. So check it out!
In November,
Board Game Dating for Gay Nerd Guys
When : November 30th, 2009 7:00pm
Price $20 per person
In December,
Board Game Dating for Lesbian Nerds
When: December 3, 2009 7:00 PM
Price: $20.00 per person
Where: Fat Cat 4840 N. Broadway Chicago, IL 60640 773-506-3100
Get your geek on with other smart, witty single night at our high-fun, low-pressure dating party, where trivia quizzes and ferocious board gaming wins you prizes as well as hearts.
The festivities take place from 7-10 p.m. in the mod back room at Fat Cat (4840 N. Broadway). We’ll have several rounds of small-group board games to break the ice and we’ll rotate the tables so that you can flirt with everyone in attendance over Apples to Apples, Catch Phrase, Taboo, Scattergories, Boggle, Homogenius and more.
Admission ($20 with advance registration and payment at Nerds at Heart or at Meet Up.com, or $25 at the door) also includes trivia contests, geeky prizes, theater ticket giveaways, a drawing for passes to the “Terror in the Aisles 3” fight-flick marathon at Portage Theater and a complimentary cocktail.
The Best of Gay Chicago
So You Think You Want To Be In Cirque Du Soleil?
WHAT’S YOUR SHPEEL?
ONE LUCKY WINNER TO PERFORM
AT THE LEGENDARY CHICAGO THEATRE
Winning Act to be Presented in the Grand Lobby Prior to
the December 9th performance of Banana Shpeel by Cirque du Soleil.
BroadwayWorld.com is giving one lucky winner the chance to entertain the pre-show audience in the grand lobby at the historical Chicago Theatre prior to a performance of Banana Shpeel, the new Cirque du Soleil show on December 9 at 8pm.
Interested contestants have the opportunity to sing, dance, or laugh their way to the theater by submitting a 60-second video to be voted on by their peers. In keeping with the vaudeville-inspired theme of Banana Shpeel, participants are encouraged to display a madcap bit of slapstick, an over-the-top comedic routine, or singing, dancing or performing a one-of-a-kind act with original creative content. Videos will be judged on creativity, raw talent, originality, humor, spirit and total “wow-factor.” To enter, participants should upload a 60-second video to YouTube.com and fill out the entry form at Broadway World.
The lucky winner will receive two complimentary tickets to Banana Shpeel and will enjoy accommodations courtesy of Delta Airlines and theWit, Doubletree Hotel in Chicago on December 9. Complimentary airfare to Chicago will be provided only if winner is from out-of-town. 25 runners up will each receive two complimentary tickets for Banana Spheel on December 9.
The contest runs until November 30 and is open to anyone 18 or older (under 18 with parental permission) in the United States. For complete terms and conditions see Broadway World.
Written and directed by David Shiner, Banana Shpeel is a roller-coaster mix of performance styles inspired by vaudeville that blends comedy with tap, hip hop, eccentric dance and slapstick, all linked by a hilarious narrative that ignites a succession of wacky adventures.
Propelled by crazy humor and intense choreography, Banana Shpeel plunges us into the world of Schmelky, a brash, ambitious producer who is trying to put together a spectacular variety show. His world is populated with sidekicks, dancers, singers and novelty acts – and a trio of badly-behaved clowns who crash the auditions spreading chaos in all directions.
For Banana Shpeel information and tickets, please visit Cirque du Soleil or Chicago Theatreor call 1.800.745.3000. Regular ticket prices range from $23 to $98, with limited Premium and Tapis Rouge VIP Experience tickets also available.
The Best of Gay Chicago
Reeling Festival Closes with OY VEY, MY SON IS GAY! Hit Movie and Party with Director Evgeny Afineevsky and Jai Rodriquez and Steve Kmetko
Last night was the closing film and party for the Reeling 28 – The Chicago Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.
This years season was a smashing success! 150 films were showcased over 10 days. Innovative gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender films from countries as diverse as the Philippines, Sweden, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Reeling continues to demonstrate the expanding breadth of gay-themed work being produced today by showcasing films representing multi-cultural perspectives and in genres ranging from musical comedy to horror to serious drama to compelling documentaries to introspective experimental, and more. Over 100 filmmakers and talent made appearances throughout the 10 days as well.
The closing film was OY VEY, MY SON IS GAY! A hilarious comedy starring the Mom of all Moms, Lainie Kazan! It is the story of the Hirsch’s, a Jewish family living in the North Shore of Long Island, where every Friday night Shirley Hirsch (Lainie Kazan) invites another “perfect” girl for Shabbat dinner in hopes that her son, Nelson (John Lloyd Young), will marry a nice Jewish girl. When Shirley and Martin (Saul Rubinek) once again set him up on a date, Nelson reveals that he is already seeing someone. Shirley and Martin are thrilled and can’t wait to meet the lucky lady. Turns out their is no “lucky lady” but instead, a “lucky guy”.
The movie also features a star-studded cast that includes, among others, Jai Rodriquez (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy – and also recording artist with a new album out!), Vincent Pastore (The Sopranos), comedian Bruce Vilanch, and Carmen Electra. It is a must see and something families will get a kick out of too!
Director Evgeny Afineevsky and Jai Rodriquez were at the film and the after-party, along with now Chicago resident Steve Kmetko, which took place at beautiful Architectural Artifacts. Many party people in attendance had a great time thanks in part to the many foods sponsors kindly donated and to the Vodka creations of SKYY INFUSIONS, Vodka infused with real fruit taste!
SKYY created a special drink just for the Reeling Festival. Get the recipe on Best Gay Chicago.
See more photos online from the Chicago Premiere.
See more photos online of the LA Premiere of OY VEY, MY SON IS GAY.
Best Gay Chicago
BEWARE:Homophobic Chicago Police Officer Richard Fiorito
The officer – Richard Fiorito. Known to harrass the gay community in and around Boystown. Will arrest you, even if you are NOT drunk and can pass the road tests!
This past week, 15 MORE plantiffs have filed suits against this allegedly anti-gay cop.
Fiorito has been placed on desk duty since the charges were first issued in early October. 16 more plaintiffs recently joined the case with the original 21, leading the total to 37 lawsuits against the officer. All testimony from Fiorito in any of these pending DUI cases will be on hold until internal investigations from the Cook County State Attorney’s Office and Independent Police Review Authority are complete.
Cook County State Attorney Anita Alvarez has now dismissed all pending Fiorito DUI casses, against the victims. Attorney JOn Erickson says, “My clients are elated Alvarez is finally doing the right thing and dismissing these cases, but will not rest until she indicts him for his crimes.”
Like that will happen!
ALERT!! This Thursday night –
The Next Step to Stopping Anti-LGBT Cop Officer Fiorito
This Thursday night, November 19th, is an excellent opportunity for you to send a message in person to the top Chicago Police Department brass about their allowing anti-gay cop Officer Richard Fiorito to remain employed by the City of Chicago.
7 PM, Thursday, Nov. 19 In front of Chicago Police Headquarters
3510 S. Michigan Avenue
Just a few blocks east of the “35th Street“ Red Line el station (ample street parking is available too)
At 7:30 PM we will go inside to attend the Police Board meeting. It begins with a half hour or so of formal business, followed by the public comment section. In order to speak in this section, you must call the Board at 312.742.4194 before 4 PM at least a day in advance.
The Best of Gay Chicago
Behind The Scenes Look at Cirque Du Soleil’s BANANA SHPEEL
Cirque du Soleil has been coming to Chicago for nearly 20 years –
but this time, with a TWIST!
Something new and different will make it’s premier in Chicago next week,
for a 8 week run, before moving on to New York City.
BANANA SHPEEL!
Is the newest creation from the Quebec company and will debut in Chicago
for a limited run (November 19-January 3),
before moving to New York’s BEACON THEATRE for an open
ended run starting February 4th, 2010.
Cirque is completing final preparations this week!
We got a sneak peak behind the scenes as costume designer extraodinar Dominique Lemieux
put finishing touches and did fittings on some of her creative clothes.
WATCH CIRQUE BEHIND THE SCENES video!
She says,” What makes the costumes unqiue is the juxtaposition of retro and modern.
The costumes recall the days of vaudeville, while the fabrics and materials are contemporary. Going from monochrome to color, and using vibrant shimmering and changing materials that will evoke the flamboyance of the world of vaudeville.”
We also got the chance to watch handsome male dancer LUKE HAWKINS…
…rehearse his tap dance!
It is going to be an exciting show!
Banana Shpeel is a roller-coaster mix of styles that blends comedy with tap, hip hop,
eccentric dance and slapstick, all linked by a narrative that ignites a succession of wacky adventures.
This is not circus, or a musical or a variety show, or even vaudeville.
It is Banana Shpeel!
(makeup designer Eleni Uranis gives a lesson to cast member)
Writer and Director David Shine, who also directed KOOZA, is back at the helm once again this time.
He explains the world of vaudeville and his collaboration with creator Serge Roy.
How the new show has elements of vaudeville, but yet very modern,
with elements of circus as well.
Tickets range $23 to $98. at Cirquedusoleil and Chicagotheatre.
DID YOU KNOW?
Cirque du Soleil celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2009. From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has more than 4,000 employees from over 40 different countries, including 1,000 performing artists.
Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to almost 90 million spectators in over 200 cities on five continents. In 2009, Cirque will present 20 shows simultaneously throughout the world. Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters are in Montreal, Canada.
The Best of Gay Chicago
The Best of Gay New York
Gay Couple Banned From Wal Mart in Niles
DO GAY PEOPLE
REALLY SHOP AT WAL-MART?
Gosh, I started boycotting that store 3 years ago after watching THE HIGH COST OF THE LOW PRICE!
The two Bic multipurpose lighters and a package of smaller lighters Joe Paolucci bought at the Niles (MI) Wal-Mart on Aug. 16 cost $15.84.
So how did the lighters end up the centerpiece of a situation that resulted in Paolucci and his gay partner, Thomas Hitchcock, being banned from Wal-Mart, not only in Niles but everywhere? That’s the rest of the story.
Tribune reporter staff writer Lou Mumford reported, Paolucci said he and Hitchcock had visited the store often since the two Chicago attorneys — for 13 years, Paolucci was general counsel for the real estate investment company owned by Chicago billionaire Sam Zell — opened a store known simply as Front in downtown Buchanan.
The “high-end modernist gallery/shop,” as Paolucci described it, stemmed from an extensive rehabilitation project. He and Hitchcock own investment properties in downtown Buchanan as well, they said, plus a second home near Buchanan that they occupy with two special-needs 11-year-old twin sons they adopted from Romania.
At the Wal Mart store, Paolucci, went to a self-checkout lane to use scanning equipment he had operated before.
Later, he said, he returned to the shopping area to pick up additional items, including the lighters, which he scanned and placed in bags. He grabbed his receipt for the items, totaling some $60, and headed for the exit, as did Hitchcock and the boys.
Before they got outside, store employees stopped them.
“They asked if I had Bic lighters. I said, ‘Yes,’ and handed them over,” Paolucci said. “Then they asked if I had a receipt. I said, ‘Yes, you’re holding it.’ Then this group of Wal-Mart employees started forming around us.”
Paolucci and Hitchcock said the employees were threatening and that one used a vulgarity. Their accusations frightened the boys, who began “crying, screaming and freaking out,” they said.
Paolucci said that while he and Hitchcock were attempting to calm down the boys, the employees ordered them to enter a “detention room” for questioning. Fearful of what might happen behind closed doors, he and Hitchcock refused to enter and asked to speak to a manager.
“Some guy came up and said, ‘I’m the manager,’ then turned around and left,” Hitchcock said.
Paolucci said he and Hitchcock then asked store personnel to call police. Within minutes, deputies from the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department’s Niles Township Patrol arrived, pleasing Paolucci who said he thought a few questions and a review of the store’s videotapes and computer records would quickly resolve the matter.
He said he was shocked when he was immediately handcuffed, without a question being asked, and placed in the back seat of a squad car. Hitchcock wasn’t handcuffed but also was placed in the back seat of a second squad car.
The twins, despite the protests of Paolucci and Hitchcock, were turned over to the store’s security personnel, who took them into the “detention room” or what police referred to as a security room.
Paolucci and Hitchcock estimated it was at least 45 minutes before officers told them they had reviewed the store’s tapes and had determined that the lighters hadn’t been shoplifted. The two said they expected an apology and were surprised once again when personnel from the store walked up to the squad cars with the twins and read from a statement that Paolucci and Hitchcock had been banned by the store chain for life. Rather than shoplifting, the reason they were given was “being uncooperative.”
“Everything they asked us to do, we did. We cooperated 100 percent,” Paolucci argued. “We objected only when they tried to get us to go into the detention room.”
By the time they were read the statement, Paolucci and Hitchcock said, the twins had told them that the security staff had allegedly threatened them in the security room and had made disparaging remarks about Paolucci and Hitchcock’s lifestyle. Paolucci and Hitchcock said they asked police to take statements from the boys but the officers refused, telling the couple they’d have to contact Child Protective Services.
They were told next that they’d have to leave the premises immediately, they said, or be arrested for trespassing. The men said they argued the store should at least replace such grocery items as a frozen pizza, ice cream and popsicles, which by then had thawed or melted, but those arguments, too, went nowhere.
WHAT A MESS! I would not step foot in a Wal mart store if YOU PAID ME!
Best Gay Chicago
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SKYY VODKA and Chicago’s REELING Gay Lesbian Film Festival
IMPORTANT UPDATE about the FISH OUT OF WATER AFTER-PARTY – Sunday November 8th!! Due to the overwhelming demand for Fish Out of Water After-Party tickets, the party has moved to a bigger space and changed the venue to Skybar, 2242 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets previously sold out online for this event, HOWEVER, they are now releasing additional after-party tickets. Snag them while they’re still available! (Note: Film-Only Fish Out of Water tickets remain available for purchase, as well.)
Reeling will close on a high note on Sunday, November 15th at Music Box Theatre with the 7:30 pm Closing Night screening of Oy Vey! My Son is Gay!!, featuring a star-studded cast that includes, among others, Lainie Kazan (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), Jai Rodriquez (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy), Vincent Pastore (The Sopranos), comedian Bruce Vilanch, and Carmen Electra!!!
Director Evgeny Afineevsky and Jai Rodriquez are scheduled to appear at the screening and after-party, which will take place at Architectural Artifacts. (4325 N. Ravenswood).
SKYY VODKA is a proud sponsor of this years REELING Gay/Lesbian Festival. And they have created a special drink which will be available at the Gala’s and you can also make it at home, of course.
Here’s the recipe –
The Reeling Passion
2 oz SKYY Infusions Passion Fruit
2 Lemon Quarters
1 oz Simple Syrup
Muddle the lemon quarters with the simple syrup until all the juice is extracted out of the fruit.
Add the SKYY Infusions Passion Fruit and top with ice.
Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled rocks glass. Garnish with lemon twist.
See you at the movies this week!
SKYY VODKA
REELING FESTIVAL tickets and information
BEST GAY CHICAGO
MR RIGHT – Monday, November 9th Landmark Theatres on Clark
REELING FILM FESTIVAL
and BEST GAY CHICAGO PRESENT….
Jacqui Morris’ directorial debut, ‘Mr. Right’ — an ensemble piece following the lives of several gay Londoners.
The film starts off rough with a narration from jilted fag hag, Louise. Her role is mainly to drop sassy one liners much like you’d expect from a gay character in a straight film.
And perhaps that’s the film’s strength. Morris explains she wanted to make a gay movie for the “mainstream.”
Despite the familiar gay characters (Alex is an aspiring actor/waiter, Lawrence is a soap-star, Tom is the self-deprecating artist, and Lars is the narcissistic muscle boy), ‘Mr. Right’ depicts these men with intellect and wit — minus the campiness and lisps you might expect.
Most interesting is the emergence of a new gay character archetype: the single dad, William. We watch him struggle to raise a “normal” 9-year old child, while he fights fears of being alone. William is both an ex-Rugby player and antique collector, which makes for a refreshing and unexpected combination.
The film was made on a shoe string budget, but the quality doesn’t suffer. For example, the soundtrack features The Gossip and Rufus Wainright, courtesy of a very generous Universal Music. And even more impressive is the discovery that the entire movie was shot hand held and on tape (which is cheaper than digital). All this combined with the help of the local community in London’s gay SoHo district (many shops, bars, and clubs donated locations and support) turn what might have been a low budget mess into a solid, rarely-seen portrayal of modern gay life.
I hope you can you join us!
Tickets $10
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9th,
9pm LANDMARK THEATRES.
2828 N. Clark.
Read More about MR RIGHT and Watch a Movie Clip!
Advance sales are available until the day before the show. After that, tickets must be purchased at the theater box office on the day of the screening. Online: Tickets available 24/7 through Tix.com
Walk up ticket sales in Andersonville: at Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark St.
Monday-Friday 10:00 am-6:00pm;
The Best of Gay Chicago