Monthly Archives: December 2009
Best Gay Chicago Celebrates 2nd Anniversay at Roscoes January 14th
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
Best New Years Eve in Chicago – Tony And Tina’s 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
The Addams Family Pre-Broadway Run in Chicago – Thru January 10th with Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth
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.
Ford Oriental Theatre
24 W. Randolph
Chicago 60601
Broadway In Chicago Ticketline
at (800) 775-2000.
Chicago House Presents Champagne Wrap-ture 2009 on December 16th
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
“A Hero Comes Home” — an Exhibit on the Life and Times of Daniel Sotomayor
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 – Comedians of Chelsea Lately in Chicago At Zanies December 29
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”.
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
Aurora Sexton and TrannyPalooza is Coming to SPIN December 14th
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
Illinois State Lottery and Red Ribbon Bonus Bucks Raise Money for HIV/AIDS
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.
2 Gay Holiday Shows! Sanatland Diaries and Delight Before Christmas
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
The Original Vampire Lesbians of Sodom…Charles Busch and Julie Halston..in Chicago December 7th
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
Eduardo Sanchez: Reaching for Seventh Moon with Blair Witch’s Passionate Creator… By Guest Writer Brian Kirst
Co-Director and Writer of
BLAIR WITCH PROJECT,
Eduardo Sanchez will be appearing at Movieside Film Festival’s Terror in the Aisles 3 in Chicago on Saturday, Dec 5th at 7PM at The Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee Avenue along with writer/director ‘Night of the Creeps’ Fred Dekker.
This week, our guest writer Brian Kirst caught up with Sanchez who shared his thoughts about the Blair Witch Project and reflects on his other projects….
“Blair Witch gave me a career. I could buy a house, a car. And as for making films, it gives me a reputation that sets me above the average person,” the down to earth Eduardo Sanchez (co-creator of the phenomenon known as The Blair Witch Project, now celebrating its ten year anniversary) gratefully explains. “It’s a recognizable brand for the rest of my life.”
“That movie was so huge,” he continues, “It was like hitting a grand slam the first time at bat – the stars couldn’t have aligned any more. But, we are mortal filmmakers. I’m not going to make a Blair Witch every time. I got lucky and made it once!”
As for the reaction to his follow-up films, Altered and Seventh Moon, the realistic Sanchez states, “It’s not only public opinion – it’s my own. I put as much energy into those films as Blair Witch – I’m always trying to make a great film so I can’t help but be disappointed when they go straight to DVD. Still, I am as excited about movies as I’ve ever been – and I’m trying to find out where I belong. Am I going to make movies that come out in theaters? – I’m fine being a modest film maker. – I know people really hate my films or love my films. But – most movies are like that. No movie is everything to everyone. But a bad review – even if it’s some punk-ass 14 year old kid blogging – still bugs the crap out of me – even though I know it’s ridiculous.”
But despite any negative reaction, Sanchez provides, “I’ve only done three films. One was the biggest success (Blair Witch), one was not the biggest success (Altered) and one – who knows what will happen (Seventh Moon)? So, I say let’s keep batting! I’ve gotta keep making films that excite me. When I’m not excited anymore – then I can hang it up. As long as I can keep the energy – that’s all I can do!”
And that Sanchez brand of energy has truly produced some remarkable scares since Blair Witch’s heyday. Altered provides an intense psychological sci-fi gore show (although the studio, wanting a Hostel-Saw combination, initially shelved it) and Sanchez asserts, “It’s the exact movie I wanted to make. I loved the idea of the initial script called Probe and it’s slowly building an audience. It’s still making money.”
Meanwhile, Seventh Moon, recently debuted to much publicity and praise and the proud Sanchez recalls, “Seventh Moon was an experiment. I worked one of the cameras for the first time since film school. I developed a feel for what the movie was supposed to be like and was able to do it. I decided I was going to make a movie that scares people in a few places. I probably went too deep into Hell due to some reactions, actually. It’s one night of Hell for this couple and what it does for them”
What lead Amy Smart did, though, was make a true fan out of Sanchez. “Amy was cool – is one of those people that is just a pro. She turns it on! She’s Amy Smart – all bubbly and cool – and then I yell action and she is all terrified and in it. I would love to work with her again.”
Until that time, Sanchez is definitely keeping his plate full. “Jamie Nash is my favorite collaborator and we’re doing a second season of the online series ParaAbnormal and we’re working on a film called Possession. With that, I am going back to first person cinema. It’s low budget, probably under half a million, and I’m very excited about it.”
Of course, not nearly as excited as the many fans that can’t wait to see what other dark spaces the deep and provocative Sanchez’s mind will take them in to.
Don’t miss this weekends event!
Films shown will be the unrated director’s cut of Dekker’s Night of the Creeps, the original 1974 slasher classic, Black Christmas and celebrating its 10th anniversary, and Sanchez’s Blair Witch Project. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the door or online at Brown Paper Tickets !
More info on MySpace and also at Best Gay Chicago.
PLEASE NOTE: The appearance of any person or business on this site,
is not to be taken as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or businesses.
