Monthly Archives: November 2010
World of Chocolate is Back December 2nd!
World of Chocolate
Thursday, December 2, 2010
6:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Hilton Chicago
(720 S. Michigan Ave.)
World of Chocolate is the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s (AFC) annual holiday fundraising event held in commemoration of World AIDS Day. At this festive event, guests will sample scrumptious chocolate creations from more than 30 of Chicagoland’s finest restaurants, caterers, and chocolatiers. It is THE holiday event of the season, not to be missed!
Chocolate vendors creating the delicacies will compete for top honors in several categories as judged by local celebrities. Other components of the evening include entertainment, a raffle, an open bar, and a light buffet.
Chocolate Bliss Recipe Challenge
Event guests can submit their own original chocolate recipe for consideration in the first annual Chocolate Bliss Recipe Challenge, to recipes @ aidschicago.org.
A panel of professional chocolatiers and chefs from the event will select the top recipe of choice – which will be announced at World of Chocolate 2010.
Come and meet one of the most innovative chocolatiers of all time. Fritz Knipschildt, a native of Denmark, moved to the USA in 1996 and founded Knipschildt Chocolatier LLC in 1999 and café Chocopologie in 2005. (In Norwalk, Connecticut) His European background, the formal education as a Chef in Denmark along with his training in France and Spain, have blended with his American experiences to influence his chocolate & confections. The AIDS Foundation of Chicago is proud to welcome Fritz as the 2010 Honorary Chair and Celebrity Judge for World of Chocolate.
General Admission tickets $100 now, $125 at the door.
Best Gay Chicago
Q The Series – LGBT Comedy and Queer Life
It’s a comedy about queer life on campus that addresses a wide range of topics in the LGBT community and how our generation deals with them — the main characters include trans, bisexual, pansexual, and homosexual guys and girls.
Being a comedy, the show focuses on the positive aspects of living in a community and generation that’s closer to accepting queer lifestyles, but also addresses the natural tensions that can arise.
Currently, it is still in production (for an online release and advanced screening next spring), but they are trying to get awareness out now and already have a trailer for the series up online.
The show is produced completely by students in the city, mostly from Columbia University, and is a non-profit endeavor. Funding has been generously provided by the Gatsby Foundation (providing many on-campus arts grants), and equipment has been donated by Columbia University Film Productions (an undergraduate film club). The remaining funding will hopefully be raised through our Kickstarter account.
It’s the aim of the cast and crew to spread awareness of the different lifestyles that exist in our generation — we really want to show the fun side of being a young adult in this new cultural era. Our production team is working to make the best show out of everything we’ve got.
The show will be shooting over the month of January, and is planned for release over the months of March and April. The first few episodes of the show will be screened to our supporters and crew in New York City before the release of the series.
Check out Q The Series ! Also join them on Facebook!
Best Gay New York
Best New Brunch in Boystown – EVERYDAY at Cocktail
Dreamsicles, go-go gods and
$1 drinks on Sundays,
now Cocktail is becoming known
for the best DAILY Brunch in Boystown.
This is NOT bar food, mind you. It’s American Seasonal, good quality foods and flavors. The menu serves brunch, bites, salads and sandwiches daily, everyday, 11am-10pm, with Brunch everyday 11am-4pm.
Erin Baker, their food director says,”I really wanted to stay away from typical bar food and fried foods. I insisted we do not have a fryer in the kitchen! Instead things are baked, roasted, toasted and grilled. One of our cooks makes an amazing Southern Fried Chicken, that is NOT fried!”
While the menu stays basically the same, the preparations will vary. For instance Eggs Benedict will frequently change as does the Waffle stylings.
Owner Geno Zaharakis says “I love to cook! And I found this recipe years ago in a NorthShore Cookbook. And over the years have tinkered and played with it. People LOVE IT!”
And he added, “While the menu stays basically the same, we make changes on some of the preparations and will offer specials. Last week we did a Southern flare theme with corn bread, grits and collard greens and people loved it.
And in the coming months, they are launching a lot of theme brunches and special events. And of course, next April, the outdoor patio will return. But we have also been booking a lot of special parties in the new back bar. And Erin helps work on special menu’s for the guests.”
Sunday December 5th, hostess Phyllis launches
First Sundays Brunch
Sunday December 12th, Red Dress Party Chicago hosts
a launch party for their upcoming April 2011 event.
Sunday December 19th, is the Howard Brown Benefit Brunch. $25 prix fixe brunch with proceeds going to Howard Brown.
(also on Monday December 6th – Cocktail will donate all the proceeds , all day to Howard Brown! PLUS get HALF-OFF that day!!)
In January, longtime favorite bartender Val will kick off Opera Brunches on January 9th and Geno said he is planning on Gospel Brunches, the third Sunday of each month, starting in January. Even though all of these brunch special events take place on Sundays, I just love the fact they have brunch available EVERY DAY of the week!
Most of the food items run $7-$12. So it’s very affordable and the portions are nice.
Insider tips!
-On Tuesdays check out their $2 TACOS!
-If you catch Mark on duty, you have to try his Special Pomegranite and Champagne drink!
-The Artichoke Terrine dip makes a great snack anytime!
View the whole menu online . Take out is available.
Cocktail is located 3359 N. Halsted Street at the corner of Halsted and Roscoe
773-477-1420
Best Gay Chicago
Nathan Manske and I’m From Driftwood Arrive in Chicago
He’s HERE! Nathan Manske has arrived in Chicago!
Nathan Manske is the creator and editor of the gay, true-stories and very popular blog I’m From Driftwood . He is indeed from Driftwood, Texas, but has lived in Brooklyn, New York since 2003.
LGBT people have been submitting their stories online to Nathan for a couple years now. This year, he decided to go on the road, collecting more video stories, for a documentary. Chicago is on his stops this week, then off to Michigan!
Produced under his newly founded company, Crush Deviant Media, Marquise Lee serves as director and editor of the I’m From Driftwood original Video Stories.
MONDAY November 22, they will be at the Center on Halsted from 5 – 6:30pm.
TUESDAY, November 23rd, they will be at Roscoes at 11pm hosting a little fundraiser to raise additional funds for the documentary.
Come out and show them some love!
Cupcakes Cookies And Delicious Dessert Gifts to Benefit Chicago House
Nothing Says Happy Holidays
Like Sweet Miss Giving’s Bakery!
Have you started making your holiday gift list?
It’s just WEEKS AWAY!!
Whether you are shopping for a foodie, a party host, or coffee enthusiast, the perfect gift is waiting at Sweet Miss Giving’s Bakery.
This year, Sweet Miss Giving’s has created a wide array of gift boxes which include everything from spicy ginger and molasses cookies to red velvet cupcakes topped with creamy white icing. Are you attending a holiday party this year? Let Sweet Miss Giving’s deliver brownies, cheesecakes, or gourmet coffee right to the host’s door so you can effortlessly attend holiday parties while showing your gratitude.
Sweet Miss Giving’s Bakery and Gifting is a premier bakery and jobs program that offers rich, decadent baked goods while providing a new reason to feel good about sweet indulgences: over 50% of all profits go to help the formerly homeless and HIV/AIDS-affected men, women, and children of Chicago House.
Call 312-575-0212 to place your order or visit Sweet Miss Givings to purchase online.
Check out their holiday gift brochure .
Sweet Miss Giving’s Bakery-the Unquestionably Kind,
Unreasonably Good way to give this holiday season!
Cirque du Soleil OVO in Chicago June 2011!
Cirque du Soleil is thrilled to announce it will
be returning to Chicago to present its latest
touring show, OVO, peforming at the…
United Center
Under the Grand Chapiteau (Big Top)
Opens June 30, 2011
CIRQUE CLUB EXCLUSIVE
For a limited time, Cirque Club members can
enjoy up to $10 off¹ advance tickets! Special
group rates (20 and up) are also available.
BUY PRE-SALE TICKETS
OVO is a headlong rush into a colourful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement. The insects’ home is a world of biodiversity and beauty filled with noisy action and moments of quiet emotion.
When a mysterious egg appears in their midst, the insects are awestruck and intensely curious about this iconic object that represents the enigma and cycles of their lives.
It’s love at first sight when a gawky, quirky insect arrives in this bustling community and a fabulous ladybug catches his eye – and the feeling is mutual.
OVO is overflowing with contrasts. The hidden, secret world at our feet is revealed as tender and torrid, noisy and quiet, peaceful and chaotic. And as the sun rises on a bright new day the vibrant cycle of insect life begins anew.
What the media say about the show…
WATCH A SNEAK PEAK ONLINE !
Best Gay Chicago
Great Gay Screenplay Contest This Weekend November 20-21
This is it!
The Finale Weekend of the Great Gay Screenplay Contest is here, and we hope you will be a part of it!
Please join us at the Hoover Leppen Theater at Center on Halsted on November 20 and 21 as we present what our judges from across the country think are five of the freshest GBLT works submitted to us this year, in staged readings with a great cast directed by Artistic Associate John Nasca.
You can meet the writers, and vote for our “Audience Favorite” award. The winner of the contest will be announced after Sundays performance.
Showtimes are 5 pm Saturday and 3 pm on Sunday. You don’t want to miss it!
Tickets are $10 for each program, or $15 for the whole weekend. Tickets can be purchased through Brown Paper Tickets , or in person at the Center on Halsted one hour before each show time.
Thanks for supporting these new writers and their exciting new works!
David Zak
Executive Director
Pride Films and Plays
Chicago Taxi Cabs May Get More Expensive
ONLY TOURISTS TAKE
TAXI CABS IN CHICAGO,
RIGHT?
Um, WRONG!
According to Alderman Ed Burke, he thinks only tourists use cabs and he is asking for a new increase of $1 to be added on to the already high $2.75 for a single passenger, to just step into a cab.
What’s a buck?! “It’s not a big amount.” he says, as he cashes is $3000+ weekly check.
If only tourists take cabs – than pass the buck to THEM.
Allow RESIDENTS with an ID, to waive the $1 surcharge!
“it seems to me to be a painless, easy way to generate about $70 million that we sorely need,” Burke said. “A $1 surcharge isn’t going to hurt anybody in my opinion, and it doesn’t impact Chicago citizens.”
Gilbert Uranta, 50, who has been driving a cab in Chicago for 15 years, threw his hands up in exasperation when he heard about the plan. In Chicago, cabbies pay a $78 per month ground transportation tax and a gasoline tax.
Uranta said that ultimately the added $1 will mean fewer tips for the drivers.
“They are trying to use us to collect their money,” Uranta said. “The driver always loses.”
Read the full article at the Daily Tribune .
CALL AND COMPLAIN TODAY!
Call the Committee of Finance at 312-744-3380
Send the Committee of Finance an e-mail!
Inside Your Chicago
School of the Art Institute of Chicago Holiday Art Sale
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) Campus Life and Student Association proudly hosts the annual Holiday Art Sale on Friday, Nov. 19 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the MacLean Center Ballroom (112 S. Michigan Avenue).
The immense talent and creativity of more than 120 SAIC students is on display at this unique sale, which offers exquisite one-of-a-kind gifts such as photographs, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, prints and drawings, jewelry, fashion accessories and handmade paper designs.
Prices of works for sale range from $1 to $1,000+. Participating students receive 85% of their total sales; the remaining 15% goes to the SAIC Student Association to support the Art Sale and to fund future projects and educational programs.
SAIC Holiday Art Sale admission is FREE and open to the public. For more information, please call (312) 629-6880 or visit SAIC . SAIC’s New Artist Society also hosts a special Holiday Art Sale Preview Party Thursday, Nov. 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $35/person or $60/couple.
For more information about the New Artist Society Preview Party or to purchase tickets, call (312) 899-5158.
TIESTO Comes to Chicago for the Biggest Dance Event Concert in the Midwest
popular DJ
is back and bigger
than ever!
This is going to be the largest Tiesto concert event that Chicago has yet seen! In fact, this could be largest Tiesto concert the Midwest has ever seen!
Come party with almost 10,000 fellow Tiesto fans and be witness to what can simply be described as a massive party under one unified vibe!
Saturday, November 20th, 2010 TIESTO w/ Special Guest: ADRIAN LUX
@ UIC Pavilion 1150 W Harrison St | Chicago
6 HOURS OF MUSCI! 6pm – 12am , 17 + to enter | 21 + to drink
21 + Afterparty at Vision ‘til 5am This is very much business as usual for Tiësto, the ultra-busy DJ who turned the playing of trance music into an artform and whose achievements are unsurpassed. Inspired by the likes of U2, he invested heavily in the live aspect of his sets, employing his own sound, light and visual crews, creating arena-friendly dance music spectaculars . His concerts are a visual feast for the eyes! When you see me DJ you know I feel it and I love what I do. The real thing. When you see me play you know you are seeing someone who plays not because he has to but because he loves it. For this champion of the people, it’s not just about his undeniable ability to create a party in any venue, large or small, in any place in the world, but also about how the music moves people. Makes them feel something. People write letters saying, ‘I was going through a bad period but your music and your show made me feel good.’ Nelly Furtado and Tiësto started off as mutual admirers, but after making her way to Tiësto’s performance at the 2008 Miami Winter Music Conference (she’d come along with her producer Timbaland) Furtado instantly agreed to be involved, and a few weeks later she gave Tiësto an idea for a song that would become, ‘Who Wants To Be Alone’.
Voted #1 Mega Club in the US by URB Magazine, and top 100 clubs in the world by DJ Mag, Vision opens its doors to over 2000 club-goers each week and provides an array of music choices and party environments. Simply put – Vision is currently Chicago’s Crown Jewel of nightclubs; and its only world-class mega club. Blending the elemental forces of fire and water with visual eye candy over a one-of-a-kind 3 room nine-level design, VISION is one of Chicago’s most unique spaces.
If it’s Wednesday it must be Latvia. Tonight Tiësto plays to 15,000 dance enthusiasts and music fans in the Baltic State. Already this week the legendary Dutch DJ has wowed the Balearic masses at his summer-long Monday residency at Privilege. Tomorrow he’s off to Italy. The day after, Greece.
He has been nominated for a Grammy, had worldwide hit singles (his remix of Delerium’s Silence featuring Sarah McLachlan ; Dance4Life featuring Faithless’s Maxi Jazz ), performed at the opening ceremony of the Athens Olympics with music he composed especially for the occasion, wowed the rock festival crowds at Coachella .
‘Because people care,’ is Tiësto’s response when asked to account for his huge success, ‘and they see that I care. I’m very honest in what I do. It’s not an act or a gimmick. It’s pure, it’s emotion.’
Say hello to a new Tiësto. Yes, he’s the world’s most popular DJ. But the ceaseless desire to innovate that has pushed Tiësto to the top of his game, propelled him to seek out some of the best musicians around, wherever in the world they – or he – happened to be. ‘I’ve worked with these handpicked artists because they´re people I admire hugely, and because they make my music better. It’s more fulfilling for me to work like this, but a lot harder and more challenging.’
TIESTO
GET TICKETS for this Amazing Tiesto Chicago Appearance!
Ticketmaster Online
or at UIC Box Office | 525 S. Racine | Thur & Fri 9pm – 4am
or order by phone 1-800-745-3000
Best Gay Chicago.com
Best Downtown City Views at Boutique Hotel 71
HOLIDAYS IN CHICAGO!
Such a magical time!
Parades, festivals, lights, shoppers and holiday festivities! Whether you’re a tourist coming to town – or if you live here and family that needs a place to stay, we HIGHLY RECOMMEND Hotel 71, in the heart of downtown. Located at 71 East Wacker, Hotel 71 has amazing views of the city!
Hotel 71 is a modern urban boutique hotel experience, perfectly located on the Chicago River at Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue – the famous “Magnificent Mile”. The hotel’s fresh style, large rooms and suites , beautifully appointed meeting spaces, friendly service and an unrivalled location at the epicenter of downtown Chicago, make it the best luxury hotel for both business and leisure travelers. My family recently stayed here and the view they had was stunning!
The breathtaking view of Chicago from Hotel 71’s 40-story tower overlooking the Chicago River is magnificent. Whether traveling for business or pleasure – this is the perfect location while visiting the central city. Hotel 71 offers spacious suites, complimentary high speed internet access, deluxe terry and 300 count linens.
The hotel is currently undergoing a $15 MILLION renovation which is to be completed ny March 2011. Their new restaurant HOYT’S will be unveiled in the Spring showcasing a locally inspired menu.
Hotel 71 offers Chicago’s most spacious guest rooms and suites. There are 454 guest rooms and suites, many with spectacular views of the Chicago River.
Hotel 71 features a restaurant, bar, room service, valet parking, 24-hour business center, 10,000 square feet of meeting and event spaces, 2 dedicated executive boardrooms, and 24-hour fitness room.
(State Street Holiday artwork by Joey Kikke )
Their 3 room Premiere Suites can range from $325-$500 and they also offer wonderful Deluxe Junior Suites that can range from $150-$250.
“An excellent hotel in the centre of all the amenities that Chicago has on offer. Our first impression when we checked into our splendid hotel room on the 36th floor was “Heaven”. We were in awe with the view of the Chicago River outside that snakes it’s way passed Hotel 71.” – Ireland
“I couldn’t recommend this hotel more highly. Walking distance to lots of great shops and attractions. Beautiful and clean, and the staff could not have been more helpful. The bed was wonderful! The hotel also offers free internet in its business center, which impresses me. Room had a spectacular view and I can’t wait to come back!” – Australia
Choose from a selection of affordable deals and offers, as well as unique packages . Experience an unforgettable getaway at a great rate.- In the heart of Chicago!
HOTEL 71
71 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601 Tel: 1.312.346.7100
Gay Chicago Police – HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED!
The City of Chicago
is currently accepting applications
for entry level Police Officer positions.
Applications are only available online and will be accepted through Friday, November 26, 2010, at 11:59 p.m. CST.
Some of the basic requirements for entry level Chicago police officer positions include:
Age – At least 21 years of age at time of application and 25 years of age at time of hire for non-military personnel.
At least 21 years of age for military personnel with appropriate service.
Must be less than 40 years old at the time of hire.
Education/Military Experience:
60 semester (90 quarter) hours of college credit, or
3 years (36 months) of continuous active duty in the U.S. Military, or
30 semester (45 quarter) hours of college credit and one year of continuous military service.
Valid driver’s license.
Payment of registration fee of $30.00.
A fee waiver is available for qualifying individuals.
This position requires applicants to complete the application process, to submit all required documents, and to complete a written exam.
The written exam will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2010.
Individuals interested in applying should go to City of Chicago Police Officer .
Applicants should call the DHR hotline/customer service at 312-744-4976 if they have ANY questions before they push the “submit” button on application. Customer service representatives are available Monday-Saturday from 8:30-4:30.
Civil Unions in Illinois…Will Quinn Deliver Before Christmas?
Is that all we get from politicians?
We’ll see.
As the campaign season drew to a close for Governor Pat Quinn, he publicly vowed to fight for civil unions –whether he was elected or not.
Now, Quinn is in for a full term, and some predict a vote to recognize civil unions among same-sex couples will happen soon.
“I think we’re awfully darned close,” Rep. Greg Harris told the Chicago Sun-Times . Every year, the openly gay Harris sponsors two bills in the House– one legalizing civil unions, and the other for gay marriage.
In an October interview with the Daily Herald, Quinn agreed.
“The votes are there, I believe.” Quinn told the paper. “In the Senate for sure, and definitely I think we can do it in the House.”
But the Sun-Times reported Wednesday that support among Illinois legislators could be wavering following last Tuesday’s retention vote in Iowa. Iowans voted not to retain three judges due to their ruling in Varnum v. Brien, the case that legalized same-sex marriage in the state.
“Civil unions, for all intents and purposes, are practically the same as same-sex marriage,” Robert Gilligan, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Illinois, told the Sun-Times. “I don’t perceive there is a mandate in Illinois on civil unions or same-sex marriage.”
Best Gay Chicago.com
Fusion Radio Anniversary Party at Roscoes
An event
not to be missed!
Celebrating
FUSION RADIO’s
amazing 7 year’s
with a star studded
LIVE SHOW!
Where is it at?
The event will be held at Roscoe’s Tavern located at 3356 N Halsted Street in Chicago, IL.
TONIGHT! Friday, November 12, 2010. Doors open at 9pm.
Totally free. That’s right, it’s our birthday and were giving you the gift.
There is no cover charge for this event, courtesy of Roscoe’s.
The artists are Erika Jayne (Pretty Mess), Kaci Battaglia (Crazy Possessive), Wynter Gordon (Dirty Talk), Vassy (History) and Sylvia Tosun (Underlying Feeling & Above All). Performances start at 9:30pm.
The event is open to any guests 21 and older. Valid ID is required at the door.
FUSION RADIO CHICAGO continues to grow capturing the eye of the dance music industry. With nearly 1.9 million tune-ins, FUSION ranks the 3rd largest commercial internet dance station and runs a leading dance music website.
TPAN’s Bar Lesque Benefit Update
It is week #2 of Chicago’s favorite online charity event and thanks to your generosity, some of our contestants are wearing a little less than they were just one short week ago. Remember, for the entire month of November, contestants representing thirteen community businesses are “taking it all off” when you donate to TPAN.
Curious? Head to Bar-lesque.org and see what your favorite guy is not wearing today. While you’re at it, make sure to check out which contestant is sporting the hottest tattoo right above his…
AND…
After Rick from Cell Block pulled into an early lead over the weekend, he and Michael from Atmosphere are now neck and neck in a tie. Jason from Sidetrack and Scott from Cocktail are right behind. Word on the street is Rick is pulling in the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to help him raise coin for the cause next week. Seriously, who is going to say no to a SISTER! It is shaping up to be a heated contest, so watch out for flying clothes!
Thanks to all of you who attended last week’s kickoff event at SPIN! You helped catapult the event by raising $1,322 for TPAN.
What is Bar-lesque?
We canvassed the city far and wide to find charity-minded businesses to send over their sexiest guy or girl to take it all off in an online strip-a-thon to benefit the work of TPAN. Thirteen of Chicago’s sexiest from Angelina Ristorante, Atmosphere, CellBlock, The Call, Cocktail, Hydrate, Jackhammer, Minibar, Roscoe’s, Sidetrack, Spin, Touche and Velvet Rope are taking it off for charity…online! You participate by donating for your favorite contestant at www.bar-lesque.org.
Madeleine Albright Speaks at Chicago House Luncheon December 9th
Madeleine Korbel Albright
is the first woman to become a United States Secretary of State. She was appointed by U.S. President Bill Clinton on December 5, 1996, and was unanimously confirmed by a U.S. Senate vote of 99-0. She was sworn in on January 23, 1997.
Albright endorsed and supported Hillary Clinton in her 2008 campaign for U.S. President. Albright has been a close friend of Clinton and serves as her top informal advisor on foreign policy matters. She is currently[clarification needed] serving as a top advisor for U.S. President Barack Obama in a working group on national security. On December 1, 2008, then-President-elect Obama nominated then-Senator Clinton for Albright’s former post of Secretary of State.
CHICAGO HOUSE PRESENTS
The 2nd Annual Speaker Series Luncheon
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Addressing HIV and Homelessness
Featuring Keynote Speaker, Madeleine K. Albright
When: Thursday, December 9, 2010
Where: Palmer House Hilton, 17 East Monroe St., Chicago, IL
Time: 11:30AM-2:00PM
Please call (773) 248-5200 x304 to inquire about corporate tables and sponsorship opportunities.
Ticket Levels : Premium: $150 Preferred: $300 VIP: $750
BEHIV’s 5th Annual Exhibition of Artwork – Opens November 19
“Resilience”
BEHIV’s 5th Annual Exhibition of Artwork
from Art Therapy Clients and Supportive Artists
Better Existence with HIV (BEHIV ) will host its fifth annual exhibition of artwork created by clients in its Art Therapy program, as well as supportive community artists, at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, from November 19 through January 4.
The exhibition will be preceded by a fundraising reception on November 19,
from 6:00-7:30pm, in the Center’s Irving Harris Family Foundation Reception Hall.
Tickets to the reception can be purchased on BEHIV’s website
The exhibition itself is free to the public.
Art Therapy helps people explore issues related to HIV/AIDS, assisting them in coping with a range of emotions. Permission to create and learning to respect one’s own creations are cornerstones of the program. Verbal expression has its limitations, but acquiring a visual language offers powerful energy for change and healing. Most of BEHIV’s clients have no formal art training, but their ability to work through difficult emotional issues through their art helps them lead more productive, healthier lives.
In the past, Art Therapy was funded by federal Ryan White CARE Act funds, but Art Therapy funding has been eliminated from that program. BEHIV is committed to continuing the beneficial service and hosts the exhibition and reception annually to support the program, with reception proceeds and art sales benefiting the program.
Sponsors of the 2010 exhibition (to date) include BestGayChicago.com, Boi Magazine, Canon Solutions, Center on Halsted, Chicago Department of Public Health, ChicagoPride.com, GRAB Magazine, MTMChicago.com, Northwest Speech and Hearing Center, Tibotec Therapeutics.
BEHIV annually educates more than 5,000 young people throughout Chicagoland about how to protect themselves, because HIV increasingly affects our youth houses more than 190 men, women and children impacted by HIV, who might otherwise be homeless
delivers case management, mental health counseling, art therapy and massage therapy services to more than 300 adults who need a lifeline to supportive services provides approximately 1,000 free HIV and sexually transmitted infection tests to our most vulnerable populations.
John Waters Puts the X Back in Christmas December 14th at the Harris Theatre
You wouldn’t expect the legendary creator of such subversive films as “Pink Flamingos” and “Female Trouble” to be a fan of Christmas!
Halloween, yes!
Christmas? Really?!
But of course, John Waters defies expectations.
“I really do love Christmas, without irony,” the 63-year-old filmmaker says, “But I understand that a lot of people hate it, so I’m trying to give advice to every single person as to how to survive Christmas.”
Legendary cult filmmaker, author, actor and originator of the Hairspray dynasty John Waters brings his critically-acclaimed one-man show A John Waters Christmas to the Harris Theater for its Chicago premiere on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 7:30 pm.
The “Pope of Trash” will put the “X” back in X’mas with a rapid-fire monologue that explores, explodes and exploits traditional holiday customs, with Waters sharing his compulsions, desires and stories, including his urge to give and receive inappropriate gifts, a religious fanaticism for Santa Claus, and an unhealthy love of true crime holiday horror stories. The performance says Waters, “will hopefully make you feel better when the Christmas season is making you mental.”
Tickets for A John Waters Christmas, which range from $35 – $65, are available at the Harris Theater box or by calling 312-334-7777 or by visiting HarrisTheaterChicago .
BONUS – Alan Cumming is coming to Chicago next May!
Buy Waters & Cummings tickets now and SAVE!
Blogger and Publisher Nathan Manske Brings His I’m From Driftwood Tour to Chicago!
Join
BEST GAY CHICAGO.com as:
Im From Driftwood
comes to CHICAGO!
Dates are approximate right now –
They hope to be in the city around
November 21-23.
Nathan Manske is the creator and editor of the gay, true-stories blog I’m From Driftwood and a freelance copywriter. He is indeed from Driftwood, Texas, but has lived in Brooklyn, New York since 2003.
The I’m From Driftwood tour project started in 2009 to show LGBT youth that we are all humans, all have a story and we live everywhere. We are all from Driftwood.
Nathan and his blog were addressing teen’s and coming out for over 2 years. “There are gay stories from every corner of the Earth and I think they should be told. To the gay teens struggling to come out and deal with their sexuality, who to this day still attempt suicide 4 times more than straight kids, it says “you are not alone.” Other people have dealt with similar situations, families, communities and churches, and have overcome and are now living happy lives. It can happen for you, too. It gets soooo much better, I promise. Hang in there, kiddo!”
They will be filming a documentary and are currently traveling to all of the 50 states.
Visit Im From Driftwood for more information. Follow the 50 State Tour !
We’ll have more details as they become available!!
Chicago LGBT Howard Brown Heath Center in Serious Financial Troubles
Chicago’s Howard Brown Center , which provides health services to the city’s LGBT community, is facing a potential shut down of its services over alleged financial mismanagement by the organization’s top officers. The Center provides primary health services to over 6000 LGBT Citizens in the Chicago area, many of whom with HIV and AIDS.
The Chicago Tribune reports, that Jamal Edwards, who was appointed president and CEO of the organization in June when two top executives were dismissed after an National Institutes of Health audit found they had mishandled the Centers funds, said Howard Brown will need to raise
$500,000 over 50 days and an additional $500,000 next year or risk closing its doors!
.
A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ office of inspector general report found more than $3 million in grant funds, part of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study, or MACS, which has tracked thousands of men both infected with HIV and not infected with HIV since the mid-1980s, was used between 2006 and March of this year to cover general operating expenses at Howard Brown.
Staff members have agreed to sacrifice paychecks if necessary, and he’s confident the community will rally behind Howard Brown.
MAKE A GIFT TO HOWARD BROWN TODAY.
