Monthly Archives: November 2011
Breaking News! Illinois will Allow Same Sex Couples to File Joint Taxes
After months of discussion with the Illinois Department of Revenue, EQUALITY ILLINOIS received word today that the State of Illinois will allow same-sex
couples in a civil union to jointly file their 2011 state tax returns
just as married spouses are currently allowed to do so.
Since the beginning of June when same-sex couples
first started entering into civil unions, no one could speak with
certainty about how this new status would affect state tax policy. We
immediately reached out to the Illinois Department of Revenue and
started the process of figuring out a solid solution to this problem.
Illinois law specifies that couples in a civil union are afforded the
same rights and benefits as married spouses, so why should same-sex
couples’ state tax status be any different?
Under the new guidelines issued by the Department
of Revenue, same-sex couples in a civil union may elect to file state
taxes as “married, filed jointly” or “married, filed separately” – the
same options opposite-sex married couples may choose. If applicable,
couples would check a box for “same-sex civil union return.” To
determine the adjusted gross income to include on state filings, couples
will have to complete a pro forma federal IRS return.
In order to ensure that couples in a civil union
were afforded the same rights as other spouses, we needed the leadership
of Gov. Quinn and Revenue Director Brian Hamer, and we thank them for
standing up for equality. We are grateful to them and their respective
staffs for their commitment to equal treatment for same-sex couples.
With this new development, Illinois becomes the
tenth state, along with Washington, D.C., to allow same-sex couples to
file joint state tax returns!
In The Jungle – Final Weeks! Theatre in the Round
In the Jungle
is a play about a fight between two men, George Garga and C Shlink. – and it is being staged inside Brown Elephant in Andersonville!
Wakadoo Productions and the Howard
Brown Health Organization are pleased to present Wallace Dirge’s
adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s In the Jungle of Cities, directed by
Emmy-nominee Keaton Wooden. As part of an ongoing mission of Wakadoo
Productions to use Art to serve the community in tangible ways, half of
all ticket proceeds will go to the Howard Brown Health Organization to
help promote sexual wellness in Chicago for the LGBT community.
Dirges’ In the Jungle, an adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s In the
Jungle of Cities, is an allegorical story of the epic battle between a
wealthy businessman and a poor bookseller in 1912 Chicago.
The
production is running until Dec. 18th at Brown Elephant, 5404 N Clark, at the site of the historic Calo
Theatre in Andersonville. Each evening the thrift store will be
transformed into a 1912 makeshift boxing ring, with set designed by the
talented Shaun Renfro.
Edward Eberwine III plays George Garga. Written in Germany in 1921 but set in Chicago, 1912, In the Jungle portrays the arbitrary duel of a lumber merchant and a poor book clerk. It takes place in the form of a boxing match, with each scene representing one round. Shlink is a wealthy lumber merchant at the start of the play and Garga is only a clerk in a book lending library.
The setting was partially inspired by Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle, but contains Brecht’s unique imagination and mistaken assumptions about America. Among the many themes of the play are communism, capitalism, animalism, love, hate and human isolation. It is a dense, nihilistic portrayal of the human condition.
“We want to make a powerful, memorable event that will not only affect Chicago emotionally, but also physically,” explains director Wooden. “This piece is a tale of the senseless power of hatred, its devilish intimacy and its ultimate destruction, how easily we resort to it and how painful the results are. The danger and perhaps even the draw of this story is its acknowledgment that we all have thought to resort to the vulgar actions made by these characters. I am thrilled to bring this haunting story to the Chicago community.”
“Overall, this a remarkable production, a powerful piece of work
performed in an unlikely setting, with a host of amazingly strong
performances – 9 out of 10 STARS… “
**DISCOUNT TICKETS** you can all now get discounts to see the
show.
Originally a $30 ticket, you can now get 1/2 price tickets!
in the promotional code “georgewins” for a $15.00 ticket.
For more information, please visit InTheJungleChicago.com
and facebook.com/inthejunglechicago
Big Gay Brunch Club Chicago does Anna Maria Dec. 11
BIG GAY BRUNCH CLUB (BGBC)
is off to Italy in Chicago for December!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
12:00pm until 2:00pm
4400 N. Clark Street @ Montrose
$35 cash at the door includes –
3 courses – plus unlimited mimosas, bloody marys, soft drinks, coffee, tea.
Course 1 – choice of small Caesar salad – or Orange Salad, with cranberries & walnuts
Course 2 – choice of
Italian Frittata w/ mushroom and asparagus
Cheese Tortellini Carbonara – w/ prosciutto, peas, eggs, cream sauce
Egg Plant Parmigiana w/ marinara sauce and fresh mozzarella
Traditional sausage & peppers & potatoes
Course 3 – a sampling of their famous Tiramisu!
(They are famous for their Tiramisu!)
Just a few blocks from Boystown and Andersonville, is Anna Marie Pasteria–
a little hidden gem with great Italian food and consistently voted best
tiramisu in the city of Chicago! Service is always great and the food
is always great in this quaint little spot ran by 2 sisters. No fancy avante garde food here – just traditional old world recipes.
RSVP on Facebook!
Monda Guerra Talks at Center on Halsted Dec 2
Fashion designer, reality TV star and public advocate Mondo Guerra is coming to Center on Halsted in honor of World AIDS Day.
He will be speaking Dec. 2 (the day before World AIDS Day) at 7pm in the 3rd floor theatre, followed by a meet and greet.
Mondo is perhaps most famous from Project Runway, where his designs won him critical praise and a spot as runner up on season 8. He also made headlines by coming out as HIV-positive on the runway, becoming one of the few reality TV stars in history to do so.
Last year, in commemoration of World AIDS Day, he designed a limited edition of
T-shirts, one with a Day of the Dead sugar skull and one with a tree of
life. These shirts were sold on Piperlime.com
For each shirt sold, $20 was donated to amfAR.In his statement to Fox News Latino for his motivations in doing this,
he said, ““The Day of the Dead is celebration of our loved ones who have
passed. When I was thinking of World Aids day I wanted to create
something very true to who I am, and what I know. Who I’ve known and
miss and those people in my life that still fight this disease. It’s
about love and continuation.”
Center on Halsted presents Mondo
7:00pm, December 2nd
(Cash bar and light hors d’oeuvres 6:00pm – 7:00pm, event follows directly after)
3rd floor theatre
3656 N. Halsted Street
Free and open to the public
Seating is Limited!
Please RSVP to RSVP@centeronhalsted.org.
Holiday Stress and Chiropractic Solutions
IT’S STARTING….
Holiday STRESS!
Why do many people feel so much more stress at this time of year? We tend to
blame worsening traffic, crowded malls, and incessant commercials pushing
holiday consumption, and the biggest one – stress and demands from family.
Stress, whether physical or perceived, triggers a fight or flight
response. This is a systemic physical reaction, affecting almost every
part of the body. It can manifest as headaches, increased heart rate and body and back pain.
Chiropractors work primarily with the spine, the root of the nervous
system through which nerve impulses travel from the brain to the rest of
the body. One effect of stress is prolonged muscle tension and
contraction. This muscle tension creates uneven pressures on the bony
structures of the body, often leading the misalignment of the spinal
column.
Chiropractors are trained in nutritional and other therapies for
stress. Several nutritional supplements, including B vitamins, help the
body cope with stress. A Doctor of Chiropractic may also recommend
relaxation techniques, and discuss posture and environmental changes to
help recovery from chronic stress.
A chiropractor cannot make a
job less stressful, or create a quieter, calmer world for the holidays!
What chiropractic
treatment can do is help you develop healthy responses to stress,
reducing potential physical damage.
Chiropractic is based on the concept that given the opportunity, the
mind and body can heal itself. In relieving some of the effects of stress, chiropractic care provides just such an opportunity.
Chiropractic care that will exceed your expectations!
Greater Chicago Chiropractic
conveniently located in Lincoln Park, steps from Clark and Broadway
25 years of experience Dr. Dale Zuehlke 561 W Diversey Pkwy
P: (773)
871-7766
Shop Local Chicago This Holiday Season
SHOP LOCAL is this theme this holiday season, all over the US.
Independent businesses are the breadth of our community.
It is important to understand the impact on where you spend your money and how it affects
the community it which you live, work or visit.
The Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce
has partnered with several business organizations along with Local First Chicago to help
build awareness to the independent businesses.
Start saving your receipts!
Awesome Chicago Holiday Dinner Dance Gala for Famous Fido
only will this event be a chance to eat, drink, dance, and shop at our
Holiday Bazaar, Silent Auction and Raffle, and the proceeds will benefit Famous Fido’s important work
in the year to come.
Dinner buffet, wine, beer and soft drinks! What a deal!
dollar will go back to the animals. Join us in ringing in the holidays
with some smiles, laughter, and joy, all for a great cause! Your support
keeps these animals off the streets and gets them into the homes they
deserve.
Purchase tickets
please call 773-907-0305 www.famousfidorescue.com
More details online.
Fundraiser for Patty the Pin Lady Thursday Nov. 17th at Cocktail
Since 1995 she has raised over $50,000 far various AIDS organizations including VITAL BRIDGES.
Patty Latham aka Patty the Pin Lady is frequently seen around Halsted taking donations for red ribbons, candy, gum, and she marches in the AIDS WALK and also hosts bar parties from time to time.
Now, she needs our help. She has been battling cancer and trying to raise some money to help cover her medical expenses.
Thursday, Nov. 17th 6-8pm,
there will be a benefit for her at
Cocktail, 3359 N. Halsted.
There will be a cover charge and food and drink specials, and all the proceeds will go towards Patti’s medical bills.
She has done so much to help others, now we have the opportunity to repay her kindness and generosity.
Magician James Galea Nov. 19
Australiaʼs
No. 1 Magician and YouTube sensation James Galea will be performing at
the Fine and Performing Arts Center at Moraine Valley Community College
on November 19, 2011.
200 performances in the last year have seen
more than 100,000 fans flock to see his sell-out shows in over 15
countries. Galeaʼs award-winning magic grabbed the attention of ʻTheEllen DeGeneres Showʼ producers earlier this year and he was immediately
flown out to appear on the show.
Due to success of his introduction on
US television, James was invited to perform on ʻEllenʼs Somewhat Special
Specialʼ filmed for TBS in June to perform his signature trick, ʻ673
King Streetʼ.
James Galea is vastly different to the
stereotypical ‘pull a rabbit out of a hat’ magician – he breathes new
life into the dying art of magic and trades the traditional rigid tuxedo
and stiff top hat for a pair of sneakers, jeans and a tee shirt.
Energetic
and effortlessly cool, James presents the art of magic with a wicked
sense of humor disarming audiences with his youthful charm and
astonishing them with his talent.
James started learning magic at
age 14 from someone he thought was a magician. He later found out that
his mentor moonlighted as a professional con man who cheated in high
stakes poker games. While his colleagues were learning how to make
hankies disappear from old magic books Galea learnt how to deal aces
from the bottom of the deck from a professional card shark.
GET TICKETS!
Moraine Valley Community College
Fine & Performing Arts Center
9000 West College Parkway
Palos Hills, IL 60465
Phone (708) 974-5500
Winters Coming! Think Palm Springs and InnDulge
Temperatures dropped today and I saw snow flurries!
BRRRRR!
They are predicting 50+ inches of snow for Chicagoland this season.
While the weather outside
may be getting 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 east of Los Angeles and 140 miles northeast of San Diego.
Palm Springs is a 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 in cold winter midwest months.!
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 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 40 in the Midwest… It’s a gorgeous 76 there. Where would you rather be??
INNdulge Palm Springs
Ronnie Kroell and The Lions Den in Chicago Nov. 8th
“Into the Lion’s Den” is an incredible new thriller directed by Dan Lantz and distributed by Breaking Glass Pictures. The film has premiered in some cities already – And you can catch it in Chicago NOV. 8th!! 9:15 at Landmark Century Cinema.
The cast includes:Ronnie Kroell, Jesse Archer, Kristen Alex Griffith, Jodi Shultz, and Michael McFadden.
Bored with the West Hollywood gay scene, best friends Michael, Johnny and Ted have embarked on a cross-country road trip from LA to New York City. Though their friendship hits a few speed bumps along the way, the trio decides to have one last hurrah during their last night on the road. That’s when fate brings them to The Lion’s Den, a secluded backwoods bar where not everything is as it seems. …
As the three out-of-towners toast the end of their journey, someone at the bar is watching them and setting a deadly trap. Now, as closing time draws near, a night of unspeakable horrors is about to begin…
Jesse Archer (Violet Tendencies, Going Down in LA-LA Land) and Ronnie Kroell (Eating Out: Drama Camp, Bravo’s Make Me a Super Model) headline in this bold, uncompromising thriller that plunges into the depths of human depravity. With its unpredictable plotline and raw performances, Into the Lion’s Den is a twisted nightmare that viewers won’t soon forget.
GET A SNEAK PEAK NOW! GET TICKETS NOW ONLINE
PS – Ronnie will be in town for the Chicago showing!!
And he is hosting an after-party at Mini Bar, right after the movie.
Hollywood to Dollywood and the Lane Twins Arrive in Chicago!
IT ALL STARTED WITH A DREAM….
AND AN RV NAMED JOLENE.
Everybody has a dream. Most of us are only willing to go so far to see it materialize and often find ourselves waiting for the right opportunity to come to us. Not so for the Lane twins -they were not content to send their screenplay Full Circle to Dolly Parton’s manager or publicist. No, they were determined to get it into the hands of their idol and on the 25th Anniversary of Dollywood, no less.
“WE grew up listening to Dolly’s music and always thought she was an amazing person. So why not write a screenplay about her, and go on a cross country roadtrip to try to put it in her hands! “ say the Lane Twins, Gary and Larry.
And that’s just what they did.
And the result is An amazing film and journey about courage and acceptance.
Now in 51 Film Festivals Around the World …They won 6 Awards so far!
“Dolly Parton herself Is 100% behind Our Movie and Gave us 15 Of Her Songs Free For the Documentary and Her Image for the Movie Poster!”
Hollywood to Dollywood Plays in CHICAGO!!
Nov. 9th! 7pm ONE NIGHT ONLY! Landmark Theater.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW – SURE TO SELL OUT.
The twins are hosting an after-party at SPIN, right after the movie.
ALSO the guys taped the Rosie show NOV 8th “she has just seen HOLLYWOOD TO DOLLYWOOD and wants to Chat about it!! WE ARE SO EXCITED!” say the Lane Twins! – The show airs NOV. 9th! Rosie LOVED the film!
DON’T MISS IT!
Hollywood to Dollywood
Hollywood to Dollywood blog
The Lane Twins
Whoopi Goldberg at Chicago House Benefit Luncheon.
Over 700 people came out to hear Whoopi Goldberg speak this week and over $325,000 was raised for Chicago House. It was the 3rd installment of the Annual Chicago House Speakers Series.
Whoopi Goldberg, award-winning actor, producer and television host, is an outspoken human rights activist who is also well known for co-founding and hosting Comic Relief in the United States to raise funds for the homeless. She donates her time and talents to DIFFA and Broadway Cares. She is a vigorous advocate for children, human rights, education, substance abuse, and in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
After doing 2 appearances on Thursday in other states, she took her red-eye bus across country to get to Chicago at 5am on Friday. – She does not like to fly!
Whoopi told how in 1983, she was first touched by HIV and the spread of AIDS. “I was in San Francisco and gay people were dying. Early on Liz Taylor came to me and asked my help to start fundraising. Our government didn’t care. And Ronald Reagan basically gave us the finger. I think when Rock Hudson died, people started to care.”
“Young people just don’t get it.” she said. “Young people are dumb. Parents are not having the proper discussions with their children. You know, Gaga speaks, and the kids listen. Young people listen to young people. It’s going to take spreading the message in new ways. You know Disney has the power to reach a lot of young people.”
She also says, “I have great idea’s for commercials – but television would never run them. You know, I would say, Don’t Put That In There! Kids are not talking about the issue. And I think we need to ask – HAVE YOU EVEN BEEN CHECKED YET?“
“In 1985, a courageous group of community volunteers formed Chicago House, the first organization in the Midwest to provide housing for people with HIV and AIDS. In those early years of the epidemic, we rallied to support friends who had lost everything — their homes, jobs, even the support of their families. We volunteered our time and energy to restore dignity to the lives of these friends in their final days.” Tells Rev. Stan Sloan, CEO at Chicago House.
“That spirit continues to drive our organization, from our board of trustees to our associate board to every volunteer and donor. Together, we continuously evolve Chicago House to meet the changing nature of the disease, and the needs of those who suffer from it.
Today, HIV and AIDS increasingly impacts people who are dealing with homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, and extreme poverty. Even before being diagnosed, many of these families and individuals have never had homes, never had jobs, never had a support network of friends or family. Medical advances give them a chance to live longer, healthier lives, and to improve those lives, but the process is not easy. Nothing about AIDS is easy.”
I think we often forget how it easy it is to help. Whoopi made a comment about helping. And sharing. “A lot of folks think HIV is not an issue. But it IS. And it’s not going away. If people had paid attention 25 years ago, do you realize where we could be today? People don’t pay attention. They are more concerned with what the Kardashians are doing and wearing! Chicago House is so great. And I tip my hat to them. They are doing something. They are getting things done. They are helping and making a difference. But the work is not done. It is not complete.”
Did you know that 83 cents, from every dollar donated, goes to work and help!
Chicago House is an amazing organization. And through the end of December, if you donate, you can really make a difference. Check this out – The Lea Charitable Trust is matching every Speaker Series donation, dollar for dollar, up to $15,000 now thru Jan 1st.
So donate NOW. Whatever you can. $5 helps. $10 helps.
Donations can be taken online at Chicagohouse.org, by phone at 773 248 5200
or by mailing a check to 1925 N Clybourn Suit 401, Chicago 60614.
(Reference Speaker Series Match)
Holiday Gift Giving – Treat yourself and do good! Sweet Miss Givings provides real-life job training for participants of our jobs program and gives back over 50% of proceeds, all while providing Chicago’s most scrumptious pastries, desserts, and gifts.
SAVE THE DATE –
January 26, 2012
Champagne Wrapture
@The Fabulous Skydeck @ Willis Tower
The MUST ATTEND event of the Winter season! Sponsored by Veuve Clicquot and Belvedere Vodka.
SEE MORE OF WHOOPI – she sits down with ABC’s Cheryl Burton for a one hour interview!
HRC Gala Chicago 2011 Nov. 12
As the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality
for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, the Human RightsCampaign represents a force of more than one million members and
supporters nationwide — all committed to making HRC’s vision a reality.
Founded in 1980, HRC advocates on behalf of LGBT Americans, mobilizes
grassroots actions in diverse communities, invests strategically to
elect fair-minded individuals to office and educates the public about
LGBT issues.
For 15 years, a National dinner has been held in Washington DC. Presidents and celebrities attend and support HRC efforts. . Dinners are now also held in major cities across the country.
The HRC Chicago Dinner is Nov. 12 at the Fairmont Hotel. 6pm – 10pm
The Chicago Gala dinner is an annual event that
consists of a large private auction, followed by a black tie dinner to
celebrate the steps we have made and to look towards a more just future.
The HRC Chicago Gala is one of the largest LGBT black tie event in the
Midwest!
THIS YEAR,Golden Globe nominated actress
Piper Perabo, currently starring in USA Networks’ Covert Affairs will speak and 80’s pop star TIFFANY will perform.
GET TICKETS ONLINE
Big Gay Brunch Club Chicago does Cocktail Nov. 13
BIG GAY BRUNCH CLUB Chicago
takes over Cocktail and the Gardens
Our
favorite after brunch place is hosting us for November’s Brunch!
If
you didn’t know, Cocktail is one of the most
inviting playful bars & restaurants in Lakeview, appealing to a
broad-based clientele that is short on attitude and long on fun.
And
we all know that BGBC is LONG ON FUN!
So, it’s a perfect match. Of
course, you are invited to hang out afterwards for $1 Well-Drinks, $2
Mimosas, $2 PBR 16oz cans or $12 Cocktail Infused Vodka Carafes. The
following buffet style menu will be served with the usual bottomless
mimosas and bloody Mary’s, for just $30, including tax & tip.
Scrambled Eggs
Sausage
Bacon
Waffle Station (w/ assorted toppings)
Home style Potatoes
Eggs Benedict
Mixed Fruit
Make sure that you bring cash and your dancing shoes for another guaranteed fun time with BGBC.
LOVE SUCKS on stage at Hydrate in Chicago
Pride Films and Plays
presents the award-winning play
LOVE SUCKS, the company’s first fully staged production – at HYDRATE.
Love Sucks by Rob Mersola, a not-so-romantic comedy of bad manners, opened this week and we got a sneak peak a couple nights ago.
Love Sucks, follows six romantically challenged philanderers through a 48-hour maze of the bars, back seats, and bathroom stalls of New York’s Lower East Side.
Love Sucks was recently named Best Production of a Comedy by the L.A. Scenie Awards, and Backstage Magazine hailed it as “90 minutes of down and dirty fun!”
PFP Artistic Associate John Nasca directs the comedy, which features PFP Artistic Ensemble members Valerie Heckman, Cyra K. Polizzi, Chad Ryan, Kevin Webb,(Chad and Ryan are pictured) and guest artists Edward Fraim and Adam Habben. The acting is top notch and the space at Hydrate provides a great room for the play.
Love Sucks will be performed at Hydrate, 3458 North Halsted. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8 pm through November 26. All tickets are $15 and can be purchased at Brown Paper Tickets, or by calling 1 800 838 3006. It’s a great deal for 90 minutes of fun!
Director John Nasca is an Artistic Associate of PFP and co-founder and Artistic Director of Glitterati Productions. His directing credits include Gypsy, Mr. Shaw Goes to Hollywood, Beautiful Thing, The Ritz, and Moon Over Buffalo. He is also a 3-time Jeff-recommended costumer and the proud recipient of an After Dark Award. His costume work includes Vampire Lesbians of Sodom (Hartzell Productions), Anyone Can Whistle (Pegasus Players), Noises Off for producer/director Michael Leavitt, the Midwest premiere of Metropolis for Academy Award-winner Joseph Brooks, and Phantom (Porchlight). For Hell in a Handbag Productions, he designed Pussy on the House, Die! Mommie, Die!, Poseidon: An Upside-Down Musical, and Lady Ex. Other favorites include Follies, The Miracle Worker, Guys and Dolls, Chicago, Me and My Gal, The Little Foxes, Rigoletto, Annie, The Great White Hope, Tintypes, The Women, On the Waterfront, and at Drury Lane, Something’s Afoot.
About Pride Films and Plays
Pride Films and Plays, based in Chicago, links an international network of writers with professionals working in film and theater. PFP fosters excellent writing for the stage and screen that speaks not only to the LGBT community, but is essential viewing for our friends, family, and co-workers. Using stories with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender characters or themes, Pride Films and Plays develops human stories that become a cultural bridge to understanding. Through readings, contests, classes, screenings, and full theater productions, PFP engages artists and audiences in the full developmental process needed to make great artistic experiences. For more information, visit Pridefilmsandplays.com.
Let My Private Chef Help You with your Holiday Party
Getting ready for holiday entertaining? Chef Tong will prepare: Crab, Coconut and Coriander Soup; Maple Soy glazed Salmon and Edamame. Watch Chef Chris prepare these wonderful recipes. There will be time for questions and answers about shopping, ingredients and preparation and then share in tasting the delicious results! For more information about this free Bloomingdale’s Home & Furniture Store event, contact James Bordoshuk at 630.974.4377. NOVEMBER, 29, 2011 The popular appearances of Chef Christopher Tong of the upscale private gourmet dining service, My Private Chef, continue with some wonderful menu ideas emphasizing healthy eating so essential for Gilda’s Club members and their families. People living with cancer know that healthy eating is important for the body and the spirit. The meals in this cooking series are designed to inspire people living with cancer to eat well, serve beautiful food and stay healthy. For more information about this event, contact Gildaʼs Club Chicago at 312.464.9900 or visit Gildasclubchicago.org
Looking for some new cooking ideas for fall?
Let My Private Chef Help!
My Private Chef is enjoying popularity as one of Chicago’s favorite private gourmet dining services.
Need help during the holidays with your holiday cooking? Impress your friends with a dinner spread by Chef Tong and My Private Chef!
Trained in European-style fine cuisine, Chef Tong established his reputation at fine restaurants and hotels in Florida, California, and Chicago. Now he has adapted his impressive skills to the world of private entertaining. My Private Chef offers enticing cuisine for a wide range of events, from intimate dinners to weddings to corporate parties.
This month, Join Chef Tong
at Bloomingdale’s Home and Furniture Store
in Oakbrook, IL and Gilda’s Club Chicago
NOVEMBER 5, 2011
MY PRIVATE CHEF SHARES SOME DELICIOUS RECIPES FOR FALL ENTERTAINING AT BLOOMINGDALE’S HOME & FURNITURE STORE IN OAKBROOK CENTER
I know you will certainly enjoy attending the cooking demonstration by Chef Christopher Tong. He has been invited back to present some delicious recipes perfect for Fall entertaining. He will conduct the cooking demonstration on Saturday, November 5 at 1pm at the Bloomingdale’s Home & Furniture Store in Oakbrook Center. 4 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL, Demo Kitchen on the 2nd Floor.
JOIN CHEF TONG FOR A HEALTHY MENU AT GILDA’S CLUB CHICAGO
Mark your calendar for this fun and infirmative event. This healthy cooking demonstration is on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 6pm at Gilda’s Club Chicago. The club is located at 537 North Wells Street, Chicago.
Gilda’s Club provides a place where men, women and children with cancer, and families and friends, join with others to build social and emotional support
in addition to medical care. Gilda’s Club is named in honor of the late comedian Gilda Radner.
My Private Chef has been a strong supporter of Gilda’s Club by providing this series of cooking demonstrations and conversations with Chef Tong.
For more information about My Private Chef, contact Event Services at 773.981.8131
or visit our web site: Myprivatechef.net
BAR lesque IV – Let the Stripper Fundraising Begin
During the month of November, contestants representing 15 community
businesses vie for the title of “Chicago’s Sexiest” to raise money for Test
Positive Aware Network (TPAN) in its month-long, online strip-a-thon
fundraiser “Barlesque IV”.
As people visit the Barlesque Web site and donate money, the contestants
appear in various stages of undress. Over the course of 5 donation levels,
contestants go from fully dressed to “nature’s best.”
The Barlesque competition officially runs through Wednesday, November 30,
11:59:00 p.m. Donations received beyond that time will not be counted toward the
winner of the Barlesque competition, but will be posted on the Bar-lesque Web
site. All money
raised through Barlesque goes directly to the work of TPAN.
Barlesque is part of TPAN’s annual burlesque event, Chicago Takes Off, which
will take place March 3, 2012, at the Park West. WHICH IS AN AMAZING MUST-SEE SHOW! Last year was a sell-out!
Beyond the 30 day online fundraising, most all the competing “strippers” will be hosting fundraising parties all over the city. Many feature entertainment, some will have open bars, etc. Check out this list of cool fundraising events!
NOV 11th Mini Bar Party – Art Auction
NOV 16th Debonair Social Club $20 donation/ 2 hour hosted bar
NOV 16th Lucky Horseshow
NOV 17th ELIXER & DS Tequila
NOV 18th North End $5 donation, prizes, and lube wrestling
NOV 20th Y BAR 8pm-2am. 5 djs, Fantasy Philanthropy Fetish Party
MEET THE CONTESTANTS ONLINE and follow their fundraising efforts and make donations.
LAST NIGHT the contestants gave us a little strip show!
Check out BEST GAY CHICAGO on FACEBOOK and LIKE US to see all the hot photos!!
TPAN
BAR-LESQUE
Annual World of Chocolate benefit Returns Dec. 1
Chocolate lovers can satisfy their sweet tooth and commemorate World AIDS Day at World of Chocolate, AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s (AFC) 10th annual winter soiree to be held on Dec. 1 at the Hilton Chicago.
At the one-of-a-kind event, guests are invited to indulge on sweet and savory morsels from more than 30 of Chicago’s finest chocolatiers, restaurants and caterers, while raising funds for the fight against HIV/AIDS.
This annual holiday fundraising event, is
The most anticipated holiday event of the year!
Thursday, December 1 – VIP Reception, 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.; General Admission, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Hilton Chicago – 720 S. Michigan Avenue – International Ballroom –
Cocktail Attire/Business Casual
Ticket Information
Tickets range from $100 to $1,500. Click here for ticket details and pricing.
Guests will also enjoy a light buffet, specialty cocktails, a raffle with lavish prizes and music.
AND CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE AND MORE CHOCOLATE!
Tickets purchased on or before Nov. 11 will be mailed;
all other tickets will be held at will-call at the event.
For tickets and more information, please visit A World of Chocolate online at Aidschicago.org/chocolate.
Chocolatiers…
You’ll sample unique chocolate savories and sweets created by chefs and chocolatiers from Chicago’s finest, including:
Argo Tea
Blommer Chocolate Store
Canady de Chocolatier
Confection Diva
Das Foods LLC
Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
The Hearty Boys
Hilton Chicago
Illinois Nut & Candy
Just Like U Like It Catering
Kay’s Candies
Kendall College School of Culinary Arts
La Parisianne du Chocolat Company
La Taberna Tapas
Macy’s Culinary Council
Palmer House Hilton
The Peninsula Chicago
Renee’s Raw Chocolate
Sixteen at Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago
Sterling Tea
Terry’s Toffee
University Club Chicago
Wow Bao–Hot Asian buns
To mark the 30th year of the AIDS epidemic, a memorial wall will provide guests with the opportunity to honor and support loved ones diagnosed with the disease.
Best Food and Wine Chicago
Best Gay Chicago.com
Michael Leppen to Host Benefit Nov. 14th
Monday, November 14 · 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Michael A. Leppen Hosts A Benefit for Pride Films and Plays That Is
SIMPLY SENSATIONAL!
Pride Films and Plays is pleased to announce that Michael A. Leppen is hosting a benefit on November 14, 2011, featuring the best talent in Chicago in music, dance, comedy, and theater!
Tickets for the evening – which includes appetizers, a complimentary beer and wine bar, desserts, and the program – are $50 for VIP, and $25 for General Admission.
VIP tickets include reserved seats, program recognition, and one ticket to PFP’s current comedy Love Sucks! (running through November 26). Tickets may be purchased online at Brown Paper Tickets or calling 1 800 838 3006.
The evening begins with cocktails and appetizers from 6:30 to 7:30, when the performance begins.
Desserts will be featured at intermission.
Performers for the evening include singers Tom Michael, Natalie Myre, and Honey West, comedy from ThoraBurch, opera from Daina Fisher, dance from the Crush Dance Collective, performances by Pride Films and Plays Artistic Ensemble, and a scene from Rob Mersola’s Love Sucks! For the most complete line-up, visit our Facebook Page.
Michael A. Leppen is a philanthropist, fund-raiser, and he has provided leadership and financial support for a large variety of nonprofit organizations in the Chicago area and elsewhere, many of them serving sexual-minority communities with regard to concerns such as HIV/AIDS, lesbian health, youth work and mass media. For years, Michael has given leadership and financial support to a large variety of non-profit organizations in the Chicago area and elsewhere, many of them serving sexual-minority communities. His contributions have been made unselfishly, without regard to faction, and with a focus on the positive effects of actual work being done.
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Location Hoover-Leppen Theater of Center on Halsted
3656 N Halsted Chicago, IL
Pride Films and Plays, based in Chicago, links an international network of writers with professionals working in film and theater.
PFP fosters excellent writing for the stage and screen that speaks not only to the LGBT community, but is essential viewing for our friends, family, and co-workers. Using stories with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender characters or themes, Pride Films and Plays develops human stories that become a cultural bridge to understanding.
Through readings, contests, classes, screenings, and full theater productions, PFP engages artists and audiences in the full developmental process needed to make great artistic experiences.
For more information visit Pridefilmsandplays.com.
