Monthly Archives: June 2013
Vienna Candy invades Chicago Saturday June 29th
Florian Oder from the Vangardist Magazine in Austria, proposed that the Vienna Tourism Board expand their LGBT
tourism campaign overseas to the United States and asked Harvat to help
produce a joint party. The result is an extravagant and lavishly
designed one-night-only affair “celebrating everything sexy and sweet.”
resident DJ for MATINEE North America and native of New York City who
was recently featured at Miami’s Winter Party Festival and Discotekka,
XL Nightclub in New York and Fly in Toronto. He also appeared at Hydrate
earlier this year and at Matinee Las Vegas Festival over Memorial Day
Weekend. Regarded as one of the hottest rising stars in the electronic
music scene, Billy is known for his high-energy blend of vocals and
driving bass lines and his legendary marathon sets that pack dance
floors all night long. He will be joined onstage by the decadent Vienna
Candy Boys who’ve come all the way from Austria to move, shake and
celebrate for Chicago Pride.
Chicago Pride Parade will be Broadcast on ABC 7
ABC 7 Chicago will
be the only station in the city to broadcast “The 44th Annual Pride Parade” on Sunday, June 30th from midnight
to 1 am. Hosted by ABC 7’s Janet Davies, this is the tenth year ABC 7
Chicago has covered the parade. Terri
Hemmert, from WXRT Radio Chicago, will once again join Davies in the
broadcast booth to help co-host the parade. The actual parade will take place on
Sunday, June 30, starting at noon.
“I am
always proud of the fact that ABC 7 is the first and only television station to
broadcast the Pride Parade,” said Janet Davies, host of the event. “This is an
important event to showcase the contributions of Chicago’s LGBT community and
one of my favorite events to host.”
This year, ABC
7’s Ben Bradley, Ryan Chiaverini, Jessica D’Onofrio, Michelle Gallardo, Evelyn Holmes, Leah Hope, Eric Horng, Ron Magers, Karen Meyer, Hosea
Sanders, Rafer Weigel and Linda Yu are scheduled to appear in the parade via ABC 7 Chicago’s float.
Wade Davis, a former NFL football player and
nationally recognized speaker, activist, writer and educator will be this
year’s Grand Marshal.
The 44th Annual Pride Parade kicks off from Broadway and Montrose on
Chicago’s North Side and will
end near the intersection of Diversey Parkway and Sheridan Road in Lincoln Park.
The parade originally started to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall
Riots, the most important event in the history of the gay rights movement.
The parade ends a weekend of fun and
entertainment with various bands and singers performing on stage, great food
and drinks. The Pride Parade festivities support the gay, lesbian, bisexual,
and transgender communities.
The “Pride Parade” is Chicago’s second
largest parade with streets lined 12 people deep and 750,000 spectators.
“The 44th Annual Pride Parade” will be
available on-demand at www.abc7chicago.com.
“The 44th Annual Pride Parade” is produced by
Christopher Bowen.
NOH8 portrait of Congresswoman Robin Kelly, IL02
NOH8 is every where!
Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage
Act and California’s Proposition 8, the NOH8 Campaign on Monday
released portrait photos of 67 new members of Congress
standing in support of marriage equality.
Campaign featured a record-setting number of Congressional participants,
including
Congresswoman Robin Kelly, of Illinois’ 2nd District. The class of 2013 brings the total of Congressional participants in the NOH8 portrait campaign over three years to 100 members.
Congresswoman Kelly said: “Love can
never be silenced. We’re created equally and therefore have the right
to love equally and I am proud to stand up for that right.”
The iconic NOH8 portraits, created by NOH8 Campaign
co-founders Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley, feature individuals posing
with duct tape over their mouths to symbolize the voices of equality
being silenced by laws like the discriminatory
Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8. In addition,
the NOH8 face tattoo worn by participants symbolizes solidarity with
others who are also standing up for equality.
Kill Your Boyfriends, Part of National Pastime’s Naked July Fest
(Erik Strebig (left)
Pride Films and Plays continues its exciting,
award-winning development of new works for the stage with Kill Your Boyfriends, a world premiere fever dream of movement and
text created, choreographed, and directed by PFP Artistic Associate Derek Van
Barham. “You must kill your boyfriends,”
poet Alex Dimitrov tells us. “You
must kill what wants, like death, to keep you.”
On a hot night,
we find two couples in a single bed. It’s just an old mattress, really.
Finding each relationship at a moment of strain, we watch the characters
try to make it through one more night, each unable to sleep, refusing to rest.
The performance uses text – from Richard Siken, Alex Dimitrov, Sylvia
Plath, Sharon Olds, Thom Gunn, Marty McConnell, Amanda Nazario, Shakespeare,
Edward Albee, and Walt Whitman – that voices the panic and obsession that
threaten to consume. Fear of sex. Fear of death. Fear of
sleep and the fight against its tranquil oblivion. You always hurt the
one you love. Or, at the very least, the one who sleeps next to you.
Kill Your Boyfriends features James Nedrud, Erik Strebig,
Sarah Goldberg, Karen Vance, Carmen Molina, and Christopher Young. Music is by The Dresden Dolls, Mogwai, Cat
Power, Lana Del Rey, The Civil Wars, Portishead, Andrew Bird, Patsy Cline, with
original compositions by sound designer Alex Mauney.
Kill Your Boyfriends will perform as part of The Naked July
Festival at National Pastime Theatre (June 28-August 10).
| 941 W Lawrence Ave Chicago, IL 60640 |
Performances are: Saturdays – July 6, 13, 20, 27 @ 8PM
Sundays – July 7, 14, 21, 28 @ 3PM
Friday, July 26 @ Midnight
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at Brown Paper Tickets
Jawbreaker Gay Pride Party June 29th
MOM and Vienna Candy present: “JAWBREAKER” on gay pride Saturday night!
Revolution, the largest dance party series in the midwest, brings you
the most lavishly designed party to date celebrating everything sexy and
sweet. Don’t be fooled, this is no cotton candy kiddie party! Get
ready to lick the sprinkles right off of our sexy dancers while DJ Billy Lace,
making his Revolution debut, whips his creamy beats into the most
decadent, dessert filled night you will not be able to resist.
it all off, Circuit MOM takes the stage to bring you a candy filled
production sending you into a sugar rush like never before! Tell your
friends and come meet the decadent Vienna Candy Boys coming all the way
from Austria to entertain you…The ONLY SATURDAY NIGHT ON GAY PRIDE
WEEKEND IS RIGHT HERE!
THE PRIDE playing through July 13th
What a wonderful play with top notch acting that is compelling and moving!
Two story lines, fifty years apart. Set in London, Alexi Kaye Campbell’s time-shifting play THE PRIDE maps the progression of the gay rights movement from the repression of the fifties to the freedom of today through the
fate of two twisted love triangles. In 1958, Philip is married to
Sylvia but in love with Oliver. In 2008, Oliver is addicted to public
sex with strangers, so Philip leaves him. Sylvia has to pick up the pieces. THE PRIDE is a sharp, witty portrait of urban gay couples and the punishing consequences of liberation.
The production team for THE PRIDE includes: William Boles (set design), Mieka van der Ploeg (costume design), Becca Jeffords (lighting design), Stephen Ptacek (sound design), Jamie Karas (props design), John Tovar (fight choreography), Anita Deely (dialect coach), Derek Matson (dramaturg), Rupert Priniski (production coordinator), Christopher Kristant (technical director), Hutch Pimentel (assistant director/associate producer), Katie Klemme (stage manager) and Claire Reinhart (asst. stage manager).
Title: THE PRIDE
Playwright: Alexi Kaye Campbell
Director: Bonnie Metzgar
Featuring: AFT Artistic Associates Patrick Andrews (Oliver), John Francisco (Philip) and Benjamin Sprunger (Man/Peter/Doctor) with Jessie Fisher (Sylvia).
Location: Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago.
NOW through Saturday, July 13, 2013
Curtain Times: Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 5 pm & 9 pm; Sundays at 5 pm. Please note: there are no performances on Friday, June 14 and Thursday, July 4. There is an added performance on Monday, July 8 at 7:30 pm.
Tickets: Regular run: $30. $15 students. Group rates available. Tickets for THE PRIDE are available at www.aboutfacetheatre.com or by calling the Victory Gardens Box Office at (773) 871-3000.
About the Playwright
The Pride is Alexi Kaye Campbell’s first play. It premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in November 2008 and was awarded the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement, The Critic’s Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright and The John Whiting Award for Best New Play. The play was produced at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in New York in January 2010 and was nominated for Best Play by the Outer Critics Circle. His second play, Apologia, was produced at The Bush Theatre in London in June 2009 and was nominated Best Play at the Writer’s Guild Awards. As an actor Alexi Kaye Campbell has worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal Court, Chichester Festival Theatre, Oxford Stage Company and Shared Experience.
About the Director
At About Face, Bonnie Metzgar has directed Philip Dawkin’s The Homosexuals, Sylvan Oswald’s Pony, a reimagining of Stupid Kids by John C. Russell and Taylor Mac’s The Young Ladies Of. Prior
to AFT, Metzgar was best known for producing a radical new grassroots
model for theatrical production with Suzan Lori-Parks’ epic 365 Days/365 Plays. Metzgar served for nine years as an Associate Producer at the Public Theater under George C. Wolfe and was the founding producer of the world famous entertainment venue, Joe’s Pub.
THE PRIDE sponsors include Paul Boskind and John Sanders.
About Face Theatre is one of Chicago’s most acclaimed theatre companies, and is a national leader in the development of new work exploring gender and sexual identity. Since its founding by Kyle Hall and Eric Rosen in 1995, the company has premiered more than 45 world premieres by writers and directors who have been recognized with several Tony Awards, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama, The MacArthur Fellowship and dozens of Joseph Jefferson Awards.
The largest gay dance party series, Revolution, returns this month with “JAWBREAKER”, on Saturday, June 29, 2013.
Austria to promote LGBT travel to this lush, gorgeous and historic
destination. Together, they will bring you the sweetest, sexiest, hard
candy gay pride party celebrating all things Marie Antoinette. Her
lavish life style, her decadent love life and her over-the-top party
life will be brought to life with the deliciously hot DJ/Producer Billy
Lace (Matinee, NYC) making his Revolution debut.
Of Blues with be transformed into a French palace complete with a two
story set design, imported sticky and sweet French go go boys and girls
and a not-so-candy-coated performance by the legendary Circuit MOM. This
is Chicago’s only large scale dance party on Saturday night of pride
weekend! Come get your sweet tooth satisfied and shake your hard candy
at this masquerade ball before the big parade on Sunday afternoon.
Facebook Event Page
Pride and Joy Rooftop Dance Party June 28th
Halsted hosts a Pride Dance Party on our fabulous rooftop deck
overlooking the skyline from 5:30-9:30 pm. We host over 250 community
members and allies to dance in celebration of the advancement of the
LGBTQ movement while listening to music provided by DJ Marc “Moose”
Moder and the evening’s host, Cyon Flare. In what has become one of
Boystown’s most celebrated parties, it is sure to be an evening of
celebrating community as we look to the years ahead.
$20 admission includes 4 drink tickets that include Full-Bar Service.
21 and up 3656 N. Halsted Street, Chicago, Illinois 60613
Purchase tickets here:
Sasha Gradiva June 22 – NOT TO BE MISSED
SATURDAY June 22nd, 8pm on the NORTH Stage of Pride Fest – you do not want to miss SASHA GRADIVA.
Nightlife
used to be ruled by the mandate of the velvet rope where only a select few were
granted entry into the exclusive party. The late nineties and the first decade
of the millennium were the V.I.P era, when clubs thrived on celebrating those
deemed privileged – usually due to money or good looks – by sectioning them off
into special roped off areas. Sure,
these practices still exist at some haunts, but they’ve become passé,
overshadowed by an emerging movement that shuns the exclusivity of yesteryear. It’s a movement being led by club artists
like Lady Gaga, Sasha Gradiva, and Ke$ha whose anthems (“Born this Way”, “We R
Who We R” and “Come with Us”) promote inclusiveness and make it cool to welcome everyone to the party.
“The club world has changed,” confirms Sasha
Gradiva, who is currently touring the country on her “Lovers Wanted” club
tour. Her new song, “Come with Us”,
written by Gradiva and Justin Tranter and produced by Axident and platinum hit
maker Tricky Stewart (who produced Rihanna’s “Umbrella” and Beyoncé’s “Single
Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”, invites the disenfranchised
to join her posse. “Old club tracks used
to intimidate. They heralded glitz and bling, and were very
surface. I’d rather my music be inclusive. More over, music should have
substance.”
According to Gradiva, marching to your own drum is
acceptable today. “It means that you are
different from others. Our differences
are what make us unique and special. Trying to be someone else – or trying to
fit in with the status quo – will only dim your light,” she says.
She admits that growing up, she was an
outsider. “I was the kid with the wild
hair, wearing crazy outfits. I loved
fashion but not the pretty pashminas and floral dresses all the other girls
were wearing. I was always experimenting
with avant-garde styles that made me seem a bit freakish to other kids.”
The point of “Come With Us” is to make all who listen to it feel
understood, embraced and loved. She says
it carries a special relevance to her gay fans.
“My message to the gay community is be true you. When
you fearlessly fight for what you believe in and remain hopelessly optimistic
about life, love and the future, you create connection with all in your path,
most importantly with yourself.”
“Not everyone is going to appreciate you
for the real you,” she continues, “but that’s not your problem. That’s on them.”
Not everyone appreciated the real Sasha
Gradiva when she arrived at last year’s Grammy Awards wearing a pink dress and
a costumed (but very real looking) semi automatic assault rifle. In addition to getting her in big trouble
with event security, she was
lambasted by the press and featured on several worst-dressed lists.
“The
outfit wasn’t a random choice,” she explains. “I wanted to get people to think
about the absurd amount of guns and weapons that are on streets today. We need to get rid of them.”
Referring
to the recent Sandy Hook massacre, she says, “People shouldn’t be expressing
how sorry they are for one week and then forget about it the next. That’s what bothers me the most. Do something
about it!”
In Come
with Us, there’s a line that says “when you’re ready, come with us”.
“It simply means when you are ready to make change, you will. When you’re ready to get off your ass, you
will.”
And Sasha
Gradiva will be there waiting for you with open arms.
Don’t miss her at Chicago Pride Fest!
Sasha Gradiva website
Sasha on SoundCloud
Sushi Wednesdays After Work at Roka Akor
Wednesdays this summer from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., mix and mingle at River North’s Roka Bar in Roka Akor Steak, Seafood, and Sushi (456 N. Clark) for “Shochu & Sushi.”
recommended, is a stylish Prime steak and sushi restaurant that
features Robata-style “open charcoal” cuisine. For Chef Ce Bian’s dining
room menu, the freshest fish is flown in daily, and sushi and sashimi
are carefully handpicked by region and seasonality. The menu also
features a variety of succulent steak cuts including Prime Rib Eye with
Wafu Dressing and Prime New York Strip Loin with Truffle Aioli, as well
as the highest quality of domestic and Australian Wagyu Beef. Inside
Roka Bar – Roka Akor‘s informal, yet sophisticated dining environment – guests can
feast on a selection of Japanese small plates, which are designed for
sharing.
Halsted Vodka’s New Pride Cocktail Recipes
The term ‘movie star’ could have been invented for Rock Hudson. The
looks, the charm, the red carpet lifestyle. He had it all except for one
thing: his own cocktail. So now there’s the Halsted Rock, made with lychee and a dash of Prosecco – it would grace a red carpet anywhere.
2 oz Halsted Vodka
2 oz raspberry lychee liqueur / fresh fruit puree
Dash of Prosecco
Shake the Halsted Vodka, raspberry and lychee over ice and serve in a martini glass with a prosecco top. Cheers!
Halsted Vodka has supported these local GLBT groups this Spring:
-ChiGayGo GLBT Comedy Showcase
-Lesbian Community Cares Project
-Pride Films & Plays
-Windy City Performing Arts
-IL Safe Schools Alliance
-The Legacy Project
-Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus
from the Rocky Mountains and distilled in small batches by Mile High
Distillery in Denver, CO., one of only three distilleries in the world
to utilize glass stills.
Boystown Business Owner says SHAME SHAME to Illinois Lawmakers
Replay says “Shame, Shame!” to politicians who let gay marriage in
Illinois fall through the cracks.
expectations that I felt were warranted given that we have a
Democratically controlled House and the majority of citizens in this
state are in favor of legalizing gay marriage,” said Mark Liberson, who
owns Elixer, Halsted’s Bar and Grill, Hydrate Nightclub and Replay.
Studio Paris T PARTY Returns June 16th
Chicago. Blending the allure of an exclusive cocktail lounge with the
vibrant energy of a premier nightclub, it’s become one of the most
sought-out hot spots and event spaces. Boasting a state-of-the-art
Funktion One sound system and an unrivaled audio-visual experience,
Studio Paris has hosted some of the biggest names in electronic music:
Tiesto. DeadMau5. Avicii. Kaskade. Calvin Harris.
of celebrities, top athletes and influencers from the world of fashion
and entertainment can be found partying beneath the room’s signature AMAZING retractable glass roof, making Studio Paris unlike any other venue in
Chicago.
& Intrigue. This Event is brought to you by “Key Host” Charles May, who creates an atmosphere filled with like minded
people to set the bar high in a comfortable environment with the latest
in Design and Music!
afternoon spent with the Entrepreneurs, Fashion Designers, Club owners,
Shop Owners, Designers in the Floral Business, Chefs, Salon Owners, The
City’s Leading Hair stylists, Restaurant Owners, Artist, DJ’s, and all
those that Contribute to this Amazing Gay Community in our Beautiful
City of Chicago. Networking is one of the key’s to great Success! You
Never Know who you might Meet!
effort to empower us All!!
Ageneau. Ageneau spent his youth in France and at the age of eighteen
set out on a whirlwind culinary tour working for some of the world’s top
chefs in France, London, Los Angeles and Chicago. Taking cues from his
French heritage, Ageneau brings a sense of whimsy to some of his
favorite traditional dishes. It truly is like a fabulous step into Paris France, without getting on a plane!
Benedict, Eggs Florentine, Parisian Crepes, Chocolate French Toast and
on and on! So many choices. Flavors and tastes are amazing and
service is always impeccable.
While I love the Lobster soft scrambled eggs – black truffled – a
variation I believe of the dinner Lobster Crostini – get one and share
it. It’s delicious – and rich.
While brunches are made for Bloody Marys – I still like my afternoon
white wine. I was pleasantly surprised at all of the affordable options.
There are not many 4 or 5 star restaurants that you can order a really
great glass of wine for $8-$12.
Dance for Life Chicago August 17th
Dance for
Life:
Chicago’s Leading Dance
Troupes Unite to Raise Funds for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Services on Aug. 17
WHAT: Experience a night of
breathtaking dance as five of Chicago’s top companies unite on a single stage during
Dance for Life, the largest
performance-based AIDS fundraising event in the Midwest.
With passionate music
and powerful choreography, this highly anticipated event is held annually to
raise awareness and funds for HIV/AIDS care, education and prevention while
promoting the art of dance in Chicago. Since 1992 Dance for Life has raised millions of dollars to support the cause.
This year, Dance for Life hosts two exciting,
world-premiere performances by renowned choreographers Randy Duncan, Harrison
McEldowney and Jeremy Plummer as part of the evening’s eight performances. 44th Ward Alderman Tom Tunney will
serve as this year’s honorary emcee.
Funds raised through
this year’s Dance for Life benefit
the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, the Dancers’ Fund and Chicago House.
WHO: Participating Companies Include:
·
Giordano
Dance Chicago
·
Thodos
Dance Chicago
·
River
North Dance Chicago
·
Hubbard
Street Dance Chicago
·
DanceWorks
Chicago
·
Independent
artists Abigail Simon and Mauro Villanueva
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013
5:00 p.m. – Gala Reception –
Hilton Chicago International Ballroom (720 S. Michigan Ave.)
8:00 p.m. – Dance
for Life Performance –
Auditorium
Theatre (50 E. Congress Pkwy.)
*Complimentary
shuttle bus service provided between the two venues.
COST: $50-$75 (performance only)
$200- $500 (includes
admission to 5:00 p.m. gala reception and premiere seating at the performance)
To purchase tickets,
please call 312-922-5812 or visit www.danceforlifechicago.com
WHERE: Performance – Auditorium Theatre, 50 E.
Congress Pkwy., Chicago
Gala Reception – Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
Connect
with Dance for Life on Facebook!
About
Dance for Life
Dance
for Life raises awareness and funds for HIV/AIDS care, prevention
and education, while promoting the art of dance in Chicago. Realizing that AIDS
had heavily affected the dance community, Dance
for Life was founded in 1992 as an inventive way for dancers and dance
companies, whose incomes do not normally allow for large donations, to be able
to contribute time, effort and badly needed funds for existing AIDS agencies.
Check us out online on the Dance for Life
website or on Facebook.
About
the Dancer’s Fund
The Dancers’ Fund, a funding program of Dance for Life,
was created in 1994 as a one of a kind fund with the mission to provide
emergency financial assistance to dancers living with HIV/AIDS and has since
expanded to include any life-threatening illness. The Dancers’ Fund provides
immediate financial assistance for those facing life-threatening illness,
injury or circumstance. Designed to help qualified individuals meet their
immediate financial obligations while dealing with life-threatening conditions,
The Dancers’ Fund is available to Chicago-based, professionally trained working
dancers and those whose primary source of income is derived by serving the
dance community.
Music with Pride Concert and Benefit TEAM TO END AIDS
MUSIC WITH PRIDE –
Music with Pride: A Tribute to Gay Composers is a fundraising concert
dedicated to sharing the tradition of LGBT composers from the classical
and contemporary periods.
Come celebrate Pride 2013 with music and
hear a group of young, talented local performers and learn about
composers like Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber and
more! It is sure to be an evening filled with music and fun.
For
information about the performers see the “speakers” section.
Admission
is free! $10 suggest donation at the door.
Reserve a seat online.
All donations go towards
Team to End AIDS and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
Lake View Presbyterian Church
Star Studded Night at SCARLET June 5th Summer Launch Event
Scarlet Bar Chicago and Ketel One present Scarlet Summer Launch Event
Chicago House Bird House, Art Auction and Cocktail Party June 20th
Birdhouse extravaganza! June 20, 2013
Join Co-Chairs Jerry
Sanfilippo, Spyros Petros, Denise Antonucci, Erik Retzer & Jim
Josephson for the Pride Kickoff event EVERYONE is crowing about!
Toast the Summer Season with
cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while bidding on artwork and birdhouses
from the city’s Most unique designers! Functional birdhouses, funky art,
and auction pieces for any shopper!
Where: Room & Board Downtown Chicago Store
55 East Ohio Street Chicago, Illinois
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Advance tickets: $70 Door tickets: $80
RE.STOCK Shopping and Fashion Show June 6th
..
From 5pm-7pm we’ll be joined at our new storefront (3519 N. Halsted) by our hosts Michael and Derrick of Best Gay Chicago and FIAT of Chicago for an exclusive shopping event full of special discounts, VIP goody bags and more!
And just in case you’re late joining the party, we invite you to join
us for an after hours party back at the shop, where we’ll have special
in-store specials until 11pm!
Gay Chicago Couple Told to GET OUT of Taxi Cab After Innocent Kiss
A gay couple from Chicago allegedly were ejected from a taxi cab onto a busy expressway after a quick kiss.
Steven White and his boyfriend Matt McCrea tell CBS 2 that they were
returning from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport at around 11:30
p.m. on May 30 when their cab driver forced them out of the car after
what they’ve described as a quick peck on the lips.
“He indicated that it was a public mode of transportation and we shouldn’t kiss in his cab,” White recalled. WATCH
