Category Archives: Music
Cher Musical in Chicago 2018
NY TIMES reports –
It’s official – the new musical using Cher’s songs to tell her story — with three actresses playing different aspects of her life — is heading for Broadway 2018.
“The Cher Show” will play first in Chicago, beginning performances June 12 at the Oriental Theater and running for five weeks. It will then transfer to the Neil Simon Theater on Broadway, opening next fall, the producers, Flody Suarez and Jeffrey Seller, said Thursday.
“We have been discussing this musical for 10 years,” Cher, a pop star and Academy Award-winning actress, said in a statement. “It’s exciting and scary.”
The musical has an unusual approach — it will be structured like a variety show, nodding to “The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour,” which helped propel her to celebrity in the 1970s. The show currently features all or part of 35 to 40 of Cher’s best known songs.
“The Cher Show” is one of many jukebox biomusicals now in development, including “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical,” also featuring three actresses playing the title role, which is scheduled to run this fall at La Jolla Playhouse in California; “Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations,” now playing at Berkeley Repertory Theater in California; and “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical,” which is scheduled to open in London next spring.
House Music 5 Magazine Event
Saturday, August 26th, 2017
The leader in HOUSE MUSIC NEWS! 5 Magazine will celebrate their 12 Year Anniversary this month!
“It’s been a long road and we thank you all for continuing on with us. For this year we are so very excited to be having Baltimore and Phily representing!”
Karizma (R2/Kaytronik, Baltimore)
DEL (Do You Wanna Boogie, 5 Magazine, Philly)
CZBOOGIE (5 Magazine)
$12 Advance, $15 Before Midnight, $18 after
21 & Over / 10PM
http://5chicago.com/
https://soundcloud.com/
soundcloud.com/a-DEL-mix
https://soundcloud.com/
*Because of an early evening concert happening in Wrigley Field that night, we highly encourage people to take either the red line train (exit Addison) or an Uber. The nearby streets will be closed off until approximately 11pm.
Another option would be is to park several blocks away from Smartbar & then take an Uber from there. We will have more specific street information closer to the date.
We can’t wait to see you all!!! ♥
DJ BIOS:
KARIZMA
Kris Klayton is an award winning International DJ and electronic music producer/artist from Baltimore, Maryland, known for his wide genre of music production in Deep House, Deep Techno, Hip-Hop, Jazz and Broken bBeats, being sponsored by Pioneer because of
DEL
DEL is a senior editor for the leading house music source in America, 5 MAGAZINE, and his column, FOUNDATIONS, has connected music fans across generations. He is a resident partner in the Do You Wanna Boogie? events which are “must do” parties in the U.S. and Mexico! DEL has created edits and original productions including “NO FAKE” on Ospina Digital.
A true “selector” with knowledge and experience across nearly every dance genre… DEL always shares his positivity, energy, and soul! Dancers and music lovers know that when DEL is in the middle of it, SOMEBODY’S GONNA GET…
facebook.com/DELMIX
soundcloud.com/a-DEL-mix
mixcloud.com/DELmix
Twitter: discobush
Instagram: discobush
CZBOOGIE
Czarina Mirani (aka Czboogie) was originally a professional actress and dancer for most of her life with a serious love affair for House. In 2005 she launched 5 Magazine, North America’s only publication dedicated exclusively to underground House music. She has interviewed and worked with almost all of the House community’s biggest stars and continues to push for the next generation of talent.
Aside from being the publisher and editor-in-chief, she also does 5 Magazine radio shows and podcasts, promotes several House events in Chicago and has her own dance company (Fivestarboogie Productions) with dance performances and classes throughout the city. Her House dancing classes have been named by the Chicago Reader as the “best dance class in the city.”
Czboogie’s style of sexy vocal House music has made her an in demand DJ all over Chicago and in cities around the U.S. as well as in Asia. She has had DJ residencies at Smartbar (Chicago’s number one club for electronic music), Grandbar, Hydrate, 3 Degrees at Primary, Circuit, Evil Olive, Crocodile, Uptown Lounge, Cocktail, Drop Chicago, Urban’s House and with the legendary Boom Boom Room (the longest running House night in the world and renown host to world class DJs). One of the highlights was her Nu-Breed Residency with world-class House legends Cajmere and Chez Damier at Smartbar in 2012.
Check out www.5chicago.com for the digital version of 5 Magazine.
SUPERHERO Chicago Markets Days Event Aug. 10
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Chicago Pride Fest 2017
Chicago Pride Fest. Taylor Dayne, Thelma Houston, Kristine W. and many more are ready to take over the Chicago Pride Fest stage June 17-18! Held during National Pride Month, celebrates our achievements as a community in our annual two-day street festival leading up to Chicago’s world famous Pride Parade.
The non-stop entertainment features strings, queens and everything in-between.
Two main stages deliver a host of national and local talent. Well Strung brings the strings with their fuse of classic music meets pop blend, while Taylor Dayne delivers her iconic hits and local legends 16 Candles go retro. The DJ stage at Waveland pumps with dance ready beats, while the best divas in the business strut their stuff on the Kit Kat Runway.
Chicago Pride Fest (June 17-18)
11 am – 10 pm North Halsted from Addison to Grace $10 Suggested Donation
| Saturday, June 17 | ||
| North Stage | ||
| 12:30PM | Drag Show | |
| 2:30PM | Thelma Houston | |
| 3:30PM | Drag Show | |
| 5:30PM | Vassy | |
| 6:00PM | Drag Show | |
| 7:30PM | David Hernandez |
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| 8:30PM | Taylor Dayne | |
| South Stage | ||
| 1:00PM | Gay Men’s Chorus | |
| 2:00PM | Catfight | |
| 4:00PM | One Night Band | |
| 6:00PM | Girl Power Band | |
| 8:00PM | Boy Band Review | |
| Sunday, June 18 | ||
| North Stage | ||
| 12:00PM | Pet Parade | |
| 12:30PM | Drag Show | |
| 2:30PM | Carlito Olivero |
|
| 3:30PM | Drag Show | |
| 5:30PM | Well Strung |
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| 6:30PM | Pride Talent Show | |
| 8:00PM | Symon | |
| 8:30PM | Kristine W. | |
| South Stage | ||
| 1:00PM | Pet Parade | |
| 1:30PM | 2 the 9s | |
| 3:30PM | Rod Tuffcurls | |
| 6:00PM | Abba Salute |
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| 7:30PM | 16 Candles | |
About the Northalsted Business Alliance (NBA)
Formed in 1980, NBA represents more than 100 businesses along the Halsted Street corridor. The organization hosts major events throughout the year including Chicago Pride Fest, Pride Prom Northalsted Market Days, the Halloween Parade, Frost Fest and the Legacy Live Series. For information about NBA visit www.northalsted.com.
Cavalia Odysseo is HUGE!
Whether you like horses or not – this show is so much more than horses. It’s beautifully choreographed art and showmanship. BIGGER THAN LIFE!
Imagine, 21 semi trucks delivered the show to Chicago over 6 weeks ago. a $30 million extravaganza! The main tent stands over 125 feet tall and occupies some 58,000 square feet. From your seat, at least to me, the stage looked 2-3 times the size of the space that the audience occupies.
This unprecedented ‘traveling theatre’ is also composed of several exceptional features including its grandiose stage – larger than the United Center ice rink – that enables large-scale, cutting-edge creative performances. Surrounded by bleachers with 2,074 seats, the 17,500-square-foot stage requires 10,000 tons of stone, earth and sand to create so that it offers a vast space of freedom where 65 horses and 48 artists can display their intimate collaboration.
To help immerse the audience in the magical world of Odysseo, images of the most beautiful landscapes from around the world are projected throughout the show onto an 8,400-square-foot screen. Its technical grid, worthy of the largest permanent installations in Las Vegas, New York or London, can support 80 tons of equipment for the stage needs of the show, including a majestic life-sized merry-go-round.
Perhaps most amazing is when 40,000 gallons of water fills the stage! Mind blowing what this show delivers! Music, Singing, Dance, Acrobatic skills and 65 of the most regal horses you ever see!
Get a sneak peak NOW and get your tickets HERE!
Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company Hyde Park
The Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company (Hyde Park) will perform Iolanthe; or, The Peer and the Peri – regarded by many as Gilbert and Sullivan’s finest and most perfect collaboration. Three performances will take place at the University of Chicago’s Mandel Hall on March 10, 11 and 12.
Iolanthe drops England’s House of Peers into the middle of a Hans Christian Andersen-inspired forest enchanted by fairies and ruled by a no-nonsense Fairy Queen. Strephon is the son of the beloved eponymous fairy Iolanthe, the progeny of her marriage to a mortal, and as such is a HALF-FAIRY. The Fairy Queen sends him into Parliament as a Fairy Member when the Lord Chancellor and his House of Peers spurn his affections for his love Phyllis.
Gilbert & Sullivan’s satire is just as fresh today, with the clueless and bumbling Peers going up against a formidable fairy circle who’s special magic cannot be denied. And Strephon suddenly finds himself in charge of BOTH houses of Parliment! How much more resonant can we get?
Iolanthe has the strongest blend of dialogue and music of any other collaboration between this formidable duo,” says director Shane Valenzi, returning for a third year with the Company.
Highlighted by the most difficult patter song in the canon, and calling for a top-notch featured male ensemble, Iolanthe has long been revered in the United Kingdom as on par with The Mikado as one of the best and most popular works of operetta ever produced by the Savoy. And as the chorus has an exceptionally prominent role, Valenzi explains that now is the perfect time to mount this show. We’ve built a tradition of a supremely talented, active chorus over the last few years, and Iolanthe is the perfect vehicle for them to shine. I could not be more excited to see how the brilliant, professional-level performers that make up our chorus make this show their own.
Frequent performer Aaron Hunt will take a turn as associate director this year, collaborating with Valenzi. Also returning for a third year is conductor Matthew Sheppard, Director of the University of Chicago Chamber Orchestra. The talented cast includes some of the Company’s favorites from past productions as well as
several outstanding newcomers. Nancy Levner will produce, aided by associate producers Trip Driscoll and Roger Huff.
Performances take place at Mandel Hall, 1131 East 57th Street, from March 10 through 12.
Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $25 general, $5 for students, $15 for groups and can be ordered online , or by calling the Logan Center for the Arts box office at 773.702.ARTS.
Tickets can also be purchased in-person at the Logan Center box office Tuesday through Saturday from noon through 6 p.m.
2017 marks the 33rd consecutive year the Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company has partnered with the University of Chicago Department of Music for their annual production. The proceeds will benefit the Department of Music’s performance program, whose seventeen ensembles and programs present more than a hundred concerts each year.
ABOUT THE GILBERT & SULLIVAN OPERA COMPANY
The Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, Inc. is a non-profit, community arts organization dedicated to performing the works of Gilbert & Sullivan to the highest artistic standards. It has been a mainstay of Chicago’s Hyde Park cultural scene since it was founded in 1964 by three local G&S fans: Nancy Lorie, Robert Ashenhurst, and Roland Bailey. GSOC is supported by member donations, ticket sales, and local grants.
Well Strung Christmas Concert Dec. 10th
LOVE THESE GUYS!!!!
Tickets: $30 General Public/$25 Students, Seniors, Staff
STILL A FEW TICKETS LEFT!!!
BUY TICKETS
Starring Edmund Bagnell, Christopher Marchant, Daniel Shevlin and Trevor Wadleigh
Produced by Mark Cortale & Directed by Richard Jay-Alexander
The all-male string quartet Well-Strung has been receiving rave reviews all over the world, from the House of Blues in New Orleans to the Leicester Square Theatre in London. A Well-Strung Christmas includes the most beautiful and traditional melodies, such as Silent Night to irreverent “newly observed” versions of things like I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus and the famous Sleighride, to George Michael’s This Christmas… and everything in between. There will be opportunities for the audience to participate and walk away from the evening’s holiday celebration with some special moments they will remember and keep close to their hearts. You might even see a little snow!
“Each member of Well-Strung sings and plays with effervescing warmth, making the holidays that much brighter.”
– Broadway World
Well Strung Chicagoland Christmas Concert Dec 10
LOVE THESE GUYS!!!!
Tickets: $30 General Public/$25 Students, Seniors, Staff
BUY TICKETS
Starring Edmund Bagnell, Christopher Marchant, Daniel Shevlin and Trevor Wadleigh
Produced by Mark Cortale & Directed by Richard Jay-Alexander
The all-male string quartet Well-Strung has been receiving rave reviews all over the world, from the House of Blues in New Orleans to the Leicester Square Theatre in London. A Well-Strung Christmas includes the most beautiful and traditional melodies, such as Silent Night to irreverent “newly observed” versions of things like I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus and the famous Sleighride, to George Michael’s This Christmas… and everything in between. There will be opportunities for the audience to participate and walk away from the evening’s holiday celebration with some special moments they will remember and keep close to their hearts. You might even see a little snow!
“Each member of Well-Strung sings and plays with effervescing warmth, making the holidays that much brighter.”
– Broadway World
Hydrate Halloween Weekend!
2 music and dance filled nights at HYDRATE this weekend!
American Idol’s Rayvon Owen Nov. 7th
AMERICAN IDOL’s RAYVON OWEN joins the cast of
Simply Sensational – Pride Films and Plays’ Annual Fall Benefit November 7 at Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway
The entertainment line-up for PFP’s Simply Sensational Benefit gets more and more sensational each day, with American Idol’s Rayvon Owen joining in. Other performers include Nancy Hays, Honey West, Kevin Webb, Michelle McKenzie Voigt, and others from the Pride Films and Plays Company and cast of the upcoming musical Priscilla: Queen of the Desert. Music Director for the evening is PFP’s Jeff Award-winning Robert Ollis.
Simply Sensational is Monday, November 7. Mr. Owen entertains during the pre-show reception downstairs in the private room from 6 to 7 pm. The regular program will continue at 7:15 pm, and again feature Rayvon along with the other performers, with Broadway’s Capathia Jenkins headlining. The program will celebrate the greatest songs written for women in the Broadway canon, performed by the best women – and men – in Chicago’s musical theater scene.
Capathia Jenkins was featured in the record setting NBC LIVE telecast of The Wiz. On Broadway she has appeared in Newsies, Martin Short-Fame Becomes Me, Caroline, or Change, The Look of Love, The Civil War. Off-Broadway she was seen in Nora Ephron’s Love, Loss and What I Wore, (mis)Understanding Mammy-The Hattie McDaniel Story, (Drama Desk Nomination) Caroline, or Change and Godspell.
She has appeared in 30 Rock, The Sopranos, Law & Order and much more. She also has performed with many symphony orchestras around the world, including the Cincinnati Pops and the Hong Kong Philharmonic.” www.
For as long as he can remember, pop/soul singer, Rayvon Owen has dreamed of a life dedicated to music. Born to be on stage, the Richmond, VA., native began his music career at a very young age – singing in choirs, touring with gospel musicians and performing in local musicals. By the age of 18, he relocated to Nashville, TN., to study Commercial Music at Belmont University. Shortly after graduation, Rayvon made his way from Nashville to Los Angeles, CA., where he continued to write and craft his sound. In 2014, he released his debut EP, Cycles, which includes the hit single “Sweatshirt.” In the past year, Rayvon took his talent on the road – performing at over 60 colleges across the United States.
Honey West’s Chicago credits include Dirty Dreams of a Clean Cut Kid, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, Diva Diaries, Jerry’s Girls and Tony and Tony’s Wedding. She won BroadwayWorld.com Award for Pussy on the House and will soon be seen in PFP’s Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
Kevin Webb is a Jeff nominated company member with Pride Films and Plays and was most recently seen in their productions of Bite and Design for Living. He has worked with Court, Porchlight, BoHo, Trap Door, Sideshow and many other Chicago area theatre companies.
Cabaret singer Nancy Hays has opened for celebrities including Tommy Tune, George Burns and many others. Nancy was also recently seen in critically acclaimed performances as Mame at Light Opera Works and Judy Garland in Pride Films and Plays’ Boy from Oz and Judy and Liza–Once in a Lifetime– the Palladium Concert, A Tribute.
Simply Sensational features musical direction by Robert Ollis, and is directed by David Zak.
The evening benefits the programming of Pride Films and Plays, and the renovation of the Pride Arts Center in January 2017.
LISTING INFORMATION
Simply Sensational
Pride Films and Plays’ Annual Fall Benefit Monday, November 7
VIP Reception begins at 6 pm,
Program begins at 7:15 pm with dessert reception following.
Uptown Underground 4707 N. Broadway
VIP Tickets $150.00 (includes pre-show VIP reception)
General Admission $75.00 (includes program and post-show dessert reception)
For tickets call 1 800 737 0984 or purchase on line at www.pridefilmsandplays.com.
Todrick Hall August 7th
Todrick Hall is a self-proclaimed queer, American singer, actor, dancer, director, choreographer, and wildly famous YouTuber!
He auditioned for the ninth season of American Idol, where he made it to the semi-finals. Since then, Hall has been performing on Broadway and YouTube.
As of January 31, 2016, Hall has exceeded 2 million subscribers on his YouTube channel. Videos on his channel have been played over 270 MILLION TIMES!
Videos of note include a flash mob thrown for Ariana Grande, a reinvention of the Wizard of Oz starring Pentatonix which was directed by and also stars Hall, and a Beyoncé themed flash mob performed in the middle of an actual Target store, which has garnered over 14 million views as of January 31, 2016, and which Beyoncé personally, publicly congratulated Hall on.
Todrick’s current North American Tour titled “Straight Outta Oz” is in full swing!
” Straight Outta Oz,” follows the triple threat performer as he embarks on his most ambitious tour yet: a full-length musical with original score by Hall, inspired by The Wizard of Oz.
The tour kicked off last week in Vancouver, and will continue through August. He’ll make a stop in Chicago at Thalia Hall, Sunday August 7th, 2016. GET TICKETS HERE – BEFORE THEY ARE GONE.
Awesomeness Films announced the start of production on their behind the scenes film following Todrick Hall’s upcoming tour and will be filming in Chicago at Thalia Hall!
Directed by Katherine Wright (Call Me Kuchu), the film will go behind-the-scenes as Todrick mounts the musical, which tells the story of his life growing up in small-town Texas, his struggle to come to Hollywood and eventually succeed.
Check out the video style album STRAIGHT OUTTA OZ here!
Get it on iTunes Here.
Then Todrick returns to Chicago Spetember 10th, for the 5th Annual OUT IN THE PARK event at Six Flags Great America! There will be a meet and greet with fans before the gates open at 7:30. Then Todrick will kick off the evening at 8pm with a couple live numbers! www.CelebrateDiversityChicago.com
NEVERLAND Market Days Party Aug 12
Neverland, the Chicago-based dance producer known for its elaborate themes and production, is celebrating Market Days this year with its most extravagant event ever. Drawing inspiration from the costumes, the story, and the men of the blockbuster film, 300, IMPERIAL HAREM will take place Friday, August 12th at Metro (3730 N Clark St, Chicago). Mexico City-based DJ Alex Acosta will headline the event; his first time headlining since spinning the very first Market Days Neverland three years ago. Chicago DJ Alex Cabot will open and Imp Queen, Nico and Sara Andrews will host. $40 early bird tickets to IMPERIAL HAREM are available now at www.NeverlandMarketDays.com
“Market Days is even bigger than Pride in Chicago so we’re making this party more epic than anything we’ve done before,” proclaims Anthony DiFiore, Neverland’s founder and Creative Director. DiFiore is drawing inspiration for the night from a recent trip to Jerusalem where he learned how years of Ottoman rule left its imprint on the city. “We’re going to experiment with a lot of cool ancient Persian and Ottoman elements that complement Metro’s massive steel stage,” he says.
At last year’s Market Days, DiFiore and his creative team celebrated Mayan Aztec culture with their “Origins” event, transforming Circuit Nightclub into a jungle complete with palm trees, a pyramid, and performers in colorful headdresses. This year’s party takes Neverland back to the opulent Metro, the former concert hall world-renowned for its large stage and high ceilings.
Designers are building a structure of steel bars that will create an interactive platform loaded with lights and special effects devices. “There aren’t any gay parties in the U.S. that utilize truss the way we do,” adds DiFiore.
Market Days is the popular Chicago festival with stages, live bands and DJs during the day, followed by late-night dance parties. Neverland’s IMPERIAL HAREM is the official Friday night main event.
“Today’s Neverland is like a Studio 54-style party,” says DiFiore. “What sets our team apart is that our artists are true set and costume designers who are working with Neverland to showcase their talents.”
For tickets and additional information, visit www.NeverlandMarketDays.
Market Days Chicago 2016
Northalsted Market Days® is the largest outdoor street festival in the Midwest! Famous for its vast array of national talent, unique vendors, arts, crafts, food and drink, Northalsted Market Days® gathers a crowd of over 180,000 people from across the globe to celebrate right here on Halsted Street. Past performances include En Vogue, Jennifer Holliday, Lynda Carter, Salt n Pepa, Wilson Phillips and David Cassidy.
Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, Northalsted Market Days® is set to be the biggest and best it has ever been!
A $10 suggested donation helps keep our neighborhood safe, beautiful, and fun. Also benefiting from your donation is The Legacy Project, the worlds first outdoor museum, featuring LGBTQ icons throughout history, serving to tell their stories.
Todrick Hall in Chicago August 7 and September 10
Todrick Hall is a self-proclaimed queer, American singer, actor, dancer, director, choreographer, and wildly famous YouTuber!
He auditioned for the ninth season of American Idol, where he made it to the semi-finals. Since then, Hall has been performing on Broadway and YouTube.
As of January 31, 2016, Hall has exceeded 2 million subscribers on his YouTube channel. Videos on his channel have been played over 270 MILLION TIMES!
Videos of note include a flash mob thrown for Ariana Grande, a reinvention of the Wizard of Oz starring Pentatonix which was directed by and also stars Hall, and a Beyoncé themed flash mob performed in the middle of an actual Target store, which has garnered over 14 million views as of January 31, 2016, and which Beyoncé personally, publicly congratulated Hall on.
Todrick’s current North American Tour titled “Straight Outta Oz” is in full swing!
” Straight Outta Oz,” follows the triple threat performer as he embarks on his most ambitious tour yet: a full-length musical with original score by Hall, inspired by The Wizard of Oz.
The tour kicked off last week in Vancouver, and will continue through August. He’ll make a stop in Chicago at Thalia Hall, Sunday August 7th, 2016. GET TICKETS HERE – BEFORE THEY ARE GONE.
Awesomeness Films announced the start of production on their behind the scenes film following Todrick Hall’s upcoming tour and will be filming in Chicago at Thalia Hall!
Directed by Katherine Wright (Call Me Kuchu), the film will go behind-the-scenes as Todrick mounts the musical, which tells the story of his life growing up in small-town Texas, his struggle to come to Hollywood and eventually succeed.
Check out the video style album STRAIGHT OUTTA OZ here!
Get it on iTunes Here.
Then Todrick returns to Chicago Spetember 10th, for the 5th Annual OUT IN THE PARK event at Six Flags Great America! There will be a meet and greet with fans before the gates open at 7:30. Then Todrick will kick off the evening at 8pm with a couple live numbers! www.CelebrateDiversityChicago.com
Neverland Gay Pride Chicago
NEVERLAND CELEBRATES FOURTH ANNIVERSARY WITH ITS BIGGEST CHICAGO PRIDE EVENT EVER – “THE LOST BOYS”
Neverland, the Chicago-based dance producer renown for its elaborate themes and production, is celebrating its fourth anniversary this year with its biggest Chicago Pride event ever. NEVERLAND PRIDE 2016 will take place Friday, June 24th through Sunday, June 26th with three spectacular events including the main event, Saturday night’s “The Lost Boys” at Metro. Pre-sale tickets, including $95 weekend passes to all three events (a $35 savings), are available now at www.neverlandpride.com.
“It’s our four year anniversary and we’re finally doing a Neverland-themed Neverland,” proclaims Anthony DiFiore, Neverland’s founder and Creative Director. “Our parties are always a tribute to big imagination, so for this year’s Chicago Pride, our production team is building extravagant Peter Pan and Hook elements to the main stage. Instead of traditional sets, we’re producing the night as more of a storyline with dancers and performers dressed as the famous characters.
“All the weekend’s events will be even more theatrical than ever before,” he promises.
NEVERLAND PRIDE launches Friday, June 24th at 11pm with a special edition of GayGlow at Charlie’s spun by NANDO, one of the most energetic and happening DJs on today’s national club scene. The fun continues Saturday at 11pm when NEVERLAND presents “The Lost Boys” at Metro, a two-story concert hall that boasts one of the finest stages in Chicago. It will be a surreal night of character-driven fantasy featuring a massive set. Barcelona-based DJ Ivan Gomez will man the decks alongside Chicago’s own Alexis-R.
Wrapping the weekend will be the Sunday night Closing Party at Mid, headlined by International superstar DJ Paulo. Paulo will present a dark and visceral production amidst one of Chicago’s most powerful sound systems. Opening DJs Sean O’Hara and TVG will start the night at 10pm with Paulo taking over until 4am.
The first NEVERLAND took place July 2012. Billed as a costume party with club music, it was kind of like Halloween in the middle of the summer. “We were an instant hit with the young crowd,” remembers DiFiore. In order to create a big dance party brand, he needed everyone to come. “Guys in their late 30s and 40s would tell me they were too old for a costume party.”
In 2013, NEVERLAND introduced themes to the events, along with more elaborate production. At “Walt Disney is Dead”, Brazil’s DJ Ana Paula dressed up as Maleficent while she was spinning. For the “Ratchet Ball”, producers brought in a graffiti artist from Michigan to create graffiti on large canvases hanging from the walls of Hydrate Nightclub.
Soon, every group was represented, from muscle guys to hipsters to drag queens and more. “Today’s Neverland is like a Studio 54-style party,” says DiFiore.
Last year’s Pride party was a “Bougie Ball”. Producers went all out with the theme, from putting fake rolls of hundred dollar bills as toilet paper in the bathrooms, to firing off fake money as confetti during Sasha Colby’s performance of “Bitch Better Have My Money”. Giant gold birdcages flanked the stage with gogo dancers wearing three-foot long lion headdresses.
“What sets our team apart is that many of our artists don’t even go to big dance parties. They’re a set designer who cares deeply about what the set is going to look like, or a costume designer who is developing their own label and is working with Neverland to showcase their talents.”
Even the crowd gets in on the act, with many of the attendees arriving in full costume. “Revelers are always welcome to wear whatever they want,” says DiFiore. “Some will come in simple jeans and tees, and that’s fine! I’m excited to see lot of Pans, Hooks and of course, Tinkerbells.”
For tickets and additional information, visit www.neverlandpride.com. Pre-sale tickets, including $95 weekend passes to all three events (a $35 savings), are available now.
Rooftop Pride June 24th
Center on Halsted presents TKO!
Start your Pride Parade weekend with community for Center on Halsted’s annual pride bash overlooking Halsted Street on the Richard M. Daley Roof Terrace. Jump in and groove to the killer sound of our dueling djs:
DJ Billy Brown vs. DJ Gemini Jones
Lady Bunny PERFORMS & OFFICIATES
$20 entry includes admission with two drinks, nibbles, and cash bar
PRICE
$20 entry includes admission with two drinks, nibbles, and cash bar
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Purchase tickets here: https://community.centeronhalsted.org/TKO
Gay Queer Rap Hip Hop June 23rd
Thursday, June 23rd
7:30 – 11:30PM @ MANHOLE
VIP Access $35 (Buy Tickets)
-Includes: 1 hour premium hosted bar
-Artist Lounge Access
Includes:
-1 hr premium hosted bar
-Artist Lounge Access
-Premium bottle service w/ table for 5 people
-Artist Meet & Greet
-Express entrance to AfterParty (Berlin) w/ Champagne service
Kitty Glitter @ Hydrate March 12
Come out and celebrate the shenanigans of the St Patrick’s Holiday at Hydrate Nightclub with the Debut of DJ DJ Kitty Glitter from Sydney, Australia
Since launching as a DJ in 2007 , multi Diva award winning Sydney’s Favorite Drag Queen and Most Popular DJ, the KITTY GLITTER storm has swept through cities around the globe with devout fans demanding their frequent fix. Following her dreams and following Summer around the world, Kitty Glitter is the dancefloor sensation everyone loves to see…and hear at the party!
Most loved for her unique brand of bouncey remixed pop and uplifting vocal house music, Kitty’s glitter sparkles on every dancefloor she plays on. Whether its fun and camp, or deep and sexy, Kitty Glitter always delivers in a grand way. Featured in the line-up for major festivals worldwide including Sydney Mardi Gras, White Party Palm Springs, Matinee Las Vegas, and Pride New York, Toronto and Montreal, Kitty is tickled pink to be invited back to play year after year. There is no denying, a little bit of glitter goes a long way.
No Cover till midnight
Lights by Naveid Mansuri
Dance till 5 AM
Latrice Royale in Chicago March 14th
We are SO EXCITED for this! Something very different and special from a RuPauls Drag Race Alumni.
A true life story, live on stage featuring her debut CD, singing live with her band onstage.
One of the nation’s most recognizable drag queens, Latrice Royale brings her larger-than-life persona to Park West in support of her debut album Here’s to Life. This is the sneak peak WORLD TOUR PREVIEW!!
In this celebratory journey of song and story-telling, Latrice shares tales of growing up gay in Compton, the events leading up to her “unfortunate incarceration,” and her infectious, ever-positive perspective that got her through it all. This intimate experience is the first chance to hear Latrice sing the songs from her album live.
In addition to performing a full-length concert, she’ll regale the audience with tales of show biz and drama on the set of Ru Paul’s Drag Race. GET A GLIMPSE HERE!~
$30, $45, $60 Show at 9pm Doors at 8pm
18+ Unless Accompanied by an Adult
Park West Theater Tickets and INFO HERE
All Star Blues Bash Feb. 13th
The best blues artists in the world give a high dose of southern-style soul blues, house-rocking blues, contemporary blues, and genuine Chicago blues all rolled up into one awesome blues show that will be stuck in your memory forever. Bobby Rush headlines the All-Star Blues Bash bringing his Billboard R&B and Blues chart topping hits to highlight the bash.
Joining the bash as co-headliner is Joe Louis Walker, who is without a doubt one of the most exciting and innovative artists gracing contemporary blues. Kicking things off is Chicago’s very own and Chicago Blues Hall of Famer Wayne Baker Brooks, bringing his distinctive contemporary style of Chicago Blues with a fully formed new vision that updates the sound of the blues without falling into the same tired blues-rock clichés. Joining this all-star lineup is rising blues star Shawn Holt, son of blues legend Magic Slim.
Tickets: $40 General Public / $35 Seniors, Students, Staff
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