Monthly Archives: May 2012
Nate & Margaret in Chicago June 8
Another MUST SEE film this summer!
NATE AND MARGARET.
Nate & Margaret asks the question: What if your best friend was your only friend?
Prior to its DVD release coming in August, Nate & Margaret will play at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago (starting June 8).
Filmed in Chicago, Nate, a 19-year-old film student, and Margaret, a 52-year-old spinster with a coffee mug addiction, are best friends in an odd, quirky, totally working kind of way…until Nate’s audacious classmate Darla sets him up on a date with James. Nate’s new romance shakes up his friendship with Margaret, who goes off on her own to pursue her lifelong dream of being a stand-up comedian. As Nate and Margaret attempt to navigate their new lives apart, they come to realize just how important true friendship really is.
Starring noted television actor and theater performer Natalie West (“Roseanne”, Bushwhacked), Tyler Ross (The Wise Kids), and Gaby Hoffmann (200 Cigarettes, Now & Then), Nate & Margaret shows that age really does not matter in the grand scheme of life, love, and friendship. Directed and co-written by Nathan Adloff, star of Blackmail Boys, Nate & Margaret is a tale as old as time, but a fresh twist as a 21st century gay Harold and Maude.
The Breaking Glass DVD release will be loaded with special features including a behind the scenes featurette, deleted scenes, audition tapes, multiple audio and video commentaries with the director, producers, and writers, and the full version of “Untied Strangers”, a short film featured in Nate & Margaret.
Watch a clip at NATE & MARGARET
BreakingGlassPictures.com
Farrell’s eXtreme Body Shaping Summer Deals in Chicago
We have been talking about Farrell’s for weeks now! WE LOVE IT! and GILT just announced an awesome special for Farrells eXtreme Body Shaping Summer Classes!
I am told there are still some spots left, for that promotion, for certain classes.
MENTION THIS SITE, BEST GAY,
and you could even get a further 25% discount,
on certain time slots!!
This 10 week class WILL set your metabolism on fire! And melt inches off your body.
FXB on Facebook
JOIN FXB
CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION:
(312) 624-9794
ask for Jason and mention us!
Farrell’s eXtreme Body Shaping
821 W. Blackhawk Off Halsted,
S. of North Ave.
Fortune Feimster Kicks off Gay Pride Weekend for Back Lot Bash
Back Lot Bash is an outdoor live music and
entertainment festival started in 2004 by three Chicago women. Back Lot
Bash is now one of the most highly anticipated and attended pride weekend
events for lesbians in the country.
Showcasing local and emerging musicians as well as established
performers of different genres, Back Lot Bash highlights unity, equality
and inclusiveness in an environment that is festive and celebratory of
everyone in our community.
Thursday’s Comedy Kickoff event will be held at Mayne Stage Theater
1328 W. Morse Ave in Chicago.
Fri/Sat/Sun will be in the heart of
Chicago’s diverse Andersonville neighborhood at 5238 N. Clark St.,
Chicago 60640. Back Lot Bash is easily accessible by both of Chicago’s
major north side highways and by public transportation.
This years line up is awesome! With 4 days of events!
Lesbian comedian from the Chelsea Lately show, Fortune Feimster makes her Chicago debut on Thursday 21st with a night of comedy.
Get ticket info and complete details at Back Lot Bash Chicago
The Abbey of West Hollywood Buys Property on Halsted in Chicago Boystown
I have been told by a very reliable source – that the owners of the world famous ABBEY in West Hollywood have purchased the Pink Parking lot at 3514 N Halsted St. for something like $10 million plus! And they will be bringing something quite fantastic to Chicago’s Boystown!!
The Abbey Food and Bar has been voted #1 gay bar in North America and the World, time and time again, by many magazines and sites including Best Gay Cities, Best Gay Travel Guide and Logo’s Trip Out Awards.
David Cooley is the master at the art of work and
play. Over the past 20+ years, his creation, The Abbey Food and Bar,
has grown from a small, West Hollywood coffeehouse to one of the most
popular hotspots in the country. Locals, tourists and celebrities
alike all flock to The Abbey for its famous Martinis as well as its
stunning, open-air ambiance and truly relaxed elegance.
“Over the past 22 years, The Abbey
has been a place that accepts everyone, gay, straight, lesbian,
transgender, bisexual and everything in between. We love our straight
girlfriends and they are welcome here, just not for bachelorette
parties.”
It has long been a policy at The Abbey
to deny admission to groups in costume, including bachelorette regalia.
Bachelorette parties had previously been allowed inside if they removed
their costumes.
The Abbey’s
recent Bachelorette Ban comes on the heels of a ban on gay marriage in North
Carolina and a number of other states across the south. The Abbey
encourages other gay-owned and operated establishments to institute
their own bans as a sign of solidarity until marriage is legal
everywhere for everyone.
“The girls are completely unaware that the people around them are
legally prohibited from getting married,” said David Cooley, founder of
The Abbey. “We love our straight girlfriends…just not for bachelorette
parties anymore.”
Founded in 2002, Los Angeles-based sbe
brings exquisite balance to the worlds of hospitality, real estate
development and entertainment. As a privately-held company founded and
helmed by Chairman and CEO Sam Nazarian, sbe acquires, develops and
manages exceptional projects through its divisions – Hotels,
Restaurants, Nightlife and Real Estate.
With a mission to
redefine the standards of excellence in hospitality, sbe has harnessed
the creativity and innovation of the best minds in the business,
including design visionary Philippe Starck, with whom the company has an
exclusive agreement for the creation of hotels, restaurants and lounges
in North America.
20th Anniversary Production of The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me!
In June 1992, David Drake opened his one-man show The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me, which went on to make theatrical history as one of the longest running one-man shows in New York. The New York Times
called the writing “angry, occasionally ferocious… Every line is
spare, quick, complex, as it chronicles an important time of change for
gay men in America.”
Now, 20 years later, Chicago actor Chad Ryan will perform a 20th anniversary edition with new material penned by David Drake. The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me will be performed at Luna Central, 3914 North Clark Street.
There is one preview
performance on Wednesday June 20th at 7:30; tickets for this preview are
$15.
Opening night is Thursday, June 21 at 7:30. Performances
thereafter are Friday, June 22 at 7:30; Saturday, June 23 at 7:00 and
9:30; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, June 26 through 29 at
7:30; Saturday, June 30 at 7:00 and 9:00, and the closing performance on
Sunday, July 1 at 3:00.
Tickets for all regular performances are $20.
For tickets call 1 800 838 3006, or reserve on line at Brownpapertickets.com.
Second City to offer Writing GLBT Comedy June 25-29
The Second City Training Center
Puts the “Funny” In
“Funny That Way”
Building on the traditional week-long immersions in Improv, Comedy Writing, and Acting held each summer, The Second City Training Center is piloting a new course titled ‘Writing GLBT Comedy’, set to run June 25-29.
Students will explore comedy where ‘gay’ is the given, not the punchline. They will discover their comedic point of view while creating memorable characters, scenes and songs that go beyond easy stereotypes.
From budding writers to experienced performers to working writers, students will take on assignments customized to their interests and experience.
No matter where students fall in the LBGTQIA alphabet, this course will give them the tools to strengthen their comedic voice and take on topics both personal and political.
Taught by Andy Eninger. Monday June 25 to Friday, June 29.
10am-1pm each day.About Andy Eninger:
Andy is the Head of the Writing Program at Second City’s Training Center, and was a founding member of Chicago’s GayCo Productions. This Summer, he will appear in “Steamworks! The Musical” for the Annoyance Theater and, hopefully, finish a screenplay about assassins.
About The Second City:
For fifty years The Second City has created a wealth of comedic material from a legendary group of performers. The Training Center follows the traditions developed by these groundbreaking and innovative men and women while encouraging the continued growth and development of the art forms of comedy and improvisation. Today, The Second City Training Center is the largest school of improvisation and sketch comedy in the world, offerings courses for all ages and experience levels.
Margaritas on Memorial Day at El Mariachi
Memorial Day! May 28th!
Experience one of the hottest up and coming brunch spots in
the boys town/east Lakeview neighborhoods.
Great place to enjoy with family & friends. An amazing expansive brunch menu.
Secluded and Private patio with no buses zooming by your table!
Brunch Done With A Mexican Twist!!! Saturdays and Sundays
We Will Be Open From 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Memorial Day Monday with 1/2 price margaritas all day long!
El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill
3906 N. Broad
Civil Unions in Illinois and Estate Planning May 16
LAVELLE LAW LTD,
ATTORNEY HOLDS SEMINAR
ON ILLINOIS CIVIL UNION LAW
Robert Iverson, an attorney at Lavelle Law, Ltd. will give a seminar at the Center on Halsted entitled, “Civil Unions:
Important Estate Planning Considerations.”
The seminar will take place on Wednesday, May 16th from 6:30 -8:00 p.m. The Center on Halsted 3656 North Halsted.
The Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act became effective on June
1, 2011. The law recognizes a new legal relationship that is in many ways similar to marriage,
but with certain limitations. Iverson will review the law and explain the rights and benefits of
Illinois citizens with Civil Union status. The seminar will include information about obtaining and
dissolving a Civil Union in Illinois, inheritance rights, the right to renounce a partner’s will,
factors involved with making important health decisions for an incapacitated partner, as well as
issues such as filing a joint state income tax return. “The new legislation is a big step for Illinois,
but it is important that partners fully understand what their union means legally,” said Iverson. “I
hope that, after the seminar, participants will have a clearer picture of the rights afforded by the
law, and how to best move forward with their legal relationship.”
Following the lecture, Iverson will make time for questions and an interactive discussion
about the law and its impact on those present.
Iverson focuses much of his practice at Lavelle Law on Estate and Tax Planning, Trust
and Estate Administration, Trust Controversy Litigation, and Contested Decedents’ Estates.
While attending John Marshall Law School, Iverson earned the CALI Excellence for the Future
Award in Taxation of Trusts and Estates and served as a Staff Editor of the Law Review.
Space is limited for the event, so pre-registration is required. To register for the event,
email legal@centeronhalsted.org with the event title in the subject line or call 773-472-6469 ext436.
(PHOTO ADH COMMITMENT CEREMONIES)
GRABBY Weekend May 24 -27
6 Parties and a hundred gay porn stars!
Started in 1991 with humble beginnings, the Grabby Awards have know grown to attract international attention. The real turning point was in 2004 when the awards moved to the Park West, the well-known professional concert / event venue. This
was evidence of the growing prominence of the Grabbys and their
significance within the gay porn industry. Each year they seem to get bigger and better, with more porn stars and studios coming to town!
There is red carpet greeting as porn stars and adult entertainment movers and shakers arrive in limousines. It’s very Hollywood. But for gay porn!
Thursday May 24th, 2012 –
Grabby Official Kickoff Party with Chi Chi LaRue and lots of gay porn stars!
Hydrate 3458 N. Halsted from 10pm till ? $5 Cover.
Friday May 25th, 2012 – NakedSwords Tim & Roma Show –
Charlies 3726 N. Broadway. 6:00 – 9:00 PM Over
30 pornstars up close and personal. $5 Cover
Friday May 25th, 2012 –
Lucky HorseShoe 3169 N. Halsted 9pm-till ? $5 Cover
Saturday May 26th, 2012 -The Main Event The 2012 Grabbys!
Park West Theatre 322 W Armitage. Red carpet / doors open at 6:00 PM. Show stars at 7:30 PM.
GET TICKETS ONLINE
GRABBY AFTERPARTY – SPIN Nightclub Belmont/Halsted – 10pm till Close…
BUY TICKETS HERE!
Sunday May 27, 2012
Post Grabby Party at North End 3733 N Halsted from 12 – 6:00 PM $10 Cover. $15 at the door.
With a list of pornstars that will make you gag !!!!! Auctions for charity all day long.
* this event has sold out early in the past so get your tickets early space is limited! Tickets are available at North End.
A Beautiful Day in the neighborhood with Justin Hayford May 20th
A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD:
Wit and Wisdom from
Children’s Public Television
Two of the most influential television programs in history – Sesame Street and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood – produced some of the wittiest and most endearing songs in the American popular songbook.
Chicago cabaret performer Justin Hayford has put them together for this special program, along with the fascinating stories behind their creation. This one-night-only show is an encore performance!
The songs may have been written for children, but their cleverness, insight and poignancy resonate at any age. This special encore performance will include additional songs not heard in the original show.
Admission: YOU SET THE ADMISSION PRICE!
Every dollar goes to benefit AIDS Legal Council of Chicago.
Reservations strongly recommended!
Make your reservation at Davenportspianobar.com or call 773-278-1830.
Sunday May 20 at 7 pm.Davenport’s Cabaret & Piano Bar
1383 N. Milwaukee Avenue at Honore
Chicago Lost and Found Benefit at The Victor May 24
Chicago Lost and Found is a not-for-profit organization
committed to art education and inspiring creativity throughout the city.
This organization re-purposes materials that otherwise become landfill, creating unusual art, fashion and functional furnishings. Sales from creations assist in funding art education throughout Chicago.
“Where most people see trash, I see possibility” says Mitch Pennell, founder and creative director.
The most recent creation from the CL&F studio is the clutch bag. This must-have bag is
fabricated from once fashionable men’s trousers or designer fabric samples headed for
the trash. Yesterday’s style relic becomes today’s chic fashion accessory.
Thursday May 24th, Chicago Lost and Found presents “The Big Picture” an annual
event where even the smallest contribution makes a huge difference.
Setting a new precedence in fund-raising, “The Big Picture” introduces a fresh concept
with a pop-up boutique presented by Andersonville Galleria, featuring an array of
hand-made goods by area artists and craftsmen. Total sales from the boutique will
be matched by pledges made prior to the event. This “shop-a-thon” allows guests to
purchase items they love or even gifts for someone special. In turn, each dollar spent is
multiplied through pledges to fund the mission of art education.
Top billing for this star-studded event includes delicacies from Chicago’s own Top Chef
favorite, Dale Levitski – Sprout/Frog N Snail in cooperation with Pure Kitchen Catering
and A-list party planner, Debi Lilly /A Perfect Event. Entertainment includes international
cabaret duo Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen with fashion illustrations by Rosemary
Fanti. And a special appearance and performance by the fabulous Cyon Flare.
Plus signature cocktails from Patron and Ultimat Vodka.
This ticketed event is a party to celebrate the arts and invite the community to learn
more about the unconventional mission of turning junk into art and art into education.
This is an event you do not want to miss! Get your tickets now, space is limited and this event will sell out.
While funding for the arts and education is on a constant decline, it is paramount
community organizations like Chicago Lost and Found step in to fill the void. CL&F
offers a unique way to help while providing additional benefits for the city and
environment.
GET TICKETS NOW FOR JUST $30!
YES! Just $30 for an amazing event of art, food, and drink!
But only until May 18th! Then $40 @ the door – with limited availability.
For tickets and more information about the event:
www.chicagolostandfound.com
Chicago Lost and Found May 24, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.
at The Victor, (311 N. Sangamon)
Matthew Harvat Circuit Mom Productions – 2 BIG PARTIES
The weekend we all get excited for – IML and GRABBY weekend over Memorial weekend!
And the 2 most anticipated parties are back!
SUNDAY May 27 – The IML Victory Party. Come mark the 10th Anniversary of The Victory Party and the Chicago
debut of NYC DJ/Producer Eddie Martinez at the historic House Of Blues.
Celebrate the crowning of “Mr. IML 2012” with leather men and women
from around the world. Dirty beats, hot go-go boys and an amazing 4 story venue. Kick off the REVOLuTION dance party season with the hottest DJ to hit the scene in a long time.
The sleep and rest the next day until 8pm Monday the 28th!
DJs
Ron G & Ted Eiel bring the IML Monday night closing party to life
with their sexy style of aggressive house tracks and bass beats at the
multi-level Excalibur nightclub. A perfect way to end the holiday
weekend with men and women from around the world! Celebrating 12 years in this amazing venue, Excalibur, you need to see it to believe it.
2 parties you DO NOT want to miss!
Worst Bartender in Boystown-Halsted St-Chicago “Straight” Igor at Little Jim’s
Let’s see: Rude, Condescending, Bitter, Affected, Patronizing, Angry, Jaded, Annoyed, Irritated, Frustrated and Hostile… words not usually associated with a hospitality employee, especially a bartender on Halsted Street in Boystown.
Well, do yourself and your gay friends a favor and AVOID “Straight Guy” bartender Igor at Little Jim’s (3501 N. Halsted) because there are MUCH friendlier and gay welcoming bartenders at Bucks, Bobby Loves and North End for your gay dollars. If you are a tourist, don’t risk it , and just avoid Little Jim’s altogether because Igor works most night shifts.(as of this writing).
We don’t like to write about negative things normally but we feel this guy must be called out for treating patrons rude.
Little Jim’s has been one of our favorite “Last Call” venues for over 8 years, as it is on our northward bound way home and we have always REALLY enjoyed our time drinking there over the years.
We have met “Little Jim” and chatted with him on several occasions, and have great respect and admiration for the man who launched the first gay bar on Halsted. Opened in 1975. Despite all the
competition that followed, it has held its ground. He is a pioneer to be commended. And it is sad to have an employee, a straight guy, tarnish this good name.
We first met Igor maybe 6-8 months ago – he is good looking and seemed somewhat friendly. But on our last few stops at Little Jim’s over the last couple months, Igor seemed so bored; and rude. Not just to us, we saw it with others. He frequently watches the TV and ignores customers at the bar. Last month I was with a friend who ordered a drink, while finishing another. And when Igor delivered the new drink, he grabbed the almost gone other drink, and threw it away. When my friend questioned, why he did that. Igor responded it was empty. And IT WAS NOT EMPTY. – If you don’t like your job buddy, it’s time to move on. You are in a customer service / hospitality business.
And let us just say, by no means do we care if Igor is straight. We have given our business to MANY straight guys asking for our gay dollar at both Cocktail and Lucky Horseshoe over the last ten years, but they have always been respectful to us. And they valued our business. Igor could care less about you. It’s a J.O.B. for him. And he does not do it well.
Usually, Michael and I are already a bit tipsy when we arrive at Little Jim’s. And we are almost always with other friends or meeting up with friends there, so we ignore Igor’s issues and attitude because we were busy socializing.
This past Wednesday, we happened to stop by with friends and were way too sober to tolerate Igor’s issues and attitude. When we called him on the carpet about being so rude, it really escalated on his end and he became hostile. Now I’ll be REAL honest here, there have been times at Little Jim’s when we probably didn’t need to be served more or a tap on the shoulder to go home may have been in order. But last Wednesday was not such a night… So when Igor threw my drink in the sink, said I was a nobody and I needed to get a real job, and asked me to leave for no reason other than I told him he was rude and we were sick of it, we were officially done with Little Jim’s.
So I took the high-road Thursday to call Jeff, the manager at little Jim’s and complain formally, and to let him know what had transpired and that we would not return and that there would be a story or two to follow on BestGayChicago.com. Since last Thursdays conversation, we have heard nothing back from Jeff and I guess time will tell both Jeff and Igor, how many of our readers heed our advice and avoid Little Jim’s altogether, spending their gay dollars on liquor elsewhere.
So Michael and Derrick’s lesson learned this past week is – enjoy your last call at Bucks, Bobby Loves or North End if your travels take you Northward. We WILL NOT RETURN to Little Jim’s until Igor is gone and we hope he NEVER finds work again on Halsted Street because we, as patrons, all people included, deserve a welcoming experience anywhere we go, spending our gay dollars supporting a Boystown establishment and Boystown as a community.
Cinco de Mayo at El Mariachi Saturday
Historically the Cinco de Mayo holiday commemorates the victory
of a heroic people and their struggle for freedom. On May 5, 1862 the
outnumbered State of Puebla, Mexico defeated French forces which fueled
the momentum and national confidence to ultimately drive foreign power
completely from the country.
The reason for this celebration is
to foment the Mexican history, rich traditions and maintain our roots
present in our younger generations.
Today fiesta lovers across
the United States will gather to celebrate the Mexican holiday. Cinco de
Mayo is now celebrated in towns across the U.S. that are predominately
non-Hispanic!
It’s becoming more popular than St. Patrick’s Day, in some cities!
WE’LL be at El Mariachi!
EQIL Spring Wine Tasting Event May 9
The fabulous Spring Wine Tasting
event is around the corner!
Please join EQIL and Sidetrack
on Wednesday, May 9
from 6:00 to 9:00pm.
Tickets are available now.
For
just a $20 donation to Equality Illinois PAC, you have access to over
100 wines from around the world and hors d’oeuvres provided by J&L
Catering!
This super-popular event caters to all palates and budgets.
LGBT Travel Expo TODAY 4-8pm FREE
GLBT TRAVEL EXPO! – May 1st – FREE Admission!
The 2012 Travel Expo Tour is an exciting event where
you can learn about new travel destinations, rediscover old ones, find
glbt friendly travel providers and get information to plan your next
vacation.
Airlines
Hotels
Trains
Cruise lines
Car Rentals
Resorts
Exotic Destinations
Convention & Visitors Bureaus
Travel Magazines
Attendees will be able to get the latest travel information, get
special travel packages and great deals from the very best travel
providers as well as win great prizes.
Tuesday – May 1, 2012 – Center on Halsted. 4-8pm.
FREE EVENT!
