Monthly Archives: February 2013
Priscilla benefit Night with After Party March 19th
AIDS Legal Council of
Chicago (“ALCC”) and Equality Illinois (“EQIL”) have teamed up to host a
theater night fundraiser for the Chicago premiere of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert on Tuesday, March 19th.
private, post-show VIP reception with special surprises at Downtown
Bar. All proceeds equally benefit both organizations. ALCC and EQIL
have hosted recent successful theater night fundraisers through Broadway
in Chicago, including a pre-Broadway performance of Kinky Boots and reception with Cyndi Lauper for ALCC, and the first night of Book of Mormon and reception for EQIL.
Ann
Fisher, ALCC Executive Director, is pleased to grow the relationship
between the two organizations. “We have a wonderful, longstanding
relationship with Equality Illinois, and this event serves to strengthen
that bond. It’s a way for us to have fun together while raising
much-needed funds to succeed in our missions.” EQIL CEO Bernard
Cherkasov echoed a similar tone saying, “Equality Illinois and ALCC are
great partners, pleased to offer our supporters an opportunity to not
only see the Chicago opening of Priscilla but to give something back to two organizations that advocate for all of us.”
Because of the popularity of the show, the initial block of tickets
reserved for ALCC and Equality Illinois have sold out.
A limited number
of additional seats were added, but very few remain. They are
available at www.priscillachicago.
Under a Rainbow Flag opens in Chicago March 23-April
Leo
Schwartz’s musical
Has its
world premiere of Saturday, March 23 at Main Stage
with
direction by David Zak, and musical direction by Robert Ollis
Please join us for opening
night March 23 at 7:30. RSVP here.
Based on the real-life story of a
WWII naval corpsman Jon Philips (who lives in
A Rainbow Flag is an high-energy work about a group of soldiers who meet on
a transport train heading west from
and about the choices they make during and after the war.
Phillips (Sam Button-Harrison) meets Gibbs
(Nicholas Stockwell), Russell (James Nedrud), and Stefano (Jordan Phelps) on
the train. Stefano is an army surgeon headed to the Pacific theater, while
Russell is an auto mechanic stationed stateside. Phillips loses his heart to
Gibbs. But Gibbs has met a woman (Kyrie Anderson) who has plans of her own. Schwartz’
script, full of humor and surprise, explores all types of love – with its
satisfactions and heartbreak.
FIND OUT MORE and please support the important works of Pride Films and Plays!
Location Main
Stage, 4139 North Broadway,
Previews March
21 and 22 at 7:30
Curtain Times Thursday,
Friday, and Saturday at 7:30. Sunday 2:30.
Also
Wednesday 7:30 on April 3, 10, and 17.
Prices $15
for previews, $20 for Wednesday and Thursday, $25 for Friday, Saturday and
Sunday
Tickets BrownPaperTickets.com
of 1 800 838 3006
Discounts
For veterans, students, and
seniors.
Palm Springs Seeks Best Bartender in Chicago March 6th
Palm Springs is seeking the best bartenders at top clubs across North America, including Sidetrack in Chicago. Palm Springs is challenging bartenders to stir up Palm Springs inspired cocktails as part of the 4th Annual Palm Springs Summer Splash Cocktail Challenge presented by Here Media and Alaska Airlines.
A winner will be selected from Sidetrack and
brought to Palm Springs to compete against other national bartenders in
the Cocktail Challenge finale on May 30, 2013, which is also
the official kick-off of
Summer Splash presented by Desert Gay Tourism Guild.
Event: 4th Annual Palm Springs Summer Splash Cocktail Challenge
Date: March 6, 2013 Time: 8pm
Location: Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halstead Street, Chicago
Contact Info:
773-477-9189 /
For the Palm Springs Summer Splash Cocktail Challenge event schedule and participating clubs, visit
www.
www.facebook.com/
Palm Springs is home to nearly 30 gay and
lesbian-owned and/or operated resorts and guesthouses, including many
that are clothing optional. Direct flights available to Palm Springs
from major cities. Palm Springs travel information at
www.VisitGayPalmSprings.com.
New Dinner and Drinking Place in Uptown! Reservoir
They offer great QUALITY food, an extensive craft beer selection, a nice selection of wines by the glass starting at $7 and great specialty cocktails in a laid-back, casual atmosphere.
The 2 guys sitting next to me said, “While I love living in the Buena Park/Uptown area, I’ve always felt frustrated with the lack of options for food/drinks within walking distance. We came in here about a month ago and love it. The food, atmosphere and service is great. Portions are a good size and drinks are reasonable. So far, my favorites are the mac and cheese and the Cobb salad. Reservoir is a great addition to the neighborhood.“
This is a great neighborhood addition!
M-F 5pm to 2am
Sat 11am to 3am
Sun 11am to 2am
Chicago Takes Off March 2nd 2013 NEO NOIR
Chicago Takes Off
Is an AMAZING burlesque “style” show that features professional dancers in
energetic, choreographed performances engaging audiences in a
celebration of life—all in support of TPAN’s HIV/AIDS programs
and services which benefit more than 25,000 individuals through our
prevention, outreach, and direct care services and programs.
Illinois Republican Chairman Pat Brady is in Hot Water for Vocally Supporting Marriage Equality
THIS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013, is the last and final big vote for Marriage Equality in Illinois. It has successfully passed the Senate, and Tuesday the House will vote.
The majority of Illinoisans are hoping that their state legislature
will move to legalize same-sex marriage this year — and are more
passionate in that belief than opponents of such legislation.
In a Crain’s/Ipsos poll of 600 Illinois adults, 50 percent of respondents supported the marriage equality bill that the state Senate approved last week.
On the other side of the issue, only 29 percent of respondents opposed
the bill, while 20 percent said they were unsure or had mixed feelings
about the issue.
HOWEVER, Republicans in positions of power ARE NOT ALLOWED to be pro-Marriage Equality! HOW CRAZY IS THAT??
Just last month, Illinois Republican Chairman Pat Brady started calling on lawmakers to support marriage equality.
At the time, Brady said: “Giving gay and lesbian couples the freedom to
get married honors the best conservative principles. It strengthens
families and reinforces a key Republican value – that the law should
treat all citizens equally.”
Illinois’ subsidized high risk health insurance pool IPXP to stop accepting applications March 2nd, 2013
care reform announced this past Friday that the subsidized plans that
are currently insuring more than 100,000 individuals nationwide, will be
closing their doors to new enrollees months before other coverage is
available on the new insurance exchanges.
Although
most of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act do not become
effective until January 1, 2014, the law set up interim plans, called
“Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans” for people who could not buy
health insurance on the private market because of serious health
conditions, including HIV. In Illinois, the state opened the Illinois
Pre-Existing Insurance Plan (“IPXP”) in August 2010. Approximately 3000
people now have insurance though IPXP. Although those people currently
enrolled in those plans will continue to have coverage until January 1,
2014, when they will be able to move to private insurance coverage,
Friday’s announcement means that no new applications will be accepted
after March 2, 2013.
Ann
Fisher, Executive Director of AIDS Legal Council of Chicago, explained
why this is bad news for people with HIV or any other pre-existing
condition that blocks them from getting private insurance. “IPXP has
been an important source of health care coverage for people with HIV,
including people on the AIDS Drug Assistance Program whose income
climbs above 300% of the federal poverty level (about $35,000) but do
not have health insurance on the job and cannot afford to pay for their
medications themselves. “ The state has been able to refer those
individuals to IPXP, and to help pay the IPXP premiums, so that they do
not lose access to their medications.
Fisher
explained that IPXP was always meant to be a temporary program, set to
expire once pre-existing conditions no longer prevent people from buying
insurance. “But,” she added “we always assumed that IPXP would
continue to accept new enrollees until very close to January 1st.”
“It appears,” she added,” that IPXP is a victim of its own success.
There was a limited pool of money available for the plans, and in order
to make sure they can continue to pay claims of current enrollees, they
now have to cut off future ones.”
AIDS
Legal Council is getting out the word about the closing of enrollment,
and encouraging anyone who has been without insurance for at least six
months to quickly apply for IPXP. NOW!!
ALCC is available to answer questions or assist with the enrollment process and can be reached at 312-427-8990.
Founded
25 years ago, AIDS Legal Council of Chicago works to preserve, promote,
and protect the legal rights of men, women, children, and families in
the metropolitan Chicago area impacted by HIV and AIDS. The Council
provides free direct legal services to people in need, educates the
public about HIV-related legal issues, and advocates for social policies
that ensure fair treatment for all people affected by HIV and AIDS.
Comedian Paula Poundstone Performs at AFC Dinner April 18, 2013
Renowned comedian Paula Poundstone will grace the stage as the guest of honor at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s (AFC) annual Spring Dinner on Thursday, April 18 at the Hilton Chicago.
Armed
with nothing but a stool, a microphone and a can of Diet Pepsi,
Poundstone’s sharp wit and raw honesty promise an evening of
intellectual diversion and unrelenting humor.
This laugh-out-loud event will also honor two of Chicago’s finest philanthropic men, Robert Neubert and Randy Duncan for their commitment to fight against HIV/AIDS.
Funds
raised through the Spring Dinner will support AFC’s policy, outreach
and public education programs. AFC is the largest source of private
HIV/AIDS philanthropic support in the Midwest. To learn more visit www.aidschicago.org.
WHEN: Thursday, April 18
5:30 – 6:15 p.m. Reception
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Dinner and evening program, featuring stand-up performance by Paula Poundstone
8:45 – 10:00 p.m. After hours meet & greet with Paula Poundstone (Premium and VIP guests)
WHERE: Hilton Chicago, Grand Ballroom – 720 South Michigan Ave., Chicago
TICKETS: General admission: $250 — Reception and dinner
Premium admission: $350 — Reception, dinner and after hours meet & greet with Paula Poundstone
VIP
admission: $500 — Reception, dinner, after hours meet & greet with
Paula Poundstone and tickets to exclusive event with renowned
choreographer Randy Duncan (to be held at a later date)
For tickets and information,
www.aidschicago.org/
Queer Comedy Night at Zanies February 26th
Queer
Comedy at Zanies has been named the Advocate.com‘s “9 LGBT Friendly
Comedy Shows You Should Be Supporting,”
Queer Comedy at Zanies favorite Matteo Lane, hosted by Bill Cruz
(Chicago Underground Comedy) and featuring New York based comic Jami
Smith (The Advocate) and Kelsie Huff (Feminine Comique.)
Presented by Outloud Chicago, OutLoud Chicago
is a series created by Adam Guerino to bring queer entertainment to
mainstream Chicago venues. Queer Comedy at Zanies showcases the best
queer and straight comedians of the country who have appeared on Comedy
Central, BET, TBS Just For Laughs, A Night At The Apollo and Last Comic
Standing. Each show has continued to show that no matter if the
comedians or audience members are queer or straight, laughter knows no
sexuality.
Headlined by Queer Comedy at Zanies favorite,
Matteo Lane. When Lane isn’t making murals for President Obama, or
creating storyboards for televised commercials, he is a national
stand-up comedian. He is the host of the show Abigoliahs Bizarre Bazaar
with Matteo Lane in Brooklyn and regularly performs in New York and
Chicago at venues including Zanies, Comedy Bar and more. For more from
Matteo Lane, www.MattLaneArt.com.
Hosted by Bill Cruz. Cruz is a cast-member of Chicago Underground
Comedy and a regular at Zanies comedy club and Mikey O comedy shows.
Outside of Chicago, Bill has been a finalist at the Cleveland Comedy
Festival, a featured performer in the OutLaugh 2005! Los Angeles Gay and
Lesbian Comedy Festival and has been featured in the book Out On The
Edge: America’s Rebel Comics.
Featuring Jami Smith. Comedian
and humorist for Advocate.com, Jami Smith has quickly carved out a space
for herself in the gay comedy scene. She has performed alongside such
as acts as Erin Foley, Dana Goldberg, Jason Dudey, and Sandra Valls and
has been seen in the 2011 Women in Comedy Festival as well as comedy
clubs in New York, DC, and Los Angeles. She also hosts a comedy Twitter
feed for The Advocate called @Gaysayer and was voted one of the “Top 25
Twitter Accounts To Follow” by Gay.com. Follow Jami on Twitter for show
updates and jokes at @jamismithcomic.
And Kelsie Huff. Huff is a
cast member of Comedy Sportz 100 Proof Comedy and teaches Feminine
Comique, an all female stand up class produced by Tight Five Productions
and can be seen performing stand-up comedy at venues such as Zanies,
Chicago’s Laugh Factory, Mayne Stage, and throughout the suburbs as well
as touring her critically acclaimed one-woman shows“Huffs,” and
“Bruiser: Tales from a Traumatized Tomboy.” For more from Kelsie, www.kelsiehuff.com.
Tuesday February 26th at 8:30pm, Zanies Comedy Club 1548 N Wells.
Tickets are $10 in advance (call the club or visit the Zanies website)
or $15 or at the door. Audience members must be ages 21 or over. com.
Best Gay Brunch at La Grand Vie Sunday, February 24th
Join us for a special GAY BRUNCH AT La Grand Vie, Sunday. Feb 24th. 1-3pm.
new chic hotspot at 215 E. Chestnut is offering up delicious brunch
choices $10-$12.
$15 more
Taverna 750 is Mixing up Love Potions For Valentines Day
Taverna 750
for something more than just your standard flute of champagne this
Valentine’s Day?
where Benjamin Newby has created a Love Potion sure to sweep your
Valentine off their feet.
d’Amore, is full of natural aphrodisiacs like pomegranate and vanilla,
and is guaranteed to light a spark on the 14th.
Newby’s own “love syrup” and a bit of Chandon sparkling wine, this
cocktail will certainly do the trick for those looking for love this
Valentine’s Day.
Razon! Fabulous Dining in Uptown on Marine Drive
RAZON! The reason.
What a great discovery we just found, and it’s in Uptown, just blocks from our house! A hidden gem! This restaurant is the best kept secret! But not for long.
Located at 4250 N. Marine Dr, RAZON is located on the Northside of the Imperial Towers high-rises. Razon opened last May and when I looked at reviews online, nearly everybody loves this place!
(photo above -shows part of the dining room—filled with Italian marble and Ferrari-red finishes—the bar itself came from Italy).
So I talked with Nash the general manager and we made plans to come check it out. They actually have a cafe area and a restaurant area. “What we are trying to do here is follow biorhythm of this wonderful neighborhood,” explained Nash. “We open our cafe at 7am to 10 pm each day. With great artisan coffee & morning pastries selection, Razón cafe is your one stop morning destination. Once morning craziness is over, lunch is served & delivered through Lakeview & Uptown.”
He continues, “Finally, at 5pm we open the door of our restaurant. People have voted and gave us 4 and 5 stars – critics and press were wonderful too. With our great team and chefs we’ve been working for many years back develop charming menu with delicious options, all with an Italian influence and eclectic approach. Simple Italian architecture, with Miami lounge type music in the background and Midwestern hospitality. Razon means “the reason”. The reason to get together, the reason to dine, the reason to rejoice and be grateful!”
We arrived at 6:00pm thirsty! The handsome Russian bartender, Alex suggested perhaps a specialty craft
drink. $9! How can you go wrong? We each decided on a martini named
after nearby streets. Mine was the “Montrose,’ made with Grey Goose
l’orange. fresh cut ginger, some cranberry juice and house sour mix. It
was amazing. Looked and tasted like a $15 cocktail I have had at other
places.
Derrick had the “Razon.” Grey Goose Citron with fresh basil, house sour
and soda. Perfection. They were honestly a couple of the best drinks we
have ever had. And we like to drink!
Homemade gourmet food from local ingredients, made for what the owner calls a “casual-to-upscale” dining room, and a coffee shop with grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, and bistro boxes for the Lake Shore Drive foot traffic.
For dinner, the staff suggested many great things and we tasted lots. The menu is big, filled with salads, lots of small plates, several burgers as well as steaks, lots of pastas which you can also have made with their amazing creamy polenta, at least half a dozen pizzas and some large plates. So there is something for everyone.
Nash explained he gets deliveries daily. “Fresh, fresh, fresh!” he explains, “As a family and as a company in the food business for over 30 years, we have developed many relationships with suppliers who take of us, with the finest selections of seafood and meats. We are constantly getting deliveries and picking things up, so that we can deliver the freshest quality to our customers. We print new menus about every two days because little things are always changing based on what is coming and going, what is fresh and what is seasonal.”
And he does not lie. The calamari was melt in your mouth, served with a nice, not too hot, smoked jalapeno aioli. The brisket sandwich was huge and also tasted great. “Our brisket is slow cooked in its own natural juices. No BBQ sauce added. It is not rushed. We do it old school-slow!”
We sampled a cheese platter with 3 different cheeses, some bread and berries. It was a beautiful presentation and only $15. “This is another great example of how we buy. We try to support as many local businesses as we can. Most of the cheeses come from Pastoral. We source as many local ingredients as we can.”
The polenta was whipped and fluffy! The salmon was fresh and cooked perfectly. We wanted a pizza, but we had no room! Next time! The 2 guys next to us had the Prosciutto di Parma pizza, with prosciutto, 5 cheeses and arugula. They said it was delicious–the prosciutto especially! And they come here all the time.
We did try a few desserts however. The cafe has a wonderful selection of gelatos. We tried a couple of those and their Tiramisu, which Nash says is one of the best in Chicago! And I have to agree, it was pretty great.
It’s very easy for 2 diners to have a couple drinks, share 2-3 small plates, split a large plate, and get out for under $75. With tip. Another diner told us, “If you’re looking for an upscale date night in Uptown, this is the place to go. It’s downtown chic at much more reasonable prices. Tip included, we pay about $80 for an appetizer, two drinks and two large entrées — we even usually have some to take home.” And during the weeknights, they offer various specials.
Another diner we talked to said, “This restaurant is the best kept secret! I live right around the corner from the restaurant, and walked by it everyday. I finally decided to come in about 4 months ago, and boy am I glad. They have an excellent menu , and great food. They have everything you need in this restaurant from a great place to have dinner with friends at night, to a little cafe to get your work done during the day, and gelato!!!! The customer service is easily the best service I have received in years. They go above and beyond. I haven’t come across a place like this in a while. I just love it!”
You will find the staff her very passionate about the restaurant and the food! Items are thoroughly explained, right down to where the meat, chicken and fish are from.
It’s one of those places that makes you feel cool from knowing it, and even more hip when you can recommend it to your friends. I just don’t want EVERYONE to know about it. Is that selfish of me??
RAZON…giving people more than they expect!
4250 N. Marine Dr 773-880-9115
Best Gay Survey – Best Gay Chicago and Beyond
ARE YOU A FAN OF
Pie Hole Joint Pizza Opens Second Location in Uptown
Great news for Uptown/Andersonville!
Winston’s closed, it was remodeled and rehabbed. Rumors had it that Chipotle would be going in, but that didn’t happen, and Uptown Update posted back in November that Pie Hole was a possible new tenant.
Pie Hole Pizza will be opening its SECOND delicious location and have chosen Uptown, at 5001 N Clark Street, at Argyle. Projected opening date is sometime in April. Possibly April 1, April Fools Day. “We’re shooting for April 1,” Brandt said in another post. “If we miss, we can always claim ‘April Fools!'” says Brandt.
The Uptown expansion is a dream come true for the local small
business owner, who said when he saw the vacant storefront last year he
envisioned “bright neon signs” in his mind that told him it would be a
great spot for his second location.
Brandt said Pie Hole, which offers an an eclectic variety of custom
pizzas with crazy combinations such as marshmallow and sausage, has
always had an “underground, anti-establishment and irreverent vibe.”
“The fact that it is not in the most commercial location is actually a plus for us,” he said.
The new address is in a residential area, but it sits on bustling
North Clark Street at West Argyle Avenue, at “the end of the
Andersonville retail strip that is progressively growing a little
farther and farther south,” Brandt said.
“So, it has a lot of potential in the future.” – And this is interesting….Brandt initially had trouble finding a funding stream to tap that
potential — before $30,000 in loans raised via crowd-funding program LendSquare solved his problem in December. LendSquare asks members of the community for two-year loans that are paid back with interest. What a cool idea!
We are very excited about Pie Hole coming to Uptown/Andersonville and can’t wait to
dig into our first custom slice.
Fashion Show and Dance Party for Men of Color Feb 16
The Q-List: Love, Sex & Fashion Takes Place
Chicago Takes Off for TPAN March 2nd
SKIN IS THE NEW BLACK!
Is a burlesque “style” show that features professional dancers in
energetic, choreographed performances engaging audiences in a
celebration of life—all in support of TPAN’s HIV/AIDS programs
and services which benefit more than 25,000 individuals through our
prevention, outreach, and direct care services and programs.
World Gym DEEP DISCOUNTS Feb 14th
How is that New Years resolution going?
New Business on Halsted Street to be HUGE
THERE IS A NEW BUSINESS COMING TO HALSTED STREET…AND IT’S NOT THE ABBEY!
THIS IS BIG!!!I can not say much, just yet. But I was in on a meeting last week and saw the blueprints. It’s going to be such a cool addition to Halsted and really change the face of Halsted and Boystown.
This company had looked at several properties and lots up and down Halsted and have made their decision and signed the papers. Now after some city red tape, I can tell you all hopefully in April or May.
Stay tuned for more details soon!
