Monthly Archives: May 2014
Our Big Queer Latina/o Wedding June 1st
In less than two weeks, couples all over the state of Illinois will be able to marry, regardless of gender. To celebrate this triumph and to kick-off the 5th annual United Latino Pride Week, United Latino Pride (ULP) and Lambda Legal, in conjunction with various other community partners and businesses, will hold a large wedding ceremony and celebration.
“We decided to throw a big wedding open to the community because this victory didn’t happen solely thanks to politicians,” says Lalo Aguayo, ULP co-chair. “It happened because of the countless hours our colleagues at all the major LGBTQQIA and Latina/o organizations spent speaking directly to our leaders in Springfield. It happened because our families and friends engaged in conversations with their peers. This is how we won marriage equality. Hearts and minds are changed one conversation at a time. It only makes sense to celebrate this victory the way Latina/os do: as a family.”
According to organizers, whereas mainstream US society weddings are seen as a private affair, in much of Latin America and in Latina/o communities in the United States, weddings are a communal event.
“Our Big Queer Latina/o Wedding will reflect our culture and how we show happiness. When someone gets married it isn’t just about the two families, it’s about everyone in the community! We invite neighbors and distant cousins, and all the people in our lives that we call uncles, aunts, and cousins, even if they’re not really related,” Aguayo says.
With music, food, and drinks, ULP organizers hope to make this momentous occasion one to remember for the couples getting married and for rest of community witnessing that love and commitment.
“This will be a day for all of us to remember. It is a historic moment in Illinois and an important step towards our vision of a world where the pluralities of our identities as LGBTQQIA Latina/os are not only acknowledged but celebrated as well.”
United Latino Pride’s Big Queer Latino/a Wedding will take place on June 1st, 2014 at the Chicago Urban Arts Society.
For more information and to reserve free tickets visit www.unitedlatinopride.org
Art of Forbidden Fruits at Chicago’s DOWNTOWN BAR
A BRAND NEW event comes to Chicago in 2014 during the weekend of IML. Showcasing works of Fetish and Erotic art of international and local artists.
This is a brand new art gallery event in partnership with IML and the Chicago Leather Archives. Art of Forbidden Fruits is all about artwork thats showcases the local fetish and erotic community in Chicago. We will be displaying local artists work at different venues throughout the city. Check the Facebook page often to see when you can check out some talented local artwork.
DOWNTOWN BAR has a great collection on display right now. 440 N. State
Michael Urie Benefit Performance – Last Sunday in June
The charming Michael Urie, who is currently in Chicago with Jonathan Tolins’ BUYER AND CELLAR, is doing a benefit for About Face Theatre on his night off!
How great is that?!
JUNE 2nd! $20
What a steal!
Get Tickets Now!
A Musical Celebration of Marriage Equality in Illinois May 30th
“AT LAST … A Musical Celebration of Marriage Equality in Illinois”
A Church 4 Me MCC is proud to present “At Last..A Musical Celebration of Marriage Equality in Illinois.” The show was created by our own music director Michael McBride and features some of the best cabaret and theater performing artists in Chicago.
“At Last…” will perform on Friday, May 30th from 6:30 – 9:30 pm at Atmosphere in Andersonville – 5355 N. Clark St. Chicago. Tickets are $15 pre-sale and $20 at the door and can be purchased online at www.achurch4me.org. Proceeds will benefit the programs of A Church 4 Me including our HIV/AIDS Prevention Ministry, Senior Support Group, and our ongoing support of the Lakeview Pantry. Ten percent of all proceeds will go directly to “The Crib” an overnight youth shelter in Lakeview run by The Night Ministry.
Performers
Michael McBride – Music Director
Michael has been the Music Director at A Church 4 Me MCC for the last 3 years. He is currently the Music Director of The Cabaret Project in Chicago and has placed in the top 3 in the Windy City Gay Idol contest. He holds a Doctor of Music degree from Northwestern University and is on the music faculty of North Park University and Loyola University where he has served as musical director for their productions of Hot Mikado, Urinetown, and Into the Woods.
Danielle Kastner
Danielle has performed extensively throughout Chicago including We Three Lizas at About Face Theatre, Rent at American Theatre Company/About Face Theatre, A Chorus Line and Hairspray at Marriott Lincolnshire, Sugar and Mame at Drury Lane Oakbrook and Hello, Dolly! and Kiss Me Kate at Light Opera Works.
Mark Ortega
Mark has performed on more than 15 mainstage gay pride festivals nationwide and once opened for The Voice Finalist Beverly McClellan. Mark recently released a single on iTunes called “Boystown” which was recently featured on an LGBT podcast in Hong Kong.
Meredith Freyre
Meredith is one of the founding members of the Cabaret Project and had been performing with the group for over 5 years at venues such as Hydrate, Circuit, Green Dolphin Street, The Back Room, and Twisted Vine. Meredith has also been featured in National Commercials (T- Mobile) to The Chicago Symphony Chorus, the final Chicago cast of Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding and with many Chicago theater companies.
Auction
A Church 4 Me MCC will be auctioning off a painting by renowned artist Doyle Chappell at the event.
Artist Bio – DOYLE CHAPPELL is a portrait artist who paints in a distinctively contemporary style, creating colorful works that are the antithesis of dull, ancestral-type portraits. From the beginning of his art studies at the University of Texas, Chappell preferred painting people to other subjects. His sensitive depictions reflect those intangible qualities that motivate and define each individual. Admirers of Chappell’s portraits have observed that his paintings seem to reflect a kind of inner spirit that expresses much more than the surface appearance. He finds all ages to have special beauty. Although he has created numerous oil portraits, he presently works mostly in acrylic on canvas as that medium most suits the spontaneous and painterly brushwork and heavy buildup of layers of colors, on top of colors. His works are valued by serious art collectors, and his portraits are included in many private collections. Some of his favorite paintings are of “just plain folks”. Among the well known subjects Chappell has painted are Lynda Johnson Robb, daughter of President Lyndon Johnson and wife of Virginia Senator Charles Robb, with her children; Senator and Mrs. Warren Magnuson; and actress Daryl Hannah.
We will also be auctioning off tickets to more than 25 theatres in Chicago including Chicago Shakespeare, The Harris Theatre, Timeline, Black Ensemble, Marriotts Lincolnshire, Victory Gardens, Northlight, Metropolis, and Theatre at the Center.
About A Church 4 Me and Metropolitan Community Churches
Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) have been leading the national fight for marriage equality for 46 years. MCC is a global denomination which prides itself on inclusion. People of all races, socio-economic status, and sexual orientations are welcome into our churches. We currently have 172 member churches from 37 countries around the world.
A Church 4 Me MCC was founded here in Chicago in 2007 and we are creating a radically organic community where love is a blessing, diversity a gift, worship a celebration, and life a journey.
Event: At Last…A Musical Celebration of Marriage Equality in Illinois
Style: Musical Cabaret
Date: Friday, May 30
Time: 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Where: Atmosphere Bar – 5355 N Clark St. Chicago
Price: $15 pre-sale and $20 at the door
Buy Tickets: Online at www.achurch4me.org
City of Chicago hosts Frankie Knuclkes Tribute June 3rd
Join this dance party and pay tribute to Chicago DJ and record producer Frankie Knuckles.
(1955-2014), “The Godfather of House Music.”
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Date:
June 3, 2014
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Hours:
6-9 pm
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Location:
Millennium Park, Chase Central Promenade (Rain Location: Chase North Promenade)
201 E.Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60601
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Admission:
FREE
VIP with Jennifer Hudson at Chicago PrideFest
JENNIFER HUDSON headlines Chicago PrideFest 2014!
Because bigger is always better, Chicago’s very own Jennifer Hudson will headline Pride Fest on Saturday, June 21. The hometown entertainer will take the stage at 2:40 pm at the iconic Boystown festival.
For an up close and personal view of the stage, an exclusive package is available. A limited number of VIP tickets remain.
Hudson joins Mya, Thelma Houston, Alex Newell, Betty Who and more for the two-day festival, which marks the beginning of Pride Week.
A full line-up is available here
Chicago Pride Fest
North Halsted between Addison and Byron
June 21, 22 11 am – 10 pm $10 Suggested Donation
Tyra Banks Does TransAmerica in Chicago
VH1 is continuing to serve as a voice for the transgender community.
Hollywood Reporter says…
The Viacom-owned cable network is teaming with Tyra Banks for docuseries TransAmerica, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
The eight-episode docuseries will chronicle a group of Chicago women united by the shared experience of being transgender. The series is described as an earnest look at a group of millennial women — who happen to be transgender — living, loving and building their careers. The series will explore how their sexuality impacts their lives.
Model/activist Carmen Carrera will lead the five women in the hourlong series slated to bow in late 2014 or early 2015. Banks (America’s Next Top Model) will executive produce alongside Gay Rosenthal (Behind the Music, Push Girls, Little People, Big World).
READ MORE ABOUT IT HERE
IGNITE with AIDS Foundation Chicago Friday May 16th
This space is very cool for an event!
Ignite Glass Studio!
Light our fight.
Ignite our future.
Igniting our 30th year of service –
AIDS Foundation of Chicago
IGNITE Fantastic Rooftop party coming May 16th!
Open bar, delectable world fare and dancing. Guests will also enjoy live glass artistry, roof-top views of the sunset over the skyline, and chances to win Luxury Vacation Packages in our raffle.
Friday, May 16 – 6-9PM | Tickets: $185
A short speaking program will begin at 7:15 pm with Senator Durbin presenting the Civic Leadership Award. Dancing to follow afterwards with DJ Marc “Moose” Moder
Click here for the listing of our Luxury Vacation Raffle Packages.
The Tree of Hope will also be on display for those who wish to directly support AFC’s programs and services.
Ignite Glass Studio – Map
401 North Armour Street
Chicago, Illinois 60642
Valet parking will be available upon arrival at 401 North Armour Street.
New Drinks from Elixir Lounge on Halsted
Spring is here! FINALLY! And Elixir Lounge at 3452 N. Halsted has unveiled some new drinks for spring/summer.
Sexy mixologist Vlad is seen making Apples to Oranges. A combination of Laird’s Applejack, blood orange puree and a house made orange shrub. (In beverage history, the word shrub has carried several meanings. For our purposes, it’s enough to say that a shrub is an acidulated beverage made of fruit juice, sugar, and other ingredients.)
Also new is the First Date; a combination Hayman’s Old Tom Gin, passion fruit puree and a hint of St. Germaine.
Georgia’s Revenge takes Tanteo Jalapeno, Mathilde Peche, fresh squeezed lime juice and simple syrup for a delicious margarita type drink, served with or without a salted rim.
The new Grapefruit Basil Martini is fresh and sassy!
And the Jardin De Ville combines Northshore Gin #6, Creme de Violette, fresh cucumber, lavender simple syrup, fresh squeezed lemon juice and ginger beer, for a delicious summer cooler.
The staff said they will be making special limited batches of various weekly infusions. And soon, Elixir will be announcing small classes that will delve into Gin, Whiskey and other liquors. They hope to do one class a month, and they will only accommodate about 10-12 people.
ELIXIR LOUNGE
3452 N Halsted Street, Chicago
Michael Urie , Barbra Striesand and Buyer and Cellar, in Chicago
Barbra Striesands Basement of Stores in the where
BUYER AND CELLAR takes place.
These photos can not possibly do the show justice or capture its entertainment value!
It’s brilliant and funny! It’s a one man show that wildly entertains for 90 non-stop minutes.
Michael Urie is amazing and fresh and a wonderful story teller! Urie plays all of the characters, starting with a fictional out-of-work actor named Alex More who is hired to staff the underground mall of quaint shops that Streisand has built (really — this part’s true) beneath a barn on her Malibu estate.
And it is so refreshing, and so needed, for Broadway in Chicago to bring us an intimate show like this. THIS is what New York theatre is all about. Wonderful small shows in a small venue, where everyone can enjoy the actors talents and be pulled into the story! Chicago needs more of these types of shows.
Whether you like Barbra Streisand or not – this is a must-see entertaining show in Chicago, fresh from New York, and on it’s way to Los Angeles next. GO SEE IT!
Check out our interview with Michael HERE.
Howard Brown Health Center Celebrates its Past and Future at Annual Meeting
Howard Brown Health Center (HBHC) has stood as a beacon for LGBTQ equality for 40 years, and our services only grow more vital in today’s changing healthcare landscape. To commemorate past accomplishments and unfold plans for the year ahead, HBHC will hold its Annual Meeting on Thursday, May 29, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the future home of the HBHC’s Brown Elephant Store in Lakeview at 3020 N. Lincoln Avenue.
Together with funders, community partners, and patients, HBHC’s newly appointed President and CEO David Ernesto Munar will trace the narrative of this remarkable community health center, which has provided compassionate and LGBTQ-affirming healthcare and wellness services to diverse patient populations since 1974.
“For 40 years, Howard Brown has led community-based efforts to improve the health and lives of sexual and gender minorities and our allies,” Munar said. “Since our founding in 1974, the modern gay liberation movement has made extraordinary gains we can all be proud of. But sadly, severe health disparities persist in our community as compared to the population at large. The next frontier of our struggle must seek full health and socio-economic justice for everyone, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.”
The event will take place at the future home of HBHC’s flagship Brown Elephant resale store, opening for business on July 1. This new store symbolizes the expansion of HBHC’s affordable and community centered mission, with proceeds from all Brown Elephant locations expanding access to essential healthcare services to all people, regardless of their ability to pay.
The Annual Meeting, free of charge, will start with light refreshments. The presentation will include the introduction of HBHC’s newly elected members of the Board of Directors. At the event, HBHC will launch a year of activities commemorating 40 years of service to the community. HBHC thanks AbbVie, Barefoot Wine, Jewell Events Catering, MillerCoors, and others for providing generous support to make the Annual Meeting possible.
Please stand proudly with HBHC on May 29. RSVP online here or by calling 773.572.5117. Space is limited.
Best Mexican Food in Chicago for Cinco de Mayo
In 1996, a father and his two sons opened a very small 10-table Mexican restaurant in the Boystown/East Lakeview community located at 3420 N. Broadway. Thankfully for us all, El Mariachi grew increasingly in popularity with the locals by following a strict policy of only serving top-quality, authentic Mexican dishes and stellar margaritas.
The original 10 table restaurant is still thriving today, but several years ago they opened a ginormous, second restaurant at 3906 N. Broadway, just 2 blocks past the northern Boystown border. The newest location, El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill, has the space to offer a full-bar area complete with stools and cocktail tables and two spacious, multi-level, separate dining rooms.
The décor and ambiance is very tastefully done. Traditional Mexican paintings, fountains, faux painted, near 2-story walls and even a hand painted, vaulted ceiling complete with an image over the front door of the restaurants Founder and Patriarch! In warm weather, they have an intimate, outdoor, courtyard patio where you can dine al fresco and pretend you’re vacationing just about anywhere!
The family went on to open Revolución (3443 N. Broadway), a new Mexican steakhouse and to my knowledge this is Chicago’s FIRST Mexican Steakhouse.
3 exciting choices For
CINCO DE MAYO!
El Mariachi Tequila Bar 5 de Mayo
3906 N. Broadway | Chicago, IL 60613 | 773.549.2932 | www.elmariachitequilabar.com
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Weekend at El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill
Make a weekend of it, and celebrate Cinco de Mayo with your Amigos at El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill!
Friday 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. the Cointreau Girls will be giving away complimentary drink samples to kick off the fiesta! Keep the celebration going with a $21 Bottomless Mimosa Brunch to be enjoyed out in the private patio on Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 2pm, and get really festive with our $18 Rio Grande Margarita (60oz Margarita) on Sunday!
REVOLUCION MEXICAN STEAKHOUSE
3443 N. Broadway | Chicago, IL 60657 | 773.661.9183 | www.revolucionsteakhouse.com
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Weekend at Revolucion Steakhouse!
Friday, May 2- Monday, May 5, 2014 Open late!
Make a weekend of it, and celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Revloucion!
Friday and Saturday 6:30-8:30pm, the Milagro Tequila Girls will be giving away complimentary drink samples to kick off the fiesta! Keep the celebration going with brunch on the patio on Saturday & Sunday ($3 mimosas & bloody marys), and enjoy a $3 Pacifico on Monday- the real Cinco de Mayo! Take a few photo bombs with friends in sombreros & mustaches & join the Facebook Photo Contest in order to vaguely remember your Cinco Weekend.
Make sure to grab a friend and join a photo Facebook contest with sombreros & mustaches to commemorate (and remember) your Cinco de Mayo weekend!
Tutto Fresco Trattoria 5 de Mayo
3829 N. Broadway | Chicago, IL 60613 | 773.281.1844 | www.tuttofrescochicago.com
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Tutto Fresco Trattoria!
Monday: $30.00 Prix Fixe Menu
First Course: Ground Beef Sopes
Second Course: Carne en Su Jugo
Third Course: Choice of Camarones Rancheros or Pollo en Salsa Verde
Fourth Course: Coffee 3 Leches Cake
*Includes a Margarita de la Casa!
TRY ALL THREE Restaurants!
