Monthly Archives: August 2017

Out in the Park Chicago 2017

Out In The Park at Six Flags Great America

                                 Returns in 2017 for  Year 6!

 

A Private Night in the Park to Celebrate Diversity

                       Presented by MINI Cooper Chicago & BestGayChicago.com

That Will Help Benefit  Howard Brown Health

Saturday, September 9th, 2017 from 7:30PM to 12AM

 

Out In The Park is an annual private  diversity fundraising event featuring unlimited riding of ALL Six Flags Great America’s amazing THRILL rides (with much shorter than usual lines! The park is only 35%  full!)  with a portion of all ticket sales each  year help benefit various non-profits.  “One of the best elements of this event is that it is closed to the general public and this year our event piggy-backs a daytime corporate buyout so our attendees will be entering an EMPTY PARK!” explains Michael Snell, co-owner of BestGayChicago.com. “The LGBTQ community, their family, friends and supporters can enjoy the park with  shorter lines and without homophobic or bigotry  from anyone. It’s like a Fall Pride Celebration!”

 

This event started in 2012, as an LGBTQ night. In 2015 there  was a huge shift in the public’s opinion on Marriage Equality and Equal Rights. (Joe Biden says Will & Grace was a huge influencer for the shift in public opinion!) Friends and allies “came out of the closet” as  the showing of support more than doubled.  It is for this reason, we chose to change the theme to a Celebration of Diversity.  People of any color, size, body type, gender, gender expression(s), and sexual orientation are all welcome. Bullies and Bigotry will not be tolerated.

 

It’s important to us that everyone—no matter who you are, how you identify, or where you’re from—feel comfortable and confident. Our message is simple: You are welcome here.

Singer, model, author SIR JET will  do a meet and greet in the parking lot at 7pm, as we await the gates  to open  for the evening. Then he will  perform live at 1:30am, at Charlie’s, the host of the Official After Party!  3726 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60613. $5  cover.

In an interview with ChicagoPride.com: “We are very excited that this private night for charity continues to grow every year and we have gifted over $40,000  to various groups,” said Derrick Sorles, Snell’s husband of 18 years and business partner,

 

 

“We are honored that some of our peers including GRAB Magazine, ChicagoPride.com as well as Our Lives Madison and QUEST Magazine in Wisconsin also help us by donating advertising space for this event! It’s truly a community event where everyone comes together for the greater good!”  says  Derrick Sorles.

 

Advance $42 tickets can be purchased  NOW  at www.CelebrateDiversityChicago.com

Attendees  get FREE parking  for this special event!  September  5th the price goes up to $47.

$52  at the gate, IF AVAILABLE.

This event is capped at only 5,000  tickets,  to ensure  lines  stay  short  for the rides.

Season Passes cannot be honored for  special events.  All ages  event.

Drinks  are available  for purchase to  those  21+

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Cirque Du Soleil Luzia Inspired Mural in Chicago

Cirque du Soleil recently announced a partnership with Columbia College Chicago and the Wabash Arts Corridor (WAC) that will add a new public mural downtown in honor of the city’s Year of Public Art. Local artist Gloria “Gloe” Talamantes is creating the mural, commissioned by Cirque du Soleil and inspired by its highly acclaimed production LUZIA, currently playing a limited engagement in Chicago through Sept. 3.

 

The Cirque du Soleil-commissioned mural is an addition to WAC’s 40+ murals in the South Loop neighborhood. It will also kick off this year’s public art exhibition Street Level, which will unveil eight new murals that will be presented at street level and highlight a diverse range of artists at the local, national, and international level.

 

The mural was unveiled this week, on the western façade of Columbia’s 33 E. Congress Parkway.

 

“We are happy to give this artistic gift to Chicago for its Year of Public Art,” said Claudine Rivard, Company Manager of Cirque du Soleil’s LUZIA. “This is a way for Cirque du Soleil to thank the city and its residents for all of their support, not just for LUZIA, but for embracing our artists and crews for over 17 productions across 28 years.”

 

Having started as a troupe of street performance artists 33 years ago, Cirque du Soleil is always looking for ways to give back to the local communities it visits, either through its social action programs or through art. The LUZIA mural project in partnership with WAC and Talamantes will permanently add the signature joy and color of Cirque du Soleil to Chicago’s greatest concentration of street art.

“Chicago is one of the top destinations in the world for public art,” said DCASE Commissioner Mark Kelly. “It is fitting that acclaimed international arts organization Cirque du Soleil has commissioned one of Chicago’s own artists for the Year of Public Art. This new mural brings additional vibrancy to the growing Wabash Arts Corridor.”

 

“Chicago’s dedication to public art is deeply rooted in the city’s history,” said Neysa Page-Lieberman, WAC’s Chief Curator and the Executive Director of Columbia’s Department of Exhibitions and Performance Spaces. “Columbia and WAC continue the tradition each year in producing, supporting, and engaging Chicagoans and visitors with vital arts and programming. The scope of Chicago’s public art will flourish from the recognition and support by the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil.”

 

About the mural

Artist Gloria “Gloe” Talamantes’ style of work suits the project perfectly, and in creating the mural, she combines inspiration from LUZIA with her Mexican heritage.

“I created wispy butterfly wings that carry flowers adorned with motifs inspired by my roots and culture,” said Talamantes. “The design inspiration comes from my family heirlooms, carpetas tejidas, the delicate and intricate original crocheted designs of my grandmother and great grandmother. After watching some of LUZIA, I reflected on the massive red papel picado that was used in one of the scenes; it immediately made me think of the many designs that make up my grandma’s doilies.”

The dripping effect at the bottom of the mural is a direct reflection of the water scenes in LUZIA, the first Cirque du Soleil show to incorporate water into artistic and acrobatic scenes.

“I wanted to create a subtle resemblance to the water while keeping it connected to my graffiti roots,” said Talamantes. “Drips are common and often the most enjoyable parts of ink tags and natural spray paint abstracts when doing stylized letters. It is important for me to stay true to my Mexican and Graffiti culture, for the two have been an integral part of my life and visual art.”

 

About LUZIA by Cirque du Soleil

LUZIA takes you to an imaginary Mexico, like in a waking dream, where light (“luz” in Spanish) quenches the spirit and rain (“lluvia”) soothes the soul. In a series of grand visual surprises and breathtaking acrobatic performances, LUZIA invites audiences to escape on a surrealistic journey through a sumptuous and vibrant world suspended somewhere between dreams and reality. Smoothly passing from an old movie set to the ocean to a smoky dance hall or an arid desert, LUZIA cleverly brings to the stage multiple places, faces and sounds of Mexico taken from both tradition and modernity. Rich in awe-inspiring moments, LUZIA enchants by incorporating rain into acrobatic and artistic scenes – a first for a Cirque du Soleil touring production.

 

LUZIA is Cirque du Soleil’s 38th original production since 1984, and its 17th show presented under the Big Top. The company has brought wonder and delight to more than 160 million spectators in more than 400 cities on six continents. Cirque du Soleil has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,300 performing artists from close to 50 different countries.

FINAL DAYS!!

LUZIA is now playing in Chicago through Sept. 3, 2017, under the Big Top in the United Center parking lot. For show and ticket information, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/luzia.

 

Follow #LUZIA and #cirquedusoleil on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

 

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Chuck Renslow Final White Party August27

  WINDY CITY TIMES


Renslow memorial set
2017-08-23

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A public memorial to remember the life of businessman Chuck Renslow, founder of International Mr. Leather, will be held Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017 at 7 p.m.
The Renslow Family will host its 36th and final White Party celebrating Renslow at Metro, 3730 N. Clark Street, Chicago. That celebration, which is open to the public, will begin with a memorial service and merge into a traditional dance party. The annual White Party celebrated the August birthday of Renslow.

Earlier that day, Hesperia Lodge Ancient Free and Accepted Masons will conduct a masonic funeral ritual for Renslow at Jefferson Masonic Temple.

Renslow died at age 87 June 29.

See www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Legendary-Chicago-businessman-activist-Chuck-Renslow-dies-/59676.html .

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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/kaytronik
soundcloud.com/a-DEL-mix
https://soundcloud.com/czboogie

*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.

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Margaret Cho Sept 23rd Ticket Giveaway

SHE’S  COMING  BACK  TO CHICAGO!

An accomplished performer in all formats, Margaret Cho could be called the  “Queen of all Media” having conquered the worlds of film, television, books, music and theatre. She has five Grammy Award nominations (two for music albums, Cho Dependent and American Myth) and one Emmy nod for her groundbreaking work on 30 Rock.

Never one to shy away from a difficult or ‘taboo’ topic, her socially aware brand of stand-up comedy has made her both a thought leader as well as a teacher to those with open minds and open hearts. In 2017, Rolling Stone magazine named one of the 50 Best Stand-Up Comics calling her “the sort of funny, sex-positive feminist and LGBT activist younger comics continue to look up to.”

Equally as important as her creative side is the causes she is passionate about. Margaret is widely recognized for her charitable work with gay rights and anti-bullying campaigns. In every segment of her life, Margaret is honest, forthright, passionate, uproarious and always entertaining.

She’ll be in Chicago  with  FRESH OFF THE BOAT,  September 23rd. (GET TICKETS  HERE)

 

Y’all, it’s been a while but I am back and better than ever with the news that you need: I’M HEADING OUT ON TOUR AGAIN! You didn’t think I was gonna let Trump have all the fun to himself now did you?

I took time off to work on material near and dear to me, which is why I know you will enjoy
“FRESH OFF THE BLOAT”.  I’m cruising through the U.S. and then on to Europe.

This is my sickest show to date. My grandmother said, “You look like bloated as if you’ve been found dead in a lake after several days of searching.” (Koreans are the most savage of all the Asians.)

This time, I’m talking about being fresh off drugs, drinking and on the brink of suicide and I’ve come back to life. I’ve finally been fished out of the river Styx.

It’s meta. It’s magical. It’s me.

I’m dragging my ass to a city near you with a fresh, snarky and sexy outlook and I cannot wait for you to be right there with me. And don’t freak out if you don’t see your city, this is only the first leg of the tour.

It’s a celebration, bitches.

xoxo
Margaret

PS. THANK YOU Albert Sanchez for the beautiful photo and Tour Design for the gorgeous design!

CONTEST   FOR  FREE  TICKET  GIVEAWAY!

Leave a comment, any comment below with your email – your email is hidden from the public and we are not adding you to any lists. Just click READ MORE and you can leave a comment!

We will randomly draw 1 winning name,  for a pair of 2 tickets to see Margaret in Chicago.

Will will close the contest  and draw  one name out FRIDAY   SEPTEMBER 1st at NOON.

We will email the winner  that day.

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FREE TICKETS for SUPERHERO Resistance @ Aragon Aug 12

Market Days Saturday night will never be the same. After six consecutive years of sold out dance parties at House Of Blues, Circuit Mom / Matthew Harvat has  moved the wildly successful Superhero themed party closer to Lakeview and into an epic venue that doubles our party’s size.

More lights, more lasers, more production, more sound and more people from around the globe to dance with.

After thirteen years, The Aragon Ballroom welcomes us back for what will become the biggest event of the year. You will not believe your eyes once you enter the space. They have tons of surprises in store for you and  will welcome over 2,500 party goers to this new Market Days home.

PLUS this is the Chicago debut of DJ Grind and DJ Gauthreaux spinning together for this main event.

WHO WILL YOU COME AS????

WHO WANTS TO GO FOR FREE???

Leave a comment, any comment  below  with your email – your  email is hidden from the public and we are not adding you  to any lists.  Just  click  READ MORE  and you can leave a comment!

We will randomly  draw  2  names,  MONDAY  Aug 7th  2  NOON.  We will email the winners.

Each winning name  will get one free ticket  for the event!

This is going to be an amazing event, not to be missed!    CircuitMom.com   for  ticket  info

Tickets are available online now and with a new VIP option.
Visit www.circuitmom.com for all options.

People of any colour, size, body type, gender, gender expression(s), and sexual orientation are welcome. Bigotry will not be tolerated. Must be 21+ to attend.

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