Category Archives: Boystown
AIDS Garden Chicago Gets 30′ Haring Sculpture
AIDS GARDEN CHICAGO TO UNVEIL SIGNATURE 30-FOOT KEITH HARING SCULPTURE, SELF-PORTRAIT, THIS FALL, COMPLETING FIRST PHASE OF NEW PUBLIC LAKEFRONT GARDEN
In partnership with the Chicago Parks Foundation, the new AIDS Garden Chicago will memorialize the early days of Chicago’s HIV epidemic & honor those who continue to fight against the disease
The Chicago Parks Foundation today announced that the first phase of the new AIDS Garden Chicago will be complete this Fall with the unveiling of a specially-commissioned 30-foot-high sculpture, Self-Portrait, by iconic HIV/AIDS activist and artist, the late Keith Haring. (Precise installation date to be announced.) AIDS Garden Chicago will be the city’s first public monument to memorialize the early days of Chicago’s HIV epidemic and to honor those who continue to fight against the disease today. As previously released, the new 2.5-acre public lakefront garden will be located along Lake Michigan just south of Belmont Harbor, at the original location of the ‘Belmont Rocks,’ a space where the local gay community gathered between the 1960s and 1990s.
“The fight against HIV/AIDS represents more than a health epidemic: it symbolizes a time in our history when the LGBTQ+ and ally communities came together in the face of tragedy,” said Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “We lost countless neighbors and friends and relatives over the years, but we have made significant strides in combatting the virus. What was one of the darkest moments of the 20th century has given way to a blooming garden of hope and love; this new AIDS Garden Chicago will serve as a permanent reminder of how far we have come and as a way to honor those who continue the work of getting to zero new HIV infections.”
“The Chicago Parks Foundation is so honored to be a part of this historic and legacy project for the city and all the communities and individuals who have been affected and still are living with HIV/AIDS. We are far from eradicating the disease, but this garden and iconic Keith Haring sculpture will serve as a beacon of hope and unity for all. This is truly a park with a purpose and a message,” said Chicago Parks Foundation Executive Director Willa Lang.
“We have worked closely with some of our longtime community leaders, held meetings with various community groups and are now excited to start phase one of this overdue project,” said Alderman Tom Tunney (44). “Self-Portrait’s new home at AIDS Garden Chicago, in the 44th Ward, is a small but powerful way to continue talking about the epidemic as we fight to bring both HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths to zero.”
Bold, bright green and nearly three stories high, Self-Portrait will be the largest iteration of this popular sculpture that has ever been fabricated, and the Chicago Parks Foundation expects it to be the Garden’s signature anchor and gathering point. Working with the Chicago Park District and designed by landscape architects Design Workshop, AIDS Garden Chicago is set to be complete in 2020 and will include unique areas designed for reflection, education, honor, and pride. Visitors will be guided with markers and milestones through a variety of intimate and collective garden spaces to be coordinated and maintained by community gardeners still in formation. This park garden will provide a sensory nature experience; the most notable being a memorable grove of Gingko trees and a perennial garden of natural plantings at the entrance. A serpentine path will be the site for future temporary art installations organized by community partners.
Self-Portrait is provided to AIDS Garden Chicago through a generous gift from the Keith Haring Foundation with personal financial support from Alderman Tom Tunney that was matched by the Alphawood Foundation Chicago. Rosenthal Fine Art, which facilitated the conversation with the Haring Foundation, was established here in 1986 and has most recently been dedicated to making art more accessible to the public through partnerships with private developers and city agencies.
Keith Haring (1958-1990) generously contributed his talents and resources to numerous causes. In 1989, Haring established a foundation to ensure that his philanthropic legacy would continue indefinitely. The Keith Haring Foundation supports arts and educational institutions by funding exhibitions, educational programs, and publications that serve to contextualize and illuminate the artist’s work and philosophy.
Alderman Tom Tunney and the Chicago Parks Foundation thank all the valuable partners still in formation and continuing to grow, including the Keith Haring Foundation, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Alphawood Foundation Chicago, Center on Halsted, Friends of the Parks, Howard Brown Health, and Legacy Project. The Chicago Parks Foundation welcomes additional financial partners to help bring the project to completion.
The Chicago Parks Foundation, the charitable partner to the Chicago Park District, was established in 2013 as a nonprofit to operate in a private-public partnership in support of Chicago’s parks, independent and collaborative in spirit. The Foundation facilitates over $2.3 million in grants annually that support Chicago parks and park programs. More information can be found at https://www.chicagoparksfoundation.org/
More information on AIDS Garden Chicago can be found at AIDSgardenchicago.org.
Drag Queen Christmas Dec 2nd at VIC
A Drag Queen Christmas
returns to Chicago
Dec 2nd at the VIC Theatre!
(In 34 cities total!)
The Naughty Tour now in it’s 5th year.
Get tickets plus meet & greet at https://www.DragFans.com
The national tour is presented
exclusively by Murray & Peter!
Chicago Halloween Week Events
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THURSDAY, OCT 31 HALLOWEEN PARADE!
One of the 10 Best Halloweens in the US by Fodor’s Travel Guide
Redfin’s #3 Best City for Halloween
Haunted Halsted Halloween
Parade & Costume Contest
$4,000 in Cash Prizes – After Party
Join us for the 23rd annual Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade & Costume Contest plus Awards & After Party, October 31, 7:30pm. $4,000 in cash prizes. Free to watch or participate, all ages. Starts at Halsted & Belmont and goes north to Halsted & Brompton.
7 Categories, Free to participate:
Scary | Drag | Creative | Youth | Cosplay | Group <10 | Large Group 10+
$500 Cash Prize in each category
Large Group Category = $1,000 Prize
Register for Parade & Costume Contest NOW
Honorary Ralphi Rosario Blvd on Halsted Street
Ralphi Rosario is a pioneering house music DJ, a Grammy Award-nominated producer and soon he’ll be a Chicago landmark.
This past Saturday the City of Chicago dedicated a portion of North Halsted Street in Boystown (By Hydrate nightclub) in honor of Ralphi “The Razz” Rosario, according to Go Pride. Rosario was instrumental in spreading the house music sound as the youngest member of the Hot Mix 5, and later was nominated for a Grammy for Best Remix with Abel Aguilera for their remix of the Rihanna hit “Only Girl (In The World).”
“I’ve never really been a person to hype anything that I’ve done,” Ralphi told 5 Mag in a 2012 cover story. “I’ve always believed that the music and remixes should speak for themselves. I personally do not like getting in people’s faces about WHY my stuff isn’t played or WHY I’m not getting recognized or WHY I didn’t get the remix work, etc.
“I didn’t begin in the business on the intent of winning anything; I did it because music is a very strong trait for me. But this does mean the world to me – to know that not only my peers but all the fans and listeners are thanking me in this gracious way… They’re listening! [laughs]”
Taste of Boystown September 24th
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One Night Only Special Dinner Sept 5th
Exclusive Maestro Dobel Agave Dinner
Thursday, September 5th, 2019 | 7:00 p.m. | Chicago
Nothing makes us happier than a good tequila cocktail…and this event has THREE!
We’ll spend the night dining and drinking on El Mariachi’s patio with special guest speaker and field brand specialist, Dean Stojanov from Maestra Dobel Tequila.
For only $50/person Dean will take Lakeview Supper Club members through a 3-course Agave Dinner (see above for menu). *Gratuity not included. Members can bring up to 4 guests at membership pricing.
The password to purchase tickets is: TeAmoTequila
Labor Day Weekend Brunch at El Mariachi
Labor Day weekend brunch! Voted best brunch in Lakeview! El Mariachi has an extensive menu to choose from + unlimited Mimosas for $25! Reservations recommended!
This family has been a part of the community since 1996. They serve quality, fresh and authentic food.
#delicious
El Mariachi Tequila Bar and Restaurant
3906 N Broadway, Chicago
Boystown Rainbows get Landmark Status
CBS2 Chicago – “The Chicago City Council on Wednesday officially designated the rainbow pylons and Legacy Walk on the Boystown strip of North Halsted Street as a landmark.
The designation was part of a package of legislation that had been advanced by the Zoning and Landmarks Committee, chaired by Ald. Tom Tunney (44th).
Tunney was joined by LGBTQ activists Victor Salvo, Lori Cannon and Rick Garcia for the designation.
“I wanted to say the designation will make the Legacy Walk and the rainbow pylon streetscape the only multi-acre site in the world to be declared a landmark because of its importance to the LGBT people,” Tunney said at the City Council meeting Wednesday.
Ten pairs of 25-foot pylons featuring the rainbow Pride flag colors stand along Halsted Street between Belmont Avenue and Grace Street. Each pylon has a bronze memorial plaque that commemorates the legacy of notable LGBT individuals and groups.”
DID YOU KNOW???
those 20-foot bronze sculptures, and their rainbow rings, lining North Halsted Street were erected (!) by then Mayor Daley. In 1998 they officially designated the area a gay ’hood as part of his Neighborhoods Alive program. Sure, these faux-futuristic structures are both noticeably phallic (what were they thinking?) and almost superfluous in today’s increasingly gay-friendly world. But back in the late ’90s, this was a big deal.
“When Chicago designated Halsted Street as a gay neighborhood and put up the pylons, that was the first time a U.S. city had officially designated a neighborhood as being ‘gay,’ ” says William Greaves, director for the city’s advisory council on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues. “It was groundbreaking.”
To ensure Chicago’s claim in queer history, Daley withstood outcries from straight residents, who argued a gay ghetto would lower their property values (uh, more like raise them!), and even from gay folks, who feared outing the ’hood could cause a spike in gay bashing. But everything worked out just fine!
How About Brunch on Monday in Lakeview?
MONDAY Holidays
are getting like a BONUS SUNDAY!
Whether you are recovering from IML or Grabby Awards Parties, enjoy the BEST BRUNCH IN LAKEVIEW on MONDAY!
The Best Bottomless Mimosa Brunch
$25 for unlimited mimosas and it includes an entree from our extensive menu!
ALSO $5 House Margaritas at El Mariachi Tequila Bar
AND $5 Sangria at Revolucion Mexican Steakhouse
Reservations are recommended, walkins are accepted.
Reserve today amigos!
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FINALLY! Boystown Gets Rainbow Crosswalks!
Northalsted Business Alliance Announces Chicago Rainbow Pride Crosswalks
Boystown will get a little more colorful just in time for Pride Month this June with the planned addition of Chicago Rainbow Pride Crosswalks throughout the neighborhood. Initiated by the Northalsted Business Alliance, the rainbows will brighten the street at 14 crosswalks on east-west streets parallel to Halsted from Melrose north to Bradley, excluding Addison.
Thirteen of the crosswalks will feature the rainbow design that represents diversity and has become an inclusive symbol of the worldwide LGBTQ+ pride movement since the 1970’s. The 14th crosswalk will be dedicated to the transgender community. The blue, pink and white stripes found on the transgender flag will be located on Melrose south of the Howard Brown Health Center. This crosswalk will complement the mural at this intersection that has been dedicated to the queer and non-binary community.
The colorful crosswalks join the 20 iconic golden rainbow pylons, which are home to the Legacy Walk memorial plaques, the world’s only outdoor LGBTQ+ History Museum and now recognized by the Chicago Landmarks Commission as a Historic Landmark.
Funds for the Chicago Rainbow Pride Crosswalks come from Northalsted Business Alliance donated during the Chicago Pride Fest® and Northalsted Market Days® celebrations. This project has been in development since December 2018 with the Chicago Department of Transportation and the support of Alderman Tom Tunney and Alderman James Cappleman.
Northalsted President Ramesh Ariyanayakam explains the excitement around the additions.
“As an internationally recognized and historic landmark neighborhood, Boystown has been a place of acceptance and diversity for decades. These crosswalks show our commitment to maintaining a thriving LGBTQ+ community.”
About Northalsted
Since 1980, Northalsted Business Alliance (NBA) has worked collectively to enhance the entertainment district known as Boystown. Representing over 100 In & Proud businesses, NBA is recognized by the City of Chicago, national media outlets and residents for its leadership of advancing economic vitality and quality of life for the total community. To this end, NBA provides programs and services that will increase investment, security, opportunity and activity in our district
Best Cinco De Mayo WEEKEND in Lakeview!
Sure, Cinco de Mayo is one day – but celebrate all weekend!
Weather is looking nice! The patio will be open!
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, drink specials, brunch deals and more at two of favorite restaurants;
El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill 3906 N. Broadway
and Revolucion Mexican Steakhouse 3420 N. Broadway.
Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. The day, which falls on Sunday, May 5 in 2019, is also known as Battle of Puebla Day. While it is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations.
Free Queer Prom this week – Center on Halsted
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS: QUEER PROM FOR LGBTQ YOUTH
Friday, May 10, 2019
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Center on Halsted
FREE TO ATTEND
EASTER BRUNCH! With a Twist!
2 amazing choices for Brunch this weekend!
One of the best deals in town with an awesome menu!
Celebrate the end of lent by bringing in the whole family in for Easter and leave the Easter cooking to us this year!
Celebrate Easter with a delicious $25 Bottomless Mimosa Brunch done with a Mexican Twist at Revolucion Steakhouse or El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill.
Brunch includes free flowing mimosas and an entrée from our Brunch Menu.
Brunch will be available from 10 am to 3 pm
Or if you prefer to come in for dinner, we will be open from 3:30 pm – 10:00 pm.
Come on over, and don’t forget to make your reservations ahead of time to be seated right away.
Simply call the number below or click on the website to make your reservations online.
Happy Easter Everyone and we hope to see you soon Amigos!
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2 Big Dance Parties by Circuit Mom For Market Days
THE BIGGEST DANCE PARTIES OF THE SUMMER!
Market Days Weekend August 10 & 11th at Aragon Ballroom!
CircuitMOM returns with a weekend of massive dance parties starting with “Comic Book Hero” on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at the historic Aragon Ballroom with the dynamic DJ duo ROSABEL returning for their second year. Major venue improvements, more space for our guests, new bathrooms, location markers on the dance floor so you can find your friends and a ton of surprises are ready to go for 2019. Plus, this may be our last year for the “SuperHERO’ theme, so get those capes out and show them off!
With the amazing response we received in 2018 for the first “DRAMA” party on Market Days Sunday, we decided that we would keep the theme, but add more sass and more space for 2019.
We are very excited to bring you “DRAMA at the Disco” on Sunday, August 11, 2019. Not only are we bringing back superstar DJ/Producer Hector Fonseca, but we have invited DJ Suri (Spain) to come make his Chicago debut during Market Days. These two mega star DJ’s will be bringing you all the discoteque DRAMA, so be ready! More lights, lasers, and platform shoes than you can shake a polyester shirt at, we promise.
Last year, the DRAMA party sold out in record time and many out of town guests could not attend, so this year we are moving the Sunday night party to The Aragon Ballroom. We will be working overnight to transform the room from Saturday nights “Comic Book Hero” main event into a whole different space for our disco closing party on Sunday. The Aragon has more than tripled their bathroom spaces and added balcony seating and a whole new VIP entrance. We are adding balcony space for non-VIP guests this year in response to people’s requests for more room and a place to sit and recharge. Sunday night will look completely different.
Must be 21+
Get Your Weekend Pass Today!
Men’s Room Chicago. 3420 N Halsted
GA Weekend Pass: $150 (no additional fees)
No additional fees, however, purchases must be made in the store. No purchases can be made by phone. Cash or credit accepted. Tickets issued at time of purchase
Ticketmaster.com
Limited Quantities Available:
GA Weekend Pass: $121 ($146.29 including Ticketmaster fees)
VIP Weekend Pass: $201 ($233.99 including Ticketmaster fees)
Tickets issued at time of purchase
Chicago Pridefest 2019 Leann Rimes
The 19th annual Chicago Pride Fest®, June 22-23, 2019, is a legendary two-day street festival held the weekend leading up to the Chicago Pride Parade, celebrating LGBTQ+ life, culture and community.
This year marks a milestone as we honor the 50th anniversary of Stonewall and the birth of the Pride movement.
This year features multi-platinum Grammy winner Leann Rimes, Brazilian sensation Pabllo Vittar & Broadway newcomer Alex Newell, and more artists to be announced soon!
Also featuring local favorites: Sixteen Candles – Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press – Boy Band Review – Catfight – Don’t Speak – Hello Weekend – Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus – Chicago Spirit Brigade – Miss Foozie’s Pride Pet Parade.
More info on 2019 Performers.
St Patricks Celebration Chicago- Mexican Style
Everything from green Mimosa’s to green Margarita’s!
2 days! 2 Restaurants!
The dyeing of the river will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 16 when the boats launch between Columbus and Wacker drives. After that, TIME TO EAT AND DRINK AND PARTY!
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on Saturday & Sunday!
Saturday, March 16th doors open at 10 am for their amazing
Annual $25 Bottomless Green Mimosa Brunch!
Enjoy Unlimited Mimosas and an Entree from the Brunch Menu.
Brunch will be served from 10 am to 3 pm
All Day Specials:
$3 Bushmills Irish Whiskey Shots
$5 Green Clover Margaritas & $5 Green Mimosas
Then on Sunday, join us for a St. Patty’s Day Hangover Brunch!
Same Deal! Different Party!
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Security Alert Pick Pockets in Boystown Bars
BEWARE –
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We have seen it coming. Late night in Boystown, people getting robbed.
Now they are going right into the bars!
Keep your wallet and phone in your front pockets! Secure your valuables in a front pocket. While a skilled pickpocket can swipe your stuff from your front pocket, it’s more difficult to do than when your stuff is in your back pocket.
Beware when talking to friendly strangers.
The helpful stranger. A friendly stranger approaches you to wipe off some lint from your jacket. A few minutes later when you go to retrieve your wallet to buy a drink, you find it missing. Sometimes the ruse is even more elaborate: one person “accidentally” spills something on you, another helps you wipe off the mess, while a third takes advantage of the hoopla by stealing your wallet. If someone acts a little too friendly and helpful towards you, be suspicious. They could be a pickpocket (or the distracter in a pickpocketing team).
Taking advantage of the Good Samaritan. A stranger approaches you asking for help — maybe they have a map and are asking for directions, or they could fall in front of you, dropping everything they have in their hands. The clumsy person is really the distracting half of a pick-pocketing team; while your attention shifts towards helping them, their partner swoops in and stealthily makes off with your wallet.
Keep the bare minimum in your wallet. The less you have in your wallet, the less of a hassle it will be if you do get pickpocketed. Just keep a single credit card, a single form of ID, and a small amount of cash. That’s it.
We have ALL DONE THIS – Never put your phone on the table when you’re eating. I’ve never understood why people put their smartphone on the table while eating; it’s rude and prevents you from being fully present with the folks you’re dining with. But if you’re one of those people who absolutely must keep their phone on the table while you’re at a restaurant, be aware that pickpockets are targeting you. A growing number of enterprising pickpockets are casing restaurants with outdoor eating areas and looking for phones sitting on tables. When they see one, they’ll swoop in as a team — one guy acting as the distraction (selling flowers, newspapers, candy, etc.), while his accomplice grabs the phone.
Lesson: Keep your smartphone tucked away on your person while you’re eating. The text messages can wait.
I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE Feb 9th
CHICAGO THEATRE WORKSHOP PRESENTS PREMIERE, LGBTQ VERSION OF
“I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE”
Chicago Theatre Workshop (CTW) with permission from authors, Joe DiPietro and Jimmy Roberts will present a one-night only LGBTQ performance of their long running off-Broadway hit musical, “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” as a benefit for the company.
During the show’s nearly 20 year off-Broadway run, audiences celebrated the on stage relationships as a reflection of their own lives. CTW is excited to recalibrate the show’s series of vignettes focusing on the themes of love and relationships with an LGBTQ twist. Characters have now been re-imagined to reflect the lives of the LGBTQ community.
CTW Artistic Director Tom Mullen comments on the uniqueness of this benefit production, “This is a great joy for us, I’ve directed Love/Perfect a couple times before and I’ve always felt that this could really be an exciting version to try to do. It’s a great opportunity to really highlight that when it comes to love and relationships, we are all equal in our wants and wishes. We’ve also assembled an incredible cast and creative team and are so thankful to Joe and Jimmy to allow us to do this.”
Co-Author Joe DiPietro echoed Tom’s message, “When Tom called and asked about doing an all-gay version of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (once dubbed the straightest off-Broadway hit ever,) Jimmy Roberts and I readily agreed. I’ve always been a big fan of Tom’s work, and I can’t wait to see his very contemporary and, I’m sure, very hilarious take on the show.”
WHEN: Saturday, February 9, 2019
WHERE: Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted Street, Chicago
TIME: Doors open at 7:30pm show at 8:00pm
COST: $45 General Admission. Tickets for the performance can be purchased on line at www.chicagotheatreworkshop.org. VIP and Sponsorship ticket packages are also available by contacting CTW.
The cast includes: Karl Hamilton, Charissa Armon, Melissa Young, Honey West, Lars Ebsworth, Noah Berman, and Jessica Vann. More are slated to be added. Musical Direction is by Nick Sula with direction by Tom Mullen.
At Chicago Theatre Workshop, we identify promising new works of music-influenced theatre and continually evolve them through live productions. Through our unique model, audiences can experience the life of a single production as it constantly changes and evolves. Risk. Reward.
Photo: Charissa Armon & Karl Hamilton
Chicago Restaurant Week in Lakeview
JAN. 25 – FEB. 7, 2019
Don’t miss the biggest restaurant event of the year! Chicago Restaurant Week returns for two weeks of dining deals from hundreds of celebrated restaurants all across the city.
This year’s Chicago Restaurant Week will be the largest ever, with nearly 400 local restaurants participating. That includes over 100 first-time participants and 45 suburban restaurants.
The 12th annual culinary celebration features special prix fixe menus starting at $24 for brunch and lunch, and $36 and/or $48 for dinner (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity). It’s the perfect excuse to visit an old favorite or try somewhere new.
2 of our favorite places in Lakeview will be Participating!
Don’t Miss out – Get a reservation!
El Mariachi 3906 N Broadway
and Revolucion 3443 N Broadway
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New Years Day Never Afters Party 7am
If you are like me, I hate the crowds, the lines and the high prices on New Years Eve!
We like to go out early, have some drinks with friends and be in bed by 11! I know, we’re old! But we have already done New Years Eve many many MANY times!
So this party sounds amazing! It starts at 7am New Years Day! So whether you stay up all night or want to take a break in between, the amazing folks at Neverland are presenting this Never Afters Party!
TUESDAY January 1st from 7:00am-1:00pm or later: Regarded by industry vets as one of the best afterhours dance parties in circulation right now, Happily Never Afters has taken the Chicago scene by storm.
This is a NO FRILLS event: No dancers, no hosts, no drama, no attitude, no one bothering you, and no fucks given. Party starts at 7:00am on New Year’s Day, so either stay up all night New Year’s Eve, or take a puppy nap. If you’re trying to look fresh for the party, don’t bother: it’ll be too dark and foggy for anyone to see clearly. Plus, Happily Never Afters isn’t about getting all dolled up. It’s about letting loose in a safe space and having the time of your life, all while ringing in the New Year.
MUSIC by DJ Serving Ovahness (Los Angeles) and DJ Alex Cabot (Neverland Resident)
Presale tickets NOW for just $20!
FYI – The best resource for New Years Eve parties in the gay community can be found at GRAB MAGAZINE.
Experience Barefoot Walking!
