Category Archives: Boystown
DJ Joe Gauthreaux Valentine’s Day at Hydrate
When Out Magazine named Joe Gauthreaux “Hottest DJ of the Year” in 2005, it was a very different world.
Social media wasn’t as prevalent. “We’re all so much more connected now,” says the New York DJ. “It’s so much easier to get information and music to my supporters, and for promoters to get a hold of me if they want me to spin at their club or event.”
In 2005, Gauthreaux was still considered one of the new kids on the block; competing for gigs against some of the biggest names in the dance biz, including Junior Vasquez, Manny Lehman, Victor Calderone, and Tony Moran. These were the very same DJs he grew up idolizing. They dominated the scene in the early 2000s, headlining every major event and making it close to impossible for aspiring DJs to get their chance on the decks. Gauthreaux was one of the few who managed to break through the glass DJ booth.
“Fighting makes you stronger,” he says now. “The long battle to make a name for myself in the club industry taught me that to stay in the game, you have to constantly keep working like nobody knows who you are.”
And to be really successful, a DJ should prepare to give up his life. “I travel nearly every weekend and during the week I spend most of my free time working on the music I’m going to present at the gigs.”
Then there’s also the promotion side of the business, the time spent on Facebook, Twitter, and the like. “It’s very time consuming, but important and essential,” says Gauthreaux.
Competition remains fierce, especially today when it’s easier than ever to for one to call himself a DJ. The goal remains to please the crowds. “There are constantly new faces coming into the club scene; young kids stepping on the dance floor for the first time or guys in their mid-to-late twenties who are tired of the bar scene and want something more. There are always new people to win over.”
Starting out, Gauthreaux made a name for himself with a sound that was primarily vocal house mixed with tribal and melodic trance. Today, his sound is a bit more diverse.
”I genuinely love all kinds of music,” he explains. “I love tribal, EDM, progressive house, and then sometimes I simply love a good commercial vocal anthem. I’m always trying to keep my sound fresh, incorporating new beats and sounds to keep the momentum going on my dance floor, yet still staying true to who I am. The worst thing a DJ can do is get stuck in a certain sound for too long. Music is constantly changing and evolving. If you don’t change with it, you’ll get left behind.”
He says club revelers simply want to have fun. “That’s what I tell myself when I go into the booth – make it fun. Sometimes that means a full on banging tribal set, or if the party is on a beach in Miami, it’s a lot of anthems and some EDM styled tracks. Whatever the event, I want people to think the experience was worth the cover charge and the long line they waited on to get in. I don’t take anyone’s time or money for granted. I aim to give them something they can’t get on their own – something new and original.”
That includes his own production work.
Joe Gauthreaux began producing his own remixes six years ago. In that time, he’s worked with some of the biggest dance artists in the biz including Kristine W, Jeanie Tracy, and Tony Moran.
Last year, after hearing his work, major label A&R executive Joey Arbagey reached out to him. That’s when Gauthreaux began getting more mainstream projects like NeYo, The Wanted, Melanie Amaro, and even Justin Bieber.
“It was for ‘Boyfriend’, the first single from Justin’s new album,” Gauthreaux explains. “At the time, nobody had heard his new direction. I was excited to have the opportunity to present his voice in a clubbier production. I think my favorite thing about that project is that I helped show people in the dance community that Justin’s a real artist with talent and a great voice.
“It’s also kind of surreal to open up iTunes and see my remix on such a popular artist,” he adds.
The future is bright for the young DJ who still considers himself a fan of dance music. He loves DJ Chus, David Penn, Tiesto, Avicii, Peter Rauhofer; and he is influenced by new Brazilian producers like Mauro Mozart, Enrry, and Rogerio Lima.
He’s begun to realize ambitions even beyond remixing major artists. “The next step is to write and produce my own original music with major artists.”
But right now, he says he wants to build up his name as a producer and get a couple more #1 remixes by major artists under his belt.
“I want people to be really excited about my first single when it comes out because they knew and loved all of my other production work,” he says. “That’s my plan.”
Joe Gauthreaux Top 10
10. Aiden Leslie – Nobody Said (Joe Gauthreaux Club Mix)
Catch him at HYDRATE FRIDAY February 14th!
3458 N Halsted St Chicago
Hydrate Re-Grand Opening! February 7-8
2 AMAZING DJS!!!
2 AMAZING PARTIES!!!
ONE ALL ACCESS VIP PASS!!!
NO WAIT/NO LINE ALL WEEKEND LONG!!!
JOIN HYDRATE FOR THE GRAND RE-OPENING WEEKEND AND BE THE FIRST TO EXPERIENCE THE ALL NEW HYDRATE NIGHTCLUB WITH A $3O ALL ACCESS (NO LINE/NO WAIT) ALL WEEKEND LONG!
BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY BEFORE THEY SELL OUT!
FRIDAY NIGHT: COME PARTY WITH DJ SETH COOPER AND ENTER TO WIN A FREE PASS TO MIAMI’S HOTTEST PARTYWINTER PARTY FEST ’14!
SATURDAY NIGHT: PARTY YOUR ASS OFF WITH THE RETURN OF DJ PAULO AND EXPERIENCE AN ALL NEW AND EXCITING SOUND SYSTEM!!!!
AND AS ADDED BONUS! YOUR $30 ALL ACCESS PASS ALSO INCLUDES A FREE LOCKER AT ONE OF OUR PARTNERS STEAMWORKS! SIMPLY PRESENT YOUR ALL ACCESS PASS AT CHECK-IN TO CLAIM YOUR FREE LOCKER!
BOYSTOWN Chicago Voted #1 Gayborhood
#1 !!
The readers of Out Traveler voted Boystown the best gayborhood in the world for 2013, beating out West Hollywood’s Boystown, San Francisco’s The Mission, Madrid’s Chueca and Barcelona’s Eixample.
The neighborhood has everything you could want: bars, clubs, restaurants, architecture, walkability, its own El stop, and now marriage equality.
BRIDEGROOM Screening at Center on Halsted January 12
The MUST SEE movie of the year! Whether your gay, single, partnered or heterosexual – this movie will explain the need for marriage equality!
BRIDEGROOM is a documentary directed by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason that tells the emotional journey of Shane and Tom, two young men in a loving and committed relationship — a relationship that was cut tragically short by a misstep off the side of a roof. The story of what happened after this accidental death– of how people without the legal protections of marriage can find themselves completely shut out and ostracized– is poignant, enraging and opens a window onto the issue of marriage equality like no speech or lecture ever will.
HYDRATE bar is Getting a Facelift
Hydrate at 3458 N Halsted St in Boystown will close down Sunday January 5th and begin renovations that should be completed in February.
The plan is to revamp everything from the floors to the bathrooms to sound — including adding chandeliers from the former Ambassador West hotel.
The sound system will also upgraded to Turbosound in hopes of a cleaner, fuller sound. The exterior and interior will see lots of changes to create a more upscale, current feel.
Before shutting down for renovations, Hydrate will host two parties to celebrate.
New Years Eve Dinner at Revolucion
Join Revolucion on
New Year’s Eve
Join us on Tuesday December 31st as we part ways with 2013 with a
fabulous 3 course prix fixe menu brought to you by Chef Jose Navejas
(Regular menu will also be available)
NEW YEAR’S EVE MENU
Includes a Complimentary Glass of Champagne
We 3 Liza’s – A New Holiday Classic
Even if you don’t like Liza (with a Z!) You will LOVE WE 3 LIZA’S!
Ticklebottom’s life has hit a block. Once, Conrad and his purple box
ignited an entire movement in art and design, but now he finds himself
alone, forgotten and teetering on ruin.
A WICKED Night Before Christmas December 8th
Members of the National Touring Company of WICKED will host “THE WICKED NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,” a staged holiday performance at The Laugh Factory Sunday, December 8, at 8:00pm.
“A WICKED NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS” is part of an ongoing series of performances and appearances by the touring company to support charitable causes which advance WICKED’s theme of acceptance and illuminate the musical’s message that people should not be judged on first impressions. The company believes that in these divisive times we must come together to support those in need throughout the country and around the world. In its eight years on the road, the company has raised over $2.5 million in donations for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and local AIDS service organizations all over the country.
A throwback to the holiday variety shows of yesteryear, the WICKED company comes together to celebrate the joy of the holidays. Haul out the holly, spin the dreidel, harvest the fruit and celebrate the season in a way that only WICKED can. Company members making special appearances in the event include: Alison Luff (Elphaba), Jenn Gambatese (Glinda), Curt Hansen (Fiyero), as well as TV’s Kim Zimmer (Madame Morrible) and John Davidson (Wizard). The production also includes members of the ensemble, band, and touring staff. A WICKED NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS proves to be a once in a lifetime evening of magic and fun.
General Admission to “A WICKED NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS” is a $60 donation (includes 2 drinks). A limited number of VIP tickets are available for a $125 donation and include priority seating as well as a 6:30pm pre-show reception with members of the company. All proceeds from the evening benefit BC/EFA and Chicago House and admission donations are tax deductible. Tickets are available online at www.chicagohouse.org or by phone (773) 248-5200 ext 303. The evening is intended for mature audiences. Must be 16 or older to attend; 21 or older to purchase alcoholic beverages.
In addition to the performance, there will be live and silent auctions including several opportunities to join the company backstage at the Oriental Theatre, and a chance to bid on a walk-on role in a performance of WICKED. WICKED, Broadway’s biggest blockbuster is playing through December 21 at the Oriental Theatre. Tickets for WICKED at the Oriental Theatre start at $40.
Chicago Santa Speedo Run December 7th
Santa Speedo Run Supporting Center on Halsted
Sign Up to Run or Donate to Support the Local LGBTQ Community
Santa’s suit just got a lot less heavy. On Saturday, Dec. 7th, the Most Fabulous Santa Speedo Run will raise money to support the Center on Halsted. Over 250 community members are expected to brave the cold this year for their annual one-mile run through the heart of Lakeview, clad in nothing more than Santa hats and speedos!
The spectacle is being held at Sidetrack Video Bar, 3349 N Halsted. Registration starts at 12:00pm, the 1 mile run begins at 2:00pm, with entertainment and prizes afterward. Participants are encouraged to wear swimwear and a Santa hat for the event, but it’s not mandatory. In fact, you’ll see a wide array of holiday costumes that are festive and sometimes hilarious! Runners are asked for a minimum $25 donation to participate. Donations may also be made directly to Center on Halsted. The full donation for the event will support Center on Halsted.
For more information, or to register in advance, visit: http://community.
About the Most Fabulous Santa Speedo Run
The Most Fabulous Santa Speedo Run is an annual event organized by partners Karl Sponholtz and Jeff Colgan. They are dedicated to helping the LGBTQ community with the support of their friends, families, and volunteers. For more information please contact Karl (773)972-9292 or Jeff (773)9720-8292.
This post sponsored by: City Suites , The Majestic and the The Willows .
Family coming to town for the holidays?? 3 great choices in Boystown!
USE CODE BGC!!!!
Transgender Day of Remembrance November 20th
On Wednesday, November 20th
2013, members of the LGBTQ community and its allies are invited to
participate in Transgender Day of Remembrance at Center on Halsted, 3656
N. Halsted. St., Chicago, Illinois 60613. The event will take place
from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
and will include a reception and welcome address with light food and
refreshments, a reading of names, videos and performances by several
prominent members of the trans* community. This event is free, and open
to the public.
A
week before the event, Center on Halsted will tie purple ribbons in the
trees outside its building to commemorate the lives of trans* community
members who have lost their lives as a result of anti-transgender
hatred or prejudice. The ribbons will serve as a public memorial to
those who lost their lives, as well as to the resilience of the
community. During the ceremony, participants will be able to add ribbons
to the trees with the names of someone they personally memorialize.
The
2013 Transgender Day of Remembrance is hosted in partnership with
Howard Brown Health Center, Broadway Youth Center, Chicago Women’s AIDS
Project, Chicago House Trans Life Center and Center on Halsted.
About Transgender Day of Remembrance:
Transgender
Day of Remembrance serves to raise public awareness of hate crimes
against transgender people, to publicly mourn and honor the lives of
those who might otherwise be forgotten and to express love and respect
for trans* people in the face of national indifference and hatred. For
more information, visit www.transgenderdor.org.
5 RABBIT BREWERY BEER DINNER at Revolucion
5 RABBIT BREWERY BEER DINNER
Thursday, December 5th, 2013
7:00 pm Reception/7:30 pm Dinner
Includes:
4 Course Food Pairings
4 Featured Craft Beers
5 Rabbit Golden Ale
5 Rabbit Huitzi Belgian Ale
5 Grass American Pale Ale
5 Vulture Oaxacan Dark Ale
$35/person (Excludes tax & gratuity)
Hair and Fashion Show for EQIL November 8th at Hydrate
For a $10 donation at the door, you will be able to enjoy an hour-long
hosted bar as well as a finale performance from America’s Got Talent Top
Twelve Finalist Branden James.
hairstyles as well as underwear and accessories provided by Cram
Fashions. You won’t want to miss this fun night on the town, plus you
can even have a chance to win some great raffle prizes. RSVP on our Facebook and invite your friends to join you!
Illinois WILL VOTE By Thursday on SB10 Marriage Equality Bill!
BREAKING NEWS! The CHICAGO TRIBUNE just said, “Illinois lawmakers return to the Capitol on Tuesday for the final
scheduled week of the fall session with a measure to legalize same-sex
marriage at the forefront and a vote to deal with the state’s massive
public pension debt unlikely to happen.
Instead, the yearslong debate over changing retirement benefits to
address a $100 billion shortfall may mean lawmakers head back to town in
a few weeks after number crunchers finish their work and if a proposal
can be agreed upon.
That delay shifts the
attention this week to the issue of gay marriage and the fate of a bill
the Senate passed in February that’s been stalled in the House ever
since……read more.
From GAY LIBERATION NETWORK…..With a vote by
Illinois’s House on the state’s equal marriage rights bill expected by this Thursday,
Nov. 7th,
regardless of the result, there will be a community response rally at
7 PM, Thursday at the corner of Halsted and Roscoe Streets in the heart of
Chicago’s LGBT entertainment district.
we win, we will celebrate our long-fought victory,” said Gay Liberation
Network spokesman Bob Schwartz, one of the organizers of the event. “We will also spread the message that
the fight for LGBTQ rights does not end with marriage equality in
Illinois. If we lose, we will not take
defeat passively. We will take note of those who stood in the way of our
achieving victory this week and promise payback for their failure to promote
equality.”
two weeks ago this bill was widely seen as dead in the water for this fall veto
session,” said GLN co-founder Andy Thayer.
“What changed? It was the people that forced this bill onto
the agenda for this Fall Veto session, not the politicians and insiders. It was the explicit threat of political
retribution to those in Springfield who stood in our way or only half-heartedly
supported equal rights. And make
no mistake, simply calling a vote will not be enough to calm our wrath. If the House Democratic caucus does not use
it’s super-majority to pass this bill, we will put the failure
right at their and House Speaker Mike Madigan’s doorstep.”
Revolucion Steak House TONIGHT! Day of the Dead Celebration
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Candi Cayne Midnight Cabaret at Taverna 750 November 9th
Join Taverna 750 and Nolet’s Gin on November 9th for a Midnight Cabaret Show with Candis Cayne benefiting the Gibbs Family Foundation.
Candis Cayne is one of the United States’ most popular and sought-after
transgender actresses being seen in shows like Dirty Sexy Money,
Nip/tuck, and Million Dollar Listing.. Candis first made a name for
herself at the famed NYC gay hot-spot “Boy Bar”, where her performances
drew rave reviews. A classically trained dancer, Candis has thrilled
audiences from coast-to-coast with her amazing gift for dance, choreography and glamour.
With Specials Guest Traver Rains, famed fashion designer, co-creator of the haute couture line Heatherette, and current owner of the T-Rains fashion line.
The Gibbs Family Foundation promotes healthy living and prevention
strategies for complex illnesses and rare diseases. The Gibbs Family
Foundation provides funding opportunities to organizations committed to
promoting health awareness, lifestyle modifications, and prevention
programs to improve health.
$10 Cover at the Door or reserve a private bottle service table with Timothy Rocklewitz at tim@taverna750.com for details.
Kit Kat Thanksgiving and Giving Back
Give
and Get This Thanksgiving at Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club
Discounted
Dinner and Drinks with Canned Good Donation
Wednesday, November 27 and Thursday, November 28
5:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
On
Thanksgiving Eve and Thanksgiving Day, Lakeview’s Kit Kat Lounge and
Supper
Club will extend a dining discount to those who donate a canned good or
nonperishable food item. The donations will benefit Vital Bridges’
annual “Harvest for
Hope” community food drive.
Guests
will receive a 50-percent discount off martinis and cocktails, as well
as a 33-percent discount
off their dinner tab with canned good donation. Consulting Chef JoAnn
Witherell has crafted a special Thanksgiving prix fixe menu that will be
offered in addition to Kit Kat’s regular dinner menu. The classic
Thanksgiving
feast (outlined below) includes a pumpkin pie martini, Kit Kat salad,
herb-marinated roasted turkey breast, traditional stuffing, mashed
potatoes, green
beans, cranberry and pineapple relish, and pumpkin pie tart for only $20
with
canned good donation ($40 without donation).
Diva Kinley Preston will entertain guests on
Thanksgiving Eve and Thanksgiving Day starting at 7:30 p.m. For table reservations, please call 773-525-1111.
Kit Kat’s Thanksgiving Prix Fixe Menu
available on 11/27 and 11/28
$20 per guest with canned good donation ($40 without donation)
Pumpkin Pie Martini
Kit Kat Salad
romaine and spinach blend with pears, dried cranberries and
spicy pecans, balsamic vinaigrette
Herb-marinated Roasted Turkey Breast
traditional stuffing, mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy, haricot verts,
cranberry and pineapple relish
Pumpkin Pie Tart with whipped cream
Vital
Bridges’ mission is to help people throughout
metropolitan Chicago impacted by HIV and AIDS to improve their health and build
self-sufficiency by providing food, nutrition, housing, case management and
prevention services www.vitalbridges.org
Kit
Kat Lounge and Supper Club
3700 N. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60613
773-525-1111
KitKatChicago.com
Crime Continues in Boystown and Lakeview
Ramsey Jay Prince Design Studio Has You Covered for Halloween
Stumped on what to be for this Halloween?
Chicago’s top interior designer and event planner, Ramsey Jay Prince has set up a permanent shop, J PRINCE STUDIO, on North Broadway, and has something for everyone.
The
boutique is a beautiful mélange of Prince’s trademark, luxurious style
with carefully selected one of a kind vintage and salvaged pieces with
seasonal couture items also for sale. This is the urban Fashionista’s
one stop shop for their home, fashions, and gifts.
Masquerade masks, Venetian Carnival masks. sparkles, custom swimsuits, and custom costumes made with stunning fabrics – it’s all here and Ramsey can help you create something special and one of kind. –
But get in soon, as the big gay holiday approaches, things are selling fast and his sewing schedule is getting booked up!
