Category Archives: Boystown
Windy City Sisters benefit April 26th 8pm
AFTER YOU DINE OUT FOR LIFE –
Check out –
Sister Axxx2! Back in Bad Habit
Thursday April 26!!
Join The Windy City Sister, Edge Alliance, and Hydrate Nightclub with Sister Axxx2!! Back in Bad Habit!
A benefit for Edge Alliance!!
After you dine for Dining out for Life, join us all back at Hydrate nightclub as the Windy City Sisters put a very unique show.
Doors open at 8
Hosted Bar 9-10
Showtime 10:30!!!
$10 suggested donation!!
Stay and dance with Resident
Dj Phil Da Beatz till 4 AM!!!!
3458 N. Halsted
When in Boystown Crazy Photo Tumblr Site
I found this crazy Tumblr site called
When in Boystown.
It was just started and the owner has already posted
3 pages of crazy animated images!
Warning – Many are politically incorrect!
But many of them are so true!
When in Boystown
Best Gay Chicago.com Turns 5 – Join us May 10th @ Roscoes
COME CELEBRATE!
as BEST GAY CHICAGO.com celebrates our
5th Year Anniversary! And You are Invited!
Thursday, May 10th 7 – 9 pm @ Roscoes 3356 N. Halsted
Hosted bar by Svedka Vodka
Private invite – You are invited but You MUST RSVP
by May 7th to get on the guestlist. SPACE IS LIMITED!
LIKE us and RSVP on Facebook
or send an email or call with your names to be on the list.
bestgaycities @ gmail.com 773-878-5323
Chicago’s Cyon Flare Benefit Monday April 23
RISE
Children RISE as we band together to lend a hand to one of our own!
After a recent home break-in, our Cyon Flare is in need of things that need to replaced.
We invite you to join us in our effort to help replace the essential tools which he needs to be functional again in order to work at home and continue his valued community outreach.
Suggested donation of $10 gets 1 drink ticket and door prize entry.
Uber-fabulous Bradley Thomas will be the emcee and you can expect
performances by RaShaan Houston and others to be announced and some
surprises!
Also, DJ FLX will be spinning beats to keep you movin’ and groovin’.
All of us who know him, recognize one of his many passions is to use
his gifts as a performer-ambassador to raise $$$ and consciousness to
fight the fear and stigma of HIV/AIDS . His amazing energy and spirit
has benefitted almost every social service agency/organization/
(EQ IL-TPAN-Vital Bridges-Mr. Friendly-AIDS Foundation of
Chicago-United in HIV-just to name a few) in our city. He is currently
working with the Center On Halsted as part of the OVAH (Our Voices
Advocating Health) program.
Robert Cyon Flare evolved through
the love of costumes and influential art from old style movies about Las
Vegas showgirls, Josephine Baker & celebrities like Liberace,
Sylvester, Boy George and RuPaul. He uses his talents to reach people
all over the word and remind them that music(particularly house) is a
healing balm that can lift the spirit. Let’s help him lift his!!!
Trust that you can make a difference no matter who you are or where you
go! So go to Sidetrack on 4/23…hope to see you there and spread the
word and share the love!!
Photo credit:Ace Ujimori
GLBT Travel Expo May 1 at Center on Halsted
GLBT TRAVEL EXPO! – May 1st – FREE Admission!
The 2012 Travel Expo Tour is an exciting event where
you can learn about new travel destinations, rediscover old ones, find
glbt friendly travel providers and get information to plan your next
vacation.
Airlines
Hotels
Trains
Cruise lines
Car Rentals
Resorts
Exotic Destinations
Convention & Visitors Bureaus
Travel Magazines
Attendees will be able to get the latest travel information, get
special travel packages and great deals from the very best travel
providers as well as win great prizes.
Tuesday – May 1, 2012 – Center on Halsted. 4-8pm.
FREE EVENT!
El Mariachi Special Dinner April 25th
Our friends at El Mariachi, 3906 N. Broadway Chicago IL. 60613
Have put together this wonderful evening, April 25th @ 7pm.
Experience a 4 course special dinner menu paired with
4 cocktails and full flight of tequila! For $39 per person!
This is event is ALMOST SOLD OUT.
The owners said they have about 10 seats left.
Call now to reserve a spot! 773-549-2932
FYI – their new restaurant,
Revolucion Mexican Steak House is moving along –
they hope for a late May opening date!
I have seen the inside and is going to be very, very nice!
Chicago Gay Play Weekend April 13-15
Gay Play Weekend at Center on Halsted
Features Enhanced Staged Readings of Four New Plays and One New Musical!
Pride Films and Plays announces that five finalists have been named in the 2012 Great Gay Play and Musical Contest, as PFP continues to explore “What’s New and Who’s Next” in LGBT film and theater. The finalists are:
- At The Flash, by Sean Chandler and David Leeper, Woodland Hills, CA
- Lost in History, by Adam Siegel, Maplewood, NJ
- Hello Norma Jeane, by Dylan Costello, London, UK
- Mr. Teddy, by George Smart, Quincy, MA
- Under A Rainbow Flag, a new musical, by Leo Schwartz, Chicago, IL
All five finalists will be performed as enhanced staged readings in the Gay Play Weekend April 13 to 15 at Center on Halsted, 3656 North Halsted. The readings use some stage movement, sound, and costuming to create the world of the plays.
“PFP fosters excellent writing for the stage and screen that speaks not only to the LGBT community, but is essential viewing for our friends, family, and co-workers,” says Executive Director David Zak. “And it is the range of these pieces that will make our Festival Weekend of staged readings extraordinary.”
“Hello Norma Jeane, a comedy about Marilyn Monroe, and Mr. Teddy, a very provocative look at a long-standing three-way role-playing relationship, are both so entertaining and thought-provoking. At The Flash is destined to be a classic solo tour-de-force performance piece illuminating 50 years of gay history, while Lost in History is a beautifully personal story about parents, aging, and much more. And our first musical to be named a finalist, Under A Rainbow Flag, is a charming real-life story of a WWII naval corpsman who still lives in Evanston, Illinois.”
Thanks to the support of Center on Halsted, Gay Play Weekend is April 13 to 15 with the following schedule:
- Friday, April 13, 7:30 – Lost in History, starring Artistic Ensemble Member Patrick Rybarczyk, and featuring Fred Tumas and Jerry Miller.
- Saturday, April 14, 4:30 – Mr. Teddy, starring Artistic Ensemble Members Jude Hansen and Mark Smaglinski, and featuring Kyra Morris, Teddy Boone, Mark Boergers, and Alex Wolking.
- Saturday, April 14, 7:30 – Hello Norma Jeane, starring Artistic Ensemble members Kris Hyland, Michelle McKenzie-Voigt, Chad Ryan, and Kelli Walker, and featuring Rachel Payne and David Geinosky.
- Sunday, April 15, 1:30 – At The Flash, starring Artistic Ensemble member Lee Wichman.
- Sunday, April 15, 4:30 – Under A Rainbow Flag, starring Artistic Ensemble Members Tom Chiola and Kris Hyland, and featuring Bobby Arnold, Jon Landvick, Meghan Murphy, Colin Sphar and Nick Stockwell. Robert Ollis is Musical Director.
Tickets for each reading are $10 at www.brownpapertickets.com.
For more information visit www.pridefilmsandplays.com.
EVENTAPHOBIA Returns to Hydrate Friday the 13th
visuwil takes bold leaps to rejuvenate the nightlife scene
with an artistic approach & through a creative artist perspective!
eventaphobia
2012 is an ongoing theme party production creatively based on a
specific phobias…and on addressing your personal fears. This
eventaphobia 2012 production is featuring Ornithophobia or the fear of birds.
To express and bring to life his phobia theme, he incorporates
extraordinary costumed local artists, extravagantly masked local models,
3D props, eye-popping decor, stimulating & sexy live music, and, of
course, your favorite flow of nightlife libations…all staged within a
selected venue or social environment.
Appealing to ALL of the human senses! Experience the incredible fun and
fear of EVENT-A-PHOBIA! featuring popular local & abroad DJs!!!
“visuwil creates Cirque for the Nightlife”
Everyone who misses amazing parties in Chicago, needs to come out and support this event.
“I really miss going out – when going out, meant GOING OUT! Not just for drinks. But for an evening of excitement. And entertainment! Remember Studio 54? Twilo? Roxy? Limelight? in New York? That was going out. Back in the day the themed monthly NITRO parties were really hot. Going out here in Chicago was special back then. But then people started staying in. Getting online. I am trying to bring them back out…. To something exciting that will knock their socks off!“
Come experience FRIDAY the 13th of APRIL in a sexy way…
…when visuwil creatively presents:
ORNITHOPHOBIA! the fear of birds!
Inspired by mostly by the thrilling movie classic…Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds (1963)… visuwil plans to truly unveil a massive flock of birds…beyond your wildest imagination!
–Over approx. 1000 art form birds will be presented!!
-The production will include elaborately feathered costumes…bird-like muscle men & bird-like women!
-Along with eye-popping décor; representing various species of birds with focus on the black crow/raven.
-This concept is guaranteed to be very sexy & whimsical!
The BIRDS ARE COMING!!!
featuring the incredible beats of DJ Phil DaBeatz and introducing the
sexy sexy SEXY sounds of Dj Dustin Sheridan…”birds of a feather flock together”.
Hydrate Nightclub & visuwil are very excited to have two of Chicago’s popular Djs one night only…under one roof…for this INCREDIBLE THEMED PRODUCTION!!!
“We seem to be lacking hope in everything socially…this includes the very establishments who bring us our fun.
Bars should still be our fun outlets…we should support our local artists, bars & clubs!
We’re NEVER too old to enjoy life.
I believe in ‘Clubbing with a cause’…the cause is to keep nightlife creative & ALIVE!!! It’s an investment for our community, for our entertainment, for our lives!” ~visuwil
FRIDAY April 13th – doors open 10pm
Hydrate 3458 North Halsted Street
*photo credit: visuwil & Chris Blaski Photography
visuwil Eventaphobia 2012
visuwil
creative concepts = innovative events “not just a party…an event” “entertainment & diversions” producing
events to enlighten the senses; for ALL to be entertained… supporting the arts, models, local businesses & nightlife.
Producer of the past long running monthly Nitro theme parties and
phobia visionary, Will Harrison aka visuwil of visuwil LLC.
is known for his creative, whimsical, and edgy theme settings.
Dale Levitski unviels Frog N Snail Today!
Chicago EATER ran photos of the interior of Dale Levitski’s (Top Chef Season 3) new restaurant on Broadway, with its natural woods and stone, custom-made wood back bar, exposed Edison pendants and more.
Frog N Snail will open Friday March 30th for lunch and dinner hours start April 4th.
3124 N. Broadway
Best Gay Chicago’s BEST Baseball Kick Off Events
Baseball Kickoff
for Equality is just one week from today!
Tuesday April 3rd –
Join EQIL at
Sluggers Sports Bar (3540 N. Clark Street) to celebrate Opening Day 2012. Enjoy cocktails,
light bites, and the chance to win door prizes! Baseball tix, anyone?
A $10 donation
includes 2 complimentary cocktails, light bites, and a drawing ticket.
Come meet some new friends and let’s celebrate the beginning of the 2012
baseball season! Get your tickets now for this fun event.
We look forward to seeing you on April 3 at Sluggers!
THEN …
Thursday April 5th!
CREW opens at 10:00 am of the Cubs home opener.
4804 N. Broadway
Stop by before the game for a complimentary breakfast and drink specials. Come back after to celebrate the Cubs win!
Fun starts at 10:00 am with drink specials and breakfast. (while it lasts!)
Game time is at 1:20
(I never understood those add starting times….does anyone know why?)
BENEFIT Tonight! For Bryan Christopher Shades at Hydrate Feb 29th
Last week, ANOTHER fire struck Boystown. This is third fire in recent months, leaving people displaced.
Bryan Christopher Shades and his boyfriend Nick Freimann barely escaped the fire. I am told they lost their cat.
Bryan is in the IC Unit at University of Chicago.
Bryan has 1st/2nd degree burns on 20% of his body, mostly on his back,
and has been in the hospital for the past week. He had 70+ staples put in his back. Nick is okay and
uninjured, but Bryan’s cat Buffy died of smoke inhalation. To add to this painful situation, Bryan does not have health insurance.
Please join us on Wednesday night, Feb. 29th. Hydrate has graciously volunteered
to host a benefit to help; all proceeds will go toward Bryan’s medical
bills.
Your $10 donation to Bryan’s medical fund includes a Hosted Bar 9:00p-10:30p.
Raffle Prizes
50/50 Raffle
UPDATE 11:30 am 2-29-2012
Bryan sent us this note –
I was just released into my families care.
I guess at this point, they
say nothing else can be done for the 1st degree burns.
I have a
“bioBrain” on my back and they said, there is little more then can do
then wait for it to heal and peel off.
All I can do at this point is get
plenty of bed rest and wait for my body heal itself. I’m at my mothers in the
burbs now.
Ugh, I hope I feel better soon. I miss my life.
Bryan
Revolucion Mexican SteakHouse Comes to Lakeview
The owners of El Mariachi restaurants, both on Broadway in Lake View, are busy working on a
Mexican steak house—on Broadway, naturally— for this spring. The 120-seater
will serve classic prime steaks such as New York strip, rib eye, and
filet mignon with Mexican sides and margaritas as well as guacamole and
seviches, and will be called Revolución Steak House (3443 N. Broadway;
no phone yet). The liquor license is in place and they plan to be late Spring!
Boystown Mystery Series Continues with Book 4
Are you familiar with the Boystown Mystery Series of books, which takes place in Chicago during the early 1980s?
Marshall Thornton is an award-winning novelist, playwright
and screenwriter living in Long Beach, California. But he spent a number of years, living in Chicago. He is best known for the Boystown
detective series, which recently received an honorable mention in the 2011
Rainbow Awards. Book 4, A Time For Secrets, will come out in just a couple weeks.
In the first full-length novel of the Boystown series, A Time For Secrets, it’s late
summer 1982 and private detective Nick Nowak is asked to find a retired
gentleman’s long lost lover.
Instead, he finds himself embroiled in a decades old murder connected
to the man who wants to be Chicago’s next mayor. Meanwhile, an
ambitious young reporter develops a friendship with Nick’s lover Bert,
making Nick wonder exactly what where their relationship may be heading.
The previous titles –
Boystown: Three Nick Nowak Mysteries
A former police officer turned private investigator, Nick Nowak is
haunted by his abrupt departure from the department, as well as the
traumatic end of his relationship with librarian Daniel Laverty. In
these three stories set in Chicago during the early eighties, Nick
locates a missing young man for a mysterious client, solves a case of
arson at a popular nightspot, and goes undercover to prove a dramatic
suicide was actually murder.
When he isn’t detecting, and sometimes when
he is, Nick moves through a series of casual relationships. But his
long suppressed romantic side surfaces when he meets Detective Bert
Harker. Will he give love another chance? Or, will he continue to bury
himself in the arms of strangers? Stories include Little Boy Found,
Little Boy Burned, and Little Boy Fallen.
Boystown 2: Three More Nick Nowak Mysteries
In the second Boystown collection, Chicago private investigator Nick
Nowak finds himself involved with a young man who murdered his
stepfather but refuses to assist in his own defense. He’s hired to find
the murderer of a dead porno star, and, in a case that traps him between
the two men he loves, searching for a serial killer’s only living
victim. Set in the second half of 1981, Nick’s stories see him juggling
his deepening relationship with Detective Bert Harker against the return
of his ex, Daniel Laverty. Which man will he choose? And will he be
able to make any sort of choice at all? Stories include Little Boy
Silent, Little Boy Blond and Little Boy Loved.
Boystown 3: Two Nick Nowak Novellas
Private Investigator Nick Nowak is back in two novella length mysteries
set in Chicago during the early 1980s. In Little Boy Boom, Nick’s car
explodes when a thief attempts to steal it. Realizing the bomb was meant
for him, Nick sets out to discover who wants him dead only to find that
the list of possible suspects is longer than he’d like. When he begins
to run out of suspects he wonders if the bomb was truly meant for him.
In Little Boy Tenor, Nick is asked to find the murderer of a church
choir’s star tenor, while at the same time his friend Ross asks him to
find out the truth behind his lover, Earl Silver’s mysterious death. As
he juggles the two cases, he becomes increasingly disturbed by what he
learns.
Check out Marshalls blog too!
Cardinal Francis George compared Gay Pride Parade to the Ku Klux Klan
Cardinal Francis George compared next year’s Gay Pride Parade to the Ku Klux Klan! (Appearing on Fox’s Chicago station).
“You don’t want the gay liberation movement to morph into something
like the Ku Klux Klan, demonstrating in the streets against
Catholicism,” Cardinal George said.
“That’s a little strong analogy, Ku Klux Klan,” Fox Chicago’s Dane Placko noted.
“It is,” Cardinal George agreed. “But you take a look at the
rhetoric, the rhetoric of the Ku Klux Klan, the rhetoric of some of the
gay liberation people. Who is the enemy? The Catholic Church.”
State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D) on Wednesday called on Cardinal George to apologize.
The CCWC coordinators, already imagining a New Years/Epiphany ad in the
Windy City Times, are exploring options for a paid ad which will in
some way be a counter message to George. Watch for it in this week’s
WCT. And, watch Facebook and listserv traffic for further updates
including a press release which you might consider tailoring and using
yourselves.
You may call the Cardinal’s office (312-534-8230) and demand an apology for this offensive and hurtful statement.
Christmas Day and New Years Eve at Kit Kat Lounge
Looking for something to
do Christmas Day?
or Christmas evening??
Look no further!
Christmas Day Jingle Bell Brunch!
With live entertainment by Madam X.
At KIT KAT LOUNGE.
With half-price Martinis!
Then Christmas Evening, get 50% off your entire bill – if you bring a canned good donation
for VITAL BRIDGES.
5:30pm-2am
NEW YEARS EVE Kit Kat will offer 2 seatings at 7pm and 10pm
Four course dinner , Traci Ross and more! Get your reservations now!
PH 773.525.1111
KIT KAT
3700 N. Halsted, Chicago, IL
Boystown Landmark COCKTAIL to re-open Jan. 6th
STOP THE GOSSIP AND THE RUMORS, OK?
Cocktail DID NOT go out of business
Their landlord DID NOT take possession of the bar
They WERE NOT busted for drugs or any other violations
They WILL re-open Jan. 6th!
JACKIE BEAT Brings NUTCRACKER to Chicago Dec. 9
Drag superstar JACKIE BEAT
has been
entertaining audiences across the U.S. and in Europe for over two
decades with her razor-sharp comedy and hysterical song parodies.
Jackie not only warps hits by Britney Spears, Madonna, Mary J. Blige,
Christina Aguilera, Cher, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Mariah Carey and many
others, but she flawlessly sings her twisted new versions LIVE — hitting
every last note.
Her hilarious music videos on YouTube
are huge hits that have been seen by millions of people. Her one-woman
show “Jackie Beat Is A Whole Lotta’ Love” ran a record 18 months at
NYC’s premiere cabaret, Fez, and she returns to The Big Apple every year
with her award-winning, standing-room-only holiday show.
FRIDAY DEC. 9th
ONE NIGHT ONLY
Jackie brings her outrageous NUTCRACKER to Chicago
@ Hydrate, 8pm.
THIS IS A MUST SEE SHOW!!!
She is one of the Fashion Police in US Magazine. She says, ” It’s always big fun to make fun of people who are younger, thinner and more successful than I am!”
Jackie’s stand-up has been featured in
comedy clubs across the country and on Comedy Central, VH-1 and MTV.
She was a staff writer for the WB comedy series “Hype!”, has written for
the Sci Fi Channel and was one of US Magazine’s Fashion Police top
cops. Her scathing song parodies have been featured on America’s Top
Forty with Ryan Seacrest, The Howard Stern Show, Much Music TV, Yo on E!
and PerezHilton.com.
She has appeared on many TV shows such
as “Sex and the City” and in several movies including “Flawless” with
Robert DeNiro, the MEGA festival hit WIGSTOCK
(with LADY BUNNY and RuPaul) and the camp cult
horror favorite “Gingerdead Man 3: Saturday Night Cleaver.”
Jackie has toured with Roseanne Barr as her opening act (including a
7 week run at the New York New York in Las Vegas!), enjoys a sold-out
8-week run in Provincetown every summer, and is lead singer of the
popular electro-rock band DIRTY SANCHEZ .
When asked if Roseanne is Nice? or a Bitch? Jackie jokes, “She’s a real nice bitch!”
Show-stopping, jaw-dropping numbers — of music
and comedy — Jackie Beat is your “girl”!
WORD OF WARNING! If you are lucky enough to meet her, DO NOT KISS HER! “It takes me over 2 hours to put this face on. Do you know that kissing a drag queen is TABOO?! I kindly ask people, Would you go to the Louvre and kiss The Mona Lisa? Well, I took almost as long to paint, as she did!“
Air kisses darling, air kisses!
Miss Jackie Beat
Jackie Beat on Facebook
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9 @ 8:00 PM
Hydrate: 3458 North Halsted Street, Chicago IL 60657
VIP tix are only $30 which includes seating in the first three rows and a complimentary cocktail!
General Admission tix are $20!
Doors open @ 7:00PM, showtime @ 8:00PM!
Tickets or more info: Hydratechicago.com
DEC. 12th Benefit at HYDRATE
Originally from Detroit, the flamboyant Cyon Flare (facebook, twitter) is creator, promoter and host of United House, the Monday night residency at Hydrate that aims to bring House Music back in Chicago’s Boystown. He’s also a vocalist that’s recorded tracks with DJ Dealer, Georgie Porgie and Edson Pride. His fabulous personality brings light into every community, crossing every boundary.
“The vision is simple. It’s in the title: “United House, A Night of Unity
in House Music”. The bigger vision is to see more people – black,
white, latino (no matter the race), straight, gay, bisexual,
transgender, lesbian, all those that love House Music – come together.
And if you don’t love House Music, come to United House and experience
the energy in the room and I think you’ll change your mind!” (Read a great interview with CYON online).
Legendary LINDA CLIFFORD will also perform!
Shop Local Chicago This Holiday Season
SHOP LOCAL is this theme this holiday season, all over the US.
Independent businesses are the breadth of our community.
It is important to understand the impact on where you spend your money and how it affects
the community it which you live, work or visit.
The Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce
has partnered with several business organizations along with Local First Chicago to help
build awareness to the independent businesses.
Start saving your receipts!
