Category Archives: Cabaret
Cirque du Soleil LUZIA in Chicago
Discover LUZIA, where a waking dream transports you to an imaginary Mexico.
Experience a wondrous world that inspires you to explore your senses, enveloped in light and nurtured by rain.
AWESOME MUSIC, of course! Inspired by the cultural richness of Mexico, Cirque du Soleil’s production LUZIA features original music written by Canadian composer Simon Carpentier. The LUZIA album takes Carpentier’s original music written for a live acoustic setting and passes it through the filter of the electro-pop of Nortec Collective’s Bostich + Fussible, infused with brassy Mexican and Latin American sounds.
WATCH NOW
In Chicago this summer July 21st – September 3rd, 2017.
BUY TICKETS NOW
Get a Gaggle of Gays to come! 12 + tickets.
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Paul Taylor Dance May 13
Moraine Valley to host Paul Taylor dance documentary AND performance
Dance enthusiasts are invited to Moraine Valley Community College for a documentary and a performance, both featuring Paul Taylor, a modern dance artist who is among the most acclaimed choreographers in American history.
The documentary, entitled “Paul Taylor: Creative Domain,” will be shown Tuesday, May 9, at 6 p.m., in the Dorothy Menker Theater in the Fine and Performing Arts Center, 9000 W. College Pkwy., Palos Hills. The 82-minute presentation is free and open to the public, and is made possible in part with funding from Arts Midwest. “Creative Domain” is a rare, in-depth documentation through the lens of award-winning cinematographer Tom Hurwitz of how Taylor creates a single dance. It is directed by Kate Geis and produced by Robert Aberlin.
The Paul Taylor Dance Company will perform Saturday, May 13, at 7:30 p.m., in the Dorothy Menker Theater. The show features dances that show cogent observations on life’s complexities and society’s thorniest issues. A virtuoso dancer himself for 20 years, Taylor turned exclusively to choreography in 1974.
Tickets for the May 13 performance are $30; $25 for students and senior citizens and are available online at morainevalley.edu/fpac or at the Box Office, located in Building F. For more information, call the Box Office at (708) 974-5500.
Lady Bunny Chicago April 1
SHE IS COMING BACK CHICAGO!
This ain’t no April Fools… The legendary LADY BUNNY will be performing her hilarious one-woman show “Trans-Jester” in Mary’s Attic on April 1. This is a one-night-only performance that you won’t want to miss! – Her new show and material are great! We saw her in New York in December!~
Although Miss Bunny needs no introduction, here’s a little blurb from her website…
“With her glitzy outfits, sky-high wigs and false eyelashes long enough to embarrass Tammy Faye Baker, multi-talented drag artist Lady Bunny would turn heads even if looking glamorous was her only talent. But “she” isn’t just another man in a dress: Bunny is a successful comedienne, DJ, actress, singer/songwriter and most famously, the emcee and creator of Wigstock, the outrageous drag festival of drag and music which electrified New Yorkers every Labor Day for over 20 years.”
Tickets go on sale NOW…
VIP Tickets $45 – VIP ticket holders will be allowed in up to a half hour before general admission (starting at 7pm), so you can scope out the best seats! Also includes your first drink AND a meet & greet photo op with Miss Bunny after the show!! Only 40 VIP tickets will be sold!
General Admission $25 – General admission will start at 7:30. Seating is first-come-first-serve, then it’s standing room only toward the back (but that’s ok cuz it’s closer to the bar, Honey!)
GO TO FACEBOOK FOR THE TICKET LINK and tell all of your friends!!
#LadyBunny
#HamburgerMarys
#GayChicago
Super Bowl Sunday Lady Gaga Brunch
Lady Gaga Brunch on Super Bowl Sunday at Kit Kat Lounge
Madam X Performs Live, Halftime Show Viewing Party
Sunday, February 5
Brunch, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dinner and Lounge, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club will host a Lady Gaga themed brunch in celebration of her halftime performance at this year’s Super Bowl. On Sunday, February 5,
Diva Madam X will perform
as Lady Gaga intermittently from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kit Kat’s mixologists will shake up Lady Gaga martinis ($7, all day) made with Stoli, Hpnotiq and pineapple juice, garnished with a glow stick.
Guests may enjoy Chef JoAnn Witherell’s brunch menu, featuring chicken and waffles, Rice Krispie french toast, crab cake benedict, chilaquiles and more. With the purchase of any brunch entree, a cocktail package (bloody marys; mimosas; sangria; bellinis) can be added for $14.95 per person.
The complete brunch menu may be viewed here.
Following brunch service, Kit Kat will show the Super Bowl halftime performance concert live on seven, state-of-the-art jumbo screens. Sunday’s specials include $7 Stoli martinis and a 33-percent discount off small plates (shrimp tacos; chicken satay; crab cakes; calamari; bacon wrapped dates; Japanese meatballs; bacon mac and cheese; sriracha glazed tempura shrimp).
For table reservations, please call Kit Kat at 773-525-1111.
Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club
3700 N. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60657
773.525.1111
Charles Busch in Chicago Jan 29 & 30
Gay Chicago!
Off Broadway!
GOING……GOING……Tickets Almost Gone!!
Pride Arts Center presents Charles Busch; That Girl, That Boy in The Broadway in the Pride Arts Center for two nights only on January 29 and 30, 2017.
This is the first time this theatrical legend will play his solo show in Chicago. And this is the first of what will be quarterly Pride Arts Center Presents events featuring prominent performers from the world of theater, music, film and more in the newly opened Pride Arts Center.
“My theatrical career began in Chicago. It was the place where I found myself as a writer/ performer, the first audiences that encouraged me and made me feel as though I wasn’t delusional in believing that there might be a place for me in the theatre.” says Charles.
“I’m so grateful to David Zak and Pride Films and Plays for this opportunity to perform once again in the theatre community that gave a vulnerable young person a boost up over the wall.”
Charles Busch, two-time MAC Award winner, Tony nominee, and drag legend, brings an eclectic program of songs both contemporary and from the past. New York Times critic Stephen Holden wrote, “He has the gift of comic gab like few other entertainers. Innately funny, endearing and acutely intelligent, he also has claws. For an audience, the possibility of being scratched, although remote, lends his humor a bracing edge.” Accompanied by his dashing longtime musical director, Tom Judson, Charles combines hilarious personal reminiscence, character sketches and superb storytelling through song into one glittering and glamorous evening in cabaret.
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Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Gay Chicago!
Off Broadway!
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
opened in Chicago this week at the new space of Pride Films and Plays, 4139 North Broadway @ Buena.
(L-R: Averis I. Anderson, Matthew Huston, Maiko Terazawa, Parker Guidry, John Cardone, Honey West, Luke Meierdiercks, Jordan Phelps, Aaron C. Reynolds, Roy Samra, Erin Renee Baumrucker , Britt-Marie Sivertsen. All photos by Paul Goyette)
This Musical is such a fun, heartwarming, uplifting show – and it is executed so well by this excellent ensemble! It’s truly a MUST SEE SHOW. It is so wonderful to be able to see such a great production in an intimate theatre space!
It follows the adventure of three friends, Tick, Bernadette and Adam, a glamorous Sydney-based performing trio who agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback. They hop aboard a battered old bus (nicknamed Priscilla) searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they ever could have ever dreamed of.
With a dazzling array of John Nasca costumes and a hit parade of dance floor favorites including “It’s Raining Men,” “I Will Survive,” Hot Stuff,” “Go West,” “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” and “I Love the Nightlife,” this wildly funny and touching musical is a journey to the heart of FABULOUS!
Based on the smash-hit movie of the same name, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert enjoyed a 16-month run on Broadway.
Honey West, Jordan Phelps, and Luke Meierdiercks lead a cast of 16 all-stars, and Music Director Robert Ollis will lead a band of 5! David Zak and Derek Van Barham co-direct, with choreography by Jon Martinez.
(Miss Understanding & the boys Top: Aaron C. Reynolds, Middle Row: John Cardone, Roy Samra, Bottom Row: Parker Guidry, Averis I. Anderson, Matthew Huston. All photos by Paul Goyette)
TICKETS-Regular performances are on Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 7:30
and Sunday at 3:30 to February 12. There are Wednesday performances on February 1 and 8.
10% of seats are $10 access tickets for actors, students artists, seniors and others who cannot afford the general admission price. Once the show has opened, reserved center seat tickets are $40 and site seat general admission tickets are $30.
New Years Eve New Years Day EATS
New Year’s Eve and New Years Day! at Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club
Glitz and Glam Gala Starring Diva Dulce Andrews
Saturday, December 31, Dinner Seatings at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Cocktail Party Package 11:30 p.m.-2 a.m.
Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club will hold their annual “Glitz and Glam Gala” on New Year’s Eve. The fabulous affair features a four course prix fixe menu, martinis, champagne and live entertainment by Diva Dulce Andrews.
Chef JoAnn Witherell’s modern American supper club menu offers the choice of starter, salad, entree and dessert. The menu, outlined below, includes two martinis, champagne toast and party favors with seatings at 7 p.m. ($65 per person) and 10 p.m. ($85 per person).
In addition, Kit Kat will offer a late-night bar package from 11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., which features unlimited martinis, cocktails, wine, beer and party favors ($45 advance/$50 at the door).
PLUS – New years day BRUNCH and Dinner –
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EL MARIACHI TEQUILA BAR& GRILL or REVOLUCION STEAKHOUSE
New Year’s Eve Celebration!
December 31th, 2016 | Chicago
Celebrate the New Year at Revolucion Steakhouse or El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill and partake in a mouth watering 3 course prix fixe menu ($40) with your family and friends.
New Year’s Day Hangover Brunch!
January 1st, 2017 | Chicago
On New Year’s Day join us for a Hangover Brunch done with a Mexican Twist! $24 for bottomless mimosas and it also includes an entree from our brunch Menu!
We hope to see you soon Amigos!
Priscilla Queen of the Desert in January
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Chicago’s Angelique Munro Seeks Your Support
I think it’s a hard thing to do for most of us, to ask anyone for money or help. Requesting assistance from colleagues or friends, whether it be for a work assignment or to help when times are down for us, is something many people have trouble doing.
Trans activist and entertainment professional Angelique Munro has been a pillar in the Chicago community for many years now. And she is THIS CLOSE to having GRS ( Gender Reassignment Surgery). But she could use our help and support.
After talking with a Healthcare Advisor from Howard Brown Health Center and they contacted her insurance agency they will consider her GRS and she will be responsible for only $6000. She has already raised $3,000 of that.
Tis the season of giving and sharing ….please read her story and consider a contribution here.
Christmas at KIT KAT Lounge
Divas, Dinner, Drinks and Donations this December
Friday, December 23 – Sunday, December 25
5:30 p.m.-2 a.m.
Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club will host three days of festive holiday celebrations, from Friday, December 23 to Sunday, December 25. As a nod to the giving spirit of the season, guests will receive a 50-percent discount off martinis, cocktails and Kit Kat’s Christmas prix fixe menu in exchange for canned good donations. The non-perishable food donations will benefit Heartland Health Outreach, an organization that provides care to more than 12,000 needy individuals in the Chicago metropolitan area each year.
Chef JoAnn Witherell’s Christmas prix fix
Kit Kat‘s regular dinner menu will also be available and guests will receive 33-percent off their dinner bill with canned good donations.
Divas Tracy Ross (12/23 and 12/24) and Mokha Montrese (12/25) will perform live starting at 7:30 p.m. For table reservations, please call 773-525-1111.
Kit Kat’s Christmas Prix Fixe Menu
Available on December 23, 24 and 25
$25 per guest with canned good donation
Holiday Martini
choice of: Frosty’s Going Down; Eggnog; Fire Apple Cider; Pumpkin Pie; Banana Nut Bread; Candy Cane
Kit Kat Salad
romaine and spinach blend with pears, dried cranberries and spicy pecans, balsamic vinaigrette
Herb-Marinated Roasted Turkey Breast
served with stuffing, mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy, haricot verts, cranberry and pineapple relish
Pumpkin Pie Tart
topped with whipped cream
Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club
3700 N. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60613
773-525-1111
KitKatChicago.com
Charles Busch in Chicago!
Pride Arts Center presents Charles Busch; That Girl, That Boy in The Broadway in the Pride Arts Center for two nights only on January 29 and 30, 2017.
This is the first time this theatrical legend will play his solo show in Chicago. And this is the first of what will be quarterly Pride Arts Center Presents events featuring prominent performers from the world of theater, music, film and more in the newly opened Pride Arts Center.
Charles Busch, two-time MAC Award winner, Tony nominee, and drag legend, brings an eclectic program of songs both contemporary and from the past. New York Times critic Stephen Holden wrote, “He has the gift of comic gab like few other entertainers. Innately funny, endearing and acutely intelligent, he also has claws. For an audience, the possibility of being scratched, although remote, lends his humor a bracing edge.” Accompanied by his dashing longtime musical director, Tom Judson, Charles combines hilarious personal reminiscence, character sketches and superb storytelling through song into one glittering and glamorous evening in cabaret.
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FINDING NEVERLAND Brunch Nov 20
Finding Neverland Brunch at
Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club
Enjoy Live Diva Performances, Theater Ticket Giveaway and More
Sunday, November 20 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sprinkle the pixie dust, it’s time for another fun, themed brunch at Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club! On Sunday, November 20, the Lakeview-located restaurant will host a Finding Neverland midday soiree in celebration of the newest Broadway in Chicago hit musical. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Diva Madam X will perform live as Kit Kat’s mixologists shake up $7 Stoli vodka martinis (offered 11 a.m.-2 a.m.).
Guests may enjoy Chef JoAnn Witherell’s brunch menu, featuring chicken and waffles, Rice Krispie french toast, crab cake Benedict, chilaquiles and more. With the purchase of any brunch entree, a cocktail package (bloody marys; mimosas; sangria; bellinis) can be added for $14.95 per person. The complete brunch menu may be viewed here.
Raffles will be held throughout the day, with five lucky participants winning a pair of tickets to see Finding Neverland at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. For table reservations, contact Kit Kat at 773-525-1111.
Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club
3700 N. Halsted Street
773.525.1111
Well Strung Chicagoland Christmas Concert Dec 10
LOVE THESE GUYS!!!!
A Well-Strung Christmas
Musical arrangements by Well-Strung
Tickets: $30 General Public/$25 Students, Seniors, Staff
BUY TICKETS
Starring Edmund Bagnell, Christopher Marchant, Daniel Shevlin and Trevor Wadleigh
Produced by Mark Cortale & Directed by Richard Jay-Alexander
The all-male string quartet Well-Strung has been receiving rave reviews all over the world, from the House of Blues in New Orleans to the Leicester Square Theatre in London. A Well-Strung Christmas includes the most beautiful and traditional melodies, such as Silent Night to irreverent “newly observed” versions of things like I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus and the famous Sleighride, to George Michael’s This Christmas… and everything in between. There will be opportunities for the audience to participate and walk away from the evening’s holiday celebration with some special moments they will remember and keep close to their hearts. You might even see a little snow!
“Each member of Well-Strung sings and plays with effervescing warmth, making the holidays that much brighter.”
– Broadway World
Halloween Brunch at KIT KAT LOUNGE
American Idol’s Rayvon Owen Nov. 7th
AMERICAN IDOL’s RAYVON OWEN joins the cast of
Simply Sensational – Pride Films and Plays’ Annual Fall Benefit November 7 at Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway
The entertainment line-up for PFP’s Simply Sensational Benefit gets more and more sensational each day, with American Idol’s Rayvon Owen joining in. Other performers include Nancy Hays, Honey West, Kevin Webb, Michelle McKenzie Voigt, and others from the Pride Films and Plays Company and cast of the upcoming musical Priscilla: Queen of the Desert. Music Director for the evening is PFP’s Jeff Award-winning Robert Ollis.
Simply Sensational is Monday, November 7. Mr. Owen entertains during the pre-show reception downstairs in the private room from 6 to 7 pm. The regular program will continue at 7:15 pm, and again feature Rayvon along with the other performers, with Broadway’s Capathia Jenkins headlining. The program will celebrate the greatest songs written for women in the Broadway canon, performed by the best women – and men – in Chicago’s musical theater scene.
Capathia Jenkins was featured in the record setting NBC LIVE telecast of The Wiz. On Broadway she has appeared in Newsies, Martin Short-Fame Becomes Me, Caroline, or Change, The Look of Love, The Civil War. Off-Broadway she was seen in Nora Ephron’s Love, Loss and What I Wore, (mis)Understanding Mammy-The Hattie McDaniel Story, (Drama Desk Nomination) Caroline, or Change and Godspell.
She has appeared in 30 Rock, The Sopranos, Law & Order and much more. She also has performed with many symphony orchestras around the world, including the Cincinnati Pops and the Hong Kong Philharmonic.” www.
For as long as he can remember, pop/soul singer, Rayvon Owen has dreamed of a life dedicated to music. Born to be on stage, the Richmond, VA., native began his music career at a very young age – singing in choirs, touring with gospel musicians and performing in local musicals. By the age of 18, he relocated to Nashville, TN., to study Commercial Music at Belmont University. Shortly after graduation, Rayvon made his way from Nashville to Los Angeles, CA., where he continued to write and craft his sound. In 2014, he released his debut EP, Cycles, which includes the hit single “Sweatshirt.” In the past year, Rayvon took his talent on the road – performing at over 60 colleges across the United States.
Honey West’s Chicago credits include Dirty Dreams of a Clean Cut Kid, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, Diva Diaries, Jerry’s Girls and Tony and Tony’s Wedding. She won BroadwayWorld.com Award for Pussy on the House and will soon be seen in PFP’s Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
Kevin Webb is a Jeff nominated company member with Pride Films and Plays and was most recently seen in their productions of Bite and Design for Living. He has worked with Court, Porchlight, BoHo, Trap Door, Sideshow and many other Chicago area theatre companies.
Cabaret singer Nancy Hays has opened for celebrities including Tommy Tune, George Burns and many others. Nancy was also recently seen in critically acclaimed performances as Mame at Light Opera Works and Judy Garland in Pride Films and Plays’ Boy from Oz and Judy and Liza–Once in a Lifetime– the Palladium Concert, A Tribute.
Simply Sensational features musical direction by Robert Ollis, and is directed by David Zak.
The evening benefits the programming of Pride Films and Plays, and the renovation of the Pride Arts Center in January 2017.
LISTING INFORMATION
Simply Sensational
Pride Films and Plays’ Annual Fall Benefit Monday, November 7
VIP Reception begins at 6 pm,
Program begins at 7:15 pm with dessert reception following.
Uptown Underground 4707 N. Broadway
VIP Tickets $150.00 (includes pre-show VIP reception)
General Admission $75.00 (includes program and post-show dessert reception)
For tickets call 1 800 737 0984 or purchase on line at www.pridefilmsandplays.com.
TONY & TINA’S WEDDING RETURNS
IT’S BACK! Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding returns to Chicago! Even Funnier than the first time!
Presented by the original New York producers, in conjunction with Chicago Theater Works, one of Chicago’s longest running, smash hit shows, Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, returned to the Windy City last week and will run through December 30 only!
Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding played an incredible 16 years in Chicago, and, during that time, entertained more than one million audience members of all ages. Presenting a hilarious, full wedding experience from the I do’s to the buffet to the bouquet toss, Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding will take place, for the first time in Chicago, at a real church – another nod to the fully immersive nature of the original Off-Broadway smash hit.
Guests will begin with the ceremony at Resurrection Church, 3309 North Seminary Ave., and afterwards, walk over with the cast for a meal and reception immediately following just one block away at Vinnie Black’s Coliseum (Chicago Theater Works), 1113 W. Belmont Ave., right in the heart of the Belmont Theatre District.
Considered one of the hottest tickets in town and an excellent theatre/dinner ticket value, Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding is an all-inclusive night of entertainment presented with the 1980’s throwback feel of the original NYC production.
You laugh, you eat, you drink (cash bar) and you dance! While it’s certainly not required, guests are encouraged to attend in their finest 1980’s regalia as they speak now or forever hold their peace, toast to the happy couple at dinner and cut a rug to 80’s style hits.
Directed by Paul Stroili, a cast member in the original Chicago production, Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding is a hilariously interactive production that is guaranteed to make guests feel like they are truly friends and family of the bride and groom.
From the wedding ceremony to the high-energy reception, complete with an Italian-style meal, champagne toast and wedding cake, guests will have the opportunity to celebrate alongside this larger-than-life couple and the large cast of 23 of Tony n’ Tina’s closest family and friends.
“We are so thrilled to be back in Chicago. Our unique show is a two part event in two different venues that pulls out all of the wedding stops,” said original New York Producer Joe Corcoran. “Familiar and new audiences are going to absolutely love the nostalgia in the awesome full experience that is our show, interacting with more than 20 fun and very familiar characters throughout the entire wedding celebration.”
Hailed as “Audaciously imaginative!” by The New York Times, proclaimed “It’s a Hit!” by People Magazine, and said to be “Just like a real wedding … only funnier!” by the Chicago Tribune, Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding has won over the hearts of fans in more than 150 cities worldwide. Now, a new generation of theatre goers and fun lovers get to experience this national treasure.
Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding stars Mitchell Conti as “Anthony Angelo Nunzio Jr (Tony),” Hannah Aaron Brown as “Valentina Lynne Vitale (Tina),” Rob Johnson as “Barry Wheeler,” Luciana Bonifazi as “Connie Macogni,” Rory Jason Zacher as “Dominick Fabrizzi,” Robin M. Bousel as “Donna Marsala,” Nik Kmiecik as “Johnny Nunzio,” Jessica Rzucidlo as “Marina Gulino,” Ryan Milord as “Joey Vitale,” Alisha Fabbi as “Sister Albert Maria aka Terry Vitale,” Tommy Taylor as “Tony Nunzio, Sr.,” Jessica Scott as “Madeline Monroe,” Billy Minshall as “Father Mark,” Matt Bausone as “Michael Just,” Eustace Allen as “Sal Antonucci,” Brian Noonan as “Vinnie Black,” Dominic Rescigno as “Rick Demarco,” Micah Spayer as “Donny Dulce,” Mary McHale as “Josephina Vitale,” Susan Gaspar as “Aunt Rose,” Marssie Mencotti as “Grandma Nunzio,” Jan Godshaw as “Loretta Black,” Ben Schlotfet as “Mikey Black,” and Serena Pomerantz as “Nikki Black.”
Tickets for Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding are $75 for the two-part event, which includes the ceremony and reception, featuring an Italian-style buffet dinner, dancing to 80’s hits and a champagne toast. Tickets for premium seating closest to the stage and dance floor are $85. Show times vary on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Discounts are available for groups of 16 or more by visiting GroupTix.net or by calling 773.327.3778. Seating is limited so make your plans now. For more information or to purchase tickets visit http://tonylovestina.com/.
Todrick Hall August 7th
Todrick Hall is a self-proclaimed queer, American singer, actor, dancer, director, choreographer, and wildly famous YouTuber!
He auditioned for the ninth season of American Idol, where he made it to the semi-finals. Since then, Hall has been performing on Broadway and YouTube.
As of January 31, 2016, Hall has exceeded 2 million subscribers on his YouTube channel. Videos on his channel have been played over 270 MILLION TIMES!
Videos of note include a flash mob thrown for Ariana Grande, a reinvention of the Wizard of Oz starring Pentatonix which was directed by and also stars Hall, and a Beyoncé themed flash mob performed in the middle of an actual Target store, which has garnered over 14 million views as of January 31, 2016, and which Beyoncé personally, publicly congratulated Hall on.
Todrick’s current North American Tour titled “Straight Outta Oz” is in full swing!
” Straight Outta Oz,” follows the triple threat performer as he embarks on his most ambitious tour yet: a full-length musical with original score by Hall, inspired by The Wizard of Oz.
The tour kicked off last week in Vancouver, and will continue through August. He’ll make a stop in Chicago at Thalia Hall, Sunday August 7th, 2016. GET TICKETS HERE – BEFORE THEY ARE GONE.
Awesomeness Films announced the start of production on their behind the scenes film following Todrick Hall’s upcoming tour and will be filming in Chicago at Thalia Hall!
Directed by Katherine Wright (Call Me Kuchu), the film will go behind-the-scenes as Todrick mounts the musical, which tells the story of his life growing up in small-town Texas, his struggle to come to Hollywood and eventually succeed.
Check out the video style album STRAIGHT OUTTA OZ here!
Get it on iTunes Here.
Then Todrick returns to Chicago Spetember 10th, for the 5th Annual OUT IN THE PARK event at Six Flags Great America! There will be a meet and greet with fans before the gates open at 7:30. Then Todrick will kick off the evening at 8pm with a couple live numbers! www.CelebrateDiversityChicago.com
EDIE in Chicago August 18
DIRECT FROM HER 4000TH SHOW
ON THE LAS VEGAS STRIP
DRAG SENSATION EDIE!
ONE NIGHT ONLY!
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18th
@ DAVENPORTS PIANO BAR & CABARET
On a break from her ten-show-per-week schedule as the emcee of one of Las Vegas’ hottest shows, drag sensation EDIE brings her solo show to Davenports for one night only!
EDIE just celebrated her 4000th show as the Mistress of Sensuality in Cirque du Soleil’s ZUMANITY. After 8 years in the role, the gender-bending entertainer has performed for more than 3 million people.
On August 18, the leggy showgirl will sing and dance her way through a high octane hour of original songs and standards all with her signature 60s go-go style. Add her famous high-kickin choreography, stories from her new life in Sin City, and her witty, off-the-cuff audience banter and you have the reason the San Francisco Chronicle “strongly advises seeing the incredible EDIE whose talent and legs go on forever.”
A native of Portland, OR, EDIE began her professional dance career at the age of 17 with Ballet Oregon. For the next eleven years she danced with Pacific Northwest Ballet, Ballet Chicago, and Pennsylvania Ballet before moving to New York to pursue musical theater. EDIE quickly became a fixture in New York City where she racked up a bevy of awards including Best Drag Queen (HX Award), Best Dance Artist and Entertainer of the Year (Glammy Award). She starred in her autobiographical, off-Broadway show “LEGS!,” performed on the MTV Video Music Awards, appeared on “Sex and the City,” was featured at Wigstock and Broadway Bares, and made her Broadway debut alongside Cyndi Lauper and Alan Cumming in the Tony-nominated revival of “The ThreePenny Opera” at Studio 54.
EDIE will perform her solo show at DAVENPORTS PIANO BAR & CABARET (1383 N. Milwaukee Ave.) Thursday, August 18th at 8PM. Tickets may be purchased at reservations.
BIG BOOK OF DRAG AND ART
WHAT A GORGEOUS BOOK! And for a coffee table art book, its very affordable at about $35! Why Drag?
224 pages of the biggest and most diverse queens across America and beyond, all answering the question, Why drag?
Everyone loves to gag over photographs of their favorite queens, and chances are, some of the photographs have been taken by talented drag queen photographer, Magnus Hastings. His popular Facebook page, Dragged Around the World, archives some of his best work.
This celebrated artist has been photographing drag queens for the past 10 years- and his artwork showcasing queens is taking the world by storm! LAST YEAR, Hastings’ first photo exhibition in New York, Why Drag?, ran during Pride, at the OUT HOTEL. The best part about this unique exhibition is that each queen he photographs explains why it is that they do drag (but you’ll have to the exhibit to see that!) – Now, you can get the book!
Magnus Hastings came up through the London Gay scene and quickly gained recognition as one of the forerunners of his type of the pop art photography. playing with campy ideas when it was not fashionable to do so and embracing drag queens as a subject and study. He says, a “child of drag,” prone to putting on his sister’s clothes and dancing around his childhood home. But he didn’t truly discover the drag world until much later, long after he himself had stopped dressing across gender lines.
He completely revamped the Gaydar franchise in 2009 and has been published worldwide in magazines such as Glamour (uk), GQ (uk), Cosmopolitan (Italy),People (usa) , US weekly (use), Attitude (uk) ,AXM (uk), Bent (uk), QX international (uk), Blue (australia), Boyz (uk), Nois (spain) to name a few.
In 2003, on a visit to Sydney, Hastings walked into the Arq nightclub and saw the drag queen Vanity Faire lip-syncing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz in a flawless Dorothy outfit. The experience changed his life.
“I started shooting drag because it’s my home and my world and it feels like my family,” Hastings said.
Watching that performance connected Hastings to a part of himself that he’d abandoned due to social pressures as a child but that he still longed to explore.
With Vanity’s guidance, Hastings began photographing the city’s vibrant drag scene and developing a polished, dynamic style of portraiture reflecting his subjects’ creativity and humor.
As he traveled the world, he continued capturing local queens with a focus on those who best represented the art’s diversity and daring, from the bearded to the “fishy,” or ultrafeminine.
His images attracted a larger audience when he started posting his photos to his Facebook group, “Dragged Around the World.”
Magnus now lives in Los Angeles with his Jack Russell named George and is heavily involved in photographing the drag scene.
‘Why Drag?‘ with photographs by Magnus Hastings and a foreword by Boy George, was published in May by Chronicle Books. BUY THE BOOK!
DISENCHANTED Brunch Kit Kat May 15th
DISENCHANTED Musical Brunch at Kit Kat Lounge
Win Tickets to the Broadway in Chicago Show
Five lucky brunch guests will receive a pair of tickets to see DISENCHANTED! at Chicago’s Broadway Playhouse. In addition to half-priced martinis, Kit Kat’s mixologists will offer $5 Poison Apple shots, made with Jim Beam Apple, Jim Beam Fire and served with an Angry Orchard Cider chaser.
Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club
3700 N. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60613
773-525-1111
kitkatchicago.com