Category Archives: Celebrity
CHER Dancing Queen!
SEE THAT GIRL…
WATCH THAT GIRL…
SHE’S THE DANCING QUEEN!
She’s back! At 72 and going strong!
The one and only Cher will released Dancing Queen last week, a new album of all Abba hits by Warner Bros. Records.
The Oscar, Emmy and Grammy Award winning icon was inspired to record the album following her stunning performance in the recently-released mega-hit film, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
Commented Cher: “I’ve always liked Abba and saw the original Mamma Mia musical on Broadway three times. After filming Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, I was reminded again of what great and timeless songs they wrote and started thinking ‘why not do an album of their music?’ The songs were harder to sing than I imagined but I’m so happy with how the music came out. I’m really excited for people to hear it. It’s a perfect time.”
Dancing Queen was recorded and produced in London and Los Angeles with Cher‘s longtime collaborator Mark Taylor, who previously produced Cher‘s global smash “Believe” which was number one in over 50 countries. And it does not disappoint! I truly love the last song on CD I think the best, “One of Us”.
Cher is scheduled to be awarded a Kennedy Center Honor on December 2nd in Washington DC.
She is a co-producer of the The Cher Show, the upcoming Broadway musical opening on December 3rd ( we saw it in Chicago and LOVED IT!)
She is currently performing a residency at MGM Resorts. Get tickets HERE!
Cher will be in Chicago with the HERE WE GO AGAIN tour February 8th. Get Tickets NOW
Cooking with Chef Tong Bloomingdales Oct 20
Always a favorite, Chef Tong of the private gourmet dining service, My Private Chef returns to the Bloomingdale’s for a cooking demonstration.
Chef Chris will prepare a mouthwatering menu and give tips about ingredients and serving. And, everyone gets to have a taste!
Chef Chris will serve some of his favorite recipes:
• Fattoush Salad with Lemon Pomegranate Dressing
• Duroc Pork Chop, Apple Calvados Sauce
• Chocolate Risotto
Mark your calendar for October 20, 2-4 p.m. at the Bloomingdale’s Home & Furniture Store at Medinah Temple, 600 N. Wabash Avenue, Chicago. Culinary Kitchen on 1.
For more information about this Bloomingdale’s event, contact Gerardo Valadez, 312.324.7678.
For more information about My Private Chef, contact Event Services at 773.370.8131
or visit our web site: www.myprivatechef.net
My Private Chef, Inc
312.914.5225
www.myprivatechef.net
Become a Facebook Fan: www.facebook.com/
Elite Traveler Magazine – Global Black Book – Chicago’s Most Accomplished Luxury Private Chef
Chicago Magazine, “63 Ways to Pamper Yourself” – Luxury Private Chef Service
North Shore Magazine “Cooking Your Heart Out” – Luxury Private Chef for Romantic Dining
Sexy Sassy Adam Rippon in Chicago Sept 14th
We are SO EXCITED Chicago House brought back their Speakers Series this year!
Chicago House, the leading social services provider for housing and support for those living with HIV/AIDS, will host their 8th Speaker Series headlined by Wanda Sykes and Adam Rippon on Friday, September 14th.
Held at the historic Hilton Chicago’s Grand Ballroom from 11 am – 2 pm, the luncheon will feature a VIP Reception and premier cuisine benefiting Chicago House. Emceed by NBC reporter Chris Hush, guests can expect laughs, stories of triumphs and resilience from these two dynamic and prominent figures in the LGBTQ community as Chicago House highlights the theme of ‘Authentic Selves.’
America’s first openly gay Olympic figure skater, Adam Rippon, helped lead USA’s figure skating team to a bronze medal with his stunning performance this year.
But while snatching trophies, Rippon was also winning American hearts nationwide. The skater has shown through various interviews and tweets that he is truly one of the funniest (and sassiest) Olympians to ever grace the ice.
If you’re enchanted by Rippon’s on-camera wit, then you need to drop everything you’re doing and follow him on Instagram and Twitter.
Then came dancing with the stars! Adam and his partner Jenna Johnson were crowned winners of the all athlete season. Rippon is the first male figure skater to win the competition, as well as the first LGBTQ winner.
“Winning the Mirrorball now has taken on a whole new meaning,” he said. “I never thought somebody like me would be accepted, but I really feel love. That’s why I’m so excited for what we have in store.”
Wanda Sykes and Adam Rippon will Headline 2018 Chicago House Speaker Series September 14th, 11am-2pm
Tickets now available for purchase – Click here for purchasing information
Lunch with Wanda Sykes and Adam Rippon Sept 14
FRIDAY September 14th!
Luncheon with speakers Wanda Sykes and Adam Rippon!
Chicago House, the leading social services provider for housing and support for those living with HIV/AIDS, will present their 2018 Speaker Series headlined by Wanda Sykes and Adam Rippon on Friday, September 14th. Held at the historic Hilton Chicago Grand Ballroom from 11 AM – 2 PM, the luncheon will feature an exclusive VIP meet and greet reception and premier cuisine benefiting Chicago House. Emceed by NBC Chicago reporter Chris Hush, guests can expect laughs, stories of triumphs and resilience from these two dynamic and prominent figures in the LGBTQ community as the 8th Speaker Series highlights the theme of “Authentic Selves.”
For more hilarious quotes from the award winning comedian celebrating her Authentic Self join us for the Speaker Series next Friday, September 14th! VIP Meet and Greet tickets available. Inquiries regarding ticketing contact Janessa D. Butler atjdennis@chicagohouse.org.
Wanda Sykes and Adam Rippon September 14th!
The Chicago House Speaker Series Luncheon never disappoints! This year I am SO EXCITED, two people I think are just fantastic, Wanda Sykes and Adam Rippon will be speaking September 14, 2018!
I think everyone knows both of these names. Neither needs much an introduction.
In November 2008, Wanda Sykes publicly came out as a lesbian while at a same-sex marriage rally in Las Vegas regarding Proposition 8. Her career was really just taking off. A month earlier, Sykes had married her partner Alex Niedbalski, a French woman, whom she had met in 2006. The couple also became parents on April 27, 2009, when Alex gave birth to a pair of fraternal twins, daughter Olivia Lou and son Lucas Claude.
Wanda was not planning to come out publicly as a lesbian during her impromptu 2008 speech in Las Vegas. But she did!
“When I came out, it wasn’t a planned thing at all. It was a national day of protest against the passage of Prop 8,” Sykes says in an exclusive clip from the documentary. “I said, ‘Okay where’s the rally, we are going to go to the rally.’ And I did. And in my speech I said that I got married and I’m p—–.”
She realized later the magnitude of the statement.
“I get to the hotel, turn on the TV and on the CNN scroll it says ‘Comedian Wanda Sykes: ‘I’m proud to be gay.'”
“I was like, ‘Oh, this is a big (expletive) deal. I’m a black woman. A celebrity. And I’m out.’ It was big deal. No regrets
In 2009, she was named in Out magazine’s “Annual Power 50 List”, landing at number 35. In 2010 she won a GLAAD award for promoting a good image of equal rights for gays and lesbians.
ADAM RIPPON was everywhere this past year and became a household name.
If you hadn’t heard of figure skater Adam Rippon before the Pyeongchang Olympics, there’s no doubt you know him now. Rippon won a bronze medal with the U.S. in the team skate competition … and he stole the show with his personality and courageous story. Before posing for ESPN’s Body Issue, the “Dancing With the Stars: Athletes” champ weighed in on coming out, overcoming injury and competing at the highest level.
Adam is an inspiration to so many !
The first openly gay man to qualify and win a medal for the U.S. Winter Olympics team, Rippon went on to win Dancing With the Stars: Athletes.
He recently signed up to be a judge on Dancing With the Stars: Juniors, which premieres October 7 on ABC.
Time said he is one the most influential people of 2018! CHER said, “He has humility, grace and an incredible sense of humor.”
We all know and understand the importance of coming “OUT”. 30 years ago, we did not have these awesome role models we have today!
His mother, Kelly, raised her kids with tolerance. They went to Catholic school, but she exposed them to various religions and wouldn’t let them use words such as “stupid” or “hate.” But kids at school and things he watched and read made him feel like something was wrong with him. His voice was always a little higher. He tried to speak lower so no one would notice. His mannerisms were different from the other boys’. He tried to change those, too.
“I think about it now, and it’s so sad,” Rippon said. “. . . I hope young kids don’t ever have to feel like that.”
Chicago House, the leading social services provider for housing and support for those living with HIV/AIDS, is thrilled to announce the 2018 Speaker Series headlined by Wanda Sykes and Adam Rippon on Friday, September 14th. Held at the historic Hilton Chicago Grand Ballroom from 11 AM – 2 PM, the luncheon will feature an exclusive VIP meet and greet reception and premier cuisine benefiting Chicago House. Emceed by NBC Chicago reporter Chris Hush, guests can expect laughs, stories of triumphs and resilience from these two dynamic and prominent figures in the LGBTQ community as the 8th Speaker Series highlights the theme of “Authentic Selves.” Tickets $200-$500.
Saturday Night Live Exhibit in Chicago
No matter what age you are, you’ve no doubt watched SNL for years!
Now relive 40 years of the show in a way you never imagined. At Saturday Night Live: The Experience at Chicago’s Museum of Broadcast Communications, you can become immersed in the show’s fast-paced creative processes and see how ideas become reality in just days. Interact with sets, original props and costumes. Take selfies on the Jeopardy set, rock out on the Wayne’s World couch, and deliver the “news” from behind the Weekend Update desk.
Now in its 43rd season, most folks can’t remember an adulthood without Saturday Night Live. What’s more, the majority of Americans grew up on (or are growing up on) the late-night sketch show; it’s played, to varying degrees, a role in most viewers’ understanding of our political and cultural surroundings. “SNL: The Experience” was crafted for those fans, for the people who revere the comedy goliath’s space in American culture and in their personal lives, too.
Get a sneak peak HERE
Get a look behind the scenes!
People are calling it “amazing!” and “A must-see!”
SNL – The Experience!
Winter Cooking Class Feb 27
SHAKE OFF THE WINTER BLUES WITH CHEF TONG OF MY PRIVATE CHEF
AT THE WHOLE FOODS MARKET-LINCOLN PARK COOKING SCHOOL, CHICAGO
Are you ready for some interesting combinations of ingredients? Are you ready for some marvelous flavors? Then you are going to want to attend Chef Christopher Tong’s demonstration on making hearty winter soups. It’s a great way to beat the February chill.
Chef Christopher Tong, of the popular Chicago-based private dining service, My Private Chef, elevates your cooking skills by giving you step-by-step directions and shopping tips, while answering all of your questions. And, everyone gets to have a taste!
Chef Chris will serve some of his favorite bowls of comfort:
Roasted Cauliflower soup with Cumin
Tunisian Tomato with Chickpeas and Lentils topped with Yogurt and Fresh Mint
Tangy Greek Avgolemono Chicken soup (Egg-Lemon)
The cooking class is on the mezzanine level in the on-site cooking classroom
at the Whole Foods Market in Lincoln Park, 1550 North Kingsbury, Chicago.
It will be held on Tuesday, February 27 from 7:00pm-9:00pm. The cost is $15.00 per person.
Chef Tong’s classes are popular at Whole Foods Market so we suggest you sign up early to guarantee your place in the class. To register for the class, call Whole Foods Market, Lincoln Park at 312.587.0648 or sign up at the Customer Service Desk. Credit card or cash payment will hold your place in the class.
My Private Chef is enjoying popularity as one of Chicago’s favorite private gourmet dining services. Trained in European-style fine cuisine, Chef Tong established his reputation at fine restaurants and hotels in Florida, California, and Chicago. Now he has adapted his impressive skills to the world of private entertaining. My Private Chef offers enticing cuisine for a wide range of events, from intimate dinners to weddings to corporate parties.
Chef Chris says: “Every event is different and I’ve met some wonderful people including many celebrities.
Being part of very special occasions makes my work worthwhile. I also love conducting cooking demonstrations where I get the feeling that audience members will go home and try some new dishes!”
For more information about My Private Chef, contact Event Services at 773.370.8131 or visit our web site: www.myprivatechef.net
Artist Garek Chicago Show December 1st
GAREK is a New York based singer-songwriter-artist. Born and raised in Wisconsin, he made the transition to New York in 2010. Fusing Industrial Rock (a la Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson and Garbage) with haunting melodies and explosive choruses, GAREK creates a distinct sonic landscape. This Electro-Industrial hybrid, coupled with his artfully degenerate style, make him a force to be watched.
GAREK’s first single “Save The Queen” had tastemakers around the globe buzzing. London’s EQ Music has hailed him as “a deity of Industrial-Electro mastery” while Australia’s DNA Magazine says, “He’s ready to rule the world!” MTV’s LOGO (NewNowNext) says, “for all [his] influences, there’s something distinctive about what Garek is doing.”
In 2014, GAREK proved his influence extends beyond music as he made his UK runway debut for the Champagne-inspired jeweler ‘Wearing Memories’ at London Fashion Week. Guests of the sold-out show were treated to a spectacle blending GAREK’s Industrial stylings with ‘Wearing Memories’ classic appeal. Models strutted down the catwalk in black morph suits to GAREK’s “Save The Queen” before GAREK himself closed the show.
Now NYC-based artist, GAREK, brings his own brand of unique darkness to Chicago in his first public opening.
The exhibit opens Friday December 1st at 5 p.m. at Gallery Victor Armendariz. The show will feature artists from The Studio, a section of the gallery dedicated to accessibly priced art of exceptional beauty.
GAREK is a self-taught artist, who got his first break at Tazza Gallery NYC, in the Chelsea Gallery District. After showing the owner of Tazza examples of his work, he was signed on the spot to representation.
GAREK is known for his distinct charcoal works, focusing primarily on figurative subjects. His works hang in private collections in L.A., NYC, and London. Chris Gehringer, Madonna’s primary mix engineer, has 2 of his pieces hanging in his studio.
“Garek’s art cannot be ignored.
His subjects are presented in a way that seems completely natural, not the product of design, as if their presence were something familiar, known and buried down deep in our subconscious.
His skill is undoubted. This very young and multitalented artist is obviously going places; and it is great to see part of this journey through his art.”
-Denis Arguedas (Tazza Gallery
For more of GAREK’s art visit www.garek.tv/art or visit his Instagram @garek_art
Gallery Victor Armendariz
5-8 p.m. Friday, December 1st, 2017
Cher Musical in Chicago 2018
NY TIMES reports –
It’s official – the new musical using Cher’s songs to tell her story — with three actresses playing different aspects of her life — is heading for Broadway 2018.
“The Cher Show” will play first in Chicago, beginning performances June 12 at the Oriental Theater and running for five weeks. It will then transfer to the Neil Simon Theater on Broadway, opening next fall, the producers, Flody Suarez and Jeffrey Seller, said Thursday.
“We have been discussing this musical for 10 years,” Cher, a pop star and Academy Award-winning actress, said in a statement. “It’s exciting and scary.”
The musical has an unusual approach — it will be structured like a variety show, nodding to “The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour,” which helped propel her to celebrity in the 1970s. The show currently features all or part of 35 to 40 of Cher’s best known songs.
“The Cher Show” is one of many jukebox biomusicals now in development, including “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical,” also featuring three actresses playing the title role, which is scheduled to run this fall at La Jolla Playhouse in California; “Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations,” now playing at Berkeley Repertory Theater in California; and “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical,” which is scheduled to open in London next spring.
Out in the Park Chicago 2017
Out In The Park at Six Flags Great America
Returns in 2017 for Year 6!
A Private Night in the Park to Celebrate Diversity
Presented by MINI Cooper Chicago & BestGayChicago.com
That Will Help Benefit Howard Brown Health
Saturday, September 9th, 2017 from 7:30PM to 12AM
Out In The Park is an annual private diversity fundraising event featuring unlimited riding of ALL Six Flags Great America’s amazing THRILL rides (with much shorter than usual lines! The park is only 35% full!) with a portion of all ticket sales each year help benefit various non-profits. “One of the best elements of this event is that it is closed to the general public and this year our event piggy-backs a daytime corporate buyout so our attendees will be entering an EMPTY PARK!” explains Michael Snell, co-owner of BestGayChicago.com. “The LGBTQ community, their family, friends and supporters can enjoy the park with shorter lines and without homophobic or bigotry from anyone. It’s like a Fall Pride Celebration!”
This event started in 2012, as an LGBTQ night. In 2015 there was a huge shift in the public’s opinion on Marriage Equality and Equal Rights. (Joe Biden says Will & Grace was a huge influencer for the shift in public opinion!) Friends and allies “came out of the closet” as the showing of support more than doubled. It is for this reason, we chose to change the theme to a Celebration of Diversity. People of any color, size, body type, gender, gender expression(s), and sexual orientation are all welcome. Bullies and Bigotry will not be tolerated.
It’s important to us that everyone—no matter who you are, how you identify, or where you’re from—feel comfortable and confident. Our message is simple: You are welcome here.
Singer, model, author SIR JET will do a meet and greet in the parking lot at 7pm, as we await the gates to open for the evening. Then he will perform live at 1:30am, at Charlie’s, the host of the Official After Party! 3726 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60613. $5 cover.
In an interview with ChicagoPride.com: “We are very excited that this private night for charity continues to grow every year and we have gifted over $40,000 to various groups,” said Derrick Sorles, Snell’s husband of 18 years and business partner,
“We are honored that some of our peers including GRAB Magazine, ChicagoPride.com as well as Our Lives Madison and QUEST Magazine in Wisconsin also help us by donating advertising space for this event! It’s truly a community event where everyone comes together for the greater good!” says Derrick Sorles.
Advance $42 tickets can be purchased NOW at www.CelebrateDiversityChicago.com
Attendees get FREE parking for this special event! September 5th the price goes up to $47.
$52 at the gate, IF AVAILABLE.
This event is capped at only 5,000 tickets, to ensure lines stay short for the rides.
Season Passes cannot be honored for special events. All ages event.
Drinks are available for purchase to those 21+
Margaret Cho Sept 23rd Ticket Giveaway
SHE’S COMING BACK TO CHICAGO!
An accomplished performer in all formats, Margaret Cho could be called the “Queen of all Media” having conquered the worlds of film, television, books, music and theatre. She has five Grammy Award nominations (two for music albums, Cho Dependent and American Myth) and one Emmy nod for her groundbreaking work on 30 Rock.
Never one to shy away from a difficult or ‘taboo’ topic, her socially aware brand of stand-up comedy has made her both a thought leader as well as a teacher to those with open minds and open hearts. In 2017, Rolling Stone magazine named one of the 50 Best Stand-Up Comics calling her “the sort of funny, sex-positive feminist and LGBT activist younger comics continue to look up to.”
Equally as important as her creative side is the causes she is passionate about. Margaret is widely recognized for her charitable work with gay rights and anti-bullying campaigns. In every segment of her life, Margaret is honest, forthright, passionate, uproarious and always entertaining.
She’ll be in Chicago with FRESH OFF THE BOAT, September 23rd. (GET TICKETS HERE)
Y’all, it’s been a while but I am back and better than ever with the news that you need: I’M HEADING OUT ON TOUR AGAIN! You didn’t think I was gonna let Trump have all the fun to himself now did you?
I took time off to work on material near and dear to me, which is why I know you will enjoy
“FRESH OFF THE BLOAT”. I’m cruising through the U.S. and then on to Europe.
This is my sickest show to date. My grandmother said, “You look like bloated as if you’ve been found dead in a lake after several days of searching.” (Koreans are the most savage of all the Asians.)
This time, I’m talking about being fresh off drugs, drinking and on the brink of suicide and I’ve come back to life. I’ve finally been fished out of the river Styx.
It’s meta. It’s magical. It’s me.
I’m dragging my ass to a city near you with a fresh, snarky and sexy outlook and I cannot wait for you to be right there with me. And don’t freak out if you don’t see your city, this is only the first leg of the tour.
It’s a celebration, bitches.
xoxo
Margaret
PS. THANK YOU Albert Sanchez for the beautiful photo and Tour Design for the gorgeous design!
CONTEST FOR FREE TICKET GIVEAWAY!
Leave a comment, any comment below with your email – your email is hidden from the public and we are not adding you to any lists. Just click READ MORE and you can leave a comment!
We will randomly draw 1 winning name, for a pair of 2 tickets to see Margaret in Chicago.
Will will close the contest and draw one name out FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 1st at NOON.
We will email the winner that day.
Chicago’s Chuck Renslow Passed, 87
Pioneering Chicago Gay Activist and Leather Community Leader Chuck Renslow Passes Away At 87
It’s with a sad heart that we must report that Chuck Renslow, the pioneering gay activist who opened the first gay leather bar in the country, the Gold Coast in 1958, has passed away at the age of 87.
Mr. Renslow was the founder and photographer of Kris Studios, one of the earliest and most durable of the physique houses ( and one where leather always had a place ) He was the publisher of Triumph, Mars and Rawhide Male magazines. He was a founder of Second City Motorcycle Club, the first club in the midwest in 1965.
He was among the earliest members, often among the founders, of many gay liberation organizations and movements. He was the publisher of GayLife Newspaper and has sat on the Board of fourteen different GLBT organizations. He was also the founder of many gay bars and sex clubs including Man’s Country, which has survived for more than 30 years.
He is the founder, in of the International Mr. Leather, which meets yearly in Chicago and was inducted into Chicago’s Lesbian and Gay Hall of Fame in 1991.
At the Leather Archives & Museum’s September 2016 Board of Directors meeting Chuck was elected “Chairperson of the Board” of the world famous museum that he himself founded.
Specific details of his passing have not been released as of yet.