Category Archives: Music
Ty Herndon at Chicago Pride Parade
Country singer Ty Herndon hopes that the support he received after coming out last year is indicative of a progressive Nashville, one that’s becoming more tolerant toward the LGBT community than in years past.
“One of the biggest fears I had in coming out and being authentic was that I wouldn’t get to continue doing what I do for a living, and that’s country music,” he told The Huffington Post in an interview. “How great is it that I have the opportunity, for the first time in my life, to sing about truth? That makes me a very happy man.”
Herndon, 53, sees his latest project as a prime opportunity for him to pay that happiness forward. On June 12, he’ll take the stage at the first Concert For Love and Acceptance at Nashville’s City Winery, which he is co-hosting with Meghan McCain, the daughter of former Republican presidential hopeful John McCain and an outspoken advocate for LGBT rights.
PRIDEChicago, the organizers of Chicago’s annual gay pride parade, announced Monday that out country star Ty Herndon will be the Grand Marshal for the 46th Annual Chicago Pride Parade.
“I have struggled with being gay my entire career and life,” Herndon told ChicagoPride.com just days after that interview. “Of course, I’ve had so much support from my friends and close family that supported me, that knew I was gay. But it’s been so freeing for the fans to know; the fans in country music, especially. They have really been supportive and awesome.”
MotorBall Returns to Detroit June 5th
Leann Rimes at Roscoes May 8th
Roscoe’s Presents LeAnn Rimes LIVE
on the Dance Floor Stage, Friday May 8!
LeAnn is One of Pop/Country Music’s Biggest Superstars of the Past Century
with over 37 Million Albums Sold Worlwide and Countless Awards Including the Grammy Award for Best New Artist of 1997!
Known for her Hits “How Do I Lie”, “Can’t Figth the Moonlight” & “Blue” – Join us for this Spring’s Biggest Night on Halsted as LeeAnn Performs Remixes of All Your Favorites!
Doors Open at 10PM
$40 Advance Ticket Sale*
$20 General Admission**
*Tickets guarantee admission & are extremely limited. They can be purchased by calling 773.281.3355 ext 2 or by emailing shawn@roscoes.com.
**Cannot be purchased in advance and is based on availability and cannot be guaranteed.
Chicago Pride Fest Entertainment Announced!
TWO DAYS and LOTS of Entertainment!
CHICAGO PRIDE FEST TO SHOWCASE ECLECTIC MUSIC MIX
‘Keep Pride Proud’ Motto Transcends Festival
Chicago Pride Fest returns to Boystown June 20 – 21 with a mix of national headliners and festival favorites. The annual event, hosted by the Northalsted Business Alliance, debuts the ‘Keep Pride Proud’ catchphrase to capture the enduring spirit of not only the festival, but the neighborhood and community at-large.
This year’s entertainment line-up is a blend of big names and beloved local bands. On Saturday Deb Gibson, Jessica Sutta and The Veronicas take to the Main Stage. Sunday features Big Freedia, Estelle and St. Lucia.
The Red Bull Dance Stage and Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club Runway add to the celebratory scene. The ever popular Pet Parade returns, led by Miss Foozie and serves as Sunday’s opening ‘act.’
Northalsted Business Alliance Executive Director Christopher Barrett Politan expanded on the ‘Keep Pride Proud’ movement. “Our vibrant neighborhood has an enduring respect for both our history and future and that is something we want to share with everyone who visits Boystown, be it for a festival or event, or just an average day.”
Saturday, June 20
Main Stage (Halsted and Grace)
2:45 pm Deb Gibson
4:55 pm Adam Barta
6:40 pm Alicia Madison
8:15 pm Jessica Sutta
9:00 pm The Veronicas
South Stage (Halsted and Addison)
3:30 pm Ginger
7:45 pm Wedding Banned
Sunday, June 21
Main Stage (Halsted and Grace)
12:30 pm Pet Parade
1:30 pm Estelle
3:00 pm Crystal Waters
3:50 pm Big Freedia
5:05 pm Cazwell
6:15 pm Inaya Day
7:30 pm St. Lucia
South Stage (Halsted and Addison)
2:15 pm Catfight
4:10 Rod Tuffcurls
6:50 pm 16 Candles
Chicago Pride Fest-June 20-June 21
Halsted from Addison to Grace
11 am to 10 pm $10 Suggested Donation
About the Northalsted Business Alliance (NBA)
Formed in 1980, NBA represents more than 80 businesses along the North Halsted Street corridor. The organization hosts major events throughout the year including Chicago Pride Fest, Northalsted Market Days and the Halloween Parade.
For information about NBA visit www.northalsted.com.
PLUS – the party continues
MONDAY JUNE 22nd 5pm- 10pm
PRIDE SPLASH! @ Hurricane Harbor!
Black Ensemble Theater Limelight Series
From the Center on Halsted:
“As we expand our cultural programming here at Center on Halsted, we are excited to continue our Limelight Series with the next arts icon: The Black Ensemble Theater.
We hope you’ll consider joining us at this FREE event , APRIL 28th, as we celebrate this theater’s amazing contribution to the vibrant arts scene that Chicago has to offer. Just click the image to learn more and to register!
Feel free to share with friends – and please keep an eye out for future Limelight and cultural events here at the Center.
Book of Mormon Chicago Cabaret April 20th
Next Monday, join the cast of Book of Mormon as they ditch the white shirts, the black ties and the nametags and belt out their favorite cabaret tunes! Be a part of the captivated audience for this special event featuring some of the biggest voices on Broadway! Proceeds benefit Chicago House and Broadway Cares. Bring your friends…what else do you have to do on a Monday night??
$50 General Seating Ticket
$100 VIP Seating: includes exclusive after-party meet & greet with cast at Wilde Bar & Restaurant!
more information, please visit www.chicagohouse.org
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Purchase your tickets now for this one-of-a-kind cabaret event!
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LGBQ programs at CIMMfest 2015
2015 CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL MOVIES & MUSIC FESTIVAL
CIMMfest No. 7 TO ROLL OUT LGBQ PROGRAMMING
APRIL 16 – 19, 2015
The 7th Chicago International Movies & Music Festival (CIMMfest), the annual four-day showcase celebrating the inseparable connection between music and movies, is proud to announce the festival’s LGBQ programming include films The Dicks from Texas, Cakes da Killa: No Homo and a special video and music event Cruising TRACKS: a Radical Queer Video. For a complete lineup of confirmed films, musical acts and live scoring events for CIMMfest No. 7, visit http://cimmfest.org/.
CIMMfest’s queer film screenings and music event present documentaries, video art, short fictions and music videos. These presentations touch a wide array of topics: stretching notions of gender identity; kinship and sexuality; proper bodies and their organized functions while dealing with other social and political struggles such as the fight against HIV/AIDS, sexism, confinement, racism, and mental illness.
Thursday, April 16th The Dicks from Texas (pictured)
The Dicks from Texas tells the story of the men, the myth and the music behind the band that defined Texas hardcore punk. Long before Austin made weirdness a civic virtue, The Dicks made it a cause. Three rawboned Marlboro Man types fronted by Gary Floyd, a fat queer with a penchant for fright wigs, this self-described “commie faggot band” helped put the Texas capital on the punk map in the early ’80s with anthems like “Dicks Hate the Police” and “Wheelchair Epidemic.”
7:00pm @ The Society for Arts, 1112 N Milwaukee Ave
A la carte tickets are $12
Friday, April 17th
CIMMfest’s Cruising Tracks – Radical Queer Video Program includes:
· Queer Video Screening, videos & event curated by Rebecca Lavoie.
· Live performance by Donzelle, Montreal’s Sassiest Rapper and her dancers; Douce Angoisse, provocative electronic musician backed by hypnotic disco/darkwave melodies.
· Slo ‘Mo dance party: A throwback to old-school R&B, Slo ‘Mo seeks to unite people of all identities, bodies and expressions through soul music. Including the sounds of Anita Baker, Frank Ocean, Janet Jackson and more, Slo ‘Mo Dance Party is hosted by Kristen Kava with grooves by DJ Tess and Audio Jack of Slo ‘Mo.
8:00pm @ The Hideout Inn, 354 West Wabansia
Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door and $5 for the dance party only
Saturday, April 18th
Cakes da Killa: No Homo (short doc) playing with feature documentary The Hip-Hop Fellow
The short doc follows Cakes Da Killa (born Rashard Bradshaw), a 22 year-old up and coming rapper who also happens to be an out and proud gay man. With provocative lyrics that explore sexuality and gender politics, he’s not your run of the mill rapper, but he just might be your new favorite.
9:00pm @ The Society for Arts, 1112 N Milwaukee Ave
A la carte tickets are $12
CIMMfest No. 7 takes place April 16-19, 2015 along the Milwaukee Avenue corridor – from Wicker Park to Logan Square – with satellite events in the West Loop, Pilsen and beyond. Four-day festival passes, which include admission to An Evening of Music, Film & Wine with Spike Lee, are currently available for $110 at CIMMfest.org. Additional (non-Spike) CIMMfest passes – $75 (basic) and VIP ($100) – are also available now.
Matinee Las Vegas Memorial Weekend
We know Memorial Weekend in Chicago is all about the GRABBY Awards and IML….but, Las Vegas is drawing in more and more Midwest guys to the Matinee Las Vegas Festival!
The Biggest Gay Dance Festival of the Summer returns for a 5th Anniversary over Memorial Day Weekend: May 22-25, 2015. Plus, Barcelona’s Biggest Party makes its U.S. debut for our Saturday Night Main Event at America’s Newest Waterpark: Cowabunga Bay!
Reserve your passes NOW and save 25%! A LIMITED NUMBER OF THESE DISCOUNT TICKETS ARE LEFT!! DON’T WAIT!
Lots of Chicago boys will be there!
Use KOBY GRANT at checkout and get a discounted fitness package in preparation for the sexiest party in Vegas!
Don’t Tell Mama February 24th
“Don’t Tell Mama” Opens Tuesday Night, FEBRUARY 24th!!!
Reserved Tickets Almost Sold Out, Get Your Tickets Today!!
Join Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus this Tuesday night, February 24th, at Laugh Factory for the opening of “Don’t Tell Mama”. The show features 30 CGMC cast members bringing to you the hit music of Kander & Ebb—from Cabaret to Chicago, and more.
Tickets still available online. Door sales will be available, but prices go up $5 per section. So grab yours today.
Steve Grand CD Coming
CHICAGO’s sexy and talented Steve Grand is gearing up for release his debut album All American Boy March 24 after a very successful Kickstarter last year, Out reports:
Grand is an openly gay singer who’s certainly country-inspired, but does not self-identify as a country artist. “Music is subjective,” Grand says, “The lines of life are blurring. We are seeing that in music as in sexuality and gender identity…There’s nothing different about my music just because I’m gay. I sing about things that I go through, but they are things that we all go through, regardless of sexual orientation.” […]
A full-length album has also allowed Grand to follow an arc or storyline. “Each song needed to function as a plot point on that arc. A lot of things in life follow that trajectory, where there’s a beginning, middle, and end. Relationship do that, growing up does that, life does that.” Every number, Grand adds, ”explores some kind of relationship, whether it be a relationship with a romantic partner, a relationship with a friend, a relationship with the past, a relationship with something destructive, a relationship with a community.”
Book of Merman in Chicago
I love the fact that Chicago is like a mini New York. So many choices for dining, shopping and entertainment. There must be close to 100 theatre choices, on any given week.
NEW THIS WEEK, Pride Films and Plays launches The Book of Merman, a new musical comedy by Jeff Award-winning playwright Leo Schwartz. The show opens on January 17, 2015 (17th is SOLD OUT) at Mary’s Attic, 5400 North Clark Street.
When two Mormons ring a doorbell marked E.M. in a small town, they have no idea that a certain Ethel will open the door.
With some dazzling parody music and Schwartz’s original songs, laughter ensues throughout The Book of Merman catapulting you to places you didn’t know you wanted to go.
Starring : Sam Button-Harrison, Dan Gold and Libby Lane.
Jeff Award-winner David Zak* directs, with Jeff Award-winner Robert Ollis* music directing. Costumes are by Raquel Adorno*. Understudies are Parker Guidry and Edward Fraim*.
We got a sneak peak last night, and the play is funny, the talent and singing is top notch, and the story is extremely entertaining!
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Regular performances Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 5:00 through February 15th.
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Tickets $25 . Students and Seniors can save $5 per ticket. Ten Premium tickets with prime reserved seating for each performance are $30.
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Performances are at Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark, Chicago.
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Purchase below or online at brownpapertickets.com or call 1800 838 3006.
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Pride Films and Plays offers subscriptions and memberships for 2014-15 for even greater savings.
Jennifer Hudson, HRC and the W Hotel
A FREE EVENT – First Come First Served – SPACE IS LIMITED!
Turn it up for Change at The W Chicago – Lakeshore
Wednesday, January 14th @ 9PM
The W Chicago – Lakeshore (644 N. Lake Shore Drive) in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign will host Turn it up for Change, a fundraising and awareness initiative in the fight for nationwide LGBT equality with special guests Grammy® and Academy Award® winner Jennifer Hudson, DJ White Shadow, Legendary Damon along with local Chicago Queens Trannika Rex, Precious Jewel and Shea Coulee.
The event is free and will begin at 9:00PM CST
and entry is available on a first come, first serve basis.
TURN IT UP FOR CHANGE launched in October 2014 and combines W’s longstanding support of the LGBT community with its ongoing passion for music. In partnership with HRC and Jennifer Hudson, W hopes to bring about real and lasting change for LGBT Americans in all 50 states. As part of the program, W Hotels around the country currently host monthly TURN IT UP FOR CHANGE music events, in which a portion of proceeds (equal the number of states that currently recognize same-sex marriage) is donated to HRC. Some events, such as this one at W Chicago – Lakeshore, also include appearances by Jennifer Hudson.
AUBREY O’DAY @ Scarlet January 18th
LAKEVIEW/ BOYSTOWN HOTSPOT
HOSTS 7th Anniversary PARTY
In conjunction with Ketel One Vodka, Scarlet Bar Chicago hosts celebrity attendees for a party celebrating the anniversary of their opening.
WHAT: Ketel One Vodka Presents Scarlet Bar Chicago’s Seventh Anniversary Party Featuring Heatherette (Traver Rains and Richie Rich) and Aubrey O’Day (Danity Kane, All About Aubrey and Celebrity Apprentice)
WHERE: Scarlet Bar Chicago, 3320 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60657
WHEN: Sunday, January 18th at 1pm
WHO: co-host Aubrey O’Day, member of Danity Kane and reality personality by way of her show All About Aubrey, Celebrity Apprentice and a frequent guest judge on Rupaul’s Drag Race. She also is the founder of F*A*N (Fighting AIDS Now) that works to bring therapy and art to children in hospitals.
co-host Heatherette (Traver Rains and Richie Rich), famed fashion designers known for showing 16 incredible times at New York Fashion Week They have dressed stars such as Paris Hilton, Anna Nicole Smith, and Aerosmith. They have also been guest judges on America’s Next Top Model and Project Runway.
WHY: Every year the owners and management of the immensely popular Scarlet, 2010 winner of Chicago Magazine’s Best Gay Bar, celebrate the anniversary of the opening of the bar by throwing a star studded event in their ongoing mission to bring the best entertainment and music to Lakeview.
New Years Eve in Chicago
Our top picks for New Years Eve include:
Scarlet bar. Scarlet New Years Eve 2015
4th Annual Mustaches and Bowlers Party! $5 Cover Charge
$199 Belvedere and Moet table package
Includes:Bottle of Belvedere, Bottle of MoetNo Cover For Table Guests
email party@scarletbarchicago.co
DJ Joey Luna and DJ Scotty T
Looking to ring in the New Year with some class this year? Come join ELIXIR for a night of sinful cocktails and fun! Seating is limited, so email chad@elixirchicago.com for table reservations!
HYDRATE ….Join them as they lift the veil on a slew of treats and fantasies that are sure to tempt you throughout the night. Peek inside a world where excess is the norm, where inhibitions cease to exist, where the new year brings a clean slate to sin all over again.
Intoxicate your mind with the pulsating sounds of DJ Dan De León (Los Angeles) at the turntables until 4 a.m. His unique brand of body-shaking House rhythms will deliver a crowd experience that will tear up the dance floor and will live on long after the night has ended.
Hot gogo dancers will be at hand providing sinful visual stimulation within a totally immersive black, white and red experience unlike anything Hydrate has seen before.
Dress code is not enforced, but black, white and Sin City red are highly recommended.
No cover before 11 p.m.
Limited $35 VIP Tickets available, which include NO LINE/NO WAIT privileges as well as IN/OUTs all night long.
Champagne toast and party favors at midnight.
Opening set by DJ NMF
Ring in the New Year in style at the Kit Kat Lounge!
On December 31st, we’ll be hosting a FABULOUS NYE party featuring world famous Kit Kat diva, Kinley Preston, AND amazing specials!
11:30 p.m.-2 a.m. bar package/$45 advance/$50 door: includes martinis, cocktails, wine, beer & party favors. For table reservations, please call Kit Kat at 773-525-1111.
The sexiest womens NYE is at HALSTEDS! All VIP are sold-out and now very limited General Admission remain …..$35.00
Doors Open at 9pm – General Admission
Passed Hors d’ Oeuvres
DJ’s
Champagne Toast at Midnight
Breakfast Buffet After Midnight
Black and White Party Favors
and at REPLAY, enjoy free arcade games, no cover all night, champagne toast at Midnight!
STAY IN THE HEART OF BOYSTOWN! (2 night stay required).
HAPPY NEW YEAR!~
The BOOK OF MERMAN
Sam Button-Harrison and Dan Gold join Libby Lane in
THE BOOK OF MERMAN
A World Premiere opening January 17, 2015 at Mary’s Attic
Pride Films and Plays announces that Sam Button-Harrison* and Dan Gold join Libby Lane* as the cast of The Book of Merman, a new musical comedy by Jeff Award-winning playwright Leo Schwartz. The show opens on January 17, 2015 at Mary’s Attic, 5400 North Clark Street.
When two young missionaries ring a doorbell marked E.M. in a small town, they have no idea that a certain Ethel will open the door. With some dazzling parody music and Schwartz’s original songs, laughter ensues throughout The Book of Merman catapulting you to places you didn’t know you wanted to go.
Jeff Award-winner David Zak* directs, with Jeff Award-winner Robert Ollis* music directing. Costumes are by Raquel Adorno*. Understudies are Parker Guidry and Edward Fraim*.
Details: The Book of Merman by Leo Schwartz, directed by David Zak, musical direction by Robert Ollis, and featuring Libby Lane as Ethel Merman.
- Previews January 15 and 16, 2015 at 7:30
- Regular performances Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 5:00 through February 15th.
- Tickets $15 for previews and $25 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances. Students and Seniors can save $5 per ticket. Ten Premium tickets with prime reserved seating for each performance are $30.
- Performances are at Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark, Chicago.
- Purchase online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/867656 or call 1800 838 3006.
- Pride Films and Plays offers subscriptions and memberships for 2014-15 for even greater savings.
Chicago Gay Mens Chorus Holiday Events
CGMC Exclusive…Suzy Snowflake is Coming to Town for “YuleTUBE”
Join Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, the Christmas Queen, and Suzy Snowflake for “YuleTUBE”, a laugh-out-loud variety show celebrating your favorite holiday
songs from TV and the Movies! It’s the land of misfit boys in a rollicking
Rankin and Bass world gone mad!
Come say farewell to CGMC’s retiring Artistic Director Patrick Sinozich as he goes out with a bang and gives us a little old-school CGMC holiday fun – cowritten by Bill Larkin!
3 Shows! 3 Great Venues!
Friday, Dec 5, 2014 – 8:00PM at Harris Theater
Saturday, Dec 6, 2014 – 8:00PM at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
Saturday, Dec 20, 2014 – 7:30PM at Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts
For ticket information please visit www.cgmc.org or call 773-296-0541.
Halsted’s to Showcase Live Bands
You don’t have to wait for street fairs to hear bands on Halsted anymore- HALSTED’S LIVE!
Previews this coming Saturday.
WHAT: Every Friday and Saturday night, Halsted’s will feature the sounds of a live band starting at 10.30 pm!
OPENING FIRST BAND – Crush On Radio: Samuel Cerniglia’s expansive vocal range and impressive swing era timbre are unmistakably unique. During Season 5 of NBC’s The Voice, Grammy-winners Cee Lo Green and Blake Shelton both picked Sam for their teams with Blake finally closing the deal. Since stunning the coaches and viewers of The Voice, Sam Cerniglia has begun singing with former members of “A THOUSAND JULYS” and is hitting the scene with momentum. We are excited to welcome this phenomenal band that plays a great set list including current hits, R&B classics, and more to kick off Live Music on Halsted at Halsted’s Bar Grill!
3441 N. Halsted, Chicago
HEATWAVE Chicago Austin Armacost Party Oct 16th
THURSDAY OCTOBER 16th – Come party with Austin Armacost and his husband Jake Lees at SCARLET BAR (3320 N. Halsted) as we kick off the countdown to
HEATWAVE!
We are about 70% sold out for Heatwave packages! $200 gets 2 people a room for 24 hours, waterpark fun indoors and dance party 12 hours of music and partying!
Don’t want a room or can not stay the night? Buy a wristband for just the 9 hour water park party for $85.
RESERVATIONS for room packages or tickets 1-877-360-0403 MUST SAY “HEATWAVE” to have access to the ROOM and event. You are booking a room which comes with tickets and access to the entire complex! or Buy just the wristband for the waterpark party 6pm – 3am.
If you don’t say HEATWAVE EVENT they will tell you November 15th is sold out. Must say HEATWAVE!
Chicago Gay Mens Chorus Oct. 25th
Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus (CGMC)
starts off their 2014/2015 season with Lipstick & Lyrics, “Into the Hood: A Mary-Tale”, on October 25, 2014 at 8:00pm at the fabulous Park West. Join CGMC for the 12th edition of this live-singing drag performance, with increased production values, presented by Michael Leppen under the direction of Tony Lewis, of Mid Tangent Productions (Snow White and The Seven Drag Queens), and musical direction of Patrick Sinozich.
Hear your favorite fierce drag princesses sing live while on a quest to be the fairest at the ball, all while evading the scheming, evil villainesses. Talented fair maidens in fun costumes, sexy dancers in skimpy costumes, and amazing music highlight this see-and-be-seen event benefitting CGMC.
The evening will feature the opportunity for all to bid on the Princess-For-A-Night Drag Auction, where the winner will join the performers on stage at the end of the show. Come with a few friends or host a table at the front of the stage, there’s a price-point and fun experience for everyone this year!
TICKET & VENUE INFORMATION
Saturday, October 25, 2014 at 8:00pm
Park West – 322 W. Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
Tickets range from $35 to $100 for VIP seating. For ticket information and general information about Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, please visit www.cgmc.org or call 773-296-0541.
HYDRATE Chicago – THE place to be this Weekend!
HYDRATE – A WEEKEND OF FUN!
FRIDAY NIGHT! Drag Carnage and Neverland GLOW
SATURDAY NIGHT –
SUNDAY FUNDAY
HYDRATE CHICAGO 3458 N Halsted St, Chicago, Illinois
