Category Archives: News and Happenings
Margaret Cho “psyCHO” Brunch at Kit Kat
Margaret Cho “psyCHO” Brunch
Win Tickets to Cho’s Live Show at the Chicago Theatre
Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club
3700 N. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60613
773-525-1111
KitKatChicago.com
MSG Entertainment and Live Nation announced that three time Grammy and Emmy nominee, comedian Margaret Cho will take The Chicago Theatre stage on Saturday, October 3, 2015.
Margaret Cho has been developing brand new material over the last several months. “I’m so thrilled to announce that I will be back out on the road. This show is about insanity and about the anger I feel about everything happening in the world right now,” said Cho.
A big part of Cho’s show are tributes to her “father in comedy,” Robin Williams and her “mother in comedy,” Joan Rivers, who passed away within a month of one another. Margaret was very close to both of them; her friendship with Robin encouraged her to start the #BeRobin campaign to raise awareness and funds for the homeless community. Her friendship with Joan reinforced Margaret’s desire to remain fearless. For more information, visit: margaretcho.com
HYDRATE Labor Day Weekend Events
For those who stick around the city, Hydrate wants to upgrade the entertainment for a fun-filled trio of high-energy events you won’t soon forget!
Start the three-day weekend off with a bang Friday night to celebrate the return of DJ Deanne, who visited Hydrate from Miami in June. Drag queen Khloe will greet everyone.
Come back Saturday to dance the night away to the beats of internationally renowned London DJ duo Moto Blanco. Both shows will start at 11:30 pm with a $10 cover after midnight.
Close out the weekend on as high a note as you started it with an extended Sunday Funday featuring DJ Xtacy and extra Go-Go dancers. If you don’t work Monday, stick around and welcome the morning with DJ Spinsters, performing until 4 am. Hydrate opens at 2 pm. $5 cover after midnight.
Facebook invite: https://www.facebook.com/
Pandora Boxx at Center on Halsted
TKO – September 6th, 2015 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Center on Halsted brings you the hottest Labor Day bash!
TKO: greatest t-dance ever.
battle for your pleasure and a Technical Knock Out
jump in! groove to the killer sound of our dueling djs.
Billy Brown vs. Gina Kozar……mc Pandora Boxx officiates
sept. 6 2015 T-time: 3 – 6 pm……..coh rooftop & indoors
$20 entry/one drink, cash bar feat. our one-two rum punch
community.centeronhalsted.org/TKO
Say you’re attending on Facebook!
Pride Films & Plays: LezPlay Weekend – September 11th – 13th, 2015
LezPlay Weekend features five outstanding new works* – the finalists of this year’s Pride Films and Plays’ LezPlay contest!
LezPlay enhances the visibility and advances the viability of women who write plays, screenplays, and teleplays. The program not only advocates for more dyke drama; it honors excellence in scripts written by women in which lesbian characters and themes – past, present, and future – play a pivotal role.
The finalists’ scripts showcase Sapphic-centric narratives with a positive outlook. These are stories that elevate and celebrate us, refine and redefine us. Regardless of how you identify (or ident-defy) and even if your identity is not queer-cut, you’ll have a gay old time at LezPlay Weekend, where we’ll introduce you to women whose writing reflects, resonates with, and is relevant to your lives.
*The scripts will be presented as enhanced staged readings.
The performance schedule is as follows:
Friday, Sept 11, 7:00 pm
Black-Hearted Bitch, a teleplay by Lynn Kear
Saturday, Sept 12, 2:00 pm
The Patron Saint of Dead Dogs, a stage play by Katie Grotzinger
Saturday, Sept 12, 7:00 pm
Resolution, a play by Nancy Nyman & Heather McNama
Saturday, Sept 12, 2:00 pm
Missed Connections, a play by Hallie Palladino
Sunday, Sept 13, 5:00 pm
The Terror Fantastic, a play by Nicole Jost
For play synopses, visit the Pride Films and Plays website.
Queer Clothing Swap – September 13th, 2015 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Please join Center on Halsted and GenderQueer Chicago at the 3rd Annual Queer Clothing Swap! Trade in your skirts for a pair of slacks or your loafers for a pair of heels or maybe you’re just looking to update your wardrobe!
This event is free, but we ask that each participant bring at least 3 items of gently worn clothing (or shoes and accessories) to be donated to the swap. In exchange, you’ll have the chance to take home the new items you find! BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag). Please refrain from donating stained clothing, t-shirts and undergarments. While the swap is particularly intended for Trans* and gender-variant folks to have a safe and fun space to exchange clothes, the event is open to all queer-affirming allies!
Say you’re attending on Facebook!
Gay Milwaukee Fun August 22nd
Billed as, “The podcast where straight men talk about gay things,” Yeah, Bro! is hosted by Milwaukee funny man/T.I.M. The Improvised Musical guru Jacob D. Bach.
Yeah, Bro! is doing it’s second ever live show this weekend, AUGUST 22nd at ComedySportz 420 S. 1st Street in Milwaukee.
Come watch as we do a special midnight show, where three guest panelists compete (for nothing) in games and trivia on gay history, pop culture, and personal questions!
Some categories: Hanky Panky, Who is that Person?, and But Maybe Just Once?
GUESTS:
Nick Young (So You Think You Can Dance, GLEE, Ted 2)
Justin Barney (88.9 Radio Personality)
Kyle Ullsperger (Vollyball player and Model)
Tickets… $10
Reservations… 414 272 8888
Full Bar and Kitchen
Chicago Green City Market Event
Chef Christopher Tong, of My Private Chef, will share his culinary
expertise as he presents a cooking demonstration featuring locally
produced seasonal ingredients offered by the Green City Market. The
demonstration is on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at 10:30 a.m.
able to taste it on the spot.
between Clark and Stockton Drive (approximately 1750 N. Clark).
Chicago Center on Halsted Events
Something for everyone at CENTER ON HALSTED in the upcoming weeks!
Limelight Series presents: An Evening with Pride Films and Plays – August 17th, 2015 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Join us as Center on Halsted’s Limelight Series presents: An Evening with Pride Films and Plays
Chicago’s Pride Films and Plays ‘utilizes stories with GLBT characters or themes and creates powerful theatrics and films that speak for the community and are essential viewing for all audiences.’ Pride Films and Plays, founded in 2010, has already established itself as a leader in the Chicago arts scene. Come get to know the company that the Huffington Post recently called “a powerful and empowering entity.”
7:00PM-7:30PM
Mix and mingle with PFP & COH staff and the program’s artists
7:30PM-9:00PM
Performances including a sneak peak of Design for Living, a talk from author Rick Kinnebrew about his new play Ten Dollar House, music from James Nedrud, performance artist Katherine Hawbaker-Krohn, one of our favorite short films from the Queer Bits Short Film Fest, songs from The Boy From Oz, PFP’s current smash hit!
You don’t want to miss this evening of arts and entertainment as we get to know one of Chicago’s great theater companies!
For more information on Pride Films and Plays, please visit:
http://pridefilmsandplays.com/
Center on Halsted’s Limelight Series gives you a chance to spend an evening with some of Chicago’s most creative people and organizations. Each event highlights the Windy City’s vibrant arts scene – from music and dance to literature and theater. Join us as we take a closer look at the creators and leaders of Chicago’s cultural landscape.
FREE
Register & reserve your seat by clicking the following link:
https://community.centeronhalsted.org/PrideFilms
Say you’re attending on Facebook!
Salve Regina: A Coming of Gay Story – August 22nd & 23rd, 2015
A solo show, written and performed by Javier Rivera*, remounted specifically for Center on Halsted, following a sold-out run at the United Solo Theatre Festival in NYC
*Winner of 2014 Best Actor Award at United Solo
Born in Puerto Rico to an ultra-religious mother and a domineering father is not easy, especially when it’s likely you are a big Queen. There are not enough novenas to pray, or candles to be lit. In this situation only a miracle will do, or better yet… a holy intervention. Thank God for Madonna.
Follow the coming of age story of Javier, a young Puerto Rican man, as he triumphs and stumbles in his journey to self-discovery aided by the only person who ever understood him…
TWO PERFORMANCES ONLY!
Saturday, August 22nd @ 7:30PM
Sunday, August 23rd @ 3:00PM
$10.00 (Tickets may be purchased online as well as at the door prior to performance – cash only!)
*All profits will go to Center on Halsted, helping to support future events like this one!
Click the following link to purchase tickets for Saturday’s performance: https://community.centeronhalsted.org/SalveRegina22
Click the following link to purchase tickets for Sunday’s performance: https://community.centeronhalsted.org/SalveRegina23
Say you’re attending on Facebook!
3rd Annual Feel Good Health Fair – August 29th, 2015 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
On Saturday August 29th, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Center on Halsted will host its 3rd Annual Feel Good Health Fair, a community health and resource fair with a focus on healthy living for LGBTQ individuals.
The Feel Good Fair will be hosted in the Irving Harris Family Foundation Reception Hall and Hoover-Leppen Theatre at Center on Halsted. This year the fair will feature free fitness classes throughout the day, product giveaways from health-related vendors, and nutritious cooking demonstrations.
The primary goal of Center on Halsted’s Feel Good Health Fair is to educate participants about making healthy choices and creating good habits for healthy living in the LGBTQ community. Vendors for the resource fair will focus on physical health, mental and social well-being. Participants are also encouraged to stop by tables to learn more about Center on Halsted’s programs and services.
The fitness class schedule for the day is:
10:00AM-10:25AM: Ballroom Dancing with Get on the Floor Dance Company
10:30AM-10:55AM: Yoga with The ATTIC*
11:00AM-11:25AM: Queer Tango with Paola Bordon
11:30AM-11:55AM: Zumba with Andrew Martinez
12:00PM-12:25PM: Ballroom Dancing with Get on the Floor Dance Company
12:30PM-12:55PM: Yoga with The ATTIC*
1:00PM-1:25PM: Queer Tango with Paola Bordon
1:30PM-1:55PM: Zumba with Andrew Martinez
*A limited number of yoga mats will be provided – if possible, please supply your own
It is highly suggested that you pre-register for the exercise classes by visiting the link below:
https://community.centeronhalsted.org/FeelGood
TKO – September 6th, 2015 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Center on Halsted brings you the hottest Labor Day bash!
TKO: greatest t-dance ever.
battle for your pleasure and a Technical Knock Out
jump in! groove to the killer sound of our dueling djs.
Billy Brown vs. Gina Kozar
mc Pandora Boxx officiates
sept. 6 2015 T-time: 3 – 6 pm
coh rooftop & indoors
$20 entry/one drink, cash bar
feat. our one-two rum punch
community.centeronhalsted.org/TKO
Say you’re attending on Facebook!
Pride Films & Plays: LezFest – September 11th – 13th, 2015
More details to come! Check back soon!
Queer Clothing Swap – September 13th, 2015 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Please join Center on Halsted and GenderQueer Chicago at the 3rd Annual Queer Clothing Swap! Trade in your skirts for a pair of slacks or your loafers for a pair of heels or maybe you’re just looking to update your wardrobe!
This event is free, but we ask that each participant bring at least 3 items of gently worn clothing (or shoes and accessories) to be donated to the swap. In exchange, you’ll have the chance to take home the new items you find! BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag). Please refrain from donating stained clothing, t-shirts and undergarments. While the swap is particularly intended for Trans* and gender-variant folks to have a safe and fun space to exchange clothes, the event is open to all queer-affirming allies!
Say you’re attending on Facebook!
The Gay Gayme – Drinking and Fun
A gay boy, a kickstarter campaign and an idea! Last year Matt Sauve had an idea for an innovative party game for gays and allies that will have you laughing, drinking, and doing random yoga poses.
IN CASE YOU MISSED THEM AT MARKET DAYS – The Gayme is an innovative party game that consolidates the gay lifestyle and coming-of-age experience into hundreds of stimulating cards. The best part is anyone can play! LGBT or ally, it doesn’t matter.
There are 500 unique cards, each crafted to promote bonding, story-telling, and maybe a bit of intoxication. Unlike traditional games, The Gayme changes each time you play. You can play with 2 players or 20, it’s versatile. You can play in your kitchen, in your bed, at your mom’s house, in a bar: all you need is a surface, drinks, and people!
Created by Matt Sauve ( 3rd guy to the right in picture), 2-20 players can play and a game runs around 60-90 minutes. Matt and his partner live here in Chicago.
- All players have a beverage
- Each player takes a turn picking a card, reading it out loud, & doing what it says
- Most cards are normal All Play without a title, meaning anytime that a card applies to you, you play.
- All Play cards with a title include: Question, Categories, Storytime
- Individual & Rule cards refer to the person reading the card
- Trivia cards are for the person sitting directly across from you
Matt invented The Gayme in 2012 when he discovered a lack of “social lubrication” at a party he was hosting. Originally hand-written on colored notecards, The Gayme’s popularity at college parties encouraged Matt to start his own company. He spends his spare time entertaining his friends and constantly conjuring new Gayme cards. Each card has been carefully crafted to promote bonding, story-telling, and laughter.
It’s clever, cute and fun! ORDER today for $25!
Chicago House Trans Event August 29
TransReelization: An Evening of Film at Kinowerks Studio will again take place at Kinowerks Studio, founded by the Wachowski Siblings, Creators of The Matrix Trilogy.
The 2nd annual TransReelization film fest, features a selection of films highlighting Transgender characters and stories. This evening of cocktails, celebrities and film supports the critical work of the Chicago House – TransLife Center, which continues to deliver the nation’s most comprehensive programming to Chicago’s transgender community.
This years honoree is COL (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired), who is being honored for her continued advocacy and support of the Transgender community. Read her full bio here.
VIP Guests will meet and mingle with stars from Netflix’s new hit show, “Sense8,” receive a private tour of Kinowerks Studio led by movie writer, producer and director, Lana Wachowski, watch an exclusive behind the scenes film about the making of “Sense8,” with live commentary by Lana Wachowski, and receive a gift bag of swag from some of Netflix’s top shows.
All guests will enjoy an open bar, hors d’oeuvres and be able to bid on unique silent auction items. Guests will also have an exclusive opportunity to enjoy the 20,000-square foot movie production studio. Renowned for its “cleverly sustainable design elements and the best of green technology,” the studio is a museum of Wachowski artifacts, trophies and memorabilia from their films.
MORE INFO HERE
AIDS RUN WALK Chicago 2015
AIDS Run & Walk Chicago is AFC’s grassroots fundraising event where people from all walks of life help change the story of HIV in our lifetime.
As beneficiaries of the event, AFC and our CommunityDirect partners are greatly impacted – beyond just the obvious ways.
AIDS Run & Walk Chicago stands up to the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS allowing progress to continue toward ending the epidemic. Run & Walk invigorates the sector by increasing awareness for the cause, growing our passionate community and allowing new leaders to emerge.
In 2014, AIDS Run & Walk Chicago raised over $394,000 net to benefit the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
Over and above that, we granted $240,000 to our CommunityDirect partners. These funds allow us to continue saving and improving the lives of those living with or at risk for HIV.
SIGN UP TODAY!!
Boy Toy’s Male Burlesque August 14th
Boy Toy’s Pocket Cabaret is a Male burlesque and variety show.
With a sensual but upbeat theme and performers from all genres of entertainment industry, no two shows will be alike!
Having started at the beginning of 2014, Jimmie Swagger (the “Boy Toy” of burlesque) brings a unique flavor to the art of boylesque. Jimmie has performed in cities all over the US, and brings some additional acrobatic and contorting experience to the Chicagoland area, Jimmie guest spots in local shows and produces his semi monthly show Boy Toy’s Pocket Cabaret.
Come join them the second and fourth Fridays of every month at 8PM to see a male dominated cast of circus performers, live singers, boylesque performers, comedians, and much more! (At Uptown Underground, 4707 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60640).
Check out boytoyspocketcabaret.com for information on individual show dates!
GET TICKETS IN ADVANCE AND SAVE!
Cirque du Soleil in Chicago this Month
THEY’RE BACK!
Cirque du Soleil returned to Chicago this week with KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities. Now through September 20th!
The stage is magical and the acts amazing, as always!
The stage moves and turns, giving everyone unique views, no matter where are you seated. The shows mixes vaudeville, Broadway, aerial stunts, and old world charm in an alternate yet familiar past, in a place where wonders abound for those who trust their imagination, a Seeker discovers that in order to glimpse the marvels that lie just below the surface, we must first learn to close our eyes.
In his larger-than-life curio cabinet, the Seeker is convinced that there exists a hidden, invisible world – a place where the craziest ideas and the grandest dreams lie waiting. A collection of otherworldly characters suddenly steps into his makeshift mechanical world. When the outlandish, benevolent characters turn his world upside down with a touch of poetry and humor in an attempt to ignite the Seeker’s imagination, his curios jump to life one by one before his very eyes.
Of course, my favorite act was the “Siamese twins” hanging in the air from straps are separated at last when they fly high above the stage in a series of acrobatic figures, sometimes as a pair, sometimes solo. The two artists soar to impressive heights and crisscross above the stage while performing synchronized figures that require flawless timing. (ABOVE). – Reminded me of the sexy Atherton Twins from the Varakai show….
The show was filled with a huge cast of talent. A group of 13 artists perform spectacular sequences of perfectly synchronized acrobatics and human pyramids that showcase the amazing agility of the human body. In addition to standing three and four high on each other’s shoulders, the artists take off, somersault and crisscross in the air on three levels: the ground, a monolith positioned centre-stage, and in the audience.
Whether you have seen Cirque before or not – this show will wow you!
GET TICKETS
Joey Kisling Fund Raiser
Most everyone in Chicago is thinking about the upcoming weekend and Market Days and how they plan to celebrate and party with friends……no one really thinks about if they will even be alive to enjoy it. They just assume, they will be.
If you knew how much time you had left in this world, what would you do? Quit your job? Travel? See all the places you ever wanted to see? Take every risk you feared before? Eat all the things? Would you make a bucket list?
I know that thinking about your fatality is not necessarily enjoyable, but imagining that you could live out the rest of your life without worry, without financial burdens, and instead with freedom and clarity certainly sounds amazing, doesn’t it? Magical, even; romantic, like something that only happens in movies.
This is a chance for YOU to make this dream a reality for someone.
Boystown’s beloved Joey Kisling, at the young age of 31,
has fallen victim to the monster that is cancer. An aggressive, rare, and terminal cancer, and he needs our help.
Joey has been a bartender and DJ in Chicago for years. He’s probably poured you a shot, danced with you, inspired you to Shazam something from one of his mixes; he’s probably made you smile.
Now it is our turn to make him smile, to help him live out the rest of his life just as he wants. Let us work together to send him to sandy beaches in far away lands, let’s send him to rooftop pools in swanky hotels in Paris and Berlin. Let’s send him to The Big Easy and then Tahiti to enjoy cocktails with tiny umbrellas at swim-up bars.
Let’s help him do it because he deserves it; let’s do it because it would be amazing if someone did the same for you.
Please consider donating any amount to this fund. No amount is too big or too small; Joey will appreciate every cent. And he will appreciate every single one of you- even more than he did before.
TUESDAY August 11th TAT TUESDAYS @ REPLAY for also host a fund raiser!
Chicago Market Days BRUNCH Boystown
GET A RESERVATION – Before it’s filled up!
Join us from 11AM to 4PM on Saturday and Sunday, August 8th and 9th, for a divalicious pre-party brunch to celebrate the famous Northalsted Summer Market Days!
Enjoy $7 Stoli Cocktails, a build-your-own Bloodys, Bellinis and Sangrias bar, as well as legendary performances from Kit Kat’s own Madam X!
Call the Kit Kat Lounge at (773) 525-1111 to reserve your spot! Don’t miss it, this party is sure to be sizzling!
Hydrate and Market Days and Dinosaurs!
Matt Yee in Chicago September 3rd
Matt Yee’s
OUTRAGEOUS ADULT SING ALONG SHOW 2015!
Hits Davenports Piano Bar & Cabaret for one nite only!
Thursday September 3, 2015. 8pm
Matt Yee, that wonderfully funny Entertainer, Artist, Comedian from Hawaii, & evidence that “Asian Men Are Huge” brings his “Outrageous Adult Sing Along Show 2015!” to Davenports Piano Bar & Cabaret. Madness, Tiaras and Boas will be flying! And expect to sing and laugh your way into the Labor Day weekend. Matt’s shows all over the country sell out, so get your tix now! You may have seen his standing room only shows on Atlantis Cruises & Royal Caribbean Cruises where he’s been a Signature Entertainer for over 14 years. For more info, including Matt’s duet with Frozen/Wicked/Glee star Idina Menzel and video with Broadway’s Chita Rivera, please visit www.mattyee.com
Advance discount tix available NOW
Davenports Piano Bar & Cabaret
1383 N. Milwaukee Avenue Chicago, IL60622 (773) 278-1830
Tix are only $20 plus $3 paypal fee (still cheaper than paying at the door, if available) Plus you’ll have tix while the other poor schmucks might not get in if we sell out! All the details are on the link including directions, etc.
Ages 21 and older invited.
“Go see Matt Yee!” Idina Menzel
“Utterly infectious. Any shyness you have about singing in public will be wiped out by Yee’s overwhelming tsunami of silliness. You will sing. You will dance. You will make synchronized hand gestures…” SF Agenda/Passport Magazine
“I love Matt Yee” Chita Rivera & Patti Lupone
see more:
www.mattyee.com
www.facebook.com/mattyeefanclub
www.facebook.com/matt.yee.31
www.linkedin.com/in/mattyee
twitter: @mattyee
Itunes: matt yee
MYA at Seven – August 1
The arrival of SEVEN happens this weekend, in the old SPIN space. (3206 N. Halsted at Belmont)
GRAMMY AWARD WINNING ARTIST MYA! PERFORMING LIVE!
Join us for our Grand Opening Weekend Celebration and party with Grammy Award winning artist, MYA…live at SEVEN DANCECLUB!
Doors open at 8pm and MYA will be taking the stage at 10pm!
Advance General Admission Tickets are only $20!
MEET AND GREET TICKETS ARE ONLY $30! LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE!
Purchase yours at http://
VIP TICKETS AND TABLES AVAILABLE… E-mail us as vip@whatisseven.com for more information.
Beats by DJ Laura Bee
Cirque Du Soleil Returns to Chicago
Cirque du Soleil returns to Chicago after four years with its newest touring show, KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities, premiering under the iconic blue-and-yellow Big Top August 6 – September 20th at the United Center Parking Lot K. Tickets starting at $35. Visit cirquedusoleil.com/kurios now for tickets.
Want to go for FREE? We’re giving away 2 pairs of tickets – for the August 11th show! Leave me a comment below and we’ll have a random drawing On August 1st!
Bette at the Continental Baths!
On the heels of its hit production Miracle!, Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to continue its 2015-16 season with BETTE, LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS, a musical tribute to the legendary Bette Midler starring Caitlin Jackson, directed and choreographed by Christopher Pazdernik with music direction by Jeremy Ramey as Barry Manilow. BETTE, LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS will play July 17 – August 21, 2015 at Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood. Tickets are currently on sale at www.handbagproductions.org. The press opening is Saturday, July 18 at 8 pm.
Join Handbag Diva Caitlin Jackson as she pays tribute to the Divine Miss M’s legendary cabaret act at the equally legendary Continental Bathhouse in New York City. Featuring a live band, this loving recreation of the beginning of Ms. Midler’s stellar career will feature the fabulous songs she sang for the boys in the bathhouse, including Chattanooga Choo-Choo, Superstar, and of course, Chapel of Love done in Bette’s inimitable style. Well, nearly inimitable. Handbag transforms the newly remodeled Mary’s Attic into the legendary Bathhouse (just tell your great Aunt Gertie this is where young men went to clean up back in the day) complete with hot dancing boys wearing strategically placed towels… and steam… lots of steam.
The production team for BETTE, LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS includes: Zachary Gipson (set design), Kate Setzer Kampausen (costume design), Mikey Moran (sound design), Mealah Heidenreich (props design) and Jacqueline Widman (stage manager).
PRODUCTION DETAILS:
Title: BETTE, LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS
Director/Choreographer: Christopher Pazdernik
Music Director: Jeremy Ramey
Cast: Caitlin Jackson as Bette Midler and Jeremy Ramey as Barry Manilow with Adam Fane and TJ Crawford as The Bathhouse Boys.
Location: Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark St., Chicago
Dates: Previews: Friday, July 17 at 8 pm
Press performance: Saturday, July 18 at 8 pm
Regular run: Friday, July 24 – Friday, August 21, 2015
Curtain Times: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm. Please note: there will not be performances on Saturday, August 15 and Saturday, August 22. There will be added performances on Thursday, August 13 and Thursday, August 20 at 8 pm.
Tickets: Preview: $12. Regular run: $20 in advance, $22 at the door. Limited VIP reserved seating with drink $35. Big Gay Group Rate: $16 for groups of 10 or more. Tickets are currently on sale at www.handbagproductions.org.
Chicago AIDS Walk Sept. 26th
“Put your foot down.” That’s the message behind this year’s AIDS Run & Walk Chicago, hosted by the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) and benefiting 35 other community organizations — known as CommunityDirect partners — on Sept. 26 at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
“We want supporters to put their foot down and make a difference in this epidemic, especially among communities most impacted by HIV,” said AFC President/CEO John Peller. “At the biggest annual HIV awareness event in Chicago, we want to make it clear that new HIV infections can be a thing of the past if we put the right resources in the right places — including AFC and our 35 CommunityDirect partners.”
The 35 CommunityDirect partners that will raise funds through this year’s event will receive 90% of all money raised by their teams. Last year, the 32 CommunityDirect teams raised a combined $270,000.
The aim of the event — and the CommunityDirect program — is to support HIV/AIDS programs and services across Chicago, particularly in neighborhoods most affected by the epidemic.
“There are uncertain times ahead for many human services providers in Illinois,” said Simone Koehlinger, Senior Vice President of Programming. “AIDS Run & Walk Chicago brings funds and awareness to organizations having a significant impact on the HIV community — organizations that are making communities healthier and stronger.”
The CommunityDirect partners serving the South Side are Black Methodists for Church Renewal, COIP/UIC School of Public Health, Greater Full Gospel Pentecostal Church, Men & Women in Prison Ministries, Michael Reese Research & Education Foundation and the University of Chicago (Care2Prevent).
Those serving the North Side are Asian Human Services, Center on Halsted, Chicago House and Social Service Agency, Howard Brown Health Center and Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN).
CommunityDirect partners on the West Side include the Austin CBC Initiative, CALOR, Children’s Place Association, Erie Family Health Center, Mount Sinai Hospital, New Age Services, Project Vida, Puerto Rican Cultural Center (Vida/SIDA) and Taskforce Prevention and Community Services.
Organizations that provide citywide services are the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, AIDS Legal Council of Chicago, Alexian Brothers Housing and Health Alliance, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus, Chicago Recovery Alliance, Chicago Women’s AIDS Project, FCAN, Heartland Health Outreach, Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health (ICAH), The Night Ministry, Pediatric AIDS Chicago Prevention Initiative, Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center and Season of Concern.
And finally, AFC is proud to partner with organizations that serve people outside of Chicago: Canticle Ministries, Open Door Clinic and Youth Outlook.
Event registration is $40 in advance for 5k walkers and $50 for 5k or 10k runners. To register as an individual or as a team, or to donate to a CommunityDirect team, visit aidsrunwalk.org or call 312-334-0946. Online registration ends Sept. 20
Put your foot down to end new HIV infections
To give both AIDS Run & Walk Chicago participants and HIV advocates a way to express their demand for better support for HIV prevention and services, AFC is leading a social media campaign from now through Sept. 26 that invites people to “put their feet down” for the cause.
Participants are invited to print a template and write the reason they “put their foot down” to change the epidemic. They can then take a photo of the template with their foot, post to their social media platforms with the hashtag #aidsrunwalkchicago and share it with their communities. More information about the campaign and a link to the template can be found at aidsrunwalk.org.
Southern Decadence Deals
GAY TRAVEL HOT DEAL!
What began as a simple going-away party in 1972 has evolved into one of New Orleans’ premier annual events: Southern Decadence.
Hosted every Labor Weekend, Southern Decadence is the 5th largest event in the city following Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Essence Fest, and French Quarter Fest. 2014 brought in over 160,000 participants.
Nicknamed the “Gay Mardi Gras,” Southern Decadence is one of those quintessential New Orleans occasions in which participants get to strut their stuff in elaborate costumes and high fashion or barely anything at all, the day of the Parade!
Everyone gets in on the action and all the bars will have their own drag shows, contests, DJs, music and events.
Don’t miss this giant 44th Southern Decadence celebration of LGBT life, music and culture. CALL David now FOR THE BEST DEALS! 1-800-942-1280!
