Category Archives: News and Happenings

Boystown Chicago Northalsted Market Days 2021

Northalsted Market Days® is set to return to Chicago in 2021: August 6, 7 and 8, adding a Friday night edition for the first time. The 1/2 mile long street festival has been an annual summer tradition in Chicago for nearly 4 decades.

As widespread vaccinations continue making progress against the pandemic, planning is underway for a much anticipated comeback.

With safety at the forefront, planning involves continual contact with health officials in the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois and monitoring of CDC guidelines in order to take all necessary precautions to ensure a safe event.

Since the first Market Day in August, 1982, the LGBTQ+ positive event has grown from a handful of folding tables and chairs on the sidewalk, to a half-mile long, annual summer ritual on Chicago’s North Halsted Street from Belmont to Addison.

39 years later, Market Days is now considered among Chicago’s top ten festivals. Thousands attend from near and far enjoying all-day lineups of live music on 5 stages, hundreds of vendors, summer food & drinks, dancing in the street, and more. Subscribe to the newsletter for the latest updates and this year’s entertainment details.

A $15 suggested donation for entry helps cover festival costs, benefits local charities and supports year round Northalsted chamber programming in the community. Generous public donations, funded the Chicago Pride Crosswalks project, the longest installation of its kind in the world, covering 14 intersections.

 

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Circuit Mom Presents Drag Queen Drive In Fun Oct 16th

And now for something a little  different –

Drive in Drag – just in time for Halloween!

2 shows on Friday October 16th, 2020

6pm  and  8:30pm

Calling all GHOULS!

Does the person in the mirror tell you you’re beautiful?!

Then this pageant is for you!

Known for their over-the-top productions and events, the creative team at CircuitMOM Productions (CMP) is taking the “drive-in movie” event model being used across the country and turning the LakeShore Drive-In at the Adler Planetarium into a Halloween themed Drag Show.

This beauty pageant parody will have headliners from RuPaul’s Drag Race (Jaida Essence Hall and The Vixen), Dragula (Biqtch Puddin and Landon Cider), and Chicago Local Drag Superstars (CircuitMOM, Aunty Chan, Darby Lynn Cartwright, Denali Foxx, Sheeza Woman, and Miss Toto)!

Showtimes are 6:00pm and 8:30pm on Friday October 16th and tickets are available on our website circuitmom.com. Each show is limited to 200 vehicles, so get tickets for you and your friends now to see CircuitMOM crown the first ever Drop Dead Drag Pageant King or Queen!

*For full details and rules, please check the ticket site.

Get Your Tickets Now!
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Aids Run Walk Chicago 2020

This month, the AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) is inviting Chicagoans to move “Forward Together” for the 19th annual AIDS Run & Walk. For the first time, the weeklong event – kicking off on Monday, Sept. 28th

CHOOSE YOUR WALK!

This year will feature 5K and 10K routes throughout various Chicago neighborhoods including Hyde Park, Uptown, the Loop and more to promote safety and minimize crowds. The AIDS Run & Walk will conclude at Soldier Field on Oct. 3 and raise vital funds and awareness for AFC, in addition to more than 20 community partner organizations that provide programs and services for those living with or vulnerable to HIV, AIDS and other chronical illness.

GRAB A FRIEND AND REGISTER NOW

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Iconic Boystown Chicago to Get a Name Change

History is about to be erased and changed

This is making National AND International news!

Chicago’s LGBTQ ‘hood has long been called ‘Boystown’, but business leaders have decided its time for a re-brand.

The move comes after a petition gained steam over the summer which described Boystown as the “only gendered nickname” of any city’s LGBTQ district. (The petition gained over 1,500 signatures, although a counter-petition to keep the name had over 2,000.)

HISTORY –   The Boystown section of Lakeview was the first officially recognized gay village in the United States.

It is also the cultural center of one of the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities in the nation. Boystown has grown into a cultural center for the LGBT residents living within the Chicago metropolitan area. The district’s informal boundaries, overlapping with Lakeview East, are Irving Park Road on the north, Broadway on the east, Wellington Avenue on the south, and Sheffield Avenue on the west. The Center on Halsted, an LGBT community center, is also located in this area.

Boystown is known for its colorful, lively nightlife and inviting atmosphere. Boystown also includes some of Chicago’s off-Loop theater, specialty restaurants, greystone and brownstone walk-up buildings and other historic architecture, trendy fashion outlets, wine boutiques, chain stores, and independent shops. The city’s annual Gays and Lesbians Chicago Pride Parade begins at the intersection of Montrose and Broadway, runs south along Broadway then Halsted to Belmont, turns east on Belmont to Broadway again, then south to Diversey, and then east to Sheridan Road.

From QUEERTY “Systemic transphobia, racism, and sexism have plagued our neighborhood for decades, and it begins at the top, with the all-male board of the Northalsted Business Alliance. It begins with the BOYSTOWN signs down our street announcing that this neighborhood is ‘for the boys,’ though the signs hang above our diverse Legacy Walk of several LGBTQ icons in our history.

“To promote the inclusion of transgender, nonbinary, lesbian, and intersex individuals, we submit this petition for the Northalsted Business Alliance to simply follow the other LGBTQ neighborhoods across the world by marketing the area based on its location, North Halsted, not the majority gender of those people who sit on the Northalsted Business Alliance board This is only the beginning of the many changes needed in the North Halsted area.”

So what’s going to be the new  name??????  WHO  KNOW’S ?!

 

NORTHALSTED ANNOUNCES SURVEY RESULTS ON ‘BOYSTOWN’ NAME CHANGE
September 23, 2020

In response to concerns over the ‘Boystown’ name as exclusionary, the Northalsted Business Alliance sought community input via a three-month online survey, which concluded September 15. While the alliance used ‘Boystown’ in past marketing campaigns, it does not have any claim nor rights to the name, which has been in colloquial use since the 1980s.

The survey, intended to listen to community voices, results in the board’s decision to focus marketing efforts on the geographic location (Northalsted) and use the slogan ‘Chicago’s Proudest Neighborhood’.

While formal changing of the name Boystown lies with city planners, map makers, Aldermen and organizations beyond NBA, the alliance will focus marketing exclusively on location.

A breakdown of survey results as follows:

7,890 respondents
3,060 comments/1,350 suggestions for new names
58% favor keeping the Boystown moniker
80% did not feel unwelcomed by the Boystown name

The survey queried participants on categories of self-identification. The majority identifying as Lesbian, Transgender, non-binary and queer favor a name change. To ensure all members of the LGBTQ+ community feel welcome in the business district, the Northalsted Business Alliance Board agreed to discontinue using ‘Boystown’ in marketing.

Plans to replace banners featuring ‘Boystown’ are underway.

About the Northalsted Business Alliance (NBA)
Formed in 1980, NBA represents more than 100 businesses along the Halsted Street corridor. The organization hosts major events throughout the year including Chicago Pride Fest, Northalsted Market Days, the Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade and more.

For information about NBA visit www.northalsted.com.

 

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Gay LGBTQ Diversity Night at Six Flags September 12th, 2020

OUT IN THE PARK will return for it’s ninth year, on September 12th, 2020!

Six Flags were given the green light to open their waterparks (Hurricane Harbor Gurnee &  Rockford) last week and have begun hiring staff for the opening of the main park, which will happen in the coming weeks.

The Six Flags Re-Opening Plan was developed in coordination with expert epidemiologists and is designed to protect Six Flags guests and Team Members from potential exposure to COVID-19. Learn about their safety protocols HERE .

$45 advance Tickets are on sale  now  via  smartphone  or  with a PC and printer. Details here. 

Parking is FREE.

Season Passes are not accepted.

The private night event is  8pm – 12am. Only 5000 tickets will be sold.

The park will be open to the general public  that day 11am-7pm.  You may enter the park during the day if you wish to enjoy the park with the general public.

Round trip Bus tickets will be available – details soon.

 

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Gay Bars forced to Stop Indoor Drinking

GAY BARS forced to close down, again.

Indoor bar service has officially shut down for a second time in Chicago as several heightened restrictions took effect Friday following weeks of reopening progress during the coronavirus pandemic.

Devastating news for many businesses  🙁

 

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Circuit Mom Pride Extravaganza June 19th

We hope you have been spending these last few weeks supporting your Black friends and family through protests, petitions, conversations with friends, family, and elected officials, and donations to various causes as we continue to fight for racial equity and equality in this nation. This fight is by no means over, but we have to remember this is a marathon and not a sprint, so it is important to take moments for ourselves.

As a way to facilitate a break (if it feels appropriate to you) we are bringing you a PRIDE edition of our long awaited virtual show celebrating the intersectionality of BIPOC and the LGBTQ+ community from 7-11pm Central Time on Friday June 19th, 2020. Which happens to be  the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth, the day Major General Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, Texas with the news that the slaves were free.

This virtual show is filled with some of Chicago’s best talent such as Black Girl Magic’s The Vixen, Dida Ritz, Lucy Stoole, Sasha Love, Bambi-Banks Coulee, and Miss Toto, Ballroom star the Legendary Myah Lanvin, rapper KC Ortiz, pole dancer Ang Hell, Sheeza Woman, Aunty Chan, Joffrey ballet dancer and heels choreographer Fernando Duarte, Trans Chicago’s Valeria Mendez, Ginger Valdez, and Andrea Magia Mendez, Catfight lead singer Molly Callinan, The Baton’s Joan Jullian and Jacky Ireta Couture, DJ Ale Maes, Grammy nominated DJ and Producer Ralphi Rosario, and of course the one and only CircuitMOM.

This online event will be streamed across Twitchcircuitmom.com, and Facebook Live, and in an effort to keep progress moving forward will benefit Black Lives Matter and Trans Chicago from the Puerto Rican Cultural Center.  Prepare to pull out your phones and tip these performers down. We appreciate anything and everything you are able to give.

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Master Class in Cooking with Chef Tong

Chicago’s  Chef Tong is now offering something pretty cool!  NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE!

Private Virtual Cooking Classes from My Private Chef

I love to attend Chef Tong’s cooking classes when he holds them in Chicago. But now with technology, you can cook alongside this world-renowned, international chef during a private, one-on-one video session!

Cooking is such a satisfying way of getting creative at home. Now, with a personalized class from My Private Chef, you get to expand your skills, or try new foods, or prepare old favorites. How about introducing a young family member to the world of cooking?

Here’s how it works: Chef Christopher Tong will work with you to create your menu, provide an ingredients list, recipes and a demonstration based on your selection. You set up a date and time via video conference. Chef Chris will lead you step by step to perfection.

Cooking at home has never been so fun!

For more details, contact Event Services at 773.370.8131

My Private Chef is enjoying popularity as one of Chicago’s favorite private 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.

Become a Facebook Fan: www.facebook.com/ChefChrisTong

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Grabby Awards Show Streaming LIVE This Year May 30th

The annual GRABBYS Award Show, highlighting top talent and performances in the gay erotic film industry, will take place on Saturday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m. CDT.

This annual event is usually held in Chicago each Spring, to sold-out audiences. Due to current state and local restrictions related to COVID-19, the event will be live-streamed. The event is expected to reach thousands of more fans this year around the world!

“Despite the unfortunate situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, the show must go on — safely,” said show producer Stacy Bridges. “We’re excited the GRABBYS is the first gay erotic award show to be live-streamed, providing more fans the opportunity to join the celebration for FREE! And unlike our live-stage productions, the show this year will feature adult- material, such as X-rated film clips for ‘Best Movie’ nominees!”

Chi Chi LaRue and Honey West

will return for the 21st year as virtual hostesses; Chi Chi LaRue from Minneapolis and Honey West in Chicago.

The show is expected to be approximately 90 minutes.

GayVN Stars is the presenting sponsor. “We are thrilled to be working with our friends at the GRABBYS to stream their highly anticipated ceremony live on our GayVN Stars platform,” said AVN Media Network CEO Tony Rios. “We’re looking forward to seeing all the fans of adult entertainment worldwide come together online for this special interactive broadcast event.”

The nominees this year include;

850Bdt, Aumphreak4, BillySantoroXXX, CadeMaddoxxx,
CodyGunzXXX, CutlerX, DillonAndersonX, DirkCaber, DreGilcrest, Hattrickz91, HossKado, HungerFF, King111_, LeoGiamani3, LevyFoxxXXX, Maxadonisxxx, MichaelLucasNYC, MinoFlexXX, PoppersGod, RCandDigger, RafaelMovies, RayDexterXXX, RealMenFullBush, RhyheimShabazz, RoccoSteeleNYC, RopeTrainKeep, SeanHardingXXX, SeanZevran, TheGrayMerchant, TripleXTransMan, TylerHillXXX, TylerSaintReal, Zackybro101, adamrussoxxx, atxpapi, cagedjock, deepfillernyc,
devinfrancoxxx, eagerbttmxxx, edjidasilvaxx, grgisthewerd, griffinbarrowsx, iammisterbolden, itskravemelanin, jackmackenroth, loganstevensxxx, maxkonnorxxx, nickcapra, phatrabbitkill2, and rastadikk.

Additional sponsors include GRAB Magazine, Swiss Navy Lube, Justfor.fans and Steamworks Baths Chicago. (New issues of GRAB MAGAZINE are available  online for free, every other week!)

For more information and updates, visit www.GrabbyAwards.com.

 

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Chicago Gay PrideFest June 20-21

Chicago Pride Fest is  BACK ON for  June 20-21!

It was previously announced   that Pride Fest,  the Pride  Parade and  Market Days  were being canceled or rescheduled, due to the Covid 19 restrictions and limitations.

This morning it was announced  that plans  are underway to put together a  2 night virtual celebration of  Pride  Fest streaming for Free to Chicago and the world!

Chicago Pride Fest Goes Virtual

Chicago Pride Fest will mark its 20th year with a virtual festival format. On June 20-21, the Northalsted Business Alliance brings Boystown to the world with a streaming Chicago Pride Fest celebrating the love, life and diversity of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community. Running from 7 pm to 9 pm both nights, the streaming Twitch event will feature a full line-up with entertainment, activism, greetings and more.

Virtual gate donations will benefit Boystown community programming, the Center on Halsted and Howard Brown Health.

Northalsted President Ramesh Ariyanayakam acknowledges how different things will look this year. “Right now our focus is all about planning a Pride celebration for the digital ages. We know this virtual festival will bring much needed connection and hope to our community and beyond and are thrilled to produce this event.”

More details at pridefestchicago   . A full programming line-up will be available in June .

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Cinco De Mayo and Mothers Days Carry Out Specials

Awesome  CINCO DE MAYO  and  MOTHER’S  DAY  BRUNCH

Carry out options!

You can still celebrate  Cinco De Mayo & Mathers Day in Chicago, with food and drink from your favorite local Mexican restaurant!

Drink and Food  specials

#SupportLocal

 

Happy Houseplants

TO-GO DRINK SPECIALS:

*$6 House Lime Margaritas

$20 Four pk House Lime Margaritas

$7 House Flavored Margaritas

$24 Four pk House Flavored Margaritas

$15 Six pk of beer 

$20 bottle of wine

Drink specials are only available with food purchase and when you place your order directly through restaurant.

New - Form Chairs

Let Us Cater Your 5 de Mayo Fiesta

We are Excited to offer FAMILY MEAL PACKAGES starting at $34.99 + tax & delivery! Each of our Family Meal packages feed 4 adults!

Thank you for your support.

Plan you order ahead of time so it’s ready to be picked up or delivered just in time for your Fiesta! Call today #773-549-2932 www.elmariachitequilabar.com

Plan ahead and please Allow up to 1 hour and half to prep & deliver.

Check Out Our Family Packages:

Pre-Order your Family packs today 773-549-2932!

Available for Pick-up and Delivery only at 3906 N. Broadway

Curbside pick up also available!

Mothers  Day Carry  out!

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Chicago Pride Fest and Gay Pride Parade Canceled

As we navigate through these unprecedented times, the Northalsted Business Alliance announces the postponement of Chicago Pride Fest 🏳️‍🌈 originally scheduled for June 20-21. It is our hope to reschedule this Pride celebration for Labor Day weekend, September 5-6, 2020.

 

Andersonville  Midsommerfest – The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce will postpone Andersonville Midsommarfest originally scheduled for June 12-14, 2020 to the weekend of August 21-23, 2020. This decision was made with careful consideration in light of the current restriction of large gatherings needed to bend the curve and stop the spread of the COVID19 virus.

Pride in the Park Chicago  has been  rescheduled until June 26th and 27th, 2021.

Gay Pride Parade – Letter from Chicago Pride Parade 2020….
“We are sad to announce that the annual Pride Parade will not take place this year on June 28. We announce this postponement in the hope that conditions will allow the parade to take place later this summer or early fall.
We have always felt that safety is the first priority for our participants in the parade; the hundreds of thousands of spectators; as well as all the city agencies and independent contractors that work so hard to make the parade a success every year.
We hope that there will be a possibility to re-schedule. However, If that is not possible, we know that the Pride Parade will be back in 2021 and for years to come.”

 

At this time  Heatwave 2020 is still scheduled  for  July 18, 2020

                     Northalsted Market Days is  still scheduled  for  August  8 & 9, 2020

                     Out in the Park @ Six Flags  September 12th, 2020

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Wing it with Wendy Sitti Chicago’s Hilarious Socialite

SHE IS  thee Chicago Socialite and a woman of the world! 

Laughter is best medicine and  Wendy Sitti knows how to serve it up!

It’s true: laughter is strong medicine. It draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress.

Wonderful, witty, wild and  wacky, EVERYONE loves  Wendy! With her infectious laugh and her wacky ways she will have you forget your troubles in a few short minutes.

Wing it with Wendy!  Wendy Sitti now  has a channel and  a  show!   “I will have episodes of  DIY Do it Yourself Shows, of various domestication from cooking, gardening, home improvement, travel to unique places and landmarks, in Drag Queen style. We will also have guest appearances by celebrities and film episodes from exotic places around the world to also my home!”

Truly entertaining! –  BestGayChicago.com

We hope this channel will entertain you and teach you a new trick or two! At press time,  3  episodes are out now!

 

“I was born in Warsaw, Poland.  The apple of my parents eye! I was raised on a farm and later went to work in my dads sausage factory.  That is where I met Stanley in high school and where we went to prom.   He was nice but I knew I needed something bigger, it must of been from being around all of that sausage.  I wanted to go to America.” Wendy tells us.

“After saving enough money, I flew to Chicago and realized I had no place to stay.   I called my cousin Rich and moved in with him.”

“I know America is the land of opportunity and I was excited to make it big.  I dyed my hair black to fit in and have a different look.   But then some woman, Mrs. Richfield told me I was moving in on her scene.   I went back to my natural color and started doing all kinds of odd jobs.  Cleaning rooms at a hotel on Halsted called Steamworks, to cleaning the rooms at the Elysium Hotel in Mykonos.   I kind of became a big thing and I’m not talking about my boobs!”

  “I enjoy fashion, drinking, socializing and hanging out with nice people.  If you want your event to Pop, like my cherry then invite me!”

SUBSCRIBE!

also  Wendy on Instagram

and  her  website

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Three Course Amazing Valentine Dinner in Boystown

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

Treat your date to an intimate, candlelit dinner at El Mariachi Restaurant! We will be offering a special $40 Prix Fixe Valentine’s menu which will be available ALL WEEKEND   from Friday 2/14 to Sunday 2/16

 

Our regular menu will also be available. But the Prix Fixe offers some amazing  and unique specialties!

Click Here To Reserve Today! Space is limited!

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Chicago Restaurant Weeks 2020

The weather outside might be frightful – but IT’S  RESTAURANT WEEK!!

This year marks the 13th annual Chicago Restaurant Week, bringing discounted dining to Chicagoans from more than 400 restaurants in the city and suburbs. From January 24 to February 9 (that’s actually two weeks) stop by participating restaurants for a pre-fixe multicourse meal. It’s a great time to check out that restaurant you’ve been meaning to try or go to your favorite spot at a discount.

For $24, you’ll brunch or lunch, and for $36 and/or $48 you’ll score dinner (beverages, tax, and gratuity are extra). No one has the time to sift through the list of menus especially with more restaurants than ever participating this year. That’s where we come in. These are the best Chicago Restaurant Week deals.

IN LAKEVIEW – OUR TOP PICK!

Start Chicago Restaurant Week Right!  For just $36, you can enjoy a 3-course dinner with many amazing modern Mexican features! Check out our menus and click on the link below to make a reservation!  We hope to see you soon amigos!

 

El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill!

3906 N. Broadway Chicago 773.549.2932

 

El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill will be offering a mouth watering 3 course prix fixe menu with many modern Mexican features!

 

Click Here To Reserve for El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill

 

Check out these menus!

 

 

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BEST Mariachi Band Comes to Chicagoland Feb 8th

Award-winning Mariachi ensemble to perform at Moraine Valley

Mariachi Herencia De México will perform its award-winning traditional Mexican music on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the Dorothy Menker Theater at Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills.

Tickets are $30, $25 for seniors, and free for children and students with ID. Those who qualify for free admission must acquire a ticket to reserve a seat.

This ensemble of students from Chicago’s immigrant barrios started in 2014 as a music education program for Chicago Public school students. The group has earned a Latin Grammy nomination in the Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album category, and its latest album, “Herencia de la Tierra Mia,” debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Latin Album sales chart.

Mariachi Herencia de México has performed alongside major artists, Lila Downs, Aida Cuevas, Los Lobos, Pedro Fernández, as well as some of the most respected mariachi groups from both sides of the border, including Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, Los Camperos, Sol de Mexico, Cobre, and the all-female group Reyna de Los Angeles.

 

For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Fine and Performing Arts Center Box Office at (708) 974-5500 or visit morainevalley.edu/fpac.

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Boystown Winter Fun Feb 8th and 9th

FEB 8th!  The Boystown Soup & Sip is a fun afternoon of sampling hot soup, cold beer, small bites, whiskey & more at 20+ locations!

Soup & Small Bites:
D.S. Tequila CompanyDrew’s on HalstedEl Mariachi Tequila BarElevate Coffee CompanyFajita Factory#ForeverYogurtLarkRoscoe’s TavernThe Chicago DinerWood ChicagoWhole Foods Market

Beverage Sampling:
Bacardi – CasamigosCH DistilleryCrystal Head VodkaDryHop BrewersEFFEN VodkaFireball WhiskyGoose IslandJameson Irish WhiskeyMaker’s MarkShort Fuse Brewing CompanySierra NevadaSkrewball WhiskeyVirtue Cider

Locations:
Ahf Pharmacy/Out Of The Closet Thrift StoreCBD Kratom ChicagoChicago Male Salon & SpaCram FashionCrosstown Fitness – NorthsideDouble Trip PressFFC BoystownKozy’s Cyclery: LakeviewMen’s Room ChicagoSidetrack The Video BarStrong Hands Studio &Personal TrainingTwo Hearted QueenUniversal Wellness Source – Zea Salon

Also featuring Lakeside Pride Cabaret performing at Sidetrack and Pride Arts Center ticket giveaway

ADVANCE TICKETS $20 – soupandsip.com

FEB  9th – Join us for Boystown Ice Follies at Gallagher Way, an outdoor skate party & drag show!

It’s a Sunday Funday of skating hilarity, live DJ, hot drinks, cold beer/cocktails & drag entertainment. Featuring ice queen Denali @Denali Foxx, DJ @CircuitMOM & host Alexis Bevels.

Presented by Boystown & Circuitmom Productions

Part of Chill Out Weekend with Boystown Soup & Sip!

Boystown Ice Follies at Gallagher Way Chicago
3637 N Clark next to Wrigley Field
Sunday February 9, 2-5pm
Admission $12 at the door
Includes skate fee & 1/2 price skates

icefollieschicago.com

Then ride a special Boystown trolley to The North End for the Ice Follies After Party featuring drink specials & giveaways by Egoist Underwear & Pride Arts Center, and hosts Denali Foxx & Alexis Bevels.

The North End Ice Follies After Party
Sunday February 9, 4-7pm
3733 N Halsted St

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New Years Eve and New Years Day Restaurant Pick!

New Years Eve & Day Celebration!

 

December 31th, 2019 | Chicago

Celebrate the New Year at El Mariachi and partake in a mouth watering 3 course prix fixe menu or order off our regular menu with your family and friends.

 

January 1st, 2020 | Chicago

On New Years Day join us at El Mariachi Tequila Bar & El Mariachi Restaurant for a Hangover Brunch done with a Mexican Twist!  $25 for bottomless mimosas and it also includes an entree from our brunch Menu!

 

 

 

Click on the links below to make your reservations!

 

> Click Here To Reserve for El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill

 

> Click Here To view 3 Course Prix Fixe Menu 

EL Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill

3906 N. Broadway

Chicago IL 60613 

773-549-2932

 

El Mariachi Restaurant

3420 N.Broadway

Chicago IL 60657

773-549-7020

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AIDS Garden Chicago Gets 30′ Haring Sculpture

AIDS GARDEN CHICAGO TO UNVEIL SIGNATURE 30-FOOT KEITH HARING SCULPTURE, SELF-PORTRAIT, THIS FALL, COMPLETING FIRST PHASE OF NEW PUBLIC LAKEFRONT GARDEN

 

In partnership with the Chicago Parks Foundation, the new AIDS Garden Chicago will memorialize the early days of Chicago’s HIV epidemic & honor those who continue to fight against the disease

 

 The Chicago Parks Foundation today announced that the first phase of the new AIDS Garden Chicago will be complete this Fall with the unveiling of a specially-commissioned 30-foot-high sculpture, Self-Portrait, by iconic HIV/AIDS activist and artist, the late Keith Haring. (Precise installation date to be announced.)  AIDS Garden Chicago will be the city’s first public monument to memorialize the early days of Chicago’s HIV epidemic and to honor those who continue to fight against the disease today.   As previously released, the new 2.5-acre public lakefront garden will be located along Lake Michigan just south of Belmont Harbor, at the original location of the ‘Belmont Rocks,’ a space where the local gay community gathered between the 1960s and 1990s.

“The fight against HIV/AIDS represents more than a health epidemic: it symbolizes a time in our history when the LGBTQ+ and ally communities came together in the face of tragedy,” said Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “We lost countless neighbors and friends and relatives over the years, but we have made significant strides in combatting the virus. What was one of the darkest moments of the 20th century has given way to a blooming garden of hope and love; this new AIDS Garden Chicago will serve as a permanent reminder of how far we have come and as a way to honor those who continue the work of getting to zero new HIV infections.”

“The Chicago Parks Foundation is so honored to be a part of this historic and legacy project for the city and all the communities and individuals who have been affected and still are living with HIV/AIDS.  We are far from eradicating the disease, but this garden and iconic Keith Haring sculpture will serve as a beacon of hope and unity for all.  This is truly a park with a purpose and a message,” said Chicago Parks Foundation Executive Director Willa Lang.

“We have worked closely with some of our longtime community leaders, held meetings with various community groups and are now excited to start phase one of this overdue project,” said Alderman Tom Tunney (44). “Self-Portrait’s new home at AIDS Garden Chicago, in the 44th Ward, is a small but powerful way to continue talking about the epidemic as we fight to bring both HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths to zero.”

Bold, bright green and nearly three stories high, Self-Portrait will be the largest iteration of this popular sculpture that has ever been fabricated, and the Chicago Parks Foundation expects it to be the Garden’s signature anchor and gathering point.  Working with the Chicago Park District and designed by landscape architects Design Workshop, AIDS Garden Chicago is set to be complete in 2020 and will include unique areas designed for reflection, education, honor, and pride.  Visitors will be guided with markers and milestones through a variety of intimate and collective garden spaces to be coordinated and maintained by community gardeners still in formation.  This park garden will provide a sensory nature experience; the most notable being a memorable grove of Gingko trees and a perennial garden of natural plantings at the entrance. A serpentine path will be the site for future temporary art installations organized by community partners.

Self-Portrait is provided to AIDS Garden Chicago through a generous gift from the Keith Haring Foundation with personal financial support from Alderman Tom Tunney that was matched by the Alphawood Foundation Chicago.  Rosenthal Fine Art, which facilitated the conversation with the Haring Foundation, was established here in 1986 and has most recently been dedicated to making art more accessible to the public through partnerships with private developers and city agencies.

Keith Haring (1958-1990) generously contributed his talents and resources to numerous causes. In 1989, Haring established a foundation to ensure that his philanthropic legacy would continue indefinitely. The Keith Haring Foundation supports arts and educational institutions by funding exhibitions, educational programs, and publications that serve to contextualize and illuminate the artist’s work and philosophy.

Alderman Tom Tunney and the Chicago Parks Foundation thank all the valuable partners still in formation and continuing to grow, including the Keith Haring Foundation, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Alphawood Foundation Chicago, Center on Halsted, Friends of the Parks, Howard Brown Health, and Legacy Project.  The Chicago Parks Foundation welcomes additional financial partners to help bring the project to completion.

The Chicago Parks Foundation, the charitable partner to the Chicago Park District, was established in 2013 as a nonprofit to operate in a private-public partnership in support of Chicago’s parks, independent and collaborative in spirit. The Foundation facilitates over $2.3 million in grants annually that support Chicago parks and park programs. More information can be found at https://www.chicagoparksfoundation.org/

More information on AIDS Garden Chicago can be found at AIDSgardenchicago.org.

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World of Chocolate Returns Dec. 5th

World of Chocolate is Chicago’s premier World AIDS Day event supporting the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s efforts to mobilize communities, creating equity and justice for people living with and vulnerable to HIV and related chronic diseases.

World of Chocolate celebrates the imagination and ingenuity of our renowned chefs from across Chicago!

THURSDAY, DEC. 5, 2019, 6 – 9 P.M.

AT REVEL FULTON MARKET 

Enter at 1215 W. Fulton Market (Fulton and Racine).

The closest CTA L stop is located at Morgan on the Pink/Green Lines.

Complimentary coat check is provided.

Click here to buy tickets

Tickets purchased before Dec. 3 will be held Will Call. Check in with your name or your ticket purchaser’s name. After Dec. 3, General Admission & VIP tickets are available at the door for $150 and $250 respectively.

Parking: We recommend using public transportation or taxis. Street parking is available in the neighborhood — check parking signs and pay boxes for information.

Dress to impress! Your favorite holiday cocktail attire/business casual is perfect for the evening.

VOTE for People’s Choice! During check in, you’ll receive a red marble to vote for your favorite chocolatier. The event is bigger and better than ever, so plan your night accordingly by perusing our chefs and menu for the evening.

At 8:30 p.m., we’ll have a special performance to announce the judges’ picks for Best Sweet, Best Savory, Best Libation, Best Small Business, Best Large Business and Best Sculpture.

Knock yourself out! Punch Board and Luxury Raffle prizes will be announced Monday, Nov. 11.

Share the fun! Help us get the buzz going on Facebook and Instagram by using #AFChocolate

VIEW PHOTOS FROM 2018.

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