Category Archives: News and Happenings
REPLAY bar Gives Us a Sneak Peak Inside
REPLAY is opening this weekend!
The new bar will feature more than 25
craft beers on tap and a cocktail menu designed by Elixir’s mixologist,
Danny Quinn, and a limited food menu from Halsted’s.
Gay Porn Stars in Chicago this Weekend
May 23rd, 2013 –
Grabby Official Kickoff Party with
Chi Chi LaRue
and the Men
for Fabscout
Hydrate 3458 N. Halsted from 9pm till
? $5 Cover.
Friday
May 24th, 2013 –
Lucky Horse Shoe
3169 N. Halsted
CameraBoys.com presents Cocktails with the Stars
w/Scotty B and the men of Colt, Hot House & Jet Set Men
9pm-till Midnight $5 Cover
Saturday
May 25th, 2013
The
2013 Grabbys! NEW LOCATION!!
Center on Halsted 3656 N. Halsted
Red carpet / doors open at 6:00
PM. Show stars at 8:00 PM.
GET TICKETS
GRABBY
OFFICIAL AFTERPARTY
Charlies
3726 N. Broadway – 10pm till Close…
$10 Advance….$15 at the Door
Tickets now on sale
CLICK
HERE
The finale!
Sunday May 26th, 2013
Naked Sword Post
Grabby Recovery Brunch at North
End
3733 N Halsted from 1
– 4:00 PM
$10 Cover. $15 at the door.
For the first time ever
hear from the Porn Stars what took place before, during and after the
Grabbys.
* this event has sold
out
early in
the past so
get your tickets early space is
limited! Tickets are available at North End.
The OUT Chicago Hotel Still Working Hard to Please Neighbors
WHY are people afraid of change?
vibrancy,” Reisner said. “… So I feel like I’m bringing a resort to
your community that will be a luxury, a benefit. … How about jobs? How
about tax revenues? When you say, ‘What am I doing here?’ I feel like
you’re attacking me. Would you like me not to bring a business here?”
People at last nights meeting had in their mind this was going to be a gay flop house. I don’t think a gay flop house could possibly made Fodors list of the top 100 hotels in the world. At $200-$225 a night, I think this hotel will bring an educated, savvy consumer to Boystown.
People expressed concerns about the “hostel” element. It’s not a hostel. The OUT NYC has a couple 4 person sleep/share rooms, which goes for about $90 a night, per person. People are able to enjoy all the amenities of the hotel but don’t get their own room per se’ and it’s co-ed.
Sleep Shares have a bathroom, a cubby to stash your stuff, and a
full-sized bed with personal 22’ TV and privacy curtains. You can travel with
your friends and get the whole place to yourselves, or come alone and
meet new people. These rooms are the answer to experiencing the pleasure
of New York without the pain of high-priced lodging. So it’s hardly a hostel or sex den.
More people on the streets brings vibrancy and consumer dollars to the neighborhood. We should welcome THE OUT CHICAGO with open arms, as they will surely give a huge boost to the neighborhood.
Jim Ludwig, owner a Roscoes and President of Triangle Neighbors said he believes all parties involved are working together, for the best possible outcome for all.
About Face Theatre THE PRIDE June 6-July 13th
this post is sponsored by:
Dani Toro and Circuit Mom Productions for IML Weekend in Chicago
IML 35! You have got tons of events all weekend coming up , but one of my favorites is always International Mr. Leather Victory Celebration Party concert at HOUSE OF BLUES! Sunday, May 26th.
While he makes my mouth water, his sets are always strong and very energetic, which borderline between
Tribal House and Progressive, and blends it wellwith Mainstream House,
delightning the most demanding crowd.
He has worked at he best LGBT European Clubs. Although his career started back in 1999, he had his major
break in the LGBT Circuit Scene in 2009, by becoming one of the guest
headliners for MADRID Pride 2009 – which took place at Vazquez de Mella
square – where he played for a crowd of over 6000 people. Further more,
the same night, he played at Madrid’s Iconic Party “HEAVEN” (Madrid
Pride, 2009).
In the last few years (2010, 2011, 2012), Dani Toro has become a favorite headliner at Barcelona Pride.
OH – and don’t get there too late! Producer Matthew Harvat has said that the opening production number will be OFF THE HOOK!!! And NOT TO BE MISSED!
| Sunday 05/26/2013 Doors: 09:00 PM Show: 09:00 PM Price: $65.00 – General Admission Ages: 21+ |
|
House of Blues Chicago 329 N. Dearborn Chicago, IL 60654 (312) 923-2000 |
Rest up Monday daytime because Monday night is an annual party, The Black and Blue Ball, at The Castle (formerly Excalibur) that is a favorite of ours. Matthew Harvat will dj with Ralphi Rosario!! Rosario is a Chicago legend!
Highly sought after to work as a DJ and remixer and he has released several
full-length albums. Rosario has remixed tracks by artists including INXS, the Shamen, Jomanda, Culture Beat, Gloria Estefan, Dee-Lite, Pet Shop Boys, Madonna, Michael Bublé, Mariah Carey, Ricky Martin, Kelly Clarkson, Pussycat Dolls, and Princess X.
The classic officially
sanctioned IML closing party returns with a completely remodeled club
inside the old Excalibur! You won’t believe your eyes, but more
importantly, your ears will fall in love with the VOID Sound System.
It’s like no other in the country and THIS will be the VOID debut to the
gay audience!
What was once a small party for 100 people in a
hotel bar, The Black & Blue Ball has grown to a landmark,
international leather dance party with upwards of 2000 people making
this event one of the largest gay parties in Chicago. With 20,000
square feet of party space on 4 levels, this final blow out of the IML
weekend is sure to be the best one yet.
Chicago’s legendary
DJ/Producer/Remixer Ralphi Rosario will bring his Grammy nominated
passion and talent to the IML stage for the first time and it is sure to
be epic. DJ Matthew Harvat returns to the party he took over 12 years
ago to spin his own special mix of dirty house and classic vocals.
You’d better take off on Tuesday, because the 35th Anniversary Black and Blue Ball is going to wear. you. out.
Individual tickets are ONLY available at the ticket booth located in
the leather mart of the Marriott Hotel (the host hotel) starting Friday,
May 24th or at the door of CASTLE the night of the event. See you
there.
THE CASTLE
632 North Dearborn Street
Spain’s culture is showcased with Ensemble Español’s 37th American Spanish Dance & Music Festival, June 12 through June 23.
Chicago’s unique contribution to the elegance and passion of Spain’s dance, music and culture is showcased as never before in Ensemble Español’s 37th American Spanish Dance & Music Festival, Wednesday, June 12 through Sunday, June 23.
Following the screening there will be a Q & A with Carmela Greco, Dame Libby Komaiko and dancers of the Ensemble Español and a Spanish Tapas & Wine reception by Emilios Tapas Restaurant. Tickets are $15 (general admission), $12 (students and seniors) and $10 (IC and ILCC Members).
“>
Chaka Kahn Headlines Center on Halsteds Human First Gala May 18
Tickets are still available for Center on Halsted’s Human First gala on May 18th. An amazing fun-filled evening, honoring several outstanding community members and enjoying a great performance by Chicago native, Chaka Khan, followed by dancing until midnight.
This year’s Human First Award recipients include Sarah Schmidt & Julie Matthei, and Jonathan “Yoni” Pizer & Brad Lippitz, whose work to advance marriage equality has been essential to its growing success; and Richard Turner,
who has been active in AIDS/HIV and LGBTQ issues, as well as with
corporate and philanthropic communities. Being honored with the
Community Spirit Award will be Allstate Insurance Company,
which has been very supportive of agencies nationwide, particularly
around the issues of domestic violence and fiscal literacy. Co-chairing
this year’s event are Charles A. Schrock and Laura Ricketts. Billie Jean King, has agreed to serve as Honorary Co-Chair along with Amina Dickerson, Anne Kaplan, Abby O’Neil & Carroll Joynes, and Maria Bechily & Scott Hodes.
Please join us at the amazing Hilton, 720 S. Michigan,
in what is sure
to be a memorable evening.
Tickets are available at Centeronhalsted.org/hf.
About Face Theatres WHATS THE T
About Face Theatre is pleased to present a remount of its wildly popular Youth Ensemble world premiere WHAT’S THE T? by Sara Kerastas and The About Face Youth Theatre Ensemble, directed by Artistic Associate Eric Hoff, playing May 19 – June 2, 2013 at the Prince Charitable Trusts Upstairs Loft at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., in Chicago. The production features members of the About Face Youth Theatre Ensemble. Tickets are available at www.aboutfacetheatre.com or at the door.
Internet
personality/trans activist/fierce community leader Ms. Ma uses her
YouTube page to create community, serve glamour and spread the good word
about queer safe spaces in Chicago. WHAT’S THE T? tells the
story of Ms. Ma’s tangled web of connections, her struggle to stay
positive and what happens to her community when she disappears. Inspired
by issues of race, gender, age and class in Chicago’s “Boystown,” WHAT’S THE T? is based on true stories and interviews from LGBTQA youth and adults in and around Chicago.
WHAT’S THE T? began
with the theme of trans identity, but after year-one, the youth
ensemble chose to take it a step further by using this theme to address
the significant tensions arising in the queer community. As such, the
play examines issues of race, gender, class and age in the queer
community, with trans characters at the heart of the story. For 13
years, the Youth Theatre has sought changes within the larger community
through innovative thought, dialogue, and performance. AFYT hopes to
move their ensemble from positions of marginalization into positions of
inclusion and power.
“There’s
a whole storyline in the play that takes place on the Internet – with
two people documenting their lives through YouTube videos, and
ultimately building a relationship in that digital elusive space,”
comments playwright Sara Kerastas. “This play is so right now. The story speaks to how we communicate right now. How we build, how we own, and how we use space right now.”
The production team for WHAT’S THE T? includes: John Holt (set design/technical director), Mieka van der Ploeg (costume design), Jeff Glass (lighting design/production manager), Erik Roldan (sound design), Liviu Pasare (projections design), Nic K (choreography), Rupert Priniski (production coordinator) and John Rooney (stage manager).
Title:
Playwright: Sar
Director: A
Featuring: Ab
Location: Pr
Dates:
Curtain Times: Fridays at Saturdays at 7 pm; Sundays at 3 pm. Note: there will an added 3 pm performance on Saturday, June 1.
Tickets: $15. $5 youth tickets; $25 AFYT Support Ticket.
Tickets for WHAT’S THE T? are available at www.aboutfacetheatre.com or at the door.
National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame
A hall of fame for gay athletes and allies is launching in Chicago.
The nonprofit National Gay & Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame will
accept nominees beginning this summer. Its goal is to honor people and
organizations that have “stood up to stereotypes” and embraced gay and
lesbian athletes, said Bill Gubrud, executive director and board
chairman.
“We’re not just going to honor gay athletes, but other athletes who
helped those gay athletes along and provided a safe haven,” Gubrud said.
Read more at the Tribune.
Bike Sharing in Lakeview in Boystown
When I was Paris a couple years ago, I thought their bike rental program was pretty cool, with rental stations all over the city. Now, Chicago launches DIVVY bike sharing program , that will allow people to use bikes for $75 a year! By 2014, they want to have 400 stations all over the city.
where Lake View neighbors can pick up bicycles. The new cycles will
also be painted the iconic “Chicago Blue” to “provide a high level of
visibility on the street,” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. Divvy is expected to launch downtown around Bike to Work Day on June 14, with about 75 stations.
Low Wage Workers STRIKE in Chicago, Asking for a Living Wage
EARLIER THIS MONTH lower wage workers in New York City striked – today, it was Chicago’s turn. Workers at McDonalds, Macy’s, Sear’s and Subway took to the picket lines!
WAGES IN OUR COUNTRY truly do suck! And I for one am happy to see people fighting back. It is almost impossible to find a job for $10-$15. And event at $15 an hour, that is barely a livable wage.
Hundreds of employees from stores
walked off the job today in Chicago for higher wages, three
weeks after a similar strike by fast-food workers in New York.
The employees marched in the Chicago Loop and near the
Magnificent Mile shopping area, calling for $15-an-hour pay,
82 percent more than the state’s minimum wage, and the right to
form a union without intimidation. The one-day strike was
arranged by the Workers Organizing Committee of Chicago, a group
of retail and food workers, according to a statement yesterday.
serving workers in the U.S., including those who work at fast-
food restaurants, according to a report by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics in May. The median wage for those workers is $8.78 an
hour, or about $18,260 a year, the data shows. MOST BUSINESSES would only have raise the price of items by pennies, to make up for a better wage!
Dine at Taverna 750 for Earth Day Weekend
Earth Day is an annual day, celebrated on April 22nd each year on which events are held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection.
Chicago Dining Out For Life 2013
What are YOU doing, Thursday, April 25th?
Hopefully, dining out! At one of your favorite restaurants.
Dine out. Fight AIDS!
Join us to celebrate food, friends and a great cause at our 20th annual Dining Out For Life!
This event happens all of the country!
60 HIV/AIDS service organizations benefit
3,000 restaurants will donate a percentage of sales
250,000 people will be dining out for breakfast, lunch and dinner
$3 million a year for outstanding HIV/AIDS organizations in the US and Canada!
Grab your family and friends (classmates, co-workers, yoga instructor, etc.) and make plans to dine out for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner at a participating restaurant in a city near you. A percentage of sales will benefit an outstanding HIV/AIDS service organization in your community.
Reservations are strongly encouraged at most Dine Out locations. Let your restaurant know that you will be dining with them because of their support for HIV/AIDS services in your community. Dine Out, Fight AIDS!
Last year, Chicago raised over $110,000, which benefits EdgeAlliance, with that money, they will continue its mission of providing housing with life services to men, women & children living with HIV/AIDS. This year we hope to raise even more! You can help make a difference by joining us along with 60 other cities throughout North America and Nigeria and dine out on Thursday, April 25th!
Dine Out. Fight AIDS.
Is Boystown Chicago Becoming a Ghost Town?
I sure HOPE NOT!
DID you know?? It was the first officially recognized gay village in the United States, as well as the cultural center of one of the largest lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender (LGBT) communities in the nation.
North Halsted Street is the main street of this bustling district. City planners have designated North Halsted an official pedestrian and bike route following a 1998 community project that resulted in the erection of 11 pairs of rainbow-colored abstract Art Deco pylons along the strip. History was made! And we must NOT LET THAT DIE!
There is a great wiki article, which traces gay life in Chicago.
First, the gay community was first in the River North area around Clark and Hubbard. The Baton Bar is still in this area.
The area we now know as Boystown in the 1970’s was a crime-riddled
neighborhood, but Little Jim’s opened there in 1975 and because gays
were being priced out of the up-and-coming River North area, they moved
further north.
Gays have a way of making their neighborhoods great, and
places where the general population want to be as well. So, soon other
gay bars would move into the area. Sidetracks and the now gone
Christopher St would open. Roscoe’s must have came to be about this same
time. There was even a lesbian bar there named the Ladybug.
The New York Times analyzed the shift of the Castro in 2007.
In the Castro, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical
Society held public meetings earlier this year to grapple with such
questions as “Are Gay Neighborhoods Worth Saving?”
“The Castro, and to a lesser extent the West Village, was where you
went to express yourself,” said Don F. Reuter, a New York author who is
researching a book on the rise and fall of gay neighborhoods, or
“gayborhoods.”
“Claiming physical territory was a powerful act,” Mr. Reuter said. “But the gay neighborhood is becoming a past-tense idea.” – I think it’s a shame. They ARE worth saving.
I think someone like Ian Reisner, from THE OUT NYC, who wants to open his 2nd OUT hotel, in Boystown, means something. He wants to invest $30 million into Boystown and bring over 100 new jobs. The fact that THE ABBEY was sniffing around Boystown, means something. That it is still worth re-investing in!
ZACH STAFFORD did an awesome piece in this week’s RedEye.
He says, “Boystown is my go-to, my very own Cheers, but on a larger scale. I’m
certainly not alone, but as the weather starts to warm and the bar scene
beckons ever more urgently, I keep asking myself: Is this really a good
use of my time in Chicago, a progressive city with so much to do? Do I
need to bust out of Boystown for a change? I’m not so sure.
LGBT people understand what I’m talking about. Boystown is a gay
refuge, rainbow pillars and all. It’s become the place that we, as a
community, have built for ourselves over the years at times when most of
society told us we had no place. And in regards to going out, it’s a
community where many gay folks feel the most safe when tossing back a
few beers.
Sure, society has come a long way in terms of LGBT rights, but things
aren’t really that perfect yet. We, as LGBT people, still have a lot of
things to worry about when thinking of going out for a night on the
town.”
(Please read his full article).
REPLAY to Replace Bucks on Halsted
really excited that we are now going to be taking over the bar that I
originally fell in love with so long ago.” Mark is also owner of Hydrate Nightclub, Halsted’s Bar & Grill and Elixir.
The rendering design shows a brand new bar with arcade games. The space will include over 20 retro arcade
games ranging from Ms. Pac-Man to Galaga, Space Invaders to Donkey
Kong.
menu designed by Elixir’s mixologist, Danny Quinn, and a limited food
menu from Halsted’s. (which is right next door!).
Chicago House Spring Brunch May 5th
MB Financial Presents WONDERLAND
The 2013 Spring Brunch and Fashion Show
“If I had a
world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what
it is, because everything would be what it isn’t!
And contrariwise,
what it wouldn’t be, it would. You see?“
When: May 5, 2013 Time: Noon to 3:30p.m.
Where: Harold Washington Library, Winter Garden Ballroom, 400 South State Street
Runway Seating: $300 Garden Seating: $200
For more information or to purchase VIP tickets, call Beth at (773) 248-5200 x303. Space is limited, this event will sell out! Tickets online now.
VIP Access to GLAAD AWARDS Auction for Chicago House
VIP TO GLAAD AWARDS on EBAY!
Exclusive GLAAD Media Awards online charity auction is drawing to a close on Saturday, April 13th!
Proceeds
will benefit Chicago House’s Trans100 efforts, part of our greater
programming which has served Chicago’s LGBT community since 1985.
Bid here for a VIP Package for TWO to your choice of:
GLAAD Media Awards In Los Angeles at the JW Marriott (4/20) honoring President Bill Clinton
GLAAD Media Awards in San Francisco at the Hilton San Francisco (5/11) honoring Adam Lambert
Star Studded Package Includes!
*Roundtrip domestic flights for two people to Los Angeles (4/19) or San Francisco (5/10)
· *One hotel room for two nights (4/19 & 4/20 or 5/10 & 5/11)
· *2 VIP GLAAD Media Awards Tickets (access to the Private Celebrity Reception
for each guest; as well as entrance to the GLAAD Cocktail Reception
& Silent Auction, Dinner & Show, After-Party, and Gift Bag).
The GLAAD Media Awards celebrate the most outstanding images of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community in the media at the largest, most visible LGBT gala in the nation, the GLAAD Media Awards! Held in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco with over 5,000 attendees, the GLAAD Media Awards bring celebrities, corporate partners, media professionals, and young adults together in support of GLAAD’s mission to amplify the voice of the LGBT community and achieve full equality!
Get Dosed! At Dose Market Sunday April 14
Dose
is a monthly market featuring the finest selection of vendors in one
place: the modern, lofted halls of the River East Art Center. Join us
once a month to celebrate Chicago’s most dynamic gathering of innovative
fashion, artisan food and high design.
Sunday!
$10 gets you in – Free cocktails and food tastings and Fabulous shopping!
You heard it here first: this is the finest drinking vodka on the planet and it wears its Chicago stars with pride. Next Star Vodka make
their DOSE debut with gratis pours of their stellar Chicago mule —
ginger beer, lime juice and their fanatic-inspiring spirit — the perfect
way to get ready for your Très Awesome photoshoot.
favorite outfit (or build it at the Market and get plenty of help) and
find yourself on the sweep in front of Chicago’s reigning street-style
maven, Emma Arnold of Très Awesome. With
seriously cool technology, you’ll not only get a great shot, you’ll
have a shot at winning some fantastic Spring accessories.
finest brews, wines and spirits free of charge if you’re the appropriate
age. We realize, though, different strokes for different folks. You may
now trade in your drink ticket for DOSE h2o!
Dose Market
CHI will be providing DOSE-goers the opportunity to try the service and
snag a free ride to the Market this Sunday! Just enter the code
ILOVEDOSE for a $15 credit toward your first ride.
Dining Out For Life Chicago 2013
Make reservations NOW for your favorite restaurant!
A dozen restaurants in Lakeview/ Boystown are participating.
By dining at any of the Dine on North Halsted restaurants
listed above on April 25th, a portion of the proceeds (33% for the most
part) will go to EdgeAlliance.
provide housing and life progress services to assist
individuals/families diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. With donations, they have
constructed a campus in the North Lawndale community consisting of two
family-focused apartment complexes and one for single women and men.
