Category Archives: News and Happenings
Diva Gay Brunch Returns to THE SPOT Starting April 4th, Easter Sunday
One year ago,
The Spot at 4437 N Broadway
and The Scooty & JoJo Show
came together for an incredibly successful six-month engagement of Chicago’s first “wear your pancake and eat it too” variety brunch extravaganza – DIVA BRUNCH.
Following a football season hiatus, The Spot’s main dining room will once again be transformed on Sundays into a gilded glamor den where guests feast on specialty brunch cuisine as Divas and Dames of all genders provide the entertainment.
Two shows every Sunday at 11am and 1pm. Brunch package starts at $35/guest. Package includes live entertainment, a selection from our exclusive brunch menu, unlimited mimosas or bellinis for the duration of the show, and coffee or tea. Reservations for DIVA BRUNCH are highly recommended.
On Easter Sunday, April 4, as well as multiple dates throughout the year, original hosts Scooty and JoJo return to entertain guests with their unique brand of song, smarts, and sass.
New this season will be a revolving roster of diva hosts including Cabaret Haught, co-created by Scooty & JoJo’s own little bird Calidonia Olivares, who will be dishing up outrageously delectable diva diversions worthy of flying the coup.
Each Sunday will feature fabulous diva hosts and special guest stars, including cabaret singers, gender-illusionists, stand-up comics, musical groups, and stars of musical theatre, as well as the casts of currently running and upcoming musical productions around Chicago.
And while the Divas perform, The Spot will again be offering a high-end romp of decadent food for the inner diva in all of us. Guests will select their main course from an exclusive DIVA menu, featuring such fabulous brunch fare as “Strip those Eggs” (NY Strip and Eggs!) and “French Quarter Toast” (French Toast meets Bananas Foster – prepared table-side!). See the whole menu!
The package also features unlimited mimosas and
bellinis during the show and coffee or tea.
For reservations call 773-728-8934.
The Best of Gay Chicago
Diva Gay Brunch Returns to THE SPOT Starting April 4th, Easter Sunday
One year ago,
The Spot at 4437 N Broadway
and The Scooty & JoJo Show
came together for an incredibly successful six-month engagement of Chicago’s first “wear your pancake and eat it too” variety brunch extravaganza – DIVA BRUNCH.
Following a football season hiatus, The Spot’s main dining room will once again be transformed on Sundays into a gilded glamor den where guests feast on specialty brunch cuisine as Divas and Dames of all genders provide the entertainment.
Two shows every Sunday at 11am and 1pm. Brunch package starts at $35/guest. Package includes live entertainment, a selection from our exclusive brunch menu, unlimited mimosas or bellinis for the duration of the show, and coffee or tea. Reservations for DIVA BRUNCH are highly recommended.
On Easter Sunday, April 4, as well as multiple dates throughout the year, original hosts Scooty and JoJo return to entertain guests with their unique brand of song, smarts, and sass.
New this season will be a revolving roster of diva hosts including Cabaret Haught, co-created by Scooty & JoJo’s own little bird Calidonia Olivares, who will be dishing up outrageously delectable diva diversions worthy of flying the coup.
Each Sunday will feature fabulous diva hosts and special guest stars, including cabaret singers, gender-illusionists, stand-up comics, musical groups, and stars of musical theatre, as well as the casts of currently running and upcoming musical productions around Chicago.
And while the Divas perform, The Spot will again be offering a high-end romp of decadent food for the inner diva in all of us. Guests will select their main course from an exclusive DIVA menu, featuring such fabulous brunch fare as “Strip those Eggs” (NY Strip and Eggs!) and “French Quarter Toast” (French Toast meets Bananas Foster – prepared table-side!). See the whole menu!
The package also features unlimited mimosas and
bellinis during the show and coffee or tea.
For reservations call 773-728-8934.
The Best of Gay Chicago
St Patricks Day in Chicago and the Green River
A modern day miracle occurs each year as part of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade celebration when the Chicago River turns an incredible shade of Irish green.
For the past 40+ years the Chicago River turns green for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade celebration. One would ask how this is different from the rest of the year when the river is always a murky shade of green. The difference is both significant and breathtaking because the color green is identical to the greens of Ireland from where it got its name “The Emerald Isle.”
In 1961 Stephen Baily was approached by a plumber who was wearing some white coveralls, they knew this only because they could see some of the original color. These coveralls had been mostly stained or dyed a perfect shade of green, an Irish green to better describe it.
It was when Stephen Bailey asked how the coveralls got this way, that they discovered that the dye used to detect leaks into the river turned green, not just any color green, but the perfect color green. Baily said“Why couldn’t we dye the whole river for St. Patrick’s Day?”
A green tradition was born in Chicago.
And they actually use an orange dye, not green!
Where and When
10:30 – 10:45am: Saturday March 13th.
This is scheduled around 10:30-10:45, Saturday March 13th and can be best viewed from the East side of the bridge at Columbus Drive or upper and lower Wacker Drive between Columbus and Lake Shore Drive.
Kaci Battaglia LIVE Friday March 5th at Roscoes
TONIGHT!
KACI BATTAGLIA will be at
ROSCOES, performing LIVE!
Performing her #1 dance
hit CRAZY/POSSESSIVE.
$5 cover after 11pm.
Be a fan of
Roscoes on FACEBOOK
The Best of Gay Chicago
Gay Queer Chicago’s Alternative Scene Chances Dances and Guerrilla Gay Bar
and so is Andersonville.
But there are those who are always seeking something different. Something downtown. Something off the beaten path, something fresh and sexy…..and Chicago offers 2 alternative choices; CHANCES DANCES and GUERRILLA GAY BAR.
Chances Dances are 3 seperate party nights.
The original incarnation is held every third Monday at Subterranean,
2011 W. North Ave. Free Dance party.
Danny’s Tavern hosts “Off Chances” each second Tuesday, 1951 W. Dickens. More laid back, dive-style, dance optional. Free.
The Hideout gays it up every first Saturday, 1354 W. Wabansia. $5 Dance party.
The venues all have one thing in common: Though they are not gay bars, they are all gay-friendly venues, with drinks available on the cheap and a pretension check located just outside the door.
Chances Dances was co-founded in 2004 by Bruce Weist (pictured above, middle) and Latham Zearfross, artists who foresaw a party that would, in the words of the event’s mission, “function to bring together the varied LGBTIQ communities of Chicago.”
“Chances was a really inclusive space where a lot of different people could come together and dance to different kinds of music. We have a more relaxed and less flashy way of approaching a dance party, whereas at bigger clubs, people feel the need to dress up, spend lots of money and it’s a kind of competitive atmosphere.”
Going into their fifth year, Chance Dances continues to grow. When the parties began to generate a profit, the organizers created the Critical Fierceness Grant in 2008, a twice-yearly micro-grant awarded to queer-identified artists as an “opportunity for personal exploration, community development and radical change through art.”
“We saw a lot of people around us creating queer art and we wanted to give these artists an impetus to move their projects along,” said Rita Bacon, another Chances organizer, of the grant.
The next Chances party is at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, on Saturday March 6, featuring DJ sets from John Twatters and Nina Ramone and an interactive performance from Anthony Romero. $5 cover. GET THERE EARLY! IT FILLS TO CAPACITY!
Guerrilla Gay Bar: South Loop Chicago is a group dedicated to bring a fun bar atmosphere to the South Loop area of Chicago. Beyond this the goals are open to members and they expect them to be edited, like a wiki.
The Guerrilla Gay Bar concept has been around for about 10 years, in cities all over the US. In Chicago, a different location is chosen each month. It’s always in a straight, but gay-friendly establishment.
Events are announced about a week out. They don’t want to overwhelm an establishment or be met with an anti-gay slap in the face. “and we don’t want to promote it too heavily…” says Scott Feldman, one of the organizers. “part of the charm is mixing in the regular crowd and exposing people who normally wouldn’t be exposed to our community.” If it’s promoted too much in advance, regulars might stay away.
Their next event –
Follow them on Facebook for more details and upcoming events!
The Best of Gay Chicago
Chicago Filmmaker Yony Leyser Premieres Burroughs Film at CIMM FEST March 4th!
WE ARE SO EXCITED!
We just got news today,
that YONY LEYSER’S
BURROUGHS FILM
WILL PREMIERE IN
CHICAGO THIS WEEK
at the CIMM FESTIVAL!
We were just talking at
CIMM Fest the other day!
And Yony’s much talked-about, highly-anticipated film about William S. Burroughs premiered at SLAMDANCE last month.
Thursday March 4th, see it in Chicago!
Opening Night at CIMM Fest!
7-9pm
Naked Lunch from Austria
(live band to weird experimental film)
9-11 William S. Burroughs:
A Man Within and Q&A
with Yony!
But wait – there’s more~!
11-11:30 Warhol superstar Penny Arcade
11:30 Thee Majesty!
Don’t miss this! Free beer with $20 admission – buy tickets in advance – this is sure to sell out!
Included with your ticket price is a one-year subscription to Time Out Chicago.
St. Paul Cultural Center 2215 W. North Ave. Chicago, IL 60647
FYI – PENNY ARCADE will also be making an appearance at QUIMBYS, on March 3rd.
Quimby’s Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave., Chicago
The Best of Gay Chicago
Chicago Filmmaker Yony Leyser Premieres Burroughs Film at CIMM FEST March 4th!
WE ARE SO EXCITED!
We just got news today,
that YONY LEYSER’S
BURROUGHS FILM
WILL PREMIERE IN
CHICAGO THIS WEEK
at the CIMM FESTIVAL!
We were just talking at
CIMM Fest the other day!
And Yony’s much talked-about, highly-anticipated film about William S. Burroughs premiered at SLAMDANCE last month.
Thursday March 4th, see it in Chicago!
Opening Night at CIMM Fest!
7-9pm
Naked Lunch from Austria
(live band to weird experimental film)
9-11 William S. Burroughs:
A Man Within and Q&A
with Yony!
But wait – there’s more~!
11-11:30 Warhol superstar Penny Arcade
11:30 Thee Majesty!
Don’t miss this! Free beer with $20 admission – buy tickets in advance – this is sure to sell out!
Included with your ticket price is a one-year subscription to Time Out Chicago.
St. Paul Cultural Center 2215 W. North Ave. Chicago, IL 60647
FYI – PENNY ARCADE will also be making an appearance at QUIMBYS, on March 3rd.
Quimby’s Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave., Chicago
The Best of Gay Chicago
Hollywood Gay Beach Chicago Gets Long Overdue Makeover – New Toilets, Showers and Concession
It’s been talked about for over 2 years now – now it’s a reality for 2010!
Hollywood / Osterman (gay) Beach in Chicago gets a long overdue makeover.
Late last summer, the Chicago Planning Commission approved plans for a new beach house and landscaping at Osterman Beach. The new facility will open by Memorial Day, and will include showers and changing areas for lifeguards.(?)
What does this mean? Who knows. Ground has been broken and we have placed a call to the Planning Commission and have not got an answer back yet.
We were told last year, the new building would include new toilets. A concession stand. And a lockerroom and showere area for the lifeguards.
Foster Beach and Montrose Beach got nice makeovers over the last couple years. It is unclear yet, how the Osterman project will compare. This image was online at PBC Chicago. They are calling it a comfort station. You will notice, there are no gays in the rendering!
In 2009, we saw A LOT more straight people and families coming to the “gay beach”. What else is new? The straights always come to where the gay are.
We also saw an increase of police activity last year. The Hollywood / Osterman beach sometimes enforces rules – and sometimes does not. It is unclear what the rules are exactly.
We have looked high and low, from Bryn Mawr to Hollywood, and we have seen no rules or restriction signs, of any kind. We had heard, there was NO SMOKING, NO PETS, and NO BOTTLES/GLASS/ALCOHOL, and that MOST TOYS are NOT ALLOWED on the beach itself. However, when I called the Alderman Mary Ann Smith’s office, even they were not totally sure about pets. Only no smoking and no glass bottles / alcohol. And the lifeguards will clearly tell you NO BALLS IN THE WATER!! They directed my questions to the Chicago Park Districts, and as of this publishing, no one has returned my calls yet.
So we will see what 2010 brings. I think with this new building, will come with new rules and regulations and/or more enforcement. In the past, lifeguards (and Police) would usually turn their head to smokers and drinkers. However in 2009, there were an increase in the number of tickets at the beach. – It will be nice to have new, clean toilets and a concession area!
Best of Gay Chicago
Hollywood Gay Beach Chicago Gets Long Overdue Makeover – New Toilets, Showers and Concession
It’s been talked about for over 2 years now – now it’s a reality for 2010!
Hollywood / Osterman (gay) Beach in Chicago gets a long overdue makeover.
Late last summer, the Chicago Planning Commission approved plans for a new beach house and landscaping at Osterman Beach. The new facility will open by Memorial Day, and will include showers and changing areas for lifeguards.(?)
What does this mean? Who knows. Ground has been broken and we have placed a call to the Planning Commission and have not got an answer back yet.
We were told last year, the new building would include new toilets. A concession stand. And a lockerroom and showere area for the lifeguards.
Foster Beach and Montrose Beach got nice makeovers over the last couple years. It is unclear yet, how the Osterman project will compare. This image was online at PBC Chicago. They are calling it a comfort station. You will notice, there are no gays in the rendering!
In 2009, we saw A LOT more straight people and families coming to the “gay beach”. What else is new? The straights always come to where the gay are.
We also saw an increase of police activity last year. The Hollywood / Osterman beach sometimes enforces rules – and sometimes does not. It is unclear what the rules are exactly.
We have looked high and low, from Bryn Mawr to Hollywood, and we have seen no rules or restriction signs, of any kind. We had heard, there was NO SMOKING, NO PETS, and NO BOTTLES/GLASS/ALCOHOL, and that MOST TOYS are NOT ALLOWED on the beach itself. However, when I called the Alderman Mary Ann Smith’s office, even they were not totally sure about pets. Only no smoking and no glass bottles / alcohol. And the lifeguards will clearly tell you NO BALLS IN THE WATER!! They directed my questions to the Chicago Park Districts, and as of this publishing, no one has returned my calls yet.
So we will see what 2010 brings. I think with this new building, will come with new rules and regulations and/or more enforcement. In the past, lifeguards (and Police) would usually turn their head to smokers and drinkers. However in 2009, there were an increase in the number of tickets at the beach. – It will be nice to have new, clean toilets and a concession area!
Best of Gay Chicago
Felony Hate Crime Charges in Chicago Anti-Gay Attack
Daniel Hauff, of Rogers Park, came to the youth’s aid, at which point Little allegedly began directing anti-gay slurs at Hauff and pushed him. Eder and McAndrew, who had been watching before, allegedly joined in the assault, calling Hauff a ‘stupid fa***t,’ and all three men began punching and bloodying Hauff’s face in front of train passengers, according to a release from Hauff’s attorney.”
Hauff said he escaped by wiping some of his blood on the attackers and telling them he was HIV-positive.
Yesterday, the misdemeanor batteries against the three men involved in the attack were dropped in court, but they got a bit of a surprise as they were leaving the courtroom…
“As the three men left the courtroom, they were immediately re-arrested and charged with felony hate crimes as a result of a review of the case by the State’s Attorney and the Chicago Police Department.”
Maybe there will be justice after all!
Best Gay Chicago
Chicago Takes Off – Male and Female Dancers for TPAN Charity
Chicago Takes Off is the annual burlesque revue-style show where talented male and female dancers donate their time and energy to strut their stuff in support of TPAN. Colorful and energetic choreographed performances and entertainment engage audiences in this sexy celebration of life.
Chicago Takes Off: TV Land Outside the Box will expose the finest assets of Chicago’s dance community. As the title signifies, this years theme,TV Land Outside the Box, will showcase burlesque, theatrical and variety acts using classic TV shows as inspiration.
The two shows, sponsored by TPAN, a charity, will be held on Saturday, March 6th at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the Park West (322 W. Armitage).
Chicago Takes Off Table Captain Kickoff Party on Sunday, January 17 from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Scarlet Bar
(3320 N. Halsted) with a special preview performance.
Only tables will be sold on Sunday. Individual tickets can be purchased beginning Monday, January 18.
Purchase tickets to the 7:30 PM show
Purchase tickets to the 10:00 PM show
Chicago Takes Off Video Clip
The Best of Gay Chicago
SISSYBOY Comes to CIMM Fest 2010
The Chicago International Movies and Music Festival, CIMM FEST, celebrated its inaugural year with huge press coverage, special guests from all over the globe, an opening night party that included Lech Kowalski’s world premiere event Camera War, photographer Richard Bellia’s first show in the US and much much more. If there were any reservations the staff had leading up to the opening weekend last year, 15,000 attendees ended that pretty quickly. Chicago wanted this thing from the start with the Department of Cultural affairs as presenting sponsor and many other fantastic sponsors like Earhole Studios, Reckless Records, and Starbucks helping the first year to be much more than could have ever been expected.
As a film festival created by filmmakers and musicians, CIMMfest showcases visionaries and innovative works that unify us in ways that only movies and music can. Cimm Fest 2010 takes place March 4 – 7th.
“Provocative, political, and often in poor taste, Portland’s unclassifiable Sissyboy drag troupe raised eyebrows and hackles for three years before disbanding, its members scattering across the country. No topic, from abortion to Matthew Shepard, was off-limits, and first-time filmmaker Katie Turinski followed them through their last year together, documenting the troupe’s tour of the West Coast. This is not your father’s drag show.”
SISSYBOY has been around since July of 2004. SISSYBOY is a punk rock, back-hand slap in the face, explosive reaction to the ever prevalent need to bend gender roles until they break. Taking the torch from our sisters before us, SISSYBOY has transcended traditional drag by welcoming all gender queer and radical thinkers into a world where anything and everything goes. No longer hiding their complex sexual identities behind the make-up; SISSYBOYs radiate their energy as vulnerable men, fierce women and sadistic shamans, working out our demons on stage.
Theatrically, SISSYBOY is a monthly drag experience of hairspray, duct tape, eyelash adhesive, and stage vomit–all safety-pinned into an unforgetably glamorous show. Tied together by common threads, SISSYBOYs are a progressive drag ensemble, who are at the forefront of the current cultural revolution–entertaining and enlightening their audience while bridging the gap between conventional and unconventional gender roles. They are basically gay white trash who don’t fit into the “normal” gay stereotypes!
Watch the SISSYBOY movie trailer.
Sissyboy will be at BERLIN March 5th, 954 W. Belmont
Movie Showing: Sat. March 6th, 4:30pm, St Paul’s Cultural Center
2215 W. North Ave., Chicago BUY TICKETS ONLINE
Thee Majesty featuring Genesis Breyer P-Orridge (formerly of Throbbing Gristle) is another of gay interest. “Thee Majesty began in 1998 as a spoken word project, originally founded by Genesis Breyer P-Orridge of Psychic TV and Bryin Dall of 4th Sign of the Apocalypse, A Murder of Angels and Dream Into Dust. Featuring P-Orridge, Thee Majesty is made up of a revolving group of members including Morrison Edley of PTV3 and The Toilet Boys. Thee Majesty’s music is a mix of spoken word performance art against Dall’s free-flowing guitar rhythms.
LIVE PERFORMANCES by Thee Majesty are uncommon, but CIMMfest will be host to a special OPENING NIGHT presentation, following the Chicago premiere of as yet to be disclosed documentary, featuring Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, who also appears in conjunction with Marie Losier’s screening of Papal Broken-Dance.”
Thursday March 4, 7:00pm
St Paul’s Cultural Center BUY TICKETS ONLINE
THE BEST OF GAY CHICAGO
Hope Takes Action – HIV Vaccine Trial in Chicago!
Every 10 minutes, someone in the United States is infected with HIV. A preventive vaccine against HIV offers the best long-term hope to end this worldwide epidemic. Finding a safe and effective HIV vaccine that will protect people is a huge task. We cannot do it without your help.
- We are currently seeking 1350 men who have sex with men to participate in a vaccine trial. You cannot become infected with HIV from the vaccines.
- The study will take place in several cities in the United States.
Participants must be:
- Men who have sex with men
- 18-45 years old
- HIV-negative
- Circumcised
Safety is a primary goal of the vaccine trial. This is a Phase II study, designed to yield limited information on the effectiveness of the vaccine. The research vaccines have been found to be safe in animals and hundreds of humans in previous trials. One of the vaccines is made from an inactivated cold virus known as an adenovirus. The vaccines do NOT contain the HIV virus, and CANNOT cause HIV infection. Since these vaccines are still being researched, we urge all of our participants to practice safe sex.
The HIV vaccine trial is a collaboration between the HIV Vaccine Trials Network, the Division of AIDS, NIAID and the Vaccine Research Center, NIAID.
For Chicago – contact Project WISH / University of Illinois at Chicago
840 S. Wood St, Room B39 Chicago, IL 60612 312 413-5897
The Best of Gay Chicago
Whitney Cummings OUTS a Tv Anchor on WGN? WTF?
If you watch E!s “Chelsea Lately”
you may have seen Whitney Cummings
on the show before.
She was in town recently at Zanies and made at stop at WGN. Some, found her hilarious on the Morning News show, as she pulled Paul Konrad out of his weather closet!
Is GAY that funny?
Apparently.
Brian Drabik of Chicago sent WGN the following letter –
To the Editor:
This morning I turned on WGN Morning News and Whitney Cummings was on.
While on air, she was sitting at Paul Konrad’s spot at the desk and she updated his Facebook status because he had left his computer logged on. She updated it to say “Paul Konrad is gay.”
People in the studio laughed and Robin remarked, while laughing, “I think he’s posted that before.”
This wasn’t enough. You then later re-aired this clip, with the newscasters laughing and then having Paul remark about how many Facebook comments he recieved in response to the status update.
Is it funny to be gay? Am I missing some comedic gem here? I’m shocked that this was allowed and encouraged. Do you know what it’s like to grow up being gay and teased and humiliated for being different than everyone else?
I don’t understand why it’s okay to use a sexual orientation as a joke, on a news broadcast nonetheless. If the “comedian” said “Paul Konrad is black” or “Paul Konrad is a woman,” Asian or Latino, would that be as funny?
And while I know you aren’t responsible for the comments of your guests, I would expect you to have your newscasters keep their bigoted jokes to themselves. Most of all, I am really upset that it was re-aired, put the video online and you Tweeted about it! So clearly no one there understood that this was just out and out wrong.
I never write letters like this complaining, but I had to today, I am personally offended and truly saddened. I can’t watch your show anymore. I certainly don’t want to watch a station that thinks my sexual orientation is laughable.
I know you sit on the float at the Gay Pride Parade every year to show your support, but now I’ll just wonder if you’re there just to laugh at us.
I would appreciate an apology.
– BRIAN DRABIK, CHICAGO
To which WGN responded –
Dear Brian:
Thank you for writing to the WGN Morning News. We always appreciate getting feedback from our viewers.
Our anchors did laugh at the comedian for posting a false message about Paul live on Facebook.
Paul got caught leaving his Facebook page open, and the comedian was able to hijack it for all to see.
It’s unfortunate that what started as an attempt at a joke, ended up as offensive to our viewers.
I agree that as the morning progressed, the “joke” took on a life of its own with little regard for the feelings of our audience.
That was wrong and I sincerely apologize for it.
Your e-mail is an important reminder to us that we need to be vigilant against allowing or encouraging feeble attempts at “humor” that display a lack of respect for others.
I’m also sorry that, as a viewer, we let you down.
It is our goal every morning to provide our viewers with the best news, weather, traffic and entertainment in the morning.
I hope one day you will choose to watch us again, so that we may regain your trust.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.
– GREG CAPUTO, NEWS DIRECTOR, WGN-TV
Where do we draw the line? What if it had been a Jew Joke? Paul Konrad is married. Why didn’t Whitney say “Paul’s out banging his mistress this morning!” – instead of PAUL IS GAY?
Watch the video clip on Chicago Now.
Roscoe’s Invite You to an ABSOLUT Berri Acai Party!
Roscoe’s
is proud to host the
GLBT Industry Launch Party
for Absolut’s newest flavor,
Absolut Berri Acai!
*Açaí grows on palm trees in South America, blueberries are mainly native to North America and Europe, and pomegranate is a delicacy from south-west Asia.
The variant is the 12th flavour
extension in the Absolut portfolio.
Please join us on
Monday, February 15th @ 9pm
for a night to remember…
Absolut Berri Acai hosted bar from 9-Midnight
Tribal Beats & Dancers
from Circuit Mom Productions
And Much, Much More…
Please RSVP to
events@roscoes.com
ROSCOES 3356 N. Halsted Chicago
Freedom To Marry – Reception February 18th!
LAMBDA LEGAL
and its partner and sponsor organizations
cordially invite you
to a FREE event:
The 9th Annual
Freedom to Marry Reception
Educate. Advocate. Celebrate.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
The National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W. 19th Street, Chicago
(Three blocks from the 18th Street stop on the Pink Line.)
Music by DJ Harry T, Cake-Cutting, Hors d’Oeuvres, Open Bar & much, much more!
Also, a special performance of “Let Them Eat Cake,” created by Holly Hughes and Megan Carney with Maureen Angelos and an ensemble of Chicago’s finest artists & activists. ASL interpretation provided.
BE PART OF A MOVEMENT!
Join us as we honor the commitment of local same-sex couples and continue the fight for marriage equality.
RSVP preferred: Lambda Legal Events
Lauren Hernandez or Simon Aronoff @ lhernandez@lambdalegal.org
(312) 663-4413 x327
Lesbian Comic Vickie Shaw in Chicago for Laugh Out Loud Fridays at Circuit Nightclub
V I C K I E
Lesbian comic VICKIE SHAW
will be doing a show this Friday, February 12th
at Circuit Nighclub. 3641 North Halsted Street.
The evening is part of the Circuit Girl / Laugh Out Loud Fridays.
Seating begins @ 8pm. Show at 9pm.
$10 admission ($5 for members) and hosted by TAMALE!
She looks like the woman next door … All-American with blond hair, lipstick and polished nails. Once she opens her mouth, you’ll know she was born and raised in Texas and you’ll never stop laughing.
Vickie has performed in almost every state in the US over the last five years and has headlined in various venues including: Michigan Womyn’s Festival, National Women’s Music Festival, Monterrey Beach Women’s Festival; and the Dinah & Lina Shore Golf Tournament in Palm Springs.
She can also be seen in The Outlaugh Festival on Wisecrack, The Complete Series
and in her DVD Vickie Shaw: You Can Take The Girl Out of Texas .
The Best of Gay Chicago
Justice For All? Bringing Black Gay Men Together January 28th
TPAN, Test Postive Aware Network, along with a few other organizations, have decided to bring gay Black men together to discuss the meaning of ‘justice’ for gay Black males.
On the panel, Keith Boykin, from The Daily Voice, CNBC, and BET, E. Patrick Johnson, creator of “Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South-An Oral History,” and Antonio D. Jimenez, professor at Northwestern University and from the University of Illinois Chicago’s School of Public Health.
The forum hopes to start the discussion on the meaning of ‘justice,’ obtaining equality, the role of our allies, and some strategies to bring real and lasting change for Black gay men.
“It’s not only important for Black gay men to be cognizant of how we are impacted by our lack of justice, but also, how we too, impact this innate right for others,” stated Boykin. “Events like these continue to challenge and illuminate this fact.”
I’m most excited to talk about the plight of the gay Black male and how we can change or eliminate some of the stereotypes bestowed upon our community. Another topic that’s been bugging me for some years now, interracial dating within the gay community. I’ve discovered, in my own personal experience, a bit of a stigma with White males dating Black males. I’m curious to hear what the panelists may have to say about that.
This forum is a first-time collaboration between the Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus, the Communities of Color Collaborative,a new initiative launched by the AIDS Foundation of Chicago in June 2009, Project CRYSP and LifeLube.org, as well as National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (set for February 7, 2010).
The event will take place at the University Center, 525 South State, on the second floor.
Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. for appetizers and socializing, and the program begins at 7:00 p.m.
Admission to the event is free. Come out! It’ll be sure to be an explosively epic conversation.
The Best of Gay Chicago
Love Hurts – An Alternative Cabaret Show with Tommy Hensel
Valentine’s show!
Join Tommy Hensel for a journey into some of love’s more “entertaining” aspects.
LOVE HURTS is a collection of songs of Lust, Loss, Obession and Revenge!
A newly-transplanted resident of Chicago, Thomas A. Hensel was recently named as Managing Director of the Fine & Performing Arts Center of Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, IL.
He also works as an actor, director, singer and cabaret artist as well as a spiritual coach and counselor, Feng Shui consultant and hands-on healer. He has worked with hundreds of people both privately and in workshops to transform their lives using the techniques described in his book Invisible Armor: Protecting Your Personal Energy. He is also one of the creators and teachers of the Wei Chi Healing™ system of hands-on healing.
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Tommy has quite the eclectic resume and life! “My iPod might frighten you! I have an incredibly eclectic mix of songs that I love. Broadway soundtracks are probably the winner in amount of space usage, but I also have everything from opera to ABBA, from 80s rock songs to classical, from Melissa Etheridge to Doris Day. I do love the Indigo Girls and for some odd reason Nanci Griffith.
I tend to not have anything extremely new or recent since most new music leaves me bored. But if you want to know anything about Broadway, I can probably help. OK, OK. I guess I am a card-carrying gay man after all.”
Catch him live Sunday, February 7 at 7pm
and/or Sunday, February 21 at 7pm
LOVE HURTS
Featuring Cheryl Szucsits
Musical Direction by Beckie Menzie
Direction by Daryl Nitz
Davenport’s Piano Bar
1382 N. Milwaukee Avenue Phone: 773-278-1830
Visit Tommy Hensel online and on FaceBook
Tickets for Love Hurts ONLINE
The Best of Gay Chicago
Best Gay Chicago Celebrated 2nd Anniversay at Roscoes
to everyone who came out to help us celebrate our 2nd year anniversary of Best Gay Chicago.com!
Thanks to Absolut 100, ROSCOES and their amazing staff, and Sugar Hills Bakeries, who brought a magnificent cake! The inside was filled with fluffy chocolate and pear mousse!
We raised about $200 for TPAN and
everyone had a great time. (I think!)
Best Gay Chicago.com is now attracting
over 13,000 readers each month and growing!
Watch for more events in 2010!
Michael Snell & Derrick Sorles
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