Did you know
that the Illinois Lottery recently unveiled the "Red Ribbon Cash" instant lottery ticket? Each ticket costs $2 and there are four $20,000 top prizes. 100% of the net proceeds go toward HIV/AIDS prevention and education. that the Chicago Take Off fundraising event raised over $100,000 for Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN)? The February 9 event at the Park West drew more than 1,200 people and was a rousing success.

Special Events
We know, Flesh Hungry Dog twice in the same issue. Except here's the specific 4-1-1. The March edition of "The Flesh Hungry Dog Show" takes place on Jackhammer's stage @ 9pm on Friday, March 7. The monthly queer, alternative, rock 'n' burlesque cabaret features Scott Free and His Closest Friends for the release party of his new CD "The Pink Album (A Pop Opera)." Condenada and Plaid on Plaid round out the lineup with Gary Airedale, "Bag of Fun" prize giveaways from The Pleasure Chest, groovy movies, and DJ Mercedez Ben.

If you are interested in a dating pool consisting of folks who probably scored really well on their SATs, Nerds At Heart presents "Dating For Queer Nerds" on Tuesday, March 11, 7pm-10pm, @ Guthrie's Tavern (1300 W. Addison Ave). Admission ($20 advance/$25 door) includes a complimentary cocktail. Info: www.nerdsatheart.com or 312-265-6085

Homo Central
The center of Boystown nightlife is at the corner Halsted and Roscoe with its variety of party options. The video bar Sidetrack is well known for their potent slushy drinks as well as the popular "Showtunes" night on Mondays and "Comedy" night on Thursdays. Next door is Cocktail with its house music groove (DJs Michael Serafini on Tuesdays, Freddie Bain on Fridays, and Pete Augusta on Sundays) and the oh-so hot Spank Go-Go Boys. Staying on the east side of the street, Minibar caters to the stylish and trendy with DJs Oskar on Fridays, Phil Da Beatz on Saturdays and Chris Eterno kicking funky club beats on themed-party Sundays.

The western side of Halsted is anchored by Roscoe's with its video bar upfront and dance floor in the back. Popular nights include "Drag Race 2008" w/ Frida Lay on Tuesdays and "Male Call" w/ Miss Foozie on Sundays. And be sure to catch the "Wet Boxer Contest" with $600 in prizes @ Midnight on Thursday, February 28. In the next block south the relatively new Scarlet is drawing a fun mix of folks cocktailing and grooving to DJs such as Carla Starla and AJ Dubbz on Fridays.

Can I get 600 thread count sheet for my room?"
Steamworks, the full-service all-male club, gym, and sauna, features a "Lights Out" party every Thursday night and an after-hours setting with DJ Dick on Friday and Saturday nights. The all-nude stripper shows at Man's Country, Andersonville's entry in the bath house market, features the all-nude stripper shows by the men of Sarabia, including Alexander, Nate, Fabion and Jimmy D on Friday, February 29.

Late Night Dancing
Berlin's late-night cruisy reputation remains firmly intact with a weeknight slate of parties that includes "Elevated" on Thursdays (DJ Heather Doble) and "Cheap Ass" on Tuesdays (DJ Chester). There will be a special Goldfrapp Release Party to kick off "Cosmix" on Friday, February 29 with DJ Greg Haus. Late night "cruise and groove" on the far north side takes place at Jackhammer on a nightly basis with DJ Oskar on Wednesday and Thursday nights and a Latino flair on Sunday nights.

Hydrate hosts the one and only Tracy Young on Saturday, March 1 for a guest appearance while the weeknight schedule includes local faves with DJ Jeanette on Sundays (Ladies Night), DJ Laura B on Wednesdays (Hy-Drag), and DJ Greg Drescher on Thursdays (Hydrate Dancers). Once the guys in cowboy hats and boots go home after an early night of 2-stepping and line dancing @ Charlie's on weekends, DJ Lulu's wicked hi-NRG beats heat up the dance floor while the nitrogen blast cools off the hot bois. Saturday, March 8 brings about another "All-Stars" party and Janet Jackson CD release party with hostess Miss Foozie and DJ Teri Bristol @ Circuit Night Club.

"Boom Boom Room" @ Green Dolphin Street continues its legendary Monday night house music parties featuring resident DJs Michael Serafini, Diz, JustJoey, and Uncle Milty. Paul Johnson stops by for a guest appearance on March 3 while Kerri Chandlers hits the decks on March 10.

Strip Tease
In Andersonville, strippers are aplenty at @mosphere, especially on Friday and Saturday nights with DJs Eric Hall and Timmy Loop, respectively. Menawhile down in Boystown @ Lucky Horseshoe, strippers perform seven days a week strutting their stuff on the bars..

Different Strokes
When it comes to the hip-hop crowd, the "Urbano" party @ Circuit on Friday, February 29 is the highlight with DJ Anton. "Xotik" on is the place to be Saturdays @ Tokyo 21 and "Penthouse" caps of a booty shaking weekend on Sundays @ Club 720. In Boystown, the hip-hop groove is featured at "Ear-Rotic" with DJ Stoney @ Spin on March 1.

Latin heat gets sparked throughout the weekend on the southside at Chesterfield Club, where pick-up lines are uttered in English and Spanish. This bi-lingual cruising also takes place on the northside at Circuit Nightclub (every Thursday and Sunday) as well as at Hydrate (on Tuesdays). And for those out in the southwest suburbs, a new Latin night called "Boom Boom Room" has popped up on weekends at La Quinta de los Reyes (6739 W. Ogden Ave. in Berwyn).

The center of the fetish community in Chicago is Touché, which hosts a "Hardcore Leather Night" on Tuesdays and "Handballer Night" on Thursdays. The Boystown leather crowd hangs out at Cell Block while the Chicago Eagle in Andersonville has a dress code for its Club Room on Fridays, Saturdays, and Tuesdays.

Drinks, Merriment & Music (Canned, Lip-Synched & Live)
When the music is just right, cocktails always seem tastier and conversation that much more interesting. That's especially the case in Andersonville at Mary's Attic on Fridays (DJ Shoshonna) and Saturdays (DJ Plez). Down in Lakeview, cheap $1 drinks and DJ Chris Eterno are a perfect combination on Wednesdays @ Spin while Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club pairs lip-synching drag divas with 1/2 price martinis.

On the cabaret music front, Gentry On State has been delighting downtown patrons for years while other crowded outposts include Davenport's in Wicker Park, 3160 in Lakeview and Cornelia's in the heart of Boystown.

Suburbanites north do their dancing and drinking at Hunters with DJs Laura B on the weekends and Ron G for Wednesday night's "MWM." Folks living in the southern suburbs find happiness at the newly named Club Krave with DJs Rockin' RC and Pervy on Fridays and Saturdays, respectively.

The Old Standbys
Venues become institutions when they deliver the goods for a prolonged period of time. That's exactly what Boystown bars Buck's (open until 2am) and Little Jim's (open until the wee hours of the morning) have been doing for years. Further north on North Halsted Street, pool and dart players have given The North End institutional status while professional drinkers have certified such status upon Bobby Loves.

Outside of Boystown, gay male nightlife institutions include the Granville Anvil on the far northside, Big Chicks in Uptown, Scot's in the Ravenswood neighborhood, Manhandler in Lincoln Park, and Jeffrey Pub on the southside. As for lesbians, their legendary hangouts include Closet in Lakeview and Star Gaze in Andersonville.