By Tim McCanless A little spark of an idea took root at the corner of Halsted and Roscoe and grew into what we know today as Roscoe' Tavern & Cafe. It started out as a neighborhood watering hole in half of the front space of the building with a gourmet grocery store in the other half. Over the years it has expanded into the rest of the property with five different bar areas, an outdoor Sidewalk Cafe, indoor food service, patio and the dance floor. When Roscoe's started, there were only a handful of bars on the strip. Roscoe's was the first to put in large expansive windows to lighten up the place and relate more to the street and the neighborhood. They were among the first in the country to take the "Gay Bar" concept out of darker enclosed places and make it a truly public space. Over their 20 years of operation, Roscoe's have been proud to work with a great array of community organizations including being a founding sponsor of "Dance For Life". Roscoe's has been involved with the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, the Howard Brown Health Center, the Lesbian Community Cancer Project, Equality IL, HRC, Lambda Legal, PFLAG, the 23rd District of the Chicago Police Department, the Center on Halsted, the Lakeview Pantry and numerous other organizations. Roscoe's has a lot to boast about, but especially their softball team "Roscoe's Rage". In the last several years this team has become a significant contender. They have come in first in their league division and, in 2006, they brought home the trophy from the Dairyland Classic in Milwaukee. They are a part of MSA, the Metropolitan Sports Association for amateur league players in the Midwest. During the past 20 years Roscoe's has sponsored a number of other teams in volleyball, basketball, rugby and flag football as well as softball. Every day of the week there is something going on at Roscoe's. On Saturdays and Sundays their "Glam 'n Eggs" Brunch is from 11 AM ­ 4 PM for $11.95 per person complimented by their Bloody Mary Bar. Sundays also feature their world famous Long Island Iced Tea pitchers for $12 and at 5 PM "Male Call" with Miss Foozie. On Monday nights "Monday Night Showcase" features an array of live performers at 9 PM in the Front Bar while Honey West hosts "Lotto Karaoke" on the Dance Floor at 9:30 PM. Tuesdays are home to "Drag Race 2007" hosted by Frida Lay at 11 PM where contestants are currently facing the "Wheel of Rock Divas". Wednesday there is Free Pool all day and "Lotto Karaoke II ­ The Big Game" with Honey West at 9:30 PM. Thursdays catch Frida Lay and Honey West teaming up to pull balls at Roscoe's "BINGO" at 9 PM. The last Thursday of each month their classic "Wet Boxer Contest" is at Midnight. Fridays Roscoe's features half priced appetizers from their mouth watering menu from NOON ­ 9 PM. The 20th Anniversary Celebration for Roscoe's will be held Thursday, April 12. They will open at 8 PM with Frida Lay and Honey West working the Red Carpet. Hors d'oeuvres and pastries will be served through the evening with surprised events happening every hour including a balloon drop at 9 PM with $1,000 in cash and prizes. There will be complimentary coat check and souvenir snapshots to commemorate the occasion. They will also be featuring their Long Island Iced Tea pitchers which, incidentally, happen to be their longest running drink special to date. So come join the celebration! The staff of BOI Magazine and the entire gay community extends our warmest wishes and congratulations to Roscoe's for 20 fabulous years and look forward to the next 20!!