Specialty Items --
International superstar DJs Sasha & Digweed bring their progressive house sound to Chicago on Saturday, April 12 at the House of Blues. As part of their "2008 Spring Club Tour", the most famous and influential DJing duo in the history of dance music will assuredly turn out this 18+ all-ages show, which is being presented by Vision Nightclub.

The spotlight event of the next couple of weeks is sure to be the "Ron Carroll Big Birthday Celebration" on Sunday, April 20, at Green Dolphin Street. Legendary divas Ce Ce Peniston and Crystal Waters will be performing live in concert with superstar DJ Steve "Silk" Hurley headlining the DJ line-up. This event is not to be missed!

Also celebrating a birthday is the one and only Miss Foozie at the "All-Stars" Party at Circuit Night Club on Saturday, April 12, with DJ Teri Bristol providing the sounds. Continuing the celebration theme, Circuit hosts the "Otis Mack 16th Anniversary Party" on Monday, April 14. Hosted by the Heavy Diva and Mz. Ruff 'N Stuff, this is sure to be a grand soiree. The following Saturday, April 19, Circuit presents the monthly "Amigo" party. The theme is "Fashionista" with guest DJ Markski joining resident Alex Perez in the booth.

If you are seeking the intellectually gifted, then you should probably check out "Dating For Queer Nerds" presents on Wednesday, April 23, 7pm-10pm, @ J. Patrick's Irish Bar & Grill (1376 W. Erie St.). Admission ($20 advance/$25 door) includes a complimentary cocktail. Info: www.nerdsatheart.com or 312-265-6085

Late Night Movin' & Groovin' on the Weekends --
In the heart of Boystown, Hydrate hosts DJ Alyson Calagna on Friday, April 11 with the oh so hot NYC DJ Scotty Thompson making a return visit to Chicago the next night, April 12. Further south on Belmont, Berlin has one of Chicago's favorites, DJ Greg Haus, spinning "Cosmix" on Fridays while Chester and Larissa handle Saturday night DJing chores at for "Twisted." And on the opposite end of Boystown, Charlie's offers country, 2-step, and line dancing early in the evening followed by DJ Lulu's hi-nrg after-hours party. If you want to dance on the far northside of the city, Jackhammer is the place to be, especially on Saturday, April 19 when DJ Oskar spins the monthly "Underwear Party." Dancing out in the northwest suburbs is best done @ Hunters with DJ Laura B for Saturday's "Ascent" party. On the opposite side of the Chicagoland area, Club Krave has DJs Rockin' RC and Pervy on Fridays and Saturdays, respectively.

It's All About House Music ­
The dance genre that Chicago made famous is presented with gusto at Cocktail five nights a week, featuring DJs Michael Serafini (Tuesdays), Freddie Bain (Fridays), and Pete Augusta (Sundays). They are joined by the humpy and hunky Spank Go-Go Boys gyrating on stage. House music also gets a Boystown outlet at Scarlet on weekends with a rotating line-up of DJs. The south side's Jeffrey Pub hosts DJ Dana Powell for a Chicago house extravaganza every Friday night while up in Andersonville, DJ Plez weaves global house music magic at Mary's Attic every Saturday night.

House music reigns supreme every Monday night at the long-running "Boom Boom Room" @ Green Dolphin Street with residents DJs Michael Serafini, Diz, JustJoey & Uncle Milty. The upstart "Monday Social: Beats + Bass + Rhythm" party at Vision Nightclub adds to the embarrassment of Monday's house music riches with national and local DJs kicking out beats in this venue's various rooms. And to make sure you have plenty of motivation and nourishment for a full Monday night, be sure to start your evening at Morgan's (1325 S. Halsted) for their "Service Industry Networking Night." This new party features very attractive drink specials and the music of DJ KT.

Strip Poker Anyone ­
Steamworks, the full-service all-male club, gym, and sauna, features a "Lights Out" party every Thursday, the "Boys With Balls" jock play party on Saturday, April 19, and DJ Dick spinning it dark and sexy during after-hours every Friday and Saturday night. Up at Man's Country, Andersonville's offering to the city's bathhouse menu, the Men of Sarabia strippers leave nothing to the imagination and get down to their birthday suits for all to feast their eyes on.

At the corner of Halsted and Belmont, boyz in their skivvies are in high demand. Lucky Horseshoe has the professionals prancing along the bar each night of the week. Catty-corner (or is it kitty-corner?) at Spin, the infamous shower contest takes place every Friday with DJ Chris Eterno spinning fun and sexy club beat. This contest features amateurs stripping down to their boxers or briefs, with the crowd crowning the winner. And every third Friday of the month (April 18) it's the Bears who get all wet! If you can't get down to Boystown to see some skin, Fridays and Saturdays in Andersonville at @mosphere is where you can check out the go-go boys shaking their tail feathers to the beats supplied by Eric Hall (Fridays) and Timmy Loop (Saturdays).

Finding a Niche ­
When it comes to hip-hop beats and yummy urban treats, Friday nights are ruled by the Prop House with its two rooms of sound (house in one and an urban heavy beat blend in the other). Saturday nights are split between downtown's "Xotik" with DJs Anton and Kenae @ Tokyo 21 and Boystown's "Ear-Rotic" party with DJ Stoney @ Spin (April 19).

Latin nights have become quite popular around the city with the biggest gatherings taking place at Circuit Nightclub. "La Noche Loca" takes place on Thursday, April 17, with DJ Rock-O-Mix and Miss Ketty's Latina Review while "Noche Latina" comes around every Sunday night with hostess Veronica Zaid and DJs Fast Freddy & Alex Perez. Other Latin outposts include the south side's Chesterfield Club on the weekends, Hydrate on Tuesdays, and Jackhammer on Sundays. And of course there's Fridays and Saturdays out in the southwest suburbs: "Boom Boom Room" (not affiliated with the one previously mentioned) @ La Quinta de los Reyes (6739 W. Ogden Ave. in Berwyn).

Leathermen are gearing up for the upcoming IML, but in the meantime there hanging out nightly at the Chicago Eagle (Andersonwille) and Cell Block (Boystown) while crashing Touché on Tuesdays for their "Hardcore Leather Night."

Homo Central --
The video bar Sidetrack packs them in nightly with a potent combination of slushy drinks and a wide variety of handsome men on the prowl. Popular nights include "Showtunes" on Mondays, "Comedy" on Thursdays, and "Energy Dance Music Videos" on Fridays and Saturdays. Next door, Minibar has hit its stride with a fantastically fun line-up of weekly events, including "Power Hour Wednesdays" (DJ Jon Roberts) and "Mystique Thursdays" (DJ Phil Da Beatz). Weekend highlights: DJ Oskar on Fridays and Chris Eterno on Sundays. Across the street at Roscoe's, on Tuesday, April 15 Regina Upright will be a guest for "Drag Race 2008" hosted by Frida Lay. A couple of days earlier (Sunday, April 13) "Male Call" w/ Miss Foozie features a record release party for "Spirit" by Leona Lewis.

What Else Is There?
When it comes to general crowds where you are apt to see everyone, tops on the list are Uptown favorites Big Chicks (dancing on Fridays and Saturdays) and Crew ("Man The Mic Karaoke" on Tuesdays); Scot's in the Ravenswood neighborhood; and The North End and Bobby Loves in Boystown. A fun manly crowd hangs out at Buck's and Little Jim's in Boystown, Granville Anvil on the far north side, Second Story Bar in Streeterville, and Manhandler in Lincoln Park.

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