The Specials --
The "P-Town Fall Tour" continues on Saturday, October 13 when the one and only HEDDA LETTUCE appears at the Lakeshore Theater (3175 N. Broadway) at 10pm. The NYC drag icon is in Chicago on a campaign stop as part of her run for president. Later that night, the NYC invasion continues with singer/performer Kevin Aviance appearing at HYDRATE.

HUNTERS is having its "Mr. Hunters Pageant" on Tuesday, October 16. Categories for the contestants include Dress Casual, Swimsuit, Formalwear, and Q&A. The grand prize is $500 and a year's free admission to the club. Oh yeah, he also gets to ride in the float next year!

The 15th annual "The Night of 100 Drag Queens" takes place @ SIDETRACK on Tuesday, October 23 and Wednesday, October 24. This is a truly fun event filled with wacky, wild and outrageous routines that benefits Equality Illinois. A VIP reception (tickets: $15 on Tuesday and $20 on Wednesday) kicks things off each night at 7pm, with the general public (tickets: $5 and $10, respectively) allowed in at 8pm and the show starting at 8:30pm. Tickets are available for purchase at http://www.eqil.org/.

For those shopping on Michigan Avenue, be sure to stop by A/X - ARMANI EXCHANGE as they continue their Saturday afternoon live in-store DJ series, 2pm-8pm. DJs Pete Augusta & Heather Doble are on tap for October 13 while DJ Timmy Loop serves up the beats on October 20.

NERDS AT HEART present "Dating for Queer Nerds" on Tuesday, October 16, 7pm-10pm, @ The Spot (4437 N. Broadway). For the price of admission ($20 advance/$25 door) participants will get to play board games including Homogenius, and show off trivia skills with other smart GLBT singles. There's also a complimentary cocktail and chances to win geeky giveaways. Info: www.nerdsatheart.com or 312-265-6085

Phat Beats and Latino Heat --
If you like an urban blend of hip-hop, house, R&B, and rap, and/or if those who like this music float your boat, then you won't want to miss the "Ear-Rotic" party with DJ Stoney on Saturday, October 20 at SPIN NIGHTCLUB. The same fun blend of music and folks can be found every Friday night at the PROP HOUSE and every Sunday at CLUB 720.

On the northside at CIRCUIT, the monthly "Amigo" party takes place with guest DJ Markski and resident Alex Perez. Friday nights at CLUB CHESTERFIELD on the southside is "Cowboy Rage" with a midnight drag show featuring Yamileth and El Famoso Pancho. .

Almost There --
COCKTAIL keeps packing them in to view the Spank Go-Go Boys (five nights a week) and to hear plenty of house beats w/ DJs Michael Serafini (Tuesdays), Freddie Bain (Fridays), and Matt Boss & Dhanna (Saturdays). Other popular stripper shows can be found in Boystown at LUCKY HORSESHOE and up in Andersonville at @MOSPHERE every Thursday, Friday, & Saturday. Out in the suburbs, HUNTERS has "Hunters Hunks" every Thursday with DJ Laura B spinning the tunes.

Regular guys get down to their skivvies during the "Underwear Party" @ JACKHAMMER on Saturday, October 20. The "Bear-y Shower Contest" takes place at SPIN on Friday, October 19 with DJ Chris Eterno supplying the beats for the dance floor and VJ Terp the music video in the front room. Down the street the following week the "Wet Boxer Contest" takes place @ at ROSCOE'S on Thursday, October 25 with Friday Lay MCing and $600 up for grabs. Pants come off at 12 midnight.

All The Way There -
STEAMWORKS, the full-service all-male club, gym, and sauna, features a "Lights Out" party every Thursday night (4pm-4am) and DJ Dick serving up sexy pulsating beats during the after-hours on Friday and Saturday nights. On Saturday, October 20, the "Boys With Balls" play party for jocks takes place 7pm-11pm. The all-nude stripper shows at MAN'S COUNTRY features Jake, Paris, Marlone and Javier on Friday, October 12 with superstar Ricky Sinz, Martin, and Chris highlighting the line-up on Saturday, October 20.

House Music All Night Long--
The new GENTRY ON HALSTED features house beats throughout the week with DJs Jim Dezetal (Wednesdays), AJ Dubbz (Fridays) and IRA (Saturdays). Outside of Boystown, the house music groove rolls on every Monday night with "Boom Boom Room" at GREEN DOLPHIN STREET. On October 15 Chuck Love joins the fun with his "Bring Enough To Spill Some" tour, joining resident DJs Michael Serafini, Diz, Uncle Milty and JustJoey. The following week on October 20, Ron Carroll is on hand. In Lakeview, DJ Plez supplies a groovy house beat to eat and drink by during "Pride Night" @ CESAR'S ON BROADWAY. The music starts up at 7pm with Miss Foozie serving as host.

Last Night A DJ Saved My Life --
On the local scene, DJ LuLu rocks the after-hours dance floor at CHARLIE'S on Fridays and Saturdays while DJ Oskar brings his signature blend of "feel good" dance music to JACKHAMMER on Wednesdays and Thursdays and to MINIBAR on Fridays. In Andersonville, MARY'S ATTIC presents DJ Shoshanna's eclectic mix on Fridays. DJ Plez and his soulful, funk-laden house beats takes up residency on Saturdays. Out in the south suburbs, then THE EDGE BAR with DJ Rockin' RC on Fridays and DJ Pervy on Saturdays should be on your agenda.

On the clubbing agenda outside of Boystown, the legendary Josh Wink is scheduled to be at ZENTRA on Friday, October 12 while jackmaster DJ Heather is set for SMART BAR on Saturday, October 13. The following weekend is a big one: Friday, October 19 has Travis Barker and DJ AM @ CROBAR while Carl Cox is @ VISION.

Fetish Fun --
Looking for serious leather men? Check out CELL BLOCK and EAGLE and most especially TOUCHÉ on Tuesdays. Saturday, October 13 is "Dungeon Master Night" @ TOUCHÉ with Master Timothy in charge while on Friday, October 19 the men of Onyx host their monthly club meeting.

Favorite Hangouts --
The weekly hi-energy dance exploits at HYDRATE feature DJ Jeanette on Sundays and the Queen DJ of Halsted Street, DJ Laura B, every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Local favorite Greg Drescher brings testosterone to the booth on Thursdays. Weekends usually mean a guest DJ with a national reputation while but the light jock Joe is a welcomed consistency. For a more alternative late night dancing experience, BERLIN presents "Twisted" every Saturday with DJs Larissa and Chester.

In Uptown at BIG CHICKS the Homolatte" spoken word event is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15. For those wanting to sing, "Man The Mic Karaoke" happens every Tuesday @ CREW beginning at 9pm.

Weekly fun in the West Loop is back on the calendar on Wednesdays with "Shelter" at VICTOR HOTEL featuring DJ Pete Augusta.

Whether looking for a hook-up or a friendly conversation, LITTLE JIM'S and BUCK'S SALOON are two Boystown institutions not to be missed. Further south in the heart of trendy Lincoln Park, the MANHANDLER SALOON is a delightfully fun undercover oasis.

For those hanging out downtown THE SECOND STORY BAR and GENTRY ON STATE are popular options. Both places boast large crowds on Fridays for TGIF cocktails. Gentry is also one of several popular spots in the city for cabaret performances along with DAVENPORT'S in Wicker Park and 3160 in Lakeview. In the heart of Boystown, CORNELIA'S BISTRO features music six nights of the week with the likes of Beckie Menzie and Paul Marinaro.

If drinking cheaply is your goal, then BOBBY LOVES and NORTH END are the perfect Boystown options while GRANVILLE ANVIL is a great dive bar on the far northside. Inexpensive libations in a classy environment can be had every Sunday and Tuesday with _-price martinis at KIT KAT LOUNGE & SUPPER CLUB.