BOI MAGAZINE, boiBlast! Pride Fest Guide

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ON YOUR MARK At boi, we’re gearing ourselves up for all the pre-Pride Day hoopla. There’s barely enough days in June to contain all of our pride. So before we join country star Chely Wright as our grand marshall on parade day.

boi Magazine’s “boi-blast”
Issue 11.10
Chicago Pride Fest 2010
FEATURE STORY LINK

GET SET If you weren’t crowned queen of your prom, here’s your second chance. The Pride Prom is at Mary’s Attic on the 26th… If you like” “Big Tops” head over to Krush for the Friday night Pride bash. It’s a circus theme (I think, maybe it’s just dominant muscle boys)… Show your pride, or admire others, at the Ram’s Big Dick contest on the Thursday the 24th. If that’s a little too out there for you, stop by on Pride Day for DJ dancing.

GO If the weather is too hot for your delicate nature, remember that Sidetrack shows live coverage of the parade on all video screens…If you need to get away from the madness on Halsted after the parade, skip up to Jackhammer for the BBQ and $7 Long Islands, or duck out back at Halsted’s beer garden… If your wallet’s a little on the thin side Sunday night, head over to Smart Bar for Dollar Disco night. It’s just $2 to get in and $2 drinks. Berlin opens at 4 p.m. for Decibelle, Chances & Stardust to present the ultimate post-parade bash… Hydrate goes all egyptian on our asses for Pride Day… BTW, Cocktail’s got sexy underwear models as go-go boys after the parade… Panino’s will feature live music and yummy eats… Speaking of post-parade fun, I have just six words for you… Frankie… Knuckles… Crimson… Lounge… Table… Service. ‘Nuff said, a’ight?

STUDYING FOR THE BAR Berlin is moving Disco Obsession to the last Wednesday of the month… Do you have what it takes to be Miss Wicker Park (dreadlocks and a skirt over jeans?) Check out MissWickerPark.com… Blokes & Birds, a new club at 3341 N. Clark, may be open by the time you have this in your hot little hands. The owner Daily Webb (that’s his name, I’m not making it up), plans are for a plush, comfortable atmosphere and plenty of nods to Anglophile favorites like soccer and English rock. Blokes & Birds, which is British slang for guys and girls, will include a weekly “Blokes & Blokes,” gay-friendly soiree set every Tuesday, and an English rock night on Wednesdays showcasing the music of iconic British bands such as The Clash, Radiohead, Led Zepplin, Muse and Massive Attack. For info: 312.286.8485 or blokesandbirdschicago.com

MUSIC NEWS Berlin will host a CD release party for “Night Work”, the third album from The Scissor Sisters, on Friday, July 2nd. In addition to previewing the music from the CD there will be special product give-aways at midnight… The Give a Damn Campaign has released a new video to highlight the discrimination that the LGBT community continues to face. The new video focuses on the verbal and physical harassment that students experience due to their sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. The message is delivered by educators, a mother and celebrities such as Clay Aiken, Margaret Cho, Kelly Osbourne and Kevin Alejandro. The call-to-action campaign also features videos featuring Cyndi Lauper, Elton John, Whoopi Goldberg, Jason Mraz, Cynthia Nixon, Anna Paquin, Sharon Osbourne, Judith Light, Kim Kardashian, Wanda Sykes, and Eric Roberts. To learn more about the Give a Damn Campaign, check out wegiveadamn.org… Universal Motown Records has signed singer and television hostess Kelly Rowland as a solo artist.

ON STAGE & SCREEN About Face Theatre Board President Bill Michel has announced the appointment of Jason Held as AFT’s new Executive Director. Held brings his experience as a lawyer, political fundraiser and advocate for LGBTQ youth to AFT… The mysterious underground world of pornography comes front and center in “Pornography: A Thriller”, the latest DVD from Wolfe Video. The story concerns a popular porn star with “boy-next-door” appeal, who disappears. Three stories are presented in the movie. The first shows what may have happened to the star, the second concerns a writer’s investigation into the story, and the third is another porn star’s haunted production… Steppenwolf ensemble members Laurie Metcalf and Ian Barford have joined the cast of *Detroit*, the first play of the ensemble’s 2010-2011 season. They join Kevin Anderson, Kate Arrington and Robert Breuler in the world premiere of the Lisa D’Amour play directed by Austin Pendleton… Black Ensemble Theater’s current show, “Nothin But The Blues,” is currently scheduled to run through August 29.

PRIDE EVENTS

Every year in Chicago, June Pride Month features dozens of social, cultural, athletic and political events. Various community organizations and individuals organize these activities, which take place in different areas of the metro Chicago area. Each year the folks at PrideChicago compile these events to create the on-line June Pride Month calendar and the annual Pride Guide booklet. They also provide much of the information listed in local publications. Check out the site at chicagopridecalendar.org. Among the highlights of upcoming events are:

JUNE 23

Loyola LGBTQ Alumni social at North End, 3733 N. Halsted. 6:30 PM to 9 PM. Tickets: $20 (includes 2 drinks, snacks, & a $10 gift to Loyola LGBTQ Alumni Fund). The fund sponsors the Loyola Community in LGBTQ efforts and scholarships.

Pride Series reading at Gerber/Hart Library, 1127 W. Granville, 7 PM. Readers include: Darwyn Jones, Michael Burke, Stacy Fox, Goldie Goldbloom, Marty McConnell & Kurt Heinz. Info: gerberhart.org or 773.381.8030.

JUNE 24

Birdhouse Art Auction & Cocktail Party by Chicago House at Room & Board Chicago store, 55 E. Ohio. 6 PM to 9 PM. Tickets: $65 advance ($75 door). Info: chicagohouse.org or 773.248.5200.

Pride Series reading #2 at Gerber/Hart Library, 1127 W. Granville, 7 PM. Readers include: Readers include: Sukie de la Croix, Barrie Cole, Carmen Abrego, Robert Klein Engler & Dave Awl. Info: gerberhart.org or 773.381.8030.

JUNE 25

“Chicago Pride Fest” by Northalsted Business Alliance, Waveland at Halsted; to 10 PM (11 AM -10 PM Saturday). $7 suggested donation. Live music, food, arts/crafts, vendors, etc. Info: chicagoevents.com or 773.868.3010.

JUNE 26

“7th Annual Backlot Bash” at 5238 N. Clark St. Hosted by DJ Nikki from B96 & actress & comedian Niki Lindgren. Also: Chicago’s own Betty Fords & Crazy Rocket Fuel, Shy Violet, DJ KT and Black Betty headliner. $10 cover before 5 PM ($15 after). Info: backlotbash.com (also on June 27).

29th Annual “Proud To Run” - 5k & 10k run & 2 mile fun walk presented in association with Frontrunners/Frontwalkers Chicago. Montrose Ave. (4400 North), east of Lake Shore Drive), 8:04 AM. Awards ceremony & raffle at 10 AM. Info: frfwchicago.org/ptr or 312.409.8991

Dyke Rally & March at 2:30 PM at new south side location. Post-march festivities in the park . Info: chicagodykemarch.wordpress.com.

“Summer Camp” concert by the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus at Nettlehorst Auditorium, 3252 N. Broadway. 3 PM & 8 PM. Info: cgmc.org email: gm@cgmc.org.

JUNE 27

“Girlblast” 2 PM to 10 PM. annual at Ann Sather Parking Lot, 909 W. Belmont Ave. Performances and DJ, wet t-shirt contest and kissing booth. Dance, eat drink . Info: Twitter girlblastchi or chicagogirlblast.com.

JUNE 30

Windy City Black LGBT Pride has dozens of events scheduled for the LGBT Black Pride celebration kicking off this week. Info: windycityblackpride.org or 888.922.7244.

To download a PDF of the full Pride Fest Guide, there is a link at the bottom of the page.