The Weekend Advisor

The biggest thing happening during the next few days is the closing weekend of Reeling 2009, the 28th edition of the Chicago Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival. In addition to the showing of the Festival’s Dramatic Centerpiece, Rivers Wash Over Me, on Saturday, November 14 @ Film Row Cinema (1104 S. Wabash) and the Closing Night’s Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay!! on Sunday, November 15 @ Music Box Theatre (3733 N. Southport), featured films include the funny and oh so touching Patrik, Age 1.5 on Thursday, November 12 @ the Landmark Theaters; ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction on Friday, November 13 @ Film Row Cinema. Reeling is one of gay Chicago’s signature cultural events and is sure to have something to fit your cinematic fancy. For tickets and more info: call 773.293.1447 or visit www.reelingfilmfestival.org

After taking in a film or two at Reeling, dancing will surely do you body good. Top recommendations include Stardust @ Berlin on Thursday, November 12 for the Official Devo After-Party and the back-to-back nights at Hydrate: Friday, November 13 w/ DJ Brett Locascio and Saturday, November 14 w/ London superstar DJ Wayne G. This same weekend, Spy Bar hosts Boris (NYC) on Friday and Steve Lawler on Saturday. Also on Saturday, Mary’s Attic presents special guest SAMWELL. The internet sensation (“What What in the Butt”) will be performing a new song at 11pm while DJ John Murges spins a high energy mix throughout the night. Another live performance this Saturday night will be delivered @ Berlin by Jai Rodriguez from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. He’ll perform his new single “Move.”

The weekend of November 20 seems to be all about late night exploits. Friday night has DJ Greg Drescher tearing it up @ Hydrate while DJ Plez spins a dark and sexy vibe at the Ram Ultimate After-hours. On Saturday, November 21, Jackhammer hosts its monthly Underwear Party while DJR takes over the booth at Hydrate. Downtown at Vision legendary Above & Beyond will work its magic.

Boystown Central

At Roscoe’s, Frida Lay hosts Drag Race 2009 and the Wheel of Pussy on Tuesdays (Guest stars Dida Ritz on November 17 and while Miss Foozie takes charge of Male Call on Sundays. The monthly Wet Boxer Contest is scheduled for Thursday, November 19 at Midnight…The video bar Sidetrack packs them in nightly with a popular line-up that includes Showtunes on Mondays, U-Video Request night on Tuesdays, and Comedy on Thursdays. Other Boystown options include Halsted’s Bar & Grill (Team Trivia on Mondays), North End (TPAN’s poz-friendly Pulse on Thursdays), Bobby Loves (karaoke on Fridays), Charlie’s (country line dancing lessons w/ Steana on Fridays), and Cell Block (leather/fetish/bears/jeans). The Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club has half-price martinis on Sundays as well as viewing parties for Top Chef and Project Runway on Wednesdays and Thursdays, respectively. Buck’s and Little Jim’s are always friendly while live entertainment shines nightly at both 3160 and Cornelia’s and during Cabaret Tuesdays @ Hydrate on Tuesdays w/ Honey West at 9pm.

You Should Be Dancing

When it comes to dancing early in the night, Spin has DJ Chris Eterno & VJ Riley York on Wednesdays for WTF $1 Drink Night and a fun monthly rotation of parties on Friday and Saturday nights. Next Friday, November 20, it’s the return of the Bear Shower Contest, starting at midnight… Down @ Minibar, Friday nights feature DJ Shawn Edwards lording over the beautiful new bi-level party space while Roscoe’s boom bass dance floor gets worked by DJs Kevy, Ron G, and DigiDave… In Uptown the Wild Pug features DJ Pervey every Saturday.

For after-hours dancing, the always popular Berlin has Cosmix Fridays w/ DJ Greg Haus (he presents a Bjork Showcase on November 13) and Twisted Saturdays w/ DJs Larissa and Chester while Hydrate presents a weekly line-up that includes a Sunday Dance Party w/ DJ Greg Drescher, DJ Laura B on Mondays; DJR spinning on Tuesdays; and DJ Phil DaBeatz on Thursdays… Also in Boystown is Charlie’s which rocks a hi-energy after-hours every night of the week w/ DJ LuLu and others… Jackhammer is the far north side’s late night dance option Wednesdays – Sundays… The Ultimate After Hours @ The Ram (3am-7am) has DJs Ron G (Saturdays), Plez (Fridays), David C. (Thursdays) and regular guests appearances by Chris Eterno and Freddie Bain… There’s not a lot of dancing @ Closet, but it’s a fun, under-rated late night hangout for the drinking set.

Toweling Off

Steamworks, the full-service all-male club, has a Lights Out party every Thursday and After-hours on Fridays and Saturdays with DJ Greg Ellsworth (until 4am and 5am, respectively). The weekly Sunday Spin Cycle takes place 3pm-2am with DJs such as Chris Eterno and Peter Canellis handling the early shift until 8pm and DJ Jim B serving beats until 2am… Up @ Man’s Country, nothing is left to the imagination every Friday and Saturday @ Midnight with a dancer line-up that features Haley, Diesel and L.Angel on Saturday, November 14. Dale, Manuel and Tristan are set for Friday, November 20 with Fabion, Alex and Sean on tap for Saturday, November 21.

Lucky Horseshoe in Boystown has strippers nightly while @mosphere has them strutting all weekend long: Hot Mess Thursdays/Club Manhunt w/ DJ Chris Eterno followed by DJs Eric Hall and Timmy Loop on Fridays and Saturdays, respectively… Jackhammer has the Chicago Beef dancers on Fridays and Saturdays… Out in the suburbs: the Men of Sarabia appear @ Club Krave on Fridays; Chicago Beef visits Hideaway on Thursdays and Saturdays; and Hunters Hunks liven up Hunters on Thursdays w/ DJ Laura B on the decks.

Niche Programming

The new weekly Urbano party is off to a good start providing “hip-hop for all” every Saturday night @ Circuit w/ DJs Kenae, Corona, and Anton… As for a weekly Friday night presentation of hip-hop along with R&B and house, you can’t go wrong @ Krush… Club Escape takes care of south siders on a nightly basis while Mz. Ruffy’s Cheap Drink Night gets everyone’s week off to a good start with $2 well drinks @ Republic (1520 N. Fremont) on Mondays.

As for Chicago lesbians, they congregate on a weekly basis for the Circuit Girl dance party on Fridays @ Circuit. You’ll also find them gathering @ Closet when hanging in Boystown and at several places in Andersonville, including T’s, Star Gaze, Joi De Vine and Mary’s Attic…

The weekly Latino nights @ Circuit include Noche Latina, w/ hostess Veronica Zaid and DJs Ink & Alex Perez on Sundays, and La Noche Loca on Thursdays, featuring Miss Ketty’s Latina Review… Other weekly Latino hangouts include Sundays @ Jackhammer as well as Mondays @ Lucky Horseshoe.

Homes for House

The home for house music in Boystown is Cocktail, featuring DJ Timmy Loop, Go-Go Boys and drink specials every Tuesday. There are Go-Go Boys there four other nights a week and the DJ line-up includes Michael Serafini (Thursdays), Freddie Bain (Fridays), Diva DJs (Saturdays) and the troika of Chris Eterno, Dealer, and Pete Augusta (Sundays).

Outside of Lakeview, DJ Plez serves up house music during Attic-tion Saturdays @ Mary’s Attic while DJ Dana Powell delivers on Fridays @ Jeffrey’s Pub… Every Monday the Boom Boom Room @ Green Dolphin Street continues its success w/ resident DJs Michael Serafini, Diz, JustJoey & Uncle Milty.

Other Options

Up in Andersonville you’ll find the popular neighborhood outpost SoFo, the martini bar Marty’s and The Call (w/DJ Oskar on Fridays)… Mary’s Attic features Rogue DJ for Feel Good Fridays and karaoke on Sundays and Wednesdays… The fetish community finds a home @ Touché with the monthly Onyx Club Night on Friday, November 20, Hardcore Leather Night on Tuesdays and Handballer Night every Thursday… Further north in Rogers Park is the very friendly The Glenwood.

The Uptown/Edgewater neighborhood is home to Granville Anvil (with Loyola students added to the mix); Big Chicks (with its popular Free Sunday Buffet and super fun $1 Burger Mondays) and the sports bar Crew (Project Runway Viewing Parties on Thursdays)… Scot’s is a friendly watering hole in Ravenswood while Manhandler sits in the heart of Lincoln Park… Downtown, Second Story Bar is the only gay bar left in the area while Davenport’s piano bar entertains over in Wicker Park. Also in Wicker Park, the young, fun LGBTIQ crowd will be at the monthly Chances Dances party at Subterranean on Monday, November 15

Beyond Chicago City Limits

Outside the Windy City limits, Hunters Nightclub features DJ Ron G on Friday nights and DJ Lawrence K on Saturdays while Club Krave presents DJ Saul on Thursdays and the 6-Year Bingo Anniversary @ 7pm on Sunday, November 15… Velvet Rope in Oak Park (728 Lake St | 708.358.8840 | www.velvetropeoakpark.com) has karaoke on Fridays and DJs and dancing on Saturdays… In Lake Station, Indiana, Encompass hosts karaoke on Tuesdays and Fridays and the Rush St. Revue Show on Sundays