3712 N. Halsted St. #601 Chicago, IL 60613 773.975.0264 Editorial: boieditorial@aol.com Advertising: boiads@aol.com
EDITORIAL Mike Macharello: Production Rick Karlin: Editor layout & design Titanium Graphics, Inc. advertising Freddie: freddie@boimagazine.com Dave: dave@boimagazine.com photographerS Oliver Aguilar Eamonn Sexton Cover Photos by Iggy Munzo editorial contributors Gregg Shapiro, Ace Magya, Harry Taint, Anita Taylor VIEW BOI ONLINE AT: boiMagazineChicago.com BOI Magazine, Inc. Š 2000−2013 All rights reserved
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It’s amazing to think that just one generation ago, it was nearly impossible to name an openly gay celebrity couple. Not that there weren’t famous gay couples, they
Celebrity Couples
just kept everything on the down-low. That’s not the case anymore. Jodie Foster’s recent speech at the Golden Globes gained more attention for the rambling nature than for her declaration of love for her former partner, Cydney Bernard, calling her, “One of the deepest loves of my life, my heroic co-parent, my ex-partner in love but righteous soul sister in life.” Here are a number of same sex couples for young lovers to look up to. Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi recently sealed their union in one of the most high-profile lesbian weddings in history. Elton John and David Furnish are one of the celeb world’s most recognizable and celebrated openly gay couples; they have recently welcomed a child to their family. Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka welcomed sons Gideon and Harper in October 2010 via surrogate. Comedian Wanda Sykes and Alex Sykes married in Oct. 2008, they have two children.
“Sex and the City” actress Cynthia Nixon and Christine Marinoni have been together a number of years and are expecting their first child. “Star Trek” star George Takei and Brad Altman recently tied the knot with his partner of 21 years in a lush multicultural ceremony.
Olympic skater Johnny Weir and Victor Voronov married at the end of 2011. Actor/comic Mario Cantone and theater director Jerry Dixon recently tied the knot after 20 years together. Broadway star Cheyenne Jackson finally got to say ‘I do’ with his longtime partner, Monte Lapka, on Sept. 3. “Project Runway” winner Christian Siriano and his long-term boyfriend, Brad Walsh, a singer-songwriter, haven’t decided to tie the knot, yet. (Continued on a following page) boiMAG
Celebrity Couples
Actor Alan Cumming and partner Grant Shaffer were ahead of the masses, the two got hitched in a UK civil partnership back in 2007. David Hyde Pierce, best known for his role on the sitcom ‘Frasier ‘, and television writer Brian Hargrove tied the knot in California in Oct. 2008. Singer George Michael and partner Kenny Goss have been together since 1996. Iron Chef Cat Cora married her wife, Jennifer Cora in 1999. The couple has four sons together and reside in Santa Barbara, California. Simon Doonan, Creative Ambassador-at-Large of Barney’s, married interior designer Jonathan Adler, in California in Sept. 2008.
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Fantasy Couples
Just for fun, we thought what it would be like if these celebrities were actually couples... we can make it happen with the magic of Photoshop. Let’s just imagine if Justin Bieber came out at this years Grammy Awards, arriving with his secret Latin lover Mario Lopez, walking the red carpet hand in hand. In Justin’s acceptance speech for “I Love You With All My Heart” when he announces that he wrote the song for Mario.
Donald Trump’s hair almost flew off when he heard that Rosie O’ donnell and Martha Stewart are now a couple. It seems Rosie always had a secret crush on Martha, one night they saw each other at a fundraiser and they ended up leaving together. Sources say that they have been inseparable ever since and that the two of them have already made plans to marry on Martha’s farm sometime next spring. Rumor has it that Martha is having the time of her life and that Rosie treats her like a queen.
Circuit Mom By Anita Taylor
Of course there is a lot of buzz about Circuit Mom’s upcoming dance production “Freedom, Revolution.” The weekend-long series of parties kicks off on Friday, Feb. 15 and continues through Sunday. The first event is at Minibar with DJ Seth Cooper. The event continues on Saturday night at The House of Blues with “War,” featuring
The Man Behind The Make-Up Abizker (the cover boy interviewed in our last issue) and Phil DaBeatz as the DJ talent. The closing night is “Peace” at Excalibur’s Vision bar featuring DJ Cindel (from Miami) and Tony Moran from NYC. It’s gonna be a very full weekend, as all of CircuitMOM’s “Revolution” parties are. But we wanted to know... who the hell IS CircuitMOM?
Let us peel back the layers of make-up, sequins and wigs to reveal the man behind the parties. It’s none other than Matthew Harvat. What started as a birthday favor in 1998 for a friend has evolved into a career as one of the most recognizable and respected performers in the gay community. CircuitMOM and his (or do we say her?) production company have taken dance floors, theatrical stages and charity events by storm with a unique brand of sass, humor and pageantry.
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Exploring his need to develop an inner strength and make a difference in his own life, Harvat embarked on a journey of performing for various local and national events that focus on raising awareness and funds for the GLBT community. That desire has produced a new, fresh approach to music interpretation. “We try to take a particular song and make it our own by presenting it in a way that the audience would not expect. Hopefully, every time people hear that song from that point on, they think of us!” Feeling that there was too much angst, aggression and negativity in music, videos, nightclub productions and circuit events, CircuitMOM Productions adopted the motto of “Better Parties Through Positive Energy” and it has paid off. Within two years, Harvat’s team (and it’s a team effort, he points out) were featured performers across North America. The CircuitMOM family is a very talented group of men and women who share Matthew’s love of entertaining and desire to give back the best way they know how through their talent. Todd Michael Kiech serves as artistic director/ casting director/choreographer.
Mark Baker, former producer of “Gay Days-Orlando” was a driving force behind CircuitMOM’s international success. MOM’s record breaking seven appearances for Gay Days is unparalleled. Paolo Pincente (of Crobar) and Roger Evans-akaCircuit DAD, both help to keep CircuitMOM in the forefront of club and event culture. Diversity in events keeps CircuitMOM’s evolution on point. International Mister Leather has utilized MOM for 9 years running and Chicago’s Gay Pride parade usually sees upwards of 4 different award winning floats produced by CMP, Inc. Plus CircuitMOM Productions has appeared at New York City’s Heritage of Pride celebration, Rick Sena’s “Alegria”, Toronto’s “Fashion Cares” a MAC Cosmetics HIV/AIDS event, San Francisco’s Halloween Benefits, Montreal’s Black and Blue Festival, Washington D.C.’s Cherry Fund Organization, Hotlanta and Chicago’s very own Steppenwolf Theater. CircuitMom has shared the stage with countless international artists such as Taylor Dayne, Reina, Suzanne Palmer, the cast of “Queer Eye For The Straight Guy”, Missy Elliot, Jody Watley and Jennifer Holliday to name a few. This Presidents’ Day weekend “Revolution” party promises to add another feather to CircuitMom’s towering headdress.
Winter Party Wonderland The 2013 Winter Party Festival in Miami Beach is coming up in March starting on the 6th, continuing through the 11th. It’s one of the most anticipated week of events that include nine dance parties that keep the action going. This is the 20th edition and to celebrate the milestone, Winter Party has moved their location to The Shelborne South Beach, which now will be the epicenter of the action, hosting the fabulous “Under One Sun” pool party, featuring DJ Rafael Calvente. The new venue offers a new option for experiencing the party, private cabanas with A/C, bathroom and bottle service. Now that’s very Miami! Not to miss is Joe Gauthreaux and Brett Henrichsen presiding over a cast of thousands on the dance floor on March 10, with the Atlantic Ocean as the backdrop beginning at noon. Brett will be one busy boy cuz at 10pm later that night, his Masterbeat company along with the Winter Party hosts Spain’s “WE Party” at South Beach’s Mansion nightclub. WE’s resident DJ Manuel de Diego will be joined by a special guest DJ for this party. To see all that Winter Party has to offer go to their website at www.winterparty.com. boiMAG 13
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Cover Story TRISTAN MICHAELS
My name is Tristan Michaels. I’m 5’10”, 185 pounds, with blue eyes and blond hair. I’m currently single and looking for the love of my life. I was born and raised by my wonderful loving mother and father who are still together in Bloomington, Illinois. I currently live in Indianapolis, Indiana and I’m working as a Chippendale‘s dancer. I’m also a cosmetologist. I have been dancing for 15 years total and 9 years in the adult industry, I seem to express myself to the fullest while dancing. I travel all over the world dancing, modeling, and doing TV shows. I love to traveland have been to 41 U.S. states, St. Maarten and 10 cities in Romania. I have degrees in cosmetology and mixology. I plan on becoming a platform artist when I’m done with my current adventure in life. Art has always been a part of my life and photography, painting, drawing, interior decoration and dancing are all forms of art that I love.
My favorite restaurant is St. Elmo’s Steak House in downtown Indianapolis. My favorite meal is steak cooked medium-rare Pittsburg-style with sweet potato and asparagus. I also love Chicago-style deep dish pizza, hot wings and fried calamari. I don’t get much time to relax but in my spare time I like to work out, watch movies and watch any
kind of sporting events, mostly baseball and football. My favorite teams are the Chicago Bears and White Sox. Many people ask me about the 33 tattoo on my chest. It’s my lucky baseball number. I live by two important quotes: 1) Never judge a book by its cover. 2) It’s mistakes that make us who we are. Yolo!!! boi 17
Reader’s Choice
Restaurants
Francesca’s,1039 West Bryn Mawr Ave. (773) 506-9261
Here are recommendations from Jeff, another reader of ours with good places to try out and places that I will for sure to go check out for myself.
A contributer by the name of Bruce made these recommendations for us... Cavatappi on West 95th Street in Evergreen Park has brought authentic Italian as well as brick oven pizzas to Chicago’s south-side.
Jeff recommends Bistrot Zinc at 1131 N. State St. in the gold coast. It’s owned by a woman and the place is very gay friendly. The atmosphere is Parisian, the food authentic and the service attentive yet not stuffy. They don’t advertise the restaurant so it’s mostly locals via word of mouth. It’s one of Chicago’s best kept secrets. Broadway Cellar’s at 5900 N. Broadway in Edgewater are owned by a husband and wife team and are also very gay friendly. They have different deals every day during the week. Most restaurants stipulate their deals are dine-in only, but not here. They have $5 burger nights on Monday and get so packed that I usually just get it delivered. On Thursday there are a 2 or 3 course prixfix meal at $18 or $23 respectively for delivery. Most restaurants make smaller portions when they do a prix-fix to offset the cost but they don’t and I feel it’s a great value for the price. Francesca’s on Bryn Mawr and Kenmore in Edgewater is my pick for great Italian food. It’s a great atmosphere along with good food. Although Francesca’s is owned by a corporation, I go here because the staff is friendly and welcoming and not to mention it’s close to my house. RECAP . . . . . Bistrot Zinc, 1131 N. State St. (312) 337-1131 Broadway Cellar’s, 5900 N. Broadway (773) 944-1208
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For a good take out or delivery an unnamed contributer to this interactive column recommended Jerry’s Sandwiches in Andersonville, claiming them to be delicious sandwiches with gluten free rye bread as an option RECAP . . . . . Cavatappi, 3020 W 95th St (between Sacramento Ave & Utica Ave) in Evergreen Park. (708) 576-3055 Jerry’s Sandwiches have two locations, one at 1938 West Division St. (773) 235-1006 and the other at 5419 N. Clark St. (773) 796-3777 Thanks for your recommendations and now that you have made me hungry, I’m off to give one of these places a try. Hopefully this collective article will help you to find some new places to explore and experience the good food that Chicago has to offer. One good thing about living in a city the size of Chicago, there’s no shortage of restaurants, just finding them is the challenge. So if you would like to jump in and share your favorite places and recommendations with our readers, go to www.boiMAGchicago.com and fill out our simple survey, we will use your comments in our next article. BTW: We still have the full restaurant listings located on our website at www.boiMAGchicago.com.
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Rick Karlin’s Big Bite Dining out with your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day can be a little, uhm, disheartening, if you don’t prepare ahead of time. Make your reservations early at our top picks for a romantic dinner. Little Market Brasserie, 10 E. Delaware 312.640.8141, will offer a special prix fixe menu, which will be served family style for $49 per guest.
Dinner/Theater
Valentine’s Day Edition by Rick Karlin & Gregg Shapiro
Gregg Shapiro’s Theater Scene
An early supper followed by theater or theater followed by a late night bite can make for a romantic date. Consider some of these plays for the theater aspect of your Valentine’s Day date.
Slurping Turtle, 116 W. Hubbard 312.464.0466, has a weekend full of fun, beginning with romantic dinner menus Thursday through Saturday evening) and ending with a pajama brunch on Sunday. Brasserie by LM, 800 S. Michigan, 312.431.1788 dishes up three-course prix fixe menu will be $25 per person. While its sister restaurant, Brasserie 54, 5420 N Clark, 773.334.9463 offers a similar deal for $36 per person. If you’re looking for something more active, check out Lottie’s Pub, 1925 W. Cortland, 773.489.0738, which will host a Valentine’s Day sledding trip. For $40 per person, you get a bus ride and tickets to Villa Olivia Sledding Resort, and hot chocolate and refreshments on the bus. For more info, go to lottiespub.com. What could be more romantic than Valentine’s Day Dining at Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club? Beginning on Valentine’s Day and continuing through Saturday night they go “Gaga” for romance. Diva Aurora Sexton entertain as “Lady Gaga” and Kit Kat’s mixologists will be shaking up appropriately titled, Gaga-themed martinis all weekend. Reservations are recommended; call 773.525.1111.
Do ask, do tell, when Raven Theatre puts on “A Soldier’s Play” by Charles Fuller, Feb. 12 - March 30. Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Awardnominated play “Other Desert Cities” by Jon Robin Baitz, featuring Chelcie Ross of AMC’s “Mad Men”, runs through Feb. 17, at Goodman Theater on Dearborn. Red Tape Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of Ruth Margraff’s “Stadium Devildare,” through Feb. 23. Northlight Theatre continues its 20122013 season with Matthew Lopez’s “The Whipping Man,” through Feb. 24, at Northlight Theatre. Finally, the American premiere of “Disconnect” by Anupama Chandrasekhar runs through Feb. 24 at the Victory Gardens’ Biograph Theater. boiMAG 21
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Q&A
E PATRICK JOHNSON
E. Patrick Johnson, Professor of Performance Studies and African American Studies at Northwestern University, is also an Artistic Fellow in the Arts and Media at Columbia College, Chicago. Johnson, a scholar, artist, and activist, has performed nationally and internationally, is the author of two award-winning books, Appropriating Blackness: Performance and the Politics of Authenticity and Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South—An Oral History, Johnson adapted Sweet Tea into a full-length stage play, which had its world premiere in 2010 in Chicago, In 2010, he was also inducted into the Chicago Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame.
When did you come out and what was the experience like for you?
I came out in stages. I didn’t just wake up one day and decide that I was going to tell everyone that I am gay. The first person I had to come out to was myself and they happened around the age of 22. I had my first “boyfriend” at age 24 in graduate school, but I was still not out to my family. I came out to my mother when I was 28 when she was visiting me in Massachusetts. I told her that I had something that I had something to tell her and that I had wanted to share it for a long time. She said, “What have you done?” in this shrill southern belle tone with her hand over her heart. I said, “I haven’t done anything, I’m gay.” In an even more shrill voice she said, “Pat, you mean to tell me you like other men?” I said, “Mom, let me ask you something, has there ever been a time when you felt attracted to another woman?” She said, “Noooo,” with a furrowed brow. I said, “Neither have I.” And that was it. We’ve been good ever since. Please name five of your GLBT heroes and say a few words about why you chose them. James Baldwin, his fiction and non-fiction is so beautiful and wickedly smart that I can’t help but look up to him. He was a man before his time. Audre Lorde, I love how Lorde, like Baldwin, used the beauty of language to speak to the ugliness of bigotry and hatred.
Chicago Spotlight by Gregg Shapiro Marlon Riggs, Riggs’ brilliance as a filmmaker and poet was cut off too soon. I can only imagine what he would have done had he lived longer. “Tongues Untied” changed my life. George Eagerson (aka, “Countess Vivian”) Countess Vivian is the oldest black gay man I interviewed for my book Sweet Tea. He just passed away in September at the age of 99. He lived his life with such dignity and grace as an openly gay man. He will always be one of my heroes. Rupaul, for just being fierce!
What do you consider to be your most significant contribution to the GLBT community in Chicago and at large? My most significant contributions to the community are my scholarship and artistry, for me these go hand in hand. I am very proud of the scholarship I’ve produced on black queer culture as well as the performances I’ve developed over the years about what it means to be black and gay.
What are your future goals and aspirations? I wish to further develop as an artist. Doing professional theater alongside my job as an academic has been really great for me, in terms of pushing me to stretch myself. I’d love to have a run in NYC.
Words of wisdom to the next GLBT generation. No matter what, always stand in your truth.
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IN THE KNOW . . .
On The Go
Street Talk
Hydrate’s Glitz and Glamour on Saturday, Feb. 9, hosts a special Hydrag Revue; featuring Tajma Hall, Sorraya Dash, DiDa Ritz and special guests…. If you snooze you lose. The Equality Illinois “Justice for All” Gala on Saturday, Feb. 9, at The Hilton expected to be a sell-out once again. Event co-chairs, Art Smith and Jesus Salgueiro, have made the best use of their celebrity contacts, so expect some famous faces there… Sunday, Feb. 10 “Queen!” at Smart Bar welcomes guest DJ Shaun Wright, along with the regular stable of talented spinners, Michael Serafini, Garrett David and JPG. Hosts Byrd Bardot, Sal-E, Ruby Dee and Louis Lazu keep the party going…Spin hosts Rentboy’s “Hookies” escort awards on Wednesday, Feb. 20… Women Wednesday on Feb. 13, at Mary’s Attic is the Equality Illinois’ monthly social gathering for women featuring live entertainment and plenty of fun… Everyone’s looking forward to “Dance off with your Pants off” at Scarlet on Friday, Feb. 15. Be sure to wear your good underwear that night.
Street Talk, Too
Boom Boom Room is back at Dolphin and on Sunday, Feb. 17 presents an “Age of Aquarius” party in honor of DJ Lady D’s birthday. Resident DJ talent Gene Farris & Diz White are in the ballroom while Martin Stoy & Dustin Sheridan are in the main room. JoJo, Sissy Spasik, Steve The Greek and Reggie promise sick fun… On Saturday, Feb. 16, Touché kicks off a weekend fundraiser, with dress code in the club room. That party is followed on Feb. 19 by a fireside chat with Doug O’Keefe moderated by David Boyer… “Queer Black History “Leaving the Shadows Behind” is being presented at the Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th on Saturday, Feb. 9. Chicago Affinity and The Morten Group celebrate black history with a twist. The program will start with a screening of “Leaving the Shadows Behind,” a short video
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that features interviews with Black GLBT activists from the mid-nineties. A panel discussion with activists will follow.
Beads, Beads, Beads
Mardi Gras parties abound on Fat Tuesday, Feb 12. Sidetrack will feature The Hard Body Harlequins taking the stage in a “show” they’re calling “Fool for Love”... Touché also celebrates Mardi Gras. Will the beads be made of leather and will you have to flash your boobs? How do you do that when you’re practically naked anyhow?... Kit Kat hosts a masquerade party complete with complimentary beads, hats and festive décor. Most importantly, all of the 100+ martinis will be half price and there will also have half-priced appetizers. Kit Kat will award a $100 cash prize to the person wearing the most uniquely decorated masque.
The Bar That Ate Halsted
Sidetrack’s main bar is walled off like Berlin after WWII. Managing partner Chuck Hyde and his husband Randy D’agostino may be partying in Wilton Manors, Florida, but that didn’t stop him from giving me the specifics for the barrier. It seems that the bar has expanded as much as it can right now, so they’re taking the original space and reconfiguring it. The big screen has been along the west wall since the bar opened. Will the queens ever be able to adjust to looking south?
Looking Ahead
TPAN’s “Chicago Takes Off -Neo Noir” will be held on Saturday, March 2 at the Park West. You’d better get your tickets soon if you expect to be up close to the hot naked guys, as the ringside tickets sell out fast…Also at Park West, on Sunday, Feb. 24, Center on Halsted’s annual Oscar Party. The fundraiser features cocktail service, reserved seating, buffet dinner, silent auction and a raffle drawing. Last year’s event was a sell-out raising in excess of $70,000.
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SEX&RELATIONSHIPS Avoiding Cupid
My lover of 20+ years recently dumped me for someone else. This will be my first Valentine’s Day as a single person in decades. I never noticed before how omnipresent Valentine’s Day events and advertising are. Each one is like an arrow in my heart. I don’t know if I can get through this holiday all alone.
DEAR AC,
Dealing with a change in couple status can be upsetting no matter what the cause. Experiencing that around Valentine’s Day can be even more difficult. If possible, get away for a few days, perhaps go to New York with a friend and take in a few shows, arrange a ski trip or a short cruise. If time or budget restrict those options, plan on doing something with a group that is less couple-oriented, such as going to an action film or a sporting event. Another way to approach this is to embrace your single status (hard to do, but inevitable) and throw an anti-Valentine’s Day party. A friend of mine recently did this and invited all of his single friends and served a heart-shaped cake with a knife plunged into the center. It seems a bit morose, but everyone laughed when they walked in and saw the cake, which aided in giving the party a festive air.
Ask Ace Advice by Ace Magyar
The sooner you accept your new relationship status, the sooner you will be able to move on and find happiness.
When Worlds Collide
I’ve been dating two women for a number years (one six years, one just over five). It hasn’t been a problem. They don’t know about each other and they both think we are in an exclusive relationship. I am exclusive with both of them, in that I don’t see anyone else. It’s not like I’m a player or anything, I love each of them equally, which is why I’ve found myself in this situation. They both think that I work a second job that keeps me tied up. I do work a second job, so I’m not lying to them, the job doesn’t keep me as busy as they think. Recently Girlfriend “A” took a new teaching position where Girlfriend “B” is already a professor. They’re in separate departments so the chances are they’ll never meet, but I am now sweating bullets. What can I do to ease my nerves?
DEAR WWC,
You say that you’re not lying to them, but you’re also not being truthful to either of them. As long as you continue in this situation you’re going to have to be concerned about them finding out about each other. Frankly, I’m surprised that you’ve gotten away with it this long. I see only two choices, either tell them and risk loosing both of them or continue to sweat bullets and if they find out about each other, you still risk loosing both.
Ace Magyar has a BA in communications, a MA in sex therapy and a PHD in zoology. He is a registered couple’s counselor specializing in the GLBT community. Send your questions to ASK ACE at boieditorial@aol.com.
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