3700 N. Halsted St. #2-S 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@boiMAGazineChicago.com Dave: dave@boiMAGazineChicago.com National, Rivendell Media: sales@rivendellmedia.com photographerS Eamonn Sexton Ken Brown, KAB Photography Oliver Aguilar COVER Provided by INNdulge editorial contributors Gregg Shapiro, Ace Magyar, Parker Carr Sue Deaunym, Anita Taylor, Michael Elder
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Decidedly Upscale By Rick Karlin
“Champagne wishes and caviar dreams,” as Robin Leach used to say on the ‘80s television show Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. That show was known for giving a glimpse into the lives of the 1%, when we aspired to be them instead of resented them. If you’ve got a bit of excess cash (don’t we all?) and want to experience that lifestyle, if only for a week or so, here are a few vacations where you can live the dream. Ever dreamed that you could live in a castle? ChicVillas, based in the heart of the France’s famous Loire Valley, makes that possible. The company offers a wide selection of properties for vacationers looking for something unique. I ChicVillas can provide a private chef, driver, butler, etc. and since most of the properties accommodate at least 10 people, it makes it quite affordable when you figure out the per person cost. Among ChicVilla’s properties are Le Château Millénaire. It comfortably accommodates fifteen people with terraced gardens overlooking the vineyards and a large swimming pool in the grounds. The Château’s wine cellars are legendary and may be used for tastings or parties. Among the other amenities are; acres of grounds with shady, terraced gardens and an orange grove, a heated swimming pool and nearby tennis court. One week rental is €6070.
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If you prefer something more modern, Costa Blanca, in Spain has a swimming pool surrounded by a lovely garden, barbecue, outdoor sink and worktop. The villa can accommodate six guests and rents for €2930 to €3170 weekly. For information on these and additional properties, go to www.chicvillas.com. The site is in French, but offers English translations. If European luxury isn’t your thing, check out the getaway package offered by Hilton Brisbane. The hotel's "Bubbly Nights in Brisbane" accommodation package, $255 per room per night , includes an overnight stay for two in a Hilton guest room, a complimentary bottle of Veuve Clicquot Vintage 2004, a dining voucher at the hotel’s upscale Vintaged Bar + Grill and a 15% discount on merchandise purchased at Monili Jewelry. For more information, check out www.brisbane.hilton.com/ specialoffers and select "Bubbly Nights In Brisbane". Break out the sunglasses, swimwear and suntan lotion and get ready to be Xposed! Tropicana Beach Club is surprising GLBT visitors with a recently completed $200 million transformation. The hotel offers a casino, acclaimed restaurants, new bars, a spa, fitness center, two Olympic-sized sand volleyball courts, two heated pools, a high-rise stage for live entertainment and a breathtaking pool area complete with waterfalls, palm trees and luxury daybeds. The pool deck will be the site of the Xposed! weekly party every Saturday. Sun-kissed go-go dancers, celebrity guest performers and DJs will provide the focus for the party. For more information, go to www.XposedLV.com
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Welcome Dear Fellow Travelers, This Sunday, May 4th will be the third year we are hosting the GLBT Travel Expo in Chicago and we expect it to be our very best show yet. Not only does Chicago possess a vital, vibrant GLBT community, but it also has the very best community center in the world. The Center on Halsted is a great venue to hold this type of event and although I am not a native, it has welcomed me with open arms. The show will be held in the third floor Billie Jean King Recreation Center, which will be transformed into a showcase of great vacation destinations, hospitality service providers and exotic places to visit. From AAA to Zipcar, you will find a smorgasbord of travel companies. Did you know that there is a famous artist colony in Hanoi City? If you are a connoisseur and excited about a new adventure, go to Sister Tours and find out about its personalized travel groups. Are you interested in a cruise with your loved one or a great rail journeys? We have Cruise Holidays, Amtrak and Pullman Rail Journeys to show you the way. Hotels, both local and international, convention and visitors bureaus and great attractions here in Chicago fill out the rest of the exhibitors. Thinking about alternative transportation, stop by Kozy Cyclery and see the great new electric bikes. Admission is free so bring your friends and have a great time. Best wishes,
GLBT Travel Expo vendors AAA Travel aaa.com Air Berlin airberlin.com Amtrak amtrak.com Aries Charters ariescharter.com Barbara’s Bookstore barbarasbookstore.com Best Western Hawthorne hawthorneterrace.com Black Alphabet Film Festival www.blackalphabet.org Biagio Cru/Egalite biagiocru.com Bleu Magazine bleumagazine.com boiMAGazine boimagazinechicago.com Broadway in Chicago broadwayinchicago.com Center on Halsted centeronhalsted.org Chicago North Shore CVB cnscvb.org Choose Chicago CVB choosechicago.com Clarke House Museum clarkehousemuseum.org Columbia Fun Maps funmaps.com Connextions connextionsMagazine.com Cruise Holidays Chicago yourcruiseholidays.com
Steve Levenberg
CTM Media Sightseeing ctmmediagroup.com
Steven Levenberg Productions, LLC
Days Inn Hotel daysinnchicago.net
CEO
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Elixher Magazine elixher.com
Sisters Tours SistersToursVN.com
Family Equality Council familyequality.org
Spain Tourism spain.info/en_us/
Fantasy Costumes fantasycostumes.com
St. Louis Tourism explorestlouis.com
Glessner House Museum glessnerhouse.org
U.S. State Department
GRAB Magazine grabchicago.com
TAG accommodations tagapproved.com
Greater Miami CVB
Wet stayswetlonger.com
miamiandbeaches.com
Worldview Travel worldviewtravel.com
Hotel Lincoln jdvhotels.com
World Pride Toronto worldpridetoronto.com
Illinois Tourism CVB enjoyillinois.com Key West Tourism keywestpride.org
travel.state.gov/content/travel/english.html
Zipcar zipcar.com
Kozy's Cyclery kozy.com Legacy Project legacyprojectchicago.org Medieval Times medievaltimes.com Mexico CVB visitmexico.com Oak Park CVB visitoakpark.com Peninsula Chicago Hotel chicago.peninsula.com Pink Banana Media pinkbananamedia.com Pride Films & Plays pridefilmsandplays.com Pridefest Milwaukee pridefest.com Pullman Rail Journey travelpullman.com Reeling reelingfilmfestival.org Rosemont CVB rosemont.com boiMAG 13
TRAVEL BLUNDERS By Rick Karlin
I often hear people complaining that travel just isn’t much fun anymore. Even if you weren’t around during the heyday of airline travel in the ’60 and ‘70s, you’re still aware that flying has gone from being a luxurious experience to just a step or two above riding on a bus full of chickens in some third world country. And, while I’ll concede that travel isn’t as glamorous as it once was, I often observe people making it harder on themselves (and consequently, their fellow passengers). The following are the top ten mistakes I often see people make, as well as tips on how to avoid them.
Not allowing enough time With long lines at TSA and consistently over-booked flights, it’s important to leave yourself enough time. Come to the airport prepared with lots of things to do.
Relying too much on recommendations from friends and family Sort of The flip side of the tip before. Do they have the same expectations about a vacation experience you do? This is your vacation, not theirs. Supplement recommendations with your own research. Packing everything in checked baggage If you pack essential items, such as medications, toiletries, etc. in checked luggage, and it doesn't make the flight or goes missing, the results could range from annoying to dangerous. Always pack medication, basic toiletries and a change of clothes in your carry-on.
Traveling with the wrong people Just because you are friends, doesn't mean you are good travel buddies. Make Over-packing certain that your priorities are similar. When you are packing, place everything on a table and try to reduce Before taking a long vacation together, start with a weekend trip to see how you the amount by one-third. You’d be get along. Friends can ruin your vacation. surprised what you can do without. Failing to alert your credit card companies that you are traveling Credit card companies often suspend a card if they see unusual action on it (such as purchases made away from your home town). A simple phone call to the customer service number on the back of your card solves the problem. Relying too heavily on travel companies websites The right camera angles and lighting can make hotel rooms look better and larger than they really are. Ask for suggestions online, talk to a travel planner or call the local tourism bureau.
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Being too loyal to an airline Some folks travel the same airline to accumulate miles for the reward program and sometimes forget to check if airfares are lower with other companies. Some airlines offer amenities (checked luggage, meals) for free that can more than make up for a difference in ticket prices. Forgetting to pack chargers & adapters Consider buying extra chargers for the things you use most and leave them in your luggage. Checking in too often roaming and international charges can be expensive, as can internet access. Provide the contact information for where you will be staying to loved ones and business associates with instructions that you should only be contacted in cases of emergencies.
Motor Mouth
CHICAGO STAYCATION
By Parker Carr
Everyone needs a vacation every now and then, but with the high cost of travel (gas over $4 a gallon!), it’s increasingly difficult to find a vacation you can afford. No need to pass up on the vacation experience, just stay in town and you’ve already cut the budget in half. Try a “staycation,” a mini-vacation which involves little travel. There are plenty of things to do and see in the Chicago area. You just need to see it through a tourist’s eyes. The following web sites can help you get tips on what you can do, where you can stay, and even a few coupons to help you save even more money on your Chicago staycation. www.choosechicago.com (city’s official tourism site)
www.chicagostaycations.net
www.chicagofun.com
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www.conciergepreferred.com (search staycation)
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Chicago's
in the know
By Sue Deaunym
EXPOS Yourself
If you’re looking at this, you already know that the GLBT Travel Expo takes place Sunday, May 4 at the Center on Halsted. It’s a great place to get info about travel and vacations, but don’t be, as my Yiddish grandmother used to say, a “schnorrer.” Look it up honey and see if you fit the description.
OMG!
It’s May, that means IML is less than a month away!... A new patio is coming to Marty's. It will be bigger and no more uneven surfaces for the drunks to blame for their stumbles. It should be open by the end of the month… Is Berlin still running “Madonna•Rama”? Wasn’’t Madonna over about 20 minutes ago?... Hambingo is so popular at Hamburger Mary’s that it’s being held on Sundays and Mondays… Sidetrack is going all retro for Cinco de Mayo and celebrating it as Disco de Mayo… Hell in A Handbag has gone viral. No, Ms. Cerda is not spreading a disease, I’m talking about its new show, “Caged Dames.” The company wants to take it to the next level with the new production, a musical parody of 1940's women in prison films. They want to hire a real band, get mics, etc and all that costs money, so they’ve gone to the fund raising site, Indiegogo (think Kickstarter for the arts) and they’re offering rewards for donations, including a walk-on role with ten of your friends in the audience and a professional DVD of the experience. For more information, go to www.indiegogo.com/projects/helpcaged-dames-get-amped#home... Touché is offering a free taco buffet on Cinco de Mayo this is just a few days after their handballing night, but I’m certain that they washed their hands.
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... ON THE GO!
Out Loud
R Public House is holding an “Out at Wrigley” national anthem contest on Monday, May 12. Out at Wrigley, the largest annual GLBT sporting event in the country, takes place on July 12, this year, when the Cubs take on the Atlanta Braves. Did you know that Wrigley Field is now 100 years old. The only things older in Lakeview is Paula Sinclair and community activist Gary Chichester. How old is Gary? Let’s just say his first beau was Abe Lincoln and leave it at that… Speaking of old, don’t ask Joslyn Fox how her interview with Cher’s mother, Georgia Holt, went when she appears with April Carrion at Roscoe’s on Tuesday, May 6… Springfield celebrates Pride on Saturday, May 17. Plans were still being finalized as we went to press. Go to www. springfieldpride.org for more information… Go go go to the Queer Prom 2014 on Friday, May 16. There’ll be music, dancing, food and information booths. It all takes place at the National Museum of Mexican Art. Tickets are available at the door, $10 for students/youth $10, $25 for adult youth allies. It runs from 6:00-11:00 p.m. Remember, it’s not a prom until someone throws up in a wastebasket!
Benefit Biz
Chicago House’s spring brunch & fashion show on Sunday, May 4 promises to be Vivid. It gets a capital V because that’s the name of the event… “Ignite”, the AIDS Foundation’s benefit on Friday, May 16 is at Ignite Glass Studios… Wonka Ball, About Face Theater’s annual gala has a game show theme this year and will be held Friday, May 9 at Macy’s on State. It’s hard to believe the theater group is now in its 18th year, three more and it will be able to drink… Saturday, May 10 the Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame Celebrity Bowl annual fund raiser takes place at Waveland Bowl.
You can pledge by the pin or a set amount. All pledges support Hall of Fame activities. Contact friends@glhalloffame.org to sign up…Downtown Bar will hold the premiere party for Panda II: Rise of a Gay Asian Bear webisode on Saturday, May 10. A $5 is donation requested.
Music Matters
On Saturday May 3, Windy City Performing Arts hosts “To Russia with Love” featuring Windy City Gay Chorus and Aria for an evening of music, food, and fun at Center on Halsted… On Tuesday, May 6, Homolatte, the music and spoken word performance series at Big Chicks/Tweet features Maya Marshal and Abby Brown. Hosted by Scott Free, it is open to all ages... On Saturday, May 17, the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus takes over North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie for “Bouncing Off The Walls: Broadway Our Way.” The show celebrates such recent Broadway hits as “ The Book of Mormon,” “Newsies,” “Kinky Boots” and more.
favorites, jazz standards, contemporary pop hits, and maybe even a little bit of country… Speaking of giving head, “Snow White and the Seven Drag Queens” returns to Hydrate with in a revival on Friday and Saturday Nights through May 17. Tickets are $15 and available at the door or at www.tix.com. Giving head not required, but appreciated.
Found it Taped to a Street Post
What Halsted Street bar manager is trying to get "someone" fired from their job at NortHalsted Business Alliance (NBA)? Someone thinks that he’s responsible for leaving the names of some very important people off the ballot for the election of NBA’s officers. Is it possible that the person that someone's trying to get fired had nothing to do with actually putting the ballots together? We wait to see. Halsted has more drama than Hollywood! That's why we love this city and everyone in it! Whoot whoot.
Club Chatter
Punch House in Pilsen is calling all gender deviants/allies/movers and shakers to stop by and dance the night away at its new event, “Potencia in Pilsen,” on Monday, May 5. Chyna Gonzalez will host and Audio Jack spins…Asians & Friends Chicago meets at Furama on Broadway and Argyle for dim sum on Sunday, May 4. If you want to join them, meet on Furama’s 2nd floor landing… Do a little spring cleaning for your palate at “Spring Wine Tasting Party” at Sidetrack on Wednesday, May 7… The Closet is 4U. No I haven’t taken to writing the column in text jargon, that’s the name of The Closet’s Thursday night event. They’re serving well drinks and Fireball shots for $4 for you. 4U, get it?... Quare Square, an open mic for queer women of color and allies is held the second Tuesday of the month at Jeffrey Pub… Join James Gavin at 3160 the second Friday of the month for his ongoing show, "Out of My Head." I got all hot and bothered because I misread the press release as “James Gavin is giving head at 3160.” It’s a great night mixing up musical theater tunes, cabaret
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iMUSIC
Sound (track) check
By Gregg Shapiro
The great thing about reissues is having the opportunity to write about music that might have been missed the first time around for one reason or another. Such is the case with Together? A forgettable 1979 film starring Jacqueline Bisset, the late Maximilian Schell and a pre-Priscilla Terence Stamp, Together? had one thing going for it, its soundtrack. Newly reissued on CD, it features a score by Burt Bacharach with songs by Bacharach, Paul Anka and Libby Titus. Guest vocalists include Jackie DeShannon, Titus and Michael McDonald. It’s very Bacharach and very much of its time, but it’s also pleasant and deserves to be heard by those who missed it the first time around, particularly fans of DeShannon, Titus and McDonald. If the fashions and hairstyles in David O. Russell’s Oscar-nominated and Golden Globe Award-winning American Hustle didn’t satisfy your 1970 jones, than the retro jukebox that is the American Hustle soundtrack should do the trick. Classic tunes by Elton John (“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”), Electric Light Orchestra (“10538 Overture”), Wings (the Oscar-nominated “Live and Let Die”), Donna Summer (“I Feel Love”), America (“A Horse With No Name”) and Bee Gees (“How Can You Mend a Broken Heart”), as well as soundtrack specific selections give this soundtrack its hustle, if you will. Had enough of the seventies? How do you feel about the 1800s? Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave took home some major awards at the Oscars. The soundtrack is a combination of traditionals, standards and originals. The disc features performances by Alabama Shakes, Gary Clark Jr., Alicia Keys, Laura Mvula and John Legend, as well as music from Hans Zimmer’s score. If your head is still reeling after the broadcast of NBC’s “live television event”
production of The Sound of Music, you are not alone. But here’s the good news, while she’s no Julie Andrews, Carrie Underwood can sing. This makes listening to The Sound of Music: Music from the Television Event a much less traumatic experience because you don’t have to watch Underwood struggle to act. Plus, how can you possibly exist without Audra McDonald’s rendition of “Climb Ev’ry Mountain”? The success of Y/A novel series movie adaptations such as Twilight and The Hunger Games logically spills over into the territory of movie soundtracks. Divergent is set to be the next movie blockbuster for the Y/A crowd. Naturally, there is music to accompany the film on the Divergent soundtrack. Featuring a roster heavy with Interscope-related artists such as Ellie Goulding, Zedd, Woodkid, Kendrick Larmar, Pia Mia and others, this soundtrack stands on its own, whether or not you see the movie. Acclaimed Showtime series House of Lies has also earned its own soundtrack. With an emphasis on blues (Gary Clark Jr.’s “Bright Lights,” Aloe Blacc’s “Take Me Back,” “Clean The House” by Fat Freddy’s Drop and Michael Kiwanuka’s “It Always Comes Back Around”), jazz (“Heartbreak” by The James Hunter Six and Count Basie’s “Belly Roll”) and electro hybrids of both (“Midnight Sun” by Isaac Delusion and “Smoke Filled Lungs” by Basecamp), House of Lies is for sophisticated listeners, and that’s the truth. boiMAG 29
FIT TIPS By Michael Elder
There is no question about it, traveling can cause many obstacles in the quest for optimal health and fitness. Consistency is key in any fitness program. With a little preparation you can remain consistent even when your schedule is constantly disjointed.
If you are someone who travels a lot, you need to be prepared to exercise and eat healthy while you are traveling. One thing I strongly advocate to my clients who travel is that they prepare their own food and take it with them. Making your own food will ensure you are in complete control over what goes into your body. I understand that this can seem grueling but it truly does work. Take one day out of the week and make a lot of healthy food that will last for the entire week. Put it in Tupperware and invest in a portable cooler that you can take with you. Also, I recommend that you call ahead to whatever hotel you are staying at to see if there is a refrigerator in your room. If there isn't, you can always request one. Just as important as nutrition is training. Exercise must be scheduled just like any work event. I realize that hectic schedules can often cause a glitch in motivation. That is why it becomes extremely important to be creative in seeking out ways to simplify your wellness program. Looking for a gym or health club in every city one travels to can also be a daunting task. However, most hotels already have fitness rooms and most fitness rooms have
Fighting the Travel Dilemma at least one treadmill, one bike, one elliptical trainer, some free weights, and a few machines. This is all that is really needed to have a sufficient workout. Another great idea is to purchase rubber band tubing as a viable method for resistance training. It is relatively inexpensive and fits in your luggage easily. You can train the entire body in the comfort of your own hotel room just by using these bands. But what happens when you need to meet up with fellow colleagues or clients for a business dinner and everyone around you starts ordering unhealthy items, including appetizers for the entire table? It’s no problem for most restaurants to substitute steamed veggies for French fries, serve dressing on the side, or avoid adding oils or fats. I have had many people tell me that they feel pressured to eat what the rest of the table is having, or that they feel they are being rude if they turn down an appetizer that someone else ordered for the entire table. There is nothing rude about making healthy choices. Simply explain to the rest of the table that you are following a certain eating plan. People who travel often have challenges that others do not. It is considerably more difficult to maintain a consistently healthy and active lifestyle. However, it is not impossible. You get one body in this life, you need to take care of it no matter where you are. We'd like to thank Steamworks for making the recommendation for us to create this new feature article, to help keep us fit and looking our best.
Michael Elder has been working as a fitness professional in Chicago for the last fifteen years. He comes from a background in gymnastics and is certified as a personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise (ACE). For details on his current Beach Body Now Special, visit his website at www.MichaelElder.com
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