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C E L E B R A T I N G
P R I D E
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D A Y S
A
Y E A R !
12th Annual Chicago Pride Fest Saturday & Sunday, June 21-22
Saturday -11:00 a.m. - 10:00 Sunday -11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Halsted between Addison & Grace
Gate donation: $8, benefits the Northalsted Business Alliance
To say that it's been a watershed year for the GLBT community is an understatement. From the Supreme Court and lower courts to gay marriage in the Land of Lincoln, all we can say is WOW! Held the weekend before Chicago's annual Pride Parade this year's Pride Fest will be overflowing with non-stop fun as well as joy and jubilation. Expect one helluva party! Did we mention the fierce music lineup on three stages? The North Stage, at Grace, showcases divas. The South Stage, at Addison, features a lineup that's heavy with popular local acts. And check out the Waveland Stage for your favorite local re-mixers. This year's awesome music lineup includes Chicago's own, Jennifer Hudson. Then there's Aussie popstar Betty Who, Glee's Alex Newell, the legends who are Thelma Houston and Kathy Sledge, Amber, Inaya Day, Nikki Williams, Kaci Battaglia and many more.
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Pride Fest Entertainment Schedule
Saturday, June 21
Saturday, June 21
North Stage
South Stage
12:30 - 2:30 Pride Drag Show 2:40 - 3:20 Jennifer Hudson 3:00 - 4:40 Pride Drag Show 4:55 - 5:25 Kaci Battaglia 5:30 - 6:30 Pride Drag Show 6:40 - 7:10 Nikki Williams 7:15 - 7:45 Pride Drag Show 8:00 - 8:30 Inaya Day 9:00 - 9:45 Thelma Houston
1:30 - 3:00 3:00 - 3:15 3:30 - 5:15 5:25 - 5:40 6:00 - 7:00 7:45 - 9:45
Sunday, June 22
Sunday, June 22
North Stage
South Stage
12:30 - 1:30 Pet Pride Parade with Miss Foozie 1:30 - 2:10 Mya 2:00 - 3:00 Pride Drag Show 3:00 - 3:30 Carlito Olivero 3:30 - 4:30 Pride Drag Show 4:30 - 5:00 Alex Newell 5:00 - 6:00 Pride Drag Show 6:00 - 6:30 Kathy Sledge 6:30 - 8:00 Pride Drag Show 8:00 - 8:45 Amber
1:30 - 2:10 2:15 - 3:30 3:30 - 3:45 4:10 - 6:00 6:50 - 8:50
Girlband Chicago Spirit Brigade Crush on Radio Windy City Cowboys Betty Who Wedding Banned
Pet Pride Parade with Miss Foozie The Personnel Chicago Spirit Brigade Catfight Sixteen Candles
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PET PRIDE PARADE with Miss Foozie
It's all about best friends when PetSmart presents this year's Pride Fest Pet Parade hosted by Chicago's favorite hostess, Miss Foozie on •Sunday, June 22, at 12:30 p.m. on the North Stage
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This always fun and imaginative happening gives mere humans an opportunity to strut and showcase their favorite two-or four-legged buddies. It's an afternoon-on-the-town for furry (or non-furry) friends alike. Part of the fun is the many parade participants who will dress them with pride. And for spectators, it's fun to be entertained and cheer their favorites. After a short parade route on nearby streets, parade participants and spectators alike can mingle near the stage area where a panel of jurors will honor the best pets and creative costumes with gift certificates from parade sponsor PetSmart and other local retailers.
“CHARACTERS UNITE” CELEBRATES PRIDE MONTH Toby Graff, USA Network’s senior vice president, public affairs said, “As bullying continues to be a major issue in schools, it’s more important than ever to work with organizations, such as GLSEN, to make schools safer for all students.”
USA Network’s “Characters Unite” public service campaign in partnership with CB2 celebrates Pride Month for the second year with a multi-platform promotion to combat hate and discrimination. Through in-store, on-air and digital efforts, the month-long initiative will aim to foster greater tolerance and acceptance and benefit GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network), the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. CB2 stores nationwide will be holding special events and promotions throughout the month of June highlighting the “Characters Unite: I Won’t Stand For…” initiative to combat hate and discrimination. Each CB2 store will prominently display co-branded signage encouraging consumers to speak out and share that they will no longer stand for bullying, prejudice, intolerance or any other form of discrimination. In addition, CB2 stores in Los Angeles and New York will host exclusive parties and activations featuring USA Network talent. In Chicago that will take place on June 21, from 1– 4 p.m. at Lincoln Park location, 800 W. North Ave.
As part of the promotion, CB2 stores and cb2.com will offer a specific discount off all purchases at participating locations during the in-store events. In addition, for every person that attends, CB2 and USA Network’s Characters Unite will donate $1, up to $10,000, to GLSEN. USA will run its “I Won’t Stand For…” public service announcements throughout June. Both CB2 and USA will have additional information and resources online and will direct consumers to a Facebook app where they can create a personal “I Won’t Stand For…” photo to share with friends and family. For more information about the Characters Unite campaign, visit: www.charactersunite.com.
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“Reflections of Pride” (Stonewall 45) Chicago 45 th Annual Pride Parade By Rich Pfeiffer GLBT rights groups have existed for decades, but the modern day gay movement is traced to June 28, 1969, when patrons of a New York City gay bar, the Stonewall Inn, fought back during a raid by police. At that time, gay bar raids had become common in cities throughout the country. That night, patrons of the bar battled the police, and street demonstrations continued for several days. During that week, gay liberation organizations were formed, thus giving birth to the modern day GLBT rights movement. Each year, parade entries, as well as groups sponsoring Pride Month events, have the option of using the international theme, an alternative theme or a theme or slogan of their own choice. This year’s international theme is “Reflections of Pride” (Stonewall 45).” This year, the Chicago 45th Annual Pride Parade is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 29 at noon, stepping off from the corner of Montrose and Broadway. From Broadway and Montrose, the parade will proceed south on Broadway; then south on Halsted; then east on Belmont; again south on Broadway; then east on Diversey to Cannon and Sheridan in Lincoln Park. Chicago commemorates and celebrates Pride with close to one hundred different events during June Pride Month. It culminates with the annual Pride Parade coordinated by the PRIDEChicago. Over the years, as the number of spectators has increased,
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the parade route has been changed and lengthened by several blocks. This also allows expanded use of the CTA Red Line to reach the congested parade area. Parade attendees are advised to use the CTA Red Line’s stations at Wilson, Sheridan or Addison rather than the overcrowded Belmont station. Although the access to the street is blocked by barricades, there will be six areas to allow spectators to cross from one side of the parade route to another. They include: Montrose, Irving Park, Addison, Grace, Roscoe and Wellington. Cooling buses will be located along the route. Diversey, between Broadway and the end of the parade route at Sheridan, is suggested for the physically challenged and those in wheel chairs as it is traditionally less crowded. Capping off parade day for the eleventh year in a row, ABC 7 Chicago is planning to air a one hour special featuring highlights of the parade after the parade’s conclusion. Check local television listings or ABC7Chicago. com for air time. For more information, as well as a list of street closures and no parking/tow zone streets go to PRIDEChicago’s web site, www.ChicagoPrideCalendar.org.
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PRIDE CALENDAR The calendar includes events from coordinators who have sent information to the Chicago Pride committee.
Ongoing Events
June 12
"Share the Pride" by Six LGBT-Affirming Churches in the Northwest Suburbs at Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist, www.ccuu.
Tuesdays, through June 24) "Coming Out Support Group for LGBTQ Christians" by Living Well Ministries, 6554 N. Rockwell. www.livingwellministries.net
June 13
Wednesdays A discussion of Janet Mocke's book, "Redefining Realness." at Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ. www.waucc.org
June 14
Thursdays, through July “ What the Bible Says and Doesn't Say About Homosexuality” Latin Bible study at Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ. www.waucc.org
"Women for Women: Spinning (DJs) through the Decades" at the Center on Halsted, $40. www.centeronhalsted.org/ ByWomenforWomen
Fridays & Saturdays "Pridezilla" by GayCo Productions, at Playground Theater, 3209 N. Halsted, $12 . www.gayco.com
June 15
Saturdays and Sundays "Late Nite Catechism" & “Bible Bingo” at Royal George Theatre. www.nuns4fun “Pride Performance Series” by About Face Theatre. The theatre commemorates Pride Month with readings, performances and special events throughout June celebrating the LGBTQIA experience. Michael Urie (of TV's Ugly Betty) will be one of the stars. www.gopride.com/Zaee Various dates "United Latin@ Pride Week, 2014." www.unitedlatinopride.org
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Coronation of Paseo Boricua Queen 2014 with special guest stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race at Circuit. www.vidasida.org "Annual Flag Day Beer Bust & BBQ" for the American Veterans for Equal Rights at RePlay, $10 donation.
"Schoolboy to Showgirl: The Alexandra Billings Story." The life of the former Chicagoan at 9:30 p.m. Independent Lens "Live Free or Die." 10 p.m. "The Day it Snowed in Miami" about South Florida’s famed battle for LGBT rights during the 1970's Anita Bryant era. All on WTTW television.
June 18
"Queer As Art Concert Series: Pride Edition" presented by E3 Radio at Sidetrack. www.e3radio.org
June 19
"Stop Looking....Start Finding the Job You'll Love." A workshop for job seekers. Facilitated by Lansky Career Consultants at no cost. www.lanskycareerconsultants CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE >>
PRIDE CALENDAR "LGBT Books for Pride Month" at Women & Children First Bookstore. www.womenandchildrenfirst.com "David Geffen: American Masters." 9 p.m. on WTTW. (repeats on June 22 at 10 p.m.) www.wttw.com
June 21
Food Truck Fest by the Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce at parking lot of MB Financial, corner of Belmont and Clark from 8 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.. www.pridecommunitymarket.com Chicago Pride Fest on Halsted Street from Addison to Grace Street. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. www.northalsted.com "Just Love" Windy City Gay Chorus & Aria Women's Chorus at Ebenezer Lutheran Chuch, 1650 W. Foster. 5 and 8 p.m. General admission: $20. www.windycitysings.org "The Campaign." The campaign to defeat California's Prop 8 and to defend same-sex marriage is chronicled at 11 p.m. on WTTW. www.wttw.com
June 22
Chicago Pride Fest, (the second day of the two day fest). "Celebrate Pride with the Sky" Chicago Sky at Allstate Arena, tickets $17-$50 include Pride t-shirt, post-game networking and panel discussion. www.chicagosky.net
"Solidarity...Standing on the Side of Love" ecumenical service by the Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches at University Church, 5655 S. University. www. chicagowelcomingchurches.org
June 24
Pride open at Women and Children First Bookstore, sign-up for a three minute reading slot at www.womenandchildrenfirst.com Indepenent Lens "The New Black." 10 p.m. on WTTW A documentary about how the African-American community is dealing with the gay rights issue in light of the recent gay marriage movement and the fight over civil rights. www.wttw.com
June 25
"Love Honored Here" concert by Unity in Chicago at 1925 W. Thome. www.unitychicago.org
June 26
"2014 Birdhouse Art Auction & Cocktail Party" by Chicago House at Room & Board Chicago, includes drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Proceeds benefit Chicago House. www.chicagohouse.org "11th Annual Back Lot Bash" kick-off party at Mayne Stage. www.backlotbashchicago.com Innaugural 5K run at Fullerton and Lake Shore Drive, 7:30 p.m. is a benefit for the Center on Halsted Senior Center. www.iloveruns.com/pride-5k CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE >>
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PRIDE CALENDAR "11th Annual Backlot Bash" in the parking lot behind Cheetah Gym. Continues on June 28 and 29 www.backlotbashchicago.com "21st Annual Pride & Joy Reception, on the Rooftop" by Friends of the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame and the Center on Halsted. $20 per person includes cocktails, hors d'oeuvres buffet, DJ, dancing and entertainment. www.glhalloffame.org
June 27
Pride Shabbat barbeque & beach service by Congregation Or Chadash, 5959 N. Sheridan Rd. www.orchadash.org "The Lies We Tell But the Secrets We Keep- Part 3" movie premiere at the Morgan Park "Arts Center." www.themakingofmvp.com
June 28
Pride mass & social- annual event by Dignity Chicago at Broadway United Methodist Church. www.dignity-chicago.org Chicago Dyke March www.facebook. com/groups/dykemarchchicago. Week 2 of food truck fest (see June 21 listing) "PROUD TO RUN"- 33rd annual event a 5K run and walk and 10K run by Frontrunners/Frontwalkers Chicago. www.proudtorun.org
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"Stonewall Riot Panel" by the Third Coast Society and the Rainbow Alliance at the Unitarian Church of Evanston.
June 29
Block party & outdoor worship service, by Lakeview Lutheran Church, 835 W. Addison. www.lakeviewlutheran.com 45th annual Pride Parade lines up at the corner of Broadway and Montrose. Step off at noon. www.ChicagoPrideCalendar.org WCPT AM and Online live radio broadcast of the Pride Parade with Ellen Miller and Poppy Champlin. www.chicagoprogressivetalk.com ABC 7 Chicago caps off parade day an hour of taped highlights of the parade. Check local television listings. www.abc7chicago.com Worship services by Holy Covenant United Methodist Church, 7 p.m. www. holycovenantumc.org/pride2014.
June 30
United Black Pride-numerous events scheduled. www.ubpride.com 11th Annual Salute to LGBT Veterans at Richard J. Daley Plaza, at noon.
PLEASE BE AWARE:
There is a $1000.00 FINE for anyone who has open liquor or is caught by the police for drinking on the public way during any Chicago Parade. The Chicago Police Force will have extra officers on duty for anyone in violation of city laws, that includes public urination and violence.
Motor Mouth CAR-TUNES By Parker Carr
Now that summer is finally here we can roll down the windows, crank up the radio and sail down LSD singing along to our favorite tunes. I doubt Henry Ford and the rest of the early automotive pioneers even considered adding radios to cars, but now it would be unthinkable to have a car without a slammin’ audio system. The first car radios were produced by the aptly named Motorola in 1930 (the optional radio was priced $130, while the car alone cost $540). Chrysler’s introduction of an all-transistor car radio 1956 made radios affordable. The 8-track tape player was introduced in 1965, which was outmoded with the introduction of cassette tapes in 1970. Mercedes installed the first CD players in cars in 1985. Now mp3 players are standard on even the most basic models. Beginning with Dinah Shore urging us to “See the U.S.A. in a Chevrolet,” the pop music industry has had a love affair with cars. It’s no surprise then that California, the state that is most car driven, would be home to groups whose songs seem dedicated to the joys of driving, such as the Beach Boys (“Little Deuce Coupe”, “409”, "This Car of Mine," "Custom Machine," "Fun, Fun, Fun," and "Help Me Rhonda”) and the duo of Jan & Dean (“Dead Man’s Curve”, “Little Old Lady From Pasedena”). In no particular order, here’s a baker’s dozen of my favorite songs about cars. I’m certain there will be omissions and there may have been other artists recording the songs I’ve listed, but these are my faves. If you’d like to add your own list, send it to boieditorial@aol.com, subject line: “car songs”.
“Mustang Sally” by Wilson Pickett The song, about a woman with a badass ride, was originally called “Mustang Mama” before Aretha Franklin recommended changing the title. “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car” by Billy Ocean The quintessential ‘80s video is all about flash and style. “I Drove All Night” by Celine Dion Although first recorded by Roy Orbison (but released after Cyndi Lauper’s version), I can’t help but try to match Celine’s histrionics as I’m driving home after a night at the clubs. “Cars” by Gary Numan Who can’t relate to these lyrics; “Here in my car I feel safest of all. I can lock all my doors. It’s the only way to live. In cars” Of course, this was written before cell phones and texting while driving, so maybe it doesn’t apply anymore. “Drive” by The Cars The 1984 hit is not really one of my favorites, but how could I not include a song by a band named after my avocation? “Little Red Corvette” by Prince Yeah, it’s a metaphor for having sex with a slut, but then who hasn’t had sex with a slut, or been a slut? “Drive My Car” by The Beatles Catchy, with a great hook, and it’s the Beatles. boiMAG 31
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Rick Karlin s
NATIONAL LOBSTER MONTH June is not only Pride Month, but it is also National Lobster Month. Since a Lobster Pride march would be painstakingly slow, Da Lobsta at Cedar just off Rush, is celebrating by instituting a food truck and adding summer side dishes such as lobster deviled eggs, Hawaiian lobster sliders, lobster tacos and lobster poutine. The Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce sponsors a “Food Truck Fest” on Saturday, June 21 in the MB parking lot at the corner of Belmont and Clark. They’ve scheduled it from 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Personally I think they’d get more takers if they did it as the bars close and all the drunks pouring out of the bars were looking for some munchies. But, hey, they didn’t ask me… The 21st annual Pride & Joy Reception, presented by and a benefit for the Friends of the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame takes place at Center on Halsted rooftop deck. $20 per person for cocktails, an hors d'oeuvres buffet, DJ, dancing and entertainment A Logan Square Mexican restaurant will soon be opening a take-out focused spot in Boystown, and is bringing its vegan options with it. Salsita, 3706 N. Halsted St., is expected to open in summer and is owned by Eric Tores, the man behind La Cocina in Logan Square. Kit Kat will celebrate Pride weekend with a two-day, circus themed party. The line-up of events includes: Diva performances (natch), fire twirlers; jugglers; acrobats, a male underwear fashion show (I don’t know how that works into the circus theme, but there’s a $250 cash prize, so sew a big clown
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nose on your briefs and enter); and a costume contest (with a $400 cash prize, if you don’t win for underwear, you still have a chance.) Don’t forget that amidst all the craziness of Pride and Pride Fest you can slip away for a bite to eat (and some killer Margaritas) at Las Mananitas and, if you need to get a bit farther away, remember that The Edge (Clark just south of Diversey) has free parking! Wicker Park and Bucktown's TAP beer fest on June 22, takes place at The Chop Shop from 1-5 p.m. The event provides the opportunity for beer lovers to sample suds from 18 of the best breweries, brew pubs, and beer-focused bars in the hood, for $40. Admission gets you: a commemorative beer tasting glass and 10 six-ounce servings of the participating venue's beers. At Karma in Mundelein, they may not be doing this on account of Pride, but it’s good karma, anyway. Throughout June, Karma is offering lunch and dinner guests a bottle of house wine for one penny when they order two entrées. There is a limit of one bottle for every two entrees. Links Tap Room in Wicker Park will throw “Birds of a Feather” party starting June 24 that will feature rare Goose Island beers and will showcase by Phish’s new album The Story of Ghost. Before you say, “Hey Phish have scales, not feathers,” remember that the band’s 1998 album had a song on it, called “Birds of a Feather.” Birds of a feather, Goose Island brews; I know it’s a stretch, but if you smoked what Phish fans smoked, it’d make perfect sense.
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Chicago's
in the know ... ON THE GO!
By Sue Deaunym
Bar Belles
Spin closed abruptly closing Memorial Day, leaving many of employees without jobs. The 9,000 square-foot space will soon become two new spots. Whiskey Trust will be a whiskey distillery/eatery focusing on craft cocktails and small-plates. The other half of the place will be a nightclub named Chloe’s, according to Eater.com. No word yet on whether it will still be GLBT focused or cater to the SUVstroller crowd rapidly taking over the neighborhood… Roscoe’s gets a little schizo on Thursday nights. In the front bar they’re all rock and roll with the Roadhouse party, while in the back car they’re all cabaret with Felix and Fingers… Circuit kicks off its “Divine Decadence” monthly Friday night cabaret series with Amy and Freddie on June 20 with two shows, 7:30 and 9:00 p.m. following the show, in the front bar, it will be “Judy and Liza” at it again! If Judy is being done by Paula Sinclaire, it’s a real treat –as she’s exactly the same age Judy would be if she had lived!!... Touché is the place to go after the beach (or after Pride Fest) on Sundays, with the post beach party running from 3-7, followed by its beer bust and movie screenings... Hydrate's got an underwear fashion show on Saturday night of Pride Fest. 54 boiMAG
Peddle Your Ass Downtown
No we’re not suggesting you become a hooked, we’re talking about the Late Night Bike ride that starts at Buckingham Fountain on, depending on how you figure it, either late Saturday/early Sunday, June 21/22… If you pick up this issue early enough, you’ll have time to run down to the Wells Street Art Fair June 14 and 15. It’s one of the best art fairs in the city… Summer Camp! David Cerda and his crew of wacky kids at Hell in a Handbag have gone and put on a show again. This time it’s “Caged Dames” a parody of women in prison movies. Do you think there will be lesbian undertones? Men in dresses? Raucous laughter? You bet, and it’s all at Theater Wit… Howard Brown Health Care is holding a series of town-hall meetings to discuss the health and wellness needs of Chicago’s diverse GLBTQ community beginning on Monday, June 16 at 6:00 p.m. at The Brown Elephant on Halsted. The topic is “LGBTQ Youth Under 24”… Speaking of peddling your ass, the queen of self promotion, Windy City Times’ publisher Tracy Baim, gets a big ego boost as two of her pet projects are featured on Thursday, June 26. WTTW is airing Out & Proud in Chicago featuring the history of Baim’s GLBT friends in Chicago. That same night she gives out her “30 Under 30” awards honoring those less than 30 years old she has deemed to be outstanding GLBTQIAWTFLMFAO individuals.
Community Chatter
Touché is holding a benefit for the AIDS Ride during its Full Moon party on June 13... Some of our younger readers might not remember that Sidetrack used to be a tiny place and you had to sit on beer cases. The bar celebrates its anniversary on June 19 by rolling back prices to 1980s prices, having the event catered by food trucks and providing beer case seating again. It's also a benefit for Vital Bridges so bring a bag of non-perishable food or household items... The Chicago House 2014 birdhouse art auction & cocktail party on Thursday, June 26, includes drinks and hors d’oeuvres at Room and Board. … I’m just gonna run the info from this press release as it came to me and let you decide whether it is offensive or funny (or both!) “‘Not just fruits! Pride and Produce’ is a community market that offers locally grown, baked, or sourced products to the Lakeview, Boystown, and Wrigleyville areas. Saturday, June 14, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. June through October in the parking lot of MB Financial at the corner of Belmont and Clark.
Getting’ Our Pride On
The Neofuturists will present its annual Pride edition of the long-running hit, “Too Much Lights Makes The Baby Go Blind”. The show is a compilation of 30 queer-themed plays which the performers attempt to perform in 60 minutes. The show runs Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28 at 11:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 29 at 7:00 p.m. at the Neofuturarium in Andersonville… The Queer As Art concert series: Pride Edition, on Wednesday, June 18, from 6:3011:00 p.m. at Sidetrack is presented by E3 Radio. Tix are $15 advance; $20 at the door… ChicagoPride.com’s Pride kick-off party will be held at Hydrate on Thursday, June 19… Queen! At Smart Bar will feature Michael Serafini and Garrett David for its Pride Parade after party, and they’ve
got The Black Madonna for Pride Fest Sunday… Cram is holding its annual Pride party on June 19 and will feature hot models, cocktail and a live DJ. It all starts at 8 p.m. and you want to get there early to get one of the gift bags (limited to first 30 guests)... Pride Weekend kicks off on Friday June 26 with two great events. The 21st annual Pride & Joy Reception, presented by and a benefit for the Friends of the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame takes place on the Center on Halsted rooftop deck. $20 per person for cocktails, an hors d’oeuvres buffet, DJ, dancing and entertainment. Then Andersonville comes alive with the 11th annual “Back Lot Bash” a three day women’s festival of music and dancing in the parking lot at 5238 N. Clark. It’s $20 at the door… On Saturday, the 33rd Annual Proud To Run 10K run and 5K run and walk steps off just north of Montrose Harbor at 8:00 a.m. This year’s event benefits About Face Theatre, Test Positive Aware Network and The Night Ministry. It’s $40 before June 24, $45 for on-site registration. It’s the Chicago Dyke March! Then 50 lesbians board the Red Witch sailboat at Burnham Harbor for a beautiful evening under the stars while they sip wine and mingle with friends. Even later that night, it’s the “Neverland” pride dance at Metro. The theme is “Summer Olympics”, a sportsthemed costume/dance party and 10% of all ticket revenue will be donated to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago… Sunday! It’s the parade bitches! With drinking and dancing all along the parade route and in the bars afterwards. If that’s too intense for you, head up to Rogers Park for the Pride UpNorth event on Glenwood... CircuitMom and her band of merry misfits brings a "Love Revolution" to the Chicago History Museum on Pride Sunday night... Friday night of Pride weekend brings the Freemasons to Hydrate. boiMAG 55
iMUSIC
M usic W omen By Gregg Shapiro
How cool is queer indie goddess Mirah? Even after rising through the ranks of hipster hotness she has remained on the roster of uber-hip Olympia WA-based indie label K Records. Mirah continues her exploration of musical hybrids on her new album Changing Light . While the horn section on “No Direction Home” is basically enough of a reason to own this disc, you would also do well to check out “”Turned The Heat Off,” “I Am The Garden,” “24th St.” and “Radiomind.” Tina and the B-Side Movement was one of the bands that benefited from making music during the “gay ‘90s.” Led by frontwoman Tina Schlieske, the band scored a major-label record deal and released a couple of decent records in the mid-to-late `90s, but it wasn’t enough to earn them the attention they deserved. After releasing solo discs under her own name, Schlieske reconvened the troops, edited the name and released the album Barricade, credited to Tina and the B-Sides. In addition to the title cut, “More Than That,” “Bother Me (Come On Over),” “I Hope I Pass Your Audition” and a tasty cover of Bob Marley’s “Guava Jelly” are all recommended listening. Acoustic Winter out singer/songwriter Michelle Malone’s latest disc features a strong collection of 10 original songs and a pair of covers. “Beyond The Mountain” may be the most beautiful song Malone has ever written and deserves repeated listens. Other outstanding selections include the radiant “Burning Star,” the reflective “Mirror Ball,” the instrumental “A Walk In the Woods,” the subtly lush “Missing” and Malone’s reading of the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses.”
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Collaboration can be a tricky business, but when the stars align, as they do on Catie Curtis’ Flying Dream, the payoff is considerable. Produced by queer singer/ songwriter Kristen Hall and featuring six songs co-written by Hall and Curtis, the pleasant folk/pop songs remain true to Curtis’ trademark style. Highlights include the exhilarating “The Queen,” “When You Find Love,” “Maybe Tomorrow” and a sweet reading of the Bacharach/David classic “This Girl’s In Love With You.” Smith College alumnae Hannah & Maggie are a queer folk duo who do Tegan and Sara and Indigo Girls proud on their third album In The Company of Strangers. The pair’s folk sound is enhanced by country elements (Hickok plays mandolin and there’s a fiddle and slide guitar on some tracks. The best numbers are the ones with an element of drama, as in the case of “The Final Straw,” “Atticus,” “Heavy Ever Growing Pines” and “The Other Half.” Speaking of collaboration and duos, Heather Reid’s name will be familiar to fans of The Murmurs. Reid (then known as Heather Grody) was one half of the popular queer ‘90s duo along with singer/ songwriter/actress Leisha Hailey. Hailey has moved on to another duo (Uh Huh Her) while Reid has struck out on her own with her solo disc Cross Words. Prior to the release of the album, Reid wrote the West End-bound musical Dear Bernard and you can hear a musical theater influence throughout Cross Words, especially on “Say What You Mean,” “Before You Left,” “Fading Away,” “Waiting Game,” “Walk Away” and “Paris Moon.” Coming out stories can be found in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Due to be released in early June (Pride Month, fittingly) Youth Revisited by Hers is the musical coming out of Melissa Amstutz. Not an easy listen (case in point “Thrills”), Youth Revisited is nevertheless a brave effort documenting the process of shedding one identity (marriage) for another that is your true self. Album closer, “Hold It Together,” beautifully sums up the experience.
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FIT TIPS By Michael Elder
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Cortisol? Well, we’ve all heard of it, but what exactly is cortisol? I’ll tell you what it’s not. It’s not your friend. Cortisol is commonly called “the stress hormone”. It can build up in your body during times of high stress or sleep deprivation. Once it is high in your system, it can wreak havoc on your body. In particular, it can significantly increase belly fat. In the brain, cortisol impacts hormones that regulate appetite. This is why it is associated with cravings for unhealthy foods, driving people to eat higher volumes of the wrong foods resulting in excess calories and fat gain. Cortisol can also have a catabolic effect on the body. This means that it can actually cause the breakdown of muscle tissue. When this happens, metabolism plummets. It is important to remember that fat is burned inside muscle tissue. The muscles are in essence the fat burning machines of the body. If those machine start to break down, you can see how easy it would be to accumulate body fat. To make matters worse, there is an enzyme called 11-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase that is present in high amounts of visceral belly fat. This enzyme generates its own cortisol and can have profound implications as chronic cortisol exposure causes more fat accumulation. Worse yet, this chronic exposure is being generated from the area of accumulation. Visceral belly fat has a very dangerous effect in this way, perpetuating itself at the expense of its host. Insulin stimulates the production of this enzyme making it a co- conspirator in the accumulation of belly fat.
So how do we solve this problem? Easy- stop stressing out! Simple, right? I know it is not, but taking measures to reduce your stress level will have a significantly positive impact on decreasing cortisol levels. One thing that I always encourage people to do is meditate. Meditation doesn’t have to involve sitting in an uncomfortable position with incense burning and new age music playing in the background while you chant the word “Om”. What I am talking about is being seated in a comfortable position and just breathing deeply in through the nose and out the mouth. While you do this, try to clear all thoughts from your mind and just focus on your breathing. Performing this technique 10-20 minutes a day can have a dramatic impact on decreasing cortisol levels. Exercise also plays an important role in stress reduction. Low to moderate aerobic activity in particular can have a calming effect on the body and the mind. However, resistance training can also decrease stress as it has a positive impact on self-esteem and significantly increases energy levels, allowing for a clear-thinking mind throughout the day. Yoga and passive stretching have also shown to decrease stress in large amounts of people. Making it a part of your everyday routine can therefore have a tremendous impact on decreasing cortisol levels. Of course it is also very important to get adequate sleep, 7 to 8 hours a night if possible. Sleep deprivation is often caused by stress. This is all the more reason to employ the ideas listed above. And of course, it is important to get out and have fun. Nothing chases the stress away like hanging out with friends and just having a good time. When you look at it this way, having fun is not just for play, it’s also for your health. 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 boiMAG 61
ASK ACE
by Ace Magyar
Befuddled In Berwyn
I am a high school senior and recently came to accept the fact that I am gay. I dated a number of girls, but never really was interested in a relationship with any of them, for obvious reasons. Because I never dated a girl more than a few times, I developed a reputation as a player. I went to a meeting of the GSA (GayStraight Alliance) at a school in another town while visiting my grandmother. I met a junior there that I like very much and I’d like to see if we can develop some sort of relationship. He says he doesn’t want to get involved with me. He has a lot of friends that go to my school and I think he heard of my reputation as a player. How can I let him know that’s not who I am?
DEAR BIB,
Tell him. If you sit down with him and explain that you only dated girls a few times because you didn’t want to lead them on (that is true, isn’t it?), and that you’re looking for something a little more substantial. Perhaps then he’ll relent and go out with you. I’d suggest not getting into any kind of sexual/physical activity until he gives you the signal he’s ready. Be patient, it will take time for you to build his trust and show him the type of person you really are.
Frustrated on Paulina
My husband and I have been together about 15 years. He’s also 15 years older than I am. When we met and I was 35 and he was 50, the age difference wasn’t that much of a big deal. But, now that I’m 50 and he’s 65 we’re starting to have problems. The worst of which is that he no longer has any interest in sex, not just sex with me, but any sex at all. He says that he still loves me. Sometimes if I initiate sex, he’ll participate, but he never gets an erection (even with Viagra) and after I orgasm, he wants to stop and go watch TV or read. Is this the end of our sex lives?
DEAR FOP,
As men age, their bodies sometimes stop creating testosterone which can reduce sex drive. Also, many medications, such as those for blood pressure and depression, can reduce sex drive. Point out to your husband that this doesn’t just affect him, but you, as well. Urge him to see his doctor and discuss this issue. There are a number of treatment options available. You and your husband need to come to some kind of understanding that is satisfactory for both of you. In addition to medical attention, you should see a couples' counselor to help you through this. It does not have to mean the end of your relationship.
Exes and Ohs
I’ve been seeing a wonderful woman for about 6 months now. She is everything I want in a woman. She’s funny, loving, sexy, and has a great job. The only problem is that she is still good friends with two of her ex-lovers. And, they are friends with each other! I am so intimidated by them that I can barely stand to be in the same room with them. How can I be certain that she isn’t going to go back to one of them (one has a new girlfriend, the other doesn’t)? I’m not certain that I want to invest anymore time in this relationship, if I’m always going to have to compete with her exes.
DEAR EAO,
It sounds like the only competition going on is in your head. Your new girlfriend is everything you want in a woman and is, as you describe her “funny loving and sexy”, and she manages to remain friends with her exes. That sounds like quite a catch to me. Give the relationship a little more time and try to let your guard down with her exes. They might be wonderful people as well. Just because a relationship didn’t last or move on to the next level doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with either person. It just wasn’t meant to be. One of my best friends (for 20+ years) is someone I dated for a while. We realized that we’d be much better as friends, which may be the case with your new girlfriend’s exes.
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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