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Whistler Pride & Ski Festival BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
The award winning resort of Whistler Blackcomb is all set to host the 26th annual Whistler Pride and Ski Festival January 21-28, 2018. Whistler Pride is one of the largest in the world and biggest in Canada attracting men and women from 26+ countries for the weeklong celebrations on and off the slopes. The festival has four key elements that include: Sports, Culinary, Health & Wellness, and Entertainment. Every day Whistler Pride assembles a gaygal of experienced skiers and snowboards ready to take the snomosexuals out on the slopes of Whistler and Blackcomb. The Whistler Pride ski/snowboard guides expertly place the pride guests into similar skiing/riding abilities so everyone can enjoy the awesomeness of the 8,176 acres this skier’s paradise has to offer (It is North America’s biggest ski resort so it can be a wee bit intimidating on where to ski). There is no other ski guide program like it on the planet and is one of the key events that truly sets this gay ski week apart from all others. Other sporting events at Whistler Pride include a daring slide on the world’s fastest track, the Whistler Sliding Centre, where you have the opportunity to try your skills at skeleton or bobsled and imagine yourself at the Winter Olympics! A fan favourite is whipping through the forest on a zipline where you can chase your friend on parallel lines with SuperFly Ziplines. Whistler Pride also offers snowmobile tours, dog sledding, Nordic Skiing and snowshoeing. Whistler is well known for its award winning restaurants including the Bearfoot Bistro, Araxi, 21-Steps Kitchen
& Bar, and Alta Bistro just to name a few. During Whistler Pride the Bearfoot Bistro’s Ketel One Ice Room (Vodka tasting) is always a big hit. Last year the festival offered a special wine paired dinner at the Cellar by Araxi which sold out in three weeks. We are excited to reveal this year’s special dining events in early December! Whistler Pride is the first mountain resort to offer a pride parade that starts on the mountain where parade participants ski down the mountain with Rainbows, Trans Flags and colour costumes and then marches through the village to the Whistler Olympic Plaza. It was in February 2010 when Whistler Pride and the Pride House team marched for the first time during the Winter Olympics to hold a press conference to defend Johnny Weir after homophobic remarks made by Olympic Sports commentators. The tradition continues and every year the parade grows and becomes more and more colourful. In total Whistler Pride offers eight days and over 65 events that showcases some of the best queer talent internationally and locally. This year Whistler Pride welcomes back The Cube Guys (Italy) as the headliner for the main event on Saturday, January 27th at Snowball26 - a mega dance party closing out the week long celebration. Making his Canadian debut is Superstar DJ/Producer GSP (Greece) headlining the naughty and bit racy Furrocious Military Bear Ball on Friday, January 26th. Join us January 21-28, 2018. For more information visit gaywhistler.com
Best U.P. Ski Resorts Mount Bohemia
Instead of heading west, head north this winter and test your skills at the freshest powder the Midwest has to offer. Mount Bohemia is all natural snow with no grooming and boasts steep runs and expert terrain that challenge even the best skiers. Bohemia is now home to Voodoo Mountain, the only Snowcat Mountain in the Midwest. The resort is a magnet for Midwestern backcountry skiers seeking serious terrain without breaking the bank for a trip out West. Season passes cost $99 and a stay in the yurt-hostel is $35 a night.
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Big Snow Resort Blackjack Mountain & Indianhead Mountain
It’s no surprise that Big Snow Resort in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is one of the most popular places to ski in the Midwest. Mile long runs give skiers a big air experience and the three terrain parks give snowboarders rugged courses rival to western mountains. With an annual snowfall of more than 17 feet and two mountains to choose from, Big Snow offers 410 skiable acres, 56 trails, and 15 lifts with plenty of activities off the slopes. Round out your stay with a the chance to ice skate, snowmobile, snowshoe, sit by a Saturday night bonfire or find yourself in a Yeti Snow Fort. (continued on a following page)
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Marquette Mountain
Dubbed the Boulder of the Midwest, Marquette Michigan has a reputation of getting buried in snow from time to time. Marquette Mountain receives an average of 19 feet of snow each season. Just five minutes from Marquette’s lively downtown, skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels can take full advantage of the region’s notorious lake-effect snow. Whether you want moguls, glades, long cruising runs, a terrain park, halfpipe, or a racecourse, Marquette Mountain has it covered. The mountain also stays open until 10 p.m. for night skiing Tuesday – Sunday. Although there isn’t lodging at the base of Mount Marquette, there are plenty of hotels in the area.
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“What are we going to do this weekend?” “I guess… go out in Boystown?” –every Chicago gay.
When I asked Whitman about the exciting new events he has in store for Elevation Mammoth’s Sweet Sixteen year, he was a bit coy: “We have a few surprises coming up for the Sweet Sixteen , and I can’t tell you all of them.” Clearly, he understands the art of keeping a boy in suspense.
Admit it, you know you’ve had that conversation. You probably had it last Friday, Thursday if you’re a “planner.” I hate to break it to you, but the gays of Chicago have been having that same exchange for at least the last 16 years. Yes, we love parties. Yes, we love hot dudes and dirty beats. But no, we do not love the status quo.
That right there is Elevation in a nutshell – it’s as much about the moguls as it is about the mashups. The music promises to be massive this year, with Whitman unleashing his familiar roster of heavy hitters on the mountain to spin us into a sweat: DJ Josh Peace, The Perry Twins, DJ Blacklow, DJ Dawna Montell, and DJ Casey Alva.
Gays Crave Adventure. That’s the sentiment that prompted Tom Whitman to look northward and upward, 10,000 feet upward to be exact. 16 years ago, the White Knight of LA Nightlife hoped that his horde of homos would follow him to the hills. And follow him they did.
Over 2,500 guys from SoCal and across the country will flock to Mammoth Lakes this March hoping to get a taste of that sweet, athletic action. (Yes, I’m still talking about snowboarding.)
ON THE BROMO MOUNTAIN
Chad Callaghan
In the decade-and-a-half since Whitman first schemed up his 4-day ski soirée, Elevation Gay Ski Week has become the gold standard of gay getaways. Its legendary status is due, in large part, to Whitman’s uncanny ability to be always dependable but never predictable. Whether it’s Elevation Mammoth - the crown jewel of gay ski weeks - or Mammoth’s 8-yearold brother in Park City, you know exactly what you’re getting into with an Elevation event: superb slopes for shredding, damn-good DJs for dancing, and fun feisty dudes for… having a nice conversation by the fire ;) Whitman’s magic lies in his ability to give people those expected extravaganzas that we look forward to every year (the Onesie Party, the Rock ‘N Bowl), mixed in with just the right number of new tricks pulled from his waterproof snowboarder sleeves. “I’m super excited about the 16th anniversary of Elevation Mammoth,” says Whitman, “and not just because Sweet Sixteen is a good excuse to add some new elements and shake things up a bit. It’s also amazing because so many people who attend have been coming 5, 10 and even all 16 years. It’s become part of the gay culture, certainly in California. And Elevation Utah has really come into its own. Every year, more and more guys come from around the country and around the world. and an event can’t ask for anything better than that.”
Coming into its 8th year, the February Elevation event in Park City has really come into its own with over 1000 guys, multiple ski resorts, and 7300 acres of the most pristine slopes in the country in one resort alone. The Elevation brand has developed such a cult following among sassy ski bunnies and homo board bros that diehards have begun listing both stops as “can’t miss” on their winter to-do lists. You’ll recognize a couple of Whitman’s signature DJs (Josh Peace, Casey Alva) on the Park City playlist. With just how easy it is to travel to Park City (it’s only a 30 minute drive from the Salt Lake airport), it’s no surprise that Elevation Utah is picking up major steam. The artsy downtown vibe of Park City combined with killer skiing and Utah boys with killer bods make this stop kryptonite for bromos and those who love them. Which brings me to my final (just the) tip: As much fun as it is to shred the mountain before shredding the dance floor, you can have a helluva time at Elevation even if you aren’t a skier or a boarder. Take a lesson with all of the other SoCal boys who’ve never seen a snowflake. Can you imagine a better start to a gay romantic comedy than tumbling down the hill only to land in the arms of a mountain? Otherwise, browse the shops in Mammoth Village, take a soak in the hot tub, explore the snowshoeing trails, and meet up with all the sporty shorties at the 10k Apres wearing your snazziest green Christmas Sweater (it’s Saint Patrick’s Day)!
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10 CITY ICE RINKS: Maggie Daley Outdoor Skating Ribbon 337 E. Randolph St.
Skate rental stops 30 minutes before close.
Hours: Mo-Th: 12:00 PM-8:00 PM, Fr: 12:00 PM-10:00 PM, Sa: 10:00 AM-10:00 PM Su: 10:00 AM-8:00 PM, (312) 552-3000 McFetridge Indoor Ice Rink McFetridge Sports Center 3843 N. California Ave. (773) 478-2609
McKinley Ice Rink McKinley Park, 2210 W. Pershing Rd. (312) 747-5992 Midway Outdoor Ice Rink Midway Plaisance Park 1130 Midway Plaisance North (312) 745-2470 Morgan Park Sports Center Indoor Ice Rink
Park No. 577 at 11505 S. Western Ave. (773) 840-4622
Mt. Greenwood Outdoor Ice Rink Mt. Greenwood Park 3721 W. 111th St (312) 747-3690 Riis Outdoor Ice Rink Riis Park 6100 W. Fullerton Ave. (312) 746-5735 Rowan Outdoor Ice Rink Rowan Park: 11546 S. Avenue L (773) 646-1967 Warren Outdoor Ice Rink Park: Warren Park 6601 N. Western Ave. (773) 761-8663 Wentworth Outdoor Ice Rink Wentworth Park 5625 S. Mobile Ave. (312) 805-3936 boiMAG 19
(Continued on following pages)
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In The Know... ON THE GO... Enjoy the 104th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and the opening of the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink and the Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon on November 17. Don’t miss Caroling at Cloud Gate, the Dance-Along Nutcracker, the Wreathing of the Lions, Do-It-Yourself Messiah, gingerbread house decorating and more. Featuring your favorite seasonal traditions, ice skating, music, exhibitions and family fun, Millennium Park will be the epicenter of holiday fun in Chicago. Topping the list is the 104th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 17, in Millennium Park at Washington St. and Michigan Ave. at 6pm. The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park will open earlier in the day on Friday, November 17, at noon, with skating continuing through March 4, 2018. There’s more skating and family fun just across the BP Bridge at the Skating Ribbon in Maggie Daley Park. The Wreathing of the Lions has been a tradition at the Art Institute of Chicago for more than 25 years, watch on November 24 as cheery holiday wreaths are placed on the regal lion statues on the museum steps (where they’re up all season), then head inside for artmaking activities. And you won’t want to miss the Dance-Along Nutcracker at the Chicago Cultural Center on December 3rd with dance lessons and live music for children of all ages and abilities under the world’s largest Tiffany stained-glass dome. Bundle up and get ready to belt out some holiday classics during Caroling at Cloud Gate. This festive series is part concert, part singalong at Cloud Gate, aka “The Bean” on Fridays, November 24 through December 15. Concerts are free and scheduled from 6 until 7pm, weather permitting. Admission is FREE to all Millennium Park holiday events and supported by the Chicago Transit Authority.
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
November 17–March 4, weather permitting Mon–Thu, noon–8pm; Fri, noon–10pm; Sat, 10am–10pm; Sun, 10am–9pm Millennium Park, at Michigan Ave. between
Washington St. and Monroe St. Free admission; skate rental is $12 Mon–Thu and $14 Fri–Sun/Holidays. millenniumpark.org
Caroling at Cloud Gate
Fridays, November 24–December 15, 6–7pm Millennium Park, at the Cloud Gate sculpture Bundle up and belt out some holiday classics as local Chicago choral groups lead hundreds of celebrants in song. Free admission. www.millenniumpark.org
Dance-Along Nutcracker
Sunday, December 3, Dance Lessons at 11am & 2pm; Performances at noon & 3pm Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. Sugar plum fairies and mouse kings of all ages and abilities are invited to point their toes to the familiar music of Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic. Optional beginner lesson by Ballet Chicago precedes each performance. The Dance-Along Nutcracker, created in 1985, is the property of the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, the world’s first openly gay musical organization. Free admission. www.chicagoculturalcenter.org
Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon Opens November 17, weather permitting Mon–Thu, noon–8pm; Fri, noon–10pm; Sat, 10am–10pm; Sun, 10am–8pm Ugly Sweater Skate, December 9, 10am–10pm Skate with Santa, December 16, 10am–noon Maggie Daley Park, 337 E. Randolph St. Among the “alpine in a city,” lace up your skates and enjoy an ice skating experience unlike any other on a path of ice winding through the rolling landscape. Free admission; skate rental is $12 Mon–Thu and $14 Fri–Sun/Holidays. www.maggiedaleypark.com
Holiday Thorne Miniature Rooms and Neapolitan Crèche
November 18–January 7 Open daily 10:30am–5pm; Thursday until 8pm Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave. The Art Institute’s Thorne Miniature Rooms are once again decked out with tiny seasonal trimmings that offer a window into festivities from a Victorian Christmas to a traditional Chinese New Year. (continued on a following page)
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In The Know... ON THE GO... (continued) The spectacular Neapolitan crèche is one of the few and finest examples found outside of Naples. Free for children under 14 and Chicago residents under 18. www.artic.edu
Wreathing of the Lions
Friday, November 24, 10am Art Institute of Chicago entrance, 111 S. Michigan Ave. Kick off the holidays at the 26th anniversary of this Chicago family favorite. After adorning the lions on the historic Michigan Avenue steps with their traditional holiday wreaths, move inside at 10:30am for wreath-making fun inspired by the museum’s collection. Wreathing of the Lions is a free event. www.artic.edu
Lurie Garden Bird Feeder Workshop
December 10, 1–3pm Millennium Park, Lurie Garden at Monroe St. and Columbus Dr. Learn about the birds that remain here in the winter months and help them find much needed food. Each family will make one bird feeder; recommended for ages 6 to 12 years old. Free, advance registration avail. www.luriegarden.org
CONCIERTO NAVIDEÑO / CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Thursday, December 14, 2017 Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph St. Samuel del Real’s Latin Quintet will perform a series of international Christmas songs such as Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas, El Burrito Sabanero, The Christmas Song, and much more. They will discuss the instruments that create these expressive sounds and where they originated. There is lots of student/artists interaction. Share the joy as this ensemble enhances students’ understanding of and enthusiasm for music. www.harristheaterchicago.org
Gingerbread House Decorating Party Sunday, December 17, 1–4pm The Park Grill at Millennium Park, 11 N. Michigan Ave. Enjoy decorating a gingerbread house complete with candy, icing treats and a hot chocolate bar. Free admission, $25 for each gingerbread house. www.parkgrillchicago.com
Do-It-Yourself Messiah
December 18 & 19, 7pm Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph St. Celebrating its 42nd year, the Do-It-Yourself Messiah brings together a world-class conductor and soloists, an all-volunteer orchestra of local professionals and amateur musicians and you, with the other 1,500 audience members, in a thrilling performance of Handel’s masterpiece, Messiah. $15 per ticket. www.harristheaterchicago.org
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Brandenburg Concertos
December 20 / 7:30pm Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph St. CMS’s presentation of the complete Brandenburg Concertos performed one-ona-part at the Harris has become “a fixture of the holiday season in downtown Chicago” according to the Chicago Tribune. Don’t miss the performance which is an essential year-end musical tradition. Tickets start at $30 www.harristheaterchicago.org/tickets/20172018-season/cms2-brandenburg www.harristheaterchicago.org and
Holly Days
December 27–30, 10:30am–3pm Art Institute of Chicago, Ryan Learning Center, 159 E. Monroe St. Take inspiration from the exhibition Rodin: Sculptor and Storyteller and create a work of art with your family. Admission to the Art Institute’s Ryan Learning Center is free and museum admission is always free for kids under 14 and for those Chicago residents under 18. www.artic.edu
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