program guide
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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 Oliver Aguilar, Eamonn Sexton, Ken Brown Iggy Munoz, Candymoon Photography COVER Mr. International Rubber editorial contributors Gregg Shapiro, Ace Magyar, Harry Taint, Anita Taylor, boiMAG ONLINE
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MIR I7 SPEAKERS
Speakers Presenting Classes During Mr. International Rubber Weekend Mr. International Rubber (MIR) 17 will be returning the Hoover-Leppen Theatre at the Center on Halsted (CoH) this year Nov. 8 -10. The MIR Kink Market & Social, in CoH’s Billie Jean King Recreation Center, will be open Friday and Saturday, Nov. 8 and 9 from noon until 7 p.m. and from noon until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10. The Market is open to the public (18+). Admission is $5.00 per day or $10 for all three days. MIR 17 recently announced the speakers for education sessions at the event. Among the featured speakers are: Rick Holte, who, in 1995, started designing fetish gear under his own label “Love and Fire” while working as a production manager and performer for Bondage A Go-Go at Ground Zero nightclub in Minneapolis. In 2011, Rick moved to San Francisco and began working with Serious Male Bondage.com under his scene name RankInSF. He can also be seen in many of their rubber bondage videos. That same year, he was entrusted with the stewardship of Rubber Men of San Francisco and has been a part of producing events for the fetish community and promoting the local businesses that support the kink community. Trooper Long, Great Lakes Boot Black 2008 and 2009, judged IML33 and was first runner-up at both IMBB 2009 and ICBB 2010. He is Pledge Master of ICON Detroit
Leatherclub, a member of Detroit Bondage Club and Chicago Hellfire Club (CHC). He is partnered with Andrew, another CHC member. Trooper’s boy is named “black,” Canada’s 1st bootblack titleholder. Trooper has attended every MIR since 2006. Pup Snuggles has been part of the leather community since IML 2006 and has avidly researched the leather lifestyle ever since. Snuggles is also founder of International Pups and Handlers, cofounder of Chicago Puppy Patrol, the previous president for Bloomington Kink, a photographer, graphic designer, web site designer, massage therapist, and renaissance re-enactor. Pup Snuggles was named Indiana Leather Boy 2010 and Great Lakes Leather Boy 2011.” Joey Alegrett has owned eight tattoo and piercing studios at once, as well as partnerships in five bars and nightclubs. Presently he is working in Chicago at Uptown’s world famous Tattoo Factory and Royal Flesh in Chicago, and spending summers in Provincetown, MA. Joey has been piercing and executing his trade in body modifications since 1990. Known as the celebrity piercer in the industry, his clients have included; Rhianna, Madonna, Fergie, and Lady GaGa among others. For information, go to the official MIR web site at www.mirubber.com. boiMAG
MIR I7 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013 NOON - 7:00 PM MIR17 Registration & Ticket Sales The Reception Hall, Center on Halsted NOON - 7:00 PM The MIR Kink Market, Social and Chicago Rubbermen Gear Sale The Recreation Hall, Center on Halsted
Vendors from around the globe will be offering their wares for sale and trial in our kink market. Meet some new friends in the Kinkster Lounge, watch or participate in a demo in our rubber playground. If you have fetish gear that you haven’t worn in a while and are looking to sell it, don’t waste your time with on-line auctions, sell it at the Chicago Rubbermen Gear Sale!
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Inside the Kinksters Studio with Pup Snuggles Room TBA, The Center on Halsted MIR Education Coordinator Topher discusses the puppy community with the founder of International Pups and Handlers, Pup Snuggles. 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Inside the Kinksters Studio with Rick Holte Room TBA, The Center on Halsted MIR Education Coordinator Topher discusses the evolution of rubber with the organizer of the Rubbermen of San Francisco, Rick Holte 7:00 PM TO 9:00 PM The “Greet the Meat” Cocktail Party The Reception Hall, Center on Halsted A cocktail party prior to the start of the MIR17 Contest. Socialize with attendees, contestants and judges. 9:00 PM TO 11:00 PM The Mr. International Rubber 17 Contest Part 1
Hoover-Leppen Theater, Center on Halsted The fun and erotic entertainment begins as the contest swings into action. Contestants compete in the first two judged categories of the competition,
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including “Rubber Image” and “Rubber Fantasy” competition. Our contest is a fun and unique way to select an international titleholder. Come see why so many have said, “I’ve never had this much fun at a contest before!”
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2013 MIR17 Registration & Ticket Sales The Reception Hall, Center on Halsted NOON - 7:00 PM The MIR Kink Market, Social and Chicago Rubbermen Gear Sale The Recreation Hall, Center on Halsted 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Inside the Kinksters Studio with Joe Allegretti Room TBA, The Center on Halsted MIR Education Coordinator Topher discusses piercing with celebrity piercer, Joey Alegretti. 3:00 - 4:00 PM The MIR Rubber Pup Rumpus The Reception Hall, Center on Halsted
The rubber pups and their handlers take over the demo space for the second annual Rubber Pup Rumpus. Let your primal urges be your guide as your manimal instinct takes over. Pups and handlers both welcome. Rubber encouraged, but all pups are welcome. The Rubber Pup Rumpus is a presented in partnership with the Chicago Puppy Patrol. www.chicagopuppypatrol.org
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Inside the Kinksters Studio with Trooper Long Room TBA, The Center on Halsted MIR Education Coordinator Topher discusses boot blacking with Great Lakes Boot Black 2008 & 2009, Trooper Long. 7:00 - 9:00 PM Pre-Contest Cocktails The Reception Hall, Center on Halsted Enjoy cocktails with the contestants, judges and fellow attendees prior to the start of part two of the MIR17 contest!
MIR I7 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 9:00 PM Mr. International Rubber 17 Contest Part 2 Hoover-Leppen Theater, Center on Halsted
The exciting conclusion to the Mr. International Rubber Contest. Includes judging of on stage question, “mystery-bag” and cast your vote for Mr. International Rubber in the audience voting. Be there for the excitement of selecting MIR17!
1:00 PM Movies and Mimosas
Official MIR Victory Celebration and Strict Rubber Dress Code Party
A victory celebration and dungeon party in a private club space. Featuring wet area, multiple slings, dungeon equipment, and two extreme demos; scrotal saline infusion and cauterization. Strict rubber dress code enforced in dungeon space. All attendees assigned a private locker with the ability to upgrade to a private room. Admission must be purchased in advance via MIR Contest LLC.
Hoover-Leppen Theater, Center on Halsted Start your Sunday off with a movie and a mimosa! Film to be announced. This screening is free to MIR17 weekend package holders, and $5.00 to non weekend package holders. Start your Sunday off with a movie and a mimosa! We are pleased to be screening “Daddy and the Muscle Academy” Synopsis: Tom of Finland (born Touko Laaksonen) is one of the major icons of the gay world. Taking inspiration from his World War II army days, 1950s American bodybuilding magazines and biker movies, Tom’s erotic drawings of uniformed and leather-clad beefcake have become a permanent fixture of 20th-century iconography. Completed shortly before his death in 1991, this definitive documentary of the man and the artist combines interviews with Tom himself, commentary from his “leather men,” hundreds of original drawings and steamy fantasy scenes inspired by his work.
10:00 PM - 5:00 AM RECON Full Fetish Chicago MIR at Jackhammer
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Lubed Up Latex Wrestling The Recreation Hall, Center on Halsted
10:00 PM TO 4:00 AM Slick & Twisted: The MIR Strict Rubber Dress Code Party and Victory Celebration Steamworks
RECON heads back to The Jackhammer during the MIR weekend for Full Fetish Chicago - “A Late Night Gear & Cruise Party.” Entry is $20 with $5 going towards your first drink. Tickets available at the RECON Booth in the Kink market or at the door. (Separate admission charged by venue not included in weekend package.)
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2013 NOON - 5:00 PM The MIR Kink Market, Social and Chicago Rubbermen Gear Sale The Recreation Hall, Center on Halsted
Vendors from around the globe will be offering their wares for sale and trial in our kink market. Meet some new friends in the Kinkster Lounge, watch or participate in a demo in our rubber playground. The last day to sell your gently used and lovingly abused fetish gear, and use that money to buy new gear for your collection.
It may be the last day of MIR, but there are a few rumbles left to be settled. We invite YOU to join in our Lubed Up Latex Wrestling in the demo area. If you are wrestling in lube with another man in rubber, let the demo space coordinator know. It’s a bracket tourney, and winner takes all!
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Shiny Guys, Show Tunes & Slushies Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted, Chicago, IL
Each year when MIR weekend has concluded, tradition has it that rubbermen from around the globe converge on Sidetrack for a uniquely Chicago experience, Show tunes at Sidetrack. Rubbermen, leathermen, bears, twinks and vanilla guys gather for slushies and show tunes. *Schedule is tentative and subject to change.
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MIR I7 JUDGES & TALLY MASTERS JUDGES
LeatherSIR/boy, Mid Atlantic Leather, Mr. Southeast Rubber, Oklahoma Mr. Leather and Leatherman of Color. Master Dexter is a charter member of The 7 Guardsmen and has been a member of several organizations including; ONYX Southeast, Breeches and Leather Uniform Fanclub (BLUF), the Leather Archives & Museum, and the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom. Most recently, he was elected as a member of the Board of Directors for the Leather Heart Foundation.
Daddy Tom A resident of the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area, Daddy Tom is a highly respected and knowledgeable member of both the rubber and leather communities, and can always be seen with a submissive boy or puppy at his side. His pup, Phillip, collared for over four years, is the love of his life, and also his best friend. His favorite cities are Berlin, London, San Francisco, Palm Philip Hitchcock Philip Hitchcock has Springs, Toronto, and Chicago. challenged people with his art for over 20 years. Dean Ogren His life-size male erotic With more than 30 sculpture resonates years in the leather solidly with the leather community, activist, and kink community planner, and event prompting him to compete for and win owner American the title of Mr. Midwest Leather 2010. Leatherman 2000, Dean Ogren, has He competed at IML 2011 where he been with the IML team for 21 years, placed in the top fifteen. His sculpture currently as the contestant handler coordinator and as the owner/producer was featured in a six month exhibition at Chicago’s Leather Archives and of ABW Inc., Dean has judged regional Museum and one of his works was and international contests including acquired as part of the museum’s International Mr. Drummer, Mr. permanent collection. Other prestigious Louisiana Leather and Mr. Midwest collections to acquire Hitchcock’s work Leather to name a few. Dean lives in include the Leslie-Lohman Foundation Chicago and has been honored by the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame, in New York, Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles and The Saint Louis University Open Hand, and in 2009 received the Jon-Henri Damski award for community Museum of Art. service. RubInuki RubInuki, while Master Dexter relatively new to the Master Dexter was public world of kink, International LeatherSIR has been a keen pervert 2005 and has had an of the rubber church active interest in leather since realizing what sex was. He was and other fetishes since First Runner up in MIR16. Coming from childhood. He is active a region with few kink friendly bars or in the Atlanta community and teaches clubs, it is his passion to support the about the leather and fetish lifestyle business, and people who want to put and BDSM activities. He has judged many contests within the leather/fetish South Wales on the fetish map. community including; International Continued on following page.... 14 boiMAG
Sir Dart
When other boys were caught with porn magazines under their beds, Sir Dart was caught with a roll of duct tape. Since then he has developed an immense passion for rope bondage. He began his leather journey as a collared boy and gradually developed into the dominant he is today. Dart has presented in Phoenix, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto, Dublin, Amsterdam, and Buenos Aires. He also hosts his own leather podcast program on iTunes, called Dart’s Domain. He shares his life with his boy and husband, Bart.
Stephen Perry
Stephen Perry, husband of MIR16 Jason Lynch, is a long-time lover of Lycra and has come to love rubber in the past several years. Stephen is a core member of the New England Rubber Men and a judge and organizer of this year’s Mr. New England Rubber. Follow him on Twitter as @TotesVaninky.
TALLYMASTERS Carlos “Wolfy” Diaz He has been an active member of the leather community since 2006. He is a proud member of the IML Class 32, Mr. Ybor City Eagle 2010 and is part of Sandy-Mama Reinhardt’s Mama’s Family and is the secretary of the Tampa Bay Leather Tribe, the organization that produces the annual Tampa Bay Leather and Fetish Pride. Ryan Weidner Mr. Iowa Leather 2010 and the father of two children, Ryan volunteers for several organizations and committees focusing efforts to reduce homophobia and bigotry in schools.
MIR VENDORS 12:11 Kink - Chicago Blacksheep GB - New York Bondage Barber Slade - Chicago Chgo. Dragons Rugby Football Club Chicago Rubbermen - Chicago E7 Gear - New York Full Kit Gear - Provincetown Howard Brown - Chicago Klawtex Latex - New York Mister S Leather - San Francisco Mr. Friendly - Chicago-Midwest Puppy Rub & Shine - Chicago Recon - London UK Steel Mill Media - Orlando Florida Steve Leather - New York TLS Rubber Gear - Dallas Texas TPAN - Chicago
MIR PREVIOUS TITLE HOLDERS 2013 - Rubber Jason 2012 - Sly Hands 2011 - G-Man 2010 - Fenn 2009 - Stephane Donaldson 2008 - Brian Turgeon 2007 - Maurizo Iacone 2006 - Michael Schneider 2005 - Frank Bug 2004 - Chris Vincent 2003 - William “Rubberwilli” Schendel 2002 - Yannick Kerjose 2001 - Chad Mclaughlin 2000 - Tom Kelley 1999 - Thomas Smith 1998 - Christoph Lehner
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Rick Karlin s Big Bite rum with Luxardo Apricot, pineapple and lemon) and an apple-cinnamon mojito. In addition to the new rum drinks, the seasonal beer selection includes Left Bar Pastoral is featuring cream of Hand Milk Stout, Revolution Eugene kohlrabi soup, short rib sauerbraten and Porter, Central Water Satin Solstice, apple pie pot de crème. Sixpoint Sweet Action, Tallgrass Ethos IPA, Green Flash Hop Head Red, Minibar’s cafe area will be closing to Green Bush Brother Benjamin and make room for a brand new restaurant Metropolitan Flywheel. concept coming this fall. Minibar will still be open regular hours and for brunch on Sundays through this transition. It’s that time of year again. Places all around town are changing over to fall and winter menus.
If you happen to be in the French Market, check out the new sandwiches at City Fresh Market. The chevap sandwich includes house-made grilled pork and lamb sausages, roasted red pepper relish, butter and parmesan spread on homemade pita bread, and the Serbian burger, featuring the same meats in patty form. Both are available on Tuesdays only. Rhine Hall, a new family owned-andoperated brandy distillery, will open its doors in West Town (2010 W Fulton) on Saturday, Nov. 2. Co-founded by Charlie and Jenny Solberg, a father-daughter team, Rhine Hall will offer patrons distillery tours, a tasting room, and a full brandy bar with hand-crafted cocktails made from house brandy distilled from Michigan fruit. DMK Restaurant celebrates fall with a new rum-focused cocktail. The menu offers a selection of hand-crafted cocktails and mojitos only available during autumn including the classic Daiquiri, Autumn Delight (which blends
Lady Gaga’s album “ARTPOP” will be released on Monday, Nov. 11 and Kit Kat Lounge will be celebrating with an all-Gaga affair; with her music and videos playing, special cocktails and Diva Kinley Preston performing as Gaga throughout the evening. Dressing for the occasion is encouraged, the best dressed Gaga look-alike will receive a $100 cash prize. On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Roka Akor Chicago hosts a six-course wine paired dinner featuring the wines of William Fevre & Bouchard. The cost for the event is $99 and includes reception and dinner. Tickets can be purchased at www. rokachicago-efbevent.eventbrite.com. boiMAG 21
INTERVIEW By Gregg Shapiro
Kirson
The most refreshing and original comic on the scene, Jessica Kirson competed on NBC’s Last Comic Standing and has had her praises sung by comic goddess Joy Behar. Her elastic face and gift for voices take Kirson’s comedy to another level altogether. I spoke with Jessica about her work in October 2013. Gregg Shapiro: Your family is featured in a lot of your material. How do they feel about being the subject of jokes? Jessica Kirson: They don’t care at all. I mean, I’m never mean-spirited about it. I never say anything that I would feel guilty about [laughs]. They’re fine about it. They’re very much a part of who I am in my humor, so I talk about them a lot. My mom’s a therapist, so there’s a lot of material there. GS: Something else that stands out in your act is your facial expressions. The confident, ugly girl is a good example. They are really spectacular. Do you practice in front of a mirror? JK: [Laughs] Thank you! No, I’ve always been making faces my whole life. Even as a little kid. Someone just sent me a picture of when I was little and I was making a face in the picture. I’ve always done that. Again, my father is very expressive. I’ve always been silly and made faces. I was the class clown. Actually, I started comedy 15 years ago because my grandmother took me aside and said, “Every time people are around you, they’re always laughing.” She was watching me sit with people in my family at some event or something. She said, “You should be a stand-up comedian.” I’d never thought of it before. I never thought I could do it. I ended up taking a six week class and trying it. I was very nervous to do it. I had to work through that, because I was panicked to be on stage in front of people. She was right [laughs].
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GS: Something else that’s really unique is the stream of conscious aspect of your work. JK: There are a couple reasons for that. I teach comedy and I tell people that if you are in your head, you should address what’s going on. Meaning that if someone (in the audience) is not laughing and just staring at you, and it’s bothering you, you have to address it. Otherwise, you’ll think about it the whole time and you’re not present. I feel like so much of being a great stand-up is being present and in the moment. Once in a while you’ll do something and it will click and you’ll get a huge laugh. But sometimes you have to work through something. GS: What did it mean to you to have Billie Jean King laughing so hard at your jokes on Celebrity Apprentice? JK: It’s always a big deal to have people like that laughing at you and to have people say things to you. I just performed with Rosie (O’Donnell) and she was like, “You’re brilliant!” When I did that show, Kevin Kline was in the audience, and a bunch of other people. It always means a lot when someone who is very talented, especially a standup. GS: You are coming to Chicago to perform at Parlour. Have you been here before and what are you looking forward to about the show? JK: I have performed at some colleges there. I also performed in a bar there. I love Chicago. I really love the energy. It’s a big stand-up town. There are certain places in the country where people really get it, they get comedy and they get humor. It’s interesting, the different places you go and the different responses you get. I’m always looking forward to doing places like that, where people are aware and they get comedy.
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REELING
Chicago’s GLBT Film Festival Celebrates 31 Years
Reeling, the Chicago GLBT International Film Festival, is the second longestrunning film festival of its kind. After taking a year off, it is back with a spectacular schedule of films and events, including an opening night screening of the comedy G.B.F. on Thursday, Nov. 7 at the Music Box Theatre. Screenings at a number of locations throughout the city will lead up to the closing night on Thursday, Nov. 14 with a double-feature screening of “Ludwig II” and “Reaching for the Moon” at The Logan Theatre followed by a closing party at the Stan Mansion in Logan Square. boiMAGazine is a media sponsor of the festival. The opening night feature, G.B.F., is a comedy about a high school’s first openly gay student, and the three “it”girls who are rivals to make him their new bestie. The movie features memorable performances by Sasha Pieterse (Pretty Little Liars), Megan Mullally (Will & Grace), Horatio Sanz (SNL), Jonathan Silverman, Rebecca Gayheart and Natasha Lyonne (Orange is the New Black.) After the screening there will be a reception at The Laugh Factory .
Other festival highlights include:
The Most Fun I’ve Ever Had with My Pants On, Saturday, Nov. 9, at The Logan Theatre @ 7 p.m. Childhood girlfriends Andy, a lesbian, and Liv, who is straight, reunite to scatter Andy’s father’s ashes from L.A. to Austin. Witty dialogue combined with military crossdressing, an underground soundtrack, and gorgeous scenery have made festival audiences eager to go along for the ride with this charming road trip movie.
Corpus Christi: Playing With Redemption at The Logan Theatre on Sunday, Nov. 10 @ noon. The Religious Right’s reactions to a touring production of Terrence McNally’s controversial play, “Corpus Christi”, which retells the story of Christ from a gay perspective, coming to their town is chronicled in this documentary. Stars of the film include former local boys Nic Arnzen and David Pevsner. I Got Somethin’ to Tell You at The DuSable Museum on Sunday, Nov. 10 @ 2:30 p.m. Whoopi Goldberg’s documentary about comedy pioneer Moms Mabley, showcases Mabley’s talent and pays homage to a woman whose relevance still resonates today. Reeling’s presentation will include a specially taped message from Whoopi Goldberg. I Am Divine at The Logan Theatre on Sunday, Nov. 10 @ 4:45 p.m. There has never been another like Divine. The 300-pound drag queen (aka Harris Glenn Milstead) was outrageous even before he met filmmaker John Waters, who made him a star. The documentary reveals how the shy, chronically overweight youth became the internationally recognized drag superstar. Sing-a-long Victor/Victoria at Sidetrack, on Monday, Nov. 11@ 6 p.m. Hollywood screenwriter and bon vivant, Bruce Vilanch hosts a 31st anniversary screening of the 1982 musical camp classic. Interior. Leather Bar at The Logan Theatre on Tuesday, Nov. 12, @ 7 p.m. Filmmakers James Franco and Travis Mathews set out to re-imagine what might have transpired in the 40 minutes William Friedkin was forced to cut from his 1980 film, Cruising, which starred Al Pacino as an undercover cop investigating a serial killer in the NYC gay leather bar scene.
For a complete list of films, screening times and locations go to www.reelingfilmfestival.org.
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theater by Rick Karlin
SCENE
Pride Films and Plays will present a staged reading of “Angry Fags” on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at Stage 773. In the play, an Oscar Wilde-meets-Fight Club fever dream, two friends experience rage when one of their friends is the victim of an assault outside a local bar. Find more information on www. pridefilmsandplays.com. Victory Gardens Theater kicks off its season with “Appropriate”, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ play about race, history and family, running Nov. 8 thru Dec. 8. Strawdog Theatre Company, season opener is the world premiere of “Detective Partner Hero Villain,” running Nov. 24 through Dec. 17 at 3829 N. Broadway. For more information, go to www.strawdog.org.
In the last issue we reported that “The Color Purple” at Mercury Theater had been extended, but got the date wrong. It’s running through Nov. 10. Go to www.mercurytheaterchicago.com or 773.325.1700 for tickets. The Neo-Futurists celebrate 25 years of the longest running production in Chicago, “Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind.” To observe this milestone, the folk there will host their annual gala, The Neoccasion for “T.M.L.M.T.B.G.B. - The Baby Returns To The Cradle,” a special one-night show, featuring favorite personalities from the show’s history on Thursday Nov. 7 at The Neo-Futurarium. For more information call 773.878.4557 or go to www.neofuturists.org/neoccasion. Northlight Theatre will present the Midwest premiere of “Detroit ’67,” running Nov. 8 through Dec. 15. The music of Motown fuels this riveting new play set in, as the title suggest, 1967. The Ruffians are bringing back “Burning Bluebeard,” from Nov. 21 through Jan. 5, at Theater Wit. Originally mounted in 2011 it is inspired by the true story of Chicago’s 1903 Iroquois Theatre Fire, the story of six singed clown performers who emerge from the burnt remains of history attempting to perform their spectacular Christmas Pantomime. “Spank! The Fifty Shades Parody” will make two stops in the Chicago area, at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan on Friday, Nov. 15 and at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet on Sunday, Nov. 17. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster. Paul Dillon returns to the role he originated in Profiles Theater’s holiday revival of its biggest hit, “Hellcab” at The Main Stage, running Nov. 8 through January 12.
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in the know ... ON THE GO Drinking Dining & Dancing Get your holiday drink on at Sidetrack and sample more than 100 different wines at the annual holiday wine tasting benefit for EQIL on Wed., Nov. 6. In addition to tasting, there’ll be hors d’oeuvres, all for a $20 donation… Edge Alliance’s You Ball at Venue One, on Saturday, Nov. 16, will feature chefs from some of Chicago’s finest restaurants at food stations featuring their signature specialties. In addition to the fine dining, there’ll be cocktails, an auction and dancing... Speaking of dancing, Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus’ “Lipstick & Lyrics, Sex Is In The Heel,” on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Mayne Stage, is now in its 11th year. The event has added a “Like A Virgin” drag auction, bid enough and you could end up backstage, for a complete drag makeover and star turn in the show finale. There are two shows, 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Bar Biz Parlour on Clark welcomes comic Jessica Kirson on Saturday, Nov. 2. I saw this woman in FL and she made me pee my pants. Buy a pair of Depends and go see her. BTW, Gregg Shapiro has in interview with Kirson in this issue… Friday nights brings Kyle & Tristan, the Bud Boyz (notice it says “Bud Boyz,” not butt boys) to Downtown Bar… Sidetrack welcomes Hollywood legend Bruce Vilanch for a special edition of Showtunes on Monday, Nov. 1. at 6 p.m. Bruce will lead a special sing-a-long version of Victor/Victoria.The event celebrates a triple anniversary, the 31st anniversary of the film, Reeling’s 31st edition and Sidetrack’s 31st year in biz. Bruce’s 31st year has come and gone (at least twice!) but he’s as sharp as ever… Hydrate hosts a hair and fashion show on Friday, Nov. 8. The Menz Room Salon and EQIL present the event, a chance to see the latest hair styles for men this fall. The models will strut the runway in next to nothing underwear and accessories provided by Cram Fashions. Raffle prizes
will be given out and the finale will see the top five models having their underwear auctioned off to the highest bidder. No word on whether they give their undies to you right then and there, which would raise the stakes considerably! All it takes to join in the fun is a $10 donation… Taverna 750 welcomes Candis Cayne to its midnight cabaret on Saturday, Nov. 9. Candis came to national attention portraying transgender mistress Carmelita on ABC’s prime time drama Dirty Sexy Money. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Gibbs Family Foundation. Street Talk There will be queens aplenty at Navy Pier Nov. 1-3, for SOFA, the expo of Sculpture Objects Functional Art fair… I got word that Kerli will be performing at the White Party in Miami… It also seems that the Gay Games has begun talks with the Gay and Lesbian International Sports Association (GLISA) to merge into a single event. The ninth edition of the quadrennial Gay Games will be held in Cleveland and Akron from Aug. 9-16. Marching Orders Nearly 5,000 people braved the cold rain and showed up at the March on Springfield last week to rally for marriage equality. Gov. Pat Quinn was among more than 15 political leaders, including Sen. Dick Durbin, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, to speak in favor of the bill during a press conference in the Capitol Rotunda. Noticeably absent was House Speaker Michael Madigan, who claims to support the measure but has yet to call the bill in the House. Throughout the rally, the politicians and speakers shared the stage with top musicians, such as Steve Grand and Honey West. boiMAG 29
CHICAGO SPOTLIGHT By Gregg Shapiro
David Zak, a 2013 inductee into Chicago’s Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame, has been producing and directing Chicago and GLBT theater as well as developing new stage and screen plays for more than 30 years. His past affiliations included the former Bailiwick Repertory. He currently is affiliated with Pride Films and Plays (PFP). In fact, Zak recently directed Pride Films and Plays’ world premiere production of Martin Casella’s “Directions for Restoring the Apparently Dead” at Stage 773. When did you come out and what was the experience like for you? I grew up in Lisle, IL as the youngest of five in a Catholic family. I knew in my high school years that I was attracted to men, and did everything I could to get my pals undressed or naked; camping, strip ping pong and pool. In college during the 70s, everyone was sleeping with everyone, so I had both male and female lovers, one of whom I nearly married. In this environment, my coming out was not stressful. By the time I left teaching high school to work in non-profit theater, my family and friends all knew who I was and supported my choices. Please name a few of your GLBT heroes and say a few words about why you chose them. Claudia Allen who was, and is, unafraid to embrace the label ‘lesbian playwright’ in her terrific body of work, much of which originated in Chicago theaters like Bailiwick Repertory and Victory Gardens. Nicholas A. Patricca a playwright, journalist and activist whose theatrical work inspired me as a young director, and whose courageous life informs my day to day existence. Todd Milliner whose career has blossomed from that of Chicago actor and comedian to producer of film and television with his partner Sean Hayes to become a force in our entertainment world. Ian McKellan, the actor and legend is the only one of the heroes I have listed here who I have not met, but he is a beacon of authenticity, honesty and strength, and deserves all the credit laid at his feet. What do you consider to be your most significant contribution to the GLBT community in Chicago and at large? Through Bailiwick’s Repertory Pride Series for 15
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David Zak years, and now PFP, Chicago audiences were introduced to many great GLBT plays and musicals. I produced the Chicago premiers of what are now gay classics; “Jeffrey” by Paul Rudnick, “Jerker” by Robert Chesley, “Corpus Christi” by Terrence McNally, “Bare: A Pop Opera”, “Jerry Springer, The Opera”, Del Shores’ “Southern Baptist Sissies”, and many others. More importantly, I produced the world premieres of oft-seen work such as; Claudia Allen’s “Hannah Free”, David Dillon’s “Party”, Nicholas A. Patricca’s “Oh, Holy Allen Ginsberg” which toured to Dublin, Harlan Didrickson’s “Marlowe” which went to NY Fringe, “Sin: A Cardinal Deposed” which toured to Boston, and others. For PFP, “At The Flash” has already played Chicago and Los Angeles, and will be seen in Dublin and London in 2014. And the musical “Under A Rainbow Flag” won Jeff Awards for Best Musical Production and Best New Work in 2013. In addition. I was happy to direct Gregory Hinton’s “Beyond Brokeback” at the Auditorium Theater, Jay Paul Deratany’s “Haram” Iran at the Athenaeum and the original production of David Cerda’s “Poseidon: An Upside Down Musical.” What are your future goals and aspirations? I will always be involved in some way in the development of new GLBT theater; as a producer, director, or administrator. I am beginning work on film and video projects, as well as expanding my work as a photographer, educator, and journalist. I also greatly enjoy my international work as a director as I have directed in London and South Korea in the last few years, and I hope to expand those opportunities for me and for other artists from Chicago. Words of wisdom to the next GLBT generation.
Don’t let creativity be overwhelmed by technology. We all crave human connections, and hearing the stories of real people in real settings. Push the boundaries of all you do, whether in arts, politics, parenting, or the traditional workplace. And please, learn the history of those who went before you to pave the way for what you are able to achieve.