VOL 33, NO. 43 JULY 11, 2018 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com

GEM DANDY Don Strzepek talks jewelry business, LGBT activism. Photo courtesy of Strzepek ‘SCARY’ TALES 8 About Face Youth production

WAITRESS looks at LGBT horrors WCT serves a Via Haman in a publicity image. PAGE 13 review of the Photo by Alexis O’Connor production. Photo of Desi Oakley by Joan Marcus 14

‘GIRL’ POWER OF NOTE Drag performers shine in “Black Girl Lesbian music Magic.” Photo by Vern Hester 20 director Marin Alsop on professional, RIDE WITH PRIDE Matthew O’Maley personal lives readies for Ride For AIDS Chicago. Marin Alsop. Photo courtesy of O’Maley Photo by Kym Thomson PAGE 16 18

@windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com 2 July 11, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES

NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION

PRIDE IN YOUR HOME

PENTHOUSES RESIDENCES in EAST LINCOLN PARK A collection of 15 boutique luxury condominiums, featuring private elevator entries and spacious 5 bedroom residences with room for everyone. From $2.7M to $3.3M.

Sales Center at 509 W Diversey Pkwy, Open Daily, 12-6 | TheHampdens.com/pride | 773.904.7792 Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Sotheyby’s international Realty Affiliates LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. If your property is listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. We are happy to work with them and and cooperate fully. Although information including measurements, has been obtained from sources deemed reliable, accuracy is not guaranteed. ©2018 The Hampdens WINDY CITY TIMES July 11, 2018 3

NEWS Trump names latest U.S. Supreme Ct. nominee 4 Out & Sober program profiled 6 This Week’s Featured Properties A closer look at jeweler/activist Don Strzepek 8 Centered on an open steel stairwell with Shedd holds first Pride jazz event 10 a shimmering three-story water feature Global map shows LGBTI (in)tolerance 11 running against a subway slate backdrop, Viewpoint: Monroe 12 the residence is reminiscent of a Parisian garden court with an abundance of natural ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS light reflecting off an array of stones, metals, Theater feature: ‘Scary Stories’ 13 woods, and glass – all artfully integrated into every inch of its construction. 1457 W. Addison St. INDEX $2,249,000

With an enormous suburban-sized yard perfect for tented parties, pick-up soccer DOWNLOAD games, or a simple breakfast coffee, this THIS ISSUE grand estate comprising 5+ lots on one of Theater reviews 14 the city’s most prized historic blocks proves AND BROWSE THE ARCHIVES AT you can have it all in the city – right across www.WindyCityTimes.com from the park and lake. Driveway and 3+ Theater feature: ‘Showtunes’ 15 car garage. Lesbian conductor Marin Alsop 16 530 W. Hawthorne Pl. Participant readies for Ride for AIDS Chicago 18 $3,795,000 NIGHTSPOTS 20 Calendar 22 Rock-star architectural transformation! A modern space with seamless VOL 33, NO. 43 JULY 11, 2018 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com GEM DANDY outdoor/indoor living which maximizes Don Strzepek talks jewelry business, LGBT activism. Photo courtesy of Strzepek ‘SCARY’ TALES light, utility, and design. One-of-a-kind 8 About Face Youth production

WAITRESS looks at LGBT horrors WCT serves a Via Haman in a publicity image. PAGE 13 special property. Amazing! review of the Photo by Alexis O’Connor production. Photo of Desi Oakley by Joan Marcus 14

‘GIRL’ 820 W. Wolfram St. #F POWER OF NOTE Drag performers shine in “Black Girl Lesbian music Magic.” Photo by Vern Hester $795,000 20 director Marin Alsop on professional, RIDE WITH PRIDE Matthew O’Maley personal lives Above: WCT reviews Support Group for Men. readies for Ride For AIDS Chicago. Marin Alsop. Photo courtesy of O’Maley Photo by Kym Thomson PAGE 16 18 Photo by LIz Lauren @windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com

Enjoy jaw-dropping views of the harbor, lake, and park from a series of huge triple-hung windows spanning 45' in this online exclusives at front-facing residence on a high floor in this premier Beaux Arts vintage building with 2 www.WindyCityTimes.com parking spaces included. 3400 N. Lake Shore Dr. #6A CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ $615,000 WCT breaks down the sights (and tastes) of Pasadenia. Photo by Jerry Nunn With expansive views East and North of the harbor, park, and lake beyond, this is what pre-war Lake Shore Drive living is all about. Sprawling 3-bedroom/3-bath footprint has a grand gallery, large rooms, TAKING THE ‘CAKE’ loads of windows, updated kitchen with breakfast area, gracious entertaining spaces, central air, in-unit washer-dryer, gorgeous hardwood floors and extensive original details. FIVE ALIVE 3530 N. Lake Shore Dr. #7A The latest Five Worth Finding roundup $569,000 includes a magic show, ice cream and a book on Argentinian transgender individuals. Brad Lippitz Group

bradlippitz.com [email protected] THAT’S SHOW BIZ 773.404.1144 Find out the latest about Ricky Martin, Idris Elba and Shirley Manson. For over 20 years, Brad has been a proud The LGBT film The Cakemaker— member and supporter of the community; no showing at the Gene Siskel Film real estate broker in the city sells or gives back as Compass Real Estate is a licensed real estate broker with a principal office York,in New NY and abidesbut by isall subject applicable to errors, Equal omissions, Housing Opportunity changes in price, laws. condition, All material sale, orpresented withdrawal hereinherein without shallis intended notice. be construed for No statementinformational as legal, is made accounting aspurposes to the accuracy oronly. other ofInformation any description. professional is compiled advice All measurements outsidefrom sources the realm anddeemed square of real reliable estate footages brokerage. are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing plus Center starting July 13—is reviewed. much to the community. DAILY BREAKING NEWS Photo courtesy of Strand Releasing 4 July 11, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES Court’s history have been moments of judicial power on the Court to protect the wealthy and activism, like the Dred Scott case, like the Loch- the powerful while depriving LGBT Americans of Trump names Kavanaugh ner case, where the Court went outside its proper our dignity, demeaning our community, and di- bounds, in my judgment, in interpreting clauses minishing our status as equal citizens.” of the Constitution to impose its own policy Many political observers are speculating that as next nominee views and to supplant the proper role of the leg- Trump was drawn to Kavanaugh in no small part islative branch. So I think, in terms of judicial because he thinks Kavanaugh would protect him activism, that is something that all judges have when certain issues come before the Supreme to guard against. That is something that the Su- Court. Kavanaugh has written, for instance, that to Supreme Court preme Court has to guard against. And through- he does not believe a U.S. president can be crimi- out our history, we have seen that some of the nally indicted or subjected to a civil lawsuit while BY LISA KEEN worst moments in the Supreme Court history have in office. U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), who is KEEN NEWS SERVICE been moments of judicial activism where courts on the Senate Judiciary Committee, told the Ra- have imposed their own policy preferences.” chel Maddow Show last night that the Kavanaugh President Trump on Monday night nominated Rachel B. Tiven, Chief Executive Officer of nomination a “get out of jail free card.” to the U.S. Supreme Court a judge who has no Lambda Legal, said LGBT people “have good rea- © 2018 Keen News Service. All rights re- known LGBT-related decisions in his 12 years on son to fear that Judge Kavanaugh will abuse his served. the federal appeals court. But LGBT activists feel certain that Judge Brett Kavanaugh will be no and evaluated to ensure his commitment to those Justice Anthony Kennedy. SIDEBAR core constitutional values. And the United States Rea Carey, head of the LGBTQ Task Force, said Senate must do its job and be faithful to our con- “There hasn’t been a nominee for the Supreme Equality Illinois stitutional values and to the rights of the Ameri- Court this extreme since Robert Bork.” releases statement can people. Jenny Pizer of Lambda Legal was more blunt, Federal courts have played critical roles in help- saying Kavanaugh will “yank the court sharply to on Kavanaugh ing to advance the civil rights of LGBTQ people, the extreme right.” including decriminalizing same-sex relationships, Equality California called him a “far-right ex- Lambda Legal CEO Rachel Tiven (above) is nomination fighting anti-LGBTQ discrimination, defending tremist.” We at Equality Illinois will work with our state among the LGBT leaders criticizing President the freedom to marry, and protecting transgender Shannon Minter of the National Center for Les- and national partners to analyze Judge Kavana- Trump’s choice of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to students in schools. These ruling have recognized bian Rights said there is nothing in Kavanaugh’s ugh’s record and call our community to action the U.S. Supreme Court. our shared American values of equality, dignity, record to indicate he “understands the real-world in the coming days. We will fight and resist an Photo by Matt Simonette and the freedom to be who we are without burden impact of discrimination on LGBT people or the anti-LGBTQ nominee who would try to turn back or discrimination. importance of construing our nation’s laws to the clock on our civil rights. The history of LGBTQ The opponents of equality want to transform enable them to participate fully and equally in asked, “Do you have a viewpoint on issues, say, people demonstrates that we know how to show our federal court system into instruments that society.” as marriage and the determination of the defini- up, speak up, and fight back. would turn back the civil rights clock and allow a But Kavanaugh, speaking from prepared re- tion of that? Is that something that the court Judge Kavanaugh’s record must adhere to our broad right to discriminate in public life against marks in the East Room of the White House Mon- should establish or is it left to the legislative core constitutional values: equal protection un- LGBTQ people and other historically marginalized day night, tried with whatever he could find to bodies?” der the law, the dignity of each person, and the communities. They are currently one justice away suggest he understands. Kavanaugh said he was hesitant to discuss the freedom to be who you are without burden or from that power, which is why scrutiny of this He said he was deeply honored to fill Kennedy’s issue, since it might come before him on the D.C. discrimination. This is particularly critical now, at nominee’s jurisprudence is critical for our com- seat. He didn’t mention that Kennedy had, during Circuit. a time when the civil rights of LGBTQ people are munity. his time on the bench, become a reliable swing “In terms of your general principle about judi- under attack by the Trump Administration. —From a press release vote in favor of equal rights for LGBT people in cial activism,” said Kavanaugh, “I do think that Judge Kavanaugh’s record and independence four landmark cases. some of the worst moments in the Supreme should be deliberately and seriously scrutinized Kavanaugh noted that Justice Elena Kagan, when she was dean at Harvard Law school, hired that will allow leaders in these fields to share grant Child and Family Detention and Calling on him to teach students there that “the Constitu- Affinity’s leadership what has made them successful in their line of the U.S. Congress and the Executive Branch to tion’s separation of powers protects individual work, and explore the challenges they have had Rescind the ‘Zero Tolerance’ Policy.” liberty….” He did not mention that Kagan has events in July to overcome. Participants in the series will have Garcia said, “With this resolution, Cook Coun- been a reliable vote for LGBT equality, too. Affinity Community Services is hosting a vir- an opportunity to pose specific questions to ty calls on Cook County to call on the U.S. Con- And Kavanaugh credited his mother, a judge tual leadership series, “The Blackprint: A Plan these experts during the webinar to their own gress and the executive branch to rescind the who had once taught in public high school. He for Building the Leadership Capacity of Black leadership development. Zero Tolerance policy and define a pathway to said she “taught me the importance of equality LGBTQ+ Women Leaders,” each Thursday in July. Following the speaker series, Affinity will reunification for impacted families. for all Americans.” It continues on the following dates: produce a toolkit that will help organizations “Furthermore, it is the first county-level reso- Kavanaugh, 53, did not mention that he also —July 12: noon-1 p.m.: Building Economic recruit and retain Black LGBTQ+ women and lution to call for a data-sharing memorandum clerked for Ninth Circuit Judge Alex Kozinski. Power people from underrepresented identities. of agreement between the U.S. Department of Kozinski, who resigned last year as allegations —July 19: noon-1 p.m.: Building Political This virtual leadership series is free of charge, Health and Human Services and the U.S. Depart- surfaced that he engaged in sexual misconduct. Power and will take place entirely online. Participants ment of Homeland Security to be retracted in Kozinski was also a supporter of equal rights for —July 26: noon-1 p.m.: Building Executive can register for the series at http://bit.ly/Af- order to ensure the safety of immigrant children LGBT people. Power finitysTheBlackprint; for more information, visit in government custody. The resolution cites de- President George W. Bush appointed Kavanaugh “Affinity Community Services is thrilled to Affinity95.org. mands from immigrant-rights advocates across to the D.C. Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals. be actively working to develop the capacity of the country to limit funding towards [sic] im- Prior to that, Kavanaugh worked in the White Black LGBTQ+ women leaders,” said Affinity Ex- migration enforcement.” House as President Bush’s Staff Secretary and he ecutive Director Imani Rupert-Gordon in a press Cook County board Among those testifying on behalf of Garcia’s married the woman who worked as Bush’s person- release. “Black LGBTQ+ women, communities of resolution were Anna Duke, who read a state- al secretary. In the Bush White House, Kavanaugh color, and individuals from underrepresented drafts immigrant ment on behalf of the International Human was a key player in choosing U.S. Supreme Court identities are less likely to be in positions of resolution Rights Clinic at the University of Chicago School nominees, most of whom were very right-wing. leadership across all fields. There are currently of Law; Young Center for Immigrant Children’s no Black women at the helm of Fortune 500 The Cook County Board of Commissioners re- At Kavanaugh’s own confirmation hearing in cently unanimously approved a resolution Com- Rights’ Jajah Wu; the Pozen Family Center for 2006, then Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) told companies. Human Rights’ Susan Gzesh; and Renee Hatcher, The Blackprint will consist of a webinar series missioner Jesus “Chuy” García proposed that is Kavanaugh that the issue of same-sex marriage titled “Addressing the Harmful Effects of Immi- of the John Marshall Law School. was coming up through the court system. He WINDY CITY TIMES July 11, 2018 5 Convenient, compassionate health care. In your neighborhood and part of your community.

At Presence Medical Group, we believe that health care should be compassionate and patient-focused. We are part of your community and practice health care tailored to you, offering HIV care and general primary care for LGBT patients, same day availability and convenient online scheduling.

Meet George Roepke, M.D., just one of the many Presence Medical Group physicians in your area: George Roepke, M.D. Family Medicine 711 W. North Avenue, Suite #209 Chicago, IL 60610 312.280.0996 Schedule today. Schedule an appointment today with Dr. Roepke or other Presence Medical Group physicians by calling the office or visiting presencehealth.org.findadoc. 6 July 11, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES Out and Sober: Beating dual stigma BY NOAH MCCARTHY and of being LGBTQ as well as the reality of a club-driven queer social life. Tucked away on Chicago’s West Side, the Gateway One client, Leeann, has experienced this prob- Foundation’s Chicago Independence location is lem herself, saying, “I looked around and realized helping recovering addicts from the LGBTQ com- I had no sober, queer friends.” Leeann is a native munity get back on their feet. of the Southwest Side of Chicago, and comes from The foundation offers an optional program a volatile home. Her father would use bourbon to called Out and Sober whose members meet twice- treat her childhood stomach aches and flu. At 14, weekly in a queer-positive space, drawing approx- she was kicked out of Catholic school, moved in imately 10 people each week from the facilities’ with her brother in Lincoln Park and started at- 100 clients. Craig Lamb, the program director, has tending public school. She was faced with a sud- been with the program since its inception in May denly open, experimental crowd and was exposed 2017, and credits Center on Halsted Director of to many hard drugs. At 16, she attended rehab for Behavioral Health Ing Swenson for initiating the the first time. Thinking she had kicked her addic- program. tion, she went out to celebrate New Year’s, and Emphasizing that the program was not con- was soon back into her old habits. ceived as a way to fight homophobia, but as a Like many other LGBTQ addicts, Leeann has Out and Sober member Wade. way to greet LGBTQ people with positivity, Lamb been diagnosed with mental-health conditions. highlighted the program’s goals in helping people After a recent downward spiral, Leeann moved Photos by Noah McCarthy work through the specific difficulties which -ac away from her partner and began to focus on company being an LGBTQ addict. her sobriety. Although she said that the close- every situation, the first person you have to lie of their friends had seizures, Wade learned they The main problems patients regularly encounter mindedness of people on the South Side means to is yourself.” had been selling fentanyl-laced Xanax. (Fentanyl, include the loss of family support due to intoler- she can’t be as forthcoming about her sexuality, Another Out and Sober member, Wade, grew a synthetic painkiller often prescribed to cancer ance and the nightlife that can provide drugs and Leeann added that she doesn’t feel that being up with a supportive family. Wade is out to their patients, is 50 times stronger than heroin.) Ac- alcohol. Sometimes, young people turn to drugs LGBTQ has complicated her recovery. Instead, mother and sister, but has not yet discussed their cording to the FDA, even small amounts of the to escape feelings of shame caused by rejection, Leeann said, “I’m grateful to be gay.” In fact, identity with their father. Wade’s parents are drug can have deadly side effects. Appalled, Wade although sometimes the roots of addiction are her advice to younger people focused on honesty, both recovering addicts, and Wade believes there stopped selling the drug. more opaque. Regardless, all LGBTQ addicts must saying, “Where you fall short is when you doubt might be a genetic component to their addiction. Soon after, they reached out to their father contend with the dual stigma of being an addict yourself, when you don’t believe in yourself. In The first time Wade drank, their mother took for help, as their mother was no longer speaking them to the hospital, where they registered a with them. This led to their recovery at Gateway, 0.36 blood alcohol content (BAC); a BAC of 0.4 and their involvement with the Out and Sober causes loss of consciousness and sometimes program. Wade said, “Now, I am getting sober for death. After escalating behavior, Wade’s mother myself. I’m focusing on my future, my health, and Located on Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula delivered an ultimatum: Get sober or get out. my mental state.” Wade adds that they have ap- 66th Season Wade left home at 15. Their habit spread into preciated the program for providing “a space for harder drugs, but after their first rehab stint, [LGBTQ people] to talk about [their] struggles, a August 7-25, 2018 Wade was able to move back in with their family safe space.” Out and Sober allows people to be Victor Yampolsky at 17. Wade said they “never wanted to be sober,” honest with themselves and others as they move Music Director and Conductor and that they “only did it for [their] family.” Af- along the path to recovery. Season Highlights: ter falling into old addictions, they were soon The Gateway Foundation accepts its patients met by a second ultimatum, and left again. regardless of insurance status, and has a 24-hour • Pianists Inna Faliks, Andrew Armstrong and From ages 17-19, Wade supported themselves helpline at 877-505-4673. Spencer Myer by working odd jobs and selling drugs. After two Join us as we travel • A Tribute to Leonard Bernstein the globe to the great • Cellists Anna Burden and Riana Anthony musical cities of the world! • Vienna, Paris, Munich, Moscow, New York, Los Angeles, and more!

Tickets Start at $35 Students and Children are JUST $10

ALL CONCERTS HELD IN THE DOOR COMMUNITY AUDITORIUM Fish Creek - 7:30 PM - Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday Check the website for details! www.musicfestival.com | 920.854.4060 Box Office located in Green Gables Shops North Ephraim Out and Sober program director Craig Lamb. WINDY CITY TIMES July 11, 2018 7 ment. “She will fight for Illinois’ working families nizing event, in January 2019 in Detroit. actress Yvonne Orji (Nigeria), New York State Su- and champion every person’s right to live and Hollywood filmmaker Colin Higgins established preme Court Justice Carmen R. Velasquez (Ecua- work free from discrimination and harassment. the foundation in 1986 to support his humanitar- dor) and biophysicist Joachim Frank (Germany). “HRC is proud to endorse her bid to represent ian vision, with special focus on the LGBTQ com- the people of Illinois’ 14th District in Congress, munity. Since his death in 1988, the foundation and we look forward to working closely with her has awarded more than 650 grants totaling more to move LGBTQ equality forward once elected.” than $5.6 million and, since 2000, has honored She will be facing incumbent Rep. Randy Hult- more than 54 Courage Award winners. gren (R) in the general election in November. Hultgren has consistently received a zero on HRC’s congressional scorecard, which measures Gay Chicagoan gets members’ of Congress support for LGBTQ equality. immigrant award The Carnegie Corporation of New York has Chicagoan among named its 2018 Great Immigrant Award recipi- ents—with Bernard Cherkasov among them. LGBTQ Youth Courage Cherkasov (who is from Azerbaijan) is a former CEO of Equality Illinois, and is the current ex- Lauren Underwood. Award winners ecutive director of Cradles to Crayons Chicago, a Photo by R. Dione Foto The Colin Higgins Foundation recently an- nonprofit that provides underprivileged children nounced its 18th Annual Youth Courage Award with clothes, school supplies and other essen- HRC endorses winners, whom it will recognize for extraordi- tials. nary leadership and advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ A 2018 NBC Out #Pride 30 honoree, which rec- Lauren Underwood youth. ognizes 30 LGBTQ individuals, Cherkasov lives The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) recently an- The 2018 winners are Moises Rodriguez, 20, of with his husband and daughter in Chicago. nounced its endorsement of Lauren Underwood Chicago; Grace Dolan-Sandrino, 17, of Washing- For 2018, the honorees represent 30 different for U.S. Congress in Illinois’ 14th Congressional ton, D.C.; Mahad Olad, 20, of Ithica, New York: countries of origin, a range of personal immigra- District. and Dwayne Cole, Jr., 20, of Detroit. tion experiences, and high-level leadership in nu- “Lauren Underwood is the clear choice for Il- Each winner will receive a $10,000 award as merous fields. A few of the other honorees includ- linois voters who believe in justice, fairness and well as an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the ed actor Oscar Isaac (Guatemala), singer Regina equality,” said HRC Senior Vice President of Policy National LGBTQ Task Force’s Creating Change con- Spektor (Russia), architect Daniel Libeskind (Po- Bernard Cherkasov. and Political Affairs JoDee Winterhof in a state- ference, a prominent LGBTQ advocacy and orga- land), actor/writer Kumail Nanjiani (Pakistan), Photo by Andrew Davis

@windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com 8 July 11, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES Left: Don Strzepek (in Hawaiian shirt) Donald Strzepek on after Pride in 1985. Below: Strzepek jewelry business, (next to the D) with DePaul University’s Act early LGBTQ activism OUT Pride Parade BY CARRIE MAXWELL sister,” said Strzepek. “My neighborhood had lots contingent in of kids and we played outside until the street 2014. Lifelong Chicagoan Donald Strzepek has been in lights came on. I had a great childhood. I went Photo courtesy of the jewelry business for more than 30 years and to Lane Tech, which was an overwhelming experi- Strzepek is currently the owner of Tucker Inc., in the heart ence because of the size of the school.” of Jeweler’s Row in the Loop. He graduated from DePaul University with a “I grew up on the Northwest Side of Chicago, double major in English/communication and sec- near the brickyard, with my two brothers and a ondary education and, after a brief stint teaching high school English in the Chicago Public School system, began his journey in the jewelry busi- ness. “I was too young, short and way too thin to be a high school teacher, so I decided to find other career options where I could utilize my ar- tistic and communication skills,” said Strzepek. “I found Tucker Inc. and the owner, Sherman Tucker, sent me to my first gemology course. I was hooked. He also taught me to be humble and see every customer as my first customer. I found States, and out of over 50 students only one lic university in the world. Four years ago, the my passion and a career path that allowed me to person wrote down money,” said Strzepek. “The group (now called Act OUT) invited Strzepek to explore all facets of my persona.” rest of the students wrote down freedom, oppor- take part in their Pride Parade contingent as their While Strzepek was working at Tucker Inc., he tunity, love, family, war and security among other guest marshal. resumed teaching, this time as an English as a words. In my almost 30 years of teaching these One of the ways Strzepek gave back as a young Second Language teacher at Truman College. classes, I have seen refugees from Bosnia and El adult during the AIDS epidemic of the ‘80s was “Recently, I had my students write down one Salvador, and professionals from many repressive by participating in Howard Brown Health’s early Don Strzepek. word to explain why they came to the United countries, who have come here and taken clean- safer-sex awareness research studies. They met ing jobs so they could support their families. All every six months to discuss the issue and get they want is security and freedom, and the right tested for HIV. Strzepek has gotten tested every to live the American dream.” six months since. In 2006, when Tucker was ready to retire, Strz- He started attending Chicago’s Pride Parade in epek decided to punchase Tucker Inc., so he cre- high school and has never missed a year since ated a business plan, took out a huge loan and then. bought the company. In 1985, Strzepek recalled, he and his college “This is my home, my company, my life , my friends were walking alongside the parade’s line- passion , my joy, my adventure and, yes, even up area. A man asked if anyone wanted to ride on my source of angst,” said Strzepek. “I have cre- his AIDS-awareness float since the people who ated almost every kind of jewelry design imagin- were supposed to participate had recently died of able, from the sublime to the avant-garde. This AIDS. They decided to jump on the float since no includes a belt with 28 one-carat diamonds, a one else was willing to do it. volcano ring with a ruby, a necklace with eyeballs “As we went through the parade route, the and sapphires for tears, tiaras and thousands of thing that came to my mind was this moment was other items. I love working with a client to cre- like a Fellini movie,” said Strzepek. “It was surre- ate something that is unique and made especially al. When our float went down the street there was for them.” total silence. People were coming up and saying As for wedding rings, Strzepek explained that they admired our courage and how much more WRIGHT in Oak Park he is a purist who does not like metal rings. He research and medical funding needed to happen. said if a couple is “making this leap of faith in It was an awe inspiring moment. each other, you need to do it with style, grace “I can remember how different the parade was This summer, experience two treasures of American architecture in historic and elegance.” in the early days. There were rallies after the Oak Park, a short ride from Chicago’s Loop. Tour Wright’s remarkable Strzepek has had many famous clients including parade in the park with poets, speakers, musi- Chef Art Smith and his husband Jesus Salgueiro, cians and politicians. I have witnessed so many Home and Studio. Then explore his magnificent Unity Temple, just steps away. author Sara Peretsky, actor Chris O’Donnell and changes and advancements, yet I still see so Plan your Wright Experience in charming Oak Park at flwright.org. baseball player Curtis Pride. He nevertheless add- many challenges that need to be met. We still ed that everyone who walks into his store is a need HIV/AIDS education, human rights aware- Guided and self-guided tours daily. high profile client. ness and, yes, I see an ever growing need to ad- Over the past three decades plus, Strzepek has dress the opioid crisis that is escalating within also been involved with a variety of local LGBTQ- the gay community.” and HIV/AIDS-focused groups and events. Strzepek also started the Halloween Parade FLWRIGHT.ORG When Strzepek was in college, he and fellow with Maldonado in 1997. They got the idea after classmates Edward Maldonado, David Gayley seeing New York City’s parade in 1996. 312.994.4000 INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY TO WRIGHT’S CHICAGO and Bliss Frings founded the first LGBTQ student group, The Society of the Individual, for a Catho- Turn to page 11 FLWRIGHT.ORG 312.994.4000 WINDY CITY TIMES July 11, 2018 9 in Chicago’s award-winning outdoor LGBT History through a period of reorganizing and reconstruc- Legacy Walk to unveil Museum’s “The Legacy Walk.” Emanuel proposes tion,” a statement from the board stated. Sev- With Ravinia Festival, Ravinia Board Chair- eral longtime board members recently resigned, Tchaikovsky man Jennifer Steans, Illinois state Sen. Heather housing department and the new board is seeking time to decide the Steans (D-7th District), and Ravinia President/ Mayor Rahm Emanuel proposed the Chicago De- future of the Hall. Over the summer and fall of exhibit Oct. 13 CEO Welz Kauffman and husband Jon Teeuwis- partment of Housing, a new City department ex- 2018, the board will be meeting with community CHICAGO—One of the immortal composers of clusively focused on supporting access to hous- classical music, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, will sen sponsoring, the Tchaikovsky exhibit will be members and organizations to decide if a poten- unveiled at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, in the ing as a core component of all neighborhoods. tial merger with a larger, similarly focused orga- join the ranks of such LGBQ icons as Alan Turing The new department will implement Chicago’s and Sylvia Rivera with a biographical memorial Boystown area of Chicago. nization will create a more sustainable model for Award-winning jazz pianist/composer/accor- affordable housing strategies and create a long the Hall to survive. dionist Ben Rosenblum will give a street per- term institutional framework, according to a The Hall is both a historic event and an ex- formance at the dedication and will make his statement from the city. hibit that has been in the community since 1991. Ravinia debut later that night. A “Dedication Cel- The new department will be responsible for “This organization continues to help not only the ebration” will follow the installation at Sidetrack, implementing the strategy outlined in the next residents of Chicago but also the world to be 3349 N. Halsted St. Five-Year Housing Plan. The mayor will be calling aware of the contributions of Chicago’s lesbian, The Legacy Walk is an international and multi- on the plan’s Steering and Advisory committee to gay, bisexual and transgender communities,” cultural half-mile installation that celebrates the create a new vision for housing. board President Kathy Caldwell said. contributions LGBT people have made to world The mayor’s 2019 budget will outline the struc- See GLHallOfFame.org or call 773-281-5095. history and culture. Its bronze biographical me- ture and funding for the new department. The in- morials feature detailed text and images of in- vestment will include an increase in staffing and dividuals who have championed the community, resources to achieve the department’s strategic WCT looking for such as Jane Addams, Bayard Rustin, Alan Turing, objectives. Sally Ride and James Baldwin. stories from 1968 Windy City Tines plans to examine what hap- Each marker is digitally linked to a cloud- pened precisely 50 years ago—in 1968—and is based Near Field Communication system that LGBT Hall of Fame looking for stories from LGBT individuals who enables patrons to access video and download restructuring; were in Chicago at that time to shed light on lesson plans, study guides, and reading resources what the climate was during that pivotal year. through their smartphones. The Legacy Walk also no 2018 event WCT plans to run 100-200-word reminiscences. serves as an “outdoor classroom” for LGBTQ youth The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame has issued a Please submit items to Andrew Davis or Tracy to learn about historically significant role mod- statement on a restructuring happening regard- Baim at, respectively, Andrew@WindyCityMedia- els. The streetscape, which soon will be granted ing the 27-year-old organization. The Hall of The Tchaikovsky plaque will join others such Group.com or [email protected]. historic landmark status, is the only installation Fame will be on hiatus for 2018, and is expected as Sally Ride’s (above) on The Legacy Walk, The deadline is Friday, July 15. located in Chicago’s Boystown. of its kind in the world. to return in 2019. Photo courtesy of Victor Salvo See LegacyProjectChicago.org. The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame is “going

PRESENTED BY IN COLLABORATION WITH BIANCA DEL RIO DEBORAH COX festival TODRICK HALL SAMANTHA FOX PRINCESS NOKIA HEX HECTOR CALUM SCOTT KIDDY SMILE ADA VOX FISCHERSPOONER MIA MARTINA BIG FREEDIA PEACHES ... AND MUCH MORE!

MORE THAN 150 EVENTS! SEE YOU IN August 9 - 19, 2018 SEE THE FULL PROGRAM ON OUR APP AND WEBSITE! fiertemontrealpride.com MTL.ORG 10 July 11, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES Shedd Aquarium jazzes with Pride BY THERESA VOLPE [straight] people know it’s LGBTQ as well, so they are going along with it.” After 22 years of the Shedd Aquarium hosting its The couple were touched to hear positive re- popular Wednesday night summer-event series actions from other attendees. “A mother and a “Jazzin’ at the Shedd,” it held its first on-site daughter saw us at the Wild Reef Exhibit and pride-focused event, LGBTQ Pride Jazzin’, June 28 commented on how wonderful it was to see our in an effort to connect new audiences with the love for one another,” Cesario said. aquarium. “People pick up on positive, loving intentions, At first glance, the event screamed pink- whether your gay or straight. It’s all about love,” washing, with its reception-style round tables added Beck. “This event allows people to get to draped in white linen encircling the aquarium’s know the LGBT community.” 90,000-gallon Caribbean Reef exhibit, each table The couple admitted a band member appeared decorated with a pair of miniature Pride and Bi- taken aback when they made a song request. sexual Pride flags while enormous rainbow flags “Then the musicians saw we were having fun and swung from balconies at every turn. But the ex- we’re pretty good dancers, so they got into it,” perience and message for the evening proved dif- said Cesario. ferently. The evening included a Science Pub Chat, titled This gathering, where singles go to meet “Celebrating Diversity: The Living Rainbow,” that and mingle, had an LGBT-inclusive vibe to it. Shedd Aquarium marine biologist Keoki Burton Amongst the diverse crowd of around 500 people presented; it explored the beauty and importance were queer couples holding hands, stealing kiss- of diversity in the aquatic world. The topics es, and wrapping their arms around one another ranged from examples of sequential hermaph- as the relaxed tempo of cool jazz scattered soft roditism—where marine life such as clownfish Kim Beck (left) and Cheryl Cesario at Shedd’s Pride event. sound bites throughout the terrace over looking change sex at some point in life—to parental Photo by Theresa Volpe the lake and city skyline. roles under the sea, citing how the male sea One couple, Cheryl Cesario and Kim Beck, tot- horse gives birth to babies. planned content for the presentation. “We friends. He came out to hear the Lakeside Pride ing Sweetness, Beck’s Maltipoo, in a roller-bag “Diversity is needed in the animal kingdom for wanted to provide information for the audience Music Ensemble and was happy to support the pet carrier, appreciated the welcoming LGBTQ- it to exist and for beauty to happen,” explained so they could make a connection to their own Shedd. “It’s important to support public places friendly atmosphere. The two danced closely, Burton. lives,” said Johnny Ford, the Shedd’s manager of when they are aligned with inclusivity and di- exchanging romantic glances as the band played Based on follow-up questions, it was apparent communications. versity to the LGBTQIA community,” said Horine. Cesario’s song request, “Fly Me to the Moon.” audience members fell into the post-millennials The Shedd’s new special exhibit, “Underwater The evening concluded with guests taking in “It’s nice the Shedd is doing a Pride event. I category due to the numerous references to the Beauty,” also emphasized the importance of di- Navy Pier’s weekly fireworks display on the aquar- wanted to take my beautiful girlfriend some place Pixar film Finding Nemo. When Burton explained versity and individual beauty in the world. Sig- ium’s terrace on the lake. spectacular and this is special,” said Cesario. how the clownfish takes on the role of child- nage with themes about “life working together Illinois state Rep. Kelly Cassidy and Chicago “We go other places that are more straight,” rearing while the female watches to make sure he in harmony” were evidence of inclusive content Ald. James Cappleman (46th Ward), both openly said Cesario. “I would still ask Kim to dance, but is doing his job, the crowd roared with approval as was the “Discover a living rainbow” section gay, also helped kick off the event at the start of I definitely feel more comfortable dancing here,” applause. of the exhibit. the evening. she said. “We know this event is for us and other The Shedd thoughtfully and purposefully James Horine attended the event with two

Activism meet-ups, personal book recommendations, weekly events, Kids Storytime, and more! There are so many reasons to support Chicago’s only feminist bookstore.

EXPERIENCE THE FIRST INTERACTIVE 3D EXHIBIT OF ITS KIND

ilholocaustmuseum.org WINDY CITY TIMES July 11, 2018 11 More from STRZEPEK from page 8

Shedd Aquarium’s Jazzin’ at the Shedd event “The New York City parade was a spectacular Photos by Theresa Volpe event with flame throwers, Joi Cardwell singing dance tunes, marching bands, Broadway stars performing and, yes, costumes, costumes and more costumes.” They eventually obtained a permit for a Chicago parade and, the following year, it took place from the CTA Red Line stop at Belmont to Sidetrack. “Here is the kicker, we were to remain on the sidewalk,” said Strzepek. “If anyone stepped onto the street, we would have been arrested. I think that first year consisted of about 30 people. A family with two children in a red wagon, a couple of people walking their pets and the wonderful brave cast of characters I call friends and family. The first year there was a police officer in uniform along the curb about every 20 feet keeping us on the sidewalk. Now the parade is a wonderful, beautiful, much larger event.” Additionally, Strzepek participated in the March on Springfield for Marriage Equality and the very first Dance for Life as a volunteer. When Strzepek is not working he loves to watch foreign films, ride his bike, go to the gym, go dancing, hang out at the Kit Kat Lounge on Wednesday nights, eat out in restaurants and watch other people cook because, he said, ”I am the world’s worst cook.” His message to the world is “Be proud of who you are. Love is love in all its glory. Never stop advocating for what is right and just.” See https://www.facebook.com/TuckerCom- pany/ for more information. 12 July 11, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES viewpoints

yours, not mine.” As a lesbian American, one of our most significant moments of patriotism in this last century involved Rev. Irene the Stonewall Riots of June 27-29, 1969, in New MONROE York City’s Greenwich Village. And, as an African- American, I am proud to live up to what the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said in his Montgomery Bus Independence Boycott speech on Dec. 5, 1955: “The great glory of American democracy is the right to protest for VOL. 33, No. 43, July 11, 2018 Day celebration The combined forces of Windy City Times, right.” founded Sept. 1985, and Outlines newspaper, for whom? When patriotism is narrowly defined, as it is to- founded May 1987. day, it can only be accepted and exhibited within Last week we celebrated the Fourth of July with the constraints of its own intolerance, and narrow PUBLISHER & EXECUTIVE EDITOR rounds of festivities marking our nation’s 242 years worldview, like Trump’s travel ban (aka Muslim ban), Tracy Baim of independence. Scenes of hyperpatriotism were on which the U.S. Supreme Court upheld in a five-to- four decision. ASSISTANT PUBLISHER Terri Klinsky display, too. MANAGING EDITOR Andrew Davis People were singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” Evangelical patriotism is suffused with conser- ASSOCIATE EDITOR Matt Simonette or reciting the pledge of allegiance or reenacting vative or fundamentalist tenets of Christianity. It BUSINESS MANAGER Ripley Caine waves the flag of “God, guns and glory” that’s sadly DIRECTOR OF NEW MEDIA Jean Albright the Continental Congress of 1776 or simply watching ART DIRECTOR Kirk Williamson reproductions of the “rockets’ red glare and bombs shaping today’s landscape. Perhaps that’s why when SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Terri Klinsky, bursting in air.” All of this and more was done on this country’s school-age children ask for gun reform Kirk Williamson, Amy Matheny, Scott Duff, Kathy a grander and more highly commercialized scale to at the “March for Our Lives” rally held in the nation’s Breit, Theresa Santos Volpe, Kevin Siarkowski capital, our government is willing to spend more NATIONAL SALES Rivendell Media, 212-242- show ourselves, and the world, our mettle to “Make 6863 America Great Again.” money arming teachers with guns than supplying SENIOR WRITERS Bob Roehr, Tony Peregrin, As a consequence for the United States’ need to them with textbooks and computers. Lisa Keen, Yasmin Nair Since Sept. 11, 2001, the United States has THEATER COORDINATOR Catey Sullivan showcase her nativist spirit of patriotism, it comes Rev. Irene Monroe thinks that the new U.S. SPORTS WRITER Ross Forman at the expense of fundamental freedoms and pro- Supreme Court will go after the marriage- changed radically. This country’s acceptance of ra- ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WRITERS tections denied to various disenfranchised, vulner- equality case Obergefell v. Hodges. cially and religiously profiling Muslims or those who Mary Shen Barnidge, Lawrence Ferber, Jerry Nunn, Jonathan Abarbanel, Scott C. Morgan, able and historically marginalized populations in the Photo of plaintiff Jim Obergefell look like or who worship like Muslims is all done in the name of patriotism, but it is really fear and Lauren Emily Whalen, Karen Topham, Brian Kirst country and immigrants. by Kat Fitzgerald COLUMNISTS/WRITERS: Yvonne Zipter, For example, President Trump’s indefensible immi- hatred of the “other” and is un-American. Jorjet Harper, Charlsie Dewey, Carrie Maxwell, gration policy of criminally punishing undocumented And this ugliness has imploded on us. Billy Masters, Sarah Toce, Dana Rudolph, We have become a country where partisan politics Melissa Wasserman, Joe Franco, Nick Patricca, immigrants crossing the border from Mexico into the and women of color. Liz Baudler, Rex Wockner, Angelique Smith United States highlights how his “zero-tolerance” There is already an erosion of LGBTQ rights under rule the day so that we can no longer agree to dis- SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS Kat Fitzgerald, Hal policy means zero humanity—first separating chil- the guise of religious liberty. A new Trump Supreme agree, and shouting matches laced with expletives Baim, Tim Carroll, Ed Negron have taken the place of civil discourse. CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Jean Albright dren from their families (even a child who was be- Court justice will likely go after Obergefell v. Hodges, DISTRIBUTION Ashina, Allan, Dan, John, Sue ing breast-fed) to now locking up families together returning same-sex marriage to the states. One of our most famous American Revolution he- and Victor indefinitely in detention centers. While Trump bloviates his isolationist rhetoric to roes is Patrick Henry. His famous final words, “Give WEB HOSTING LoveYourWebsite.com (lead Another example of the litmus test of U.S. pa- “Make America Great Again,” our democracy hangs me liberty or give me death”—in his speech on programmer: Martie Marro) triotism in sports these days is whether you stand in the balance, revealing both its hypocrisy and its March 23, 1775—explained how he viewed himself Copyright 2018 Lambda Publications Inc./Windy City Media as the “other” yet maintained the core value of be- Group; All rights reserved. Reprint by permission only. Back for the national anthem, ignoring that the protest inhumanity. However, this is not the first time this issues (if available) for $5 per issue (postage included). started as a statement against police brutality and country’s Independence Day celebration didn’t in- ing an American patriot. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and systemic racism. However, since 9/11, the milita- clude all its citizens. He said, “No man thinks highly than I do of pa- no responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials. triotism ... but different men often see the same All rights to letters, art and photographs sent to Windy rization of our sports culture has created a sports- I am reminded, for example, of the African-Amer- City Times will be treated as unconditionally assigned military complex that has many white fans attending ican abolitionist Frederick Douglass’ (1818-1895) subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it for publication purposes and as such, subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the columnists, not only for the entertainment but to display fidelity historic speech, “What, to the slave, is the Fourth will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are their own if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very and do not necessarily reflect the position ofWindy City to police and the military, too. of July?” In it, he stated to a country in the throes Times. Publication of the name, photograph, or likeness of With Trump now having an opening to appoint a of slavery: “What have I, or those I represent, to do opposite to theirs.” a person or organization in articles or advertising in Windy City Times is not to be construed as any indication of the pro-life Supreme Court justice to the bench in the with your national independence? ... I am not in- With so many people, on this Fourth of July, feel- sexual orientation of such person or organization. While ing the effects of a polarized country, this Indepen- we encourage readers to support the advertisers who make hope of overturning Roe v. Wade, women’s reproduc- cluded within the pale of this glorious anniversary! this newspaper possible, Windy City Times cannot accept tive-justice issues will no longer be of serious con- Your high independence only reveals the immeasur- dence Day celebration was for whom? responsibility for advertising claims. (773) 871-7610 FAX (773) 871-7609 sideration, impacting predominately poor, disabled able distance between us. ... This Fourth of July is e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com podcast: WindyCityQueercast.com

WINDY CITY MEDIA GROUP, 5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL, 60640 U.S.A (MAILING ADDRESS ONLY)

Send columns or letters to [email protected]. Windy City Times Deadline every Wednesday. OUT! Chicago’s LGBTQ Visitor’s Guide Online Letters may be edited for brevity or clarity. www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com WINDY CITY TIMES July 11, 2018 13 WINDY CITY TIMES DIVERSIONS THEATER • FILM • ENTERTAINMENT • SPORTS

14 20 18 Points to Ponder(osa) WCT reviews Sagittarius Ponderosa. Mott St. O’Maley set for AIDS ride. Photo by Jan Ellen Graves

THEATER Haman has been writing on Scary Stories’ Within the horrors of Scary Stories, Acosta said, themes long before getting involved with the there is truth and power. “As queer performers, production. Haman’s college entry essay was we aren’t represented a lot. Or when we are, it’s About Face Youth’s about being a non-binary person in a binary as the sassy gay best friend. Or the tragic guy world. Haman’s not one for labels. “I have never with AIDS. The chance to tell our own personal felt a connection to womanhood or manhood,” stories through our lenses is empowering. “ ‘Stories’ examines Haman said. “There is So. Much. In. Between. I’m And all the right kind of scary. a person. I feel great as a human.” Scary Stories to Save Your Life runs July 14- “I hope the play starts a dialogue,” Haman said. 22 at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted everyday horrors “I hope it makes people more aware. It’s like ‘hey, St. Tickets are $20 or pay-what-you-can; visit there are humans being marginalized oppressed. AboutFaceTheatre.com . What are you going to do about it?’” BY CATEY SULLIVAN “If you could write a letter to your anxiety what would you say?” Acosta said. Forget werewolves, aliens zombies and creatures Given the topics at hand, making the rehearsal from the black lagoon. The real monsters are lurk- room a safe space was an imperative. ing within and among us. With Scary Stories to “There’s no room today to be uneducated about Save Your Life, About Face Youth Theatre taps what’s going on around us,” said Haman. “But into horrors more terrifying than anything your being educated can be scary, and we got really basic scary movie franchise is apt fo crank out. deep into some really scary things. There was a “There [are] no witches, no Frankensteins, no lot of hugs and a lot figuring out how to do self- exorcisms,” said youth ensemble member Via Ha- care,” Haman said. man, a freshman theater/psychology major at the Peruse the script and the necessity of a debrief- University of Illinois, Chicago. “When I was writ- ing process becomes clear. In “Trust,” social me- ing my piece for the show, I was thinking about dia takes a turn for the profoundly sinister. In the day after the 2016 presidential election.” Ha- “Red,” life in an office turns bloody. In “Skin” a man’s “Help”—one of 12 playlets in the produc- superficially “revitalizing and noble” political slo- tion—centers on a young person abandoned to gan is stripped down to its weaponized, deadly the locked ward of what could be a “conversion bones. therapy” unit. In sharing, the youths found solace and com- Opening Saturday, July 14, at Center on Hal- mon ground. Haman, for example, related to sted, the Scary Story one-acts run about 10 min- “Red” and its take on traditional business cul- utes each. The 13-to-24-year-old playwrights ture. set their stories in banal places: Hospitals, high “I had a job at the East Bank Club,” Haman schools, offices, homes. What transpires in these said of the upscale River North sports/spa/din- ordinary settings will leave you with a sense of ing facility. “I was one of two out queers in 600 unease ranging from pleasantly tingly to pass- employees. We’d complain to each other about the-Xanex. the gendered bathrooms and feeling invisible. We Director Donny Acosta, 27, began working with were working in a space that wasn’t meant for us. the 10-member ensemble last October, leading That can make you anxious.” weekly three-hour workshops that segued into re- Acosta can relate. “Before I came to About Face hearsals as the months went on. He started with full-time I worked as a shift supervisor for an a writing prompt. online grocery delivery service. The atmosphere “I asked everyone what their anxiety would was super masculine and misogynistic. I had to look like if it were a monster,” the Orange County be super careful about how I acted, what I said,” native and veteran queer performance artist said. he said. Jimbo Pestano in a publicity image for Scary Stores to Save Your Life. Photo by Alexis O’Connor 14 July 11, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES THEATER REVIEW Desi Oakley), whose pregnancy complicates her He Sees Me” lets us get deeper into Dawn’s in- plan to get away from her dead-end life with Earl ner life as she imagines a date with someone Waitress (Nick Bailey). She spends her days baking pies she met online. That date turns out to be Ogie Playwright: Jessie Nelson and Sara Bareilles and coming up with new recipes for things like (Jeremy Morse), who has his own hilarious solo At: Cadillac Palace Theatre, “Devil’s Food Chocolate Oasis Pie” and “I Can’t with “Never Getting Rid Of Me.” Dawson too has 151 W. Randolph St. Have An Affair Because It’s Wrong (And I Don’t a highlight moment as she explains her own af- Tickets: $39-107; BroadwayInChicago.com; Want Earl To Kill Me) Pie.” She dreams of some- fair in “I Didn’t Plan It.” Even Old Joe, the shop’s 312-977-1700 how winning a pie-baking contest and disappear- owner, gets into the act with the sweet “Take It Runs through: July 22 ing from the life she has led, which fortunately From an Old Man.” But it’s Jenna who gets the for her includes two great friends, the shy Dawn bulk of the songs, whether she is singing with BY KAREN TOPHAM (Lenne Klingaman) and boisterous Becky (Charity Fenkart (the comic “Bad Idea” or the sweet “You Angel Dawson) who help keep her sane, and a Matter to Me”), with her friends (“Opening Up”) Recipe for everything you could desire in a musi- cantankerous boss Cal (Ryan G. Dunkin) who isn’t or on her own (the poignant “She Used to be cal pie: anywhere near as bad as he wants to be seen. Mine”), and Oakley’s strong voice and equally Start with sugar, butter and flour. Fold in en- When discovery of her pregnancy leads her to strong acting utterly endear her to the audience. joyable characters based on a sweet little 2007 consult the new gynecologist in town (Bryan This is an uplifting and joyful play that, under Adrienne Shelley film. Add lovely tunes by Sara Fenkart), Jenna’s life grows even more compli- Diane Paulus’s direction, zips along very quickly. Bareilles and a clever book by Jessie Nelson. Mix cated. The two have an instant awkward chemis- And it’s clear that this excellent cast is having a well with a story about a pregnant pie shop wait- try that Oakley and Fenkart play beautifully and good time, which is the recipe for Standing Ova- ress who desperately needs to escape her abusive comically. Both are immensely likable actors, and tion Pie, a heaping serving of which was doled husband and ends up having an affair with her it’s easy to want them to be happy together de- out at the end of the opening performance. Joe’s doctor. Blend with humor and bake for two and a spite the fact that this is an affair for both of Pie Diner is a fun and lively place full of delight- half hours in front of a live audience. them. Desi Oakley in Waitress. ful performances and delicious moments—a joy- Shelley’s story tells of Jenna (played here by Bareilles is clever enough to showcase individu- Photo by Joan Marcus ous place to spend the evening. ally almost her entire cast. Klingaman’s “When

forest (perhaps there’s a personal connection lects him anyway halfway through the 75-minute or the source of mother-daughter conflict. Next, THEATER REVIEW for playwright MJ Kaufman), and scenic design- play. He reappears to Grandma and Archer in sup- Dad’s relationships to his wife, child and mother er Kristen Martino’s set skillfully incorporates portive ghostly visits but not to his newly alone are so incompletely written that his death makes Sagittarius Ponderosa four gargantuan tree trunks. Here, between one wife (Jacqueline Grandt), who has mutual com- no difference. Finally, Owen’s abrupt departure is Playwright: MJ Kaufman Thanksgiving and the next, a small family goes munication issues with Archer. unfulfilling for the audience and leaves a gap in At: Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. through major transitions. Then, Owen leaves without telling Archer his understanding Archer, the play’s central figure. At Tickets: 773-728-7529; First, returning late-20s daughter Angela (Jaq last name, where he’s going or if he’ll return ... the end, only Grandma appears to have chosen Redtwist.org; $35-$40 Seifert) has transitioned to Archer, a name taken and Archer doesn’t ask. Ze decides to stay with life and renewal via her new relationship. Mom Runs through: July 29 from hir birth sign, Sagittarius the hunter. Spend- Mom and get a local job. And then it’s Thanksgiv- and Archer count their blessings, too, but they ing nights in the forest, hir meets Owen (Chris- ing Day again with Mom, Archer, Grandma and her really don’t seem to have any. BY JONATHAN ABARBANEL topher Acevedo), a grad student, and they begin new bf counting their blessings. Sagittarius Ponderosa is well-performed under an affair. Then, long-widowed Grandma (Kathleen Earlier, Owen tells Archer about old Native director James Fleming. The actors have charm Sagittarius Ponderosa is stuffed with unfulfilled Ruhl) creates a love potion (intended for Angela) American knowledge of controlled burns that and tenderness despite the sometimes-confus- possibilities despite a more-than-competent pro- that triggers a romance with her geriatric neigh- cleared the forest floor, thereby renewing and ing “magic” style. But the character writing is duction. A work of magic realism, it seems an ex- bor (a puppet operated by Brian Parry). strengthening the ponderosas, and the play so sketchy that it’s difficult to really care about ercise in style and technique rather than focused Archer’s father/Grandma’s son (also Brian Parry) seems to be about renewal. It’s difficult to tell them. on character or story. takes a new name, too, so Death won’t know him. because there’s so little information about the For reasons not fully explained, the setting is He has an unspecified lingering illness with no characters; things such the parents’ reactions to c central Oregon near a majestic ponderosa pine symptoms (but perhaps diabetes), and Death col- Archer’s transition, why they live in the woods CRITICS’PICKS more apt to share their feelings than they are The group is upended by the arrival of Alex THEATER REVIEW Support Group for Men, Goodman Theatre, to shoot someone in the back. (Jeff Kurysz), a muscle-bound interloper who through July 29. These are confusing times for But Support Group also has humor and a killer proceeds to smash the binary to bits (metaphor- Support Group everyone, but Ellen Fairey doesn’t neglect the cast, anchored by Keith Kupferer as Roger, a fif- ically) right in the middle of the living room. other half of the population and their search for for Men tysomerthing white guy who is perpetually hurt Support Group for Men has been called trans- meaning, identity and companionship on a noisy Playwright: Ellen Fairey and bitter because life hasn’t turned out the phobic on Instagram and Facebook by trans* night in Wrigleyville. MSB At: Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. way he wanted. Roger is also confused by non- people. The primary issue: Alex’s character ex- The View UpStairs, Circle Theatre at Pride Arts Tickets: Goodmantheatre.org; gender pronouns, and all that they signify. ists only to A) get bashed and B) enlighten the Broadway, through July 22. A time traveler from $25-$80 Directed by Kimberly Senior, Support Group non-trans* characters about gender, sexuality 2018 finds himself among ghostly companions at Runs through: July 29 follows one particularly eventful session in and life in general. (The criticism is based on a gay bar in 1973, but while the passing decades group leader Brian’s (Ryan Kitely) Boystown a workshop of the production, which the Good- have brought about progress, “it gets better” is BY CATEY SULLIVAN apartment. While drunken fratboy Chads act like man says has been significantly rewritten for its still far away. MSB assholes below Brian’s living-room window, the mainstage debut.) I’m not trans*, so it isn’t my Gaslight District, The Second City e.t.c., open It’s tempting to give the side eye to a play ti- support group men get all up in their feelings. place to question the criticism’s validity. run. The 42nd revue at The Second City’s “junior” tled Support Group for Men. Generally speaking, As cheesy as that sounds, it’s genuinely moving, What I can say is that Kurysz makes Alex stage strikes at Trump, improvises a song, en- guys are not the demographic most in need of a especially in Roger’s case. charismatic and easy to empathize with. I also gages an audience member and trumpets its mul- support group right about now—especially the The other group members have issues too: Bri- found Alex heroic. tiethnic, multiamorous cast. JA cis het guys who meet weekly in Ellen Fairey’s an’s major accomplishment in life is his ability For those who grew up saying “Fuck that guy” Haymarket, Underscore Theatre at the Den new play. to control his home lighting and music systems every time John Wayne vanquished a tribe of Theatre, through July 22. A star is born in Bridg- As it turns out, Support Group should not be with Alexa. Delano (Anthony Irons) peaked as Native Americans, Support Group for Men is a et Adams-King’s clarion-voiced portrayal of Lucy judged by its title. The play is good, but not a teenage jock at Oak Park River Forest High bit of a corrective. It is also quite funny, even Parsons, who is front and center in this riotous great. It peters out (so to speak), fizzling to a School. Kevin (Tommy Rivera-Vega) is signifi- before some sort of ayahuasca-like substance, new folk music about the Haymarket Affair and close several scenes after it should have ended. cantly younger than the other three. His trou- complete with exuberant hallucination. And it violent birth of the labor movement. CES It’s unrealistically tidy: Ignorant people open bles that are sometimes met with blank stares wouldn’t be a bad idea for Fairey to pen a sequel —By Abarbanel, Barnidge their minds. Lonely people find love. Cops are from his elders. based on Alex’s life outside the support group. and Sullivan WINDY CITY TIMES July 11, 2018 15

David Fiorello (left) and Christopher Pazdernik. Photo courtesy of Pazdernik THE ROOMMATE A Chicago premiere by Jen Silverman Directed by Phylicia Rashad CABARET in the world who knew about the Indigo Girls’ Jesus Christ Superstar album, so there was lots of A look at ‘Top 40 ‘nerding’ going on.” In the last two years, the pair has worked to- Showtunes You’ve gether on such projects as Porchlight’s Do Re Mi -for- TICKETS TO PREVIEWS (Probably) Never and New Faces Sing Broadway. Chris & Dave’s Top 2 1 use code: WINDYCITY 40 is the the duo’s first self-produced cabaret, and features a catalogue of semi-secret trea- Heard Of’ sures. Chestnuts such as “I Could Have Danced BY AARON HUNT A comical mismatch of two roommates leads All Night” and “Meadowlark” won’t be on the With federal funding for the arts diminishing program. Each of the performances will be a dif- to a surprising and touching friendship. and arts’ patrons considering the new tax impli- ferent show as ten songs (five choices each from cations of charitable giving, singing artists are Pazdernik and Fiorello) get introduced, dissected rushing to create their own shows in lieu of wait- and thrown down for audience edification. If you ing around for other opportunities. want the fullest experience, mark your calendar Enter writer/producer/director/ emcee Christo- for the next three Mondays. pher Pazdernik and frequent collaborator/ musi- “About a year ago we began talking about cal theater talent David Fiorello, musical theater doing an evening of the Top 50 songs of musi- nerd par excellence. With Chris & David’s Top 40 cal theater, but that proved to very subjective Showtunes You’ve (Probably) Never Heard, they’re because who’s to say this song from Showboat modeling and reinventing the art form. is better than this song from West Side Story?’” Pazdernik—the casting associate for Porchlight Fiorello said. “We whittled it down to songs that Music Theatre, artistic director of Refuge Theatre people probably don’t know very well, whether Project and aficionado of all things musical the- [they] be cut songs or songs from shows that just ater—brings his flashy wit and dishy scoops to didn’t play Broadway or only played four perfor- the microphone as he hosts an striking array of mances,” he said. Chicago’s singing elite, serving up a list of songs “We made separate lists,” said Pazdernik. “Be- complied in tandem with Fiorello, who provides tween the two of us, we had close to 200 songs background vocals and the requisite keyboard with almost no overlap.” After this summer’s Top flourishes. 40 are served up, there’s plenty of repertoire for Pazdernik and Fiorello met at an audition and the next iteration. bonded over the under-appreciated 1994 record- Chris & David’s Top 40 Showtunes You’ve ing of Jesus Christ Superstar: A Resurrection, fea- (Probably) Never Heard runs July 16, 23 and turing the Indigo Girls. “At the first break I found 30 at Davenport’s Piano Bar & Cabaret, 1383 out David and I had this mutual fascination and N. Milwaukee Ave.Tickets are $20 each; call from then on we were pretty much inseparable 773-278-1830 or visit DavenportsPianoBar. for the rest of the day,” said Pazdernik. Fiorello com. added, “I didn’t think there was another person Note: The extended version of this article can be read at WindyCityMediaGroup.com. eSPOTLIGHT

Kristiana Rae-Colon’s hypnotically gorgeous and emotionally shattering drama Tilikum delves into the legacy of slavery, the obscene prof- its of the prison-industrial complex and (not incidentally) the tragic life of the Seaworld’s longtime star attraction, the orca Tilikum. Gregory Geffrard’s galvanizing performance as Tilikum is backed by a percussive soundscape and shimmering projections that capture the Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.; beauty of the ocean depths. In all, Tilikum is $15-$30. Visit Victorygardens.org. of the best shows of the year. It runs through Caption: Photo by Jonathan L. Green July 29 in a Sideshow Theatre production at the Now Playing | steppenwolf. org | 312-335-1650 16 July 11, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES MUSIC Chicago athletes set to compete in Gay Games 10 Marin Alsop: More than 170 people from the Chicago area are heading to Paris to compete in Gay Games 10. The maestra returns All Chicago-area participants are invited to join Team Chicago at Opening Cer- BY SUZANNE KRAUS emonies. Team Chicago uniforms are on sale through July 15 and can be ordered online Who is Marin Alsop? through Facebook at Team Chicago Athletics and Culture. She is an internationally acclaimed conductor of classi- They stated: “Please join us at Andersonville Brewing Company, 5402 N. Clark cal orchestras and the first female music director of a major St., July 23 from 709 p.m. for a send-off party. Email SweetTeamChicago@gmail. U.S. orchestra, known for instituting innovative program- com for questions about Team Chicago or to order your Team Chicago uniform. ming and increasing the number of successful women con- The Paris 2018 Gay Games 10 is taking place Aug. 4-12. More than 10,000 ductors. She is also openly lesbian, living with her partner participants are registered for over 30 sport and cultural events. Kristin Jurkscheit, whom she met at Tanglewood in 1990. The Team Chicago uniform celebrates Chicago’s iconic blues scene. They noted: Her current primary responsibilities involve being music “We encourage members to complete the look by embellishing the uniform with director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (starting in all things Blues Brothers (Fedoras, Sunglasses, Ties); hopefully with some rain- 2007, with two contract renewals to 2021); music director of the Sao Paulo Orchestra; chief conductor designate of bow highlights.” The cost of the uniform is $27 (plus tax and delivery if request- Marin Alsop. the Vienna Radio Orchestra; director of graduate conduct- ed) and can be ordered at Sweet Team Chicago: http://shop.shirtsillustrated. PR photo courtesy of Ravinia com/sweet_team_chicago_paris_2018/shop/products/all?page=1 . ing studies at the Peabody Institute, JHU; and the Ravinia You can choose to have it delivered, pick it up at Shirts Illustrated, or at the Festival’s musical curator for the Bernstein Centennial Brahms. Team Chicago Bon Voyage Soiree. 2018-2019. WCT: Do you have professional goals or challenges Windy City Times: You were brought in as music direc- that appeal to you? tor with the Colorado Symphony 1993-2005 and helped MA: I don’t have any specific goals other than to try to turn it around. Then, in 2005, the Baltimore Sym- to constantly improve artistically and technically, and to phony Orchestra selected you to be its next music di- expand my repertoire and abilities. I do think I have ended CULTURECULTURE CLUBCLUB rector. Were there similarities between the challenges up in the right places. I believe a little bit that things you encountered between the Colorado Symphony and happen for a reason. the Baltimore Symphony? WCT: Our readers are interested in your personal sto- Marin Alsop: The key is being open and receptive. It is ry. When did you realize that you are a lesbian? important to recognize you can only do what your team MA: I just sort of always knew from when I was very allows you to do—only as much as your musicians are in- little. My parents were very open-minded and supportive. I terested in participating in. In both Denver and Baltimore was an only child. It was never an issue. Everyone suffers I have had great partners, in terms of management, board, from the challenges of feeling different, feeling like an the willingness and interest to be part of the 21st century outsider. I never felt it was a big issue, no big drama. It and not always a part of the past. My success was interde- always felt natural to me. Even though for society at the pendent on the largesse and willingness of all those other time it was not considered natural by older generations. participants. Things are changing. I am relieved. There is always that The fundamental philosophy for me is always the same, pendulum swinging in the opposite direction. I am very wherever I go, “How can we reach out and open the doors concerned about the Supreme Court rulings lately. Con- Book, Music, & Lyrics by wide to our community?” I think being open and receptive MAX VERNON cerned about the future. I see with my son and his friends’ to the community’s needs, interests and wants is key. “How Choreography by Music Direction by attitudes that things really have changed. They are non- JON MARTINEZ JEFF BOUTHIETTE can we be a resource for our community?” Other than just DEREKD iVreActNed BbAyRHAM issues. I was fortunate; my parents were very accepting. sitting on our stage and playing a concert. We can’t just WCT: Yes, it is a confusing time. On the one hand, we JUNE 22 - JULY 22, 2018 wait for the people to come, it is not going to happen. We are told that the millennials have no issues with LGBT, THE BROADWAY AT PRIDE ARTS CENTER - 4139 N. BROADWAY must create opportunities for more people.” yet there is a growing vocal anti-gay population—very WCT: Your OrchKids program in Baltimore is a great reactionary and desperate. example of reaching out to the community. [Note: It’s MA: It reminds us that we have to be always vigilant a free, after-school music education and training pro- about human rights. Sexual, gender, women’s rights we gram in its 10th year, with more than 1,300 enrolled.) have to make sure that we stand strong. What scares me MA: In Baltimore, there was a clear mandate—at least, most is that I see people I respect caving and cowering. to me. Our orchestras must reflect onstage what people It breaks my heart. We need strong people as leaders; we see in their neighborhood. Baltimore is over 60-percent don’t need cowards. PAC Pride Fest African-American. When I started there was only one Black PAC PRIDE FEST WCT: Are you and Kristin married? musician. Why is that? That led to a whole series of ques- MA: No. Since we have a child, there were so many hur- Pink Orchids tions. Our orchestra must reflect the community. That is By Patrick Cash. Directed by Brennan T. Jones dles to clear. We have spent a lot of time, energy and June 6 - July 7 the foundation of our motivation to offer these kids the money making sure that our son Auden is protected. Secur- opportunities to learn music. It is much more than chang- The Green Bay Tree ing his connection to me. All the legal requirements we put By Mordaunt Shairp. Directed by Amy Sarno ing the landscape of the future, it is changing individual into place quite a while ago, even before he was born. In June 11 - July 8 lives. Creating a pathway for kids to learn. We have ex- the end, the act of getting married for us might jeopardize Fucking Men ceeded our goals. It is a program about possibilities. everything we have worked so hard to put in place. We are By Joe DiPietro. Directed by David Zak WCT: How do you feel when you are conducting? When fine. July 1 - August 25 you finish the piece? Marin Alsop will conduct the Chicago Symphony Or- Hurricane Damage MA: It depends on the piece, but generally I am entire- chestra at Ravinia featuring Bernstein and others be- By Kevin Brofsky. Directed by Paul J Cook ly focused on what I am doing so I am not conscious of August 1 - August 26 ginning Thursday, July 12, with Bernstein’s Overture to “how” I am feeling. It is about the music, not about me. Candide. Visit Ravinia.org for all the details. Holding The Man WCT: Who is your favorite composer or which specific Alsop will also be part of the regular CSO season, con- By Tommy Murphy. Directed by Michael Graham pieces do you love to conduct? That you never tire of? August 5 - August 26 ducting a Concert Commemorating the 100th Anniver- MA: There are few composers that I would ever tire of sary of the end of WWI on Oct. 18-20. Visit CSO.org. 4139 N. Broadway St. Chicago, IL 60625 | 866.8111.4111 conducting—I especially love conducting Mahler and WINDY CITY TIMES July 11, 2018 17 AWA R D W I N N I N G

EXPERIENCE THE FIRST INTERACTIVE 3D EXHIBIT OF ITS KIND

9603 Woods Rd., Skokie, IL Open every day 10 am - 5 pm Open until 8 pm on Thursday 847-967-4800 ILHOLOCAUSTMUSEUM.ORG 18 July 11, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES

Matthew O’Maley. Photo courtesy of O’Maley

New bike, old memories: O’Maley set for Ride for AIDS Chicago

BY ROSS FORMAN wanted to go one more time,” O’Maley said. “It has been a long time since I last did a Ride, Matthew O’Maley started planning for the 2018 and since my mid-life crisis was in full swing as Ride For AIDS Chicago one year ago, during a ma- I turned 50, I decided to get back on the bike. I jor fundraiser for the 2017 Ride—when he won a have some friends who have been involved in the bicycle in a silent auction. Ride for several years, and they knew I had done “Two of my friends who are Ride veterans had Rides in the past, so they were really encourag- been pushing me to get back to riding,” said ing. Last year they succeeded in getting me to O’Maley, 50, who lives in Chicago’s Buena Park commit. neighborhood with his partner, James, and their “When I look back at some of the most impor- dog, Jackie. “It was right around my 50th birth- tant moments in my life, the Rides I had done day, and quite honestly, I had been toying with certainly placed near the top of that list, so it is the idea for a while. I [had taken] my old bike time for me to go back. I lived through the years for a spin, and while I had thousands of miles of going to funerals every weekend [for those on that bike over the years and some wonderful who died from HIV/AIDS], of delivering meals on memories, it was time to retire [it].” wheels to those [in] need, and it wasn’t until I O’Maley went to the “View From The Top” fun- was in my 30s when I could say I had [lived] draiser last summer in Boystown and there as a more years than I had dead friends. While things bicycle available in the fundraising silent auc- have dramatically improved for those who are tion—and it was exact Trek Hybrid that he had HIV-positive, prevention, awareness, affordable been looking at. treatment, and ultimately a cure are still needed He paid just under $1,000 for that bike. in the community.” “It’s amazing how much bike technology has O’Maley, the regional director of procurement improved since I bought my last bike 23 years for Peninsula Hotels, said he is neither nervous ago,” he said. nor excited for the upcoming Ride. Rather, it is He knew he had to ride in 2018. comforting. “The bike and all the stuff that goes with it, “I have done it before, and while I hope to [such as the] helmet, shoes, bags, lights, etc., complete the full 200 miles, I don’t have any- take up too much space in my home to not do the thing to prove to anyone except myself,” he said. Ride; [it] would be a very expensive laundry rack “The funds raised for TPAN, raising awareness, if I didn’t get on it and go.” and the community that comes from an event like So, O’Maley is joining hundreds of others riding the Ride are far more important to me than how in the 15th annual Ride For AIDS Chicago which many miles I ride. To me, getting back to the Ride moves from July to September, taking place on feels [like] coming home. Sept. 8-9, and instead of riding to Wisconsin, O’Maley was born and raised in Rockport, Mas- they will cycle to Michigan. sachusetts, and has lived in Chicago for the past The Ride for AIDS Chicago is the Midwest’s 20 years. He served on the crew for an AIDS only back-to-back century cycling event. The ride in the mid-2000s from Orlando to Miami—a traditional two-day, 200-mile event will feature three-day, 300-mile trek. an option for a special anniversary distance, “It wasn’t until the last day, maybe three miles with an additional 15 miles in each direction for from the finish-line on a road that was very fa- 230-miles in total. There also is a 100-mile route. miliar to us, when one of my friends pulled up “This actually is my second time doing this beside me in tears and whispered, ‘I can’t believe Ride. I did it back the early-2000s … and [I] we are actually going to finish this,’” O’Maley re- WINDY CITY TIMES July 11, 2018 19 called. “Back then, all the riders were held just The 2018 View from the Top fundraiser, benefit- short of the finish-line, and once everyone was ting the Ride’s Team TPAN and hosted by SKIN together, all the riders rode across the finish-line Productions, will be Sunday, July 15, in Boys- together. I remember everything about that day, town, and it will feature DJs, raffles, silent auc- There is something about [including] the music that was playing, the color tions, go-go dancers and more. [of the] shirt I was wearing, and an emotional “I have gone to this event, arranged donations Saugatuck & Douglas, Michigan… rollercoaster like no other—sadness for those we in the past, and won a few raffles over the last that makes them two of the most gay friendly lost, hope for a better future, accomplishment couple of years. This year, participating [in the and pride in doing something I never thought I Ride] as a rider, [the View From The Top fund- small towns in the country. LGBTQ tourists all find could do, and a sense of community among the raiser] has taken on a new importance to me. something difficult to define but easy to recognize, riders and crew that I never expected. Every year this event raises more money than in O’Maley has participated in multiple other AIDS the past, and we hope to do it again this year. like magic, it is everywhere you look. rides, such as one from Boston to New York City; DJs Alyson Calagna and Jesse Mercado are vol- Minneapolis to Chicago; and Fairbanks to Anchor- unteering their time and services for the fund- age—and all were filled with memories, not just raiser. challenges. “There are 1,000 clichés that are all appropri- He is on Team TPAN for the 2018 Ride, and is ate for something like this, but it really boils hoping to raise $2,000. down to compassion, empathy, community, ac- “More than any one specific person, it is the tion, dedication, determination and love. Find experience of living in the late-1980s and ear- what you’re passionate about, and do something. ly 1990s—that terror and fear, the constant of Do a walk, a run, a ride, write a check, volunteer this epidemic wiping out an entire generation your time. I am 50, completely non-athletic, and of LGBTQIA+ people that drives me. I wouldn’t let’s call it ‘full-figured.’ ... If I can do this, so can wish that experience on anyone and will do my you. This fight is not over,” O’Maley said. damnedest to make sure we don’t return to that The Ride For AIDS Chicago major fundraiser point.” for the Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN), O’Maley also for 18 years has volunteered with the annual “View From The Top” fundraiser, is The Night Ministry’s Homeless Youth programs. Sunday, July 15, 3-8 p.m. at 3526 N. Halsted “The issue of homeless youth disproportionately St.. To buy tickets, go to: http://support.tpan. affects the LGBTQIA+ community, and with that com/site/Calendar/1718852406?view=Detail comes a host of issues including HIV/AIDS,” he &id=100081. said.

CLASSIFIEDS HELP WANTED THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO is seeking CLEANING SERVICES applicants for the position of Director of the Gender CHESTNUT CLEANING SERVICES: We’re a house clean- and Sexuality Center. View position details and apply ing service for homes, small businesses and small online at https://jobs.uic.edu/. For fullest consider- buildings. We also have fabulous organizational skills ation, please upload a resume and cover letter by Au- (a separate function at a separate cost that utilizes gust 8, 2018 (8/8/18-13) your assistance) for what hasn’t been cleaned in many ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRITS WANTED. Achieve Person- months or years due to long-term illness, depression, al & Financial FREEDOM. Help us help you help oth- physical/mental challenges, for the elderly, if you ers. It’s what we do. Earn while you learn to invest have downsized and more. Depressed about going VERY PROFITABLY in Real Estate. For a brief online home to chaos? We can organize your chaos, straight- overview, call or text your name to 708-292-8778. en out your chaos, help you make sense of your chaos (7/25/18-4) and finally clean what is no longer chaos. Can we help you? Bonded and insured. Chestnut Cleaning Ser- HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING COME PLAY WITH US! vice: 312-332-5575. www.ChestnutCleaning.com WE MAKE HOLES IN DRYWALL GO AWAY. We also do (11/28/18-52) Remodeling, Bathrooms, Carpentry, Tile Backsplashes, There’s something for Painting. “A+” with BBB. Licensed-Bonded-Insured, everyone at the Dunes Resort, COUNSELING & PSYCHOTHERAPY One year Warranty. Free Estimates! Andy OnCall 847- ARE YOU GOING THROUGH A DIFFICULT TIME? 328-3100 www.andyoncallchicago.com (4/17/19- one of the largest LGBTQ Feeling overwhelmed, anxious or depressed? Is 60) resort & entertainment your relationship struggling? I can help you better complexes in the country. understand these situations and create solutions for MEN’S HEALTH them. My practical approach entails a therapeutic PENIS ENLARGEMENT. Gain 1 to 3 inches permanent- Party and play at Michigan’s alliance that is affirming, empathic, and interactive. ly & safely. Resolve ED. Licensed medical vacuum only gay resort: Nightclub pumps, surgical & supplements. For free brochures/ Michael J. Bland, Psy.D., LCPC. Northside location. featuring top DJ’s, live cabaret 773-404-8161. [email protected], www. consultation call: Dr. Joel Kaplan 888-978-HUGE BlandTherapy.com (9/26/18-52) (4843). www.getbiggernow.com (8/29/18-8) entertainment, famous TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THIS THING CALLED LIFE Sunday tea dances and CAN BE COMPLICATED And there’s not always “an app the place to be on a sunny for that.” Whether you are struggling with issues of afternoon, the Dunes Pool. identity, sexuality, relationship, or any combination of the above, I can help with that. Together we will pose relevant questions and sort through possible answers. SAUGATUCK, MI 269.857.1401 DUNESRESORT.COM Marvin Evans, LCPC. Loop location. 312-508-9200. [email protected] (7/18/18-4) 20 July 11, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES Desserts are enjoyable—although the apps and entrees set an almost impossibly high that the Center on Halsted’s Silver Fork program sweets fall just short. The mango sticky rice is Center on Halsted’s Silver Fork is a free nine- a solid treat, although my friend dove into the week culinary arts and job readiness program. the DISH ricotta donuts with relish, uh, joy. It is ideal for adults who want to enter or re-enter Weekly Dining Guide in There’s also a wonderful assortment of the hospitality industry and experience a fresh drinks, from cocktails to wine to sake. (I highly outlook on their career potential. Participants WINDY CITY TIMES recommend the Gin Cloudkicker, a cocktail with experience intensive culinary training coupled gin, shochu, lemon, sweet potato and egg white.) with service training, job readiness and career SAVOR Also, we were treated to small servings of coffee counseling. mezcal, post-dessert—and that unique cocktail Applications are being taken Thursday, July 12, Mott St.; really hit the spot. with the first class taking place Tuesday, July 24. The only possible drawback to this place, (Classes meet Tuesdays through Thursdays at 11 Silver Fork program at least for me, involves the hours (Tueday.– a.m.-4 p.m. each week.) Graduation is Thursday, BY ANDREW DAVIS Thursday at 6–10 p.m., bar until 11 p.m.; Friday- Sept. 20. If your idea of adventurous eating is shrimp-fried Saturday at 6–11 p.m., bar until 12 a.m.; and See CenterOnHalsted.org/silverfork.html, rice, just skip Mott St. (1401 N. Ashland Ave.; Sundays at 10 a.m.–2 p.m.). However, as my call 773-472-6469 or email silverfork@ http://www.mottstreetchicago.com/) right now. dining companion pointed out, that could also centeronhalsted.org. Brussels sprouts at Mott St. The spot specializes in mixing the familiar and be construed as a smart marketing move. Note: Restaurant profiles/events are based Photo by Andrew Davis Regardless, if you manage to make it to Mott on invitations arranged from restaurants and/ unfamiliar, resulting in dishes that challenges best burger (even besting Au Cheval’s, in some St., you’re in for a culinary ride. or firms. patrons’ taste buds—and maybe even their people’s minds). Mott St.’s concoction (only mindsets. available during brunch, at the bar during the For example, the Asian-focused menu takes week and in the restaurant for only the first appetizers like grilled cauliflower and adds hour of operation during the week) is a work of Drag stars display sahmjang butter, fennel seed and almonds. art, indeed, consisting of double chuck patties, Brussels sprouts are wok-fried, with additions sweet-potato shoestrings, hoisin aioli, pickled such as lamb pancetta and maple brown butter. jalapenos, dill pickles, miso butter and American ‘Black Girl Magic’ (I could’ve eaten this dish all night.) The shrimp- cheese. This is a must-try. and-kohlrabi salad (which comes with chicken, However, there are plenty of other enticing at the Metro peanuts, oranges, lime, fish sauce and fresh dishes as well. I was pleasantly surprised with herbs) was delicious and refreshing. the bone marrow (accompanied by pineapple- BY VERNON HESTER Monet X Change. And there is what many consider the pickled peppers and imperial black rice) as well restaurant’s centerpiece: the Mott Burger—a as the stuffed cabbage (napa kimchi stuffed with On June 26, The Vixen—fresh from RuPaul’s Drag dish so popular that it’s been hailed as Chicago’s pork butt and sticky rice). Race—hosted a sold-out “drag concert” featuring an all star cast of local and nationally acclaimed performers at the Chicago Metro. The event, titled “Black Girl Magic,” was part of The Vixen’s movement to address racism in the gay and drag communities while celebrating the art of drag perfor- mance. For several months, The Vixen has been building momentum for this event with monthly Black Girl Magic Lucy Stoole. events at Berlin Nightclub. Audience members waited patiently for hours in the rain for the show, and they weren’t disappointed, with some members driving in from out of state to attend. Among the performers featured were former fellow Chicago-based ‘Drag Race’ contestants Shea Coulee and Dida Ritz, along with Bambi Banks, Eva Styles, Monet X Change, Sasha Love, Monique Heart, Lucy Stoole and Asia O’Hara. A contingent from Test Positive Aware Network was on hand to offer free HIV testing before the show. Photos by Vernon Hester

Shea Coulee (center). Bambi Banks.

The Vixen (center). WINDY CITY TIMES July 11, 2018 21 BILLY MastersMasters

History was just made with the crowning of a trans woman as Miss Spain. She was not crowned because of or despite of her being trans—she was crowned because she was the best/most attrac- tive contestant. Angela Ponce will now go on to compete in the Miss Universe Pageant, making her the first trans contestant in that pageant’s history. (Trans people were banned from the con- test until 2012.) Felicitaciones, Angela! An Irish priest has been placed on “personal leave” after a gay-sex video surfaced showing a man in vestments performing sexual acts on another man. A local paper described it thusly: “Priest desecrates altar with gay-sex acts!” It was filmed at St. Bartholomew’s Church in Kildorrery, North Cork and, according to the subheading, “State Police in Ireland investigating the sac- Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black have rilege.” Words like “desecrates” and “sacrilege” welcomed a new young man into their lives, always catch my eye. Billy says. The video first appeared on a gay “dating” app and was brought to the archdiocese by Bishop Pat Now, I don’t know the details of their surrogacy Buckley—so we have a good idea what Pat does deal, but I would reckon nobody was taken from at night in the rectory. (I love spending time in anyone. the rectory.) Two guys aged 18 and 19 claim they Speaking of British divers, our “Ask Billy” ques- met the priest through the site and he brought tion comes from Patrick in Boston: “You wrote them to St. Bartholomew’s. The church has not about nude photos of Freddie Woodward before. identified the cleric in question, although people Are those the same photos he’s suing about?” whisper it is Father Michael Lomasney, who re- Back in 2015, the allegedly heterosexual Wood- signed due to alcoholism. There is concern that ward took part in the “Naked Issue” of the UK Gay the church has to be reconsecrated due to the Times. All of a sudden, his lawyers are threaten- sacrilege. Some parishioners are even calling for ing to sue websites posting the three-year-old an exorcism! Yeah, like this is the first time a photos. Or perhaps they mean those even nuder Catholic priest had gay sex on an altar. (and erect) photos that fell into my hands. If Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black have a new anyone’s interested, they’re on BillyMasters.com. young man in their lives—and, no, it isn’t what When we’ve got an erect diver in our hands, you think. They recently posted, “Welcome to the it’s definitely time to end yet another column. world our precious little Robbie Ray Black-Daley. Due to a scheduling snafu, my first week in Prov- The amount of love and joy you have brought incetown straddled both Circuit and Bear weeks. into our life is immeasurable, our precious little Alas, I’m too fat for the circuit boys and too thin son.” Within days, online trolls began clamoring for the bears—I’m a man without a week! While for the child to be removed from the home and I try to find one, you can find loads of ... well, accused the diver of child abuse. One such tweet loads on www.BillyMasters.com—the site that said, “It’s astonishing. Twitter has been full of has something for everybody (and every body). outrage about children being taken from their If you have a question, dash it off to Billy@Bil- mothers on the Mexican border but, when Tom lyMasters.com. Until next time, remember: One Daley and Dustin Lance Black take a baby from man’s filth is another man’s bible. its mother, everyone says how wonderful it is.”

Eva Styles performs at Black Girl Magic at the Metro. Photo by Vernon Hester 22 July 11, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES Friday, July 13 Queer Karaoke! The Miller Consult- Thursday, July 19 Black Lesbian Archives Exhibit closing ing Group (MCG) in support of Beauti- Affinity Community Services virtual COMMUNITY reception Mix and mingle. Bring food or ful Brown Bag, a nonprofit organiza- leadership series “The Blackprint: A drinks if you can or just bring yourself tion serving LGBTQ+ youth. $15-$25. Plan for Building the Leadership Ca- and a good time 6:00pm - 8:00pm Af- 8:00pm - 12:00am Reunion Chicago, pacity of Black LGBTQ+ Women Lead- CALENDAR finity Community Services 2850 S. Wa- 2557 W. North Ave. http://www. ers,” each Thursday in July 12:00pm - bash Ave. #108 Chicago http://www. eventbrite.com/e/queer-karaoke-tick- 1:00pm Affinity Community Services, affinity95.org ets-46570270934 2850 S. Wabash, #108. http://bit.ly/ Wed., July 11 GLBTQ Veteran Meetup Veterans get to- Side Eye for the Straight Guy. Wig Bul- AffinitysTheBlackprint Taste of Chicago 73 restaurants will par- gether to swap stories, hear speakers, lies, an LGBT-themed comedy group, Monthly Eldercare Support Conference ticipate in the world’s largest food festi- get information on programs and servic- dedicates this show to straight guys. Call For anyone involved in elder care. val. Through July 15. 11:00am - 9:00am es for veterans and enjoy light food and The ones that feel uncomfortable around Facilitated by Japanese American Ser- Grant Park 337 E. Randolph St Chicago drink. Admission and food are free and gays. The ones afraid of female presi- vice Committee, culturally inclusive http://TasteOfChicago.us there will be a cash bar. Find AVER Chica- dents. 8:30pm Maat Theater Tickets: for people of color and LGBTQI. Access Test your Twisted Trivia - Pride Night go Chapter on Facebook 7:00pm Center http://www.secondcity.com/shows/chi- code784-468-702 2:00pm - 2:45pm By LGBTQ history knowledge. 6 people are on Halsted 3656 N Halsted Chicago cago/wig-bullies-presents-side-eye-for- phone 515- 739-1030 allowed per team. Free to play. 6:00pm Steamworks: The Musical Singing and the-straight-guy/ Women2Women presents Three Experi- - 8:00pm Anthony’s on Front bar & grill, SELL-ING POINT dancing extravaganza tells of a wide- ences in one night: Mediation, Drums, 11104 Front St., Mokena, Illinois eyed young man who moves to the Sunday, July 15 and Tea Leaf Reading An Evening of Authors Katie Schenkel and Chad Sell Wed., July 11 Windy City seeking love … and … every Queer Narratives With Zach Stafford, Mediation, Drums, and Leaf Tea Reading Schenkel, author of werewolf comic Friday through Aug. 10. $20/$15 Stu- editor-in-chief of Grindr and INTO and 6:30pm - 8:30pm Evolve Her, 358 W. Moonlighters and the upcoming 100 Illustrator Chad Sell (above) dents 8:00pm - 9:30pm Annoyance scholar/author Halberstam for a frank Ontario St.; https://www.women2wom- Light Years of Solitude, lives in Chica- will appear with Katie Theater Mainstage, 851 W. Belmont, Chi- conversation about the role that technol- en.space/ Tickets: http://www.event- go with her partner. Chad Sell created Schenkel at Women and cago http://theannoyance.com/ ogy can play in collecting and dissemi- brite.com/e/meditation-drums-and-tea- and drew The Cardboard Kingdom with Children First. nating queer narratives. $8-$15 3:00pm leaf-reading-tickets-47034893633 writing from 10 other authors. 7:00pm Photo by Jerry Nunn Saturday, July 14 Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Women & Children First Bookstore 5233 Gay is Good: Homophile Activism before 220 East Chicago Ave Chicago http:// Saturday, July 21 N Clark St Chicago http://www.wom- Stonewall Detailing the beginning of mcachicago.org/Calendar/2018/07/ 15th Annual Disability Pride Parade New enandchildrenfirst.com Plan for Building the Leadership Ca- the homophile movement in the U.S., Talk-Queer-Narratives-With-Zach-Staf- parade route. Post-parade festivities fol- pacity of Black LGBTQ+ Women Lead- its peak during the ECHO and NACHO ford-And-Jack-Halberstam. low. Free. Register online to march or Thursday, July 12 ers,” each Thursday in July 12:00pm - conferences, and eventual decline after Purple Rain, Tribute to Prince Third Sun- support. 11:00am - 12:00pm Balbo Each Queer Genre Fiction Book Group 1:00pm Affinity Community Services, the Stonewall Riots. Through September day of every month. DJ Adam EL. No cov- & Columbus Dr. and south to Roosevelt second Friday 7:00pm - 9:00pm Gerber 2850 S. Wabash, #108. http://bit.ly/ 10:00am - 4:00am Gerber Hart Library er 10:00pm - 4:00pm Berlin Nightclub & Columbus Dr. http://www.disabili- Hart Library and Archives 6500 N Clark AffinitysTheBlackprint and Archives 6500 N Clark St Chicago 954 W Belmont Ave Chicago http:// typrideparade.org/ St Chicago http://www.gerberhart.org http://www.gerberhart.org www.berlinchicago.com/index.html Affinity Community Services virtual leadership series “The Blackprint: A WINDY CITY TIMES July 11, 2018 23 CONNE IONS

X MAKE IT YOUR BUSINESS The Law Offices of CUSTOM Richard L. Gerber, LLC FRAMING Advocate for iloilo your rights, for human rights Counseling and Therapy thejunipercenter.com • Medical Malpractice 847.759.9110 • Personal Injury [email protected] • Wrongful Death • Nursing Home Negligence Free consultation 847-748-8224

1478 W. Berwyn, Andersonville Park Ridge · Oak Park · Chicago · Northfield · Barrington www.ChicagoInjuryAdvocate.com

“A greatEhrlich dental experience... Dental“ LOOK YOUNGER “ I haveGeneral never felt & more Cosmetic at ease in a doctor’sDentistry offi ce...” WITH A SINGLE VISIT TO YOUR DENTIST Over 150 patients have reviewed our work and awarded us a 99.4% positive patient rating! Read reviews for yourself at www.demandforce.com/dentist/ehrlichdental Dr. Sims Dentistry is now offering ® Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago BOTOX , DERMAL FILLERS, LIP AUGMENTATION Call 773-935-0300 • Licensedwww.ehrlichdental.com Sedation Dentistry & PRP WITH MICRONEEDLING Walk Out of Our Office with a Beautiful Smile: • CheckJoshua H. Ehrlich Out, DMD Our PC, General Reviews & Cosmetic Dentistry Online 3118 N. Sheffi eld Ave. Suite 1N, Lakeview, Chicago, Illinois 60657 Inside and Out EDUCATION BA: University of Chicago, DMD: Tufts University, GPR: Rush University

Joshua H. Ehrlich, DMD DR. SIMS DENTISTRY serving: Artists 3118 N. Sheffield Ave. SMILE BY DESIGN Professionals Chicago, IL 5503 N. CLARK ST. Business owners (773) 935-0300 www.grantsimsdds.com Call 773-878-7467 www.EhrlichDental.com for a complimentary consultation www.abd-cpas.com • (847) 257-7330 Of course, we are still doing our fantastic smile work with Serving Lakeview & Beyond! Teeth Whitening, Veneers & Braces

The Law Office of Roger V. McCaffrey-Boss, P.C. PROBATE When experience counts... TRUSTS In service to the community GUARDIANSHIP for over 35 years. 312-855-0875 | 221 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL ESTATE PLANNING [email protected] ELDER LAW • Business Organization 24/7 Emergency Phone : 847-309-7777 312.985.5938 | [email protected] • State & Federal Courts • Weapon & Gun Charges • Wills, Trusts & Probate Clark Hill is a multidisciplinary, national law fi rm that • Felonies & Misdemeanors • Real Estate Closings • Internet & White-Collar Crime • Drunk Driving draws on our attorneys’ industry and policy knowledge, • Premarital Agreements • All Drug Charges • Orders of Protection our deeply held shared values, and a global network of • Expungements premier fi rms and advisors to provide innovative legal solutions and client-service excellence worldwide. 33 N. Dearborn St., Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60602 Speak to an experienced 312-263-8800 [email protected] attorney within minutes who 24 July 11, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES 2018 ONE DAY ONLY: ALL CSO TICKETS 20% OFF ON 7/12

JULY 20 RAVINIA DEBUT

DON’T MISS THE QUEEN OF HIP-HOP SOUL

JULY 13 JULY 15

SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH ALAN CUMMING AUDRA MCDONALD LEGAL IMMIGRANT AND THE CSO

AUGUST 3 AUGUST 5 DAVID FOSTER WHOOPI HITMAN TOUR

AUGUST 14 AUGUST 31 & SEPTEMBER 1

MICHAEL KRISTIN BOY GEORGE FEINSTEIN CHENOWETH DINING RESERVATIONS: 847-432-7550 140+ CONCERTS ALL SUMMER LONG

LEAD REACH*TEACH*PLAY SPONSOR: FEATURED SPONSORS:

® RAVINIA.ORG