THE VOICE OF ’S GAY, LESBIAN, BI AND TRANS COMMUNITY SINCE 1985 Oct. 14, 2009 • vol 25 no 2 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com 200,000 march on , D.C.

Tens of thousands of people—such as these members of Equality Across America—took part in Sunday’s National Equality March. Read more about the event on page 4, and see many more photos inside and online Chicago at www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com. Photo by Joe Tresh Rally page 6

Howard Brown Gala page 21

Grassroots, Netroots, Stonewall 2.0 activists media reports pegged the turnout at “tens of “The younger generation, my generation, we demand equality, formalize split with thousands.” But, as Towle noted, “There were are the ones coming up in the world, and we activist establishment 10 times as many people still on Pennsylvania must continue to push this movement forward by REX WOCKNER Avenue when the area in front of the stage had and close the gap. We must demand full equality filled,” an assertion that is backed up by video for all. They say that this country is free and WASHINGTON—The Stonewall 2.0 generation Towle posted on his site. they say that this country is equal, but it is not descended on the nation’s capital Oct. 11 to de- The 2.3-mile march ended at the Capitol with equal if it’s (only) sometimes (equal).” mand “equal protection in all matters governed hours of speeches, including by pop-music sen- “Obama, I know that you’re listening. ARE by civil law in all 50 states.” sation Lady Gaga. YOU LISTENING?! We will continue to push you National Equality March lead organizer Cleve “I have seen and witnessed so many things and your administration to bring your words of Jones estimated the turnout at 200,000 to over the past two years and I can say with such promise to a reality. We need change now. We 250,000. Towleroad.com’s Andy Towle said certainty that this is the single most important Turn to page 4 JD Samson: police gave him the same figure. Mainstream moment of my career,” Gaga said. Decibelle page 15 Obama speaks at HRC gala By Chuck Colbert And Lisa Keen at the Washington Convention Center Saturday speech live on CSPAN Saturday night, suggest night was, at times, deafening—just as it was the community likes what it hears but still longs October 14, 2009 Keen News Service #1003 in June, when Obama greeted gay leaders at the to see some action. WASHINGTON, D.C.—The content of President White House. From his opening quip—saying, “It is a privi- Barack Obama’s speech to an audience of LGBT The 3,000 people gathered for the Human lege to be here tonight, to open for Lady Gaga” nightspots supporters on the eve of the 2009 March on Rights Campaign’s (HRC’s) annual $250-a-plate —to his campaign-like rousing finish, Obama n Washington offered nothing new. He reiterated National Dinner interrupted the president’s delivered a message that was warmly received. pick it up From the Ashes his promises to the community, said he was speech 35 times with loud and sustained ap- That message, said Obama, was “simple: “I’m ...rises Scarlet! See photos from opening night. page 21 take it home inSIDE A special garbage-picking Actor Alec Mapa in “with” the community “in the fight” for equal- plause, including several standing ovations. But here with you in that fight” for equality. Devil In the Details. Nightspots MAFIA. page 29 page 28 ity, and offered no timetable. And the roar of comments from attendees following the speech, approval from the standing-room-only audience as well as from many people who watched the Turn to page 7

Brought to you by the combined efforts of

page 18 2 Oct. 14, 2009

controlling the climate

Easier said than done? Not at the Chicago Botanic Garden, where plant conservation scientists are using new environmental growth chambers to conduct experiments with temperature, light, and carbon dioxide to test how plants will respond to environmental changes. is research will help plants survive in a changing climate.

e opening of the new Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center confirms the Garden’s role as a world leader in plant conservation science. A 38,000-square-foot laboratory building designed to earn a gold LEED rating from the U.S. Green Building Council, the Plant Science Center offers expanded research facilities, dynamic exhibitions, a 16,000-square-foot green roof garden, and public accessibility.

savetheplants.org

One of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Oct. 14, 2009 3 index NEWS Thousands march on D.C. 4 Pictures of march 5 Chicago Oct. 11 rally 6 Obama speaks at gala 7 Cop caught on video? 8 Gay judges on slate 8 Lessons begin October 29 Gay candidate’s reception 8 $ Nat’l: Gay ambassador nod 9 Starting at 105, you get four lessons DADT event 9 over four weeks taught by top pros. Quotelines 9 You’ll also enjoy two parties, our Views: Mahany, Monroe 10 practice lanes and fitness center.

ENTERTAINMENT Judge Sebastian Patti (above) is one of two openly gay judicial candidates on the Don’t have a racquet? Dancin’ Feats 11 Cook County Democratic Party slate. See We’ll lend you one. Theater reviews 12 page 8. Busy schedule? Artist Gary Marr 14 Photo courtesy of Frances Jackson Decibelle: Emilie Simon 14 We’ve got tons of times Pop Making Sense 15 to choose from. Decibelle: JD Samson 15 Knight at the Movies 16 Midtown membership More pictures of march 17 not required. Billy Masters 20 Space is limited. Howard Brown gala 21 Kathy Griffin appearance 21 773.235.2300 OUTLINES Calendar Q 18 Real estate; classifieds 19 Sports: Erica Jones 22 Sports: WNBA superfan 22 Sports: Hunters, Freeze 22 Roller-derby athlete Erica Jones (above) 2020 West Fullerton Avenue is profiled on page 22. Chicago, IL 60647 Photo courtesy of Erica Jones Cover photos and credits (from top): Attendee at Sun- midtown.com day’s rally at Daley Plaza by Kat Fitzgerald (MysticImag- esPhotography.com); Joe Hollendoner at the Howard           Brown by Emmanuel Garcia; JD Samson publicity photo

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October 14, 2009 SCARLET #1003 NEWS YOU CAN USE &CPCFCRTGUGPVKPI RISES Plenty has happened SWCNKV[CPVKSWGUCPF FROM THE recently nationally and EQNNGEVKDNGUKPUKFGVJG ASHES even globally, including TCEGVTCEMENWDJQWUG Photo by a pro-gay move by Anthony Meade From the Ashes ...rises Scarlet! See photos from opening night. page 21 Morehouse College inSIDE A special garbage-picking Actor Alec Mapa in Devil In the Details. Nightspots MAFIA. page 28 page 29 President Robert Franklin (right). Photo courtesy of Julie Pinkney Tongue 2&72%(5   ACTRESS pAM I AM       ELIZABETH Pamela Anderson and )TKFC[ 6CVWTFC[w6WPFC[ KEENER designer Richie Rich     SHOW# 331 (left) added some heat $TNKPIVQP3CTM5CEGVTCEM :GUV (WENKF$XGCV   5QWVG  to Horseshoe Casino,         $TNKPIVQP+GKIJVU,/ www.WindyCity along with Dennis    !! Queercast.com Rodman. See pics online. :GGMGPF$FOKUUKQP  "  #$ Photo by Kathleen Ulm  % &  "    awn )QTCFXCPEGKPHQTOCVKQPECNN '    astings( " roductions    )*$+ !!*,  (  (   - )$.*+ $*!*.* QTHQTKPHQFWTKPIUJQY running cold 32%QZ6VCWPVQP,/ TVN Runner/WCT contributing QueerTVNetwork.com writer Ross Forman (right) www.arlingtonparkantiques.com      recounts taking on the Chicago Marathon—cold, &52.4)52%s3),6%2s*%7%,29s0/2#%,!).s#2934!,s0!).4).'3s0/34%23            Check out our but ultimately rewarding. 4%84),%3s#%2!-)#3s7!4#(%3s$/,,3s0/44%29s!-%2)#!.!s!$6%24)3).'           video channel for 0%74%2s-).)!452%3s/2)%.4!,)!s4/93s&/,+!24s15),43s25'3s"2/.:%3            new videos weekly www.QueerTV Photo courtesy of Ross Forman Network.com 4 Oct. 14, 2009 march Lt. Daniel Choi—dis- on Washington missed under “Don’t by Chuck Colbert Ask, Don’t Tell—joined Keen News Service thousands of attendees at Sunday’s march. Pho- The day after President Barack Obama delivered tos by Chuck Colbert a rousing speech to more 3,000 LGBT support- ers at the Human Rights Campaign dinner, gay- rights activists took to the streets of Washing- ton, D.C. with another message: “Equality Across America.” The message emblazoned on blue and white banners that stretched as wide as the city streets, were followed by youthful marchers chanting, “L. G. B. T. We demand equality,” “Hey hey. Ho, ho. Homophobia has got to go,” and all turnout of the march, arguably smaller by lustrates the more active role played by straight the right to serve in the military were the key “Hey Obama, let mama marry mama.” Crowd es- comparison across the five total marches the allies.” And he suggested that, unlike in 2000, goals that speakers hammered throughout the timates were between 100,000-200,000 people. movement has thus far staged, as an indica- when HRC’s yellow equal sign was prominent, rally. Under nearly clear blue, sunny skies, with tor that the demonstration was not successful,” the dominant symbol at this year’s march was Lt. Dan Choi, an Iraqi war veteran and Arabic temperatures in the high 60s, those who gath- said Amin Ghaziani, a postdoctoral fellow and the rainbow flag—a symbol, he said, of a more linguist who is fighting his discharge from the ered at the Capitol to rally heard a diversity of lecturer at Princeton University and author of a community-based drive. Army National Guard, told the gathering, “The speakers—more than 30 LGBT elected officials 2008 book, The Dividends of Dissent: How Con- “This is just the first step,” said Tanner Efin- right to love is worth fighting for.” and activists, Black civil rights and religious flict and Culture Work in the Lesbian and Gay ger, a march organizer who, along with others, The march comes during the 40th-anniversary leaders, comedians, performers, immigrants, art- Marches on Washington. The book is a sociologi- said that gaining full equality under civil law in year of the historic Stonewall Rebellion, a flare- ists, among others—articulate a new vision for cal study and historical assessment of the four all 50 states requires a coordinated, sustained up between police and the patrons of a gay bar the movement. previous gay marches—in 1979, 1987, 1993 and grassroots movement, including action teams in City in June 1969. Patrons of the bar Speakers included Sex in the City star Cynthia 2000. in all 435 congressional districts to persuade fought back against police harassment of gays, Nixon, who played Miranda in the television se- “We need to look closely at who attended. elected officials to enact pro-gay legislation. inspiring a tremendous growth in the LGBT com- ries and movie, and Judy Shepard, who became This march makes clear that a younger genera- The current state-by-state strategy, said march munity and the vigor with which it sought equal an activist against anti-gay violence after her tion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender organizers, is not working, or not working fast treatment under the law. 21-year-old son, Matthew, was brutally mur- youth has risen to continue the long struggle enough. ©2009 Keen News Service dered in Laramie, Wyo., in October 1998 because for equality,” he explained. “The march also il- Focusing on federal law, the right to marry and he was gay. The keynote speaker was Julian Bond, chair- MARCH from cover ent during the Clinton administration that this it crystal clear that he is our strongest ally in man of the NAACP. His address connected the is very similar. This is déjà vu all over again. this fight, that he understands and, in fact, en- fight for gay equality with the Black civil rights demand action now.” The beautiful speeches, the flowery proclama- courages our activism and our voice even when movement. The night before the march, President Barack tions, the willingness to attend our parties, we’re impatient with the pace of change. But “Black people, of all people, should not op- Obama addressed 3,000 people at the Human and the list of well-connected people who get these remarks weren’t just for us, they were di- pose equality, and that is what marriage is all Rights Campaign’s national dinner. He prom- great jobs. I’m sorry, but appointing a gay man rected to all Americans who share his dream about,” he told the crowd. “We have a lot of real ised to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, but gave no ambassador to New Zealand is not a very bold and ours of a country where ‘no one is denied and serious problems in this country, and same- timeline for doing so. step. ... We’ve got to keep doing the work to their basic rights, in which all of us are free to sex marriage is not one of them. Good things “I’m working with the Pentagon, its leader- push him to do the right thing.” live and love as we see fit.’” don’t come to those who wait, but they come to ship and the members of the House and the March Co-Director Robin McGehee was even The praise for Obama inside HRC’s fancy din- those who agitate.” Senate on ending this policy,” he said. “I will less impressed. ner and the denunciations of Obama in the All afternoon, the message to the president end Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. That’s my commit- “I was totally disappointed,” McGehee said in streets of D.C. seemed to unequivocally confirm and members of Congress was unambiguous: No ment to you.” an interview. “Our community let him off and the split that’s emerged in the gay community more waiting. No more excuses. Equality. Gay The gay blogosphere reacted very negatively, we did not force him by coming to that dinner in the aftermath of the passage of Proposition equality. Now. complaining that the speech added little or to (announce) substantial change. All we got 8 in California. Many who trekked down Pennsylvania Avenue, nothing to what Obama had said on gay issues was another ‘Please wait.’ He got an A-plus on On one side, the grassroots, the netroots, past the White House and onto the West Lawn of during the presidential campaign. the Cliff Notes version of our rights that we’re many younger GLBT people and the Stonewall the U.S. Capitol building seemed to belonged to But the speech was nonetheless remarkable denied, but a C-minus on what he’s actually do- 2.0 folks, who are pissed off, mad as hell and a new generation of college-aged, twenty- and for its comprehensive embrace of the gay activ- ing to take care of it.” aren’t gonna take it anymore. thirtysomething young people. Many seemed to ist agenda and its sometimes moving rhetoric, Inside the HRC dinner, however, Obama was On the other side, the gay activist establish- have been inspired to march by the passage of the likes of which has never been uttered by a treated to repeated outbursts of raucous cheer- ment, which seems to believe that business-as- the anti-gay California Proposition 8 last No- U.S. president. ing, and Human Rights Campaign President Joe usual “slow and steady” is still the way to go. vember—the measure that took away marriage “While progress may be taking longer than Solmonese called it “a historic night when we About halfway through the National Equality equality only five months after it was estab- you’d like as a result of all that we face—and felt the full embrace and commitment of the March, when it became clear that the turnout lished. that’s the truth—do not doubt the direction we president of the .” was big enough for the march to be deemed a But while a new generation of LGBT activists are headed and the destination we will reach,” “It’s simply unprecedented,” Solmonese said. huge success, a reporter said to Cleve Jones, and allies turned out to be the prime movers the president said. “My expectation is that “President Obama told LGBT Americans that his “You realize you just split the gay movement in behind 2009 National Equality March—relying when you look back on these years, you will commitment to ending discrimination in the two.” heavily on Facebook and Twitter to organize— see a time in which we put a stop to discrimi- military, in the workplace and for loving cou- Jones nodded and grinned. activists from the Baby Boom generation also nation against gays and lesbians, whether in ples and their families is ‘unwavering.’ He made played key roles in honing the message. the office or on the battlefield. You will see a “We are equal in every way,” said Harvey Milk time in which we as a nation finally recognize protégé Cleve Jones, a longtime activist from relationships between two men or two women San Francisco and a lead march organizer. “And as just as real and admirable as relationships if you believe we’re equal, then it’s time to act between a man and a woman.” like it. Free people do not accept a prioritization But many activists wanted more. They want- of their rights and compromises. They do not ac- ed Obama to speak against the Nov. 3 refer- cept delays. And when we hear leaders and those endum in Maine that would repeal the state’s who represent us say, ‘You must wait again,’ we law legalizing same-sex marriage, and against say, ‘No, no, no longer will we wait.” a similar initiative in Washington state that Bisexual pop singer Lady Gaga, who had been would repeal the “all but marriage” domestic- a big hit Saturday night at the Human Rights partnership law. They wanted to know when Campaign dinner, addressed marchers on Sun- Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell will be repealed, when the day, too. Defense of Marriage Act will be repealed, and “Obama, I know you are listening,” she said, when the Employment Non-Discrimination Act then pausing briefly. “ARE YOU LISTENING?” will be passed. she screamed. “We will continue to push you Obama offered no “whens.” and your administration to bring your words of “I could not discern anything new,” Cleve promise to reality.” Jones said in an interview. “It felt like a reit- Marchers stepped off from downtown Washing- eration of the pledges he made during the cam- ton, D.C., at about noon, with many, but not paign, it felt like a campaign speech. It was everyone, arriving at the Capitol rally in time well-written, it was beautifully delivered—the for a speakers program, which began at 2 p.m. man has the gift—but, you know, I hope this is C-SPAN broadcast the march and rally live for not true, but, we need to keep reminding our- Cleve Jones at Sunday’s march. Photo by Joe Tresh several hours. selves and the young people who were not pres- “It would be a mistake to interpret the over- Oct. 14, 2009 5 March on D.C. Photos by Rex Wockner, Joe Tresh, Chuck Colbert, Lee Reinhart and Lauren Verdich More photos on page 17 andcom online at www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com

Cynthia Nixon.

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Dr Rachel Tarbox

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Counseling. Faculty. As the head of The Chicago School’s Center for Latino Mental Health, Dr. Torres helps students obtain the skills and experience they need to make a powerful difference in the Latino community. Dr hector torres Forensic Psychology. Faculty. Dr. Warner, the former lead psychologist for the Department of Homeland Security, is a perfect example of how practitioner faculty make the Business Psychology. classroom experience john fowler Student. With the at The Chicago Hands-on, resume-building training help of The Chicago School come to life. experiences. Faculty who are active School, John Fowler leaders in the field. Intensive personal landed an internship and professional mentorship. with Leo Burnett ad agency, where he There’s only one place where helped build it all comes together. The Chicago a global employee School. The nation’s oldest and largest retention plan. dr debra Warner accredited graduate university of psychology. No matter what your bachelor’s degree was in, we’ll train you to make a living by making a difference. Visit thechicagoschool.edu to learn more. Clinical Psychology visit us online to hear more. Clinical Counseling thechicagoschool.edu Forensic Psychology Business Psychology 800.721.8072 Applied Behavior Analysis School Psychology Open House Sessions: International Psychology October 17, 2009 Latino Mental Health, and more November 14, 2009 January 16, 2010 6 Oct. 14, 2009 afraid. “We’re their cousins, their neighbors, Chicago shows their co-workers.” Chicago’s rally also came the day after a major solidarity with address by President Barack Obama to a Human Rights Campaign gala, and speakers at Sunday’s D.C. march event seemed split on Obama’s performance on By SAMUEL WORLEY LGBT issues. While Jim Pickett, director of advocacy for the A crowd of several hundred gathered in Daley AIDS Foundation of Chicago, counseled patience Plaza Oct. 11 to demand federal action to move with Obama—and said that the crowd should forward rights for LGBT people. The rally, orga- support the President’s efforts to institute a nized by local group LGBT Change, was planned in solidarity with the National Equality March taking place in Washington, D.C., on the same day. Longtime activist Cleve Jones, one of the or- ganizers of the march in Washington, told a Chi- cago crowd in August that he believed the chief demands of gay-rights groups should now be in the realm of the federal: federally-legislated Crowd on Sunday at Daley Plaza. Photos by Kat Fitzgerald (MysticImagesPhotography.com) and marriage equality and an end to the Don’t Ask, Sam Worley. Don’t Tell policy. And, indeed, speakers at the rallies here and movement is about,” he said, “coming together in Washington urged community members to as a family.” State Rep. be advocates to their elected officials. Jim Madigan, a candidate for the Illinois State Greg Harris. comptroller Dan Hynes, a candidate for the Dem- Senate, expressed disappointment in what he ocratic gubernatorial nomination and the rally’s sees as the recalcitrance of the Democratic Par- first speaker, told the crowd, “There are some ty—the party, he said, “that we liked.” that urge incremental change. I say this: there is Madigan also had a message for younger activ- no such thing as incremental equality. … There ists, who made up much of the rally’s attendees: is only full equality and that is what we must “People my age and up are going to say to you fight for.” [to] be more patient.” Hynes claimed to be the only candidate for “Hell, no!” Madigan said. governor who supports full marriage rights for Since Sunday was also National Coming Out LGBT people. [Note: Alexi Giannoulias and Ja- Day, some speakers talked about the importance cob Meister, two other candidates, have also of LGBT visibility. Christine Heermann, who expressed their support for same-sex marriage.] works with Illinois Gender Advocates, talked Gerald Farinas, who is running for alderman in about her experiences, in relationships and in Chicago’s 46th Ward, spoke about the need for the workplace, coming out as a transwoman. sustained political action in order to bring about “I want four basic things,” Heermann said. “I the LGBT commmunity’s desired consequences: want to be seen. I want to be heard. I want to absent that action, Farinas said, “we are left be touched. I want to be true. … The truth is with hope and nothing else.” what’s standing in front of you.” marriage to a man to her 10-year relationship Farinas twice asked attendees to hug the per- Kim Hunt, the executive director of Affin- with her current partner. “I was introduced as son standing next to them. “This is what our ity Community Services, compared her 10-year his wife, not his ‘friend,’” Hunt said, “and people knew what that meant.” In addition to detailing the ways that her life public health care option—Matty Zaradich, from is different with a same-sex partner—in terms Join the Impact, spoke directly to the president, of home ownership, taxes, hospital visitation saying, “Wake up!” rights and varying levels of social acceptance of “I’m mad as hell!” said Zaradich. same-sex relationships—Hunt also talked about Illinois Gender Advocates’ Helena Bushong said the need for the LGBT-rights movement to rec- that she, too, was impatient with the president. ognize itself as diverse, and to highlight and “Although President Obama has invited the LGBT celebrate that diversity. community to the White House to roll eggs,” “We are a patchwork of races and ethnicities Bushong said, referring to the annual White and religions and identities,” she said, “but you House Easter Egg Roll, to which LGBT families wouldn’t know it from what you see in the me- were invited for the first time this year, “I’ve got dia … As long as rights for LGBT citizens are news for you: We’re rolling out a different kind portrayed as rights for white gay men, we will of egg. We’re going to hatch out justice!” remain second-class citizens.” Other speakers at the rally included openly gay Erlene Howard, who attended the rally, echoed state Rep. Greg Harris; John A. Knight, director what the speakers said about visibility. “We’re of the ACLU of Illinois Lesbian and Gay Rights/ not that closeted anymore,” Howard said. AIDS Project; and Peter Ji, president of PFLAG Though people opposed to gay rights hang on Illinois. Youth activist Scott Jaburek, a Windy to a certain “boogeyman” fear of LGBT people, City Times 30 Under 30 honoree, also addressed she said, more and more are learning not to be the crowd.

Attendees listen to State Comptroller (and gubernatorial candidate) Dan Hynes. Oct. 14, 2009 7 OBAMA from cover “If any of my nominees are attacked not for what they believe but for who they are,” said The president seemed generally comfortable Obama, “I will not waver in my support, because in front of the enormous LGBT audience, even I will not waver in my commitment to ending though many news reports ahead of time sug- discrimination in all its forms.” gested he might be facing a community that is Any possible awkwardness occurred at the end impatient with the speed at which the adminis- of the speech. Although Solmonese took consid- tration has addressed its concerns. erable time to introduce the president, neither But HRC President Joe Solmonese introduced he nor anyone else from the organization joined the president with the declaration, “We’ve never the president on stage after the speech to shake had a stronger ally in the White House—never.” his hand and enable a polite departure from the And the audience followed with a welcoming podium. Instead, the president stood alone, standing ovation that lasted well over a min- quickly began looking solemn, and soon found ute. his own way out, behind a screen. When a male audience member shouted out at Meanwhile, a number of people in the media the top of the speech, “I love you, Barack!” the have begun blogging about the failure of the president responded, saying, “I love you back” White House, thus far, to release a transcript of and the audience cheered wildly. the text of the speech. The White House usually As he did in June, when he hosted a reception releases such transcripts within a few hours of at the White House to mark the 40th anniver- President Obama at the HRC gala. Photo by their presentation. HRC President Joe Solmonese. Photo by Rex sary of the Stonewall Rebellion, the president Joe Tresh ©2009 Keen News Service Wockner acknowledged again Saturday night that, “Many of you don’t believe progress has come fast a teleprompter, but that it is [the president’s] enough.” But, he reiterated, “My commitment word and that means a lot.” to you is unwavering.” “It’s nice to know he is on my side and his “It may be taking longer than you like,” said intentions are in the right place,” added Ellis. the president, “but do not doubt the direction “I know no one is perfect. I believe he sincerely we are headed and will reach.” And then he re- has in mind and heart my best interests.” peated another point made in June—that he ex- People who viewed the speech on C-SPAN pects that, by the end of his time in the White weighed in on personal blogs and on blogs of House, the LGBT community will have seen an various newspapers. administration that “put a stop to discrimina- Joe Mirabella posted on the Post-In- tion against gays and lesbians.” telligencer blog that he had hoped the president The president offered blunt reiterations of would put in a word against the Maine ballot his promises to repeal the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell measure. (DADT) ban on gays in the military and to seek “I want to be in love with Obama the way I passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination was the night he was declared the winner,” wrote Act (ENDA). Mirabella. “Unfortunately, the President regurgi- “I will end Don’t Ask Don’t Tell—that is my tated the same flowery placating language filled commitment to you,” said the president. with false hopes and promises.” But, he parsed his words carefully on equal In the Chicago Sun Times, reader Ben Hecht rights in marriage, saying that he supports en- blogged, “He talked to gays in June and said suring that “committed gay couples” have the give him time; last night all he did was make a “same rights and responsibilities afforded to any campaign speech and again say he needs time. married couple in this country.” But wait,” wrote Hecht, “he’s got majorities in Dennis and Judy Shepard, recipients of the inaugural Edward M. Kennedy National Leadership “I believe strongly in stopping laws designed the Senate and the House. What’s he afraid of?” Award. Photo by Joe Tresh to take rights away and passing laws that extend If there were anything new in the speech it- equal rights to gay couples,” said Obama, adding self, it was the prominence Obama gave to the that he has “called on Congress to repeal” the fact that many in the LGBT community are par- Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prevents ents. He said the community has been “leading the federal government from treating any same- by the force of the arguments you make, and ROSENCRANTZ AND sex couple—in a marriage, or domes- by the power of the example that you set in tic partnership—from receiving the same rights your own lives—as parents and friends, as PTA members and church members, as advocates and GUILDENSTERN as straight married couples. The president made no comment on the Maine leaders in your communities.” He mentioned or ballot initiative, which seeks to overturn a mar- referred to parents at least six times, and ended riage-equality law in that state. his speech with a story about Jeanne Manford, Despite the raucously positive response the the founder of Parents, Families and Friends of ARE DEAD HRC gathering delivered to the president during Lesbians and Gays. Manford chastised a police BY TOM STOPPARD the speech, the reaction of individual attendees officer who called her, following her son’s arrest DIRECTED BY MICHAEL HALBERSTAM and observers was decidedly guarded. during a gay rights protest in the early 1970s, Performed at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe David Wilson, a plaintiff in the landmark Goo- to tell her that her son is a “homosexual.” Man- dridge marriage decision in Massachusetts and ford told the officer that she knew that and shot a member of HRC’s steering committee in New back, “Why are you bothering him?!” England, said he was impressed that Obama re- Obama also made clear he would stand by any “HIGHLY peated his campaign promises at an event that of his openly gay nominees who might be op- was broadcast live nationwide on C-SPAN. But he posed simply for being gay. It was apparent ref- said he believes the community should “hold his erence to Education Department nominee Kevin RECOMMENDED.” feet to the fire” on those promises. Jennings and Equal Employment Opportunity Adam Ellis, a gay man from who was Commission nominee Chai Feldblum, who have there with his parents, said the president’s recently been subject to opposition in the right- “RAZOR-SHARP.” speech was “just fluff … and he’s reading off wing press. “SUBLIMELY SPARKLING.”

- CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

NOW PLAYING–ORDER TICKETS TODAY! WRITERSTHEATRE.ORG 847-242-6000 Production Sponsor Corporate Production Sponsor Media Sponsor WRITERS’ HRC President Joe Solmonese (second from right) with the cast of TV’s Glee. Photo by Joe MARY PAT Tresh STUDDERT THEATRE 8 Oct. 14, 2009 against Fiorito had been initiated. ris. Polls presently list Burris as having the low- Lakeview cop’s In response to community pressure, the Chica- est approval rating of any sitting U.S. senator, go Police Department in March began requiring thought to be primarily due to the nature of his actions caught that all squad cars Fiorito rides in be equipped highly contested appointment by ousted former with video cameras. Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich last December. on video WLS-TV disclosed last week that there is an Burris has stated that he will not run in 2010, By SAMUEL WORLEY ongoing grand-jury investigation into Fiorito’s which has created a wide-open race for his soon DUI pattern; the Chicago Police Department to be vacated seat. Lawsuits and investigations into 23rd District has also said that its internal affairs unit has Meister is currently considered by many ana- police officer Richard Fiorito has gained traction launched an investigation. lysts to be a long shot to win the election, but with the release of video seeming to bolster al- A CPD spokesperson said that, pending the re- his supporters at the Halsted’s event are con- legations that Fiorito falsifies DUI arrests. sults of the internal affairs investigation, Fiorito fident that with more exposure, Illinois could The video, shown at an Oct. 6 press confer- has been placed on administrative duty. soon be represented by the only openly gay ence at the offices of the Civil Rights Center, Although according to CPD, the beginning of member of the U.S. Senate. came amid ongoing lawsuits against Fiorito al- Fiorito’s administrative duty began Oct. 6—the “He’s obviously an underdog in this race,” leging civil-rights violations. Twenty-one plain- day of the release of the video—members of stated supporter Bryce Bowman. “But as things tiffs from the Lakeview area claim that Fiorito the Lakeview community have been asking for progress I think more and more people are go- routinely falsified DUI reports in order to accrue months that the officer be removed from active ing to like what they see in Jacob. He doesn’t the overtime pay that comes with the court tes- duty. As Windy City Times has reported, lawsuits have an ego and will get things done in Wash- timony such cases require. against Fiorito were filed as early as March; and Linda Pauel (left) at the Oct. 10 Howard ington.” Shot from Fiorito’s squad car, the video shows at an Aug. 26 meeting of the 23rd District’s GLBT Brown gala. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald Around 60 supporters came to Halsted’s at 7 the officer giving a field sobriety test to a man Subcommittee, a unanimous resolution asked (MysticImagesPhotography.com) p.m. to sign Meister’s petition for candidacy and detained on suspicion of drunk driving. Al- that Fiorito’s police powers be revoked pend- listen to him speak about various topics ranging though the detainee, Michael Vaughn, had not ing the conclusion of various investigations in in 1993. from LGBT issues to economic development. been driving at the time of his arrest, police ap- which he is implicated. Pauel has been slated as a candidate for judge Meister also received support Thursday night prehended Vaughn and an unidentified female of the Circuit Court of Cook County by the Demo- from another openly gay candidate running for companion for sitting in a parked car in a public cratic Party. Pauel has 18 years of legal expe- office in Illinois as Jim Madigan, a Democrat park after hours. LGBT judicial rience, working not only in private practice at running for the state Senate in the 7th District, In the video, after Vaughn appears to pass the Sachnoff and Weaver, Ltd. but also in the City of voiced his support. test, he is arrested by Fiorito and charged with candidates on Chicago Department of Law. She has been found “Jacob has been very supportive of my cam- driving under the influence. An accompanying party slate qualified, recommended or highly recommended paign,” said Madigan. “I think his election police report, authored by Fiorito, offers written The Cook County Democratic Party recently by all evaluating bar associations. would be a big step in American politics and testimony regarding Vaughn’s performance that announced its slate of judicial candidates for Pauel has been an assistant corporation coun- would add some much needed diversity in the is apparently falsified—in other words, not sup- the Feb. 2, 2010, primary election. Amongst a sel for the City of Chicago since 1998. In that U.S. Senate.” ported by the videotaped evidence. very diverse group of Circuit Court, and Appel- time, she has worked extensively on the en- Meister plans on next traveling to Springfield The report, for instance, says that while walk- late Court candidates, are two members of the forcement of the gang loitering ordinance, and to begin a downstate tour aimed at rallying sup- ing a straight line, Vaughn “can’t keep balance LGBT community, Justice Sebastian T. Patti, and worked with the police to better enforce animal port in the rural southern counties. while listening to instructions” and “loses bal- Supervising Corporation Counsel Linda J. Pauel. cruelty laws. Pauel is a graduate of Cornell Col- ance while turning.” In the video, Vaughn ap- A trailblazer for the LGBT community, Patti lege and Chicago Kent College of Law. Center’s domestic- pears to have no problems passing the test, ac- made history as the first openly gay man ap- cording to instructions given to him by Fiorito. pointment to the Appellate Court in August violence safety The Chicago Police Department (CPD) does not Gay Senate 2009. Making history is nothing new for Patti as campaign in gear use roadside breathalyzers, the tests given to he was also the first openly gay man appointed, candidate As October is Domestic Violence Awareness DUI suspects on the scene. Rather, officers ad- and later elected to the countywide Circuit Court Month and there is a definite need for online minister physical activity-oriented field sobriety in Cook County. Patti has been found qualified, in Boystown By CHASSE REHWINKEL safety awareness, Center on Halsted is in the tests at the scene, and breathalyzers at the sta- recommended or highly recommended by all midst of a 16-week online domestic-violence tion. evaluating bar associations. Jacob Meister, the openly gay candidate for Ro- awareness campaign placed mostly with LGBT Attorney Jon Erickson, who introduced the vid- Prior to his appointment to the Appellate land Burris’ U.S. Senate seat, made a two-hour media Web sites. eo at the press conference, said that Fiorito ap- Court, Patti served 14 years as a Cook Circuit appearance at Halsted’s, 3441 N. Halsted, on One goal of the campaign is to help people pears to be “[dually] motivated”: in addition to Court judge rising to the post of Supervising Oct. 8 to rally support for his campaign. identify possible signs of domestic violence in his alleged financial interest in falsifying DUIs, Judge of the Housing Division. He is a graduate “This is an important place to discuss the is- their online relationships and drive those in plaintiffs say that he has a pattern of targeting of Duke University and the University of Kan- sues that are important to our community,” said question to the Center’s Anti-Violence Project’s LGBT people. Erickson said that Fiorito engages sas Law School. Before his appointment, Justice Meister. “Currently there is no voice for the LGBT 24-hour crisis line (773-871-CARE or 2273). in physical and verbal abuse and appears to be Patti was an attorney for the US Environmental community in Washington, and there needs to For more information about Safer Dating On- motivated by an “anti-gay animus,” using ho- agency, he was awarded the United States Gov- be. Too long we have been taken for granted; line, Safer Hook-Ups Online, Sexual Violence mophobic slurs such as “faggot” and “dyke.” ernment Bronze Medal for Toxics Litigation in this election is our chance to show how power- Tips, Street Safety Tips and Trans Dating Tips Erickson said that in addition to the 21 plain- 1984 and 1988 and for Clean Water Act Litiga- ful our community can be.” visit the Center’s Anti-Violence Project, please tiffs already party to the lawsuit, he expects to tion in 1992. He was also awarded the United Meister is running for the controversial 2nd visit www.centeronhalsted.org, click on Pro- add at least 20 more. The video of Vaughn’s ar- States Government Distinguished Service Award rest was shot June 21—well after the lawsuits Illinois U.S. Senate seat, currently held by Bur- grams and then the Anti-Violence Program link and click PDF Documents.

Thursday, Oct. 22 Portland to host 7:30 p.m. next LGBTQI summit Anne Finger At a recent teleconference for the 2011 LGBTQI Call Me Ahab: Health Summit, it was determined that Portland, A Short Story Collection Ore., will host the event. According to call notes available on Friday, Oct. 23 www.2009lgbtihealth.org, representatives from 7:30 p.m. the city felt that, among other things, Portland Poetry Reading was ready to host; it has a great public-trans- Christine Rhein portation system; and it has a prominent LGBTQ Wild Flight; Have your presence. Zoe Keithly The 2009 summit was held Aug. 14-18 at the Crow Song Select Italy Travel premiums Chicago Hilton and Towers, 720 S. Michigan. Custom Trip Planning increased BEHIV art-therapy Honeymoons Vacation Packages show Nov. 4-Dec. 4 5233 N. Clark recently? Privately Guided Tours Better Existence with HIV (BEHIV) will hold its (773) 769-9299 Museum, Opera & Theater Tickets See me: art-therapy show Wed., Nov. 4, through Friday, Hotels, Villas & Apartments Dec. 4 at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted. Charles T. Rhodes, The event will kick off with a reception Nov. 4. BEHIV’s art-therapy program aims to help peo- Your Italian travel experts since 1997 Agent 2472 N. Clark ple struggling with the emotional stress of an HIV-positive diagnosis. [email protected] 303 W. Erie Suite 410 Chicago, IL 60654 773.281.0890 See www.behiv.org. www.womenandchildrenfirst.com State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company Parking Available www.selectitaly.com/wct (not in NJ) Wheelchair Accessible 800-877-1755 State Farm Indemnity Company (NJ) Home Offices: Bloomington, Illinois Oct. 14, 2009 9 such a law. She will also be the first openly LGBT NATIONAL NEWS person to serve on the commission. Feldblum and one other nominee are, so far, Obama nominates the only openly LGBT nominees to raise a hackle gay ambassador out of right-wing conservatives. A Oct. 1 Catho- QUOTELINES lic News Agency story suggested Feldblum sup- By Lisa Keen BY REX WOCKNER ported a “radical 2006 manifesto which endorsed Keen News Service polygamous households.”

Kevin Jennings, founder of the national Gay, Q Just three days before a national LGBT march York Roman Catholic Archbishop Timothy Dolan Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLS- “I realized that I was, you know, over on Washington, President Barack Obama issued to New York magazine, Sept. 20. EN), was appointed in May to serve as the as- 60 years old, I grew up at a different time, a statement announcing the nomination of an sistant deputy secretary in the Department of and I was hung up about the word (marriage). openly gay man to serve as the nation’s ambas- “Just being out—to your family, to Education. (The position does not require con- I had all these gay friends, I had all these gay sador to New Zealand and Samoa. your friends, to the 42nd president of the firmation.) Jennings, a native of Massachusetts, couple friends, and I was hung up about it. David Huebner, a founding board member of United States—remains the single most im- is to head up the department’s Office of Safe and And I decided I was wrong. That our society the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation portant political action that any gay or lesbian Drug Free Schools. The Family Research Council has an interest in coherence and strength and (GLAAD), is a lawyer currently living in Shang- person can take.” — Gay writer Dan Savage, and right-wing news organizations, including commitment and mutually reinforcing loyal- hai, China, where he heads the China Practice Sept. 25. Fox News and the Washington Times, are call- ties, then if gay couples want to call their and International Disputes Practice of the U.S. ing for Jennings resignation, claiming he failed union marriage and a state agrees, and sev- law firm of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton “Obama is a Nazi. Feminism is destroy- to report an incident he heard about in which eral have now, or a religious body will sanction LLP. He did not respond to an e-mail for an in- ing marriage and the military. Obama is a teenaged male told him 21 years ago that it—and I don’t think the state should be able terview. Kenyan. Obama is Islamic. There are Russian- he had had a sexual relationship with an older to stop the religious bodies from saying it—I Huebner’s nomination brings to 61 the num- style czars in the U.S. government. There is a man. don’t think the rest of us should get in the way ber of openly LGBT people Obama has nominat- ©2009 Keen News Service of that. I think it’s a good ed to serve in his administration. Denis Dison, thing, not a bad thing. ... a spokesperson for the Gay & Lesbian Victory D.C. MARCH WEEKEND I just realized that I was, Fund—which has led an effort to promote open- probably for, maybe just ly LGBT people for such appointments—said the Focus on DADT because of my age and the group’s Leadership Institute estimates another by Bob Roehr way I’ve grown up, I was I had an 25 to 35 openly gay people have received ap- wrong about that. I just untenable pointments, bringing Obama’s total, so far, to Four generations of the fight to end the Pen- had too many gay friends. Ralph Alswang by Photo approximately 100. tagon’s discrimination against gays and lesbi- I saw their relationships. position. —Bill Clinton, Dison noted the administration releases an- ans were on display at Congressional Cemetery I just decided I couldn’t, nouncements about only those appointees above Oct. 10 as an adjunct to the National Equality I had an untenable posi- on not being for a certain hierarchal level. March. tion.” — Bill Clinton to in- same-sex marriage Dison said President Bill Clinton appointed a The event centered on Leonard Matlovitch, terviewer Anderson Cooper, total of about 140 openly LGBT people to his the man who first put a face on the issue for Sept. 25. administration. President George W. Bush ap- the American public when he appeared on the pointed three. cover of Time magazine in 1975. Matlovitch was “Some of my favorite studies to blip secret plan to unify North America into one “If 10 months into his administration, Presi- a Vietnam vet and decorated Air Force non-com- across the news wires are always the nation. ... These people are certifiable.” — dent Obama is close to 100” appointees, said missioned officer when he came out to his com- ones that talk about adding years to Writer Ann Rostow in the gay newspaper San Dison, “he’s on a path to appointing the most” mander to fight the policy. He lay in his grave a your life, about how modifying this or that Francisco Bay Times, Oct. 1. openly LGBT appointees of any president. few yards away. aspect of your diet or health regimen will ei- Huebner is originally from Pennsylvania but Frank Kameny, a pioneer of the modern gay ther add or subtract a year, two years, a decade “I would take Rush Limbaugh, because has lived for many years in Los Angeles, where movement, lied about his sexual orientation to to/from your time on this pale blue dot. I don’t it would be very painful, and he would he served on the state Law Revision Commission join the Army in 1943. “I have resented for 66 quite get it. Are we really enthralled by such come with the painkillers which he always and taught at the University of Southern Califor- years that I had to lie to my government in order information? Is anyone thrilled at the rather has.” — Gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank on Sept. nia Gould School of Law. He currently serves, pro to serve,” he said. obvious idea that if you stop snarfing a family- 21 when asked by Jay Leno, “If you had to have bono, as legal counsel for GLAAD, a service the In the 1960s Kameny began to counsel many sized bag of neon-orange nuclear Doritos every dinner with one of the following political con- organization says he has provided for more than of the soldiers caught up by in the Pentagon’s damn day, you will die at a ripe old age of 92 servatives, which one would you choose: Rush a decade. anti-gay policies. Matlovitch would later seek instead of a sickly and pallid 89? Should we Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Ann Coulter?” “We congratulate David and know he will bring his help. not be discussing the only thing that really the determination and expertise that he has “When Leonard came out, he didn’t receive matters: how you live and feel in this very mo- “Oh, easy: The ability to eat as much as brought to his work at GLAAD to this new post,” a lot of hosannas from our community; often, ment, the one right here and now?” — San I want and not gain weight.” — Gay U.S. Rep. said GLAAD’s new president, Jarrett T. Barrios. he was a prophet in the wilderness,” said David Francisco Chronicle columnist Mark Morford, Barney Frank on Sept. 21 when asked by Jay “His commitment to public service is unrivaled Mixner, gay political guru and a friend of Matlo- Sept. 30. Leno, “If you could have a superpower, any and for over a decade as a founding national vitch. power, what would it be, and why?” Board Member and today as our legal counsel, Mixner explained his support for President “I love being gay. I love gay people. GLAAD and the LGBT community have been the Obama and urged him to end Don’t Ask, Don’t How can I say this without offending everyone “The guy who’s now the governor of Alas- beneficiary of his commitment, dedication and Tell. “He doesn’t need an act of Congress, he else, I think we’re better than other people. ka, because I miss Sarah Palin.” — Gay U.S. skill.” doesn’t need to wait for a paper [to sign re- I think we are smarter. I think we are more Rep. Barney Frank on Sept. 21 when asked by The first openly gay ambassador was James pealing the law], he can just tell the American talented. I think we are more aware. I think Jay Leno, “If you could kick one politician out Hormel of San Francisco, who served the Clinton people the money is better spent on teaching we make better friends. I think we make better of office, who would it be?” administration as ambassador to Luxembourg our children in schools than prosecuting and op- lovers. I think we’re more tuned into what’s (which has a population of 500,000). The sec- pressing our soldiers.” happening, tuned into the moment, tuned into “I was in Palm Springs in a very pri- ond was Michael Guest, appointed by Bush to Also speaking at the event were others who our emotions, and other people’s emotions. vate pool. My boyfriend and I were out there serve in Romania (population: 22 million). New challenged various versions of the military gay Yes, I think that gay people are better than doing a fundraiser and it was a very secluded Zealand and Samoa have a combined population ban over the years, including Navy pilot Tracy other people. I think the only thing we are not spot and we didn’t see any helicopters, so we of about 4 million. Thorne, Army Sgt. Jose Zuniga and Army Lt. Dan- so good at is fighting back.” — Veteran activ- went into the pool.” — Gay U.S. Rep. Barney New Zealand and Samoa are off the east coast iel Choi. ist Larry Kramer speaking at Dallas , Frank on Sept. 21 when asked by Jay Leno, of in the South Pacific. Samoa is just Sept. 20. “(When is) the last time you went skinny-dip- west of the U.S. territory of American Samoa and ping?” was, at one time, called Western Samoa. “Yeah, it (being gay) would be (a —Assistance: Bill Kelley Both Samoas were hit last month with an character flaw). And we are all born with earthquake-produced tsunami that killed 184 certain character flaws, aren’t we?” — New people. According to the New Zealand Herald, Huebner will be replacing a restaurateur who served the Brothas Saving Brothas double post under Bush. In addition to Huebner, the administration Be Part of a Bonding recently appointed long-time LGBT activist and law professor Chai Feldblum to serve as one of Experience Where You Will only five members of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The position is consid- ʈ Receive great incentives for time spent! ered particularly significant given the improved ʈ Experience a free, everlasting retreat with chances, under a Democratic Congress and ad- other men of color. ministration, for passing the Employment Non- Discrimination Act (ENDA). Feldblum, as part of For information, contact Edwin Ervin at 773.293.4740 ext. 29 the commission, will have considerable influence David Mixner. Photo by Bob Roehr in the writing of federal regulations to enforce Better Existence with HIV (BEHIV) www.behiv.org 10 Oct. 14, 2009

VIEWPOINTS VOL. 25, No. 2, Oct. 14, 2009 The combined forces of Windy City Times, founded Sept. 1985, and Outlines newspaper, world. But getting the votes needed to protect thew’s mother in the gallery, Rep. Virginia Foxx founded May 1987. gays from physical harm has taken more than a of North Carolina called the hate-crime labeling BRIAN decade. of Matt’s murder a hoax. PUBLISHER & Executive EDITOR It is interesting to revisit history and see Unfortunately, legislative efforts to protect Tracy Baim MAHANY where the legislation really began. Although gays from assault failed for the last decade— Assistant Publisher Terri Klinsky there had been talk about protecting gays from until now. MANAGING Editor Andrew Davis hate crimes for many years, the move to include The Senate is expected to easily pass the mea- Business manager Meghan Streit sexual orientation as a protected class did not sure and President Obama has promised to sign Director of New Media Jean Albright gain momentum until 1998. That year, Matthew the bill. ART DIRECTOR Kirk Williamson account managerS: Amy Matheny, Kirk Revisiting the case Wayne Shepard was tortured and murdered near Published blog comments on the current bill Williamson, Cynthia Holmes, Carlos Paret Laramie, Wyo., because he was gay. His death, find that roughly one-third of the people com- Promotions director Cynthia Holmes of Matthew and the subsequent prosecution of his attackers, menting are hardened conservatives or simply NIGHTSPOTS MANAGING Editor Kirk Williamson gripped the nation for several weeks. anti-gay. Another third simply misunderstand National Sales Rivendell Media, 212-242-6863 SENIOR WRITERS Bob Roehr, Rex Wockner, Marie Wayne Shepard Friends described Shepard as an optimistic the legislation and mistakenly believe it will J. Kuda, David Byrne, Tony Peregrin, Lisa Keen, young man who could relate to anyone. But his prohibit the ability to preach or speak out Burn a cross in the yard of a Black neighbor and Yasmin Nair, Emmanuel Garcia life was anything but easy. According to pub- against homosexuality. TheatER Editor Scott C. Morgan you have committed a hate crime. Deface a local lished reports, his torture and murder was not Prohibiting the beatings, assaults and mur- Cinema WRITER Richard Knight, Jr. mosque or temple and you commit a hate crime BOOKS WRITER Yasmin Nair the only time he suffered from a vicious hate der of people because of their race, religion or but beat someone up solely because s/he is ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WRITERS crime. Apparently, while on a high school trip sexual orientation is a far cry from regulating gay—as of today, that’s not a hate crime under Mary Shen Barnidge, Jim Edminster, Steve Warren, to Morocco just a couple years earlier he was free speech or one’s opinion. Rep. Tom Price, a Lawrence Ferber, Mel Ferrand, Catey Sullivan, federal law. That should soon change, however. beaten and raped. conservative Republican, called the legislation Zachary Whittenburg, Jonathan Abarbanel The U.S. House has overwhelmingly approved Columnists/Writers: Yvonne Zipter, Susie It was not until his death in October 1998 that a “disgrace” and said it amounted to creating legislation adding crimes motivated by sexual Day, Jorjet Harper, Lee Lynch, Steve Starr, Joe his plight became known. Shortly after midnight “thought crimes.” orientation to the list of federally prohibited Rice, Dan Woog, Marie-Jo Proulx, Lisa Keen, Chris on Oct. 7, 1998, Shepard accepted a ride from Personally, many would call such narrow- Crain, Charlsie Dewey, Michael Knipp, Mark Corece, hate crimes. Activists have tried to enact such two local men. He was discovered 18 hours minded thinking an absolute disgrace. The new Sabine Neidhardt, Sam Worley, Billy Masters, John a law for the last 11 years. Each time they were Fenoglio later after he had been beaten, robbed, pistol- legislation isn’t about being gay or straight. It thwarted by President Bush, conservative legis- PHOTOGRAPHERS Kat Fitzgerald, Mel Ferrand, whipped, tortured, tied to a fence and left to is not about the pros and cons of gay marriage. lators or the inability to agree on language. Steve Becker, Steve Starr, Emmanuel Garcia die. Shepard never regained consciousness. He It’s about simply about protecting people from ARTISTS/CARTOONISTS Alison Bechdel, Mikeoart As both a law enforcement officer and pros- died from his injuries days later, on Oct. 12. physical harm because of their values or beliefs. CIRCULATION ecutor for much of my life, I frequently saw the The trial of Shepard’s attackers took many Discrimination based on sexual orientation has Circulation director Jean Albright aftermath of hate crimes. It wasn’t until 2002, Distribution: Ashina, Allan, Dan, John, Renee, twists and turns. At one point, his attackers long been against the law in many jurisdictions. however, when I witnessed a hate crime first Sue and Victor tried to raise a “gay panic defense;” that is, Once the Matthew Shepard Act is signed into hand. While driving across the Kennebec River they claimed to be driven to temporary insanity law, committing a crime against someone simply in Augusta, Maine. I observed three young men by alleged sexual advances by Shepard. The jury because he or she is gay will soon be a hate hurl bottles at a feeble, old homeless woman saw through that specious argument, however. crime anywhere in the nation. crossing the bridge with a shopping cart. I ar- Ultimately, one of his attackers pleaded guilty Of note is how the bill is drafted. Congress rested those boys. In their twisted minds, she and the other was found guilty of felony murder wrote the law in a neutral fashion. The legisla- was “guilty” of being old and unemployed. after trial. Both men are serving life sentences. tion protects against bias based on sexual ori- The court thought otherwise, enhancing their Immediately after Shepard’s death, many entation, not because one is gay. Under the law, sentences because the crime was motivated by called for Wyoming to enact its own hate-crimes a group of gays who beat a person because he hatred. The behavior I witnessed that afternoon Copyright 2009 Lambda Publications Inc./Windy City Media law based on sexual orientation. The bill failed or she was straight would also be guilty of a was pure evil; it was a hate crime. Group; All rights reserved. Reprint by permission only. after a 30-30 tie in the Wyoming House of Rep- hate crime. It’s hard to argue that as drafted the Back issues available for $3 per issue (postage included). Enhancing sentences if the crime is a so called resentatives. President Bill Clinton renewed law promotes homosexuality as several commen- Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, hate crime makes perfect sense to most. Unless and photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and federal efforts at passing similar legislation a tators have suggested. It simply favors people no responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials. the victim is gay, bisexual or transgendered. year later, in 1999. The bill passed but was ulti- who wish their personal choice and privacy to All rights to letters, art and photographs sent to Windy As a society, we have no problems enhancing City Times will be treated as unconditionally assigned mately killed in a conference committee. Years be respected. for publication purposes and as such, subject to editing penalties for people who abuse the elderly. We later, then-President George W. Bush indicated Brian Mahany is a lawyer in Milwaukee and and comment. The opinions expressed by the columnists, have little tolerance for skinheads and KKK- cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are their own he might veto a similar bill. Portland, Maine. He represents victims of dis- type behaviors and, thankfully, most of us do and do not necessarily reflect the position ofWindy City In April 2009, the Matthew Shepard Act was crimination. He can be contacted at brian@ Times. Publication of the name, photograph, or likeness of not have the religious bias that leads to mass a person or organization in articles or advertising in Windy debated on the floor of the House. With Mat- mahanyertl.com. City Times is not to be construed as any indication of the violence and even genocide in other parts of the sexual orientation of such person or organization. While we encourage readers to support the advertisers who make hearing now about same-sex marriage that we On the local front, there was a confluence of this newspaper possible, Windy City Times cannot accept responsibility for advertising claims. didn’t hear before? ongoing factors that has had and continues to (773) 871-7610 FAX (773) 871-7609 REV. The reason for the shift comes both nationally have a profound impact on how LGBTQ commu- e-mail: [email protected] IRENE and locally. nities of color now think about same-sex mar- On the national front, civil-rights leaders of riage. www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com MONROE the ‘60s such as the late Coretta Scott King, U.S. In 2005, when Lee Swislow, executive direc- radio: WindyCityQueercast.com Rep. John Lewis, NAACP Chair Julian bond and tor of Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders video: QueerTVNetwork.com the Rev. Al Sharpton publicly offer their support (GLAD), a white organization that framed the WINDY CITY MEDIA GROUP, for same-sex marriage. And, during a June 12, marriage debate in Massachusetts, reached out 5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640 USA Black queers are 2007, Capitol Hill ceremony commemorating the to communities of color, inviting a dialogue for (MAILING ADDRESS ONLY) 40th anniversary of Loving v. Virginia, the land- an inclusive re-framing of the marriage debate, Windy City Times Deadline every Wednesday. tying the knot mark U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck the collective anger and frustration that LGBTQ Nightspots Deadline Wednesday prior to street date. down anti-miscegenation laws, the Legal De- communities of color collective felt toward the Identity (BLACKlines and En La Vida): Now More and more LGBTQ people of African descent fense & Educational Fund of the NAACP released organization began to dissipate. online only are marrying. a historic statement in support of marriage Also, having an African-American governor— Deadline The 10th of month prior. An idea that was once thought of as an OUT! Resource Guide ONLINE equality explaining why the struggle for same- Deval Patrick—whose daughter is gay, speaking www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com anathema to Black queer identity, marriage in sex marriage is indeed a civil rights struggle: in support of same-sex marriage helped those in our LGBTQ communities is being celebrated and “It is undeniable that the experience of Afri- our communities of color know that our state on the rise. And many of us are now proudly can Americans differs in many important ways and governor are including us in the struggle for www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com walking down the aisle to tie the knot. www.WindyCityQueercast.com from that of gay men and lesbians; among other marriage equality. www.QueerTVNetwork.com “Is it no longer a white thing?” Jeff Nelson, a things, the legacy of slavery and segregation is In 2008, Dave Wilson, an African-American white gay resident of Cambridge asked me as I profound. But differences in historical experi- gay male, and one of the seven same-sex plain- was dashing off to perform the nuptials of two ences should not preclude the application of tiff couples who won the right to legally marry lesbians of color—Gigi DeRosa and Fulani Butler constitutional provisions to gay men and lesbi- in the landmark case Goodridge v. the Com- of Roxbury—on Sept. 20. ans who are denied the right to marry the person monwealth of Massachusetts, became the board “Windy City Media Group generated With Black local pastors in Greater Boston and of their choice.” president of MassEquality. His appointment was enormous interest among their readers beyond still ranting and raving that their reasons At this commemoration, Mildred Loving, the resoundingly applauded throughout Black queer in this year’s LGBT Consumer Index for opposing same-sex marriage are prophylactic icon for marriage equality also spoke out in sup- communities. Survey. Out of approximately 100 to combat the epidemic level of fatherlessness port of same-sex marriage, stating, “I am not a While same-sex marriage is still not the most print and online media partners who in Black communities nationwide, and to stem political person, but I am proud that Richard’s pressing issue in black queer communities here participated in the survey, Windy the demise of the nuclear black family, what and my name is on a court case that can help and nationwide, these efforts nonetheless gen- City was the best performing regional makes us still forge forward with this act? reinforce the love, the commitment, the fair- erated discussions among us and in our com- media in the U.S. Only survey partners And with many of our family members not in ness, and the family that so many people, Black munities in the context of our families and lives with a nationwide footprint were attendance at our nuptials, for reasons ranging or white, young or old, gay or straight, seek in that matters. able to generate a greater number of from shame to religious indoctrination, what life. responses.” ­­—David Marshall, Research message are LGBTQ Americans of African descent Director, Community Marketing, Inc. Oct. 14, 2009 11 GOINGS-ON WINDY CITY TIMES’ ENTERTAINMENT SECTION

Photo by Liz Lauren CHAD TO THE BONE The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity is certainly not short on action—for excitement. See the theater review on page 12. MOVIES MUSIC SPORTS It’s a history to me. French twist. Fan-tastic. Page 16. Page 14. Page 22.

Photo courtesy of Alex Chambers

lineage, and our process as dancers has become opens the Joffrey Ballet’s 2009/10 season Oct. Dancin’ Feats a much denser and quickly moving space. Those 14-25 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress. by Zachary Whittenburg things will definitely continue.” Tickets are $25-145; call 312-739-0120 or visit Mining the past and making it new again is www.joffrey.com. Behind every dance company’s anniversary— also on River North Chicago Dance Company’s —One last anniversary to mention: Lucinda be it tin, china or silver—stretches a trail of (RNCDC’s) agenda, who have a 20th-anniversa- Childs’ DANCE, a landmark multimedia produc- late-night grant submissions, exhausting studio ry season recently anointed with four Midwest tion with music by Philip Glass and projections hours and development brainstorms. Ice packs Emmy nominations for HMS Media’s documentary by Sol LeWitt, has been rebuilt to mark its 30 tend to make frequent appearances as well. It on the company, “Every Dancer Has A Story,” years. It’s at the Museum of Contemporary Art, seems Chicago dancemakers have a habit of go- which aired in January on WTTW. It goes up for 220 E. Chicago, Oct. 15-17. Tickets are $40; see ing official in years ending in “4” and “9”:Luna its directorial, production and technical awards www.mcachicago.org. Negra Dance Theatre celebrated its first decade the same evening the company’s Harris Theater —Erin Carlisle Norton stayed offstage for The last weekend with a gala in honor of founder concert unveils a ground-up rework of the 1992 Moving Architects’ excellent evening-length Eduardo Vilaro (who recently stepped down to signature piece “Reality of a Dreamer,” originally Stops on the Line last May. For her company’s lead New York’s Ballet Hispanico), and Jan Bar- created in collaboration between then-Artistic next concert, The Tasting Room, she’ll be per- toszek’s Hedwig Dances is well into its 25th Director Sherry Zunker and RNCDC’s current head, forming a solo of her own creation, “Standing season. Frank Chaves. Chaves and composer Evan Solot’s Girl with Raised Right Elbow,” as will the oth- Oct. 14 marks the second of two evenings of last collaboration, “Underground Movements,” erworldly Ayako Kato in “impression.” Company dance cinema Bartoszek curates annually with had a dark edge that its dancers jump into with dancers will appear live in Norton’s new piece, Luna Negra dancer. Photo by Cheryl Mann Sarah Best at the Chicago Cultural Center—Arch gusto every chance they get—see Robert Bat- aptly titled “The New,” and on screen in a film of Repose, shot beachside, is a rushing dream tle’s “Train”—and they’ve reconvened for anoth- version by Jocelyn Kelvin of a subtle, tense quar- of a film she based upon a concert work from birthday or no—this is a perfect time to see the er premiere entitled “Forbidden Boundaries.” A tet from the Architects’ repertoire, “This Sandy 2007, Night Blooming Jasmine, that’s become a company, again or for the first time. native Cuban, Chaves looks to his own roots for Cube.” This will be at Links Hall, Oct. 16-17 at Hedwig staple. Whereas Jasmine onstage billows Ditto Lucky Plush Productions, whose 10th “Habaneras, the Music of Cuba,” a color parade 8 p.m. and Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in like a sheer curtain two hours before a summer anniversary kicks off Oct. 22 with Punk Yankees. set to songs Chaves grew up hearing by Ernesto advance and $18 at the door; see www.brownpa- storm, Repose’s anti-gravity cinematography, Artistic and Managing directors Julia Rhoads Lecuona, Carlos Puebla and Silvio Rodríguez. pertickets.com. by Dan Kullman and Nicolas DeGrazia of Bitter and Katie Leander, who are neighbors, have been Rounding out the bill is Monique Haley’s “Uhu- —Globetrotting Australian stomping sensa- Jester Creative, amplifies the dancers’ tumbling putting their kids to bed and burning midnight ru,” which has a purity of spirit as contagious as tions Tap Dogs are back at the Paramount Arts over one another into a horizontal avalanche. oil not just to roll Yankees out but keep Lucky H1N1. Center in Aurora, 23 E. Galena, Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. Tonight’s free showing previews a full début of Plush’s organizational growth spurt on schedule. Hedwig Dances’ 25th Anniversary Season takes Tickets are $45-$55; see 630-896-6666. Repose, aside Nadia Oussenko’s On Falling..., StealThisDance.com, a Web project expanding place at Links Hall, 3435 N. Sheffield, Oct. 23-24 —Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago has a huge Nov. 11 at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. upon ideas of sampling and appropriation in at 8 p.m. and Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 show planned for its next engagement at the Southport. choreography that are central to Punk Yankees, each; see www.brownpapertickets.com and www. Harris Theater. They’ve enlisted Philadelphia- Acrobatic and mercurial Hedwig Dancer Michel has crowdsourced new fusions of dance tech- hedwigdances.com. based choreographer Rennie Harris—beloved by Rodriguez, new to Chicago, made a stunning im- niques i.e. “Cloggingham” (Merce Cunningham- Lucky Plush Productions’ 10th Anniversary fea- just about all who’ve seen his smart, hip-hop pression last month in Khecari Dance Theatre’s eque modern abstraction meets Appalachian turing Punk Yankees is at the Dance Center of inflected choreography—to create an original The Waking Room. He follows up in Bill Young footwork) and hosted a contest, So You Think Columbia College, 1306 S. Michigan, Oct. 22-31. work on the company. His work hasn’t been seen and Colleen Thomas’ passionate, elusive “Rein, You Can Choreograph?, whose winner’s choreog- Tickets are $24; visit www.colum.edu/dance_ much in Chicago; this is a show to catch. Also Bellow,” which Hedwig shows at Links Hall this raphy Rhoads is kneading into the final version center and www.luckyplush.com. débuting new pieces are Lindsey Leduc Brenner month along with Marianela Boan’s “Stampede” of the stage show. Yankees’ movement mashups River North Chicago Dance Company’s 20th An- and Autumn Eckman, with live music by com- and Rodriguez’ own creation, “Moi, Aussi.” It’s and real/virtual experiments, Rhoads said, are a niversary is at the Harris Theater for Music and poser Dan Myers. Dances from the company’s the first of two triple bills for the company: great way for her company to comment on ret- Dance, 205 E. Randolph, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. Tickets repertoire fill out the high-energy smorgasbord in April, Bartoszek will show another new cre- rospection both inside and out of Lucky Plush at are $15-$65; see www.harristheaterchicago.org Oct. 23 and 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15-60; ation, “Dance of Forgotten Steps,” alongside the same time they mark a decade, but as for the or www.rivernorthchicago.com. visit www.harristheaterchicago.org and www. Andrea Miller and Susan Marshall’s intelligent show’s format she added, “It’s not about finding —Choreographer Lar Lubovitch and composer giordanodance.org. organicism. Bartoszek’s ensemble is in top form, a new ‘look.’ Our research has opened my eyes to Elliot Goldenthal’s take on Shakespeare’s Othello 12 Oct. 14, 2009

SPOTLIGHT

Hell is other people. At least that’s according to Jean-Paul Sartre in his 1944 drama, No Exit. Now hear how Hell sounds with music when Chicago Opera Vanguard presents the Windy City premiere of British composer Andy Vores’ 2007 operatic adaptation of No Exit. The opera plays 8 p.m. Oct. 16-17 and 3 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Center on Halsted’s Hoover-Leppen Theatre, 3656 N. Halsted. Tickets are $10-$25; see www.chicagooperavanguard.org. Photo by Ian Epstein

The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity. Photo by Liz Lauren

THEATER REVIEW permit him to lose spectacularly to the popular (together comprising a burlesque-show display A baroque plot, involving complicated terms Deity. This arrangement is acceptable to a poor of beefcake), while Usman Ally projects feline of inheritance between two powerful families The Elaborate Puerto Rican boy from the Bronx, but the newest charisma as the sardonic Vigneshwar Paduar. in 16th-century Italy, introduces the neo-Jaco- contender—a South Asian lad from Brooklyn re- And James Krag embodies the greedhead bosses bean elements that comprise the hallmarks of Entrance of imagined as the hybrid Middle-Eastern “Funda- who sign the checks. But it’s Desmin Borges who the genre to this day: cruel and/or negligent mentalist” whose “sleeper cell” kick vanquishes breaks our hearts as the humble Latino story- parents, helpless virgins, mysterious strangers, Chad Deity teller whose dreams are thwarted by a social a ready supply of edged weapons, grisly phan- Playwright: Kristoffer Diaz all foes—is not so enamored of a career in show system content to traffic in easy stereotypes for toms, preternatural phenomena (most notably, At: Victory Gardens Theatre business. a gullible public. a tombstone that spontaneously seeps blood) at the Biograph, 2433 N. Lincoln If you haven’t yet spotted a metaphor—or two, or three—you’re not alone. Wrestling fans, and ghostly interventions in the form of talking Phone: 773-871-3000; $30-$48 THEATER REVIEW portraits, convenient thunderbolts, and incan- Runs through: Nov. 1 declares the savvy impresario, are only willing to overlook the sport’s essential artifice for as descent vapors. The Castle of Reading matter designed to be savored slowly BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE long as it reflects their own fantasies of good guy/bad guy justice. To prove it, Teatro Vista over long, firelit winter evenings offers a poten- Otranto tially cumbersome amount of narrative to pack director Edward Torres converts the entire Vic- Playwright: adapted by David M. Rice Requiem for a Heavyweight ends with its bro- into the abbreviated time of modern live perfor- tory Gardens auditorium into a gladiatorial from the novel by Horace Walpole ken-down pugilist being offered a job in pro mance. On its opening night, David Rice’s adap- arena, where fighters careen around the room At: First Folio Theatre on the wrestling—playing an “Indian Chief,” whose tation for the First Folio stage, clocking in at a in “elaborate entrance” rampages before spilling Mayslake Peabody estate, role is to be defeated by a paleface opponent. tidy two and a half hours with one intermission, their violent discord down the aisles in a storm 1717 31st, Oak Brook In Kristoffer Diaz’s play, the favored champion is could not conceal unmistakable signs of last- of flying sweat. And we eat it up—in great guz- Phone: 630-986-8067; $23-$30 Chad Deity, the picture of African-American mar- minute editing, preventing actors from fully im- tial perfection, replete with gleaming muscles, zling gulps. Runs through: Nov. 1 What transforms a crowd of jaded urban the- mersing themselves into their operatic personae sweet smile, nebulous brains and no athletic and ornate milieu. (When your stage measures prowess whatsoever. His claim to glory instead atergoers into slack-jawed rubes who—when BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE our narrator says, “The crowd gasps”—obe- 48 feet by 35 feet with multiple levels—making relies on the talents of Macedonio Guerra—pro- for lengthy tramps even in the simple course of diently suck air? There’s the visceral power of Horace Walpole was a star in his own right, of fessional name, “Mace”—whose genuine skills conversation—the traffic-control factor cannot David Woolley’s fights, of course, even as the course. If not for his seminal novel, published be discounted, either.) text reveals the adagio-dance behind the bash- in 1794, centuries of Old-Dark-House thrillers— The cast of fresh young talents combined with CRITICS’ PICKS and-crash (in the ring, anyway). But what en- Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, among them—would seasoned northwest-suburban retainers were sures our hearty endorsement of this hokum is never have been written. Besides, when your clearly on the right track, however, needing Hairspray, Marriott Theatre at Lincoln- the sheer charm of the cipher-rapping youths performance space is a sprawling pseudo-Tudor only a little settling-in time to overcome the shire, through Dec. 6. If you’ve missed who snarl and grimace for the cameras (oper- manor house, complete with a fully-outfitted stumbles engendered by insufficient textual and previous Chicago visits of this big, campy ated onstage in real time by John Boesche), but Franciscan chapel, it’s only natural for a theatre logistical familiarity before finding the correct integration musical, go now to see local who are revealed to be merely eager-to-please company’s aesthetic to lean toward the gothic— pace for this Classics-Illustrated brand of period professionals do it supreme justice before jamokes looking for a break. a literary label nowadays associated with chick- drama. And amid a plethora of shriek-and-giggle every high school in the land starts produc- Kamal Angelo Bolden postures with eager-to- lit shiveries, but once signifying chronicles as shows for the Halloween season, it can’t be de- ing it. SCM please coquetry as the iconic Chad Deity, along dense and weighty as any high-calorie Naming nied that First Folio’s ambitious project, whatev- Animal Crackers, Goodman Theatre, with Christian Litke as his various challengers of Roses or Coding of DaVincis. through Nov. 1. This production makes for er its flaws, offers a refreshingly adult reminder a vastly entertaining evening, if you love of a time when “horror” was a product of things the Marx Brothers. This “revisical” faithfully lurking unseen. recreates the Marxes as a comedy act, and also recreates the style and flavor—if not the full size—of a 1920s musical. JA Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Court The- Jeff Awards atre, through Oct. 18. Greta Oglesby reigns Oct. 19 supreme as Ma Rainey, Mother of the Blues. The 41st Annual Jeff Awards ceremony— Directed by Ron OJ Parson and featuring an which honors excellence in professional ensemble of formidable talent, August Wil- theatre produced in the immediate Chicago son’s Chicago-set tale of music and racism area—will be held on Monday, Oct. 19, at the in the roaring ’20s is well-played. CS North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Mistakes Were Made, A Red Orchid The- 9501 Skokie, Skokie. atre, through Oct. 31. When a 17-year-old A pre-show appetizer buffet will take place Michael Shannon made his professional act- 6-7:30 p.m., and the awards ceremony begins ing debut in 1990, we knew he was some- at 7:30 p.m. Advance purchase tickets, which thing special. Now see how he’s grown— include the ceremony and the pre-show you won’t be disappointed. MSB buffet, are $75 ($55 for members of Actors’ —By Abarbanel, Barnidge, Equity Association, United Scenic Artists, Morgan and Sullivan Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and The Dramatists Guild of America). See The Castle of Otranto. Photo by D. Rice www.JeffAwards.org. Oct. 14, 2009 13

CULTURE CLUB The Hundred Dresses. Lifeline Theatre presents Photo by Michael TREASURE Brosilow ISLAND

THEATER REVIEW show more darkness instead of being so relent- The Hundred lessly sunny. Dresses THEATER REVIEW Playwright: G. Riley Mills and Ralph Covert Fear At: Chicago Children’s Theatre Conceived and curated by: Noelle Krimm Through November1, 2009 at Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted At: The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland Phone: 312-988-9000; $28-$38 (above Nelson’s Funeral Home) Call 773-761-4477 or visit Runs through: Nov. 22 Phone: 773-275-5255; www.lifelinetheatre.com $15-$10 seniors, students BY SCOTT C. MORGAN Runs through: Oct 31 ROSENCRANTZ AND Adults playing small kids on stage can be cloy- BY CATEY SULLIVAN ing. But they can also tap into their own child- GUILDENSTERN hoods to add layers of self-awareness that most The most unnerving aspect of the Neo-Futurist’s acting tots can’t convincingly convey. interactive excursion into the world of Edgar These two dynamics are on full display in Allen Poe has little to do with the celebrated ARE DEAD Chicago Children’s Theatre’s world premiere ad- tragic author. Cynics—or theatergoers more BY TOM STOPPARD DIRECTED BY MICHAEL HALBERSTAM aptation of The Hundred Dresses. Actors like sophisticated than ourselves—will dismiss the Performed at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe Tyler Ravelson (as the costume-obsessed Wil- mid-show shocker as transparent, manipulative lie Bounce) and Elana Ernst (as the cutesy tap- artifice. But huddled in the dark alley outside “HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.” dancer Cecile Caldwell) push far too hard. But Nelson’s Funeral Home as our guide through the the others bring the believable complexity to Neo-Futurist’s horror show ripped off her mask “RAZOR-SHARP.” their turns as kids either facing crises of con- and screamed for someone to dial 9-1-1, we “SUBLIMELY SPARKLING.” science or being blithely unaware of their hurt- were truly freaked the heck out. ful behavior. As sirens wailed in the background, our claus- - CHICAGO SUN-TIMES The tendency to over-enthuse is just one of trophobic, trippy fall down the Neo’s nightmar-

Production Sponsor MARY PAT the minor flaws in this new musical based upon ish rabbit-hole continued. STUDDERT

NOW PLAYING–ORDER TICKETS TODAY! Corporate Production Sponsor a famous 1944 anti-bullying children’s book by Curated and conceived by Noelle Krimm, Fear

Media Sponsor the team of author Eleanor Estes and illustra- is at times disquieting, but it isn’t among the WRITERSTHEATRE.ORG | 847-242-6000 WRITERS’ THEATRE tor Louis Slobodkin. But the positives largely Neo’s greatest endeavors. If you aren’t familiar outweigh the minor flaws in this spry and en- with the Poe’s story the Fall of the House of AboutAbA out FaFFacece TTheatreheattre ppresentsresentn s tertaining production directed by Sean Graney Usher; his great, fearsome poem “The Bells;” or (Honus and Me). the horrific particulars of The Pit and the Pendu- Instead of focusing mostly on the bullied girl lum, Fear won’t resonate as it might otherwise. Wanda Petronski (a nicely sullen Lauren Patten) Our guide of this house of macabre wonders or her spoiled tormentor Peggy Hawthorne (a was a character from Usher. (Audience members perky Natalie Berg), The Hundred Dresses fo- go through in groups—there are several cos- cuses mostly on the bystander Maddie Martin tumed guides.) Her seemingly nonsensical ram- (Leslie Ann Sheppard). blings will seem over the top and derivative of FestivalFests ival As Maddie, Sheppard is fully able to convey a thousand schlock-horror movies if you don’t off NewNeww how she knows the bullying is wrong (especially know Poe’s story. And while a bloodied, mum- WorksWoW rks when it’s due to Wanda’s lower-income status mified bride is scary in and of herself, she’s a September 21 – November 7 and her retort that she owns 100 glamorous whole lot more so when you know her as Poe’s dresses at home). But Maddie isn’t brave enough masterful creation. Featuring THE FLOWERS For tickc ets & ini fo, visit to stand up to her popular friends doing the bul- Audience members are on their feet for most of lying. the hour-long tour, grasping the long, shroud- By Adam Bock abbououtfaca ettheatree.com Composer Ralph Covert of Ralph’s World fame like wedding veil train as the tormented bride Oct 15 - Nov 7 or call 866-6 8111-4111 and playwright G. Riley Mills have created an leads the way down dark, stifling hallways, past At Stage Left Theatre overwhelmingly sunny take on The Hundred grimacing portraits and into rooms where manic, Dresses. Perhaps too much, since the adaptors malevolent porcine creatures maraud on two legs $20 Tickets don’t dwell long enough on some of the darker like some dastardly version of Animal Farm. elements of the story, like how teacher Miss It’s all the stuff of the nightmares to be sure, Mason (Nadira Bost) refuses to intervene, nor but until things seem to veer dangerously off of the outrage of father Jan Petronski (Kurt Eh- script in the alley, the show has a static feel to it rmann) at Wanda’s mistreatment. despite the fact that the audience is constantly But what I really missed was a greater sense of on the move. In many respects, the bride guide contrition among the remaining school kids af- seems more like a spoof of something scary than ter Wanda’s final act that shows how she wasn’t the real thing. The constant murk is a problem: a liar. The kids’ realization that their failure to Sure darkness is to be expected in a haunted befriend Wanda comes off more as a celebratory house, but when you can’t make out what’s go- staging moment of wonderment rather than one ing on in the show, that darkness becomes more of remorse at a lost opportunity. annoying than it is scary. Those standing toward That said, The Hundred Dresses certainly cap- the back of the train for the interactive painting tures a young audiences attention. The produc- demonstration and the puppet show will be left tion design elements are as bright as a crayon- craning their necks and wondering what’s going colored drawing, while all the musical aspects on in the front of the room. under the direction of music director Andra Velis Perhaps the most memorably chilling part of Simon are top-notch. the production lies just before it starts, as the In our day and age when the word “faggot” is audience is forced to step around a hollow-eyed one of the worst epithets hurled on the play- woman burying herself alive. This image of dirt ground, bringing The Hundred Dresses’ message and decay is a hideous reminder of that which about bullying in a new form is a noble and we all know will eventually occur but which we timely gesture by Chicago Children’s Theatre. My all utterly deny. Now that’s really scary. only wish is that the creators were willing to 14 Oct. 14, 2009 THEATER REVIEW As handsomely staged by Michael Halberstam, a veteran cast of oft-proven mettle sails through Rosencrantz and Stoppard’s and Shakespeare’s dense text provid- ing entertainment, intellectual stimulation and Guildenstern Rosencrantz colorful tableaux. “The best actors in the world” and (as Polonius says) are lead by Sean Fortunato Are Dead Guildenstern Playwright: Tom Stoppard as Rosencrantz channeling Stan Laurel, Timothy are Dead. Edward Kane as the hyper-rational Guildenstern At: Writers’ Theatre, 325 Tudor, Glencoe Photo by Tickets: 847-242-6000; and sonorous-voiced Allen Gilmore as the Player Michael King, an archetypal survivor (as R&G themselves writerstheatre.org; $40-$65 Brosilow Runs through: Dec. 6 are not). They are on the dry side—more intel- lectually amusing than charming—but nonethe- BY JONATHAN ABARBANEL less appealing. The larger passions are left to momentary flashes from the secondary charac- I was 20 and this play was new when I saw the ters. iota, nor has the passionate intelligence—po- tramps in Waiting for Godot or Pinter’s killers original London production and was astonished The principals and supporting players are litical, scientific, cultural and metaphysical—of in The Dumb Waiter, Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and by its audacious comedy, intelligence and liter- dressed in Rachel Anne Healy’s rich and wittily its author, now Sir Tom Stoppard. Seeing this Guildenstern find themselves in a random and ary parody, turning minor characters from Ham- eccentric costumes, paraded across Collette Pol- play after many years is like returning to an old often cruel universe controlled by forces beyond let—the Player King and the title pair—into the lard’s theater-within-a-theater scenic design. friend, and Writers’ Theatre makes the reunion their understanding, which renders their lives starring roles. In his first great success, author Indeed, Halberstam’s grandest conceit is estab- absolutely worthwhile. meaningless. Guildenstern continually tries to Tom Stoppard was brazen enough to tell you lishing R&G Are Dead as a play-within-a-play, But 40 years on, it’s not the intelligence and make scientific sense of it all while the dimmer precisely what he was about: “We do onstage obvious to all except R&G themselves who re- literary parody that impress me; it’s Stoppard’s Rosencrantz drifts with the current. Meantime what others do off,” the Player King explained, main befuddled even at the curtain call. If we debt to Samuel Beckett and Oscar Wilde that the literary wit, elegant phrases and comedy of “which is a kind of integrity if you consider that are intrigued without ever quite being enlight- seems so clear. The play is an absurdist work manners are descendents of Oscar Wilde. “We’re every exit is an entrance somewhere else.” ened about life, well, that’s the touch of Rosen- written at the height of European absurdism with tied to a language that makes up in obscurity That was four decades ago, and the wit and crantz and Guildenstern in each of us. Beckett, Pinter, Ionesco, Havel and others at the what it lacks in style,” Guildenstern observes in luster of R&G Are Dead hasn’t diminished one height of their writing powers. Like Beckett’s a pure-Wilde moment.

son,” for me to carry their art, Marr said. DECIBELLE MUSIC FEST Sapere Art pieces range from $100 to $5,000. A percentage of all sales are donated to non- Emilie Simon: profit organizations in the areas of HIV/AIDS Emilie and substance abuse as well as charities that Electronica with Simon. promote sustainable agriculture and “Farm to Table” concepts to provide healthier foods for a French twist by TERRI-LYNNE WALDRON all Americans, Marr said. “Being able to leave Corporate America with As the toast of France (her homeland), Europe a little bit of a [financial] nest egg, I decided and Japan, Emilie Simon has been celebrated to do something with art while I decided what for her inventive sound and mesmerizing stage to do,” with the rest of my life,” said Marr, 51, performances. With five CDs released in her na- where inspiration comes from sometimes. who lives in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. “I tive country, Simon released her United States WCT: Did your parents encourage you to didn’t want to be the old man catering guy, stuck debut, The Flower Book, in 2006. She performs pursue music? behind a desk selling. So, I took the chance to Oct. 15 as part of the the Decibelle Music and ES: I’ve always been very independent so they step out, take a break. I originally meant this to know that I would always be somebody that be a studio with maybe one or two other artists Culture Festival. Simon discusses her musical took care of myself. So they really trust me and on display. But I’m having a lot of fun being a upbringing, her independent spirit and the in- supported me. But I always wanted to be a mu- Gary Marr. Photo by Ross Forman [gallery owner], representing artists. novation in her music. sician because I have been writing, playing and “I never envisioned this, or even [envisioned] Windy City Times: Tell me about your musi- singing since I was young. It has always been being an artist, though I’ve always been one. cal background. present in my life. Marr-sighted: I’ve always been a sales and marketing guy. But, Emilie Simon: I went to music school when I

being the director of catering, I’ve always been was very young so I stayed there from the age WCT: You are fluent in both French and Eng- Artist pursues responsible for the visual and organizational of 7 to 13. And then I starting writing my own lish, but do you have a comfort level writing side of events, so hanging a gallery is pretty songs and playing piano. I was in a few bands and singing in French versus English? his dream easy to me. for fun and when I was 18 I went back to the ES: It’s really nice to sing in both but right now BY ROSS FORMAN “I started this because it was fun. Now I’m Sorbonne which is a university for musicology. I I am in a very English period because I moved

actually getting serious about it.” did a little bit at the IRCAM which is the centre to New York and I am surrounded by English. I After 30 years, including the last 10 as the di- Sapere Art held an art contest in September of research in Paris specializing in software for do write more melodies in English right now in rector of catering for the Hyatt Regency Hotel in for, literally, starving artists—and the top prize contemporary music or electronic acoustic mu- a natural way. When I was living in France I was downtown Chicago, Gary Marr has left corporate was $1,000 cash. The showing runs through Oct. sic. writing in French in a natural way. America—by his choosing, not as a casualty of 18. WCT: The Decibelle Music and Culture Festi- WCT: Your music has been described as today’s economy, as others have faced. “I want to take the gallery to another step val caters to performers of diverse sexual ori- “plush, artful soundscapes.” How do you cre- Instead, Marr is pursuing a dream, housed on sometime in the future. I probably will end up entations and musical styles? Why do think ate some of your sounds? the third floor of the Flat Iron Arts Building, in a storefront, somewhere with heavier foot- that this event is important? ES: I was recording sounds in my everyday life 1579 N. Milwaukee, located in the Wicker Park/ traffic. But I want to keep it as alive of a place ES: I think it’s good for independence, free- like the water, the wind and stones, all these Bucktown neighborhood. He’s done his time at where you enjoy going [to],” said Marr, who dom and expression. And I’m really happy to be different natural sounds. I was collecting them Hyatt, and the Marriott Hotel for 20 years be- was on Board of Directors for Center on Halsted a part of this because I’m very independent and and organizing them into beats. For example I fore that. Now he’s working with artists such as and was on Hyatt’s Corporate Diversity Council. I have my own vision of the type of music I want recorded the river floating in nature so I sampled Eulalio Fabie de Silva, Ezra Siegel, Jacqueline “Many of the galleries in town are beautiful and to do and the type of things I want to achieve in it and processed it and used all the electronic Patrice, Joe Boudreau and Mark Lace. have great art, with great owners, but they don’t my life. tools to process the natural sounds and organize Marr now runs Sapere Art, a gallery that covers have a good vibe; you feel like you’re in a very WCT: Your current release in France is The them to my music. the emerging to the emerged, including Marr’s quiet museum.” Big Machine. Will that get a U.S release? WCT: What can people expect from your per- art. He acknowledges that he prefers to “go with Sapere Art is now located inside a former furni- ES: It’s going to be released in the States in formance at the Decibelle Music and Culture the flow, use varied mediums, change genres ture factory, built in 1918, and since overtaken Festival? from day to day and not follow instructors’ sug- 2010. by artists. Marr’s store is in the old warehouse ES: It’s a solo, so it’s me and my keyboard and gestions.” WCT: In France you were awarded the Vic- portion, where furniture was made. my machine and I’m playing and singing. It’s a Marr offers the work of 16 artists, from rookies toire De La Musique (the French Grammys). “I guess I am an escapee from corporate Amer- little bit experimental, but it’s the same songs to some with 40 years of experience; the young- What records did you get the awards for? ica,” Marr said. “I miss knowing that I have a that I play onstage with my band, but with the est is 21. The styles at Sapere Art are wide-rang- ES: All of them, except for the live record paycheck coming in every other week and know- electronic side more present. ing. “There is something here for everyone, for L’Olympia in Paris. It was for my first studio al- ing that my benefits cost me half of what I’m every taste,” Marr said. His artists don’t com- bum, Emilie Simon, The Best Electronic album Of The Decibelle Music and Culture Festival now paying. I kind of miss the regularity of it. I pete, meaning, he does not have multiple artists The Year, and March of The Penguins was for Best runs Oct. 15-18., featuring groundbreaking also do not miss the irregularity of it. who work in the same genre and style. “I keep Soundtrack. international indie artists performing an “But I really love the freedom I now have. I them as uniquely different as I can.” WCT: How do you feel about being compared eclectic mix of music, including alt-country, am completely responsible for everything now; The most popular are de Silva and Atom to Björk? hip-hop, electronic, rock and experimental. I’m a one-man band. I never thought I’d be a Basham, 36, an Andersonville resident being ES: I am also compared to Kate Bush so it The festival also features a literary night, an Retail Queen. But I am, and I really like it. I shown publicly for the first time. depends on the journalists and also the albums. acoustic and electronic music lounge and DJs like ringing up the sale, and I even really enjoy Of the 16 artists on display at Sapere Art, two I don’t mind. Everybody needs to explain the from across the United States as well as Paris, wrapping” art for transporting or shipping. are openly gay, said Marr, whose partner of 20 kind of direction in your music. It’s pop music France. For more info visit www.decibelle. years is Mark Allen. and I grew up listening to other artists and it org. “They have to be a person who I like as a per- all becomes a big mixture and I don’t even know Oct. 14, 2009 15 rock. The Chicago-based

outfit reaches into a well DECIBELLE MUSIC FEST

of inspiration with every JD Samson: track relating to the Oscar

winning icon. Sure, Craw- Singer—and builder ford has been dead for 22 by charlsie dewey years, but the entire set

keeps her spirit alive. “Mad If you are looking for something fun to do Oc- at the Dirt” recalls the OCD tober 15-18, look no further than Estrojam’s cleaning moment from the POP annual Decibelle Music and Culture Festival. film favorite Mommie Dear- The multi-faceted festival, now in its seventh est. “Joan Crawford Goes MAKING year, includes concerts, literary readings, film to Hell” and “Joan World” screenings and workshops with emerging and SENSE could very well be lost B- groundbreaking artists from around the world 52s gems from 1982. Bust as well as artists who have already made an out those shoulder pads impact in their artistic mediums and in build- and paint on some thick ing a strong community for women to strive eyebrows; We Are the Joans and succeed. Socially and politically conscious is available now on CDBaby. performers, such as JD Samson of LeTigre and com. The Joans continues by David Byrne with Tony Peregrin MEN, hope to bring people out for the night its celluloid connection with a concert to cel- and remind them of how important it is to JD Samson. ebrate the opening of The Reeling Film Festival Queer trio The Gossip is known for its live shows, have a strong and broad community of sup- on Thursday, Nov. 5, at Architectural Artifacts, having done the festival circuit abroad this sum- port. Windy City Times spoke with the perpetu- WCT: What can people expect when they 4325 N. Ravenswood. mer. Lead singer Beth Ditto has achieved pop ally busy Samson as she prepares for several come out to Berlin on Friday? The buzzworthy British electronic duo La Roux status overseas, once “Standing in the Way of upcoming performances around the country. JDS: I think it’s going to be a really great has scored big overseas with the singles “In for Control” crossed over into the top 10 after its Windy City Times: So, you’re going to be night. It’s a really awesome festival to be a the Kill” and “Bulletproof.” The pair’s self-titled use in a British commercial. performing at Decibelle Oct. 16. Have you part of and it’s great to be able to do it. On debut is finally out stateside via Cherrytree Re- The much anticipated follow-up, Music for played the festival before? the night of The Gossip show, I feel like it will cords. La Roux possesses an icy ‘80s synthesizer Men, is available now with the bonus track “The JD Samson: They have asked me to play at be kind of an after party for us, and also it’s feel, as if Human League were spinning Touch Breakdown.” On the lead single “Heavy Cross,” the festival many times and I’ve never been really just great to keep that kind of safe zone, Dance by The Eurythmics at Soft Cell’s Electro Ditto shows off her soulful pipes. In the video, able to. Every time we got asked to play it was just headed down the street for dancing after Cabaret. she is dolled up, recalling fellow full-figured fa- just the wrong time of year for us to be coming the show. That’s something that I am always The superb set also contains the single-worthy vorites Alyson Moyet and Culture Club back-up through Chicago, but this time my band [MEN] really into, people being able to have this safe slower electronic numbers “Cover My Eyes” and singing sensation Helen Terry. is going to be on tour with The Gossip and we and comfortable space to dance and really feel “Armour Love.” La Roux is slated to perform on Music for Men also features the catchy but are playing in Chicago at The Metro that night safe. It’s fun to be able to have that twice in Wed., Oct. 21, at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln, cliché-ridden “Vertical Rhythm,” “Dimestore so it just worked out perfectly. I’m going to be one night. after pulling out of this summer’s Lollapalooza Diamond” and “Love Long Distance.” One of the DJing at Berlin after we play with The Gossip. JD Samson is scheduled to perform at Ber- line-up. Looking for the perfect inclusion for standouts here is the electro-flavored “Four Let- WCT: Have you been to Berlin before? lin, 954 W. Belmont, on Friday, Oct. 16, at the sequel to Tron’s soundtrack? Look no further ter Word.” Before heading out for a European JDS: Yes, I actually spent my twenty-first 10 p.m. Tickets are $7. than La Roux. tour, The Gossip will be returning to Chicago on birthday there. I lived in Chicago for 1 sum- Find out why JD Samson’s remix collabora- With his sophomore effort, The Boy Who Knew Friday, Oct. 16, at The Metro, 3730 N. Clark. mer, so I was there at Berlin on my birthday. tion is called “MEN” and other facts online Too Much, Mika still apes gay music royalty El- The ever-evolving artist Meshell Ndegeocello It was funny. It was Prince night. I’ve DJed at at www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com. made an everlasting impression with her promis- ton John, George Michael and, most obviously, Berlin a bunch of times, maybe five. I love it ing 1993 debut, Plantation Lullabies, on Madon- Freddie Mercury. At least he does it well. there. It’s awesome. na’s label Maverick Records. Then, a cover of Van Throughout, Mika’s outing seems to be stuck Morrison’s “Wild Nights” with John Mellencamp in the glory days of his high school years, like became her biggest hit to date. She continues much of Meat Loaf’s catalog. Yes, “We Are Gold- to do some remakes, as her artistry shines on en” shares the same teenage dreams as Ace of new takes on “Fantasy” on last year’s Earth Wind Base’s “Lucky of Love.” The remarkable “Touches and Fire tribute compilation Interpretations You” is a spastic offspring of Michael’s “Father and “Two Doors Down” from Just Because I’m Figure.” The set not only hints at a certain big a Woman: The Songs of Dolly Parton. On Nde- pink elephant in the room, but it closes on a geocello’s latest, Devil’s Halo, she puts her own high note with the brassy “Toy Boy” and the seductive spin on Ready for the World’s “Love drastically different “Pick up off the Floor.” You Down.” Mika is scheduled to take to the stage on Tues- The outstanding Devil’s Halo has her effort- day, Oct. 20, at the Riviera, 4746 N. Racine. lessly treading forth with soul (“Hair of the In the race of young talented female singer- Dog,” “Crying in Your Beer”) and alternative rock songwriters with a retro sound, Nicole Atkins is (“Slaughter,” “Lola”). As a part of the Decibelle the dark horse, while Amy Winehouse and Duffy Music and Culture Festival, the bisexual bassist lead the pack. The critically acclaimed American will have two concerts Friday, Oct. 16, at The Old counterpart’s 2007 debut Neptune City boasts Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln. the influences of Patsy Cline set to rock n roll. As member of LeTigre, JD Samson made a Atkins and her backing band The Black Sea will splash in the electro-dance scene. Since then, be at Subterranean, 2011 W. North, on Saturday, Samson has become a part of ’ touring Oct. 24. band, The Herms. Decibelle attendees will be Atkins’ digital covers EP, Digs Other People’s partying well into the night on Friday, Oct. 16, Songs, is available now. Here, she adds her epi- courtesy of Samson’s DJ set at Berlin, 954 W. cally tragic twist to “Under the Milky Way” and Belmont. For the entire Decibelle line up, please “Dream a Little Dream of Me.” Although Colum- visit www.decibelle.org. bia Records and Atkins parted ways, the artist Everybody’s favorite Joan Crawford-inspired from New Jersey still is working on her next al- band has released its debut. The Joans remains bum. New material will be performed during her far from a being just another novelty act thanks tour. to the group’s fun modern take on new-wave A remake of Michael Jackson’s “Ben” can be heard at nicoleatkinsblog.blogspot.com.

The Joans.

Sunday, October 18, 3:30pm • Tuesday, October 20, 7:30pm Director Ron Pajak in person • Advance tickets available MUSICBOXTHEATRE.COM • QUEARBORNANDPERVERSION.COM MUSIC BOX THEATRE • 3733 N. SOUTHPORT CHICAGO • 773-871-6604

Windy City Times 1/4 5" x 6.625 16 Oct. 14, 2009 Our People suffered are recounted that result- E. Illinois. See www.chicagofilmfestival.com. The evening kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with cock- ed—slowly—in the rise of gay activism with the tails, hors d’oeuvres and a buffet dinner before Mattachine Society and other activist groups Film notes: the 7:30 p.m. screening. See www.cmdcschool. KNIGHT coming together. —LOGO kicks off its third annual fall film fes- com. Pajak also includes an overview of the Black tival Sunday, Oct. 18 (new offerings each Sunday —Pioneering Canadian experimental feminist AT gay and lesbian community, and the film doesn’t night), with the television debut of An English- filmmaker Joyce Wieland is the subject of Artist THE pull any punches when noting the “segregation man in New York, the sequel to the acclaimed on Fire: The Films of Joyce Wieland, a retrospec- within the segregation” that occurred within the The Naked Civil Servant. John Hurt again por- tive of her varied career on Oct. 16-17 at 7 p.m. MOVIES gay community. Quearborn & Perversion ends as trays the late contrarian queer activist-writer- at the University of Chicago Film Studies Center, Chicago queer history entered a new era—on performer Quentin Crisp, and traces the lat- 5811 S. Ellis Ave., Cobb Hall 306. The two-day June 28, 1970—the date of Chicago’s first pride ter half of his life as a gay celebrity living in program includes a trio of shorts and Wieland’s parade, which kicked off from Bug House Square Manhattan. Out actors Cynthia Nixon and Denis 1969 feature La Raison Avant La Passion. The Ex- (the once infamous gay hustler cruising park at O’Hare co-star. See www.logoonline.com. perimental Film Club hosts; see www.filmstudies- Dearborn and Division whose nickname is the —The world premiere of Raising the Barre: The center.uchicago.edu. film’s title). Homer Bryant Story, a 30-minute documentary, Check out my archived reviews at www. The participants, who numbered less than 150, will run at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. windycitytimes.com or www.knightatthemov- then bravely marched down Michigan Avenue (at State, on Wed., Oct. 21, as part of a benefit for ies.com. Readers can leave feedback at the one point, they’re ironically seen walking past the Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center. Bryant latter Web site. Quearborn & a theatre showing the campy film Myra Breck- is the founder and artistic director of the group. enridge) and into the Loop toward Daley Plaza Perversion; more demanding gay rights—setting us up perfectly for a sequel. Here’s hoping Pajak finds the fund- All roads lead to CIFF; film notes ing and a shorter time frame to make it happen. Pajak’s Quearborn BY RICHARD KNIGHT, JR. The Aluminum Group provides music. Pajak will appear in person at both screenings, & Perversion It’s taken out filmmaker Ron Pajak more than which will partially benefit the Chicago History BY RICHARD KNIGHT, JR. 10 years to assemble the final cut ofQuearborn Museum. See www.musicboxtheatre.com. & Perversion, his anecdotal overview of Chica- Two years ago I experienced one of those sin- go’s gay history. But the tinkering has paid off The Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) gular cinema experiences that any film fanatic and Pajak—who makes his feature debut with is into its second week with a packed line-up lives for—the catharsis that occurs when what this compelling labor of love—has assembled that includes several LGBT-themed titles in is happening on screen is experienced simulta- a deeply emotional, captivating portrait of our the fest’s OUTrageous category still remaining. neously by the audience, magically transformed local queer forebears. Pajak’s documentary will Those include The Thank You Girls, a story of by the flickering images in front of them into have its world premiere Sunday, Oct. 18, at 3:30 big-city drag queens loose in the rural provinces one shared consciousness. The occasion was p.m. and Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the in the Philippines (screens Oct. 17-18); Eyes a screening at the Chicago History Museum Ron Pajak. Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport. Like last Wide Open, a gay love story set in Jerusalem’s of Quearborn & Perversion, a late entry into year’s WTTW documentary, Out & Proud, I think ultra-Orthodox community (Oct. 17-19); and A that year’s Reeling Film Festival. Sitting in the it should be required viewing for not just those Woman’s Way, a Greek melodrama that features dark with my audience of fellow queers (of all to start editing the film until I had a comfort- interested in Chicago’s queer history, but Chi- a love affair between an ex-con and a transsex- stripes and shapes), we embraced director Ron able amount of archival material because what cago’s history, period. ual hooker (Oct. 17-18). Pajak’s moving, insightful, painful and often I didn’t want was the film to be just a “talking- Chicago’s blue-collar, macho image was at odds Mississippi Damned, which screens Oct. very funny social history of Chicago’s gay his- head film.” with the first attempts at gay lib—to say the 15-17, isn’t officially part of the OUTrageous tory. WCT: Was the Gerber/Hart Library a re- least—back in 1924, when Henry Gerber started category. But with its prominent lesbian charac- Since that screening, out filmmaker and source for you at all? the city’s first gay-rights group (the Society for ter and certainly as the impressive feature debut native Chicagoan Pajak has tinkered with his RP: Yes it was, but a bigger, primary resource Human Rights). But, ironically, Illinois was also of its Black lesbian writer-director Tina Mabry baby—a decade-long labor of love—until it is was the Chicago History Museum. They were a the only state in the country where homosexual and her co-producer/life partner Morgan Stiff, it now ready for its world premiere. This will oc- wonderful resource for many things. They also activity wasn’t illegal. Pajak—utilizing archival should have been. No matter: Categories aside, cur Sunday, Oct. 18 at 3:30 p.m. and again on have an incredible archival staff that did a lot footage, photographs, memorabilia and comput- this don’t-miss film—which has won awards at Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m., both at the Mu- of work for me. They’re a co-producer on the er graphics—takes us on an overview of some of OUTfest and other LGBT festivals—is here. sic Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport. Pajak, who film and this is one of the few they’ve done the city’s gay firsts. Our tour guides are a host The movie—set in 1986 and 1998 in the will appear at both screenings, was excited to that on. of vibrant gay and lesbian pioneers and their South—is a searing, emotionally packed portrait talk with Windy City Times about Quearborn & WCT: Did you run into some people who kin—activists, authors, artists, performers, just of a lively but dysfunctional Black family worn Perversion. (The title is the nickname for Chi- were reticent to talk to you? plain folks—who share their bittersweet and of- down by all manner of familiar demons (physical cago’s onetime infamous hustler cruising spot RP: Sure, it’s not like everyone I talked to ten hilarious reminisces without hesitation. and sexual abuse, drug addiction, homophobia located at Dearborn & Division.) said “Yes.” I was rarely refused personally but Several of the city’s social gay history hall- over a lesbian daughter’s crush on a best friend, Windy City Times: Why has it taken over people who I met would say, “Oh, I’ve got marks are affectionately remembered—Chicago’s dashed hopes and dreams, etc.). Only young 10 years for the film to come together? friends” and then they would talk to the friends first drag club (back in the ‘30s), the first rough Kari, with her talent for music, has a chance of Ron Pajak: I knew it was going to take a and some would and some expressed no inter- trade bar Benny the Bum’s (1947), Big Lou’s, getting out. But can she overcome the onslaught while because early on I made a decision that est at all. It was definitely more difficult early the first lesbian bar (from the early ‘50s—before of tribulations thrown in her path? The film is I wanted it to be as diverse as possible. If on with older women. I think that women, in that, lesbians often met at ballgames), the pop- melodramatic, but emotionally gripping perfor- I wanted to make a white, gay guy movie I general, are a little bit more camera shy or not ular drag bar the Chesterfield from the mid-’60s. mances from its little known African-American would have been done nine years ago because as narcissistic—really. Even more interestingly, Often, it’s the private parties held behind closed cast help balance the clichés. Mabry will attend that was easy to find. But I just didn’t want many more women than men were married and doors—accompanied by amazing home-movie the screenings along with Stiff and cast member to do that. I had no connections to people of had families. Even though they’ve been out for footage—that elicit the most vivid memories. Chastity Hammette, a Chicago native, who plays color or to older lesbians and that’s what took decades, they had children or grandchildren— Then Pajak moves into darker territory when Leigh, the film’s lesbian character. a lot of patience and time. A lot. But eventu- and I think that gave them pause regarding human-rights indignities and shameful incidents All CIFF screenings are at AMC River East, 322 ally it worked out. Once I got the critical mass being on camera. It just took some connec- of my subjects is really when I started diving tions. into doing the research regarding all the archi- WCT: When I first saw the film at the His- val materials and the photos to go along with tory Museum as part of the Reeling Festi- the stories that I had collected. val two years ago that was such a stunning WCT: Where did you go to do that? revelation—those home movies were like a RP: Well, that added another layer of compli- hidden history revealed. cation and another reason why it took so long RP: Thank you. What I showed at Reeling because there’s just no resource for “I want was really a work in progress and I believe pictures of gay men in the 1940s.” Libraries that what I’ve put together now is a little bit don’t have that. Books like that don’t exist. tighter, a little bit more polished. I put in some So it was really a lot of private investigative material that wasn’t quite ready yet. There is work. Most of the archives were just personal new material toward the end of the film—the archives from subjects or word of mouth. They African-American sequence and the lesbian/ came from people who aren’t in the film but feminist sequence. Then I went through and are of the era. But they’re all from Chicago— pared down each of the sequences so I could everything you see in the film is from Chicago. fit in the new ones and not have a six-and- I was a stickler about that. I was pretty much a-half-hour miniseries. The goal was to get it asking almost everyone I ran into in my life down under two hours. whether they knew someone who had archive Read www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com for material—it just became this pitch and every the full interview and find out what Pajak Mississippi Damned. so often I got lucky with someone who had said didn’t make the cut. home movies or photographs. I wasn’t going Oct. 14, 2009 17 March on D.C. Photos by Rex Wockner and Chuck Colbert. More photos online at www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com

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JOFFREY DANCER FABRICE CALMELS PHOTO BY HERBERT MIGDOLL 18 Oct. 14, 2009

http://www.centeronhalsted.org 11th Annual Matthew Shepard March for LGBTs This year’s theme will be stopping Chicago Police violence and discrimina- tion against our community, in particular an officer at the Town Hall Station who has over 20 federal lawsuits against him. Brought to you by the combined efforts of We will march through the community, in- cluding past Alderman Tunney’s office and the 23rd District Chicago Police Station. IT’S RAINING MEN (773) 209-1187 http://gayliberation.net Friday, Oct. 16 John Waters: This Filthy World An evolving mix of stand-up, spoken word and theater that Waters describes as 708-974-5500 JD Samson of MEN will perform http://www.morainevalley.edu/fpac at Berlin, 954 W. Belmont. Wed., Oct. 14 Make Me An Underwear Model Miss Foozie Rainbow Group at the Center on Halsted MATTHEW’S MARCH hosts the search for the hottest under- Rainbow Group: this support group is for wear talent to grace Wild Pug’s monthly LGBTQ individuals with chronic mental ill- Saturday, Oct. 17 web calendar. Sign up and you may win ness. The purpose of the group is to foster $200. DJ Oskar spins beginning at 10 p.m. a new sense of pride, share this experience The Matthew Shepard March will http://www.worldsgreatestbar.com with http://www.centeronhalsted.org kick off at Halsted and Roscoe at Vital Nights: Rockit Vital Bridges’ Junior 7 p.m. Networking Committee invites you to Vi- Sunday, Oct. 18 tal Nights, Chicago’s newest premier social PFLAG Chicago Chapter Parents Families Elders) group hosts its weekly discussion networking and charity event at Rockit Bar group http://www.centeronhalsted.org Windy City Times file photo and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) & Grill, 22 W. Hubbard from 6:30 - 8:30pm monthly meeting is on Sunday 19 from UNPUGGED: An Acoustic Concert Series on Wednesday, October 14th 773-665- 2-4pm. We meet every third Sunday of Rock out at Wild Pug’s acoustic concert 1000 http://www.vitalbridges.org/pages/ the month. We have guest speakers and series. http://www.worldsgreatestbar.com event-detail/17.php?id=14 an open discussion group. All are invited. Creating a Life that Matters Creating a Life Meetings are at Howard Brown Health that Matters: Rediscover Your Relationship claimed Queer Duo The Scooty & Jojo commodations at the four star Sheraton Center, 4025 N. Sheridan. Our helpline is Wed., Oct. 21 with the Sacred; 6:45pm - 8:45pm. Open Show’s Spine-shivering Send-up Of John Manhattan Hotel, and tickets to New 630-415-0622, our email is pflagmetro- Rainbow Group at the Center on Halsted to All $25 materials fee (scholarships Carpenter’s Horror Classic Set To The The York’s two hottest Broadway shows: A [email protected], our website is Rainbow Group: this support group is for available) http://www.centeronhalsted. Carpenters’ Classic Songs. Starring Popu- STEADY RAIN, with Daniel Craig and Hugh www.pflagillinois.org. http://pflagillinois. LGBTQ individuals with chronic mental ill- org lar Drag Artist Scooty As Jamie Lee Curtis Jackman, and BILLY ELLIOT, winner of 10 org ness. The purpose of the group is to foster workOUT: Body Guard & Self-defense The And Featuring Original Cast Members, The 2009 Tony Awards. Male Call with Miss Foozie at Roscoe’s a new sense of pride, share this experience Center on Halsted hosts workOUT: Body Big-headed Church Puppets And A 3-piece SAGE Intuitive Process Art Making SAGE Roscoe’s and ChicagoPride.com present with http://www.centeronhalsted.org Guard/Self-Defense. Learn to protect Band! Shows Do Sell Out Early - Advance (SERVICES AND ADVOCACY FOR GLBT EL- Male Call with Miss Foozie. Here’s your Creating a Life that Matters Creating a Life your body with self defense strategies Ticket Purchase Recommended Online. DERS) Intuitive Process Art Making. This is chance to meet the unexpected and end that Matters: Rediscover Your Relationship and unleash your inner Warrior! $10 ($5 800-838-3006 http://scootyjojo.com a six-week group that runs every Thursday the weekend right. http://www.roscoes. with the Sacred; 6:45pm - 8:45pm. Open for Seniors/Youth with valid I.D.). For Amy & Freddy at Pops For Champagne Join from Sept. 10-Oct. 15. Pre-registration is com to All $25 materials fee (scholarships details and to RSVP, contact Cathy Jones Diva Amy Armstrong and Piano Man, Fred- required. http://www.centeronhalsted.org available) http://www.centeronhalsted. via email at [email protected] dy Allen for their performance at POPS for Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation org or call 773-472-6469 x 265 http://www. Champagne. http://www.amyfreddy.com benefit Caroline Rhea will take the stage Monday, Oct. 19 centeronhalsted.org to host Care. Cure. Comedy. Chicago, a Art Haus Grand Opening at Scarlet Art Thursday, Oct. 22 NewTown Writers Presents: NewPlay Read- fundraising event to support the Christo- Haus is a weekly Chicago art happening Guerrilla Girl Bar by Sapphic Adventures ings Join us for the latest installment of Thursday, Oct. 15 pher & Dana Reeve Foundation’s mission every Monday at Scarlet with a still art Join ladies from Sapphic Adventures for our Playwriting Series at our new home Nyc Group Theater Tour Noreen Heron & of finding cures and treatments for spinal exhibition and live showcase followed by this new event! This idea came from Guer- for the 2009 season: Strawdog Theatre Associates, Inc., a public relations firm cord injury. The evening will also feature a live DJ. http://www.scarletbarchicago. rilla Gay Bar, also known as Guerilla Queer Company’s Hugen Hall Cabaret located at specializing in entertainment, is launch- comedy by Costaki Economopoulus whose com Bar, a flashmob group created in May 2000 3829 North Broadway, Chicago. http:// ing their first annual Chicago-to-New York best known for “The Economonologue,” a It’s Just Bingo Bitch with Frida & Lauren and founded in San Francisco, California. newtownwriters.org tour scheduled the weekend of October weekly segment on the syndicated Bob & Every Monday Night! It’s Just Bingo Bitch! This month we will try Old Town Social, a Carpenters Halloween The Cult Hit Re- 15th through October 18th, 2009. The Tom Radio Show. http://www.Christopher- Join hosts Frita Lay and Lauren Jacobs new upscale spot on the edge of Old Town, turns For Its 3rd Year! Don’t Miss Ac- package includes round trip airfare, ac- Reeve.org/ComedyChicago for what is bound to be the most fun you serving over 50 beers, a full bar and huge About Face Theatre’s XYZ Fest About Face have ever had outside of the bedroom! wine list. The décor is rustic, grand, and Theatre’s XYZ Festival presents The Flow- Personal PAC 20th Anniversary Awards has an old charm feel. We’ll be in the main ers 866-811-4111 http://aboutfacethe- Luncheon. Sandra Bernhard will be the bar area right when you walk in. See www. atre.com guest speaker. Jeanne Tiller, the widow of sapphicadventures.org. RocknRoll Bingo at the 44th Ward Din- Dr. George Tiller, is attending our lunch to Dress Code 2009 Rising Stars in the World ner Party It’s free to play, no cover, win accept the Personal PAC Lifetime Achieve- of Fashion Design, 2009 SAIC Alumni Pres- $20 towards your spending at the Ward! ment Award. Chicago Hilton. Tix at www. ent Original New Works at Free Dress Code http://www.the44thward.com/ personalpac.org Fashion Show in Millennium Park (877) Project Runway at CREW New network, new 244-2246 http://www.chicagofashionre- night and time, same drama! http://www. source.com worldsgreatestbar.com Tuesday, Oct. 20 NUGALA 2009 Homecoming & Reunion LaughOUTloud, gay comedy showcase in Celebrate your PURPLE PRIDE with North- Friday, Oct. 16 SAGE Coffee at the Center on Halsted SAGE western Gay & Lesbian Alumni as we kick Carpenters Halloween The Cult Hit Re- (Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, off Homecoming weekend at Minibar’s chic turns For Its 3rd Year! Don’t Miss Ac- Bisexual and Transgender Elders) Coffee new space. Rated one of 773.871.6227 claimed Queer Duo The Scooty & Jojo and Conversation This is a safe, affirming http://alumni.northwestern.edu/nugala Show’s Spine-shivering Send-up Of John place for participants to gather, socialize, Carpenter’s Horror Classic Set To The The and discuss concerns and ideas. Lunch be- Carpenters’ Classic Songs. Starring Popu- gins around noon. Join us in the John Ba- Monday, Oct. 24 lar Drag Artist Scooty As Jamie Lee Curtis ran Senior Center. 773-472-6469 http:// CoH presents ActOUT Center on Halsted And Featuring Original Cast Members, The www.centeronhalsted.org presents “actOUT” in conjunction with Big-headed Church Puppets And A 3-piece SAGE French Club SAGE (Services and Ad- Steppenwolf Theatre Company at 5 p.m. Band! Shows Do Sell Out Early - Advance vocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Steppenwolf will host a private reception Ticket Purchase Recommended Online. Transgender Elders) Center on Halsted for Center on Halsted patrons with artists 800-838-3006 http://scootyjojo.com French Club. This is for people who have from the company’s production of “The MEN and Gossip afterparty Afterparty for had some French. This informal, drop-in House On Mango Street,” based on the MEN and Gossip. Featuring JD Samson of club is focused on handout sheets, which novel by Chicago writer Sandra Cisneros. MEN and DJ Greg Haus. Presented by Deci- cover grammar, cultural topics and current (312) 335-1650 http://www.centeronhal- belle. http://www.berlinchicago.com events. http://www.centeronhalsted.org sted.org SAGE Art Studio The Center on Halsted’s EQIL: Women for Equality Women for SAGE (Services and Advocacy for Gay, Equality, an event for LBT women and Saturday, Oct. 17 Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders) friends, in support of Equality Illinois. Center on Halsted’s OUTsource Career Work- group hosts Art Studio: Open studio time Tickets are $50 and include Hor d’oeuvres, shop “OUTsource” now offers two distinct for artists or those wanting to experiment wine and beer. RSVP by October 21. For career development programs catering to with art materials. Come and play! http:// more information or to purchase tickets GETTING THE POINT each level of your career. Each class is www.centeronhalsted.org call 773-477-7173. http://www.eqil.org/ available for just $5 per session. Reserva- SAGE Discussion Group The Center on Hal- women.html Tuesdays-Saturdays tions are required; please email culture@ sted’s SAGE (Services and Advocacy for centeronhalsted.org or call 773-661-0673 Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Carpenters Halloween is running Tuesdays through Saturdays until Nov. 7 at Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark. 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Call Mark at (773) 960-0528 ZURKO • 715-526-9769 or email us at [email protected] for a 2155 W. Roscoe www.zurkoproductions.com free consultation and estimate. (10/28/09-4) 1 South 20 Oct. 14, 2009 BILLY MASTERS “When people say, ‘You care more about money just like that, she’s making out with Madeline than winning an Oscar’, well, what does an Os- Zima who plays her onscreen roommate, and car mean? An Oscar means more work when you who you might remember as little “Gracie” on win it, and that means more money. I couldn’t The Nanny. Hayden’s hoping to keep pushing the eat that Oscar. Everybody needs money, baby.”— envelope—which sounds like a metaphor to me. Mo’Nique addresses reports that she’ll only pro- Like when Melissa Etheridge sings “Come To My mote Precious if she gets paid. ‘Cause if it comes Window.”..we all know what she means when she down to an Oscar or a pizza, I think we know says “window.” which she’d choose! Levi Johnston has announced that he’s taking 8 You want equal rights? Well you’ve got ‘em—at an offer from “Playgirl” to pose nude. How nude 18 10 least in terms of reality television. The folks at he’ll be is up in the air. For a while, he was mus- 2 Logo are casting a new show called “Kept.”..I’ll ing whether he’ll go full-frontal or full-backal.

4 give you a second to come up with the premise. No details on that, but his lawyer said Johnston Got it? Think of it like the gay version of the wants to look his best: “He is in the gym six 16 11 9 1 “Real Housewives” franchise. In fact, “Kept” and days a week for the next three weeks.” When “Housewives” share the same producers. Let me asked when we could expect to see the pics, the 17 12 3 quote from the casting call: “’A List’ gay men same lawyer said that the issue should be out 6 19 55 14 5 in the range of 20-mid 30’s who have steady before the end of the year. I wonder if anyone 15 13 relationships or dated extremely established told Levi that “Playgirl” stopped printing a hard

7 successful men, or have that as a goal. Very in- copy of the magazine back in January. terested in couples where one guy is the ‘bread- I was doing my daily research when I came

58 winner’, the other living large on his dime.” That across a story regarding a story about a woman 46 48 47 describes virtually every gay couple in West Hol- from the show “Wife Swap.” This gal was report- 60 44 45 lywood! edly cheating on her husband (whom she had

54 previously slashed with a knife—but that’s an- 59 other story) via text with a fireman named Mi- 50 chael Biserta. This name rang a bell, so I went 52 25 49 back to check my old columns and, sure enough, 37 22 51 24 26 I wrote about him. Back in 2007, a NY fire- 32 man (who was the cover model for the “2008 FDNY Firefighters Calendar”) was featured on

33 the “Guys Gone Wild” DVD naked and sporting 31 30 56 23 one of the largest penises I’ve ever seen. And, 53 39 28 38 41 57 to make it better, he was really cute and had a 36 40 29 27 great body—you usually don’t hit the trifecta of 21 43 looks, body and penis. I assume he’s dumb as 42 34 a stump, ‘cause if not, he’d be in the Guinness 20 Book of World Records. Back to the current sto- ry—he claims he was never “physical” with this woman, despite one text which read: “If your 35 [sic] in Brooklyn you can stop by. [It] won’t be like last time so I wouldn’t even bother ... it’s usually not that quiet around the fh [firehouse] ANDERSONVILLE 18 Touché 35 Manhandler 52 Jeffrey Pub 1 @mosphere 6412 N. Clark St. 1948 N. Halsted St. 7041 S. Jeffery Blvd. but we’ll work something out ...” It certainly 5355 N. Clark St. ToucheChicago.com 36 minibar/winebar sounds like someone did something to someone atmospherebar.com 19 Wild Pug 3341 N. Halsted St. THE BURBS 2 The Anvil 4810 N. Broadway Ave. minibarchicago.com 53 Club Krave at sometime. If you want to see every inch of 1137 W. Granville Ave. WorldsGreatestBar.com 37 North End 13126 S. Western Ave. You can count hunky Nick Zano’s among Biserta any time (we’re talking 9.5 inches), then 3 Big Chicks 3733 N. Halsted St. Blue Island, IL Courtney’s Cox... on TV anyhow. head to BillyMasters.com. 5024 N. Sheridan Rd. BOYSTOWN NorthEndChicago.com ClubKrave.com BigChicks.com 20 3160 38 Pie Hole 54 Hideaway We have time for a quickie “Ask Billy” ques- 4 Cattle Call 3160 N. Clark St. 737 W. Roscoe St. 7301 W. Roosevelt Rd. Speaking of gay couples, George Michael and tion. This one came from Howard in San Fran- 1547 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Chicago3160.com PieHolePizzaJoint.com Forest Park, IL CattleCallChicago.com 21 Berlin 39 Roscoe’s 55 Hunters Kenny Goss have been in the news. Last week cisco: “Do you watch Cougar Town? Who is that 5 Crew 954 W. Belmont Ave. 3356 N. Halsted St. 1932 E. Higgins Rd. it was reported that the boys’ 13-year relation- hottie banging Courtney Cox?” 4804 N. Broadway Ave. BerlinChicago.com Roscoes.com Elk Grove Village, IL WorldsGreatestBar.com 22 Bobby Love’s 40 Scarlet HuntersNightclubs.com ship had come to an end. The rumor was that The hottie in question is Nick Zano. You may 6 Eagle 3729 N. Halsted St. 3320 N. Halsted St. 56 John L’s Place Kenny finally said, “Enough is enough”—maybe remember him from What I Like About You, 5001 N. Clark St. BobbyLoves.com ScarletBarChicago.com 335 154th Pl. Donna Summer was visiting! Anyhoo, Georgie’s where he played heartthrob Vince. He always ChicagoEagle.com 23 Bucks Saloon 41 Sidetrack Calumet City, IL 7 El Gato Negro 3439 N. Halsted St. 3349 N. Halsted St. 57 Maneuvers people issued a statement that Kenny had not looked short to me, but he’s actually 6’1.” Some 1461 Irving Park Rd. BucksSaloonChicago.com SidetrackChicago.com 118 E. Jefferson St. left George. He just happened to be in Dallas other deats: his real last name is Crapanzano, ElGatoNegroBar.com 24 Cell Block 42 Spin Joliet, IL 8 The Glenwood 3702 N. Halsted St. 800 W. Belmont Ave. JolietManeuvers.com tending to business at his art gallery, but was he’s been in a long-term relationship with Haylie 6962 N. Glenwood St. www.CellBlock-Chicago.com Spin-Nightclub.com 58 Moda VIP scheduled to be back in London by the end of Duff, he’s 31 years old (which really means he’s TheGlenwoodbar.com 25 Charlie’s 43 Steamworks 2409 N. Mannheim Rd. the week. “They are planning a lovely weekend almost as old as his “cougar”), was Associate 9 Hamburger 3726 N. Broadway Ave. 3246 N. Halsted St. (bath) Franklin Park, IL Mary’s/Mary’s CharliesChicago.com SteamworksOnline.com myspace.com/modavip together,” said the mouthpiece. We’ll see. Producer on a Worlds AIDS Day special hosted Attic 26 Circuit 59 Rumors The live stage version of “The Pee-wee Herman by Lou Diamond Phillips, and used to be a shoe 5400 N. Clark St. 3641 N. Halsted St. DOWNTOWN 2433 Desplaines Ave. HamburgerMarysChicago.com CircuitClub.com 44 The Baton North Riverside, IL Show” is already the hottest ticket in L.A.—and salesman at Kenneth Cole. His role as Josh on 10 Jackhammer 27 The Closet 436 N. Clark St. RumorsPubOnline.com it doesn’t even open for another month. Strike Cougar Town may be short-lived; we hear Cox 6406 N. Clark St. 3325 N Broadway Ave. TheBatonShowLounge.com 60 Velvet Rope that—three months. Yes, due to the unexpected wants her character to play the field. If she Jackhammer-Chicago.com 28 Cocktail 45 Second Story Bar 728 W. Lake St. 11 Joie De Vine 3359 N. Halsted St. 157 E. Ohio St. Oak Park, IL demand (which really kicked into high gear after keeps coming up with guys like Zano, I’m all for 1744 W. Balmoral Ave. CocktailBarChicago.com VelvetRopeOakPark.com his appearance on “The Jay Leno Show”), Pee- it. Until then, I’ll post his pics on BillyMasters. 12 Man’s Country 29 FireFly NEAR NORTH 5017 N. Clark St. (bath) 3335 N. Halsted St. 46 Club 2506 INDIANA wee’s alter ego, Paul Reubens, felt the need to com for your viewing pleasure. MansCountryChicago.com FireflyOnHalsted.com 2506 N. Clybourn Ave. 61 Dick’s R U Crazee? change the opening date and the venue. Now, When Michael Biserta’s trysts are too loud for 13 Scot’s 30 Halsted’s Bar & 47 Crobar 1221 E.150th St. the show will debut Jan. 12 at Club Nokia @ L.A. even firemen, it’s definitely time to end yet an- 1829 W. Montrose Ave. Grill 1543 N. Kingsbury St. Hammond, IN ChicagoScotsBar.com 3441 N. Halsted St. 48 The Prop House DicksRUCrazee.com Live for a limited four-week run. If you can’t get other column. You know how I always tell you 14 SoFo HalstedsChicago.com 1675 N. Elston Ave. 62 Encompass to LA, the latest rumor is that instead of follow- to check out www.BillyMasters.com? This week, 4923 N. Clark St. 31 Hydrate 2415 Rush St. SofoBar.com 3458 N. Halsted St. Lake Station, IN ing up the L.A. run with the proposed national even I had to check it out. When I was research- 15 Spyners HydrateChicago.com THE SOUTHSIDE EncompassNightclub.com tour, Pee-wee and company will head directly to ing the Biserta story, I went directly to the Billy 4623 N. Western Ave. 32 Kit Kat 49 Club Escape Spyners.com 3700 N. Halsted St. 1530 E. 75th St. New York City. None of this is placating his die- Masters Archives, where you will find every col- 16 Star Gaze KitKatChicago.com ClubEscapeChicago.com hard fans who had not only purchased tickets umn I’ve written since 1998! I’ve been a busy 5419 N. Clark St. 33 Little Jim’s 50 Escapades for the November shows, but also bought airline little beaver—and you know what I mean when StarGazeChicago.com 3501 N. Halsted St. 6301 S. Harlem Ave. 17 T’s LittleJimsChicago.com 51 InnExile tickets to fly in for the events. Honey, I’ve been I say “beaver.” If you’ve got a question, drop 5025 N. Clark St. 34 Lucky Horseshoe 5758 W. 65th St. there! a note to me at [email protected] and I TsBarChicago.com 3169 N. Halsted St. InnExileChicago.com I was also there when Hayden Panettiere was promise to get back to you before Logo orders pushing for a lesbian storyline on Heroes. At an all-gay version of “Cougar Town”! Until next the Emmys, the giddy girl told me she really time, remember, one man’s filth is another man’s wanted some gal-gal action on the show. And, bible. Oct. 14, 2009 21 OR W AV FR W AILTICKET Events Benefit OM W SIDETR. ABLE Having a ‘Ball’ EQ S ACK IL A .O T BAR R N TENDEGRS I G H T O F O N E H U N D R E D D R A G Q U E E N S

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Howard Brown Health Center (HBHC) hosted its annual gala, “Bertha’s Ball,” Oct. 10 at the Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe. More than 400 guests attended the event in honor of Chicago philanthropist Bertha Palmer. The evening started with a silent auction in which each guest was given an iPod to bid on silent-auction items. Palmer was known in the late 1800s as a businesswoman and humanitarian, but it was her glitterati lifestyle that made her a socialite. Guests like Kat Fitzgerald, who received a Friend for Life award that evening, continued Palmer’s tradition by wearing items with lots of sparkle. Susan Fredman and Jennifer Sobecki accepted a Friend for Life award on behalf of Designs for Dignity, and David Arzola was also honored with that award. Howard Brown Health Center Disease Intervention Specialist Daniel Pohl received the Spirit Award. After the award ceremony, guests danced the night away to the music of the Stanley Paul Orchestra. The Palmer House underwrote the event, giving Howard Brown 100 percent of the proceeds. For more information on Howard Brown Health Center visit www.howardbrown. org. Text by Emmanuel Garcia; photos by Kat Fitzgerald (MysticImagesPhotography.com) and Garcia—and there are many more images at www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com

Natural ‘Selection’

Kathy Griffin made an appearance at Borders, 830 N. Michigan, Oct. 7 to promote her new memoir, Official Book Club Selection. Three floors of fans, some waiting in line for almost four hours, made this the biggest book signing for Team Griffin to date. Griffin joked and posed for pictures with more than 800 people. Once again nearly selling out four stand-up performances at the Chicago Theater, 175 N. State, this comedienne shows she is hardly on the “D List.” Photo and text by Jerry Nunn 22 Oct. 14, 2009 suppose. We’ve carried each other for these past in the world in her, it was still a lot of pressure. “I really underestimated how emotional of an few seasons and brought us from ranking 21st It was the most nerve-racking moment I’ve felt impact [this journey] would have on me,” Cham- in the nation to second, and that is due to each so far in derby. I couldn’t even watch. We all bers said. “Maybe it was the constant travel, and every person involved in WCR. So, to lose pulled together during that game and played as getting to know the fans, or being inspired every one [member] is a great loss. a solid unit and trusted each other 100 percent. time I had the opportunity to meet one of my “We are training hard for Nationals, as we do We took it and that placed us in the No. 2 spot idols from the WNBA. I cannot exactly put my every year. We fought for the No. 2 [ranking], in the nation.” finger on it, but was an experience I will wear and now we will fight to be No. 1. There’s a lot —What’s ahead for WCR after the November close to my heart for a while.” of heart, dedication and time that goes into be- event: “Home teams have already begun practic- So how much did the journey cost? ing such a smart, strong and skilled team, as we ing. Nationals will just wrap up the travel team “A lot … and that is all I will say,” he said, are. We know we are facing some of the best as season. Then the travel team players turn 100 laughing. well. Teams are improving constantly, just as we percent of their focus back to their home teams “I paid for most of it, but the W chipped in try to. We need to stay on our game and perfect and players who fought for each other on travel for tickets and my hotel room at the Mohegan it. We want to make our league proud and show team go back to fighting against each other in Sun for the WNBA All-Star Game,” Chambers our appreciation for all they’ve done to help us the first bout of the 2010 season, in January.” said. “There were several fans from around the get to where we are today in the [national] rank- league who gave me their courtside seat, or of- ings. So, we have to fight hard as a travel team fered rides to and from my hotel. One fan even and fight harder for those at home that helped Gay man is offered her guest room for me to stay in. I was us get to this point.” WNBA superfan quite impressed by the generosity. Jones said all eyes from the roller world will By Ross Forman Note: Chambers should be happy. On Oct. 9, be on Chicago, and everyone wants to defeat Phoenix won the WNBA title for the second time Erica Jones. Chicago. As a teacher, Alex Chambers is, no doubt, famil- in three seasons, defeating the Indiana Fever “We know the teams that we are going to play iar with the traditional what-did-you-do-over- 94-86 in the last game of a best-of-five series. SPORTS: are going to come in hard,” she said. “We have summer-break assignment. Thing is, his essay Find out much more about Chambers, in- to stick together, play hard and play our game, might be the most exciting. cluding his least favorite WNBA player, online Erica Jones: not change according to who we are playing Chambers, 35, a gay WNBA fan living in Phoe- at www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com. Hoosier mama against. We never underestimate any team we nix, lived a lifelong dream this past summer: at- face, no matter what the rankings show. You just tending games at all 13 WNBA arenas. Naturally, By Ross Forman never know what another team may pull out on Hunters captures he’s nicknamed “Superfan”—a moniker given to you. The game is always improving.” him by the WNBA, sans cape and theme music, title Erica Jones has been roller skating since she was And roller derby certainly has been expanding about 5 years old. In fact, she used to be a jam when he was featured on the in-stadium jumbo- By Ross Forman in notoriety this fall thanks to the Drew Barry- tron in Detroit. WNBA All-Star Diana Taurasi also skater, which is similar to dancing with skates, more-directed movie, Whip It. and done in pairs. has called Chambers, “Journey dude.” The Hunters C-Division softball team captured “I like that [Barrymore] put roller derby on “This was just an idea to travel, and catch a its second out-of-state tournament of the year, A few years ago, the Hammond, Ind., native the big screen and I love that she used experi- was coming to Chicago to get her hair cut and home game for each team in the WNBA, or the claiming the title Oct. 11 in the Show-Me Show- enced roller derby skaters,” Jones said. “Some ‘W’ as we diehard fans call it,” Chambers said. down, sponsored by the Heart of America Soft- her stylist mentioned roller derby. “I immedi- people could see it as a teeny-bopper movie, but ately went home and [searched] ‘roller derby in “As a teacher, having summers off can be a good ball League in Kansas City. it really grabs the attention of all ages. It’s fun thing and a bad thing. Great to have time off, Hunters twice defeated the host Kansas City Chicago’ [online]; the popped and keeps you interested, and I think for those up. I emailed them, tried out and made it. I’ve but bad, as I can get complacent and just sit on Wicked, including a 15-11 win in the deciding who are unfamiliar with the sport all together, it my butt and do nothing. Oh, and it also helps game, to claim the championship. Hunters won been hooked ever since.” peaks their interest in wanting to experience it Jones has transformed into Hoosier Mama, 28, that I am addicted to planning and organizing; a tournament in Minneapolis earlier in the year, live, which is great because there are roller der- to me that was the best part of the trip. Well, and also had fifth-place finishes this year at who has been part of the WCR contingent for by leagues all across the country. Lucky for the three and a half years (four seasons). She now one of the best. I knew I had friends and family tournaments in Tampa Bay, Fla., and Birming- people of Chicago, they can attend a Windy City in seven of the 13 cities that I could stay with, ham, Ala. lives in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood and is a Rollers bout and be impressed by a nationally- WCR pivot and, at times, blocker 2. and I could save for [the] airfare. The pieces just “We had very consistent play,” throughout the ranked derby team that’s going to show them a started falling into place and, by February 2009, tournament, said Hunters team manager Brian “Pivot is primarily known as the last line of great time!” defense in the front of the pack,” said Jones, a I had the whole thing planned out. Kettner. “Despite [playing] in extremely cold Hoosier Mama has plenty of fans when she’s at “I dedicated the journey to a friend of mine, weather conditions, we stuck together, stayed lesbian. “It is the pivot’s job to ensure that the home, even co-workers. opposing jammer does not exit the pack, or at Cyndee Luque, who lost her battle to breast can- in games and then were able to pull out vic- “My boss and her husband came to a bout and cer last year in April. It was very fitting, because tories.” least try to ensure that. The pivot also tries to loved it,” Jones said. “I’ve had quite a few other control the speed of the pack. Blocker 2 plays the WNBA is always doing things to promote Hunters finished with a 6-2 record. co-workers attend as well. They always want to breast cancer awareness.” The Jackhammer Bombers also played in the both offense and defense, whichever is needed know how it went, and when I compete in tour- or whichever play is called.” Chambers was a six-foot-tall freshman in high tournament. naments, they go online to find out how we did school, so everyone considered him a natural for “We had clutch hitting, great pitching and Jones, an administrative assistant working and they send the results through an email to toward a career in law enforcement, will com- . But he was intimidated by the jock spectacular catches in the outfield,” said Kett- everyone in our department. They’re a very sup- crowd and distanced himself from sports. Flash ner, who saw action as the team’s second base- pete in the final WCR home match of the year on portive group. Saturday, Oct. 17. Jones and the WCR All-Stars forward 20 years, Chambers began basketball man. training with a former WNBA pro and current as- Randy Detert was the Hunters pitcher. Nick will face Portland’s at the UIC More about Erica Jones: Pavilion. The WCR All-Stars finished second at sistant coach of the Phoenix Mercury, Bridget Padjen and Matt Levin were the team’s power —Hobbies: “With roller derby, it’s hard to do Pettis, a Chicago native. hitters, while Rob Burton and Joe Cappelletti the 2008 WFTDA (Women’s Flat Track Derby Asso- much else. I try to visit my family and friends ciation) National Tournament and are currently “I was partially inspired by the athletes I each delivered clutch hits, Kettner said. back in Hammond when possible, or catch a watch in the WNBA. The message was clear—get “Joey had a clutch triple in one of the early in first place in the WFTDA North Central confer- movie, or attend friend’s events, but much else ence. Rose City is ranked third in the Western off your butt and do it!” she said. “So, I did. I’ve games,” Kettner said. “We were down by seven is almost impossible to do.” never been happier. I am glad to report that I at the time, but Joey’s hit gave us the lead—and Region. —Little-known facts: “I hate when the toilet Jones and the WCR All-Stars will compete in am now playing a sport and enjoying it. I might we rode that [hit] the rest of the tournament.” paper isn’t flap-over-the-top. It’s so much easier not be so good at it, but am having fun.” The Hunters team will travel to Palm Springs, the final event of the 2009 WFTDA Tournament and visible that way. I’m also adopted by my season—Declaration of Derby—Nov. 13-15, at But he’s mostly a fan. After all, one of the Calif., in January for its next out-of-state tour- grandparents.” highlights of his journey was getting his 2008 nament. the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The top —Superstitions: “Splitting poles, can’t stand trio of teams in each of the four WFTDA divi- Olympic Women’s basketball team shirt person- it. Freaks me out and I’ll walk back around it ally autographed by everyone on the team. sions will compete in Philadelphia to decide the or have my friends turn around and walk back Freeze finishes sixth National Champion and the title-holder of the around it.” By Ross Forman . —Favorite sport: “This was a fun season and will wrap up to be —Favorite pro team: The Chicago Freeze finished sixth in the 20-team a sad one as well,” Jones said. “It was so much —Favorite athlete: “Myself—totally kidding. Gay Bowl 9 flag football tournament, held Oct. fun during the home season because the teams I don’t really have a favorite athlete, though my 9-11 in Washington, D.C. were evenly matched, which made for some best friend in Hammond is a professional boxer, “For being a new team playing together [for great derby viewing. We had our Manic Attack- and I admire her dedication and hard-work with the first time], I think we did a great job,” said ers [team] come out strong this season, which raising her son, training and attending col- Freeze co-manager Alvin Ty Law. “Unfortunately took everyone by surprise, because they’ve been lege.” we didn’t finish as well as we would have liked. struggling for a couple of seasons. It wasn’t —Favorite TV show(s): Family Guy, First 48 Still, the team had a lot of fun hanging out and fun being beat by them, but it was awesome and Lie to Me. getting to know each other. to watch how their team has grown and to see —Favorite movie(s): Who Framed Roger Rab- Los Angeles was the champion. them win the championship. bit, P.S. I Love You and La Bamba. James Platt, who played wide receiver and “The Oct. 17 bout against Portland will be —WCR career highlight(s): Nationals in safety, was the Chicago MVP. “He played great a sad bout as that will be the last home bout 2008. “Our jammer thought she scored the win- on offense and defense,” Law said. for a couple of our travel team members due to ning point and called it off. Instead, she called Andrew Burke also played on both sides of the retirement. It’s hard to think of losing one of it too early and tied it, putting us into over time. Alex Chambers (right) with WNBA player Lau- ball, “and had some amazing catches deep over your players who you’ve worked along side for so So, our captains put her back out there on the ren Jackson. Photo courtesy of Chambers people much bigger than him,” Law said. long. But everyone has to leave at some point, I line to jam. Although we had all the confidence Oct. 14, 2009 23

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