THE VOICE OF CHICAGO’S GAY, LESBIAN, BI AND TRANS COMMUNITY SINCE 1985 April 29, 2009 • vol 24 no 31 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com Gay marriages
Bea start in Iowa
Arthur by MATTHEW H. SMITH Dies page 17 Love is in the air. Despite a weekend of rain and thunderstorms, it seems a big, bright rainbow has at last formed over the city of Des Moines, Iowa—at least figuratively. Same-sex couples came to the Polk County recorder’s office Monday to sign their marriage licenses after the April 3 unanimous decision to legalize same-sex mar- riage in Iowa. The enthusiasm was evident as couples signed the document that said, “Yes, it’s official. We’re married.” “Definitely other states are looking at us right Bon now,” Jason Edge said of the historic event. “And as they say, as Iowa goes, so goes the na- Foster tion.” He and his partner of a year and a half, Tim Lord, signed their marriage license moments Gala before. page 6 Andrew Mahoney-Lam and Grant Lam were the first couple to arrive shortly after 6 a.m., April 27. “The rights are what we want,” said Mahoney-Lam, who has been with his partner for three years. “When you say equal protection for all, you can’t leave out just one class of citizen because you don’t agree with them.” They were one of the first couples to sign their marriage license. Since Iowa typically has a three-day The first same-sex marriage in Iowa took place outside the Polk County recorder’s office. In Wizard waiting period for licenses, Mahoney-Lam and photo, Shelley Wolfe (left) holds partner Melisa Keeton’s hands while Reverend Peg Esperanza of Oz’s says a prayer at the end of their service, announcing the couple legally married. Photo by Mat- Turn to page 5 Noah thew H. Smith Aberlin page 15 Pageant contestant talks about gays
NEWS ANALYSIS AND INTERVIEW BY REX WOCKNER
April 22, 2009 #986 Either it is a nonstory that “the media” made into a huge story. Or the U.S. gay world hit some kind of tipping point, and it’s no longer possible to “get away” with saying anti-gay things in many arenas—just as one can’t get away with saying sexist or racist things. nightspots At the Miss USA pageant April 19, judge Perez Hilton, the gay blogger, n asked Miss California, Carrie Prejean, this question: “Vermont recently be- pick it up Troublemakers came the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think every Celebrate lucky 13 years with the naughty little boys and girls of Cocktail. page 6 take it home inSIDE Oh, the Meet Miss Continental Plus shirtlessness at 2009 Coco Van Cartier. state should follow suit? Why or why not?” Wild Pug! page 16 page 20 Prejean responded: “Well, I think it’s great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. Um, we live in a land that you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage and—you know what?—in my country and in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman—no offense to anybody out there, but that’s how I was raised and that’s how I think that it should be: between a man and a woman. Thank you.” Former Miss USA contestant Carrie Prejean (above) is pictured during www.WindyCityQueercast.com Turn to page 4 an interview with Rex Wockner. Photo by David Kendal
CHICAGO’S BIGGEST GLBT CONTEST! Produced by Windy City Media Group Next round: PRESENT MARY’S ATTIC WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 See page 13 for more details 2 April 29, 2009 K?<
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presents a very funny festival
index chicago NEWS Berry’s confirmation hearing 4 presents a very funny festival presents a very funny festival Miss USA contestant talks 4 Another preteen suicide 5 chicago chicago Gay marriages start in Iowa 5 Rita Mae Brown at the Center 6 Bon Foster gala 6 saturday,presents june a very funny festival 20 at 7pm Gay bars & bachelorettes 7 chicago Same-sex wedding expo 7 the chicago theatre Design for a Cure 8 NEW SHOW ADDED Daleys and LGBTQ history 8 9:30PM! ON SALE Leather 101 8 Rita Mae Brown was in Chicago and FRIDAY! Local news 9 spoke about the animals. Find out more Quotelines 9 on page 6. View from Rea Carey; letters 10 Photo by Mel Ferrand
ENTERTAINMENT Scottish Play Scott 11 Theater reviews 12 Noah Aberlin of ‘Oz’ 15 Gay man on ‘Millionaire’ 15 Pop Making Sense 15 Movies; Bea Arthur dies 17 Review: Facebook book 18 Billy Masters 20 Windy City Gay Idol: Crew 21 june 17-21 OUTLINES five nights... over one hundred comedians... a million laughs! Calendar 18 sponsored by: tickets available through ticketmaster, ticketmaster.com, Real estate; classifieds 19 Kevin Grangier (above) will make history charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or produced in at the chicago theatre box office. Sports: Juana Judson 22 association with: May 7 when he becomes the first gay for full festival schedule go to
Sports: Recruiting report 22 client on Bravo’s Millionaire Matchmaker. TM & © 2009 Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. justforlaughschicago.com Read more about him on page 15. Photo courtesy of Bravo
Features include: www. —National and Windy world news —An interview with City gay rapper Bry’Nt (right) Media —Gay travel: Group Istanbul —Review of the .com book Open: Love ... Open Marriage
Amy & Stephen take in A CHORUS LINE SHOW #WCQ298 n in g h t s p o t s April 22, 2009 #986 TROUBLEMAKERS Celebrate lucky 13 years with the bad little boys and girls of Cocktail.
Photo by Ryan Kolodziej Troublemakers www.WindyCity Celebrate lucky 13 years with the naughty little boys and girls of Cocktail. page 6 inSIDE Oh, the Meet Miss Continental Plus shirtlessness at 2009 Coco Van Cartier. Wild Pug! page 16 Queercast.com page 20
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Y, LESBIAN, BI AND TRANS COMMUNITY SINCE 1985 THE VOICE OF CHICAGO’S GA nnn%N`e[p:`kpD\[`X>iflg%Zfd >XpdXii`X^\j BY MATTHEW H. SMITH f rain and Love is in the air. Despite a weekend o ;FNECF8;K?@J jkXik`e@fnXthunderstorms, it seems a big, bright rainbowday has at last formed over the city of Des Moines, Iowa—at least figuratively. Same-sex couples came to the Polk County recorder’s office Mon 9\X to sign their marriage licenses afterwas t he evident April 3 as unanimous decision to legalize same-sex mar- 8ik_li gX^\(. riage in Iowa. The enthusiasm couples signed the document that said, “Yes, it’s ;`\j official. We’re married.” “Definitely other states are looking at us right now,” Jason Edge said of the historic event.a half, “And as they say, as Iowa goes, so goes the na- tion.” He and his partner of a year and >fkfnnn%N`e[p:`kpD\[`X>iflg%Zfdkf Tim Lord, signed their marriage license moments before. Andrew Mahoney-Lam and Grant Lam were the first couple to arrive shortly after 6 a.m., April 27. “The rights are what we want,” said Mahoney-Lam, who has been with his partner for three years. “When you say equal protectioney were for 9fe all, you can’t leave out just one class of citizen =fjk\i because you don’t agree with them.” Th gX^\- one of the first couples to sign their marriage [fnecfX[Zfdgc\k\`jjl\jf]N`e[p:`kpK`d\j >XcX license. Since Iowa typically has a three-day KliekfgX^\, waiting period for licenses, Mahoney-Lam and der’s office. In Reverend Peg Esperanza s while a took place outside the Polk County recor couple legally married. Photo by Mat- The first same-sex marriage in Iow photo, Shelley Wolfe (left) holds partner Melisa Keeton’s hand says a prayer at the end of their service, announcing the N`qXi[ thew H. Smith Xe[E`^_kjgfkj% f]FqËj EfX_ gX^\(, GX^\XekZfek\jkXekkXcbjXYflk^Xpj REX WOCKNER YSIS AND INTERVIEW BY 8Y\ic`e NEWS ANAL a” made into a huge story. Or the U.S. and it’s no longert as possible one can’t to “getget Either it is a nonstory that “the medi gay world hit some kind of tipping point,gs. away” with saying anti-gay things in manyge arenas—jus Perez Hilton, the gay blogger, away with saying sexist or racist thin this question: “Vermont recently be- At the Miss USA pageant April 19,same-sex jud marriage. Do you think every asked Miss California, Carrie Prejean, e same-sex came the fourth state to legalize it’s great that Americans are able to nightspots state should follow suit? Why or why not?” red during n Prejean responded: “Well, I think know what?—in my country and in g`Zb`klg as raised choose one or the other. Um, we live ina amarriage land that should you can be choosbetween a man K_\eZc`ZbfeXepX[Xe[Y\kXb\e[`i\Zkcpkf kXb\`k_fd\ marriage or opposite marriage and—you my family, I think that I believe that be: between a man and a woman. Former Miss USA contestant Carrie Prejean (above) is pictu and a woman—no offense to anybody out there, but that’s how I w an interview with Rex Wockner. Photo by David Kendal KliekfgX^\+ and that’s how I think that it should Thank you.” CHICAGO’S BIGGEST GLBT CONTEST!
nnn%N`e[p:`kpHl\\iZXjk%Zfd Next round: more details k_\X[m\ik`j\iËjN\Yj`k\ MARY’S ATTICSee page 13 for WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29
PRESENT 4 April 29, 2009 get away with it, then there probably now are Proposition 8, that was already discussed that John Berry sworn PAGEANT from cover many, many arenas in which one can’t dis the marriage is between a man and a woman. We in as director of all gays and get away with it. voted on it. Um, so, I think that it maybe will In reality, Americans can choose same-sex mar- If that’s true, a “tipping point” is probably be a matter of time, but I don’t see that coming federal employees riage only in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts exactly what we observed, and the orgy of media anytime soon. by Bob Roehr and, starting Sept. 1, Vermont. One would think coverage may have been (sigh) warranted. Rex: And, I guess, last question: What would Miss California might remember that tiny little Rex Wockner: Clearly, nobody would ever be so wrong with two women who love each The swearing in of openly gay John Berry as battle over Proposition 8, but whatever. get up there (at the Miss USA pageant) and other getting married? Director of the Office of Personnel Management Prejean, who came in first runner-up, later say, “I don’t think black people should be Carrie: What would be so wrong with two (OPM), the agency that oversees nearly 20 mil- said, “At that moment after I’d answered the able to marry white people” or something women that love each other? lion federal employees, marked a world of change question, I knew that I was not going to win like that. Or nobody would get up there and Rex: What would be so wrong with that? from when the government would fire someone because of my answer.” say something sexist. And people are wonder- Yeah. simply for being gay. Subsequent reporting revealed she apparently ing if maybe we’ve gotten to a moment in Carrie: What don’t you see wrong with that? First Lady Michelle Obama attended the April is right about that, which suggests that having American culture where you can’t really say Rex: I don’t see anything wrong with it. 23 ceremony. “correct” gay positions has become more impor- something that’s interpreted as anti-gay any- Carrie: Why? Berry chose Constance Berry Newman (no rela- tant than many of us might have assumed. more, like you might have been able to five Rex: Uh, why don’t—oh, this is fun—why tion) to administer the oath of office. She first Yet, in a video blog, Hilton later opined: “She years ago. Do you think maybe that’s what don’t I see anything wrong with it? Uh, be- met Berry 18 years ago when she was Director of lost not because she doesn’t believe in gay mar- could have happened, or, if not, what do you cause they’re in love with each other, and OPM and he was a legislative assistant to Rep. riage. Miss California lost because she’s a dumb think happened in Vegas that led to all this they want to spend their lives together, and Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland), now House Majority bitch. OK? ... If that girl would have won Miss media stuff? marriage is kind of the way that our society Leader. USA, I would have gone up onstage—I shit you Carrie Prejean: I think the key thing is toler- recognizes that two people love each other Congress was then considering major legisla- not—I would have gone up onstage, snatched ance, and I think Perez Hilton had, obviously, and want to spend their lives together and tion to allow for adjusting pay scales according that tiara off her head and run out the door.” a hidden agenda, because of the reaction im- make commitment and be financially inter- to the local cost of living and to compete with The boy does have a way with words. mediately after the pageant. He didn’t agree twined and be faithful and, you know, perma- the private sector in hiring federal employees. Yet later, Hilton told MSNBC, “I called her the with what I said, therefore he wanted to go out nent. So, why should that be something that “I believe that without John’s intellect, sen- b-word and, hey, I was thinking the c-word, and there and bash me and say things that were very gay people can’t do? There’s gay people all sitivity to the issues, integrity and diplomatic I didn’t say it.” hurtful. So, I think that this wouldn’t be hap- around us all the time. skills the legislation would not have passed,” One does not often hear “the c-word,” even pening right now had he not have done that. Carrie: Exactly, and this is nothing against said Newman. She called Berry “the perfect per- called just “the c-word,” on MSNBC. So, it would have just been me saying my own gay people. I have a lot of friends that are gay. son” for the job. At any rate, Hilton appears to believe there is opinions, which I’m entitled to, just as you are, This is not a verbal attack on gay people. It’s “The sweep of history is on display this after- a way for a Miss USA contestant to oppose gay and I think it would have been over with. But just a matter of opinion, and the way that I was noon,” Berry said near the start of his remarks. marriage—but that would be some way other the fact that he went out there and attacked me, raised, the way that I was brought up, that was “I would like to recognize a civil rights pioneer than the way Prejean did it. you know, verbally, that’s why this is all happen- not an option. I knew I was going to marry a who is with us today—Dr. Frank Kameny. He is a All of this resulted in so many media stories ing right now. man growing up. And so, for me, it’s a biblical military veteran and a life-long activist.” that Google News probably had to add server Rex: So, you think if you had just expressed thing, it’s something that I was raised believing, First Lady Michelle Obama told the gather- capacity. But the interesting question, actually, your opinion that marriage is between a man um, that a marriage, you know, is between a ing that Berry “is a man of great charisma and is: Was this a gay tipping point? All Prejean and a woman, which 52 percent of the voters man and a woman. Barack Obama even supports poise, not just a nice person but a smart person, did—albeit not particularly articulately—was in California agree with you on that... that. The majority of the people in our nation someone who understands the vision of what is say that she believes marriage is between a man Carrie: Right, I’m representing not only the support that. The secretary of state supports possible in this agency.” and a woman. Fifty-two percent of California state of California but the majority of people in that. So, I don’t see anything wrong with it. Read the entire article online at www. voters think that, too. Or at least they did as of our nation. Rex: It’s hard to argue with. I mean, you’re WindyCityMediaGroup.com. last Nov. 4. Rex: So, do you think the reason it became right that 52 percent of California voters... Also, national and world news will be online But then there was Iowa. And Vermont. And 8 such a big news story is because he called you Carrie: Because Barack Obama doesn’t agree this week, including news of the verdict in million media stories and TV things. The bottom a bitch? with you, does that make him a bad president? the Angie Zapata murder trial. line, I guess: If Miss USA can’t dis the gays and Carrie: Um, I think that because of his expres- Rex: Uh, no, I kind of like Barack Obama as sion and his verbal attack on me immediately a president, actually. after the pageant—I mean, he didn’t even wait Carrie: I do, too. FORWARD ELLA MASAR one day to do this attack—so I do think there Rex: I understand that you were raised to was a hidden agenda there. believe that marriage is between a man and Rex: I saw on his blog that he wants to have a woman, and I understand that you grew up coffee with you. Is that something you would knowing that you were always going to marry do? a guy, but you’re heterosexual. Um, some Carrie: Um, I’m not sure if I would have coffee people are born gay, maybe, you think? with him. If I did, I’d bring (the Rock Church Carrie: No, I don’t think so. follow Pastor) Miles (McPherson) with me. Rex: OK, so now we’re getting somewhere. Rex: If you had it to do all over again, would Carrie: I think it’s a behavior that develops you do anything different at the microphone over time. the at the pageant? Rex: Why would someone choose it, given Carrie: No, I wouldn’t do anything different. I that if you choose that, you get discriminated think that I was entitled to my own opinion. He against? stars Carrie: Um, because obviously Perez Hilton asked me, you know, how I feel about a certain subject and I gave him my honest opinion. So, doesn’t think that there’s anything wrong with no, I have no regrets. it. Rex: Do you think that same-sex marriage Rex: No, but if being gay is a choice, rather is just a matter of time, that clearly society than something you’re born with, why would is evolving in that direction, and that we’re you choose something that’s going to lead going to look back on these days as the way to your being discriminated against? What we look back on days when white and black would be the motivation? people couldn’t get married to each other, or Carrie: I’m not sure what the motivation would do you think it’s going to be a very long fight be. to try to get Americans to accept that? Rex: OK. Me either. Carrie: I definitely think it’s going to bea Handler: I’m sorry, Rex, we’ve got to move on very long fight. As you can see in California, you to channel 7. know, we had already ruled that, you know, with
Carrie Prejean with Rex Wockner. Photo by CHICAGO’S WOMEN’S PROFESSIONAL David Kendal SOCCER TEAM KICKS OFF APRIL 19TH AT TOYOTA PARK.
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CHICAGOREDSTARS.COM 866-WPS-2009 April 29, 2009 5 Conn. governor IOWA from cover Monday as a moment in their life where every- bandale, who were married in Canada in June thing they worked for reached a much-antici- 2006, today simply means their marriage will his partner went to the courthouse for a waiver signs marriage bill pated high point. “It feels right to be here,” now be legally acknowledged by the state they so they could make their union official as soon Connecticut’s governor, M. Jodi Rell, has Olson said. “It’s the pinnacle for everything be- reside in. “Now it no longer turns into a pump- as possible. The waiver was granted as many signed legislation that removes gender refer- cause it’s what we’ve waited so long for—that kin when we come into Iowa,” Robinson said of other couples followed suit. Mahoney-Lam said ences from state marriage laws, according to the state recognition. It really is the key.” their Canadian nuptials. the process was very organized and very easy. Boston Globe. The measure also changes exist- “I’ve just got this big smile on my face,” Fefchak sees same-sex marriage as the civil Yet none of this would be possible without ing same-sex civil union into legally recognized Evans said. “This is all so surreal for me. I’m justice issue of our time. “This will really change the help of Lambda Legal and One Iowa. Jus- marriages as of Oct. 1, 2010. very excited. There are couples that have been people’s lives,” she said. Fefchak said people tin Uebelhor is the communications director Last year, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled waiting 25 to 30 years for this, so I’m very ex- from surrounding Midwest areas like Kansas City for One Iowa, the state’s largest LGBT orga- that same-sex marriage should be legalized in cited for them, too. And I’m just excited to see and Chicago now have someplace within driv- nization. One Iowa was founded in 2006 and the state. Iowa, Vermont and Massachusetts also everyone and to see history in the making.” Ol- ing distance that will accept their relationship. has been working closely with Lambda Legal allow gay marriage. son and Evans plan on having their wedding on While she admits same-sex marriage won’t be to make equality among LGBT couples a reality. June 15, their son’s third birthday. “His family recognized upon returning to those states like Uebelhor hopes what has started in Iowa will has finally come full circle,” Olson added. “I Missouri or Illinois, she said, “It’s a matter of continue to spread throughout the nation, as Gov. think in a way that’s a gift to him. When he time. We are so proud to be living in this place with the recent decision to legalize same-sex M. Jodi gets older he’ll understand what we were doing at this point of time.” marriages in Vermont, effective in September. Rell. was protecting him and his interests.” Other couples see the signing of the marriage “It’s really a monumental day and a monumen- Robin Lambrecht and her partner Sharon Weit- license as little more than a formality at this tal event for Iowa,” he said. zell celebrated the emotional aspect of their point. Lori Blachford has been in a committed Ingrid Olson and her partner of 11 years, relationship four years ago with a Holy Union relationship with her partner, Karen Utke, for Reva Evans, of Council Bluffs, have actually Ceremony. Lambrecht said it’s nice to now have 25 years. “We want the legal rights, and then come back to Polk County, where their marriage the legal recognition to back up her commit- we’re gonna party,” Blachford said. license was initially rejected. They are one of ment with her partner. “We never thought this But for Melisa Keeton and Shelley Wolfe, who Another 11-year- six couples unable to attain legal rights to mar- would happen so late in life,” Lambrecht said. have been together for two and a half years, ry one another in the 2005 Lambda Legal case old takes own life Both she and her partner are in their 60s. Monday meant the world. Keeton and Wolfe al- against Iowa, Varnum v. Brien. At the recorder’s Another 11-year-old has committed suicide For Nancy Robinson and Laura Fefchak of Ur- ready have a three-year-old son at home, and office with their son Jamison, the couple saw as a result of gay slurs he received in school. Keeton has another one on the way. Their of- According to the Washington Blade, Georgia ficial wedding—the first same-sex wedding per- student Jaheem Herrera hanged himself in his formed in Iowa—took place outside the Polk closet with a cloth belt April 16; Herrera’s moth- County recorder’s office after their waiver went er, Masika Bermudez, and other parents said through Monday morning. “It’s a pretty power- children at the school taunted Herrera daily and ful thing to hear, ‘By the power invested in me,’ called him “gay.” Recently, Carl Joseph Walker- and to have it legally mean something,” Keeton Hoover—who was bullied for months at his said. school in Springfield, Mass., even though he did Looks like it’s official. For many Iowans and not identify as gay—killed himself. same-sex couples across the nation, it’s about Regarding Herrera, DeKalb County (Ga.) school time. officials have started their own internal inves- Readers can also follow Matt Smith’s per- tigation, according to the Atlanta Journal-Con- sonal experience of this historic event on his stitution. The system’s review, Superintendent blog at www.mattyfactory.com or follow him Crawford Lewis said, will take place at the same on mattyfactory.blogspot.com. time as talks that DeKalb District Attorney Gwen- Karen Utke, left, and partner Lori Blachford remain in high spirits as they wait outside the Polk dolyn Keyes Fleming plans to have with parents County recorder’s office to sign their marriage licenses. Photo by Matthew H. Smith and educators involved in the case. 6 April 29, 2009 to make compromises. She further suggested that development of this skill might be a critical goal toward the success of our survival. Brown further explained that she believes that no one can love as deeply as a dog, but said, [despite The Lambda of Lincoln that] “My goal is to love as deeply as they do.” She urged those in attendance to support local ASPCAs and summed up her talk with the state- ment that “Maybe the real goal is to be a little more like your dog.” It should come as no surprise that her upcom- ing novel is entitled Animal Magnetism.
Rita Mae Brown. Photo by Mel Ferrand Out and Proud signing at Rita Mae Brown DePaul May 7 Barnes & Noble DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson, reveals animal will host a discussion and signing of Out and Proud in Chicago: An Overview of the City’s Gay instincts Community on Thursday, May 7, at 6 p.m. BY MEL FERRAND Windy City Times Publisher Tracy Baim—who edited and co-wrote the book—and several of Standing in complete riding regalia, sans her the contributors, including Marie J. Kuda, Ron horse, Rita Mae Brown mused on topics rang- Dorfman, Jonathan Abarbanel, Owen Keehnen, ing from politics, drugs, and religion to aging, senior editor Jorjet Harper, Jeff Berry and se- love, women and her seemingly favorite topic: nior editor William Kelley, will discuss the long animals. and rich history of the city’s LGBTQA community One of the most revered and respected writers in Chicago. The book is lavishly illustrated with in the country; this 64-year-old spitfire didn’t color and black-and white-photographs, and it show any signs of slowing down as she addressed draws on a wealth of scholarly, historical, and a full auditorium at the Center on Halsted, 3656 journalistic sources. N. Halsted, as the keynote speaker for Gerber/ For more information on this event, call 312- Hart Library April 25. Originally scheduled to be 362-8792 or visit depaul-loop.bncollege.com. in Chicago in September to coincide with the 35th anniversary of the publication of her first novel, Rubyfruit Jungle, and to serve as keynote Our Sisters Bazaar speaker at Gerber Hart’s annual benefit, Brown’s visit was delayed by Hurricane Hanna. at HBHC May 3 Our Sisters Bazaar—an event to help women Those in attendance would say it was well struggling in these tough economic times—will worth the wait, as she held the audience capti- be held Sunday, May 3, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., at the vated with snippets of her mom’s wisdom as well Howard Brown Center, 4025 N. Sheridan. her own, for just under an hour wherein Brown Businesses that will be represented at the ba- pushed conventional opinions on a variety of zaar include Women & Children First Bookstore, topics. When asked what she thought about Forest View Lounge, New Victoria Publishers, same-sex marriage rights, she replied, “I can’t Urban Café, Windy City Media Group, LC Publish- mate in captivity,” borrowing a phrase coined ing and the center itself. To participate or to by the now married Gloria Steinem. To make her donate to the event, e-mail oursistersbazaar@ Former President Abraham Lincoln made a guest appearance at Lambda Legal’s annual Bon opinion of the legislative system unequivocal, yahoo.com. Also, visit FaceBook.com and search Foster Address, to the delight of a standing-room only crowd at the Chicago History Museum, she added, “The difference between republicans “Oursisters Bazaar” for updates. 1601 N. Clark, on April 23. and democrats is like the difference between In celebration of his 200th birthday—and featuring one of only five original copies of his syphilis and gonorrhea.” immortal Gettysburg Address, which is on special exhibit at the museum—“President Lin- Brown’s musings also included thoughts about May socials coln” read the list of sponsors of the event. women. She posited that, “we don’t really know Lincoln wasn’t the only cause for celebration; the Iowa Supreme Court’s unanimous deci- the potential of the female body” because we at Center sion to legalize same-sex marriage in that state is Lambda Legal’s most recent in a long list Men on Mondays will take place May 4, 6-9 [women] are raised to be weak and therefore as- of successes in the courts. After receiving a standing ovation from the hundreds of people p.m., at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted. pire not to develop or use our physical strength. in attendance, Lambda Legal’s Midwest Region senior attorney, Camilla Taylor, described her Women on Wednesdays will follow on May 6, 6-9 She then further queried, “Why would anyone experience in Iowa. She explained that this case was brought by people in Iowa, and not p.m. Tickets are $10, with a cash bar available. want to be weak?” as she continued her explora- imposed on them from the outside. Taylor found that Iowans live their state motto: “Our For more information, contact Tom Ballentine tion of the American female experience. liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.” at [email protected] or call 773- However, she became most passionate on the This annual event honors the memory of Robert Bonvouloir “Bon” Foster, the late civil- 472-6469, ext. 245. topic of animals, notably those other than hu- rights activist/attorney who died of AIDS-related complications in 1991 at the age of 36. mans. By way of explanation she stated, “My first Through his bequest to Lambda Legal, the Midwest Regional Office was opened in 1993. Text memory of life is a crib with a cat.” In addition, by Mel Ferrand; photos by Kat Fitzgerald (MysticImagesPhotography.com) she argued, the one unique trait that humans seem to have over other animals is the ability
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Bar none: Gay packages or programs for bachelorette parties. these young women just go to a straight bar in As she put it, “I understand the symbolism of Other bars do, and they do a fine job offering Lincoln Park? I’m not prudish, and I’m also not the ban, and the argument. But is this what we clubs reject those services.” Michelle Fire of Big Chicks said suggesting that getting drunk and losing con- really see as emblematic of marriage—rowdy in an e-mail, “We have had no problem with trol of your sensibility is a good way of being bachelorette parties?” bachelorette bachelorette parties.” in the world. But, clearly, these women desire As for what kinds of bodies are referred to in Given that wedding season is coming up, and a kind of sexual freedom that has no space in this recent controversy, one category of marrying parties the state of the economy, it seems unlikely that heterosexual institutions. That, for me, suggests people has been left out of the picture: lesbians. NEWS ANALYSIS BY YASMIN NAIR too many bars will follow Cocktail and Sidetrack’s that women are not able to safely have a kind of So far, there’s no word on how lesbians conduct example. Even if this does not turn out to be a freedom of sexual expression in straight spaces. their bachelorette parties and whether or not Dawn Turner Trice’s recent Chicago Tribune ar- sweeping trend, the bar owners’ decisions open That’s intense. But instead of looking at those their parties get as rowdy and if their presence ticle, “Gay rights battle puts strain on parties,” a host of questions about the relationship of gay issues, we’re concerned with this story of ex- might be as threatening to the decorum of gay has created a stir. Trice noted that Geno Zaha- bars to their neighborhoods. Zaharakis describes aggerated behavior around certain bodies, with bars and/or the institution of marriage. For now, rakis of Cocktail, a gay bar at 3359 N. Halsted, his establishment as a neighborhood bar. Jen- gay men being pawed and straight women being Zaharakis plans on continuing his ban, despite does not allow bachelorette parties. Neither nifer Brier, assistant professor of history and so tragically drunk that they can’t control them- the occasional complaint from straight women: does the popular nightspot Sidetrack (next door gender and women’s studies at the University of selves.” “Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, and I’m at 3349 N. Halsted), co-owned by Art Johnston, Illinois at Chicago, noted that, historically, gay Brier also questioned what aspects of gay entitled to serve whom I want to serve.” who was quoted in the article. The story disrupts bars have been sites of specific forms of exclu- the popular mythology about the bond between sion such as race and gender expression based gay men and straight women, and it shines a on clothing. She said that in the ’40s and ’50s, new spotlight on the gay-marriage movement, when gay bars were not owned by gay people Love and marriage which has seen significant advances. Is the ban but usually by the mob, gays and lesbians had to a sign of things to come, and what does it tell us wear whatever clothing was deemed appropriate about the historical relationship of gay bars to for their sex and “there was a fear of police ha- their neighborhoods and their clientele? Windy rassment. There was incredible state and police City Times spoke to the principal people involved surveillance.” and a historian of gay political life. According to Brier, while there were more Zaharakis said that he had made the decision openly gay and less restrictive bars through the to ban bachelorette parties five years ago after 1970s, in that period “many gay men of color dealing with a particularly unruly group, and discuss being consistently excluded from bars was motivated partly by the behavior of straight that were overwhelmingly white. Marlon Riggs women at his bar. As he put it, “I was at the bar talks about it in Tongues Untied. It wasn’t un- and a couple of women came in, got rowdy, were common for them to be told they needed two or kind of disrespectful to our patrons and treated three pieces of identification to get into a bar, [the bar] as a carnie show. We’re not. [And] as opposed to what white clients were asked for. I don’t feel that it’s fair or just for women to In fact, in the 1980s, ACT UP NY regularly said come in and celebrate their upcoming marriage that it wouldn’t hold fundraisers at bars that or nuptials when I, a gay man, can’t get married were known to be racially exclusionary.” and celebrate his upcoming nuptials because I Brier, a feminist, was also struck by some don’t have equal rights.” aspects of bachelorette parties that appear to The GLBTQ Wedding Expo took place April 26 at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, 350 Johnston stated that the reasons for Sidetrack have gone unnoticed in the mainstream cover- W. Mart Center. The expo, produced by the Web site RainbowWeddingNetwork.com, featured not hosting bachelorette parties had to do with age of the Cocktail ban. She said, “I’m disturbed more than 20 vendors providing attendees with samples; couples could taste, see and feel the the rowdiness of straight women at the events: by what it means that they can only have these possibilities of their ceremonies. To learn more, visit gayweddings.us.com. Text and photos “Because of their behavior, they are not among parties in gay bars. It appears that there’s no by Emmanuel Garcia; see a video of the event at www.windycitymediagroup.com. our most favorite clients.” He added, “We don’t space for any kind of female sociability in a N:HNDJ <>7BE7DIM?J>)$+:EMD
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Illinois; the VIP reception is of the Democratic Party crackdown on dissenters group ACT UP and others were arrested as they board’s passion 6-7 p.m. and the general reception is 7-10 at its National Convention—was a distinct chink protested the mayor. Over the following years, p.m. Tickets are $65-$125; visit www.aid- in the hitherto impenetrable Daley armor. This however, the mayor’s relationship with the com- for ‘Fashion’ schicago.org/events/make_a_statement.php. period saw the rise of the Stonewall generation munity strengthened. In 1997, he proposed the BY BYRON FLITSCH and the growing perception among gays and les- rainbow pylons in Boystown and, in 2009, ap- bians that they needed to be out and to be more pointed openly gay Ron Huberman as head of Strong fashion design often speaks for itself, but Daley double: politicized. The 1970s saw more acceptance of Chicago Public Schools. even stronger design speaks with purpose. Meld gay life, with the Sun-Times doing a series of Stewart-Winter took a few questions at the the two together and you have The AIDS Foun- Scholar talks local articles on gay life, with titles like “From Home- end of the talk, and one audience member asked dation of Chicago (AFC) Junior Board’s “Make a LGBTQ history bodies to Hustlers.” what made Chicago’s gay history any different Statement: Design for a Cure” event that high- BY YASMIN NAIR Richard M. Daley’s emergence in public life from that of other major cities, which saw simi- lights budding Chicago fashion designers and has seen a marked difference in terms of the lar cultural and political shifts over the years. HIV awareness in it’s third annual runway show. Chicago’s infamous machine politics is as much treatment of the gay and lesbian community. In response, Stewart-Winter said that Chicago The May 7 event stemmed from Lucas Cowan, the stuff of lore as a reality of Chicago life. Rich- This mayor has the overwhelming support of the gays had “less of an anti-establishment edge” an AFC junior board member, who was interested ard J. Daley, most associated with the machine, community and is known for several typically but that in some ways they were more typical in creating a fashion show that introduced tal- was mayor from 1955 to 1976. His son, Rich- pro-gay moves and announcements, including a of the region than San Francisco or New York ented fresh designers while promoting the neces- ard M. Daley, has been mayor from 1989 to the support for gay marriage. However, as Stewart- City might be in relation to their surrounding lo- sity of status awareness. In June 2007, Cowan present. Except for a period of 13 years in the Winter pointed out, relations between the com- cales. For instance, said Stewart-Winter, Chicago asked Ericka Chesnal, a fellow board member, to interim, there has been a Daley in power since munity and the mayor got off to an unsteady is historically a very Catholic city, and it is also be co-chair. “The Junior Board wanted their own the mid-1950s. The issue of what differences, if start. In 1989, the mayor had a “stormy con- the biggest city not automatically associated distinguished event that spoke to a younger de- any, mark the tenures of the two men has been frontation” with organized gay constituents who with gay culture. mographic,” Chesnal said. What started out as a the subject of several books. “Project Runway feel”(originally, designers were Timothy Stewart-Winter, a doctoral candidate given an allotted amount of red fabric to use for in history at the University of Chicago, discussed their designs) has developed in to a fashion- the differences between the two Daleys in terms forward charity affair. Under the leather of their relationships to the LGBTQ community, In it’s third year, attendees can expect a styl- in a talk entitled “Machine Politics and Queer ish evening hosted by Chicago personality Heidi Chicagoans Since 1955: From Daley to Daley.” Hess. The night will include music spun by DJ The April 21 event was part of Gerber/Hart Li- Casper, cocktails, raffles and a talk from Jack brary’s “The Cutting Edge: Young Scholars Share Mackenroth, known for his appearance on Proj- Their Work” series. Stewart-Winter’s paper began ect Runway and currently a spokesperson for by noting that the elder Daley was often held Living Positive By Design—a positive outlook up as an exemplar of middle-class family val- organization on living with HIV and presenting ues, with a Tribune article describing him as “a sponsor of Design For A Cure along with Merek family man in a city of family men.” Publicity & Co. “It’s an event where people either come photos of the mayor showed him at home with dressed chic or straight from work. Just come as his wife and seven children, and much was made you are,” Chesnal said. of the fact that he lived all his life in the work- Attendees should also expect progressive ing-class neighborhood of Bridgeport. Stewart- fashions from up and coming Chicago based de- Winter pointed out that this “normative vision signers. Designers donate their time and sup- of family life” came with a reputation for being plies to create unique pieces ranging from 5plt’s tough on crime, and that toughness included modern and trim for the fashion conscious man frequent raids on gay and lesbian bars and gath- to Kwabena’s sophisticated African print cou- ering places because the mayor “viewed gays as ture. Other designers include: Kate Boggiano, a law-enforcement problem.” Serpico, and Lara Miller. A variety of established The 1950s saw the enforcement of “disorderly Chicago retailers will also be featured, such as: conduct laws,” which were broad enough to allow SkinStinct, Universal Gear, and Akira. police to round up gays and lesbians for infrac- The ultimate goal is to continually educate a tions as minor as “violations of city laws against younger demographic about health and respon- cross-dressing”—which simply meant that sibility. “The event’s primary focus is to continu- women could be arrested for wearing fly-front ally remind people what it really means to know Leatherman Mark Austin, a former International Mr. Leather (IML) finalist, and Mistress trousers. The frequency of such raids prompted your [HIV] status while having a good time rais- Joanne Gaddy, retired mistress of IML, are teaching “Leather 101,” a four-week course at one gay writer to comment that “Chicago had ing money to help a cause,” Chesnal said. Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted. The remaining classes in the series—which will be quite a heat wave in the 1950s.” Despite such While the concept of meshing health and on Wednesdays through May 13—will cover such topics as Stonewall and the first leather repression, according to Stewart-Winter, Chicago beauty isn’t a new, it’s a trend that will always competitions; the impact of HIV/AIDS on the leather community; and hanky codes. Admission queers found ways to continue sustaining a vi- be in fashion. is $5. Photo (of Austin and Gaddy) and text by Andrew Davis brant and underground subculture, especially in Thursday, May 7 Deborah A. 7:30 p.m. Diana Block Murphy Arm the Spirit: A Woman’s Journey Underground CPA and Back 773-404-8401 Friday, May 8 7:30 p.m. Eva Hoffman Have your 2155 W. Roscoe Appassionata premiums 1 South increased Accounting 5233 N. Clark recently? Tax Services (773) 769-9299 See me: Charles T. Rhodes, Financial Agent Consulting 2472 N. Clark [email protected] 773.281.0890 Business www.womenandchildrenfirst.com State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company Parking Available (not in NJ) Planning Wheelchair Accessible State Farm Indemnity Company (NJ) Home Offices: Bloomington, Illinois April 29, 2009 9 grant communities and Terry Keleher, executive SAGE among director of the Applied Research Center. Quigley’s requests In March, the IDHR became the first state agency to petition President Barack Obama to Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bi- sign an executive order that would prohibit dis- QUOTELINES sexual and Transgender Elders (SAGE), located crimination on the basis of sexual orientation or BY REX WOCKNER at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, is listed gender identity in federally-assisted housing. among U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley’s, D-Ill., FY 2010 appropriations requests, according to a press re- Q lease. Chicago House “Only ten years ago, it looked like gay not apply to certain people, then you are say- Regarding SAGE, Quigley—who was sworn people would not be able to marry until ing those people are not equal. People may in April 21—requested $475,000 through the events May 2-3 the cows came home. With an Iowa Supreme always have a difference of opinion on certain Health and Human Services’ HRSA account. Chicago House & Social Service Agency, the Court victory and the state legislature approv- lifestyles, but championing a position that Quigley also requested $150,150 for VIDA/ first organization in the Midwest to provide ing marriage in Vermont, gay couples will soon wants to treat people unequally isn’t just un- SIDA: The Puerto Rican Cultural Center, 2703 W. housing and support for people living with HIV be coming home to their cows—with marriage Republican. At its fundamental core, it’s un- Division. The center provides services for those and AIDS, will hold its “Families for Families” licenses in hand. The farm teams have brought American.” — Meghan McCain, John McCain’s with HIV/AIDS. special event and annual Brunch and Fashion us major league victories and reinvigorated the daughter, writing at The Daily Beast, April 13. Among his other requests were money for ev- Show May 2-3 in the Winter Garden Ballroom of GLBT marriage movement.” — Syndicated gay erything for PACE to the Lincoln Park Zoological the Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State. columnist Wayne Besen, Society Population Management Center. “The theme is “Fanta-Sea Island Fashion April 7. Splash,” said Jeremy Hilborn, special events manager for Chicago House, in a statement. “It “That (Iowa’s legal- U.S. Rep. Quigley will be a warm reminder of tropical fun, featur- ization of same-sex Marriage? co-sponsors ing the sights, sounds and even flavor and spice marriage) caught me, Babies? Please. from the islands.” candidly, by surprise, pro- I want to hate-crimes bill The Families for Families event, to be held on verbially flat-footed. It U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., has announced May 2, is 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 was around April 1st, so I be illegal. his decision to make his first co-sponsored bill for children and $100 for adults. The Annual thought, honestly, it was —Rupert Everett in Congress the Local Law Enforcement Hate Spring Brunch and Fashion Show, on May 3, is an April Fool’s joke. ... Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 (LLEHCPA). from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m; tickets are $175 for gar- Now you have four states “We’ve come a long way in the last 20 years den seating and $275 at the runway. Call 773- that are legally sanction- when it comes to equality,” said Quigley. “But 248-5200, ext 303, or visit www.chicagohouse. ing same-sex marriage, we’ve still got a lot of work to live up to the idea org. and New York and Cali- that all Americans are created equal.” fornia are not among them. Who could have “Whenever I get a wedding invitation, The LLEHCPA will authorize the Department of OPALGA gala predicted that?” — San Francisco Mayor Gavin I start to spew chunks all over the fine fur- Justice to investigate and prosecute certain bi- Newsom to The New York Times, April 11. nishings of my luxury co-op. What the invite as-motivated crimes based on the victim’s actual May 2 signals is the realization that I’ll be flushing or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender The 13th Annual OPALGA (Oak Park Area Les- “If the California Supreme Court up- away an entire day spent awkwardly standing identity or disability. bian and Gay Association) Gala will be held Sat- holds Proposition 8, California will be an around in a borrowed suit and gnawing at ge- As Cook County commissioner, Quigley initi- urday, May 2, at The Hyatt Lodge at McDonald’s outlier in the ongoing history of equality that neric catered crabcakes and cannoli, all while ated or help pass several pro-LGBT measures, Campus, 2815 Jorie, Oak Brook. Cocktails are at is now exemplified by Vermont, Connecticut, having to cheer on two people I like who will including the one that created the Cook Country 6:30 p.m. and dinner is at 7:30 p.m. Iowa, and Massachusetts, as well as many na- surely be at each other’s throats in six months. domestic partnership registry, which allows do- The gala will mark OPALGA turning 20 years tions around the world.” — Shannon Minter, ... Why does your decision to tie the knot mestic partners to more easily secure benefits old. There will be a silent auction, live auction legal director of the National Center for Lesbian have to result in me eating sour fish tacos, for one another. and raffle in addition to dancing. Formal attire Rights and lead lawyer for the gay side in the engaging in small talk with people who think is optional. California marriage case, in an April 7 state- I’m caca, and spending hard-earned cash on Tickets are $190 each. Call 708-848-0273. ment. a present you’ll surely throw out the second Tunney and the room clears?” — Village Voice columnist others propose “The Supreme Court of Iowa, in a unan- Michael Musto writing on his blog, April 14. Health forum imous decision, has clearly stated that the stimulus plan at Jeffery Pub Constitution of our state, which guarantees “I’m very big on human beings finding Alderman Tom Tunney (44th Ward) and others Brothers Health Collective will present a health equal protection of the law to all Iowans, re- love, attachment and commitment and be- announced a series of ordinances at the April 22 forum, “Are Black LGBTs In Health Crisis Mode? quires the State of Iowa to recognize the civil ing faithful to it, because there’s more to ben- City Council meeting that will serve as a Chicago Get the facts...,” Wed., May 6, at Jeffery Pub, marriage contract of two people of the same efit when there is real true commitment and stimulus plan to help jumpstart the regional 7041 S. Jeffery, 6-9 p.m. gender. The Court also concluded that the de- faithfulness to it. I still believe, as just every economy. The four measures, intended to help A special part of the event will involve the nial of this right constitutes discrimination. president has, and all the people who ran for businesses and consumers alike, would encour- presentation of awards to Chicago Department Therefore, after careful consideration and a office, that marriage is a sacrament between age consumer spending and reduce the cost of of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Terry Mason thorough reading of the Court’s decision, I am a man and a woman. So not calling it mar- doing business in Chicago. and Illinois Department of Public Health Direc- reluctant to support amending the Iowa Con- riage works for me. But that two people would Details of the plan include phasing out the tor Dr. Damon Arnold. For more info, call 312- stitution to add a provision that our Supreme have that sort of commitment to me is very employer head tax to encourage more hiring; 388-0431. Court has said is unlawful and discriminatory. healthy and very positive thing in their lives eliminating downtown parking taxes only on As Governor, I must respect the authority of and society as a whole. ... That’s (same-sex weekends to encourage dining; streamlining the Iowa Supreme Court, and have a duty to relationships) a beautiful thing and a healthy operations regarding business licenses, permits Florida lecturing uphold the Constitution of the State of Iowa. I thing.” — Laura Schlessinger (Dr. Laura), sing- and fees; and initiating a moratorium on future at Columbia also fully respect the right of all Iowans to live ing a new tune to CNN’s Larry King, April 8. meter-rate increases until “pay-and-display” Economist/lecturer/writer Richard Florida under the full protection of Iowa’s Constitu- metering is installed. wraps up the fifth season of Columbia College tion.” — Gov. Chet Culver in an April 7 state- “The gay community tried to make a Other aldermen who signed onto the plan in- Chicago’s Conversation’s in the Arts with his take ment. thing about that a number of years cluded Robert Fioretti (2nd Ward), Pat Dowell on the economic intersection of institutions of ago. ... I don’t try to run my children’s lives, (3rd), Walter Burnett (23rd), Scott Waguespack higher education with the arts, culture and me- “So there are the vermin now cel- and he has been very supportive. He works for (32nd), Brian Doherty (41st), Brendan Reilly dia industries of major urban areas, specifically ebrating twisted perverse marriage in Eagle Forum. He runs my operations office and (42nd), Vi Daley (43rd), Helen Shiller (46th) and Chicago, Thursday, April 30, in Columbia’s Film the middle of America, calling it a victory. he’s very supportive of all the positions that Gene Schulter (47th). Row Cinema, 1104 S. Wabash, 8th floor, at 7:30 It’s a victory for perversion in my opinion. ... I’ve taken.” — Anti-feminist activist Phyllis p.m. You want me to tell you what makes me sick? Schlafly when asked by Time magazine on April Among Florida’s works is The Rise of the Cre- When I see two puffy white males kissing each 7, “You have a gay son, don’t you?” IDHR hosts ative Class. The public event is free but reserva- other, I wanna puke. When I see two women fair-housing panel tions are required; call 312-369-6600. kissing each other, on the lips, as lovers, I “If more homosexuals were in the In honor of Fair Housing Month, the Illinois wanna vomit. Why? It’s unnatural. It’s against Obamas’ lives, there is no way Michelle Department of Human Rights (IDHR) hosted a Pollock/Midler exhibit all of the laws of mankind. It is against all the would have worn a twin set when she met the panel April 22 at the James R. Thompson Center, laws of humankind. It is suicide for a society queen.” — Will & Grace co-creator Max Mutch- 100 W. Randolph, that focused on how communi- in River North to embrace such behavior.” — Syndicated ra- nick to The New York Times, April 11. ties are coming together to address the escalat- Artist Dellamarie Parrilli, in the tradition of dio host Michael Savage, April 6. ing housing crisis, which has disproportionately abstract expressionists, is presenting “Jackson “Marriage? Babies? Please. I want to affected immigrant communities, according to Pollock Meets Bette Midler” April 30-June 30 at “I believe life begins at conception be illegal. I want to live outside the main- an IDHR press release. the Palmer Gallery, 233 W. Huron. and I believe that people who fall in love stream.” — Gay actor Rupert Everett to The The panel, “CommUNITY: Immigrant Commu- A reception will be held Friday, May 1, 6:30–10 should have the option to get married. Lest we Daily Beast, April 6. nities Respond to the Housing Crisis,” was de- p.m. See more of Parrilli’s art at www.parrilli. forget, our founding document, the Declara- signed to recommend strategies for community com; find out more about the gallery at www. tion of Independence, grants the same rights integration. Speakers included representatives thepalmergallery.com. to everyone in this country—‘All men are cre- from the Polish, African, Latino and other immi- ated equal.’ If you think certain rights should —Assistance: Bill Kelley 10 April 29, 2009 VIEWPOINTS VOL. 24, No. 31, April 29, 2009 The combined forces of Windy City Times, ple, already vulnerable and unprotected by most safety-net programs have been strained beyond founded Sept. 1985, and Outlines newspaper, founded May 1987. anti-discrimination employment laws and mar- capacity and are now threadbare. This new plan riage laws, take multiple hits as large and small will at least start to provide some much-needed PUBLISHER & Executive EDITOR REA employers cut jobs, community-based nonprofits relief. Tracy Baim are forced to eliminate services and programs, This is just the beginning of a long haul back CAREY and small mom-and-mom and pop-and-pop busi- to a healthy, robust economy and society. Over Assistant Publisher Terri Klinsky MANAGING Editor Andrew Davis nesses shut doors. the weeks and months ahead, the Task Force will Business manager Cynthia Holmes All of this places LGBT people at a severe dis- continue advocating for an economic recovery Director of New Media Jean Albright advantage in an economic climate such as the that is fair, humane and inclusive. We will also ART DIRECTOR Kirk Williamson one we are currently in. NGLTF understands continue advocating for passage of a fully inclu- account managerS: Amy Matheny, Kirk Working Williamson, Cynthia Holmes that stabilizing the economy stabilizes our sive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) Promotions director Cynthia Holmes toward a real opportunities—indeed, the opportunities of all and other legislation that gives people a fair NIGHTSPOTS MANAGING Editor Kirk Williamson people—to live decent lives and take care of our shake and fair shot at keeping our jobs. National Sales Rivendell Media, 212-242-6863 economic recovery families. This means working for health-care reform and SENIOR WRITERS Bob Roehr, Rex Wockner, Marie J. Kuda, David Byrne, Tony Peregrin, Lisa Keen, That’s why NGLTF’s Action Fund has joined with improved access to affordable quality health Passage of the stimulus bill holds promise for at Yasmin Nair, Emmanuel Garcia other progressive organizations to support these care. We know this must remain a core compo- least beginning to alleviate some of the hard- TheatER Editor Scott C. Morgan recovery efforts. We are working with our part- nent in the president’s economic recovery plan. Cinema WRITER Richard Knight, Jr. ship inflicted by the economic turmoil envelop- ners under the leadership of Americans United LGBT people often cannot obtain health-care BOOKS WRITER Yasmin Nair ing the country. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WRITERS for Change, Campaign for America’s Future, US- coverage on a partner’s plan, and even when we It will likely create and save more than 3 Mary Shen Barnidge, Jim Edminster, Steve Warren, Action, People For the American Way, AFSCME are eligible for partner/spouse health-care cov- million jobs, strengthen state safety nets and Lawrence Ferber, Mel Ferrand, Catey Sullivan, and many others as part of the Campaign for erage, we are penalized by being taxed on the Zachary Whittenburg, Jonathan Abarbanel provide for the neediest among us during this Jobs and Economic Recovery coalition to sup- cost of the benefit. This particularly cruel kind Columnists/Writers: Yvonne Zipter, Susie crisis. Day, Jorjet Harper, Lee Lynch, Steve Starr, Joe port the president’s economic stimulus efforts. of economic discrimination against our commu- The Obama administration and many others Rice, Dan Woog, Marie-Jo Proulx, Lisa Keen, Chris We know how critical it is that there be an LGBT nity must end. hope this action will serve as a critical first step Crain, Charlsie Dewey, Michael Knipp, Mark Corece, organization and voice in this coalition. We believe a true economic recovery means Sabine Neidhardt, Sam Worley, Billy Masters, John toward greater stability and economic recov- The stimulus plan signed earlier this year by that all people are given an equitable chance Fenoglio ery. But no one is wearing rose-colored glasses; PHOTOGRAPHERS Kat Fitzgerald, Mel Ferrand, President Obama will go far to promote the eco- to thrive and contribute their full selves, talents clearly, an arduous road lies ahead. Steve Becker, Steve Starr, Emmanuel Garcia nomic stability of Main Street, support working and skills to their families, communities and Economic justice has always been a philo- ARTISTS/CARTOONISTS Alison Bechdel, Mikeoart families, and bolster those who live at or below country. sophical underpinning of the National Gay and CIRCULATION the poverty line. Rea Carey is the executive director of the Circulation director Jean Albright Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF). We know that when As layoffs have piled up by the hundreds of National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Learn Distribution: Ashina, Allan, Crystal, Dan, John, there is an economic downturn LGBT people suf- Sue and Victor thousands, state-based, federally funded pro- more about the work of the National Gay and fer the same risks as others, and then some. grams like unemployment insurance, Medicaid, Lesbian Task Force at www.theTaskForce.org. Beyond the myth of large incomes and large health care for low-income people, and other living are the real stories of our lives. LGBT peo- LETTER Copyright 2009 Lambda Publications Inc./Windy City Media Group; All rights reserved. Reprint by permission only. Back issues available for $3 per issue (postage included). Oh, boy(cott) of the land better than anyone else, its targets nation by failing to respectfully work with, or Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, were well-chosen (unlike the present campaign’s respect the wishes of, the activists indigenous and photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials. An open letter to targeting of Red Stripe Beer). to countries that historically have been domi- All rights to letters, art and photographs sent to Windy Therefore, on one point we must respectfully nated. City Times will be treated as unconditionally assigned Jamaican LGBT activists for publication purposes and as such, subject to editing disagree with our friends in Jamaica Forum for Active Jamaican participation in organizing and comment. The opinions expressed by the columnists, Lesbians, All-Sexuals & Gays (J-FLAG), who, in the present boycott was at best an after-thought cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are their own Dear friends, and do not necessarily reflect the position ofWindy City one of their statements, seemed to imply that for the North American boycott initiators. The Times. Publication of the name, photograph, or likeness of The “Boycott Jamaica” campaign launched by a boycotts never do any good. What one can say unfortunate result is that we now have a messy a person or organization in articles or advertising in Windy is that successful boycotts, like that against internal dispute on our hands that serves no City Times is not to be construed as any indication of the handful of North American activists has elicited sexual orientation of such person or organization. While apartheid South Africa in the 1980s and Anita one’s interests, least of all Jamaican LGBT activ- we encourage readers to support the advertisers who make a great deal of controversy, with list serve post- this newspaper possible, Windy City Times cannot accept ings often aimed at “point scoring” rather than Bryant’s Florida orange juice in the late 1970s, ists who already have more than enough urgent are rare and not easy to organize under the best issues to deal with. This is tragic and need not responsibility for advertising claims. clarifying the issues. This letter is an attempt (773) 871-7610 FAX (773) 871-7609 not to embarrass the activists on the various of circumstances; when major missteps occur in have been. e-mail: [email protected] sides of this dispute, but rather to calmly illus- the organizing, they have zero chance of suc- We hope that future campaigns are undertaken trate why we feel that unfortunately this par- cess. with a good deal more thoughtfulness and prep- www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com radio: WindyCityQueercast.com ticular boycott is an example of how not to voice However, the central point that our J-FLAG aration. video: QueerTVNetwork.com international solidarity. friends insist upon is right on the mark—as helpful as outside activists can sometimes be Andy Thayer A core principle of any international solidarity WINDY CITY MEDIA GROUP, campaign should be that the main organizations in applying supplemental pressure to hateful re- Roger Fraser 5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640 USA in the country most affected should direct the gimes, the main battle must be organized and Bob Schwartz (MAILING ADDRESS ONLY) campaign. They are the ones who have to live fought for by the activists inside the particular Craig Teichen countries in question. Jamaican LGBT people William Lockett Windy City Times Deadline every Wednesday. (or possibly die) with the consequences and Nightspots Deadline Wednesday prior to street date. thus they should be the ones controlling it. In must lead the campaign for LGBT freedom in Rich Wilson Identity (BLACKlines and En La Vida): Now the case of the prospective Jamaican boycott their own country, as Russian LGBT people do Gay Liberation Network (Chicago) online only Deadline The 10th of month prior. this core principle was violated: No substantive in their country, African LGBT people in their countries, etc. OUT! Resource Guide ONLINE discussions were conducted with Jamaican ac- www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com tivists before it was launched. We are aware that the opinions of any LGBT The sad thing is that we have a famous ex- community in any country around the world are www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com ample from history that might well have been not monolithic. Each of us is very aware of the many political divisions in each of the cities we www.WindyCityQueercast.com imitated: the world-wide campaign to boycott www.QueerTVNetwork.com South Africa. Because it was approved and di- live in. However, for there to be successful cam- Send letters to rected by the main freedom organizations in paigns, whether locally alone, or in conjunction Editor@ that country, it was respectful of local activists with outside activists, a substantial segment of the community in question must agree to them and thus didn’t have the kind of internal divi- WindyCityMediaGroup. and be at the heart of their organizing. For there sions about the campaign that we’re seeing in “Windy City Media Group generated to be no substantive participation in this cam- com or the present boycott. enormous interest among their readers paign by leading Jamaican LGBT organizations The result was that the campaign took on a Andrew@ in this year’s LGBT Consumer Index truly international character, not just confined points to it being very poorly conceived. WindyCityMediaGroup. Survey. Out of approximately 100 to a handful of activists, but embraced by Finally, most countries around the world have print and online media partners who people of good will of all races. Because it had long and dismal histories of being dominated by com. participated in the survey, Windy such widespread support, including the almost one or another outside power, and most peoples Letters may be City was the best performing regional unanimous support of freedom activists within in those countries harbor legitimate resentments media in the U.S. Only survey partners South Africa, the campaign was able to isolate against those histories of domination. It is thus edited for with a nationwide footprint were the apartheid regime, despite the best efforts a responsibility of LGBT activists living in those length or clarity. able to generate a greater number of against it of the American and several European handful of countries that historically have been responses.” —David Marshall, Research governments. Because it was directed by South responsible for such domination—the United Director, Community Marketing, Inc. African activists on the ground who knew the lay States, Russia and Western Europe—that we not replicate a “gay” version of that arrogant domi- April 29, 2009 11 GOINGS-ON WINDY CITY TIMES’ ENTERTAINMENT SECTION Photo courtesy of Mark Hackman LOOK, MA: ONE HAND Christopher Courtney is part of Chicago Dance Crash’s all-male revue, Movement/Gentlemen. Read more on page 12. THEATER MOVIES SPORTS Dead reckoning. Spacey ‘Ghosts.’ Play bowl. Page 12. Page 17. Page 22. Photo by Ross Forman Going Dutch entirely be a bad thing. My first memories of Scottish This week marks the local premiere of Carousel hearing a Rodgers and Hammerstein tune was (A Dance), presented as part of the Joffrey Bal- when Clairol licensed the song “I’m Gonna Wash Play Scott let’s spring repertory program at the Auditorium That Man Right Outta My Hair” for TV commer- BY SCOTT C. MORGAN Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress. cials on hair coloring products. It became “I’m The piece by out British choreographer Christo- Gonna Wash that Gray Right Outta My Hair.” A ‘Ruined’ Pulitzer win pher Wheeldon features a plot outline and music Please send theater-related news items to The prideful chip resting on the shoulders of from the famed 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein [email protected]. Chicago boosters just got a little bit larger— musical. particularly for the theatergoing ones. With songs like “If I Loved You,” “You’ll Never On April 20 Lynn Nottage’s play, Ruined, won Walk Alone” and the title Waltz prologue, Carou- the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Not only did Not- sel is a quintessential piece of Americana—as CRITICS’ PICS tage’s drama premiere last year at the Goodman are all the works of composer Richard Rodgers Theatre, but that flagship Chicago theater insti- and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II. A Chorus Line, through May 3. See Broad- tution also helped in its development. So imagine the shock to theater fans who way’s longest-running American musical True, credit is also due to the Manhattan The- learned that the rights to the entire Rodgers now while it’s still in town. You won’t see a atre Club (MTC) in New York, which co-produced and Hammerstein catalogue have been sold to better recreation of Michael Bennett’s land- the play. MTC’s own Pulitzer track record is im- the Netherlands-based Imagem Music Group, mark choreography and staging anytime pressive—the company has produced four out the music-publishing investment fund of ABP soon. SCM of the past eight winners (Ruined, Rabbit Hole, (the world’s third-largest pension fund), and CP Diversey Harbor, Theatre Seven, through Doubt and Proof). Ruined is currently playing Masters BV, a European independent music pub- May 10. After a successful staging last year, off-Broadway through May 17, and no doubt lisher. The purchase price was not disclosed. director Brian Golden and his cast revisit questions about Broadway will be next. The Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization Marisa Wegrzyn’s moving, funny and wholly This makes two years in a row that a play also represents more than 12,000 songs, 900 compelling tale of four disparate and lonely that started in Chicago has won the prestigious concert works and 100 musicals in America, in- souls trying to connect over the course of award. Ruined follows the Pulitzer won by Step- Ruined. Photo by Liz Lauren cluding shows by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen one long, cold night in Chicago. CS penwolf Theatre Company ensemble member Schwartz, Irving Berlin and Rodgers’ grandson, Ghostwritten, Goodman Theatre, through Tracy Letts for his large ensemble drama August: Adam Guettel (The Light in the Piazza, Floyd May 3. Naomi Iizuka’s new work of magic tage’s own interviews with women victims of Collins). So that means that if you want to stage Osage County (which is still playing on Broadway the recent war, many who were brutally raped realism views racial and cultural identity and soon to be launched on a national tour). a production of The Sound of Music or Joseph through a fairy tale lens as Rumplestiltskin and genitally disfigured by soldiers from oppos- and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the Best known for her dramas Intimate Apparel ing sides of the conflict. (“Ruined” is how these becomes a Vietnamese female demon. Excel- (previously seen at Steppenwolf) and Fabula- money will soon be going to Amsterdam instead lent cast blends comedy and menace. JA women are referred to.) of New York. tion, or the Re-Education of Undine (seen at While I personally felt Nottage pulled her Private Lives, City Lit Theater, through Next Theatre), Nottage became the second Afri- The word on the street was that the heirs of May 3. No one really has to do a thought- punches at the end by giving Ruined a cute these two theatrical giants wanted to get out can-American women to win the drama Pulitzer, “happy ending,” her drama does raise awareness ful in-depth production of a Noel Coward following Suzan Lori-Parks’ win for Topdog/Un- of the management of the Rodgers and Ham- play nowadays, but City Lit defies such of the plight and perseverance of these women merstein Organization, so a buyer was sought. derdog in 2002. without being preachy or like a TV movie of the prejudiced expectations with this smart and Ruined is not only set amid the civil war-torn Theodore S. Chapin, the current president and funny romantic comedy. MSB week. executive director of the organization, is to be Democratic Republic of the Congo, but it’s par- So congratulations are in order for Nottage, tially inspired by Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Cour- retained. Heirs Alice Hammerstein Mathias and the Goodman and MTC for their Pulitzer win. And Mary Rodgers Guettel (also co-author of the mu- age and Her Children. Ruined focuses on the if you care about these things, Chicagoans can —By Abarbanel, Barnidge, no-nonsense businesswoman Mama Nadi (Saidah sical Once Upon a Mattress) are also to continue Morgan and Sullivan congratulate themselves by pointing out that as consultants. Arrika Ekulona), a bordello owner who tries to Ruined debuted here first. keep her business neutral during the conflict. It remains to be seen if this sale means that But more importantly, Ruined grew out of Not- we’ll have more Rodgers and Hammerstein snip- pets popping up in commercials. I guess it won’t 12 April 29, 2009 THEATER REVIEW into severe depression, leading him to alienate both his upper-class fiancée and his best buddy. The Revenants His co-workers persuade him to volunteer as a Playwright: Scott T. Barsotti tutor at a school in the East End slums. There At: WildClaw Theatre at Angel Island Joey and an immigrant African student bond Theatre, 735 W. Sheridan over their love of pop music—until the inevi- Phone: Web only (TicketWeb.com); $10-$20 table urban tragedy strikes. Runs through: May 24 We’ve heard this story before, of course—gruff dad, doting mum, nuclear-family dynamics mak- BY CATEY SULLIVAN ing for oedipal dependence, and doesn’t every teacher see himself as an almighty rescuer? But Mmmmmmmmmm. Brains. Forget the backyard England is not the United States. In a society barbeque. Nothing says summer like a zombie stratified along lines far more rigid than ours, picnic. And for that, sweet reader, you need look the conflicts associated with fluctuations in the no further than the delightful splatterfest that is status quo generate unease and guilt beyond our Wildclaw Theatre’s The Revenants. Directed with imaginations. So it’s no wonder that Joey re- a keen eye for bodily fluids by Ann Adams, Scott treats into fantasies cobbled out of a self-styled T. Barsotti’s tale of the undead among us also Shintoism, the myth of Marvin Gaye and a long- ago California vacation with his ex-intended, to transcends formula schlock. This, my friends, is The Revenants. a story of zombies in love. But we get ahead of the dismay of those around him. ourselves. thanks to the zombification of Molly and Joe. vocal cords possibly survive the battering they But the inside of a troubled lad’s head is rarely The Revenants opens with unnerving scene. It’s Barsotti doesn’t tell us how this unfortunate oc- take at every show? easy to navigate, even if Eldridge’s script wasn’t a mini-masterpiece of unnerving terror created in currence came about. All we know is that the As the tightly paced story winds on (punctu- riddled in regional argot unfamiliar to Yankee large part by bone-jarring sound design (Mikhail world has become overrun with brain-eating, ated by some of the most effectively used black- ears. (Joey’s favorite expression is “You really Fiksel), and ingenious lighting (Paul Foster.) Ad- pus-oozing monsters, and for the purposes of outs we’ve ever seen), the intriguingly troubled take the piss out of me.”) What’s important, ams has Foster revealing only flashes of what’s this 80-minute tale, that’s all the background we history of this four-way friendship unwinds as however, is not whether we’re with Joey every going on: Split-second apocalyptic images that need. Unable to annihilate their spouses (with the desperation increases. The end, as you might minute, but that the actors remain always cogni- go by so quickly you can’t quite process them a bullet straight through the head, of course, expect, isn’t pretty. But it is as perverse a hap- zant of their chronicle’s narrative arc. And under (which makes them all the more disturbing.) A being the only way to kill the undead), Gary and pily-ever-after as you could possibly want from Tim Patrick Miller’s direction, the cast assembled flash of a distorted, dripping mouth, a festering Karen have tethered Joe and Molly to the floor a tale of love among ghouls. for this Artistic Home production—from Joe Mc- wound, a body lurching and falling—everything while they try to figure out their next move. Cauley’s introverted antisocial Joey to Eustace is perfectly timed and perfectly pitched, culmi- Karen, gazing into Joe’s eyes, is certain THEATER REVIEW Allen’s array of kindly, but ultimately ineffec- nating in screaming Mimi moment that literally “there’s somebody in there” and becomes upset tual, clergymen—guides us through Eldridge’s shakes the seats. when Gary insists the zombies are brain-dead Incomplete and 90-minute maze like capable nannies, assuring Our heroes in this horrorfest are Karen (Jenny and cracks up watching them tear into chunks us that no child will be left behind before we Strubin) and Gary (Ryan Dolan) and their spous- of rotten raw meat. Amidei and Hooper turn Random Acts emerge, united in fresh consciousness of the es, Molly (Laura Hooper) and Joe (Brian Amidei). in startlingly vibrant performances considering of Kindness small graces offering comfort in an uncertain The foursome are holed up in what appears to they’re playing a couple of corpses. They don’t universe. Playwright: David Eldridge be an abandoned garage of the sort that draws have a line of traditional dialogue, but the At: The Artistic Home (fka Live Bait), clueless hapless nubile teenagers in the likes of phlegmy wheezing and deep-throated gurgling 3914 N. Clark Hostel or The Hills Have Eyes. (Kudos to set de- they spew nonstop is varied enough to resem- Phone: 866-811-4111; $15 All-male dance signer Charlie Athanas for making the place look ble some sort of grotesque, primitive language. Runs through: May 17 like Ed Gein’s toolshed.) Midway through, we became convinced that in series ends May 1-3 “Movement/Gentlemen”—a dance concert The two couples have been friends forever real life, neither Amidei or Hooper is talking for BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE series presented by the male members of Chi- but, alas, that friendship is under severe strain the run of the production. How else could their cago Dance Crash that shows them flexing If you find yourself thoroughly puzzled during their creative (and physical) muscle—con- the first 20 minutes of David Eldridge’s play, cludes at the Chicago DCA Storefront Theater, you’re not alone. This is a memory play, you 66 E. Randolph, May 1-3. see—a dramatic genre mandating mosaic nar- The concert features choreography by Crash ration subdivided into blackout-length sketches Artistic Director Kyle Vincent Terry, and in- and bridged by a dizzying swirl of musical hooks cludes Paul Christiano (Chicago Magazine’s and snippets, all of it requiring us not only to 2005 Dancer of the Year), Daniel Qwan Gibson connect the dots, but to first rearrange them and Brian Hare among the dancers perform- into a linear pattern. With patience, however, ing. Attendees can expect a mix of hip-hop, the vertigo gradually lessens to allow the pieces acrobatics and even an intimate pas de deux. to come together. Tickets are $17-$22; call 312-742-TIXS, When they do, we learn that our young work- visit www.dcatheater.org or stop by the box ing-class hero, Joey, has recently lost his be- office. loved mother to cancer, and that, a mere three months later, his cab-driver father began dating the hospital nurse. These events plunge Joey SPOTLIGHT Babes With Blades, the company spe- cializing in stage combat for women, is now parrying with the Bard. Director Kevin Heckman takes a film noir ap- proach to this new all-female produc- tion of Shakespeare’s regicidal drama Macbeth. Babes With Blades’ Macbeth plays 8 p.m. Thursdays through Satur- days through May 30 at LaCosta Theatre, 3931 N. Elston. Tickets are $20; $13 students/seniors. Call 773-880-0016 or visit www.babeswithblades.org. Photo courtesy of Babes With Blades April 29, 2009 13 PRESENT Produced by Windy City Media Group * SOFO 4923 N. Clark MARY’S ATTIC THURSDAY, MAY 14 • 7pm sign up/8pm start 5400 N. Clark @MOSPHERE 5355 N. Clark $100 TO WINNER WITH MOST VOTES WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 • 8pm sign up/9pm start WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 ROSCOE’S 3356 N. Halsted WILD CARD NIGHT 9:00 PM THURSDAY, MAY 28 • 9pm sign up/10pm start $5 cover, Singers sign up at 8pm/$10 fee SIDETRACK 3349 N. Halsted SEMI-FINALS Enjoy $2 Miller Lites and $3 Skyy drinks SATURDAY, MAY 30 • 2pm door/4pm start Plus, at Mary’s Attic you can win: SIDETRACK 3349 N. Halsted FINALS Tickets to RHODA: SATURDAY, JUNE 13 • 1pm door/4pm start LEGALLY BLONDE: SEASON ONE THE MUSICAL on DVD GRAND PRIZE AT FINALS: Over $5000 in cash and prizes! $1000 in cash, American Airlines tickets, Broadway in Chicago tickets, and more For more, visit windycitymediagroup.com or email [email protected] SPONSORED BY: * Windy City Media Group includes Windy City Times, Nightspots and WindyCityQueercast.com 14 April 29, 2009 thugs and inscrutable four-flushers. facing death and flashing back to key moments If you come expecting a dryly academic liberal- in her life). humanitarian social tract (like I did), you’ll miss On the play side of things, Chelsea Marcantel’s valuable exposition and a lot of the fun, too. Beatrice and Beau is a hilarious examination of There will be plenty of time during the after- a romantic couple arguing over whether to take show discussions for righteous pronouncements their relationship to the next stage (masterfully on serious issues. played by Sarah Gitenstein and Michael Sali- nas). THEATER REVIEW Far from just filling out the audience, Sean Graney’s large ensemble for What I Am Supposed Sketchbook to Be? does bring into question (albeit briefly) the self-nagging we all do—be it inconsequen- Festival tial or of a national significance. Playwrights: various And for pure goofy fun, Scott Cupper has a ball At: Collaboraction at as The Dreaded Zeppelin, a dangling aerial World The Building Stage, 412 N. Carpenter War I German spy contemplating his existence in Phone: 312-226-9633; $25-$40 the clouds (the puppetry also helps to make this Runs through: May 10 playlet work). All in all, Collaboraction keeps up its Sketch- BY SCOTT C. MORGAN book credentials as a hip theatrical happening. Red Noses. Photo by Chris Ocken As always, how much fun and depth you get out Young theatrical hipsters rejoice! Collaborac- of the show is entirely up to you. THEATER REVIEW el. Yet the wildly imaginative Red Noses must tion’s 9th annual Sketchbook Festival is back have something to say to us, because this is the with 14 new plays. Red Noses play’s second production of this season. And a At the same time, I must offer a mea culpa About Face to Playwright: Peter Barnes shining Nose it is. Could profound social change because I was only able to catch seven of those At: Strawdog Theatre, 3829 N. Broadway be around our next corner? works. (I had a scheduling conflict on opening honor WCMG Phone: 773-528-9696; $20 night.) Runs through: May 23 at Wonka Ball THEATER REVIEW Unlike other years when Sketchbook programs About Face Theatre’s Wonka Ball 2009—a were divided into set “A” and “B” schedules, this celebration of past, present and future sup- BY JONATHAN ABARBANEL The Overwhelming year’s mix of plays are scrambled from show to porters of the theatre—will take place Thurs- Playwright: J.T. Rogers show. So I couldn’t really remedy my absence day, May 7, at Salvage One, 1840 W. Hubbard. When forces of profound social change are un- At: Next Theatre at the Noyes Cultural because the set of seven plays you see one night The main event begins at 7 p.m. with a VIP leashed—whether intentionally (say, war) or Arts Center, 927 Noyes Street, Evanston may include ones you’ve already seen in anoth- reception at 6-7:30 p.m. unintentionally (say, economic depression)—it’s Phone: 847-475-1875; $23-$38 er. This year, About Face will honor Tracy Baim difficult to put the genie back in the bottle. The Runs through: May 17 In a switch from previous seasons, Collaborac- French Revolution went through increasingly and Windy City Media Group (WCMG) with tion has sought “devised works” by individuals the annual Leppen Leadership Award. WCMG radical stages which only the combined forces BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE or a team or artists instead of just by play- of Europe could halt. Stalin and Mao impris- is the largest chain of Chicago’s LGBT online wrights. This has given a much more concep- and print media, and this May marks publish- oned or executed many of their co-revolutionary It’s not easy to reconfigure real-life genocidal tual and abstract bent to some pieces—many er Tracy Baim’s 25th anniversary as an out comrades. Iranian students who supported the atrocities into a film noir whodunit, but that’s of which provoked a smattering of ponderous “I journalist. Windy City Times, Chicago’s oldest Shah’s overthrow in 1979 didn’t expect the strict precisely what J.T. Rogers has done. Our setting didn’t get that one” audience statements. gay newspaper, is among an elite group of the fundamentalist repression they helped engineer. may be Rwanda instead of Chinatown, but the One of those is Joseph Ravens’ Kattywampus, top gay newspapers in the United States. Politically, Red Noses is about putting the ge- famous tagline from Roman Polanski’s movie which consists of a man wearing an oversized “About Face is honored to present Tracy nie back. It’s set in 1348 France when bubonic lurks in the shadows, waiting to be uttered. papier-mâché head contorting around a circular Baim and Windy City Media Group the Lep- plague killed one-third of the population. Not Our story begins with the arrival in Kigali of carpet patch while pulling out egg-shaped col- pen Award for their profound contribution to understood scientifically, the Black Death was young American professor Jack Exley. He is there ored fabric balls from the crotch of his flesh- the City of Chicago,” Metzgar said in a state- considered God’s wrath against wickedness, en- to research the AIDS-relief project administered colored tights. Perhaps he’s a symbolic baby in ment. gendering off-shoot religious movements when by his former college chum, Joseph Gasana. the womb, or a circus performer spreading some Featured performers at the 2009 Wonka Ball the universal Catholic Church was weak. Once Jack has brought his African-American wife, kind of venereal disease. (It’s up to you to de- include the cast and band of the hit new pro- the plague passed, Pope Clement VI (in Avi- Linda, and estranged teenage son, Geoffrey, cide.) duction of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, drag gnon, not Rome) had to restore obedience to with him—after all, it’s 1994 and the United Less of a head-scratcher is Mark Comiskey’s sensation Dida Ritz and the New York nou- the Church and its allied secular governments. Nations forces have imposed a cease-fire on civil live and playback video piece The Gist, in which veau-nerd band The Gay Agenda. More than On a metaphysical level, however, Red Noses strife. But even before we learn that Dr. Gasana three people (perhaps in a love triangle) sym- 600 people are expected to attend this year’s is about a fundamental of faith: Do we love or has mysteriously disappeared, we suspect that bolically struggle and look back on their fight Wonka Ball, which will also feature live enter- fear God? Is life’s cup half full or half empty? Is things in this newly independent country are not over a fruit bowl. tainment, a silent auction and an open bar. earthly existence a punishment or a joy? Father what they seem. Much more fun is Carolyn Hoerdemann and Past attendees have included Mayor Rich- Flote, the play’s heroic simple priest, believes It’s not just hindsight that alerts us, nor even Atalee Judy’s video-heavy Fix Your Teeth B*tch. ard M. Daley and Mrs. Daley, Nate Berkus, Top laughter is the best medicine and founds a trav- the vague paranoia that infects any excursion It shows Hoerdemann as a nervous goth girl pa- Chef finalist Dale Levitski and Project Runway eling clown troupe to fight the despair and an- into an alien culture, but the preternatural na- tient, possibly high on nitrous oxide, both em- contestant Steven Rosengard. archy of the plague years. iveté inflicted by the author on his Yankees: bracing the fear and pain of dental work. To purchase tickets or for more information, By turns serious or bizarre, Red Noses most Jack scurries from one office to another, de- Sandra Delgado’s devised piece Para Carmen visit www.aboutfacethreatre.com or call Ova- definitely is a comedy—a sprawling pageant manding information regarding his missing col- feels like too much has been stuffed into one tionTix at 866-811-4111. with several dozen characters. If well done, the league and protesting indignantly when none piece (which depicts an elderly Latina woman verbal wit and physical comedy should be laugh- is forthcoming. Linda is squired about town by out-loud funny, and so they are in director Matt a seductively oily host lifted straight from the Hawkins’s production. Scenically it’s nothing Victorian villains’ mug file. And young Geoffrey special—some tricks with paint and body fluids pays a visit to a whorehouse, accompanied by a are the chief visual devices—but with 23 actors friendly houseboy. Their thorough obliviousness in a small space, the focus must be on people to ominous remarks reflecting the social order of and not scenery. their surroundings, and their reluctance to exer- And what people they are! Stephen Taylor’s cise the most elementary cautions prescribed to martini-dry, razor-sharp Pope Clement is a joy. tourists make us wonder how these hicks ever John Ferrick’s kindly and sympathetic Flote is survived at home. (Linda claims to be from De- a blessing. Sarah Goeden’s ethereal Sonnerie is troit, for chrissakes!) radiant, wordlessly speaking the language of Although the action encompasses extensive angels. And the clowns really are funny, among exposition of world events and recent history them blind juggler Anderson Lawfer and lanky (but remarkably little onstage violence), there’s assistant Andrew Trygstad. And the collective no denying The Overwhelming’s primary appeal cast joyously takes up instruments as a jug as good, old-fashioned, hankie-twisting, neo- band. Despite lacking impressive spectacle ele- colonialist melodrama. Kimberly Senior directs a ments, this is engagingly theatrical theater. cast adept at lending solemnity to quasi-comic I could quibble: the show is imaginative mod- book characters, led by Si Osborne as the in- ern clown dress (Aly Renee Greaves, designer) nocent hero whose existential escape routes are with no 14th-century flavor. And 1980s pop undermined by mistrust and corruption until he tunes replace playwright Barnes’ lyrics. Why breaks like Winston Smith (cf. George Orwell’s not set Barnes’ words to original music? Direc- 1984) when finally cornered. Driving him to this tor Hawkins’s program note says he equates the crisis are Kenn E. Head, Dexter Zollicoffer, Ja- play to the Reagan-Thatcher era in which it was mie Vann, John Byrnes, Christoph Horton Abiel The Overwhelming. Photo by Michael Brosilow written, but it doesn’t work on any obvious lev- and John Nyrere Frazier, playing assorted spies, April 29, 2009 15 NUNN ON ONE: I add that into my performance. When the cho- THEATER reographer and I started working on the song, I was given a lot of liberties, so we played around for a few hours to see how much I could bend. Noah Aberlin: WCT: Your character is referred to as “Hunk.” What about him is a hunk? ‘Oz’ and effect NA: It’s just one of those old time names. The BY JERRY NUNN three of us are Zeke, Hickory and Hunk. Those are names you don’t see anymore. I don’t think Friends of Dorothy will once again be traveling it means he’s an actual hunk although Dorothy “Over the Rainbow” at the Chicago Theatre, 175 may have a little crush on him. I think I am a N. State, April 30-May 3. Windy City Times spoke pretty attractive guy but I don’t think that’s why with the Scarecrow, played by Noah Aberlin, to they cast me. [Laughs] pick his brain and hear about this production of WCT: I read all the L. Frank Baum books The Wizard of Oz. growing up as a child. What do you think Windy City Times: Hello, Noah! Tell our about the characters that make them so pop- readers about your background and what has ular today in shows such as Wicked? brought you to the wonderful world of Oz. NA: The characters are just enough human and Noah Aberlin: Sure. I am from Brooklyn, N.Y. I just enough fantasy to make people associate graduated from Syracuse University. This is my with them. They can be as much of a real person third national tour. I did a tour with The Pro- Noah Aberlin (right) is the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz. Photo by Michael Brosilow and a fictional character as the actors lets on or ducers and Contact, which was a strictly dance the audience will let them be. I relate it to the show. I just did Candide with the New York City called “The Jitterbug” which was cut out of the show. They get to experience backstage life and Harry Potter books of today. He is a young boy Opera. movie for timing issues that we have put back being a professional actor. This also keeps it dif- with issues but has the magic element also to WCT: What attracts you to these musical in. It’s just before the winged monkeys come to ferent in every city. deal with. In L. Frank Baum’s world, the Scare- projects? pick Dorothy up and steal her away. WCT: That sounds darling. Does the show run crow is just an average guy that gets picked on NA: I started as a dancer and then did musical It is pretty much the movie onstage, with some long because of all the aspects being brought and is not too bright. He actually turns out to theater when I was in high school. I found I had theatrical elements to make it more entertaining back in? be really smart and intuitive. There are little bits a knack for it and fit in real well. The heightened for a live audience. NA: It runs two and a half hours, and that in- and pieces that everyone can relate with. emotions of theater, dancing and singing have WCT: How is it different? cludes a 20-minute intermission. It’s very fast- Looking to relate to your childhood? The always appealed to me in a performance. NA: We pick local children to play the munch- paced so it doesn’t seem long. Wizard of Oz will be at The Chicago Theatre, WCT: How similar is this production to the kins. We have a small cast of shorter adults who WCT: How much do you love getting to sing located at 175 N. State. Tickets are $25-$75 1939 MGM movie version? are mixed in with the kids. The children are au- the classic song “If I Only Had a Brain?” each; visit www.thechicagotheatre.com or call NA: We stick very close to the movie script. We ditioned a few months before the performance. NA: It’s lots of fun—that song in particular. I Ticketmaster at 312-559-1212. have all the same songs. There is actually a song They are taught the dance, then are put in the have a background in gymnastics and dance, so TELEVISION know if I’m physically attracted to someone, I KG: Yes, which was tough to do. Given my like to go beyond that and get to the second schedule, just being there was tough. But I ‘Millionaire layer before I make a decision. In addition, I’m wouldn’t have done that any differently for any- not used to being in a room with a bunch of one visiting me from L.A. Matchmaker,’ people and my objective is to figure out which WCT: If you had to do the show all over one I want to date. Usually, my objective is to again, would you do anything differently? make me a match find a common denominator. I would’ve wanted KG: [Pauses] That’s a good question. I would’ve By ANDREW DAVIS to spend a lot more time with a lot of them— been much less nervous approaching the show. although I wouldn’t have necessarily wanted to With a company, employees and brand-name cli- Bravo TV’s The Millionaire Matchmaker will make date them. ents, I was cautious about everything I did. But its own kind of history Thursday, May 7, when WCT: Taking the show’s title into account, looking back, all of my clients know I’m gay so Patti Stanger attempts to help a gay client, Kev- how concerned were you that you could be it would probably make more sense to just jump in Grangier, find Mr. Right. Grangier talked with matched up with a gold-digger? in and be perfectly content with everything. Windy City Times about his experience on the KG: Well, obviously, you’re concerned about I would’ve been a little less cautious, I think. show and about Stanger herself. that, but it is what it is—and I’ve certainly been However, it was a fair experience. Windy City Times: First, how did you come around the dating path for a long path. I was WCT: There were two millionaires on the to be on the show? cautious, as I always am. There were guys in the show, as is standard. What did you think of Kevin Grangier: Well, you know—dating dilem- mixer who I definitely stayed away from because the other millionaire, Anthony? ma. [Laughs] The concept of the show, of course, I thought [money] was their primary objective, KG: I thought he was quite interesting. I just is Patti working with you to find the appropriate but someone who’s in my shoes would be pretty found him a colorful person. I didn’t look at him match and I, like everyone else in dating his- used to dealing with that. as a millionaire; I just looked at him as a guy tory, have come across hurdles I don’t seem to WCT: I don’t want to give too many details with an interesting job [Las Vegas hypnotist be able to overcome myself. I approached Patti away, but were you content with how your headliner] and an interesting life. Throughout about assisting me, and that turned into what date went at your home in Kentucky? the course of the evening [of the mixer], people we’ll see May 7. KG: Yes, I was. [We] didn’t know what to ex- kept telling me they thought I was the straight WCT: You’re described as a workaholic. I can pect, but that was equally as awkward. You’re one and that he was the gay one, and there relate; I often tell people that work is my spending a couple days with someone you’ve was something a little comforting about that; I mistress. just met briefly, and you haven’t talked since think his highlights may have had something to Kevin Grangier. Photo courtesy of Bravo KG: Yes, she labeled me as a workaholic. I that initial meeting. Plus, you have a camera do with it. would call myself very dedicated to my compa- over you the whole time. one who hasn’t worked with us before, I think For more information on The Millionaire ny and clients. [Grangier owns a PR/marketing that’s what she thinks is the correct terminol- WCT: And you planned all the details of the Matchmaker, see www.bravotv.com. firm.] However, people outside my own personal ogy, and I know she was very excited to work date? circle would think that I’m a workaholic. I do say with me. that I’m married to my company and refer to my WCT: Moving on to the mixer [to meet po- employees as my children. tential dates], what was that experience like? WCT: What were your impressions of Patti? Did you find it intimidating at all? KG: I like Patti, and we got along very well KG: It was absolutely intimidating. Not know- from day one—but Patti can be brutal; she very ing what you’re getting into, and not knowing clearly has opinions, and she is very thought- the people—or never had seen them before, it ful and wants to share them with you. And she was something I was a little bit anxious about. wants to help fix any areas of concern you might You don’t know what they’re looking for, you have. But in that process, she can be intimidat- don’t know if you’re going to meet their expec- ing and tough, and I got along with her very tations—and it’s a bunch of gay guys, and you well. And I was her first gay client, so there was know how tough that can be. [Laughs] It was an educational component to this entire process like to go to a bar at Any City, USA. However, it and that may have softened things a bit. was also exciting; it was a fun event, and it was WCT: In the episode, she says some things fun getting to meet everybody. [some members of the LGBT community] may WCT: I know there’s a whole lot of editing find off-putting, such as using the phrase involved, so tell me: Did you get as much “the gays” in “I love the gays.” time to meet the prospective dates as you KG: I haven’t seen the final cut of the show, needed? but she did refer to our society as “the gays,” KG: Oh, absolutely not. [Laughs] My personality [although] I don’t find that offensive and I is to get to know somebody. While I immediately wouldn’t take it down a path. I think, for some- 16 April 29, 2009 progressively electro-hued that Lindsay Lohan can purchase her life story ter is remixed by Andrew Weatherall (Primal “Your Drinking” and “Red for a biopic “over my dead body.” When the right Scream, New Order, One Dove). The bonus disc State/Blue State” to the star is found, that will make quite a film. contains B-sides, the instrumental version of seductive jazz leanings on On her fourth outing, Testimony: Vol. 2, Love “Touch Me with Your Love,” rarities and covers the steamy “Swimming.” & Politics, India.Arie finds herself in a much of “It’s Not the Spotlight,” a minimalist take on Escaping the summer in better space. Her insights are beautifully mar- the Ronettes’ “I Wish I Never Saw the Sunshine” The Lone Star State, the ried to a neo-soul sound. On “Psalms 23” she and “Dolphins.” Chicago’s Terry Callier guests Texas Music Hall of Fame remains hopeful: “You won’t get the best of me, on “Dolphins” as well as on “Lean on Me.” The inductee will be at Women even though you broke my heart, I’m gonna pick Legacy Edition of Trailer Park will tie over fans, POP and Children First Books, up the pieces.” On top of finding balance and as Orton will release much-awaited new material 5233 N. Clark, on Saturday, enlightenment through music, Arie serves as a later this year. MAKING June 20, at 8 p.m. goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. The Grammy George Michael singing about cheating on Sure, Sandra Bernhard winner’s take on Don Henley’s “The Heart of the his girlfriend with another woman? It must have SENSE recounts an evening with Matter” can be heard in the trailer to Sex and been the ’80s. The chart-topper “Careless Whis- Stevie Nicks in one of her the City: The Movie. Arie’s tour will have a stop per” recently has been redone by Seether. The memoirs, but a concert in Chicago on Sunday, May 17, at The House of South African band morphs this evergreen from keepsake from a night with Blues, 329 N. Dearborn. its familiar soulful power ballad into a writhing Nicks in The Windy City is Country-music sensation Martina McBride de- uncomfortable rock confessional, replacing the now available. The DVD Live buted on top of the country charts and crossed saxophone solos with dirty guitar licks. Seether’s by David Byrne and Tony Peregrin in Chicago and its compan- over to the top 10 on the pop charts with her version is available as a single on iTunes. Many ion album, The Soundstage Sessions, have Nicks’ 10th studio album, Shine. The Kansas native is have done remakes of “Careless Whisper,” includ- The Indigo Girls are showing off “the power of signature warble and doe eyes in fine form. even reaching out to her LGBT audience with a ing flash-in-the-pan British dance vocalist Sarah two” with the release of Poseidon and the Bitter Here, Nicks delivers staples like the restructured cover article in Out magazine—a rarity in the Washington, Bananarama, Dave Koz, Tamia and Bug on the duo’s own label IG Recordings. This “Stand Back” and an orchestral version of the more conservative country genre. Don’t worry, The Gossip. Seether named itself after Veruca is the pair’s first independent effort since its beloved “Landslide” as well as a cover of “Crash though: McBride’s “What Do I Have to Do” is Salt’s breakout song. 1987 debut, Strange Fire. This “Poseidon adven- into Me” by Dave Matthews. This marks the first not a remake of Kylie Minogue’s hit of the same The Red Hot organization is back with the ture” is also available in a limited edition with of her shows to be recorded live since 1985. Bo- name. Two of my friends met McBride as her ca- double-disc compilation, Dark Was the Night. a bonus disc containing stripped-down acoustic nus tracks “Enchanted,” “Gold Dust Woman” and reer was about to take off at one of her shows. This set will ready listeners for Lollapalooza and arrangements of the set’s material. Highlighting “Edge of Seventeen” are available exclusively on Both said how beautiful, talented and down-to- Pitchfork music festivals with contributions from this release are the closing track “True Roman- iTunes. Recently, Nicks told The New York Times earth she was, all of which transcends into her mainstays in the alternative music scene such as tic,” Emily Saliers’ “What Are you Like?” and a music. Grizzly Bear, Antony Hegarty, Sufjan Stevens and reworking of “Driver Education” from Amy Ray’s It’s back to the “trailer park” for Beth Orton. Chicago darling Andrew Bird. Here, My Bright- solo album, Prom. Kick off Pride weekend with The British singer-songwriter has reissued a lim- est Diamond strips down Nina Simone’s classic ited edition of her folk-meets-electronica full- “Feeling Good.” Dark Was the Night also features an outdoor concert, as The Indigo Girls are per- Indigo length debut, Trailer Park. This set cemented some peculiar pairings such as Feist with Griz- forming at Ravinia on Friday, June 26. Girls. Iconic out singer-songwriter Gretchen Phil- the buzz that Orton created by teaming with zly Bear on “Service Bell” and The Books fea- lips returns with her first new album in five years The Chemical Brothers as well as William Orbit, turing Jose Gonzalez doing “Cello Song.” Other with I Was Just Comforting Her. Here, Phillips before he worked on Madonna’s Ray of Light. charitable compilations in this series include the seamlessly glides from the bitter retro twang of This remastered double-disc set features Orton Cole Porter tribute Red, Hot + Blue and the lively country music on “Honey, I Feel So Good” to the achingly singing on the singles “She Cries Your Red, Hot & Dance. Name” and “Touch Me with Your Love.” The lat- CULTURE CLUB “A play of depth as well as dazzle, intensely moving as well as thought-provoking and funny.” — Daily Telegraph WINNER OF 6 TONY AWARDS INCLUDING BEST PLAY! CHICAGO PREMIERE | BY ALAN BENNETT 773.281.8463 timelinetheatre.com Shapeshifters Theatre Co. presents VSReWU SOMEONE WHO’LL WATCH OVER ME April 17-May 9, 2009 O\R bVSO\U`gW\QV /^`WZ'´;Og % bWQYSba(%%! " ' " #]`ObQeSP ]`U The Irish-American Heritage Center - 2nd Floor Gallery 4626 N. Knox Ave. - Chicago, IL by Frank McGuinness Directed by Matthew Singletary April 29, 2009 17 At the other end of the love spectrum is Sita was like I was visiting royalty. Truly, truly, I’ve Sings the Blues, which filmmaker Nina Paley has never felt so loved and wanted and needed in given the tongue-in-cheek subtitle “The Great- my life,” she told Instinct magazine. In 2003 KNIGHT est Break-Up Story Ever Told”—and she may be she appeared in out director Rick McKay’s docu- right. Paley, a cartoonist and sometime anima- mentary Broadway The Golden Age, reminiscing AT tor, takes the story of the abrupt end of the re- about the early days of her career on Broadway. THE lationship with her husband and artfully links it Arthur also made a memorable cameo appear- to the myth of the Hindu goddess Sita, who was ance along with Patrick Stewart in Out There, a MOVIES also spurned by her warrior husband, Rama, after television special produced by Comedy Central in being kidnapped by an evil king. Paley envisions 1993 that was one of the first television show- Sita as a sort of curvaceous variation on Betty cases of gay and lesbian comedians. “Everybody Boop and gives her the same kewpie-doll sexi- Today Is Turning On,” a song from her 1979 CBS ness. In a series of trippy musical numbers, Paley variety special, was dedicated to the pleasures has Sita sing via the sublime vintage recordings of getting high and sung with another gay icon, of ‘20s torch-song vocalist Annette Henshaw. Rock Hudson; the video has become a YouTube (So pervasive and winning is this unique idea Bea Arthur. favorite. Locally, a reunion duet of “Bosom Bud- that Henshaw is credited as the “star” of the dies” with her Mame co-star Angela Lansbury movie.) from the 1987 Tony Awards has been a weekly Ghosts of Girlfriends The dazzling musical numbers have the same Bea Arthur staple at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted, for years. trippy animated quality and wry humor that pop “There is still so much intolerance,” Arthur told Past; Sita Sings the artist Peter Max brought to the Beatles’ Yellow dies at 86 Instinct magazine, referring to the attitudes the Submarine. (The movie’s a persuasive argument By RICHARD KNIGHT, JR. gay community faces. “We need to change that.” Blues; film notes for the continuation of 2-D animation—this Arthur, who was married and divorced twice, is By RICHARD KNIGHT, JR. is anti-Pixar.) Sita’s story is narrated by three Goodbye, Sweet Bea: Bea Arthur, star of survived by two sons and two granddaughters. shadow puppets who gently and playfully argue the long-running hit TV sitcoms “Maude” and Love’s old bittersweet song—the favorite subject with one another over variations in the myth “Golden Girls” and award winning Broadway matter of all the arts and the movies, in partic- and are contrasted by Paley’s own sudden mari- stage actress passed away peacefully on Satur- WCT reviewer ular—is at the heart of two very different films tal breakup. day, April 25, at the age of 86. Arthur, a long- opening this weekend. Ghosts of Girlfriends time friend of the gay community, was beloved in horror movie Startling in its delightful originality, Sita Steve Warren, whose reviews of movies and Past is a good example of a slick, standard Hol- for her acidic way with a wisecrack, her spot- Sings the Blues—Paley’s feature debut—is a co- videos occasionally run in Windy City Times, has lywood studio-produced romantic comedy that on comedic timing, ribald sense of humor and gent example of an artist drawing on her experi- a major part in Scarce, a Canadian horror movie utilizes a clever conceit—a retelling of Dickens’ one-of-a-kind baritone singing voice. Arthur’s ence and shaping it into a unique vision. The that will be out on DVD May 5. A Christmas Carol—and some expert supporting breakthrough came in 1955 when she played the film makes its Chicago debut at the Gene Siskel Warren plays Ivan, who lives with Wade (Gary comedic performances to help it squeak by while role of Lucy in the legendary production of Ber- Film Center, 164 N. State, beginning Friday, May Fischer) in a rural cabin with a dungeon in the Sita Sings the Blues, an enchanting animated tolt Brecht’s “Threepenny Opera” on Broadway 1. Although Paley prefers filmgoers see it in a basement. In the movie, three young snow- film that links a classic Indian myth with the opposite Lotte Lenya. Just over a decade later theater (where ticket sales will benefit her), boarders get stranded nearby and wind up in the relationship breakup of its maker Nina Paley, is she essayed the memorable role of Vera Charles, the movie is also being offered online as a free dungeon. breathtaking in its originality and heralds the the drunken hambone sidekick to Angela Lans- download in order to reach the widest audience. Warren has a number of independent produc- arrival of a major new talent. bury’s Mame, winning a Tony and introducing See www.sitasingstheblues.com. tions awaiting release, including Lynch Mob, An Matthew McConaughey stars in Ghosts of Girl- her signature song (“The Man in the Moon”) in friends Past as Connor Mead, a successful pho- Inconvenient Tax, Paper Boys, Game Over, Spe- Film notes: the process. Arthur went on to recreate the role tographer who is an unrepentant, callous wom- cial Affects, Missing and his first western, The —There will be an encore screening and ad- in the 1974 film version alongside Lucille Ball. anizer. At his younger brother’s wedding, which Gunfighters’ Last Stand, all filmed in Georgia. vance DVD release of the Chicago indie feature But it is Maude (1972-1977) and Golden Girls is being held at the Newport estate of his dearly Mass Romantic at the Landmark Century Centre (1985-1992) that brought Arthur lasting fame. departed Uncle Wayne (Michael Douglas)—from Cinema, 2828 N. Clark, Thursday, April 30, at Both shows continue to be extremely popular whom Connor learned to be such a skirt-chas- At the movies 7:30 p.m. A meet-and-greet with the cast and with LGBT audiences, something acknowledged The Chicago Latino Film Festival opened with er—he’s informed by the spirit of his uncle that director Richard Paro will kick off the event at by Arthur, and both television shows tackled gay a present—actually El Regalo/The Gift, a hit he will be visited by the ghosts of three former 6:30 p.m. Mass Romantic is a relationship drama subject matter with storylines that argued for movie from Chile, which was shown at AMC River girlfriends, given an overview of his prodigious that follows a group of activists and academ- equality for gay people. East 21, 322 E. Illinois, on April 17. The open- sex life and, if lucky, a chance to redeem himself ics in search of love while working on political In 2001, Arthur toured with her one-woman ing-night gala included food, drinks and Chilean in the eyes of the woman (Jennifer Garner) that art. Queer politics and transphobia are just two Tony-nominated show, Bea Arthur: Just Between dancers. Among the other films shown was Silent he never really wanted to let slip away. of the topics touched on in the film; see www. Friends. She was overwhelmed by the reception Shame, a film about how HIV impacts one Latino Director Mark Waters, who has made a series of mudgeonsoul.org. the show received in front of a largely gay au- family. audience-friendly but hardly challenging movies —Facets Night School is a new, weekly mid- dience in Provincetown, Mass. “Oh my God, it —Jerry Nunn (The Spiderwick Chronicles, Just Like Heaven, night movie series focusing on offbeat cult films Mean Girls), stays safely within the confines of chosen and hosted by Facets Cinematheque’s the worked-over script by Jon Lucas and Scott resident staff of film buffs. The initial lineup— Moore. McConaughey shows his dazzling smile set to run beginning Saturday, May 2, at Fac- (although he doesn’t remove his shirt nearly ets, 1517 W. Fullerton, and continuing through Movie kind of love enough for my tastes) and Garner flashes her Saturday, June 27—encompasses a large assort- dimples while Robert Forster, Emma Stone, Lac- ment of genres, including horror, sci-fi, kung-fu, ey Chabert and Noureen DeWulf provide laughs exploitation flicks and a healthy slice of oddi- and Breckin Meyer, Anne Archer and Daniel Sun- ties. The series kicks off with Alejandro Jodor- jata offer heart. It’s not easy to make a romantic owsky’s The Holy Mountain from 1973. A lecture comedy centered on an egocentric guy who’d by host Brian Elza precedes the screening. $5 rather “fork than spoon” audience-friendly, but per lecture/screening. www.facets.org/cinema- the Christmas Carol template helps Waters do theque the trick. As the film neared its inevitable con- —Queer Cinema 101, the five-week LGBT film clusion my mind conjured up nice twists on the series hosted by local gay film critics, contin- title and the central conceit—wouldn’t a gay ues Monday, May 4, with 1986’s Parting Glances, version of this be a hoot? hosted by Chicago Free Press film critic Gregg Shapiro. Parting Glances, a loving examination of a gay couple living in New York City at a turn- ing point in their relationship, was one of the first indies to deal frankly with AIDS and other issues relevant to the LGBT community. Richard Ganoung, star of the movie, will be in atten- dance and will participate in a post-screening Q&A with audience members. The film will screen at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, in the Hoover-Leppen Theatre. A $5 suggested dona- tion is requested. Visit www.centeronhalsted.org or call 773-472-6469, ext. 245. Five gay critics—(from left) Gay Chicago Magazine’s Charlie Shoquist, Windy City Times’ Check out my archived reviews at www. Richard Knight, Jr., Chicago Free Press’ Gregg Shapiro, Gay Chicago’s Jonathan Lewis and Time windycitytimes.com or www.knightatthemov- Out Chicago’s Hank Sartin—each lead a night discussing an LGBT-themed film in Queer Cin- ies.com. Readers can leave feedback at the ema 101, which is running Mondays through May 11 at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted. latter Web site. Sita Sings the Blues. Photo by Rick Aguilar 18 April 29, 2009 WHAT TO DO? Sunday, May 3 Wednesday, April 29 Discloses” Workshop 7:30 p.m. Info: ciation, 20th anniversary. Hyatt Lodge, Singers 7:30 p.m. Big Chicks/Tweet Civil Union lobby day, Equality Illinois. Carrie at prevention@rapevictimadvo- Oak Brook. 708-848-0273 www.opalga. 5024 N Sheridan 773-728-5511 Buses depart Center on Halsted 3656 cates.org or 312-443-9603 Women & org N. Halsted St at 7 a.m. and from Oak Children First, 5233 N. Clark St. 773- Thursday, May 7 Park at 7 a.m., stopping briefly in 769-9299 www.womenandchildrenfirst. Sunday, May 3 AVER (GLBT Veterans) 7 p.m. Center on Bolingbrook from 8 to 8:20 a.m. Equal- com Chicago House Brunch and Fashion Halsted 3656 N. Halsted www.center- ity Illinois 773-477-7173 or info@ Submit a DVD by today for Make Us show, with designers Custo Barcelona, onhalsted.org eqil.org A Musical! Make a queer musical for Vizeau, Hickey Freeman, Jorge del Out and Proud in Chicago: An Overview Equality Illinois Spring Wine Tasting Threat Level’s next evening of queer Busto, His Stuff and Macy’s. Lunch, of the City’s Gay Community discussion Party $20 at door. 6 to 9 p.m. Side- shorts. Send a playable DVD NTSC, Jewell Events Catering; deserts, Sara and signing 6 p.m. with editor Tracy track, 3349 N. Halsted St. contact info and a one line synopsis. Lee Corporation. 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Baim and contributors, Marie J. Kuda, Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to: Feder/Rosskam, 1265 W Early Ave $175 for Garden Seating and $275 at Ron Dorfman, Jonathan Abarbanel, Mix and Mingle. 6-9 p.m. $20.00/$30. #2 Chicago IL 60660. Screening May the Runway. Winter Garden Ballroom, Owen Keehnen, senior editor Jorjet LEI GROUND Embassy Suites Chicago-Downtown, 15th. 400 S. State St., Harold Washington Li- Harper, Jeff Berry and senior editor 600 N. State. Contact: Christina Pinson brary. 773-248-5200, ext 303 or www. William Kelley will discuss the long and Chicago House’s Brunch and Fashion Show 773-303-0167 Friday, May 1 chicagohouse.org rich history of the city’s LGBTQA com- will be held at Harold Washington Library, Ghost Factory Reading & Release Party The Flesh Hungry Dog Show presents, Dorothy Allison and Thomas Glave. munity . Barnes and Noble DePaul Cen- 400 S. State. featuring editor David Peak, contribu- Welcome The Stranger, three out of Women and Children First, 5233 N. ter, State and Jackson. 312-362-8792 tors Kathie Bergquist, Christina Correa, town bands, The Nice Device (Detroit), Clark, 4:30 p.m. Glave will be reading or www.depaul-loop.bncollege.com Jesse Morrison, Maggie Ritchie, and Big Fun 4ever (Milwaukee), and Charles from his new collection of stories, The Out and CHM Surviving Reagan, Chica- Photo from the 2008 Brunch and Fashion Show by Kat Jessica Young. 7 p.m. Women & Chil- S. McVey (Lawrence, KS). The show will Torturer’s Wife. See www.womenand- goans recount GLBT history in the ‘80s, Fitzgerald (MysticImagesPhotography.com) dren First, 5233 N. Clark St. 773-769- also feature “Bag of Fun” prize give- childrenfirst.com from AIDS to Bowers v. Hardwick. 5:30 9299 www.womenandchildrenfirst.com aways from The Pleasure Chest, rare PFLAG—Hinsdale chapter meets the p.m. cocktails, 6:30 p.m. program, 8 Chicago NOW Lesbian Rights Team 7 and vintage film, special guest per- first Sunday of every month, 2-4 p.m., p.m. after-party. Tix $10/$12 at Chi- p.m. lobby Center on Halsted, 3656 formers from Girlie-Q Burlesque, and Hinsdale Unitarian Church, 17 West cago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St. Sunday, May 3 N. Halsted St. DJ Sky. 9 p.m. Jackhammer 6406 N. Maple, Hinsdale. www.chicagohistory.org Sapphic Adventures, 7 p.m. La Touche Clark St. 773-743-5772 www.fleshhun- Our Sisters Bazaar, for women with eco- Wonka Ball 2009, About Face Theatre’s French Bistro, 1475 W. Balmoral www. grydog.com. nomic struggles. Bazaar will have free annual fundraiser. 6-7:30 p.m.: VIP meetup.com/sapphicadventures Jackson Pollock Meets Bette Midler, items for unemployed/underemployed recep 7-11 p.m. main event. Salvage Windy City Gay Idol, Chicago’s biggest opening artist reception 6:30–10 pm women and a re-sale area. 11 a.m. to One1840 W. Hubbard St. RSVP by April LGBT contest, eight rounds in eight through June 30. The Palmer Gallery, 6 p.m. Howard Brown Center, 4025 N. 30. www.aboutfacetheatre.com/events. bars, over $5,000 in cash and prizes. 233 W. Huron St. 312-274-1222 Sheridan. Participate or donate: our- html 8 p.m. signup/9 p.m. start Mary’s Attic Martha Stewart signs copies of her new [email protected] or 630-341- 5500 N. Clark cynthia@windycityme- book, Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia 0549 Friday, May 8 diagroup.com www.windycitymedia- of Crafts, and best-seller Martha Stew- “Caliban, Dancing” questions of re- group.com/Idol2009.html art ‘s Cooking School. 1 p.m. Macy’s on Monday, May 4 sponsibility and consequence mingle State. Parting Glances screening, part of with sexuality and the right to die. Thursday, April 30 UIC’s 3rd Annual Rainbow Banquet fea- Queer Cinema 101, five week film series 8 p.m., $15. Through May 24. Chi- 16th Annual Dining Out for Life ben- turing Lavender Graduation, Celebrat- through May 11, the best of gay cine- cago Actors Studio 2040 N. Elston Ave. efits AIDSCARE and spreads awareness. ing the Class of 2009 Mixer, keynote ma chosen and hosted by gay film crit- 773-282-0344 or www.nufanensemble. Reserve at www.diningoutforlife.com/ speaker will be lesbian and writer Dor- ics, this week Gregg Shapiro, Chicago com Chicago othy Allison.4 p.m. Banquet follows, Free Press. Partially sponsored by www. Jaks Tap, 901 W. Jackson. lthomson@ Newtown Writers Fortnightly Writing HannahFree.com, the forthcoming les- Saturday, May 9 Workshop 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Ger- uic.edu 312-413-8619 bian themed film shot in Chicago and HRC Chicago’s Families with Children ber-Hart Library 1127 W. Granville Ave. starring Sharon Gless (trailer shown Group at the Museum of Contemporary HOME OF THE GLAVE www.newtownwriters.org Saturday, May 2 before screenings). Center on Halsted, Art, Chicago’s Target Family Day. Group Poetic Voices Without Borders 2 for Na- Chicago House Fanta-Sea Island Fashion 3656 N. Halsted. 773-472-6469 www. will meet at 10 a.m. in the MCA’s Kanter tional Poetry Month and the release of Thomas Glave (above) and Dorothy Allison Splash fundraiser, a weekend of fash- centeronhalsted.org Meeting Center. Jan Greenberg, author the Gival Press anthology Poetic Voices will read at Women and Children First, 5233 ion. “Families for Families” on Saturday of Chuck Close: Up Close, Frank Gehry: Without Borders 2, will include Chica- is everything family-friendly, includ- Tuesday, May 5 Outside In, and Action Jackson, speaks N. Clark. go-based writers Nina Corwin, Gerard ing kids fashions and entertainment. Carol Anshaw (Aquamarine) will read at and signs new book, Side by Side: New Wozek, Kristy Bowen and Gregg Sha- 11:30 a.m. to1:30 p.m. $40 kids/$100 The Parlor Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 at Poetry Inspired by Art from Around Photo by Evangelos Dousmanis piro. $5 suggested donation. 7 to 9 adults. Winter Garden Ballroom, 400 S. 7p.m. The Green Lantern 1511 N. Mil- the World. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Museum of p.m. John Baran Senior Center, Center State St., Harold Washington Library. waukee; www.thegreenlantern.org Contemporary Art 220 E. Chicago Ave. on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted 773-248-5200, ext 303 or www.chica- HOMOLATTE is a bi-monthly, all-ages, RSVP at www.hrcactioncenter.org gohouse.org. Also see Sunday. queer music and spoken word series Rape Victim Advocates “When a Friend Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Asso- in Chicago. Lisa Grayson and Artimus BOOK REVIEW working sites.” munity. So I Facebook them but also let them Awl said he is not a fan of most of the recent know to also send traditional press releases out, Facebook Me! Facebook design changes: “I think they made or you won’t get into most calendars, or get cov- Written by Dave Awl the site more visually confusing and harder to ered by traditional LGBT media and Web sites. $19.99; Peachpit use for most users. But I’m optimistic that over Awl’s book is highly recommended even for the Press; 216 pages time some of those problems will get fixed and more experienced Facebookers out there. More REVIEW BY TRACY BAIM the design will improve.” important, Awl understands that Facebook is As a media person, I appreciated the useful just part of the way people, organizations and The wit of Chicago gay writer and performer tips and numerous examples and illustrations businesses need to share information. Some- Dave Awl comes shining through in his new book that make it easier to communicate exactly the times, you might want to pick up a phone, or titled, appropriately, Facebook Me! A Guide to information you want posted to the world. Since meet for coffee. Having Fun With Your Friends and Promoting joining Facebook late last year, I have actually Your Projects on Facebook. found it extremely useful to my “old media” I am usually not a user of “how-to” books, pre- work. For example, I have read great opinion Stonewall winners ferring just to jump right into Facebook, Twitter columns posted and requested reprint permission Light Fell by Evan Fallenberg is the winner and the rest of the social media world. Facebook for Windy City Times. I have found and inter- of The 2009 Barbara Gittings Literature Award Me! Is about as different from a how-to manual viewed subjects for dozens of news articles and and Dishonorable Passions: Sodomy Laws in as you can get. Even if I didn’t participate in features. I have found new promotional partners America 1861-2003 received the 2009 Israel the Facebook cult, I would have found this book for Windy City Media Group. Windy City Media Fishman Non-Fiction Award as the American enjoyable. It not only lays out the process of “Facebook is constantly evolving, so I knew Group and Nightspots post weekly updates and Library Association’s (ALA’s) Gay, Lesbian, Bi- how Facebook works, but it adds humor to very while I was writing the book that by the time photos for our fans (please friend us!). I also sexual, and Transgendered Round Table named practical insights about the mega phenomenon it made its way to readers some of the pictures created a group for Hannah Free, the film I am its Stonewall Award recipients. sweeping the globe. and instructions would no longer exactly match producing. Works that received “honor awards” included Facebook recently changed its design, which what’s on the screen,” Awl said. “But the most And probably most important, and most Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South by E. means parts of the book will need updating. But important parts of the book are still timely. The frustrating to a media company, I am seeing a Patrick Johnson (who teaches at Northwest- it doesn’t really matter. The basic way Facebook heart of my book is its big-picture content— huge change in the way LGBT groups are com- ern University) and Sex Variant Woman: The works is unchanged, and Awl’s wonderful prose explaining how people can use Facebook effec- municating their events. Many are ignoring the Life of Jeannette Howard Foster by Joanne makes it an important and worthwhile read for tively to spread the word about creative projects traditional press releases sent out to media and Ellen Passet. anyone using the site for social, non-profit or and events, and helping readers figure out the instead just posting on their Facebook pages. This year’s awards will be presented during business purposes. He has sections on privacy, etiquette of social networking. I’m working on While this gets them exposure to their known the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago July applications, photos, videos, groups, pages, ads plans to set up a blog where I can post updates universe of supporters, they are missing out on 9-15. See www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/rts/glbtrt/ and everything else you need to know. about changes to Facebook and other social net- communicating events to the greater LGBT com- stonewall/stonewallbook.cfm. 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Candidates should bars, wineries, microbreweries. www.wherethedeerplay. lation, customizing to your needs. JOSEPH RICE Inte- for LGBTQ individuals, couples, families, and children have the ability to create and sell multimedia packages com 888-DEERPATH, 269-857-DEER. (4/29/09-6) riors, Inc. Full Decorating Services with a specialty in dealing with any of life’s challenges. Please call including one or more of the following: print, web, email window treatments for over 24 years. 773-271-2361. Jackie at 773-275-7710 or www.jacquelynsinger. blast, podcast and sponsorships. Leads will be furnished (10/21/09-52) com (5/20/09-26) but cold calling is a must. This is an independent contractor position; all sales representatives work 20 April 29, 2009 BILLY MASTERS “What I won’t do is cast another fortysome- whaddaya know...he stayed for five. I think he thing sexy blonde. Nicollette performed the aging, summed it up best: “The ex-home of Celine Dion. neighborhood tramp better than anyone has ever And now it’s the ex-home of Elton John as well. done before.”—Marc Cherry, “Desperate House- Who are you going to get to fill in our shoes wives” creator, shares his thought about depart- now? You’ve got Bette Midler, you’ve got Cher. ing castmember Nicollette Sheridan. There’s a It’s gonna be the Village People next!” compliment in there somewhere. While I was in Boston, I filled in as co-host of “One in Ten”, the weekly GLBT radio program on WFNX. I am sure many were surprised that I 7 17 asked auteur Del Shores to be a guest—heck, I 9 even surprised Del! He’s taken issue with some 2 of my coverage of his projects, but I think he now knows that I have the utmost respect for 15 what he’s achieved. The reason for the interview 10 8 1 was regarding the fate of his “Sordid Lives: The 16 Series” on Logo. At this point, it looks like the 11 3 5 18 54 show is over. Despite tossing tons of money into 13 4 14 12 “Drag Race” and reruns of “The Sarah Silverman Program”, no one at Viacom (Logo’s parent com- 6 pany) seems all that eager to raise a nickel for a second season of “Sordid”. Del’s disappoint- 45 ment is compounded by the fact that the actors 47 46 58 43 haven’t been paid their residuals for the show— 44 and he blames the production company for that. 53 57 You can hear all the juicy details because I’ll post some of our interview (including Del tak- 49 51 ing issue with this very column) on BillyMasters. 24 48 36 com. 21 50 23 25 31 For years there have been rumors that sexy singer Gavin Rossdale had been romantically in- volved with notorious Brit drag queen Marilyn. 32 30 29 55 This rumor picked up steam when Boy George 22 52 mentioned it in his 1995 autobiography. Now, 38 27 37 40 56 Marilyn herself (himself?) has come forward to 35 Tim Gunn makes being single for 26 years 39 28 26 clear the air. “He was the love of my life,” the 20 42 work. Okay, maybe the ocassional HJ. 41 gender-bending rocker tells “In Touch Maga- 19 33 zine”. Why didn’t s/he tell all earlier? “He was Since I was in Boston celebrating Easter with my just becoming successful in America. I agreed to family, I missed out on the Las Vegas opening of lie against every grain of my being. We were to- 34 “Peep Show”. Jerry Mitchell’s extravaganza was gether for five years. But it felt like 40.” Despite the hot ticket in Sin City and brought out some this story (and a really hot picture of the duo big names, including Charlie Sheen, Bruce Vi- which we’ll post on BillyMasters.com), Gavin’s lanch, Susan Anton, Perez Hilton, Donald Trump, reps have issued a firm denial. Denial is the right ANDERSONVILLE 17 Touché 32 Little Jim’s THE SOUTHSIDE 1 @mosphere 6412 N. Clark St. 3501 N. Halsted St. 48 Club Escape and Lindsay Lohan. That last name led to all word for it, Gavin. 5355 N. Clark St. ToucheChicago.com LittleJimsChicago.com 1530 E. 75th St. sorts of conjecture that Lohan wants to strip on Rossdale has a few kids. So why can’t John atmospherebar.com 18 Wild Pug 33 Lucky Horseshoe ClubEscapeChicago.com 2 The Anvil 4810 N. Broadway Ave. 3169 N. Halsted St. 49 Escapades The Strip when Kelly Monaco’s contract expires Barrowman? Johnny and hubby Scott Gill are 1137 W. Granville Ave. WorldsGreatestBar.com 34 Manhandler 6301 S. Harlem Ave. this summer. And when it was learned that Lind- building a home in Wales that will be big enough 3 Big Chicks 1948 N. Halsted St. 50 InnExile say flew in on the producer’s plane, it seemed for a sizeable family. “We’re going to have six 5024 N. Sheridan Rd. BOYSTOWN 35 minibar/winebar 5758 W. 65th St. BigChicks.com 19 3160 3341 N. Halsted St. InnExileChicago.com more than just a casual visit. As it turns out, bedrooms in it and we feel like we’ve got a lot 4 Crew 3160 N. Clark St. minibarchicago.com 51 Jeffrey Pub most of the glitzy folk at the opening were flown to offer. A family unit is what you make a family 4804 N. Broadway Ave. Chicago3160.com 36 North End 7041 S. Jeffery Blvd. WorldsGreatestBar.com 20 Berlin 3733 N. Halsted St. in on said plane. And Lindsay had a good reason unit. I’m a big family man and I have this feel- 5 Eagle 954 W. Belmont Ave. NorthEndChicago.com THE BURBS to be there—she’s apparently good friends with ing I would be a good dad. I am ready for it.” 5001 N. Clark St. BerlinChicago.com 37 Pie Hole 52 Club Krave co-star Mel B. Despite some reported comments I bet it won’t be the first time he’d be called ChicagoEagle.com 21 Bobby Love’s 737 W. Roscoe St. 13126 S. Western Ave. 6 El Gato Negro 3729 N. Halsted St. PieHolePizzaJoint.com Blue Island, IL to the contrary, her people are saying she wasn’t Daddy! 1461 Irving Park Rd. BobbyLoves.com 38 Roscoe’s ClubKrave.com there scoping out a future gig. We went directly Incidentally, a new alleged nude shot of Bar- ElGatoNegroBar.com 22 Bucks Saloon 3356 N. Halsted St. 53 Hideaway 7 The Glenwood 3439 N. Halsted St. Roscoes.com 7301 W. Roosevelt Rd. to sexy Jerry, who told us he’s interested if she rowman has surfaced. I say “alleged” because 6962 N. Glenwood St. BucksSaloonChicago.com 39 Scarlet Forest Park, IL is: “Eight shows a week takes a lot of dedication. the head is cut off the pic. So, I’m not swearing TheGlenwoodbar.com 23 Cell Block 3320 N. Halsted St. 54 Hunters 8 Hamburger 3702 N. Halsted St. ScarletBarChicago.com 1932 E. Higgins Rd. If she’s game, I’d still be delighted!” this is legit, but I’ll still post it on BillyMasters. Mary’s/Mary’s www.CellBlock-Chicago.com 40 Sidetrack Elk Grove Village, IL One show opens in Vegas, another closes. El- com—along with the one I know is real! Attic 24 Charlie’s 3349 N. Halsted St. HuntersNightclubs.com ton John just took his final bow at Caesars. His The dashing and dapper Tim Gunn made a 5400 N. Clark St. 3726 N. Broadway Ave. SidetrackChicago.com 55 John L’s Place HamburgerMarysChicago.com CharliesChicago.com 41 Spin 335 154th Pl. three-year deal started in February of 2004 and, startling revelation: “I haven’t been on a date 9 Jackhammer 25 Circuit 800 W. Belmont Ave. Calumet City, IL in 26 years.” But don’t worry—he swears he’s 6406 N. Clark St. 3641 N. Halsted St. Spin-Nightclub.com 56 Maneuvers Jackhammer-Chicago.com CircuitClub.com 42 Steamworks 118 E. Jefferson St. happier alone. He says he doesn’t have time for 10 Joie De Vine 26 The Closet 3246 N. Halsted St. (bath) Joliet, IL a relationship and doesn’t miss being in one. Of 1744 W. Balmoral Ave. 3325 N Broadway Ave. SteamworksOnline.com JolietManeuvers.com course, he doesn’t tell us when the last time he 11 Man’s Country 27 Cocktail 57 Rumors 5017 N. Clark St. (bath) 3359 N. Halsted St. DOWNTOWN 2433 Desplaines Ave. had sex was—which is another matter entirely. MansCountryChicago.com CocktailBarChicago.com 43 The Baton North Riverside, IL We must send out congrats to our buddy (who 12 Scot’s 28 FireFly 436 N. Clark St. RumorsPubOnline.com 1829 W. Montrose Ave. 3335 N. Halsted St. TheBatonShowLounge.com 58 Velvet Rope we never hear from anymore) Michael Cunio. You ChicagoScotsBar.com FireflyOnHalsted.com 44 Second Story Bar 728 W. Lake St. may remember Mikey from the flick The Fluffer 13 SoFo 29 Halsted’s Bar & 157 E. Ohio St. Oak Park, IL (he was, indeed, the fluffer). Now he’s joining 4923 N. Clark St. Grill VelvetRopeOakPark.com SofoBar.com 3441 N. Halsted St. NEAR NORTH the Chicago cast of Jersey Boys. The hit musical 14 Spyners HalstedsChicago.com 45 Club 2506 INDIANA is playing at the Bank of America Theatre. 4623 N. Western Ave. 30 Hydrate 2506 N. Clybourn Ave. 59 Dick’s R U Crazee? Spyners.com 3458 N. Halsted St. 46 Crobar 1221 E.150th St. Our “Ask Billy” question comes from Harry in 15 Star Gaze HydrateChicago.com 1543 N. Kingsbury St. Hammond, IN Las Vegas: “I just saw Britney Spears in concert 5419 N. Clark St. 31 Kit Kat 47 The Prop House DicksRUCrazee.com and she had the hottest dancer with a shaved StarGazeChicago.com 3700 N. Halsted St. 1675 N. Elston Ave. 60 Encompass 16 T’s KitKatChicago.com 2415 Rush St. head who she kept fondling. I was wondering who 5025 N. Clark St. Lake Station, IN he was and if he’s family.” TsBarChicago.com EncompassNightclub.com I believe you’re talking about Chase Benz. The 21-year-old dancer is one of Brit’s favorites. I Turn to page 21 April 29, 2009 21 TM present Windy City Gay Idol - Crew new day. the new site is up. SidetrackChicago.com please join our email family. welcome. ® Sidetrack The Video Bar 3349 N. Halsted, Chicago Valet Parking Available The competition builds as three new contestants—Keven (top, left), Matt (top, right) and Jessica (below, right)—join the ranks of Windy City Gay Idol finalists at Crew on Tues- day, April 21. Catch the next preliminary round Wednesday, April 29 at Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. Photos by Kirk Williamson, Cynthia Holmes BILLY from page 20 is quite well-endowed. I could have guessed that judging from the size of the codpiece he doubt he’s family since rumor has it he’s been sports on stage. We’ve found some sizzling pics thisclose with Britney since the tour began. Of which we’ll share on BillyMasters.com. course, this makes sense since he’s from Ten- When Britney doing someone in a bathroom nessee (like Brit’s first love, La Timberlake), is news, it’s time to end yet another column. and he’s a back-up dancer (like her second hus- Cher is saying farewell and Britney is linked band, K-Fed). Although Chase reportedly has a with a back-up dancer—it’s almost as if we’re girlfriend back home, he and Brit have engaged in summer reruns. And yet, you’ll only find in some harmless flirtation on the road that first-run gossip at www.BillyMasters.com. If has led to some heavy petting—how the heck you’ve got a question, concern, or a scoop, is that harmless? This might explain reports of drop a note to [email protected] and I the duo sequestered in a bathroom in a Mon- promise to get back to you before I go on a treal nightclub for about 10 minutes—an ad- date with Tim Gunn (we could both do worse)! mirable length of time, I’d say. Perhaps Spears Until next time, remember, one man’s filth is just wanted to confirm those rumors that Chase another man’s bible. Poetry Center ‘80s tour in June “Regeneration Tour 2009”—featuring 1980s & SAIC pop icons ABC (“When Smokey Sings”), Berlin offering residency (“No More Words”), Wang Chung (“Dance Hall Days”), Heaven 17 and Cutting Crew (“I Just The Poetry Center of Chicago and the School Died in Your Arms Tonight”)—is coming to the of the Art Institute of Chicago are awarding Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River, Friday, June a poetry residency in the heart of Chicago’s downtown. 26, at 8 p.m. One poet will be awarded a month-long po- Tickets are $39.50-$69.50. Visit www.ticket- etry residency with housing. This residency is master.com or call 312-559-1212. open to poets who have published no more than one book of poetry, not including self- published work. In addition to housing, the poet will receive a $1,000 stipend; the poet is responsible for his/her own travel and meal expenses. The submission deadline is Friday, May 8. See www.poetrycenter.org. Wang Chung. 22 April 29, 2009 SPORTS/RECREATION “Believe it or not, the gay community isn’t to you from someone else in your conference, big on ‘goofy bowling shirts,’” Judson said. “And whether you’re a lesbian or not, you usually that kind of surprises me. On one hand, gay men don’t say much about it because you want it to Judson bowled love to put on a show. But on the other hand, just go away—and so does your athletic director gay men like to look good, so they don’t want and your school,” Carroll said. “It’s [been] very over by league to look goofy.” difficult for coaches to do anything about this By Ross Forman [practice] because they haven’t had the support or the way to do it. But this report, what it does Juana Judson was invited to join the Chicago Report focuses on is, it gives practical ways for administrators and Metropolitan Sports Association (CMSA) bowling negative recruiting coaches to talk about it and what to do, how to manage it. league five years ago, but was hesitant. She’s By Ross Forman “When this happens, it affects the entire ath- straight and just didn’t know if that would be a letic department, not just one coach and one problem in the predominantly gay league. Helen Carroll knows first-hand the value and im- team.” However, after her first season (2004-05), she portance—and certainly the potentially damag- Carroll said she wished such a report was was so respected by her peers that she was vot- ing consequences, especially on recruiting—of around when she coached and was an athletic ed in as vice-president of the league. addressing discrimination in college athletics, director, “because it’s a practical guide.” “I took that [vote] as quite an honor being especially related to sexual orientation, either She added: “Instead of just talking about how that it is a gay league,” said Judson, 49, who is actual or perceived. this [practice] is a terrible thing, this report divorced and living in Old Irving Park. She is a former college basketball coach, who From left: Juana Judson, league president talks about what to do about it and how to do Judson, born and raised on Chicago’s North claimed the NAIA National Championship in 1984 Forrest Bourquin and treasurer Amy Jaku- it.” Side, is still a board member—and also an ac- at the University of North Carolina-Asheville; biak. The Positive Approach is available in PDF for- tive bowler, competing on a team appropriately and she later was a Division III athletic director named The Juana Bees. mat online at www.nclrights.org/sports. just a good time.” for 12 years. So why participate in the CMSA bowling And she’s also brought her son, Chris, 25, into She is now the Sports Project Director for the league? the league. He, too, is straight. San Francisco-based National Center for Lesbian “The camaraderie,” Judson said without hesi- AIDS Walk/Run “It’s a good time, a very welcoming climate, Rights (NCLR), a post she’s held for six years. tation. “The people are friendly. You get to meet whether you’re gay or straight. People are just Carroll and Dr. Pat Griffin, the director of It registration starts a lot of different people. I’m not shy and I just there to have fun, make friends,” said Judson, Takes a Team! Education Center for Lesbian, Gay, Online registration for AIDS Run & Walk Chica- like to be around people who like to have a good who once bowled a 296. Bisexual and Transgender Issues in Sports, an go 2009 is now open at www.aidsrunwalk.org. time.” The league features players from the city and initiative of the Women’s Sports Foundation, To participate alongside thousands of support- The CMSA bowling league, which runs from the suburbs, and even some from Indiana and joined forces to address the issue. ers Saturday, Oct. 3, in Grant Park, visit www. late August through early May, is a 32-week Wisconsin. Bowlers range in age from 21 to 70. They co-wrote “The Positive Approach: Recog- aidsrunwalk.org and click “Register Now.” E-mail grind. There are 32 teams this season, up 30 About 90 percent are male, and about 93 per- nizing, Challenging, and Eliminating Negative [email protected] if there are any ques- from the 2007-08 season. cent are LGBT. Recruiting Based on Actual or Perceived Sexual tions. Teams are composed of five bowlers, with up The 2008-09 season features five new teams Orientation,” published by the NCLR. AIDS Run & Walk Chicago 2008 raised more to three substitutes. and a lot of first-time bowlers, Judson said: “The report came out of a think-tank [in 2006] than $500,000. To further support these local The action is held at Waveland Bowl on Friday “They may not be great bowlers average-wise, where we got leaders from every part of sports organizations, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago nights, with CMSA occupying 32 of the build- but they have a lot of fun.” There are two divi- together,” Carroll said. “The reason we did [the (AFC) will give 100 percent of all money raised ing’s 40 lanes. The other eight were used by a sions, which are not based on competitive skill report] was, we wanted to be able to establish by CommunityDirect teams back to the partici- church group. level. a guide or a way for athletic leaders, parents pating HIV/AIDS service organizations. “I just love the game,” said Judson, who has Judson confirmed that league organizers and student-athletes to talk about this unethi- bowled since she was 16. “With bowling comes could, and might, expand to 40 teams for the cal practice that involves sexual orientation. The PTR13035drinking WCT … and AD this is aV1 Friday night league. 2009-2010 season. reason is, this has been so silent; there hasn’t Gay rugby film How perfect. I’ve met a lot of great people over And what about the traditional wacky bowling been open dialogue about what it is, what’s the years, made some real good friendships. It’s out on DVD shirts? happening and how it influences sports, [and] Walk Like a Man: Blood, Sweat and Queers—a what could possibly be done to curb, slow down documentary that follows two top gay rugby or eliminate this unethical practice. teams in their quest for The Bingham Cup—is sign up now at registerPTR.com “You can’t really eliminate, slow down or even out on DVD. address a problem unless you’re willing to talk Narrated by former rugby champion, openly about it.” gay Ian Roberts, Walk looks at the defending The 20-page report offers a comprehensive champions San Francisco Fog and the upstart analysis of negative recruiting based on actual Sydney Convicts as they prepare to do battle in or perceived sexual orientation, and recommends New York. Individuals from each team (including practices and policies to eliminate it. Negative a woman who plays with the Fog) talk about RUN. WALK. recruiting, according to the report, is the prac- everything from coming out to preparing for the tice of playing on homophobic stereotypes to tournament. or deter recruits from attending rival athletic pro- The film is currently airing on Logo as part of grams by alleging or implying that a rival coach its “Real Momentum” Documentaries at www.lo- or team members are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or goonline.com/documentaries/. To purchase, see transgender. www.therugbyfilm.com. . So, is negative recruiting truly a problem, and STRUT how big? “That’s the question that is always asked,” Sports discrimination June 27, 2009 Carroll said. “It has always been a problem, es- Come join us this year for our first chipped pecially in women’s sports, though it’s hard to movie at fest race during Pride Weekend at Montrose be quantitative about it because people really Training Rules—a movie that chronicles a law- suit filed in 2006 by student athlete Jennifer Harbor. Register now and start your training! won’t speak about it. But if you’re in sports— especially if you’re a woman in sports, either Harris against Penn State University and wom- Race is open to the first 1,300 entrants. coaching or playing—at some point, you’re go- en’s basketball head coach Rene Portland—had ing to be faced with this, definitely. its world premiere at The Philadelphia FilmFesti- val/CineFest 09 April 4. 28th annual “Putting an end to negative recruiting is critical, not only to protect LGBT players and Portland—who resigned in 2007 after winning coaches, but also to attract and retain the best, more than 600 games at Penn State—was found proud guilty of creating a “hostile, intimidating, and to most qualified coaches. As long as any athlete or run coach can be harmed by being tagged with the offensive environment” based on Harris’ per- 2 mile walk 5k 10 k ‘lesbian’ or ‘gay’ label, the goal of achieving true ceived sexual orientation. equality in sports will remain out of reach.” See www.trainingrules.com. In 2001, NCLR became the first LGBT organi- zation to tackle the rampant homophobia and USA defends transphobia in sports with the launch of the Sports Project. NCLR’s Sports Project works on women’s hockey title proudly sponsored by: all levels of athletic competition, from the NCAA The United States defended its women’s World to the NFL, to ensure that LGBT athletes can Hockey Championship title April 12 in Hameen- compete and participate openly and equally. linna, Finland, beating Canada 4-1 as defense- Carroll said the negative recruiting definitely man Caitlin Cahow’s two goals, according to has been an issue with coaches, because they www.CBSSports.com. The U.S. won its first title haven’t had a way to get help, stop it, or even five years ago in Sweden. talk about it. In the bronze-medal game, Finland defeated “If you’re a woman, and this is happening rival Sweden 4-1. Round: 1 Designer: JP Version: 01 Job number: PTR13035 Round: Date: 04/22/09 Job description: WCT Ad Designer: LS Size: 5” x 6.625” 325 North LaSalle Suite 775 Chicago, IL 60610 p: 312.595.0281 f: 312.595.0640 April 29, 2009 23 CONNE IONS MAKE IT YOUR BUSINESS X i PECK BLOOM P E C K B L O O M & K O E N I G , L L C l A TTORNEYS AT L AW Peck Bloom concentrates in all aspects of o probate, estate planning, guardianship, tax law, nursing home injuries, elder 25% OFF abuse and elder law. Our attorneys i provide innovative approaches and Custom Framing successful solutions to meet your needs. l Ray J. 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McCaffrey-Boss & Associ- Bailey’s Cafe DHI Auctioneers Miller Lite ates BeHIV/ Better Existence With HIV Front Runners Chicago Milwaukee PrideFest Shapeshifters Theatre Download each issue of Windy City Times and Nightspots at www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com 24 April 29, 2009 About Face Theatre honors Tracy Baim and Windy City Media Group With our 9th Annual Leppen Leadership Award at: SALVAGE ONE 1840 West Hubbard Street, Chicago 6-7:30 PM: VIP RECEPTION 7-11 PM: MAIN PARTY Tickets available at aboutfacetheatre.com or by calling 773-784-8565 ext. 109 ß VIP Tickets includes the Leppen Award presentation and VIP buffet dinner by J & L Catering: $250 each or a table of 6 for $1,200. ß Main Party Tickets including open bar and hors d’oeuvres as well as at the city’s best silent auction: $125 each. Join About Face as we celebrate the success of our FACE THE FUTURE campaign with a thank you bash that will go down in Wonka Ball history! With fantastic special guests that include the nouveau-nerd duo GAY AGENDA, drag sensation DIDA RITZ and the fabulous cast from American Theatre Company’s HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH as the party rolls on with great bars, the best food, silent auction, and fun, fabulous people! WONKA BALL 2009 SPONSORS: Dennis Remer at: Erik Roldan Sweet Mandy B’s