The inaugural, three-day Darts Over the Windy City tournament kicks off Friday, Aug. 13, with action held at Charlie's, 3726. N. Broadway, and Spin Nightclub, 800 W. Belmont.
This is the first-ever LGBT darts tournament in Chicagoand about 150 are expected to participate. There are other LGBT darts tournaments throughout the year in such cities as Oklahoma City, Kansas City, St. Louis and Denver.
Local organizers are hoping for 20-25 four-person teams, along with other players who compete in a few games but not the whole weekend.
"Darts is just a fun, social event," said Chicagoan Mark Sachse, the vice-president of Darts Over The Windy City. Erik Newton is the organization's president.
Sachse said about half of the participants will be Chicagoans; they already have confirmations for participants from Phoenix, Kansas City, Oklahoma City and elsewhere.
"We're really working hard to make the first year very successful," Sachse said.
The top prize for the winning team is about $2,000.
The event also is a fundraiser for Chicago House, which assists those living with HIV/AIDS.
"Chicago House is one of the great organizations in Chicago, especially within the LGBT community," Sachse said. "They rely on benefits, such as ours, to keep going. We're thrilled to help Chicago House."
Said Chicago House's Jeremy Hilborn: "We're so grateful to the organizers and participants of Darts Over the Windy City. Their support echoes that of our founders who came together 25 years ago this fall to do something great for Chicago House. In this important 25th anniversary season, cooperative event fundraisers from our friends and allies in the community are more crucial then ever, as Chicago House continues to fight to meet the growing needs of [ more than ] 1,000 men, women and children who come to us for housing and support each year."
The tournament will include a fundraising raffle, highlighted by Chicago White Sox tickets, Chicago Bears autographed items and more.
"I've met so many people through darts, and everyone is just a regular guy. We hang out, play darts, relax and just have fun," Sachse said.
Tournament players cannot be nationally rated, Sachse said.
The majority of the participants are male, ranging in age from 21 to 60-plus.
Sachse added that there are more out-of-state lesbian participants than ones from Chicago.
Some of Chicago's best LGBT dart players are Ryan Whitney, John Nino and Mike Pfeifer.
The Windy City Athletic Association runs Chicago's only LGBT dart league.
Darts Over the Windy City runs Aug. 13-15. See www.dartsoverthewindycity.com .