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Report: Police focusing on Smollett, in latest twist
In the latest twist involving the Jussie Smollett case, a police-affiliated source has said Chicago authorities are investigating if the openly gay Empire actor paid two brothers ( identified by other media outlets as Olabinjo and ...
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Suspects released in Jussie Smollett case
Chicago authorities, on Feb. 15, released two brothers of Nigerian descent (identified by other media outlets as Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo) who had been questioned about a reported attack on openly gay Empire star Jussie Smollett, ...
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THEATER REVIEW The Total Bent
Authors: Stew and Heidi Rodewald At: The Den Theatre, 1616 N. Wells St. Tickets: HavenTheatreChicago.com; $35. Runs through: March 10 Haven Theatre and About Face Theatre's The Total Bent is what comes from combining a ...
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Drag worship services Feb. 17
Both locations of Urban Village Church ( UVC )—at 1407 E. 60th St. and 1543 W. Division St. ( Chopin Theater )—will hold drag services on Sunday, Feb. 17, at 10:30 a.m. The South Side site ...
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Michael Jackson musical skipping Chicago
The Michael Jackson Estate and Columbia Live Stage announced that a Michael Jackson stage musical are canceling a 2019 pre-Broadway engagement in Chicago, citing "scheduling difficulties" caused by the recently ended Actors' Equity strike, according to ...
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Police questioning people of interest in Jussie Smollett case (UPDATE)
Chicago authorities are questioning two people of interest who were seen on surveillance cameras in the area where openly gay Empire actor Jussie Smollett says he was attacked in Streeterville recently, The Chicago Tribune reported. Smollett ...
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NUNN ON ONE, MUSIC. John Cameron Mitchell bringing 'Hedwig'-inspired songs
Two-time Tony winner John Cameron Mitchell is bringing moments of Hedwig and the Angry Inch back to life for Chicago audiences. The musical has enjoyed a cult following all over the world telling the story of ...
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Nederlander Theatre lights marquee
Broadway In Chicago's newly named James M. Nederlander Theatre recently lit its marquee for the first time. The venue, at 24 W. Randolph, honors the late James M. Nederlander, the legendary Broadway theater owner and producer, ...
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ELECTIONS 2019, 49TH WARD. Joe Moore talks LGBT
issues, ethics reforms
Joe Moore has been the 49th Ward alderman since 1991. His ward is among the most economically, culturally and racially diverse in the city. Prior to that, Moore worked at the City of Chicago's Department of ...
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ELECTIONS 2019, 40TH WARD. Andre Vasquez on why running, LGBT issues
The son of Guatemalan immigrants, Andre Vasquez was born and raised in Chicago and is currently an AT&T area manager for Illinois. To give back to his community, Vasquez became a leader within Reclaim Chicago developing ...
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ELECTIONS 2019, 35TH WARD. Ramirez-Rosa seeks second term, promotes economic reform
Seeking a second term serving Chicago's 35th Ward, Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa offered Windy City Times a bold vision for the next four years. In a recent interview, he spoke about the issues facing his ward and ...
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DINING New Nico chef, DropShot, Valentine's Day options
—Joe Lambert has been named the new executive chef at Nico Osteria and the Thompson Chicago hotel, 1015 N. Rush St. Lambert has been at Nico with two-time James Beard award-winning chef Paul Kahan since the ...
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Trans art show launches Feb. 14
Chicago Therapy Collective is presenting the exhibit "Trans Art Is: Love & Liberation." An opening ceremony will take place at Andersonville Gallery, 5247 N. Clark St., on Thursday, Feb. 14, 7:30-9 p.m. Just some of the ...
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Gender pay-gap admission at MCA
On Saturday, Feb. 23, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, 220 E. Chicago Ave., will open "Laurie Simmons: Big Camera/Little Camera," the first major survey of the work of artist Laurie Simmons. During the run of ...
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DRAG PROFILE OF THE WEEK Dusty Bahls
NAME: "A long time ago, I had taken a hiatus from performing drag and when I decided to come out of retirement, I felt a need to recreate myself and dust off my packer. As ...
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The Baton Show Lounge at 50
Over the past fifty years, the Baton Show Lounge helped to set a new standard for female impersonation; heightening the polish, the professionalism, and the caliber of performance demanded of its cast members. The Baton took ...
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THEATER REVIEW Fulfillment Center
Playwright: Abe Koogler At: A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells St. Tickets: $30-40; ARedOrchidTheatre.org. Runs through: March 24 These days, everyone's trying to make a statement. Theater companies have their reasons. These are trying ...
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LETTER Miscarriages of justice
Dear Editor: The lenient sentencing of Jason Van Dyke for his murder of LaQuan McDonald calls to mind the White Nights from May 1979, when Dan White was convicted of voluntary manslaughter instead of first-degree murder ...
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THE AMAZON TRAIL How to celebrate Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is one of those do-it-yourself celebrations. There are no parades or feasts or family gatherings. When I was single, I could always count on a card from my mother and, needless to say, would ...
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ELECTIONS 2019, 33RD WARD. Lesbian alderperson Deb Mell talks feats, LGBT issues
Deb Mell has been the 33rd Ward alderman since 2013 and previously served in the Illinois General Assembly as a representative for the 40th District. Prior to being an elected official, Mell worked for Christy Webber ...
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CFW announces 'Talk It Out' series
Chicago Foundation for Women ( CFW ) announced the fourth annual Talk It Out—a week-long conversation series designed to spark understanding among women and men, girls and boys, about gender bias. The series will kick off ...
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ELECTIONS 2019 Guide to the LGBTs
This year's mayoral/aldermanic elections featured a record number of openly LGBT candidates thorughout Illinois. From those races, several of those individuals are vying for various political offices later this month: —Colin Bird-Martinez Race: Alderman ( ...
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'Chicago Magic Lounge: A Family Show' Feb. 16
"Chicago Magic Lounge: A Family Show" will take place Saturday, Feb. 16, 2:30-4:30 p.m. at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St. The Chicago Magic Lounge, located in Andersonville, is known for its stage and close-up ...
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Windy City Times Election Guide, candidate interviews and printable chart
PRINTABLE CHART ONLY For the printable chart only, please follow the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/pdf/2019chartsforweb.pdf . INTERVIEWS AND ELECTION NEWS For all candidate interviews, follow www.windycitymediagroup.com/pdf/WCT_20190213_ELECTION2019.pdf . ...
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ELECTIONS 2019, MAYOR. Gery Chico on LGBT issues, policing, Ald. Ed Burke
Gery Chico is a lawyer who is aiming to be Chicago's next mayor. He is a former Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners president and Illinois State Board of Education chair. This race is not the ...
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ELECTIONS 2019, MAYOR. Susana Mendoza on accusations, LGBT platform
Illinois state Comptroller Susana Mendoza is among the many individuals aiming to be Chicago's next mayor. Her supporters say she brings many assets to the table, including a fighting spirit ( telling Windy City Times she ...
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Daley discusses his mayoral run
Attorney and administrative official William Daley has a last name that, for many Chicagoans, instantly brings to mind the word "mayor"—his father and brother held that post for years. But Daley thinks his particular skill-set and ...
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ELECTION 2019, 47th WARD. Angie Maloney on hopes for aldermanic post
Educator Angie Maloney, who is one of several openly LGBT candidates running in the Feb. 26 citywide elections, hopes to win the 47th Ward city council post that's currently held by Ameya Pawar, who has mounted ...
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ELECTIONS 2019, 44TH. Tom Tunney on accomplishments, LGBT issues, Wrigley Field
Tom Tunney has been alderman of Chicago's 44th Ward—which includes Lake View—for more than 15 years, and was the first openly gay person elected to city council. Tunney ( also known as the owner of the ...
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ELECTIONS 2019, 44TH WARD. Austin Baidas on challenging Tunney for council seat
Lake View Austin Baidas is attempting to do something few have tried over the past 15 years: unseat Tom Tunney as 44th Ward alderman. Baidas—who, like Tunney is openly gay—has been known for his philanthropic work ...
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Bird-Martinez vies for 31st Ward City Council spot
Openly gay automotive software designer Colin Bird-Martinez is currently running to represent the 31st Ward in the Feb. 26 citywide elections. Bird-Martinez has done a great deal of activism work locally, and he now maintains that ...
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ELECTIONS 2019, 50th WARD. Rowlas competes for city council seat
Openly gay retired educator Andrew Rowlas is running in the Feb. 26 citywide elections to replace longtime Ald. Debra Silverstein in representing the 50th Ward on the city's far north side. Windy City Times: Why did ...
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Cider Summit at Navy Pier benefits Heartland Alliance
Part of a tour that takes place throughout the United States, Cider Summit took place Feb. 9 in Navy Pier's Aon Grand Ballroom. The 7th annual Cider Summit Chicago featured more than 150 ciders, cider cocktails ...
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ELECTIONS 2019, 48TH WARD. Ald. Harry Osterman shares ward priorities
Harry Osterman has been alderman for the 48th Ward since 2011, serving parts of Andersonville, Uptown and Edgewater. For 11 years before being elected alderman, Osterman was the state representative for the 14th District. Growing up ...
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ELECTIONS 2019, Alderman, 48th Ward. David Earl Williams III challenges incumbent
David Earl Williams III was born in Evanston and grew up in Uptown, attending Senn High School in the 48th ward. In 2014, he ran as a Republican for U.S. House to represent the 9th District ...
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SAVOR Taureaux Tavern; Black Restaurant Week
DISH Dining Guide
Those fluent in French probably know what Taureaux Tavern ( 155 W. Van Buren St.; TaureauxTavern.com ) is all about—especially when its location is considered. Nestled in the Loops' financial district, the spot's name ( which ...
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THEATER REVIEW Pipeline
Playwright: Dominique Morisseau At: Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.. Tickets: $27-60; VictoryGardens.org . Runs through: March 3 Thinking about Pipeline, here's what comes to mind: two incredible supporting characters and a Gwendolyn Brooks poem. ...
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THEATER REVIEW A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
Playwright: Book by Robert L. Freedman, music by Steven Lutvak, lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak At: Porchlight Music Theater at the Ruth Page Auditorium. Tickets: PorchlightMusicTheatre.org; 773-777-9884; $39-$66. Runs through: March 16 Those ...
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Critics' Picks
A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Porchlight Music Theatre at the Ruth Page Auditorium, through March 16. A score that hearkens to Gilded-Age whimsy, scenery like a Victorian greeting card designed by Monty Python and ...
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SPOTLIGHT on Underscore Theatre's Chicago Musical Theatre Festival
Is the next Hamilton lurking in Chicago? Stranger things have happened. Underscore Theatre's ambitious 5th Annual Chicago Musical Theatre Festival includes nine concert readings of brand spanking new shows and two free workshop performances. Among the ...
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Patricia Nell Warren, author of first gay novel on NYT Best Seller List, dies
LOS ANGELES - Patricia Nell Warren, age 82, died on Saturday February 9th at the UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica, California after a long battle with cancer. Warren is best known for her groundbreaking novel ...
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The Jeff Awards to present panel on Latinx Theater
February 12, 2019, Chicago, IL - The Jeff Awards meeting on Monday, February 18, 2019 at the Greenhouse Theater will include a panel discussion on Latinx Theatre. This is a rescheduled panel from Jan. 28. Latinx ...
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Duncan receives arts academy award
On Feb. 9, longtime choreographer/teacher Randy Duncan was honored with The Chicago Academy for the Arts Faculty Legacy Award during the Academy Showcase at The Athenaeum Theatre. In addition, Mayor Rahm Emanuel proclaimed Feb. 9 ( ...
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'FACES: Out and Proud' debuting March 1
The Center on Halsted is presenting "FACES: Out & Proud," an exhibition of the fine art photographs by Chicagoan Chuck Kramer. The show will open Friday, March 1, and run through Wed., April 10, in the ...
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Business workshop held on being an ally of trans, GNC people
Andersonville Chamber of Commerce ( ACC ), Praxis Group and Upswing Advocates hosted "Being a Stronger Ally: Trans and GNC Affirming Business Workshop," Feb. 6 at Reza's Restaurant in Andersonville. The event was also held Feb. ...
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Gay Van Dyke juror talks ex-officer's sentencing
Will Harpest—a gay man who this past fall sat on the jury that convicted Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke of the 2014 shooting of Chicagoan Laquan McDonald—had a complicated reaction to Van Dyke's January sentencing. ...
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Chicagoan among Pedro Zamora scholarship honorees
Karlo Manzo-Arroyo, a freshman at the University of Illinois in Chicago, is among 10 undergraduate students nationally who have been honored by The National AIDS Memorial, through its Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship, according to a ...
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NUNN ON ONE, MUSIC. Donna Missal talks tattoos, Valentine's Day
Singer Donna Missal comes from a long line of songwriters in her family. Her career began in 2013 with writing songs for the film How to Be a Man. Her song "Keep Lying" became a viral ...
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ELECTIONS 2019, MAYOR. Amara Enyia on innovation and equity for Chicago
"What I would want 40 years from now is for 2019 to be a watershed moment in the city where anything was possible, where we actually valued ideas over personalities, where we actually looked to solve ...
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ELECTIONS 2019, MAYOR. Paul Vallas on background, minimum wage, LGBT issues
Paul Vallas ran as a 2002 Democratic gubernatorial candidate and was the 2014 Lieutenant Governor candidate alongside then Democratic incumbent Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn. He previously served as the CEO of Chicago Public Schools ( CPS ...
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ELECTIONS 2019, MAYOR. La Shawn Ford on Marshall Plan, LGBT issues
With a focus on fighting poverty, La Shawn Ford hopes to become the next mayor of Chicago. When he spoke with Windy City Times recently, he explained some of his plans for helping the middle class ...
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ELECTIONS 2019, MAYOR. Bob Fioretti seeks to be an LGBT ally in City Hall
In a recent interview, former 2nd Ward Ald. Robert "Bob" Fioretti told Windy City Times he wants to be "an ally in City Hall" if he becomes mayor of Chicago. Fioretti, a civil-rights attorney,- focused on ...
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PASSAGES Joseph 'Patrick' Miska
On Dec. 9, 2018, San Francisco resident Joseph "Patrick" Miska passed away unexpectedly in Chicago, The Bay Area Reporter noted. He was 64. MIska came to San Francisco in 1972 and fell in love with the ...
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Film on Chicago trans woman running Feb. 19
The ACLU of Illinois, Pride Action Tank and the Transformative Justice Law Project are hosting a special screening of Chicago Love, from the ACLU's documentary series Trans in America, on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at the Dr. ...
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Auto Show humming along, runs through Feb.18
The Chicago Auto Show will take place through Feb. 18 at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Dr. North America's largest auto show, the event ( which was first staged in 1901 ) spans more than ...
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At DuSable, Black LGBTQ leaders talk HIV/AIDS awareness
Bringing awareness and creating conversations is just one of the many ways individuals from Black communities can change the way HIV and AIDS affects Black people. To kick off National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Feb. ...
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Library foundation president named
The Chicago Public Library Foundation ( CPLF ) announced that Brenda Langstraat is its new president. Langstraat comes to the Library Foundation after seven years as CEO of Working in the Schools ( WITS ). WITS ...
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CONCERT REVIEW Cher entertains in United Center show
The United Center was packed Feb. 8 for Cher's show, filled to the rafters with the LGBT community, drunk middle-aged women and older couples who were possibly celebrating an early Valentine's Day. There were plenty of ...
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Trans military item to be heard Feb. 19
A public hearing involving a resolution about President Trump's anti-transgender military ban is slated to go before the Cook County Commissioners on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 1:30 p.m. at 118 N. Clark St. Recently elected—and openly ...
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Pride Films and Plays offers Buyer & Cellar, comedy of life in Streisand's basement
Pride Films and Plays will mount Jonathan Tolin's one-man play BUYER & CELLAR in the Broadway Theater of the Pride Arts Center, according to the company's Executive Director David Zak. The production will be directed by ...
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Afterglow opening at Pride Arts Center March 27
Chicago, IL - Casting for the Chicago Premiere of AFTERGLOW, an off-Broadway hit from 2017 exploring the emotional, intellectual, and physical connections between three men and the broader implications within their relationships, has been announced by ...
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ELECTIONS 2019, MAYOR Willie Wilson talks 10-point plan, Ed Burke and more
Willie Wilson was a Chicago mayoral candidate in 2015 and a U.S. presidential candidate in 2016. He was born in Louisiana into a family of sharecroppers and later moved to Chicago in 1965. Wilson became one ...
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Chicago Theatre Week February 7 - 17
Chicago — Tickets for Chicago Theatre Week ( #CTW19 ), an annual celebration of the rich tradition of theatre-going in Chicago during which visitors and residents can access value-priced tickets, all priced at $30, $15, or ...
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Chicago floral designer discusses Grammys role
One decade ago, Chicago-based horticulturalist/landscaper Tu Bloom heeded the advice of a mentor: Never be afraid to ask for something, since the worst that can happen is you'll be told no. Bloom that year had been ...
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PASSAGES Brian Patrick Donegan, Air Force veteran
Brian Patrick Donegan—a U.S. Air Force veteran and much-loved dog-walker and house sitter who was a native of Algonquin—passed away Feb. 2. He was 59. Brian served in the Air Force from 1977 to 1997 in ...
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DePaul U. College of Law to hold summit, panels on combating sex trafficking
CHICAGO — The state of affairs of sex trafficking in the city of Chicago and what can be done to combat modern day slavery will be addressed in panel discussions on Feb. 11 during the 2019 ...
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Howard Brown annual meeting March 21
Howard Brown Health is inviting staff, patients and community supporters to its annual meeting, to be held Thursday, March 21, 6-8 p.m., at Macy's on State Street, 111 N. State St., in the Narcissus Room on ...
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'Evan Hansen' digital lottery announced
Broadway In Chicago and the people behind Dear Evan Hansen have announced there will be a digital lottery held for every performance of the production, offering fans the chance to purchase a limited number of $25 ...
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Roller-derby teams vie for cup Feb. 9
Sports fans are invited to join the Windy City Rollers at Vertiport Chicago, 1339 S. Wood St., on Saturday, Feb. 9, at 6 p.m. At this event, the Double Crossers, Manic Attackers, The Fury, and the ...
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Equality Illinois PAC endorses Lori Lightfoot for Mayor of Chicago
The Equality Illinois PAC has endorsed Lori Lightfoot for Chicago mayor. The PAC is the only statewide political action committee dedicated to advancing justice and equality for LGBTQ people in Illinois. Lightfoot is an openly lesbian ...
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Alan Menken to perform March 30
Legendary songwriter Alan Menken comes to Chicago for "A Whole New World of Alan Menken"—a one-night-only performance at the historic Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr. ( 50 E. Congress Pkwy. ), on Saturday, ...
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Lipstick & Lyrics: Band Together, live-singing drag show takes up songs of protest
CHICAGO, February 7, 2019 — Chicago's largest live-singing drag show returns with Lipstick & Lyrics: Band Together featuring songs of protest to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall. This year's queens and kings will perform selections ...
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Committee passes inclusive curriculum bill
The Illinois House Education School Curriculum Committee has passed the Inclusive Curriculum Bill ( SB 3249 and HB 5596 )—legislation calling for the inclusion of LGBT-related historical events and contributions in state classrooms—by a vote of ...
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A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
Playwright: Book by Robert L. Freedman, music by Steven Lutvak, lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak. At: Porchlight Music Theater at the Ruth Page Auditorium. Tickets: PorchlightMusicTheatre.org 773-777-9884; $39-$66. Runs through: March 16 Those ...
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Black Lesbian Archives Chicago Tour 2019 at Gerber/Hart Feb. 23
Maekdo Productions Black Lesbian Archives Chicago Tour 2019 opening event will take place Feb. 23, 2019 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Gerber/Hart Library and Archives, 6500 N. Clark St. The event is sponsored by Gerber/Hart. ...
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