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Ricky Martin at center of $3M lawsuit
Superstar singer/actor Ricky Martin has been sued by his former talent manager, Rebecca Drucker, Deadline reported. Drucker was Martin's manager during 2014-18 and 2020-22. The complaint, filed June 29 in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeks in ...
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R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years
On June 29, Chicago-born R&B superstar R. Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, The Chicago Tribune reported. The sentence marked a fall from grace after decades of sexual-misconduct ...
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MUSIC 'All Day I Dream' festival Aug. 6 in Chicago
All Day I Dream of Chicago Shimmer—part of the global touring festival All Day I Dream (ADID)—will take place on 31st Street Beach on Saturday, Aug. 6. After 10 years of producing hundreds of iconic day ...
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MUSIC Taylor Bennett announces free July 22 show at Lincoln Hall
Chicago rapper Taylor Bennett—whose year has included teaming with Champion Athletics for a clothing line and tour; dropping his new project, Coming of Age; and much more—announced his free homecoming show on Friday, July 22, at ...
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Pride in the Park pumps up the volume in 2022
From East Monroe Street to East Jackson Drive, Pride in the Park covered just the right amount of territory in the Grant Park area in downtown Chicago on June 25 and 26. Butler Field was overrun ...
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Back Lot Bash attendees party during Pride weekend in Chicago
The inclusive music fest known as the Back Lot Bash took place June 25-26 at 5238 N. Clark St., in Andersonville. Back Lot Bash started in 2004 in response to the lack of women's events and the limited presence of ...
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WORLD Japanese ruling, Pride events, Colombia election, Boris Johnson
A Japanese court ruled that the country's ban on same-sex marriage does not violate the constitution, and rejected demands for compensation by three couples who said their right to free union and equality has been violated, ...
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SHOWBIZ Elliot Page, NPH, Madonna, Chita Rivera, Jennifer Lopez
Elliot Page talked with talk-show host Seth Meyers about how her Netflix show The Umbrella Academy incorporated the actor's own personal transition into season three of the series, Deadline noted. "With Steve Blackman, the showrunner of ...
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Lynda Carter releases new single, 'Human and Divine'
Many people are familiar with actress Gal Gadot as superhero Wonder Woman. However, decades before, Lynda Carter wore the bracelets and wielded the golden lasso as the Amazon princess who set many hearts (of men and ...
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Back Lot Bash taking place June 25-26
The inclusive music fest known as the Back Lot Bash will take place June 25-26 at 5238 N. Clark St., in Andersonville. Back Lot Bash started in 2004 in response to the lack of women's events and the limited presence of ...
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Chicago Philharmonic launches 2022-23 season
-- From a press release
CHICAGO, IL - (June 20, 2022) Chicago Philharmonic has announced its 2022-23 symphonic season on the heels of a 2021-22 season that ended with the sold-out Chicago Premiere of Marvel Studios' Black Panther in Concert. The ...
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Chicago Pride Fest adds new features to the outdoor celebration
The Chicago Pride Fest outdoor celebration returned June 18-19, as local Pride events lead up to the parade on Sunday, June 26. The festival featured music on three stages and more than 150 vendors running down ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Lightyear,' celebrity event, LGBT runner, Mariah Carey
Video below
Pixar's latest film Lightyear is hitting theaters, and it has a special moment for gay fans—a same-sex kiss between the character Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba) and her female partner—that almost didn't happen, Out Magazine note ...
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Five Worth Finding: WNDR Museum, Prince, queer books, flowers
— WNDR Museum's Pride event "Crafting with Queens": The West Loop museum is usually entertainment and, um, wondrous enough on its own—but during Pride Month, WNDR is queering things up with "Crafting with Queens" on Tuesday, ...
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PERFORMANCE 'Moonset Sunrise' at Navy Pier on June 16 and 18
Collaboraction announced that Moonset Sunrise, its 25th-anniversary production, with live performances on June 16 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Beat Kitchen's new Bar Sol on Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave. Through healing ritual, storytelling, ...
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Andersonville Midsommarfest draws out the diversity during Swedish celebration
The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce brought back Andersonville Midsommarfest, after a two-year hiatus, for its 56th year on June 10-12. More than 50 music and entertainment acts were featured across five stages on Clark Street from ...
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'Rufus Does Judy at Capitol Studios' out; Wainwright in Chicago on June 16-17
Rufus Does Judy at Capitol Studios—an all-new performance of out singer Rufus Wainwright's tribute to Judy Garland, Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall, recorded last year at Los Angeles' famed Capitol Studios—has arrived via BMG and ...
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Queer-themed plays win Tonys; Hudson reaches EGOT status
On June 12, the 75th annual Tony Awards were held to honor the top performances from the theater industry. The event—hosted by LGBTQ+ Oscar winner/Tony nominee Ariana DeBose at New York City's Radio City Music Hall—followed ...
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Theo Ubique marks 25th-anniversary season with four musicals
-- From a press release
CHICAGO (JUNE 10, 2022) Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre's Artistic Director Fred Anzevino and Managing/Casting Director Christopher Pazdernik announced the 25th Anniversary season today with four musicals including a Midwest Premiere ...
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MUSIC Lil Nas X slams BET for lack of nominations; network responds
After receiving no nominations for the upcoming 2022 BET Awards, queer rapper Lil Was X teased a new song on June 8 featuring a pointed diss toward the network—although he claims the issue is "bigger" than ...
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MUSIC Grag doll: Brazilian drag queen makes waves in the U.S.
Chicago Pride Fest 2022 promises to be hotter and more exciting than ever. This popular festival features a wide variety of musical acts on three stages and is surrounded by numerous vendor booths up and down ...
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City of Chicago announces complete 2022 Taste of Chicago schedule
-- From a press release
CHICAGO—Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) are pleased to announce the food vendor and entertainment lineup for the 2022 Taste of Chicago, presented by John Deere. Established in ...
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SHOWBIZ Variety list, Billy Porter, Jamie Lee Curtis, Janelle Monae
In honor of Pride Month, Variety published "55 Queer Artists and Decision-Makers to Know in 2022." A few of those on the list include Bridgerton actor Jonathan Bailey; actor Sara Ramirez (And Just Like That…; Grey's ...
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MUSIC Transgender 'RuPaul Drag Race' alum Peppermint composes 'Letter' to past lovers
Miss Peppermint is a drag artist who made a name for herself while slaying on the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. Eventually coming in second place, Peppermint made herstory by being the first out trans ...
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'Leaping Lesbians': Artemis Singers returns with its first performance since pandemic began
The members of Chicago's lesbian feminist chorus, Artemis Singers, are preparing for their first concert in nearly three years. The show, "Leaping Lesbians! A Celebration of Lesbian Life," features music created by women that expresses themes ...
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Kelli O'Hara to lead CSOA's Corporate Night with LGBTQ+ conductor on June 9
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association’s (CSOA) 31st Corporate Night will take place Thursday, June 9 and will feature actress/Tony winner Kelli O’Hara performing Broadway favorites and American Songbook classics with the Chicago Symphon ...
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'Stonewall Day' to take place in NYC on June 24; Kesha to headline
Pride Live—a social advocacy and community engagement organization for the LGBTQ+ community—announced that Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Kesha will be the headline performer for Stonewall Day 2022. The legendary Pride event will ...
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Music festival Suenos Chicago wakes up Grant Park
A new music fiesta called Suenos Chicago debuted in Grant Park on May 28 to a sizable turnout that grew even bigger the following day. The festival ran along Columbus Drive from Buckingham Fountain to Roosevelt ...
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SHOWBIZ Laverne Cox, PBS special, Ricky Martin, queer books/authors
Nouveau Productions and PBS announced a new collaboration for Pride Month, per a press release. The special True Colors: LGBTQ+ Our Stories, Our Songs will offer a unique look at the history of the LGBTQ+ community ...
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MOVIES 'George Michael: Freedom Uncut' to be released June 22
Sony Music Entertainment and Trafalgar Releasing will release the movie George Michael: Freedom Uncut as a global event on Wed., June 22—and it's fitting that the documentary about the late gay singer will air during Pride ...
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Siskel to show 'Judy Garland Summer Centennial Retrospective'
This June and July, the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St., will celebrate Judy Garland to mark the 100th anniversary of her birth (June 10, 1922). The Judy Garland Summer Centennial Retrospective will involve ...
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Lakeside Pride to present 'Sweet Home Chicago" May 29, part of Pride Bands Alliance Conference
-- From a press release
On Sunday, May 29 at 7pm, Chicago's Auditorium Theatre will host the culmination of the 40th annual Pride Bands Alliance conference. Chicago's Lakeside Pride is welcoming Pride Bands Alliance members from its family of 38 affiliate ...
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SHOWBIZ Broadway, JoJo Siwa, WEHO Pride, 'Jurassic World,' Madonna
The Broadway League announced that all 41 Broadway theaters in New York City have extended the current mask requirement for audiences through at least June 30, Playbill noted. Charlotte St. Martin, president of The Broadway League, ...
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SHOWBIZ Queer playwright, LGBTQ+ films, BMI Pop Awards, new superhero
Jeremy O. Harris, the queer Tony-nominated author of Slave Play, has been named the presiding playwright for the 2023 Yale Drama Series Prize—one of the theater world's most prestigious playwriting honors, Deadline noted. Harris joins the ...
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Inaugural Heatwave Music Festival in Chicago on July 16-17
Auris Presents announced the debut edition and artist lineup for the Heatwave Music Festival, coming to Chicago on July 16-17 in Douglass Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Dr. According to a press release, the festival will be ...
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MUSIC Ty Herndon releasing 'personal' album 'Jacob' on July 15
Out gay Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning country artist Ty Herndon announced the release date of his forthcoming album, Jacob. Jacob—called Herndon's "most personal album to date"—will be out July 15. ...
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Casting announced for 'Queer Eye: The Musical Parody' at Second City
Comedy institution The Second City announced the cast and crew of Queer Eye: The Musical Parody, which will start running Thursday, May 26. (The production will run Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at ...
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MUSIC Riot Fest to take place Sept. 16-18 in Chicago
Riot Fest—one of the largest remaining independent festivals in the country—is slated to return to Douglass Park on Sept. 16-18. Festival organizers revealed a jam-packed lineup taking up five stages and performing punk, indie rock, hip-hop, ...
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Chicago Gay Men's Chorus to present 'Unimaginable' on May 20-22
The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus will present the spring show "CGMC: Unimaginable," on May 20-22 at three Chicagoland venues. The performances will take place Friday, May 20, at 8 p.m. at Chicago's Athenaeum Center for Thought ...
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Tonys: Queer-themed 'A Strange Loop' leads nods; 'Paradise Square,' 'MJ' close behind
Nominations for the 75th Tony Awards were announced May 9—and a Pulitzer Prize-winning original musical and a play that recounts the 2008 financial crisis led the nods, CNN reported. Leading the nominations was A Strange Loop, ...
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Lakeside Pride to host 'Sweet Home Chicago' on May 29 [UPDATED]
As part of the 40th annual Pride Bands Alliance Conference, Lakeside Pride will host "Sweet Home Chicago" on Sunday, May 29, at 7 p.m. at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr. Chicago's Lakeside ...
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White Party returns to Palm Springs; celebrities make appearances
After a two-year hiatus, the 32nd Annual White Party Global (formerly White Party Palm Springs) celebrated its return with more than 20,000 attendees from around the globe, a press release noted. Recognized as the longest-running and ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Hacks,' 'Love, Victor,' Indy 500, Ariana DeBose, queer singers
Queer, non-binary actor Carl Clemons-Hopkins (they/them and he/him) told Out Magazine he is elated with the warm reception received by the show Hacks and his character. "When I started in this years and years ago, there ...
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Inaugural 'River North Live' taking place June 24-26
River North Residents Association announced that its annual festival, formerly Taste of River North, will return with a new venue, date and concept for 2022. Taking place June 24-26, River North Live will feature world-class artists ...
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MUSIC Madonna curating, releasing dance-music compilation 'Finally Enough Love'
Madonna made history once again when she topped the Dance Club Songs chart for the 50th time, making her the first and only recording artist to have 50 number-one hits on any Billboard chart. To celebrate ...
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MUSIC Dolly Parton, Eurythmics, Lionel Richie among newest Hall of Fame inductees
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced its newest class of inductees. The musicians who the Hall's voters chose include Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, Pat Benatar, Eminem, Lionel Richie, Eurythmics and Carly Simon, according ...
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MUSIC Lil Nas X reveals dates for his first-ever tour
Grammy-winning, multi-platinum-selling queer rapper Lil Nas X will embark on his first-ever traveling show—the "Long Live Montero" tour—this fall in North America and Europe, according to Variety. The North American leg kicks off at The Fillmore ...
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MUSIC Lollapalooza announces line-up by day
Lollapalooza has revealed the Lineup By Day for its 2022 edition and has confirmed that 1-Day General Admission, GA+, VIP and Platinum Tickets will go on sale Wed., April 27, at 10 a.m. CT at www.lollapalooza.com. ...
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SHOWBIZ Lily Tomlin, 'The Color Purple,' Walter Mercado, Janelle Monae, Loki
Video below
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, legendary actress/comedian Lily Tomlin discussed a variety of topics, including comedy and the Oscars. About the Academy Awards, she said, "I sometimes think they shouldn't be able to tread ...
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Acts for Pride in the Park announced
Taking place the same weekend as this year's Chicago Pride Parade, the third edition of the music festival Pride in the Park will be June 25-26 at Grant Park's Petrillo Bandshell. According to the event's website, ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Glamorous,' Jake Gyllenhaal, Alice Walker, queer singers, trans film fest
Three years after The CW passed on Glamorous, Netflix has picked up the redeveloped series about a young gender nonconforming queer man, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The streaming giant has handed out a 10-episode, straight-to-series ...
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MUSIC Lizzo out with new song, will release 'Special' album on July 15
Grammy winner, LGBTQ+ ally and RIAA multi-platinum certified musician Lizzo has shared her long-awaited new single, "About Damn Time," available now via Nice Life Recording Company/Atlantic Records at all DSPs and streaming services, a press release ...
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MUSIC Gay composer's historic 'Emancipation' at Harris Theater on April 29
The Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance will present Emancipation, by gay composer Adrian Dunn, with The Adrian Dunn Singers and Rize Orchestra on the Mainstage on Friday, April 29, at ...
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SHOWBIZ JoJo Siwa, Indigo Girls, singer Bitch, 'Shahs of Sunset'
The Fox show So You Think You Can Dance unveiled its new judging lineup, and LGBTQ Dancing with the Stars runner-up JoJo Siwa will be part of it, per Out Magazine. Siwa will be joined at the judge's table by Glee ...
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Artemis Singers presents outdoor Pride Concert June 4 "Leaping Lesbians!"
-- From a press release
CHICAGO─Artemis Singers, www.artemissingers.org, Chicago's lesbian feminist chorus, will present its Pride Concert, "Leaping Lesbians! A Celebration of Lesbian Life," at 4 p.m., Saturday, June 4, outdoors at Forest Glen Woods ...
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The Grammys, from A (awards) to Z (Zelensky)
The 64th Annual Grammy Awards took place April 3 in Las Vegas—and there were surprising and moving moments. Jon Batiste—a musician who is also the creative director of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem—won four trophies, ...
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Singer Emily Sande comes out as part of the LGBTQ+ community
British pop singer/songwriter Emeli Sande has revealed that she's in love with a woman who might just be "the one," according to a Billboard item that cited her interview with Metro. Sande came out and said ...
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House music, Joan Jett on tap at the Horseshoe Casino in May
May concerts at The Venue at Horseshoe Casino (in Hammond, Indiana) will include shows by house-music legends and out rock icon Joan Jett. "Not Gon' Stop the House" will take place Saturday, May 7, at 6 ...
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OPERA REVIEW Fire Shut Up in My Bones
The Lyric Opera of Chicago's outstanding premiere of Fire Shut Up in My Bones continues to build upon this new work's historic importance. Last September, Fire Shut Up in My Bones was given pride of place ...
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SHOWBIZ Lil Nas X, out comedian, Ariana DeBose, Abercrombie & Fitch film
Six months after Lil Nas X "gave birth" to his debut album, Montero, his "baby registry" fundraising has resulted in a lot of money raised, Queerty noted. Established in the weeks leading up to Montero's release, ...
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City-Wide festival Chicago Cabaret Week runs May 6 - 16
-- From a press release
Cabaret has been at the heartbeat of Chicago's nightclub scene for more than a century. Come hear blues, jazz, American songbook, burlesque, French music, pop, comedy and Broadway by some of Chicago's finest artists during the ...
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Out British singer Calum Scott takes a page from The Script
Calum Scott came into the public spotlight during the ninth season of Britain's Got Talent, where he performed a cover of Robyn's classic "Dancing on My Own." The reality show was a rollercoaster of a ride ...
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Tickets for 'Prince: The Immersive Experience' now on sale
Tickets are now available for Prince: The Immersive Experience, which will make its worldwide debut in Chicago on June 9. The exhibit will be at The Shops at North Bridge on the Magnificent Mile at 540 ...
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Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party raises $8.6M
The 30th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party took place March 27 at West Hollywood Park, raising $8.6 million for the foundation's work to end AIDS. The event was hosted by 12-time Grammy-winning ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Hocus Pocus 2,' 'Moon Knight,' queer dating show, Daddy Yankee
Hocus Pocus 2 is adding RuPaul's Drag Race queens Kahmora Hall and Kornbread "The Snack" Jete, Entertainment Weekly noted. EW has confirmed through a source close to production that the drag superstars joined the Hocus Pocus ...
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New Philharmonic celebrates Bernstein, Sondheim with 'West Side Story in Concert' April 9-10
-- From a press release
GLEN ELLYN, Ill. — New Philharmonic, conducted by Maestro Kirk Muspratt, concludes its 2021-2022 season with "West Side Story in Concert," 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 9 and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 10. Four guest artists—Brooklyn Snow ...
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Ravinia Festival announces complete 2022 summer lineup
-- From a press release
HIGHLAND PARK, IL —Ravinia President and CEO Jeffrey P. Haydon today announced Ravinia Festival's complete 2022 summer lineup, offering 50 artist debuts and more than 100 concerts, including the annual summer residency of the Chicago Symphony ...
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Lollapalooza line-up to include Dua Lipa, Green Day, Doja Cat, Kaskade
The organizers behind Lollapalooza have unveiled the line-up for this year's festival, which will take place at Grant Park on July 28-31. Headliners will include Dua Lipa, Metallica, J. Cole, Green Day, Doja Cat, Machine Gun ...
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Rod Stewart, Dolly Parton, Gloria Gaynor, more to be at 'AARP Celebrates You'
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON—This March 24-26, tens of thousands of people of all ages will enjoy AARP's free virtual event, AARP Celebrates You. It's a signature event filled with world-class celebrities, fun and informative classes, great music, and a ...
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THEATER Out producer Bill Damaschke debuts 'Moulin Rouge' in Chicago
Moulin Rouge! The Musical is kicking off its North American tour in the Windy City, with an eight-week run at the James M. Nederlander Theatre. This 10-time Tony Award winner plans to immerse Chicago audiences into ...
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IPO's Christina Salerno named executive director of the year by Illinois Council of Orchestras
The Illinois Council of Orchestras (ICO) bestowed a major award upon Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO), naming IPO's Christina Salerno as the 2022 Executive Director of the Year. The accolade was part of ICO's annual awards for ...
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MUSIC Cor.Ece accomplishes 'Impossible,' is set to release new EP
Video below
Cor.Ece (nee Mark Corece) is a queer Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter (and onetime Chicagoan) who has been constantly working on new soulful material. His EP, Dance to Keep from Crying (on ...
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Former Chicago musician Homer Marrs releases new music
Discovered nationwide for his live performance of "The Facebook Song" on Jimmy Kimmel Live in support of the first National UnFriend Day, Los Angeles-based LGBTQ indie-rock musician Homer Marrs has released new music. Marrs, who formerly ...
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'Tosca' at Lyric Opera House on select dates through April 10
Puccini's Tosca will run at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr., on select dates through Sunday, April 10. Performance dates are March 15, 18, 23 and 26 as well as April 3, 7 and 10. The work brings together ...
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MUSIC ARC Festival announces line-up for Sept. 2-4 event
For its 2021 debut, ARC Festival conjured the spirit of house music in the birthplace of the genre: Chicago. In 2022, ARC returns to Union Park on Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 2-4) with an expanded three-day ...
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