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WORLD Australian law, soccer players, Grindr suit, South Korean situation
In Australia, Queensland has updated its Anti-Discrimination Act to explicitly protect non-binary and gender-diverse people for the first time, PinkNews reported. The changes came into effect on April 29, and they impose tougher penalties for hate ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Faye,' Sophia Bush, Janelle Monae, Laverne Cox, Peabodys
The HBO Original documentary Faye, about iconic actress Faye Dunaway, will debut on HBO and will be available to stream on Max later this year, a press release noted. The film will have its world premiere ...
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Shining a spotlight on girl in red
Bathed in a crimson-gelled spotlight, girl in red entered the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom on the night of April 27. She was accompanied by a backing band and wore a striped suit jacket. For those that ...
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Artemis Singers presents June 8 "Never Doubt: We Are Here" Pride Concert & Dance
--From a press release
CHICAGO─Artemis Singers, www.artemissingers.org, Chicago's lesbian feminist chorus, presents "Never Doubt: We Are Here" Pride Concert & Dance, Saturday, June 8, at First Congregational Church of Evanston UCC, 1445 Hinman Ave. ...
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Navy Pier to mark 40th anniversary of Chicago house music with summer-long programming
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Navy Pier announced plans to celebrate House music's Chicago roots with a summer full of programming paying homage to the energy, music, and dance of Black and Latino youth on Chicago's south and west ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Priscilla,' Tony nods, Oscars, Ncuti Gatwa, Jonathan Bailey, GLAAD event
Stephan Elliottwho directed the cult classic The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desertsaid a sequel "is happening" and that the original movie's stars (Terence Stamp, Guy Pearce and Hugo Weaving) are back "on board" 30 ...
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THEATER 'Mamma Mia!' returns to Chicago with 'Daddyhunt' star Jim Newman
"Who's your daddy?" That's the key plot question driving the global hit Mamma Mia! The global smash jukebox musical famously features the song hits of Swedish pop group ABBA, and it returns for a three-week run ...
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Local queer opera composer premiering her first show, a coming-of-age tale with LGBTQ+ themes
A Lake View woman is debuting her first opera as a composer, a coming-of-age story with LGBTQ+ themes. Gillian Rae Perry, a fellow with the Chicago Opera Theater's Vanguard program for emerging artists, composed The Weight ...
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Cher, Dionne among Rock & Roll HoF honorees; Mariah snubbed
On April 21, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation announced its 2024 inductees, per an ABC press release. In the performer category, the inductees are Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter ...
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SHOWBIZ Celine Dion, 'The People's Joker,' Billy Porter, Patti LuPone, 'Strange Way'
I Am: Celine Dion will stream on Prime Video starting June 25, according to a press release. The film is described as follows: "Directed by Academy Award nominee Irene Taylor, I Am: Celine Dion gives us ...
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Kokandy Productions now accepting submissions for Chicago Musical Theater Fest returning Aug. 8-11
--From a press release
CHICAGO (April 18, 2024) — Kokandy Productions is pleased to open submissions for the 2024 Chicago Musical Theatre Festival, returning this summer following a four-year hiatus. Kokandy is thrilled to ...
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SHOWBIZ Jerrod Carmichael, '9-1-1' actor, Kayne the Lovechild, STARZ shows, Cynthia Erivo
Gay comedian/filmmaker Jerrod Carmichael criticized Dave Chappelle, opening up about the pair's ongoing feud and calling out Chappelle's opinions on the LGBTQ+ community, PinkNews noted, citing an Esquire article. Carmichael ...
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Andersonville Chamber announces Andersonville Midsommarfest entertainment lineup
--From a press release
CHICAGO (April 8, 2024) — The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is pleased to announce the full entertainment line-up for Andersonville Midsommarfest, one of Chicago's oldest and most beloved summer ...
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SHOWBIZ Outfest, Chita Rivera, figure skaters, letter, playwright dies
For more than four decades, Outfest has been telling LGBTQ+ stories through the thousands of films screened during its annual Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival—but that event may have a different look this year because ...
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SHOWBIZ Dionne Warwick, OUTshine, Ariana DeBose, 'Showgirls,' 'Harlem'
Video below
Iconic singer Dionne Warwick was honored for her decades-long advocacy work for people living with HIV/AIDS at a star-studded amfAR fundraising gala in Palm Beach, per the Palm Beach Daily News. Warwick received the "Award of ...
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'Rumors' performers create alternative drag playground
At first glance, Dorian's Through The Record Shop (1939 W. North Ave.) looks like a brightly-lit shop with a handful of records on the wall, but there's a secret world behind those unassuming shelves. Visitors are ...
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SHOWBIZ Queer musicians, Marvel situation, Elliot Page, Nicole Kidman
Queer musician Joy Oladokun released the single "I Wished on the Moon," from Jack Antonoff's official soundtrack for the new Apple TV+ series The New Look, per a press release. The soundtrack, ...
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Lollapalooza announces lineup; SZA, Skrillex among headliners
Lollapalooza has released its line-up for the event that's taking place Aug. 1-4 at Grant Park. Headliners include SZA, Blink-182, Skrillex, The Killers, Hozier, Melanie Martinez and Stray Kids, among others. Some of the other acts ...
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Jamie Barton brings nuances of identity to her Lyric Opera 'Aida' performance
Chicago's Lyric Opera is currently featuring a production of Giuseppe Verdi's Aida starring Michelle Bradley as Aida, Jamie Barton as Amneris and Russell Thomas as Radamès. The opera runs through April 7, 2024, with Francesca Zambello ...
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SHOWBIZ Lady Gaga, 'P-Valley,' Wendy Williams, Luke Evans, 'Queer Eye,' 'Transition'
Lady Gaga came to the defense of Dylan Mulvaney after a post with the trans influencer/activist for International Women's Day received hateful responses, People Magazine noted. On Instagram, Gaga stated, "It's appalling to me that a ...
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House-music festival on Aug. 30-Sept. 1; icons, Idris Elba to be part of it
The ARC Music Festivalan event celebrating house musicwill take place Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at Chicago's Union Park, per WGN-TV. This will mark the fourth year that the festival will celebrate the genre at Union Parkless than ...
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COBRAH slithers into Chicago and brings Feminine Energy
COBRAH snaked her way into Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., for two nights March 7 and 8 for her Succubus Tour. This Swedish-born talent has a way with naughty words and ...
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SHOWBIZ Jinkx Monsoon, Xavier Dolan, 'Frida,' Lena Waithe, out singer
Two-time RuPaul's Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon is headed back to the New York stage, joining off-Broadway's Little Shop of Horrors as Audrey beginning April 2, according to Playbill. The casting makes Monsoon the first drag ...
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Queer Eye's Jai Rodriguez is set to slay at The Big Gay Cabaret
Out and proud performer Jai Rodriguez is set to play at The Big Gay Cabaret this March for three days. Presented by RuPaul Drag Racer Ginger Minj, this monthly series highlights the wide world of cabaret ...
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SHOWBIZ Queer actors, icons duet, Hunter Schafer, Oscars, Elizabeth Taylor
Queer actor Kal Penn is set to star in Trust Me, I'm a Doctora film that chronicles the final days of actress/model Anna Nicole Smith, whose overdose death in 2007 at age 39 sparked a tabloid ...
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'Always Olivia' celebrates Olivia Newton-John at Raue Center
From a press release: Always Olivia, a tribute to one of the most celebrated and beloved pop culture icons of all time, the late Olivia Newton-John comes to Raue Center in Crystal Lake on Saturday, May ...
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Samuel Savoir-Faire Williams's violin stylings help COH mark Black History Month
As part of its celebration of Black History Month, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., presented a solo jazz performance by violinist Samuel Savoir-Faire Williams on Feb. 21. The two-hour long performance presented a showcase ...
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SHOWBIZ Kristen Stewart, Rock Hudson, Talia Keys, 'True Detective,' Marvel comic
At the Berlin Film Festival, Kristen Stewart defended her photo shoot for a Rolling Stone magazine cover that went viral and divided audiences on social-media platforms, per The Hollywood Reporter. "The existence of a female body ...
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Theater Review: Billy Elliot, The Musical
Book and Lyrics: Lee Hall; Music: Elton John. At: Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora Tickets: 630-896-6666 or Paramountaurora.com; $28-$79. Runs through March 24 Billy Elliot: The Musical may nearly be two decades old, but ...
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REFLECTIONS: An Evening of original music with the Jeannie Tanner Quartet
--From a press release
REFLECTIONS will be a night of feel-good, upbeat original music written by Jeannie Tanner. Songs range from jazz, to pop, to soulful R&B. Jeannie's music can be heard in many television shows and movies, with recordings ...
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Lakeside Pride Wilde Cabaret Valentine's Day Feb. 17
--From a press release
Lakeside Pride Wilde Cabaret puts their own spin on Valentine's Day with a show celebrating things done and sacrificed for love - not just romantic love, but love for pets, friends, family and art. Join the ...
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SHOWBIZ Elton John, Hannah Gadsby, video game, Jennifer Lopez, queer thriller
Video below
Sir Elton John has sold his Atlanta home and is now auctioning off more than 900 of his personal items that were kept in the 13,500-square-foot condo, The Daily Mail noted. The massive collection includes rare ...
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Wic Whitney spills the Afternoon Tea
Born in Arkansas and now based in Chicago, queer performer Wic Whitney is a storyteller with a great deal to say, preaching his Southern soul message through unique vocal stylings as a rapper and singer. This ...
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CGMC presents Lipstick & Lyrics: Forty & Foxy, A Glamorous Feast for the Senses
--From a press release
CHICAGO, February 13, 2024 — The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus proudly presents Lipstick & Lyrics: Forty & Foxy, a dazzling, live-singing drag show that celebrates the sensuality and empowerment of middle age. Get ready to unleash ...
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Cher, Mariah Carey among Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees
Cher, Mariah Carey among Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees On Feb. 10, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced the nominees for its 2024 class. According to NPR, two-thirds of the artists on the list for "rock's highest ...
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Dr. Lady J explains how opera can be a drag
On Feb. 8, Center on Halsted, in partnership with Lyric Opera of Chicago, presented a lecture by historian, drag activist, podcaster and curator Dr. Lady J. The event, titled "Castrated Superstars, Cross Dressed Divas, and Queer ...
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SHOWBIZ Raven-Symone, women's sports, Wayne Brady, Jinkx Monsoon, British Vogue
In celebration of Black History Month, the LA LGBT Center announced that lesbian entertainer Raven-Symone will be presented with the Center's Bayard Rustin Award at its new event, Highly Favored, per a press release. She joins ...
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Women dominate 2024 Grammys
It was the year of the woman at the 2024 Grammys. Regarding everything from performances to wins, women dominated the 2024 Grammys that took place Feb. 4 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Tracy Chapman ...
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SHOWBIZ JoJo Siwa, Tom Holland, Bowen Yang, Pet Shop Boys, Mariah Carey
In the wake of Nigel Lythgoe exiting So You Think You Can Dance, queer personality JoJo Siwa is returning to the series, per Deadline. Siwa, who was a judge on season 17 of the Fox show, will replace Lythgoe, who left ...
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SHOWBIZ Sundance items, Green Day, 'Wednesday,' Queerties, 'The Wiz'
At the Sundance Film Festival, Jodie Foster told Variety that the $1.4-billion success of Barbie helps confirm that Hollywood no longer views women directors as too much of a risk. She said, "With a big success ...
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WORLD Arrest in Brazil, athlete dies, Ghana attack, World Economic Forum
A 30-year-old man was arrested in Brazil on Jan. 18 for his alleged role in the stabbing murder of prominent NYC art dealer Brent Sikkema, Gay City News reported. Authorities took Cuban resident Alejandro Triana Trevez ...
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Upcoming Lyric Opera performance Champion explores famed boxer's gay identity
Grammy Award-winning composer Terence Blanchard and Tony Award-winning librettist Michael Cristofer's opera, Champion, is set for its Lyric Opera of Chicago debut Jan. 27. It runs through Feb. 11. This contemporary "opera in jazz" features the ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Laid,' 'Nimona,' Lukas Gage, Lil Nas X, Lily Gladstone, John Waters
Peacock has given a straight-to-series order to the comedy Laid, which is slated to feature queer actress Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once), Variety noted. Based on the Australian series of the same name, the ...
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Indigo Girls/Melissa Etheridge tour to start Aug. 11 at Ravinia
Grammy-winning folk icons Indigo Girls will join Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter/rocker and fellow queer legend Melissa Etheridge for several co-billed shows this August. The tour kicks off at Ravinia at Highland Park, Illinois on Sunday, Aug. 11, ...
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EMMYS RuPaul, Niecy Nash-Betts win; Elton's EGOT status; GLAAD's award
Succession, The Bear and Beef dominated the 2024 Emmys, held Jan. 16. The ceremony was televised on Fox. Succession was named best drama series, The Bear was named best comedy series and Beef was named best ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Call Me By Your Name,' awards, Aspen Gay Ski Week, Miss Cleo
The Oscar-winning gay romance Call Me by Your Name is leaving Netflix after Jan. 31, per Out. The coming-of-age romance was helmed by Bones and All director Luca Guadagnino, and stars Timothee Chalamet as 17-year-old Elio ...
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Artemis Singers' winter performance inspires listeners to 'Embrace the Night'
This winter's annual Artemis Singers' concert, "Embracing the Night," is designed to help listeners connect with their inner strength as they brave the cold winter months. The program begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20 ...
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Baby Tate grows up with 'Sexploration'
The multitalented pansexual artist Baby Tate has plenty to say on her Sexploration: The Tour. She's packing up her "Wig" and traveling to Chicago to perform an inclusive set of songs such as "Luv Everybody" at ...
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Scott Free's new album revives protest music for the modern era
By Alec Karam
Gay Chicago musician Scott Free wants to bring protest music back to the mainstream. With his new album Songs to Fight Oppression, Free has unveiled several new sing-along social justice songs to accompany protests, or simply ...
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SHOWBIZ Kelly Clarkson, Billy Porter and Luke Evans, 'All of Us,' 'Book of Mormon'
Video below
At Kelly Clarkson's "Chemistry: An Intimate Evening" residency show in Las Vegas, two men got married with the help of the singer/talk-show host as a witness, EW.com noted. In an audience video from the show, fans ...
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SHOWBIZ Streisand, Kristen Stewart, James Baldwin, Cher, 'Relighting'
Video below
Barbra Streisand will be honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild, TheWrap noted. The honor will be seen live at the 2024 SAG Awards, which will take place at the Shrine ...
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Bradley Cooper conducts a symphony of queer history in Maestro
Composer-conductor Leonard Bernstein was one of the most important musicians of his time, receiving many accolades—the Kennedy Center Honor among them, in 1981—before passing away in 1990. Behind the scenes ...
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Artemis Singers to present "Embracing the Night" concert Jan. 20
--From a press release
CHICAGO─Artemis Singers, www.artemissingers.org, Chicago's lesbian feminist chorus, will present "Embracing the Night," a concert of choral and popular music about finding inner strength. The program begins at 7 p.m., Saturday ...
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SHOWBIZ Former Disney star, women's sports, Latifah, Lenny Kravitz, 'Barbie'
Videos below
In an essay about mental health that ran in Teen Vogue, former Disney star Karan Brar came out as bisexual, Out noted. In the essay, Brar talked about moving out of his parents' place —something that ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Bodyshop,' Beyonce, Ani DiFranco, Billie Jean King
The Breaking Glass Pictures film Bodyshop will be out on digital on Dec. 5, per a press release. The plot is described thusly: "The ghost of a young soldier sexually assaulted by his lieutenant says goodbye ...
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Jerry Mitchell bops into Boop!
Director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell is bringing black-and-white Boop! The Betty Boop Musical into a world of color at the CIBC Theatre this winter. It's a pre-Broadway world premiere for the musical starring Jasmine Amy Rogers ...
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SHOWBIZ Billy Porter, queer novel, 'Tammy Faye,' queer DJ, Bella Ramsey
Billy Porter released his long-awaited new album, Black Mona Lisa, via Island Records UK/Republic Records, and it's executive-produced by Justin Tranter, a press release noted. Porter said, "So many of the songs on my album have ...
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Photographer Irene Young launches book with stellar concerts
"Something About the Women" was appropriately the closing song for two sold-out, stellar concerts at Berkeley's Freight & Salvage November 19, in celebration of the new book of the same name by Irene Young, the legendary ...
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'Jersey Boys' stars reunite as Midtown Men on Dec. 2 in Glen Ellyn
The original stars of the Broadway hit Jersey BoysChristian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and J. Robert Spencerwill reunite as Midtown Men on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m. at McAninch Arts Center's Belushi Performance Hall ...
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SHOWBIZ Kaytranada, NFL star, Alexandra Billings, video game, George Michael
Out Montreal DJ/producer Kaytranada teased his latest single, "Out of Luck," with Mariah the Scientist, on Twitter, Complex noted. "THIS IS THE ANTHEM!" Kaytra wrote in his quote-tweet of the song playing at a release party. ...
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Chicago Gay Men's Chorus celebrates 40 years of holiday music in 'The Big 4-0, ho, ho'
--From a press release
CHICAGO, November 1, 2023 — Chicago Gay Men's Chorus celebrates its 40th Anniversary with The Big 4-0, ho, ho!, a celebration of CGMC's holiday favorites over the last 40 years. Featuring festive arrangements from current Artistic ...
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In Praise of Sondheim: Theo dedicates the rest of its season to a legendary composer
Evanston’s Theo theater company didn't originally set out to devote the majority of its 2023-24 season to the late gay composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. But then the company's artistic leadership saw a creative Sondheim offer ...
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CABARET Karen Mason celebrating Davenport's 25th anniversary on Nov. 10-12
On Nov. 10-12, award-winning vocalist, Broadway star, actress and recording artist Karen Mason will return in concert to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Chicago cabaret venue Davenport's, 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave. Mason was the first performer ...
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UPDATE: Illinois school district approves LGBTQ+ musical 'The Prom'
After reconsidering a decision to postpone the event, Community Unit School District 300 will allow Hampshire High School to run its spring musical—The Prom, which is about ...
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Broadway's Andy Mientus lugs his Jug-Band to Chicago for the holidays
Prepare to reconnect with your inner child through puppetry this holiday season with Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas. Puppets will play onstage Nov. 15-Dec. 31 at the historic Fine Arts Building, 410 South Michigan Ave., ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Shucked,' Melissa Etheridge, 'Elite,' composer dies, Orville Peck
The Broadway production Shucked has set a closing date of Jan. 14, 2024 at the Nederlander Theatre, Playbill noted. At closing, the Tony-nominated musical will have played 28 previews and 327 regular performances. A North American ...
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Billy Porter to release 'Black Mona Lisa' on Nov. 17
Billy Porter will release his long-awaited new album, Black Mona Lisa, via Island UK/Republic Records on Nov. 17. Justin Tranter, also a member of the LGBTQ+ community, is the album's executive producer. Black Mona Lisa contains ...
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WORLD Mauritius ruling, Justin Trudeau, couple attacked, Dame Shirley Bassey
In a historic ruling, the Supreme Court of Mauritius decriminalized same-sex sexual relations when it declared the African country's British colonial-era anti-sodomy laws relations to be unconstitutional, The Advocate reported. ...
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SHOWBIZ Holiday TV movies, GLAAD concert, Janet Jackson, muscle-fem singer
Hallmark has revealed its full slate of holiday movies—and there are more than 40 films, Entertainment Weekly noted. Among the movie's stars are Lacey Chabert, Jonathan Bennett, Luke Macfarlane, Phylicia Rashad, Nikki DeLoach, Andrew Walker and ...
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Trans pop star Kim Petras to perform in Chicago on Oct. 18
Grammy-winning, international trans pop sensation Kim Petras will bring her larger-than-life live show to Chicago at the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., on Wed., Oct. 18, as part of her Feed The Beast ...
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PASSAGES: Lighting specialist, Chicago Gay Men's Chorus alum Xavier Yager
Lighting specialist, former Proctor and Gamble pharmaceutical sales representative and Chicago Gay Men's Chorus alum Xavier Yager died Oct. 1 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in his home due to heart failure. He was 66. Yager was ...
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MUSIC Sufjan Stevens dedicates new album to late partner
The usually private singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens posted an Instagram message dedicating his new album Javelin, out Oct. 6, to his late partner Evans Richardson, Deadline noted. Richardson was the chief of staff of the Studio Museum ...
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PASSAGES: Renowned DJ, music producer Teresa K. Bristol aka Teri Bristol
Renowned DJ and music producer Teresa Kaye Bristol, aka Teri Bristol, died Sept. 25 in Beechgrove, Tennessee of kidney failure, following an over three-year battle with the disease. She was 66. Bristol was born Dec. 26, ...
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SHOWBIZ 'True Detective,' Rock & Roll HoF, Sheryl Lee Ralph, RuPaul, Outfest
Video below
The six-episode HBO Original drama series True Detective: Night Country—starring Oscar-winning and Emmy-nominated Jodie Foster and Kali Reis, with Finn Bennett, Fiona Shaw, Christopher Eccleston, Isabella Star LaBlanc and John ...
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MUSIC Former 'Idol' finalist Jim Verraros on his new song, Chicago and Kelly Clarkson
Jim Verraros, the first openly gay top 10 finalist from American Idol (from the show's very first season in 2002, which Kelly Clarkson won) is back on the music scene with his first song in 12 ...
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