Nat'l Women's Music Festival July 4-7
The National Women's Music Festival will take place July 4-7 in Middleton, Wis., at the Madison Marriott West.
Among the many singers/comedians slated to perform are Cris Williamson, Melissa Ferrick, Big Bad Gina, Voices of Africa, June & Jean Millington, Gina Yashere and Kristen Ford.
The festival also nurtures new performers with a talent competition; last year's winners, comedian Barb Nelligan and singer-songwriter Ginger Doss, will perform July 4.
Visit www.wiaonline.org for more info.
NewTown Writers featuring WCT publisher June 20
NewTown Writers presents publisher and journalist Tracy Baim at Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago, Thursday, June 20, 7:30 p.m.
Baim will discuss her 2013 Lambda Literary Award Finalist Publication: Gay Press, Gay Power: The Growth of LGBT Community Newspapers in America.
Baim is publisher and executive editor at Windy City Media Group, which produces Windy City Times, Nightspots, and other gay media. She co-founded Windy City Times in 1985 and Outlines newspaper in 1987. She has won numerous gay community and journalism honors, including the Community Media Workshop's Studs Terkel Award in 2005. She started in Chicago gay journalism in 1984 at GayLife newspaper.
Cheyenne Jackson to release CD June 25
Actor singer and songwriter Cheyenne Jackson (Behind The Candelabra, 30 Rock, Glee) will release I'm Blue, Skies, his first full-length album of original music, June 25.
The 12-track pop-folk CD includes songs such as "Mr. Lonely Boy," "You Get Me" (featuring Charlotte Sometimes), "Back Pocket" and the title tune.
The first video for the song "Don't Look At Me," co-written by Jackson and SIA, is available on Jackson's YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/cheyennejacksonmusic.
Burlesque star Dita von Teese July 11-13
Dita Von Teese will bring her "Burlesque: Strip, Strip Hooray!" variety show to the House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., on July 11-13.
According to a press release, "the 90-minute spectacle treats audiences to four of Von Teese's most impressive performances, including her new Swarovski Martini Glass act. Also featured in the revue is Von Teese's lavish "Opium Den" show which features her as a smoldering and exotic dragon lady."
The July 11 and 13 shows are at 7:30 p.m.; there will be two performances on July 12 at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. General-admission tickets are $40; see www.ticketmaster.com .
Comic Cameron Esposito in Chicago July 5
L.A.-based lesbian comic Cameron Esposito will return to her hometown, Chicago, on Friday, July 5, for a one-night-only performance at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave.
She won the OutLoud Chicago Queer Comedy at Zanies in 2012, and has performed at the Chicago Women's Funny Fest and the Bridgetown Comedy Festival.
Tickets are $10 each; see www.hideoutchicago.com/event/281695-cameron-esposito-chicago.
