Wed., Feb. 14, Chicago Anti-Bashing Network's Freedom to Marry Day events include a Protest For Gay Marriage. Meet at noon in front of the City/County Building, 118 N. Clark. ( 773 ) 878-4781 or CABNstopthehate@aol.com
For Valentine's Day, Open Hand Chicago is offering special pastries for their homebound clients along with their meals. The treats are compliments of Anita Wolff, an Open Hand driver of 11 years ( also known as the "Cookie Lady" ) .
Berlin's Women Obsession Valentine, with a special acoustic performance by The Push, is Feb. 14.
Buddies' airs Barbra Streisand's concert on screens Wed., Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. Special Sweetheart dinner service starts at 4 p.m. Valerie James performs Friday.
Tickets for FIREBALL WEEKEND, the Midwest's largest three-day series of four dance parties, are on sale. The annual President's weekend event is now expanded to four events taking place on Feb. 16, 17, and 18. Several thousand partygoers will be converging on Chicago for nationally known DJ's Manny Lehman, David Knapp and Mark Vallese and special performances by Erin Hamilton and Abigail. The House of Blues will open the weekend Feb. 16 at 11 p.m. with DJ David Knapp. The main event, FIREBALL, is at The Aragon Ballrooma first-time venue for this event on Saturday. Share the moment until 6 a.m. with 4,500 celebrants as national circuit DJ, Manny Lehman, takes you on a magical, high-energy journey under the lighting of Tony Lage, and with special performances by Erin Hamilton ( Carol Burnett's daughter ) . The Excalibur Tea-Dance on Sunday ( 2/18 ) at 3 p.m. begins a 13-hour extravaganza that brings the weekend to a close in the former home of the Chicago Historical Society. First, DJ Mark Vallese will pull the weekend's joyous threads together until 10 p.m. in Excalibur's dance space with special performances by Abigail, who will make her World Premier Performance of "You Set Me Free" at this party. At 10 p.m. Excalibur will continue to host partygoers with the only officially sanctioned Sunday Closing Party. Call ( 773 ) 244-6000; or visit website www.heartsfoundation.com .
The Black Bra Party is coming Sunday, Feb. 18 to Drink Nightclub. Tix can now be purchased in advance at Buddies', 3301 N. Clark. Just ask the bartender. It's $15 per ticket ( cash only! ) . For more information on the first-ever women's circuit party see ads in this week's Lambda Publications or call ( 773 ) 583-5049 or blackbraparty@aol.com . The event will feature live performances by Valerie James and C.C. Carter, female go-go dancers, black bra optional. Hosted by Amy Matheny.
The Midwest Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Ally College Conference is Feb. 16-18 downstate. Call ( 217 ) 333-1187 or go to www.uiuc.edu/ro/mblgtcc2001. Speakers include Wilson Cruz, Alice Y. Hom, Shane Windmeyer, Abigail Garner, Deirdre McCloskey and Kennette Crockett.
AIDSCare's The Fat Friday Ball is Feb. 23, color, light and magic. Event to benefit AIDSCare at The Four Seasons Hotel, ( 773 ) 935-4663, www.aidscarechicago.org
Human Rights Campaign hosts a Comedy Night, Friday, Feb. 23, starring Marga Gomez and Jason Stuart, to benefit the organization. Starts 8:30 p.m., Park West, 322 W. Armitage, ( 773 ) 929-5959.
Elton John's plans to duet with Eminem at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles Feb. 21 ( airing on CBS ) are being criticized as "misguided" by GLAAD, the British gay-rights group OutRage!, and others. "We are disappointed that Sir Elton John will be performing with Eminem," GLAAD stated. "John has played an enormous role in educating the world about AIDS and gay issues through his music and charitable work. GLAAD is appalled John would share a stage with Eminem, whose words and actions promote hate and violence against gays and lesbians. Last year GLAAD bestowed upon John one of our most prestigious honors, named in honor of GLAAD founder Vito Russo, for outstanding contributions to combating homophobia. We believe John's actions today violate the spirit of this award." The Los Angeles Times reported that John said the duet concept originated from Eminem himself, an overture the British superstar views as "an olive branch" to gays from the rapper. "I know I'm going to get a lot of flak from various people who are going to picket the show ... I'd rather tear down walls between people than build them up. If I thought ... he was a hateful bastard, I wouldn't do it."
Full Moon Productions of Milwaukee presents Suzanne Westenhoefer with special guest Barbara Higbie Sat., Feb. 17. At Centennial Hall, 733 N. Eighth, Milwaukee. ( 920 ) 533-8867.
Mountain Moving Coffeehouse, now at Summerdale Community Church/Good Shepherd Parish MCC, 1700 W. Farragut, presents a Womyn of Color Night Feb. 17, with the premiere performance of C.C. Carter's Say Jesus And Come To Me, a revival of the novel.
Chicago Eagle screens John Waters' film Pecker 8:30 and 11:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, 5015 N. Clark, ( 773 ) 728-0050.
The Suburban Gay and Lesbian Business Expo is Sunday, Feb. 18, sponsored by ConnectionsGuide.com, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Harper College, Roselle Rd. and Rte. 62 in Palatine, ( 847 ) 608-6981.