Wed., July 23
Miss Gay Illinois America Pageant Theme: Intergalactic. Closed state pageant. Apply online. Winner $3,025.00 in cash and prizes, runners up also win cash and prizes. 12:00pm Ramada Ballroom 6900 N. Illinois Fairview Heights, IL 62208 314-484-5580 www.missgayamerica.com/preliminaries/Illinois.htm Tickets: http://www.missgayamerica.com/contactus.htm
Trans Youth Resources and Advocacy Youth Drop-In Center Every Wednesday, safe, confidential place for transgender people between the ages of 14 to 24. Meet other youth who also identify as transgender, or are questioning their gender identity. Free food, snacks and refreshments, music, peer support, adult supervision, referrals and education. 5:00pm - 7:00pm Broadway Youth Center 615 W Wellington Ave http://www.genderadvocates.org/Tyra/TYRADropIn.html
21st Annual Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Award Renowned Chicago poet Gwendolyn Brooks and the Guild Literary Complex $500 poetry award 21 years ago for Illinois poets for a written work read aloud. Celebrate the robust poetry community of written and spoken word and commemorate Brooks' legacy in cultivating emerging voices. 7:00pm - 9:00pm Chopin Theatre 1543 W Division St www.guildcomplex.org
Fabitat: Freak Show A very special birthday edition for our resident drag host Lucy Stoole, VaVa Voom, and FABITAT producer Chris Kemp. Shake it down to Double Door's Door No. 3 for a carnival and sideshow-inspired birthday bash that will be sure get your freak on! Special guest DJ Vourteque, along side residents DJ Adam El and Ldy Prblms. Drag and sideshow performances from Curlene Ribbon and the queens of The Saffire House, with special guest performers Shotglass Sally and Madame Envy. 9:00pm - 2:00am
20 Years Down the Spiral: NIN Ticket Giveaway and Gothic Costume Contest It's the 20-year anniversary of Trent Reznor's "The Downward Spiral" and to celebrate we have a ticket give away for their show on July 24 ( the following night ). You must participate and win in our first ever gothic costume contest. Sign-up begins at 11 pm with a stage showcase to follow and professional NIN-loving judges to assist. NIN-inspired stage performance with rare NIN videos and remixes. 10:00pm - 4:00am Berlin Nightclub 954 W Belmont Ave www.berlinchicago.com
See calendar through 2015 at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/chicago/events/upcoming.php .
Thursday, July 24
Artist Workshop Event for networking, sharing art, speaking about various art topics and genres while having fun. 10:00am - 5:00pm, 815 W. 63rd St., Chicago IL 60621; https://www.facebook.com/events/237403159792396/
Catharsis Productions Presents: Me, My Mom, and Sharmila at Theater Wit Dynamic writer-performer Fawzia Mirza chronicles her struggle to connect with her mother as she grapples with an emerging identity as a South Asian Queer actress and activist. Viewed through the lens of a shared love for glamorous Bollywood film star Sharmila Tagore, this solo performance is about family, identity and the space in between. Check for times. Theater Wit 1229 W Belmont Ave. www.facebook.com/events/1504396059778750/ Tickets: https://www.theaterwit.org/tickets/productions/189/performances#top
The About Face Youth Theatre: Checking Boxes Original play devised by the About Face Youth Theatre, exploring the often overlooked intersection between immigration and the LGBTQIA experience. Talented young artists share experiences of coming out, growing up and pursuing the American Dream. In association with the Chicago Park District's Night Out in the Parks initiative, through Aug. 1. 7:00pm Parks across the City www.aboutfacetheatre.com
Menage-A-Hah New sex-positive variety show, where those with non-conformist sexual identities can share their stories in a safe and supportive space. Line-up features stand-up comedians Kelsie Huff, Irene Tu, storytellers Shannon Cason, Angela Vela, and burlesque dancers ThomASS Edison, Slightly Spitfire. $5 at the door 8:00pm Hamburger Mary's, 5400 N. Clark St.
See calendar through 2015 at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/chicago/events/upcoming.php .
Friday, July 25
Stale Magnolias In a world where affluent southern ladies in a small southern town in the deep south congregate in a rundown tailor-come-southern-beauty parlor, six women will share friendship, love and laughter-proof foundation, romance, tragedy and betrayal. $15 at the door. $10 at Brownpaperticket.com 8:00pm The Call ( Chicago ) 1547 W Bryn Mawr
Bible Bingo & Late Nite Catechism Bible Bingo is a comedy about the Catholic culture of fundraising and bingo, featuring the character, Mrs. Mary Margaret O'Brien, a former nun who now heads a fictitious archdiocese fundraising department. Now in its 21st year in Chicago. 8:00pm Royal George Theatre 1641 N Halsted St 312-988-9000 www.latenitecatechism.info . Tickets: http://
Affinity Trailblazers ( Formerly known as the Senior Group ) Community and information for and among seniors to identify challenges of being in the 60+ age group; to advocate for individuals in this age group; and to provide support for those whose partners have health issues. Last Saturday of the month. Please bring a dish and/or beverage to share. Info: Phyllis Johnson at seniorgroup@affinity95.org . 9:00pm - 2:00am , www.affinity95.org
Divine Decadence Cabaret Series Comic Tony Tripoli, Amy and Freddy Take on Annie Lennox, Windy City Gay Idol Trish Keporos. $35 general, $45 VIP. First show 7pm. 9:00pm Circuit Nightclub 3641 N Halsted St Tickets: buytix.net
Cosmix's 19th Anniversary Party Celebrate Berlin's longest-running event, dedicated to electronica/indie/alternative. Win tickets to Lollapalooza beginning at 11. DJ Greg Haus. $3 Bacardi Bombs, $6 Stoli vodka. 10:00pm - 4:00am , www.berlinchicago.com
See calendar through 2015 at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/chicago/events/upcoming.php .
Saturday, July 26
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, Chicago-area GLBT Chapter Specifically founded to meet the needs of the Chicago-area GLBT community with mood disorders or other significant psychological conditions, as well as their friends, partners, and family members. Free. No RSVP needed. 11:00am - 12:30pm Center on Halsted 3656 N Halsted http://www.dbsa-glbt-chicago.com/
Art exhibit The works of Gene Skala in the 2nd floor gallery and Roman Liufa in the 3rd floor gallery through Aug 19. 12:00pm Center on Halsted 3656 N Halsted www.centeronhalsted.org
Fitness training Chicago Gay Hockey Association off-ice workout training classes every Saturday each week. Free to members. $5 for non-members 1:00pm Urban Athlete, 4437 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago http://chicagogayhockey.org/calendar/
Fed Up Fest Three-day, all-ages, DIY music and workshop festival celebrating queer/transgender voices in punk communities. Benefits Project Fierce Chicago, reducing LGBTQ youth homelessness in Chicago. Readings and workshops at 1pm, dinner at 4, bands at 5pm. 5:00pm Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219-21 S. Morgan St., projectfiercechicago.org
An Evening of Magic to Support AIDS Foundation of Chicago Magic show to support AIDS Foundation of Chicago. A full evening engagement and the first professional magic show to be staged in Boystown. This magic show is the perfect way to kick off your night in Boystown with a theatric show full of comedy, inexplicable magic, and mystery that will send you home deeply enchanted. 7:30pm - 9:00pm United States magical.brownpapertickets.com/ Tickets: http://magical.brownpapertickets.com/
See calendar through 2015 at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/chicago/events/upcoming.php .
Sunday, July 27
Wicker Park Fest 11th consecutive year to the heart of the neighborhood. Three stages of continuous live music and big name acts like Reverend Horton Heat, Owls, RJD2, JEFF The Brotherhood, Woods, ODESZA, Lydia Loveless. Through July 29 8:30am - 2:30am Subterranean and other locations http://www.wickerparkbucktown.com/fest/the-fest/music
Trans Pride Chicago Beach Party Independent and public gathering to celebrate the beauty, diversity, and resilience of the trans* community in Chicago and dedicated to the memory of Selma Diaz, a transgender woman who was found near Montrose Harbor in 2011. Bring coolers, chairs, beach wear. Any trans pride flags or other visibility welcome but not required. 12:00pm - 5:00pm Montrose Avenue Beach 4400 N. Lakeshore Dr., https://www.facebook.com/events/539170032861277/
Lakeside Freedom Band, Alumni Concert in the Park Concert on the lawn, picnic-style, as Lakeside Pride Freedom Band celebrates a 30-year legacy of music, visibility, and Pride. This will also be the farewell concert for Freedom Band Director Christy Zurcher, 3:00pm Northeastern Illinois University, lawn near Student Union, 5500 N. St. Louis Ave., www.lakesidepride.org
Monday, July 28
LezFest: A One Night Fling Fundraiser for the Women's Words program, Pride Films and Plays is delighted to present a celebration in words, songs, music and theater. $10 or $30 VIP 7:00pm Mary's Attic 5400 N. Clark St., pridefilmsandplays.com/th_event/lezfest Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/715922
Tuesday, July 29
3160: Thanks for the Memories After 28 years of serving the community as Annex 3 and 3160, they say thank you for allowing them to become your family. Wish goodbye to Boystown's piano and cabaret lounge. 6:00pm - 12:00am 3160 Chicago's Piano & Cabaret 3160 N. Clark www.chicago3160.com
Wed., July 30
Documentary: Just Gender screening Film explores the world of transgender people. Note: A certain number of tickets must be purchased in advance for the film screening to go forward. 7:30pm Landmark Century Centre Cinema 2828 N. Clark St. Tickets: https://gathr.us/screening/8358
See calendar through 2015 at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/chicago/events/upcoming.php .
