The world of entertainment didn't stop spinning in 2011. It is amazing the amount of stars that head through the Windy City. It makes my gay job so much fun, whether it's interviewing someone about a recent project or attending a performance in Illinois or the surrounding areas. Here are some of the highlights:
People come out in droves when the weather warms up in Chi-Town. Street festivals ranged from Taste of Chicago to Halsted Market Days bringing us out in the heat to catch a glimpse of our favorite golden oldies singers from Loretta Lynn to Gloria Gaynor. Actress and comedian Mo'Nique even performed same-sex weddings at Pridefest, marrying a RuPaul Drag Race contestant.
International Mr. Leather was bigger than ever this year with more slings, toys and porn stars than you can shake a fist at down at Hyatt Regency.
Lollapalooza had celebrity spottings all over the downtown area and Grant Park with Lindsay Lohan, Elijah Wood and LeAnn Rimes at the Hard Rock Hotel gifting suites before the show. The concert created a rain dance but didn't stop Foo Fighters or Eminem from making beautiful music. The after-party with Foster the People is still one of the best live shows from this summer.
Erasure performed for two nights at the Congress, while Morrissey was moaning at the same venue recently. Tori Amos entertained her fans with dueling pianos at Chicago Theatre. The Indigo Girls brought the ladies back to their roots at The Vic. Before that, Katy Perry, Rihanna and Britney Spears poured on the sugar for their costumy cotton-candy concerts.
The '80s rode the New Wave with shows at House of Blues, including Blondie, The Bangles and Duran Duran. If you missed the sisters doing it for themselves Tiffany and Debbie Gibson then you need to go back to your "Electric Youth."
The Venue had gays gambling on our friend of Dorothy, out saxophonist Dave Koz, and lesbian folk, as attendees rocked out to Melissa Etheridge.
We packed a picnic to see k.d. lang at Ravinia and danced on the lawn there to the B-52s and The Go-Go's in the warmer months.
Beyonce and Jay-Z ate pizza in Andersonville before he hit the stage to play one of the most anticipated concerts with hometown rapper Kanye West a few weeks ago.
Our city became a television set, with shows such as Starz's Boss and NBC's now-cancelled Playboy Club.
Charo and Cloris Leachman brought their class acts to Palos Hills for the older audiences.
Rosie O'Donnell was invited during her interview to celebrate Showtune Sunday at Sidetrack—and she actually showed. Her news endeavor has brought in many celebrities to town that would rival The Oprah Winfrey Show for appearances in 2011 its first year.
Oprah's farewell episode packed the United Center, and had everyone from Kristen Chenoweth to Patti LaBelle singing her praises one final time.
Breathing life into Oxygen, The Glee Project came to town to audition hopefuls for its reality competition.
Gay sidekicks were featured prominently in reality show such as Kendra Wilkinson, Giuliana & Bill and Tori & Dean.
Wendy Williams even drove her hot-pink bus through Hoffman Estates to say "How you doin'?"
The Bravo Channel pumped out some of the gayest reality shows, including Work of Art and multiple Kathy Griffin specials. Tabatha Coffey appeared for a hair show at McCormick Place and Real Housewife from Atlanta Kim Zolciak arrived "Tardy for the Party" at Spin. Her friend, Kandi Burress, was so sweet to meet us out at the clubs for an interview and NeNe Leakes got sassy about Celebrity Apprentice.
MTV's Logo Network has quickly risen to the occasion and has even more RuPaul on the horizon early next year.
The Lifetime Channel had us hula-hooping for Roseanne Barr and "making it work" with Project Runway.
The Cable Show brought Paris Hilton and Oprah Winfrey in town for its convention. For the gay geeks, Comic-con had True Blood freaks drooling.
Joan Rivers brought her bawdy stand-up act to Skokie while Lisa Lampanelli cussed us out in Hammond, Ind. Lesbian Judy Gold busted our guts with laughter at Center on Halsted with her comedy stylings.
Linda Eder and Jennifer Holiday made us happy to be into Broadway with their vocal acrobatics.
Chicago really knows how to throw a party, from the Green Tie Ball to the World of Chocolate. Meredith Baxter went pro-choice for a Personal PAC luncheon and Chaz spoke up for transgender rights at a Howard Brown Health Center gala. Whoopi Goldberg took tons of pictures to please fans at Chicago House. Piper Perabo spoke at the Human Rights Dinner, and who could forget Cee-Lo Green at Glamorama?
Many celebs wrote personal memoirs and popped into Women & Children First and Barnes & Noble to sign for their fans—with Jane Lynch, LaToya Jackson and Betty White among them.
Johnny Weir skated into our hearts with his autobiography and Dan Savage wrote It Gets Better.
Out and proud movie icon John Waters signed his Role Models at the Music Box.
Chicago is known as a theater town with top-notch and big-budget shows at a huge variety of venues. Hell in a Handbag and Gayco followed that with first-rate productions, sometimes with a shoestring budget.
Broadway in Chicago brought Carrie Fisher, Colin Quinn and Holland Taylor all to town in one-person shows.
Many people ask who my favorite interview is; this year, it was Dolly Parton. Her down-home attitude and stories kept her live concert and 9 to 5 the Musical treats to see.
That's how J sees it, and these appearances have kept the Nunn running all 12 months.
