Welcome to the thousands of visitors in town this week for International Mr. Leather and Bear Pride. See the calendar for event details. And remember to play safe.
The Annual Leather-Women's Meet and Greet, hosted by MJ Productions, is at Cellblock, 3702 N. Halsted, May 24, 7-10 p.m.
We have a special IML history in this week's Windy City Times—looking back on the event's 25 years. Also in WCT this week, a TON of entertainment features, from the Showtime film, about Barry Winchell and Calpernia Addams (Soldier's Story), to Tipping the Velvet on BBC America, to an interview with Jennifer Beals about her upcoming HRC Chicago visit, and her starring role on The L Word, Showtimes's lesbian answer to Queer As Folk, and an interview with Edward Albee.
Hearts Foundation hosts Hot Tea 3 May 25, an IML T-dance, with DJ Mark Anthony from Montreal and a performance by Sauci Bernaise, Excalibur, 632 N. Dearborn, (773) 244-6000.
Meet and greet your new IML and Bear Pride friends May 22 at Steamworks. Also, MM4Sex.com party, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., 3246 N. Halsted, (773) 929-6080.
Bailiwick's Dutch Love, by Claudia Allen, continues. It's a very funny and silly family comedy romp—with lots of queer twists. Call (773) 883-1090.
Bud Light's Windy City Gay Idol continues with the final prelims at Jackhammer May 21. Finals June 14 at Circuit. For details and pics see WindyCityMediaGroup.com .
Leo's Den Pow-Wow features spoken word, singers, musicians and comedians co-hosted by C.C. Carter and Boris Powell, 1200 E. 71st St., (773) 667-3130. C.C.'s b-day celebration is Wed., May 28.
Scott Free's Queer Is Folk fest at Old Town School is June 7—Ferron, Sonia (of Disappear Fear), Sarah Dougher, Dylan Rice, and Detroit's Urban Folk Collective, (773) 728-6000.
SPIN hosts Paté and Holly's birthday bash May 22 with DJ Julian, sexy B movies and $5 Miller pitchers. 10 p.m., no cover, 800 W. Belmont, (773) 327-7711, spin-nightclub.com .
American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER) hosts a wreathlaying ceremony at Allen Schindler's grave May 25 at Evergreen Hill Memorial Park in Steger to commemorate the eleventh anniversary of his death; call for details. 10 a.m., (773) 752-0058, www.aver.us.
A rally to support saving the historic 23rd District Police Station, which is rumored to be closing, is set for Thursday, May 29, 6 p.m., Addison & Halsted, (773) 549-1947.
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