Manhole's closing party was last weekend—a new bar, Hydrate, opens soon, supposedly a mixed gay/straight dance club.
Windy City Gay Idol continues with round 5 at Charlie's, Wed., May 7. See WindyCityMediaGroup.com .
Lost & Found's benefit for long-time bartender Geri, who is recuperating in Florida, was packed last Saturday night. See photos in Windy City Times.
Grinder, Scott Free's weekly extravaganza of queer words and music, May 8 features Dave Awl and Eric Prybis. No Exit Cafe, 8 p.m., 6970 N. Glenwood, (773) 743-3355.
LGBTQ Chicago Grad Students: Come meet graduate students and alumni from local universities, the Ivy League, and Seven Sisters and mingle over treats and games, Friday, May 9, Starbucks, 2543 N. California, (773) 772-9359.
Temptations hosts a Chicago Force women's pro ball autograph party Friday, May 9, 10235 Grand Ave., Franklin Park, (847) 455-0008.
Circuit hosts Queer as Folk: The Babylon Tour, with DJ Tracy Young and DJ Circuit Mom Saturday, 3641 N. Halsted.
Join the Chicago Kings Saturday at Empty Bottle for their first annual Spring Cleaning Show, with fancy french maids and hottie house bois, free facials at the transformation station, and a best boxers/prettiest panties contest; 10 p.m., 1035 N. Western, (312) 458-0747.
Hideaway has a Dusty Divas drag benefit Sat., May 10, hosted by Stella, with Kelly Siland, Dee Dee Devine, Niki Lee, Shana, Regina Upright and more; 7301 W. Roosevelt, Forest Park, (708) 771-4459.
May's episode of In the Life is hosted by actress Cherry Jones and features a look at gay issues in the schools, the battle over gay-themed children's books, gay Muslims, Promise Keepers and more. Midnight, Sunday, May 11, WTTW-Ch. 11.
University of Chicago hosts Queerly Chinese Cinemas: directors Cui Zi En, gay activist and academic, and Yau Ching, prison activist and professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic, present their work and talk about cinema in China and Hong Kong, May 8-10. Film Studies Center, 307 Cobb Hall, 5811 S. Ellis, (773) 702-8596.
The 19th annual Israel Film Festival festival May 8-15 includes features, documentaries and films for TV, many making their U.S. debut, www.israelfilmfestival.com .
Women in the Director's Chair presents Encore Festival, a second chance to see many of the films screened at WIDC's Film & Video Festival; (773) 907-0610, www.widc.org .
