R.O.T.C. Chicago. Image courtesy of Rhett Lindsay________
The Righteously Outrageous Twirling Corps ( R.O.T.C. ) -Chicago unofficially kicks off its 2007 season on May 5 at Hydrate, 3458 N. Halsted, 8-10 p.m. Most of its 30 members will be performing their high-energy, award-winning, all-male precision rifle routines … in drag, for the first time ever. The goings-on will include the night's special birthday boy, Rhett Lindsay, who happens to be the director of the corps.
The event ( complete with a $20 open bar ) will include a raffle benefiting the Chicago-based Test Positive Aware Network ( TPAN ) . Raffle prizes include drink certificates, gift baskets and gift certificates, among other goodies.
'The R.O.T.C. probably is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. It truly is a family and we all enjoy what we do,' said Lindsay, elected last September for a three-year term.
R.O.T.C. Chicago is celebrating its 14th season this summer, kicking off the run officially with the annual Andersonville Midsommar Fest and the Milwaukee Pride Parade.
'We've kind of changed our mission a little bit,' Lindsay said. 'Previously, it was strictly a performance group, but now the focus is on performance and philanthropy—giving back to the community.
'We're just in the beginning stages of it now, but hopefully moving forward, the group will be a little more visible in the gay community and the city of Chicago as a whole, volunteering our time to help other organizations.'
Lindsay succeeds outgoing director Mik Erwin, who led the group since 2004 and marched for most the R.O.T.C.'s existence, dating back to 1993.
'My mission is to get the group more involved with the community,' said Lindsay, who also serves as TPAN's development associate/special events coordinator. 'I'd like to see the [ R.O.T.C. ] work more with Howard Brown, the Center on Halsted and elsewhere. I think the group can be great mentors to youth. Most of us can be very positive role models.'
All members of the R.O.T.C. are gay, Lindsay added.
In addition to Lindsay's new post, the R.O.T.C. elected four members—Chris Grace, Doug Roeske, Henry Spafford and John Tebault—to serve one-year terms on its advisory board, which counsels the director on issues concerning membership, funding, choreography, travel and community relations.
'The only thing I can say about 2006 was [ that it was ] phenomenal. The group has never experienced such a heavy performance schedule as we did in 2006,' Lindsay said.
Then again, the Gay Games had never been in Chicago. And the R.O.T.C. performed at the Opening and Closing ceremonies last July. 'We had more exposure [ in 2006 ] in Chicago than we've ever had,' Lindsay said. R.O.T.C. Chicago worked in conjunction with other color guards to produce the cheer and color guard event at Millennium Park during the Games.
The group has added about 10 new members for the 2007 grind, which will be highlighted by a summer show at the Vancouver ( B.C. ) Pride Parade.
And what are the qualifications for the group? 'Anyone can join, but you have to attain a skill level that's adequate enough to perform the routine,' said Lindsay, who noted that practices for the '07 season started in January.
However, it's not too late for those with previous experience in performing with color guards, Lindsay said.
The group practices twice a week on the north side of Chicago: three hours on Sundays and two hours on Wednesdays.
So how difficult is twirling a rifle in sync? ' [ It's ] incredibly difficult,' Lindsay said. 'This deals with muscle memory, so this is really physically taxing. Take, for instance, the Chicago Pride Parade. We will perform the routine at least 30 times. If you aren't at least somewhat athletic, it's incredibly difficult.'
And it also can be quite painful. 'My first year, I had bloodied and bruised fingers for at least four months,' Lindsay said. ' [ The rifle ] has to go up correctly and it has to come down correctly,' Lindsay said, laughing.
The group performs to a new song every year—and performs that song at every event; the 2007 song is RuPaul's Supermodel ( You Better Work ) . It also does dancing gigs to hits such as Baby, I'm a Star; Mickey; and, of course, It's Raining Men.
The group's main song of 2006 was Don't Leave Me This Way by Jimmy Somerville and the Communards, which they performed to at the Closing Ceremony of the Gay Games along with color guards from other U.S. cities. The performance song at the Opening Ceremony was Jennifer Lopez's Let's Get Loud.
The R.O.T.C. will do a combined routine with the Chicago Spirit Brigade this summer at least once, Lindsay said. 'For the past few years, the groups have wanted to get together to do a combined routine. This year, we're finally doing it.'
For more information about R.O.T.C. Chicago, see www.rotcchicago.org .