Top of the Line
A song by Chicago dyke band Stewed Tomatoes airs Sunday, July 9, on Sci-fi Channel, on the show First Wave by Francis Ford Coppola. There's a party at Cocktail, Roscoe and Halsted, for the release. The band recently performed at Austin's Pride.
Congrats and welcome back to Rev. Greg Dell, as pastor of Broadway United Methodist Church. Dell returned Sunday after a one-year suspension. But he says if they put him on trial again for performing a same-sex union, he'll quit the church.
The June 25 Chicago Tribune had an article about pride weekend—with a twist. It was about the union ceremony of Donna Elizabeth Raines and Patricia Ellen Baker, both of Elgin. No, Dell did not officiate. It was at Evangelical Catholic Church in Hanover Park, and conducted by Independent Evangelical Catholic Church Bishop James Wilkowski.
The BIG GODDESS POW WOW last Saturday was an amazing treat of women's talent. We certainly miss the vibrant 1990s performance art scene, especially performers who have moved, such as Marcia Wilkie, Paula Killen and Lisa Buscani. Marcia has been writing for the Donna & Marie Show ( just cancelled ) , but as a resuly become good pals with Marie. Lisa just completed a six-month run in Detroit as the lead in Late Nite Catechism, and she will be taking the role Off Broadway. Paula is VERY pregnant and about to deliver her best role yet. CLICK HERE for BIG GODDESS POW WOW 2003
U.S. Senate candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton and her former opponent, New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, marched in New York's pride parade. Missing was Hillary's new opponent, who doesn't seem to know if he wants the GLBT vote or not.
The new Random House Webster's New College Dictionary is expected to include these new words and phrases: "24-7," "gaydar, "eye candy," and "senior moment." www.randomhouse.com/words
Just saw the Andrea Dworkin column in England's Guardian newspaper. She talks about being drugged and raped while on a speaking tour in Europe last year—drugs are being used increasingly at gay clubs as well, with many of the New Town clubs having incidents of people drugged and assaulted.
That's entertainment
Festival 2000, an event produced by the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses ( GALA Choruses ) will commence their celebration July 22-30, in San Jose, Calif. It is expected to be the largest international lesbian and gay performing arts event in history. More than 125 choruses, comprised of 6,000+ singers from five continents, are expected to participate. In addition to well-known groups such as the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, Unison: Windy City Lesbian and Gay Singers, Windy City Gay Chorus, Turtle Creek Chorale, Lavender Light Gospel Choir, and The Women's Chorus of Dallas, GALA Choruses expects dozens more to perform for 55,000 patrons during the eight day event. See www.galachoruses.org
Bailiwick presents Brave Smiles: Another Lesbian Tragedy, a comedy by the Five Lesbian Brothers, opening July 9, 7:30, ( 773 ) 883-1090.
The Museum of Contemporary Art First Fridays series features Chicago lesbian singer Ellen Rosner, July 7, ( 312 ) 280-2660. Rosner's Big Fish Little Fish project featuring emerging Chicago women musicians, is also out this month. Sat., July 15, Double Door and Sweet Pickle Music present a release party for Big Fish Little Fish, 9 p.m., 1572 N. Milwaukee, sweetpicklemusic.com . Brigid Murphy MCs, and performers on CD include: Antje, Ellen Rosner, Dolly Varden, Kelly Kessler, The Twigs, Karen Anderson, Cathy Braaten, Ripley Caine, Alice Peacock, Joe Eden Harrison, Anne O'Meara Heaton, Summer Chance, Patty Ortega, Beki Hemingway, Nancy Walker, Astra Kelly.
Caribou Coffee and Gaywired.com are hosting summer-long specials at Caribou's Aldine and Broadway location. There will be weekly drawings for tickets to concerts, movie passes ( including for Chuck & Buck, a comedy opening this month ) , vacations, and more.
American Library Assoc. is in town this week. Gerber/Hart gay and lesbian library hosts a reception for ALA's Gay & Lesbian Roundtable, a 30-year-old organization, Sat., July 8, wine-and-cheese 4-7 p.m., 1127 W. Granville ( 6200 North ) , ( 773 ) 381-8030. More than 15,000 librarians will be in town July 6-13. Monday, July 10, 6-9 p.m., is a Free Speech Buffet at Ann Sather's, 929 W. Belmont. The GLBT Roundtable celebrates its 30th anniversary that same day, 6 p.m., Hotel Intercontinental. Call ( 312 ) 899-5096.
Buddies' next "Who Wants to Win $200 —80s Trivia" is Friday, July 7 with host Jessica Halem.
Say 'No' to Barnes & Noble
Over the past several weeks, every Barnes & Noble in the region has sent letters to us stating they will no longer be taking free papers, that their lobbies are only for B&N publications. Well, it turns out that the managers do have some discretion and some ARE choosing to carry the Reader and New City. While there are many alternative places to get gay papers in the city, especially along the North Lakefront, the suburbs have very few progressive outlets that will carry gay papers. That means thousands of gays and lesbians in the suburbs, used to picking up Outlines and our other papers, at B&N, will no longer have that opportunity. Many closeted gays can not subscribe to gay papers for the very real fear of being "outed," losing their jobs, homes, custody of kids, etc. They also may not be able to freely go online without fear, at work or at home. Getting free gay papers at bookstores, record stores, etc., is a worldwide tradition that makes it easier to get gay info anonymously. Since managers do have some discretion, we are asking our readers to go to your nearby B&N and tell them you want Outlines, Nightlines, BLACKlines, En La Vida ... whatever. [ Also, don't worry, we do have many other delivery outlets—call us and we'll tell you where else to pick us up! ] Mainstream alternative weeklies do not have the depth of coverage of GLBT lives, and B&N management needs to know this, especially in the suburbs. If they refuse to carry Outlines , and publications catering to Jews, Blacks, etc., it certainly would be wise to vote with your pocketbooks. ... Speaking of which, Women & Children First, Barbara's and other independent bookstores are part of a national network launching a one-million-plus-title website later this month. You will be able ot enter at womenandchildrenfirst.com, and buy almost any book you can think of—with profits to Women & Children ( or other independent bookstores ) . Isn't that better than shopping at Amazon.com or bookstores who really don't support the gay community in any tangible way?