At Jonny's advanced age and enormous weight, it is difficult for him to move his hips, let alone cut a rug ( as we used to say back in the 14th century, when Jonny was young ) . But there's at least one band that always makes Jonny swivel with its infectious and can't-sit-still rhythms and syncopations, and that band is the Gypsy Kings, the international favorites who return to the Ravinia Festival this Aug. 17 and 18. Keep in mind that lawn admission is only $10, and you can bring all you care to eat and drink or buy foodstuffs on-site. I suspect that Jonny will not be the only one shaking his ass in the Ravinia grass this weekend.
Speaking of a dancing groove, Circuit, that bastion of bump, will host dance of a different kind on Aug. 22 and 29 as Fivestar Boogie Productions presents Baddest Bitch, a one-hour dance performance featuring hip-hop, jazz, house, Latin, African, break dancing, juking, wacking, stepping and vogueing, all in a pansexual fusion created by writer/choreographer Czarina Mirani and performed by a multicultural group of women and men with both classical dance and street dance experience. The Baddest Bitch shows are at 8 p.m. with a live DJ spinning before and after the one-hour performance as well. 312-751-1977; $15 tickets. By the way, Fivestar Boogie focuses on strong, diva women ( unlike Jonny who is a strong, diva man ) with the motto 'women on top' ( unlike Jonny whose motto is...oh, let's skip it ) .
Good food and great music dished up together always are welcome—and both will be available Aug. 21 at The Spot, chef/showman Frankie J's lively place in Uptown ( 4437 N. Broadway ) . At 9 p.m. that night, the VOX 3 vocal collective will offer a classical cabaret of songs by Francois Poulenc, Erik Satie, Kurt Weill and Benjamin Britten. Well, two queens—Poulenc and Britten—out of four isn't a bad average, not even for classical music. Of course, Poulenc's longtime companion was a baritone ( Pierre Bernac ) while Britten's was a tenor ( Peter Pears ) . Make of that what you will: Both composers wrote some of their very best music for their lovers. Best of all, the VOX 3 Classical Cabaret is free. It's yours for the price of meal or a couple drinks at The Spot.
It had to happen sooner or later: On Sept. 7, not only will the cast of Barenaked Lads at Bailiwick be in the buff, but so will the audience. A special 10 p.m. performance will benefit the Great Lakes Area Natural Tans Society, a co-ed naturist organization. Audience members for this performance each will bring a towel and gym bag when they arrive—clothed—at the theater box office. Once the audience is inside the Bailiwick Studio Theater, the disrobing begins both on the stage and off. Audience members sit on their towels and dress again before exiting the theater. Tickets are $30. FYI, Barenaked Lads has been extended through Nov. 24.
By the way, the 2007 Pride Series winds down at Bailiwick in the next few weeks. Rainbow Connection, a musical cabaret that pays tribute to LGBT symbols, has its final performance next Monday ( Aug. 20 ) ; the companion one-act plays How to Ruin Love continue through Aug. 19; and A Bitter Taste plays out its sexual drama through Aug. 26.
Jonny believes that it's never too late to drink and rarely too early. Those who subscribe to Jonny's philosophy may wish to note that the Windy City Wine Festival will take place Sept. 7 and 8 at the Daley Bicentennial Plaza in Grant Park, which is that spot over the Frank Gehry-designed bridge just east of Millennium Park. The event will feature 45 wine vendors offering up sips of more than 250 wines, live music and food ( for purchase ) from fine-dining restaurants. The $25 ticket includes 10 wine tastings ( and additional 10 can be purchased for $5 ) ; a souvenir wine glass; a program and vendor directory; and a 10-percent discount on any wines purchased. Windy City Wine Festival hours are 4-10 p.m. on Sept. 7and 2-10 p.m. on Sept. 8; 847-382-1480.
As the summer is slow, Jonny takes time to update you on the gay subplots of Jonny's favorite soap operas. Although the NBC soaper Passions is, arguably, the most poorly written, directed and acted sudser in the history of both radio and television ( but, oh, those gorgeous men ) , it has over the summer played out a ludicrous storyline about two brothas living on the downlow. One is a married hunk ( good guy ) who is seduced ( hey, it wasn't too hard ) by a bisexual blackmailer who's murdered a couple folks along the way. While the set-up and dialogue are ludicrous, Passions at least placed them both in bed several times, and once showed them having sex in a storeroom.
Over at CBS, cute young Luciano ( Luke ) Grimaldi—son of heroine Lily Walsh Snyder Grimaldi Santana Snyder—is frustrated because he's out and proud but, oh-so-lonely and never even has sucked face with anyone, let alone sucked anything else. Now he has a thing for his gal pal's new BF and just last week they shared a brief clumsy embrace after a dip in the ol' swimming hole. Now Luke really is hung up and thinks he feels confused vibes from the BF.
