His friends tell me that Sophie would have loved the White Castle buffet at the Lucky Horseshoe Lounge last week. I only met Sophie a few times, so I can't say that I knew him well. However, I know a fair bit about his history in the community. Sophie worked, and hung out, in bars most people have forgotten about. In 1980, Sophie attended the opening night of Harlequins at 2683 N. Halsted, and also bartended at Molly's Follies at 2568 N. Clark St. + dozens of other bars. Who knew about some of these places ...
Sophie, Chicago Molly, Feathers, Polish Princess, and many others made Chicago a party town for over three decades. There's not many of the old girls left.
It was nice to bump into Lulu there after all these years. Whatcha up to girl?! ... I know you said something about performing in a suburban bar, but in all the excitement I forgot the name of the bar. Was it the Edge?
And Gary and Sam, you really have to stop hanging out together. People are beginning to talk ...
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As the gay community moves north to Andersonville, Edgewater and Rogers Park, the Gerber/Hart Library at 1127 W. Granville is again in the middle of things. The recent Pornopalooza sale I hosted at Touche's was a major fundraiser for the library.
Thanks to all the guys at Touche's for making the evening a big hit. Chuck Rodocker really is the heart in the leather flag. And thanks to everyone who turned up to buy, donate, and hang out for a whi le, including She-Devils Lois and Lucy ...
Gerber/Hart looks forward to having more benefits at Touche. A big thank you also goes to David at Jackhammer; it's always nice when a straight guy wolf whistles at me in the street.
The Gerber/Hart Library has another fundraiser coming up on Sept. 22, at Madrigals and Star Gaze. It's the annual Date Auction. Boyz at Madrigals/Girlz at Star Gaze. Rumor has it that Bijou Mafia Princess/Nightlines columnist Miss Tiger is MC for the Madrigals event.
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I hadn't been to Leathersport and Cupid's Treasures for a while, so I dropped in recently to see the clothes: leather, lace and feathers. God, I wish I was thinner. I'm even too fat to wear a corset: but I exaggerate. I saw a couple of nice items in Leathersport .. only 5lbs to go on WeightWatchers.
I love toy stores, and these two are the best. Drop into Cupid's Treasures at 3519 N. Halsted and Leathersport at 3505 N. Halsted.
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My friend Al Gossan suggested we go to the Mashed Potato Club last week. I remember going there years ago when it was up on Clark Street. I also knew Barbie Doll was working there; I knew Barbie Doll before she was called Barbie Doll.
We parked right on the street outside the club ... weird huh? Have you been to the Mashed Potato Club? It's the coolest place. I can't even describe it. Except to say it's a restaurant and bar with a drag show. There's a gay/cool straight/multi-sexual/pansexual, polyamorous crowd. Noisy audience and lots of fun. Had a crazy time there.
Al and I sat at the bar with a cocktail, ordered a couple of excellent appetizers and waited for the show. I talked to Barbie for a while—great legs, great dancer, great Russian accent. Then Gina from Different Strokes and the Queens' Kitchen appeared from nowhere, and told me she was performing, as was Frankie Da Kat from Strokes, the wonderful Lady Darshavia, and a whole host of others.
I had a great time, and it's definitely high on my list of places to go. I don't know what they do the rest of the week, but every Monday at the Mashed Potato Club ( 316 W. Erie St. ) is a blast.
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Porn of the Week: "Raiders of the Lost Arse," another brilliant video from Chris Ward. Raging Stallion superstud Jeff Allen leads a team of sex-crazed explorers on a search through the scorching desert to uncover dark secrets and hidden treasures lost since the dawn of time. But who gives a shit, it's got Bryce Pierce in it ... oh yummy. Go visit www.ragingstallion.com and read all about it.
"The Biggest One I Ever Saw" starring Rick Donovan, Jon King and Cole Taylor, with Rod Phillips, Steve Collins, Dave Connors and Lee Ryder. The world-famous Bijou Theater at 1349 N. Wells has the largest collection of adult erotica anywhere!! We're talking about 1000s of the old classics + new releases.
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I hear the tickets for Wigstock are going fast. I'll see you all there on Aug. 31 at the Chicago Theater. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster at 312-559-1212 or visit www.ticketmaster.com
You can also buy tickets at Sidetrack ( 3349 N. Halsted ) , Gay Chicago Magazine ( 3115 N. Broadway ) , Cheetah Gym ( 5248 N. Clark ) , Borderline Music ( 3333 N. Broadway ) , Batteries Not Included ( 3420 N. Halsted ) , Hemingway Travel ( 1640 N. Wells #201 ) , State Bank of Countryside ( 3323 N. Clark ) .
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Here's something that may have escaped your attention: the Davis Theater at 4614 N. Lincoln are hosting Gay & Lesbian Film Classics. See ad in this newspaper for details. Drop into the excellent Villa Kula at 4518 N. Lincoln for dinner first. It's pricey, but you and a special friend are worth it.
Looks like Lincoln Square-;my neighborhood-;is becoming a bit of a gay spot; I saw Ripley Caine performing in the local Starbucks the other night. I don't care what anyone says, I like Starbucks.
