Always the observer, I had more fun watching the skating at the Rainbo Roller Rink than I ever would have had actually skating myself. I always get my fun from watching other people having fun; I'm sure my mind is a psychoanalyst's paradise; Mr. Freud would have been fascinated by my childhood bowel movements.
The monthly fundraiser at the Rainbo for the Leather Archives is quite an event. I loved the guy with the braids and the "Proud To Be An All-American Girl" tee-shirt.
Thom Brown, the manager of the Rainbo, wearing a black slit-to-the-tits number, told me something about the history of the building: Parts of it were built in 1890, then between 1922-1929 it became a theater restaurant with an outdoor garden and lavish stage shows, and in the 1960s it was one of the first rock 'n' roll palaces, where, among others, the Rolling Stones and Jefferson Airplane played.
There were some interesting people there on the night I went. TEASER: What do you know about the Royal Sovereign Imperial Barony of the Windy City Empire? Never heard of it?! You will soon.
QUESTION: Should I photograph North Dakota or South Dakota? Perhaps he could phone Windy City Times at 773-871-7610 and leave a message and contact number on my voicemail. We have a date, remember, you, me, and a camera.
See you all at the Rainbo next month.
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Smart move on the part of Jackhammer to hire Frank "How many dicks have you sucked this week?" Kellas to tend bar in their basement. Frank is a very funny man, and I love just sitting at the bar listening to him bitch. Nobody bitches like Frank. Not bad bitchin', but good bitchin'.
... and while we're on the subject of Jackhammer, that's where I heard the story of how Chuck Rodocker got his new hairdo. I couldn't possibly print it, and anyway I don't believe it for one minute ... so what really happened Chuck?
Jackhammer is turning into quite the hotspot these days; I recently saw some of the She-Devils there, and Fausto Fernos, and ...
... another great feature at Jackhammer, is that you've got Touche's next door. Two of my favorite bars right next to each other.
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One event I never miss is the annual Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Veteran's of America fundraiser on Buck's patio. It's the weirdest thing, but most of those guys and gals I only see once a year, but it's always like walking into a group of friends.
It was good to see Old Marlene and the Polish Princess there.
Princess and I took a break from the Vet's party and went over to Roscoe's to watch the filming of a documentary about Tillie, Chicago's most famous female impersonator. And she, of course, looked fabulous!! It's about time she got the recognition she deserves.
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The Chicago Kings again put on an excellent show at Jak's Tap; a great venue. The Kings certainly draw a colorful polyamorous, pansexual crowd to their shows. It looks a little like Berlin on Women's Obsession night. And there were a lot more men there this time. Real men, that is ... though, with some of the Chicago Kings, it's hard to tell.
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The latest in a long list of successful events at the High Risk Gallery was Fuel Unleaded, a youth open-mic poetry slam followed by a dance. The winners of Windy City Times' 30 Under 30 awards were announced, honoring the contributions of young dynamic GLBT's. Sadly, I had to leave before two Fuel members did Monty Python's Dead Parrot sketch.
Have you been to the High Risk Gallery yet?
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Wacky webs this week kindly reported by Pam Keesey and Mookie: "Strange, perverse, and a must see to be believed kind of thing," writes vampire writer, Pam Keesey, adding, "It takes a while to download, but it's worth the wait."
Go to www.riddleme.com/html/cow.html
Mookie's wacky web answers a question that we all ask at some point in our life: "How to Respond to Fecal Accidents in Disinfected Swimming Venues."
Go visit: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5020a7.htm
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Marty and George at Buddies' believe in giving back to the community, and recently hosted the fabulous Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame 10th Annual Country Supper Buffet Benefit. I go every year.
Being surrounded by the most prestigious, the creme de la creme of Chicago's glitterati, I couldn't help thinking to myself ... "Has Judge Tom Chiola had some work done on his butt?"
I mean, he's always had a nice butt, but being a judge ... where you sit on your crack all day sending crack whores to jail ... it's easy to lose it. But Chiola's cheeks were particularly pert. He's either working out at the gym or his ass has been pumped with a silicone-like substance. Enquiring minds need to know.
While we're on the subject of Chicago Lesbian and Gay Hall of Fame butts, Bill Greaves, the new Mayor's liaison to the lesbian and gay community has also been blessed in the butt department; I even felt the urge to stand in line and get down there and kiss it myself.
Hi Bill!!
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I've said it a million times: I'm a great believer in the gay gene. When gay men drop a Waterford glass and attempt suicide—that's the gay gene kicking in. When lesbians get moist when they see a Black and Decker drill—that's the gay gene. When you go to Sidetrack and hear the boys screaming, "Run, Barbra, Run," that's the gay gene. Which brings me to my Book of the Week: Something for the Boys by John M. Clum ( Palgrave paperback $17.95 ) . Why do gay men love musical theater?
The musical theater aspect of my gay gene is underdeveloped, but even though Judy, Barbra, and Ethel are wasted on me, I found this book to be a compelling read. Light and fluffy, Clum's book is an encyclopedia of gossip and trivia. Like all showtune queens, he actually thinks that MUSICALS ARE IMPORTANT.
Well, let's be honest, all the DULL problems in the world—the homeless, the starving, the war-torn—will always take second place to a well-choreographied dance number. And that's the way it should be. Good book for a plane ride ...
