Esteem Awards July 4 at Sidetrack
PrideIndex.co announced the recipients of the Ninth Annual Esteem Awards, which will take place Saturday, July 4, at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted St., 2-5 p.m.
A few of the local finalists are:
—Outstanding Service, Male: Erik Glenn, Program Manager, Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus (CBGMC)
—Outstanding Service, Female: Mona Noriega, Chairman and Commissioner of the Chicago Human Rights Commission
—Outstanding Service, Transgender: Angelica Ross, CEO, Trans Tech Social Enterprises
—Future Leaders Award (formerly Outstanding Service Youth): Jaime Frazier, Founder and Sr. Pastor, The Lighthouse Church of Chicago
—Artistic Expression Based on Another Medium: Youth Empowerment Performance Project (YEPP)
The event is free and open to the public.
Since 2007, PrideIndex.com's Esteem Awards has honored local and national organizations and individuals for their continued efforts in supporting the African-American and LGBT communities in the areas of entertainment, media, civil rights, business and art.
Pride Parade June 28 in Chicago
The 46th Annual Chicago Pride Parade will take place Sunday, June 28.
Country singer Ty Herndon, who officially came out of the closet last November, is the parade's grand marshal.
The route will again begin at noon, kicking off at Montrose Avenue and Broadway. It will then go down Halsted Street ( at the Broadway intersection ) until it reaches Belmont Avenue. The parade will then travel east until it hits Broadway, and then will proceed south to Diversey Parkway. The parade ends in Lincoln Park.
Taste of Chicago reveals performers
The Taste of Chicago has revealed its headlining music acts for the food festival that will take place July 8-12.
The five headlining acts are, in order: Weezer, Erykah Badu, The Chieftains, Spoon and Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly.
The 35th annual Taste of Chicago will take place in Grant Park, and festival-goers can watch the headlining musical performances at the Petrillo Music Shell. Visit TasteOfChicago.us.
McCartney, Sam Smith slated for Lollapalooza
Legendary musician Paul McCartney and out crooner Sam Smith are just two of the acts slated to perform at Chicago's Lollapalooza.
More than 125 acts are scheduled to play on eight stages, including Alabama Shakes, Florence + the Machine, TV on the Radio, Kid Cudi, Metallica, Marina and the Diamonds, George Ezra, FKA Twigs and A$AP Rocky.
The event will return for its 11th year at Grant Park on July 31-Aug. 2. Visit www.lollapalooza.com/tickets/ .
Dyke March details unveiled
Chicago Dyke March, per usual, will be held the day before the annual Pride Parade.
The march will take place Saturday, June 27, at the Humboldt Park Boat House, 1400 N. Sacramento Ave. Participants will gather at 1:30 p.m. at Roberto Clemente High School on the southwest corner of Western Avenue and Division Street; the kick off at 2:30 p.m., with people marching west down Division.
The Puerto Rican Culture Center and the Trans-Latin@ Coalition have expressed their support for the event, which will take place in Humboldt Park for the second consecutive year.
The Chicago Dyke March Collective is accepting donations. Those interested in contributing should send donations via DykeMarchChicago@gmail.com on Paypal.com .
Chicago Dyke March Collective is a grassroots mobilization and celebration of dyke, queer, bisexual, and transgender resilience. Visit chicagodykemarch.wordpress.com .
Riot Fest Chicago names headliners
Riot Fest Chicago—which will take place Sept. 11-13 at Douglas Park—has announced its line-up.
Some of the slated acts include No Doubt, Modest Mouse, Faith No More, Iggy Pop, Snoop Dogg, Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, Merle Haggard and Tenacious D.
In addition to performances, there will be a miniature golf course, a video arcade hall, dozens of unique and diverse food, and performances from Hellzapoppin Circus Sideshow Revue and The Rock-afire Explosion.
Visit riotfest.org/2015/05/chicago-riot-fest-2015-lineup-tickets-now-available/ .
BackLot Bash June 25-28
The 12th annual BackLot Bash—advertised as "Where the Girls Come Out and Play"—will take place June 25-28. The activities are as follows:
—June 25: Comedy Kickoff: Acts include Bridget McManus and Dana Goldberg. Kelly and Judy Fabjance will host.
—June 26: Sunset Concert: Slated acts include Jess Godwin, Natalia Zukerman, Daphne Willis, and Kristy Lee & Dirt Road Revival. Kat Fitzgerald will host.
—June 27: All-Day Bash: Fortune Feimster will host an event that will feature Sami Grisafe, Catfight and The Girls!, among others.
—June 28: Pride-Day Bash: Ruby Rose ( from Orange Is the New Black ) will perform a DJ set.
The Comedy Kickoff will take place at Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse Ave.; all other events will take place at 5238 N. Clark St. Purchase tickets at BackLotBashChicago.com .
Full calendar of events at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/chicago/events/upcoming.php .
