Crockett@Chicago Gets Thrown to the Lesbians at Leo's Den
It's a Wednesday night, I want to get out, stretch my legs, hell shave them too, do something different. But what? It's not as if lesbian nightlife offers many options, especially during the weekdays. There's no Chix Mix or Mad Men Productions, and Pat & Vera have no soiree on this particular evening. And even if they did, I am in the mood for something a little more laid back.
I have great expectations for the tonight; I want to shake a tail feather, have a few drinks, share my thoughts, maybe even sing. That's a tall order, but there is an outlet for my lesbian yearnings.
I had heard about writer and performer, C.C. Carter's Pow Wow Wednesdays at Leo's Den for some time—as far back as February—but was not motivated enough to venture out into the cold. Now, I can no longer blame my couch-potato virus on winter so I head south to Leo's Den. The drive is not bad; it's near the South Shore Cultural Center, the home of LCCP's winter fundraiser and, unlike the trip to Lakeview or Andersonville, there's more parking spaces when I arrive at the Den; it meets my expectations.
Walking in, my eyes go immediately to a large wall mural of lions lounging in their den. The place is spacious and has two well-stocked bars and attentive bartenders. The beer is cheaper on the South Side and that's a good thing. The mixed drinks are strong, large and reasonably priced. Leo's Den's owner wanted to have more options for women of color. The South Side joint is quickly becoming a favorite with Pow Wow Wednesdays and Thursdays Karaoke.
There are cute, cozy tables where attractive women sit laughing and enjoying the spoken-word artists venting about their over- or under-active sex lives, life's misfortunes and fortunes. I see some familiar faces and faces I don't yet know. Now, C.C. is on stage and officially begins her Pow Wow. We're told about who will be reading tonight, singing or jamming on the drums. Someone shouts for her to do her famous 'Hips' poem, which is probably a regular occurrence for her.
With a huge smile, C.C. chats up the crowd.
Tonight's line-up includes Donna Rose and several others. Donna accents her poetry with her drums. She shares her life's moments from the birth of her son to her experiences being with other women. Rose has drummed at Michigan Womyn's Fest and events around the city. Then there is Meisha Herron, whose voice and guitar playing will have you drawing comparisons to Tracy Chapman.
C.C. encourages all to get up and share. One of my favorites is a poet by the name of Vivien who swears she will never tell anyone about her lover's prowess in bed. In between performances, old-school tunes fill the bar, some women turn the stage into a dance floor, and soon a dance line forms. As the bus stop line ends, the steppers take to the floor and step in the name of love.
Pow Wow Wednesdays is the brainchild of Carter and it brings together some of the city's best spoken-word artists and newcomers, but poetry is not the only thing going down. Women (and some men) express themselves in many ways at the open mike. The audience even joins in with a word or two of its own. It's a feisty and sassy crowd and I find myself having a damn good time. You know the kind of time when you are all smiles and you find yourself talking more than usual. The kind of time that resembles more of an evening at home with friends than a night out on the town with strangers.
For upcoming events contact C.C. Carter at CCarter033@aol.com or call Leo's Den at 773-667-3130. Leo's Den is located at 1200 E. 71st Street.
