| |
Joffrey's Chicago-set 'Nutcracker' through Dec. 29
The Joffrey Ballet's reimagined classic, The Nutcracker, by Tony-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, returns to open the holiday season at the historic Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr., in performances through Dec. 29. This season's ...
|
| |
Red Stars' Ertz named Player of the Year
U.S. women's national team and Chicago Red Stars midfielder Julie Ertz has been voted the 2019 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year. This is the second time in her career Ertz has won the award. ...
|
| |
SAVOR Politan Row
DISH Dining Guide
Politan Row ( 111 N. Aberdeen St.; chicago.PolitanRow.com ) is not your average food hall—in terms of offerings or mission. Politan Row ( which has affiliated sites in Houston, New Orleans and Miami ) is a ...
|
| |
Joffrey Presents 'The Times Are Racing,' a mixed rep program
Dec. 13, 2019 ( Chicago ) — For its winter engagement, The Joffrey Ballet presents The Times Are Racing, a mixed repertory program featuring choreography from four of the most influential artists working today, including the ...
|
| |
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater includes Midwest premieres, Ailey classics
( CHICAGO, IL ) — The Auditorium Theatre announces programming for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's March 4-8, 2020 performances in Chicago, featuring Midwest premieres and Ailey classics. The company gives the Midwest premiere to three ...
|
| |
Baim guest speaker at CME/HRC event
Chicago Reader Publisher and Windy City Times owner Tracy Baim was the featured speaker at a Dec. 10 CME Group LGBTQ PRIDE Employee Group/Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) Chicago at Cantina Laredo restaurant. CME Group ...
|
| |
Five Worth Finding: Gay spy movie, Santa Suite and more
—London Spy: In this British-American series that originally aired in 2015, devil-may-care Danny ( played by a fantastic Ben Whishaw ) meets the straight-laced, enigmatic and handsome Alex ( played by Edward Holcroft ). What ensues ...
|
| |
PERFORMER OF THE WEEK Ryan Royale
BEHIND THE NAME "The name Royale comes from my fascination with royalty and the rise and fall of fame. I was a young art student when I saw Prince Poppycock perform on America's Got Talent, and ...
|
| |
SAVOR River Roast
At River Roast ( 315 N. LaSalle St.; RiverRoastChicago.com ), the centerpiece menu item is its Beef Tomahawk—an almost three-pound, wet-aged steak attached to a bone that's reminiscent of the Brontosaurus ribs seen on the opening ...
|
| |
PHOTOS The Sofo Tap
Happy Holidays from St. Nick and Doaays! Photos by Kirk Williamson ...
|
| |
PHOTO Sidetrack
Ninth annual Santa Speedo Run raises some fun funds for Center on Halsted. Joseph Stevens Photography ...
|
| |
Critics' Picks
The Tall Boy, Stage 773, through Dec. 15—The celebrated talent behind this touring show ( Tandy Cronyn, Kay Boyle, Simon Bent ) create a tragedy you'll take away with you, of children twice orphaned by war, ...
|
| |
THEATER REVIEW A Xmas Cuento RemixÂÂ
By: Maya Malan-Gonzalez At: 16th Street Theater, 6420 16th St., Berwyn Tickets: 708-795-6704 or 16thStreetTheater.org; $22-$32. Runs through: Dec. 29 You've got to admire the "show must go on" pluck of 16th Street Theater with its ...
|
| |
WINDY CITY TIMES annual Holiday Gift Guide, Part Two
I'll drink to that Inspired by TV host Giuliana Rancic, Giuliana Prosecco ( $14.99; TerlatoWines.com ) is smooth, with a fruity scent and deceptively complex taste. It may sound weird to say you settled down with ...
|
| |
State rep candidate reveals connection to Gacy
Running for Illinois state representative, former comedian/radio host Patti Vasquez has revealed that the late serial killer John Wayne Gacy murdered her brother, according to WGN-TV. Election laws compel Vasquez to run for state senator under ...
|
| |
Sean Hayes at Feb. 5 Goodman event
Goodman Theatre, now in its 95th season, will host the "Legacy & Promise" Education and Engagement Luncheon Wed., Feb. 5, featuring Emmy-winning and Tony-nominated actor Sean Hayes. The event will take place at The Palmer House ...
|
| |
Chicago Filmmakers kicks off 2020 with 'Justice January'
This January, Chicago Filmmakers is pleased to present a series of documentaries that explore current social and political issues around environmental justice, immigration justice, and reproductive justice. These new documentaries reveal personal stories behind the political ...
|
| |
Renee Fleming in rehearsal with Lyric Opera for The Light in the Piazza
CHICAGO ( December 11, 2019 )—Rehearsals are underway for Scenario Two's presentation of the beloved Tony Award-winning musical The Light in the Piazza at Lyric Opera House, starring four-time Grammy Award winner and Tony Award nominee ...
|
| |
DINING Pennyville Station, Molly's Cupcakes, pop-ups, Mantuano leaves
—Park Ridge spot Pennyville Station, 112 Main St., is hosting "Brunch with Santa" on Sunday, Dec. 15, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. ( Normal brunch hours are 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. ) Ten percent of brunch proceeds will go ...
|
| |
CAKE applications due Dec. 14
Chicago Alternative Comics Expo ( CAKE ) is accepting exhibitor applications for CAKE 2020 until Saturday, Dec. 14. CAKE is a weekend-long celebration of independent comics, inspired by Chicago's rich legacy as home to many underground ...
|
| |
THEATER REVIEW The Land of Forgotten Toys
Authors: Music by Dylan MarcAurele; book and lyrics by Jaclyn Enchin and Jennifer Enchin, based on a story by Larry Little At: The Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets: GreenhouseTheater.org or 773-404-7336; $25-$45. Runs ...
|
| |
Siskel showing LGBTQ+ films in December
The Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 164 N. State St., is showing several LGBTQ+ films of interest in December. They include: —Fleabag ( Dec. 12, 15, 22 ): ...
|
| |
10th anniversary of 'The Nutcracker' features gay dads
The House Theatre of Chicago will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the annual hit production The Nutcracker—an all-original, ballet-free and family-friendly production playing at The Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., through Dec. 29. The 10th-anniversary ...
|
| |
'Nat King Cole' holiday show Dec. 16-17
Writers Theatre, in partnership with Artists Lounge Live, will present a limited engagement of An Unforgettable Nat King Cole Christmas, starring Evan Tyrone Martin. An Unforgettable Nat King Cole Christmas will be presented Monday-Tuesday, Dec. 16-17 ...
|
| |
TELEVISION 'Work in Progress' spotlights Chicago, LGBTQ+ representation
The new Showtime series Work in Progress really features queer represenation—arguably, more than such landmark series as Orange Is the New Black and Pose. With many of the actors and producers from Andersonville, Chicago audiences can ...
|
| |
FASHION Jack Cave, turning accessories into art
Jack Cave—a Chicago-based artist, designer, instructor and the founder of Jack Cave LLC—definitely makes articles that help the wearer stand out from the crowd. Items such as PocketART, NeckART, WaistART and even BagART combine boldness and ...
|
| |
Community turns out for World of Chocolate
About 1,000 Chicagoans and other visitors showed up at Revel Fulton Market in the West Loop for AIDS Foundation of Chicago's annual World of Chocolate fundraiser, which shows off the finest confections from local-area vendors to ...
|
| |
theWit celebrating Warhol with package
theWit Hotel, 201 N. State St., is celebrating the arrival of "Andy Warhol—From A to B and Back Again," the acclaimed traveling Andy Warhol exhibit that has just made its debut in Chicago—with a hotel package ...
|
| |
Santa Speedo Run speeds through Boystown
Warm( -ish ) weather greeted the many participants of the Santa Speedo Run, which took place this year Saturday, Dec. 7 at Sidetrack. This annual fundraiser featured Santa-hat-bedecked, Speedo-clad runners, doing a lap around the Boystown ...
|
| |
THEATER REVIEW The White Plague
Playwright: Karel Capek, translated by Peter Majer and Cathy Porter At: Trap Door Theatre, 1655 W. Cortland Ave. Tickets: 773-384-0494; TrapDoorTheatre.com; $20-$25 ( two for one on Thursdays ). Runs through: Jan. 11 Czech author Karel ...
|
| |
THEATER REVIEW Cold Town/Hotline: A Chicago Holiday Story
Playwright: Eli Newell At: Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St. Tickets: 773-338-2177, or RavenTheatre.com; $25-$30. Runs through: Dec. 22 Cold Town/Hotline: A Chicago Holiday Story is a charming take on a Christmas miracle, where everyone with ...
|
| |
THEATER REVIEW The Tall Boy
Playwright: Simon Bent At: Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets: Stage773.com and 773-327-5252; $35-$39. Runs through: Dec. 15 The absence of familiar faces—even for a moment—is enough to trigger extreme anxiety, tears or outright terror ...
|
| |
About Face to run 'The Gulf'
About Face Theatre continues its 2019-20 season with the Chicago premiere of Audrey Cefaly's award-winning drama The Gulf, running Jan. 9-Feb. 15, 2020, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. The Gulf looks at how partners ...
|
| |
Red Stars, player launch toy drive
On Dec. 16-17, the Chicago Red Stars, in collaboration with team defender Sarah Gorden, will hold their annual toy drive for the St. Vincent de Paul Center, 2145 N. Halsted St.. Starting Monday, Dec. 9, new ...
|
| |
W&CF hosts 'Honeypot' book launch party, author discussion
One month after the release of Honeypot: Black Southern Women Who Love Women, Andersonville bookstore Women & Children First hosted a launch party and conversation with author E. Patrick Johnson Dec. 5. Johnson is also Northwestern ...
|
| |
Johnson retires after Lightfoot fires him
Former Chicago Police Department Superintendent Eddie Johnson—fired for allegedly lying to Mayor Lori Lightfoot about his actions in the hours before he was found asleep behind the wheel of a running vehicle—officially retired from the department ...
|
| |
CCH HIV chief discusses prevention and treatment efforts
According to Toyin Adeyemi, MD, an infectious disease specialist who is Cook County Health's ( CCH ) senior director of HIV services, the statewide Getting to Zero initiative, aimed at virtually eliminating new HIV transmissions in ...
|
| |
Holiday rom-com from lesbian filmmakers debuts
Thanks to classics such as Love, Actually—not to mention a seemingly continuous stream of confections from Hallmark and Lifetime Channels—romantic comedies have become for many a tradition during the holiday season. This year, a Los Angeles-based ...
|
| |
Chay Yew departing Victory Gardens Theater
The Victory Gardens Theater board of directors and Artistic Director Chay Yew announced plans for Yew's departure from Victory Gardens at the end of the 2019-20 season. An internationally renowned stage director and playwright, Yew has ...
|
| |
Pritzker strengthens state's cannabis law
Surrounded by criminal-justice reform advocates and lawmakers at Cabrini Green Legal Aid, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation Dec. 4 to strengthen what his office calls the most equity-centric adult-use cannabis law in the nation and ...
|
| |
Dealership giving away car in contest
Chevrolet of Homewood is giving away a car for the fifth consecutive year. Each contest participant should submit a story ( no more than 200 words ) about himself/herself/themself or someone that person knows, explaining why ...
|
| |
December at Women & Children First to include Drag Queen Story Hour
CHICAGO, IL ( December 3, 2019 ) - As 2019 comes to a close, Women & Children First is proud to announce our 19 Bestselling Books of 2019! Once again, this list brilliantly reflects our feminist ...
|
| |
Hell in a Handbag Productions to hold annual "Hams4Hams" Holiday Fundraiser
CHICAGO ( December 4, 2019 ) — Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to bring back its annualHams4Hams fundraiser during the company's two holiday productions. Since launching the initiative in 2012, Handbag has raised over ...
|
| |
Deeply Rooted hires managing director
Deeply Rooted Productions ( DRP ), the umbrella organization of Deeply Rooted Dance Theater ( DRDT ), has appointed Jacquelyn Smiley Robinson as managing director. She joins a leadership team that includes Co-Founder/Creative Director Kevin Iega ...
|
| |
Black Ensemble Theater announces 44th Season
Chicago, IL—Black Ensemble Theater's Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces its 44th Season: The 2020 Season of Change. The 2020 Season includes tributes to legendary heroes from throughout history, popular songs that were the B-sides of ...
|
| |
Planned Parenthood Action Fund makes new endorsements for Illinois U.S House 2020 Elections
CHICAGO — Today, December 3, 2019, Planned Parenthood Action Fund announced its endorsement of Bobby Rush ( IL-01 ), Robin Kelly ( IL-02 ), JeÅ›us "Chuy" GarcÃa ( IL-04 ), Danny Davis ( IL-07 ), Raja ...
|
| |
Panel faces legal challenges for trans and HIV-positive service members
U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley ( D-5 ) was joined by legal experts at the Pritzker Military Museum the afternoon of Dec. 2 for a discussion of the ongoing challenges facing U.S. military personnel who are transgender ...
|
| |
Jewish LGBTQ group expands in Chicago
Keshet—the nation's largest organization working for LGBTQ equality in all facets of Jewish life—has expanded in Chicago with the addition of a full-time staff member, a press release noted. Essie Shachar-Hill recently came on board as ...
|
| |
CPD's Johnson fired weeks before retirement
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot fired police superintendent Eddie Johnson on Dec. 2—weeks before his retirement after the city's top watchdog found he engaged in a series of "intolerable" actions, The Chicago Tribune reported. This latest action ...
|
| |
Jewish theater arts conference takes place
The Alliance for Jewish Theatre ( AJT ) hosted the largest Jewish theater arts conference in the country Nov. 3-5 in Chicago. Nearly 100 artists from North America and Israel converged in Chicago at AJT's annual ...
|
| |
DINING Kinton opening, 'Breakfast with Santa,' Aboyer's brunch
—Kinton Ramen will open its second Chicago location this December in the city's Wicker Park neighborhood at 1426 N. Milwaukee Ave. The 2,100-square-foot Kinton Ramen Wicker Park features 54 main dining room seats and 11 open-kitchen ...
|
| |
Congo Square Theatre to present rare production of Day of Absence
CHICAGO ( December 2, 2019 ) — Congo Square Theatre Company, well known for its powerful portrayal of African American classics and gripping new works, commemorates its 20th Anniversary season with a rare production of the ...
|
| |
LGBT Community Fund accepting grant applications
The LGBT Community Fund is now accepting applications for Community Grants from nonprofit 501( c )( 3 ) organizations in Cook County serving or intending to serve the LGBT community. Community Grants are designed for a ...
|
| |
Chicago drag production in Louisville Dec. 21
For the past decade, Snow White and the Seven Drag Queens has played to sold out crowds in Boystown, at the SOHO House Chicago, in historic Provincetown and, most recently, at Louisville's own Play Dance Bar. ...
|
| |
Gay-owned Pastoral closes
Greg O'Neill and Ken Miller—the couple who the founded and owned Chicago business Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine—recently closed after 15 years. In a letter to Pastoral's customers and stakeholders, O'Neill and Miller stated, "Unfortunately, ...
|
| |
Queer as Polka: Lakeside Pride plays a new tune
Kaitlyn Hollysmith has added the "oom-pah-pah" rhythm to the many styles and sounds Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles plays through the new ensemble Queer as Polka. Hollysmith was born and raised in Long Grove, Illinois. In fourth ...
|
| |
Ceremony held for lesbian U.S District Judge Mary Rowland
A ceremonial investiture took place for Judge Mary M. Rowland—the first out lesbian to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois—Nov. 25 at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in the Loop. Rowland ...
|
| |
Queer Kickboxing Club, Queer Meetup Chicago aim to offer safe spaces
Earlier this year, G Silverstein-Tapp was looking for safe spaces that catered to queer, trans and gender nonconforming people like themself; however, what they discovered was many existing LGBTQ spaces were focused on femme-identifying queer people ...
|
| |
Center for Disability and Elder Law launches 'Proud to Thrive'
The Center of Disability and Elder Law ( CDEL ) announced its "Proud to Thrive" program at an "LGBT Elder Cultural Responsiveness and Advance Directive Training for Legal Professionals" event Nov. 20 at Clark Hill PLC's ...
|
| |
'I Am Going to Die Alone...' through Dec. 6
Prop Thtr is continuing its 2019-20 season with the world premiere of I Am Going To Die Alone And I Am Not Afraid—a new play exploring modern oppression through the legacy of the Holocaust. The play ...
|
| |
Study reveals impact of storefront theaters
The Chicago-based Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation ( the Foundation )—an organization that offers unrestricted grants to Chicago theater companies with budgets under $1 million—recently surveyed its small-theater grantees to reveal the large impact they make ...
|
| |
Caucus launches The Prosperity Project
Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus has launched The Prosperity Project—a three-year campaign to eliminate HIV among Black gay, bisexual and same-gender-loving men in Chicagoland. The caucus is asking our Black SGL men about their strengths, weaknesses ...
|
| |
World AIDS Day events happening in Chicagoland
This year, there will be various events taking place to mark World AIDS Day. Below is a list of some events taking place to note this special time. ( All events are in Chicago unless otherwise ...
|
| |
NU professor talks about delving into the heart of 'Infectious Blackness'
The tale of Michael Johnson took a turn this past July—when he was released from a Missouri jail 25 years early. In 2013, Johnson—a Black man who was a college student—was arrested in St. Charles, Missouri, ...
|
| |
WINDY CITY TIMES 2019 Holiday Gift Guide Part One of Two
Feel the heat We all know the polar vortex may be revisiting sooner rather than letter, so be ready with Heat Holders socks and gloves ( various prices; HeatHolders.com ). The socks, specially developed with cashmere-like ...
|
| |
Vaginal Davis exhibit at Art Institute in 2020
The Art Institute of Chicago is slated to run "Vaginal Davis: The White to Be Angry" Feb. 1-April 26, 2020. Davis is a key figure in the history of queer music, performance and video art. Naming ...
|
| |
Center hosts Oscars kickoff party
Center on Halsted hosted the "A Night With Oscar 2020" kickoff party Nov. 13. The Center presented a panel discussion about Chicago's underground ball scene featuring Legendary Troy Ebony, from House of Ebony; Nikolay Khan, from ...
|
| |
Raoul among attorneys general to argue trans students should use restrooms of gender identities
Chicago — Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general to file an amicus brief in the Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit in support of transgender rights in an antidiscrimination lawsuit, ...
|
| |
Trans/HIV+ military ban panel Dec. 2 with U.S. Rep. Quigley
U.S. Congressman Mike Quigley ( D-Illinois ) is hosting a panel discussing the transgender/HIV-positive military ban Monday, Dec. 2, at the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, 104 S. Michigan Ave., 1:30-3 p.m. In addition to Quigley, ...
|
| |
Youth urged to take quiz before World AIDS Day
As part of a continuing effort to educate young people about HIV prevention and treatment, Illinois HIV Care Connect has introduced HIV and youth web content to support the Y.O.U.T.H. ( Youth Overcoming Undetected and Treatable ...
|
| |
Joffrey performing Chicago-set 'Nutcracker'
The Joffrey Ballet's reimagined classic, The Nutcracker, by Tony-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, returns to open the holiday season at the historic Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr., in 29 performances Nov. 30-Dec. 29. This ...
|
| |
Open house Dec. 7 at Wright Home and Studio
The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust will present a holiday open house at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, 951 Chicago Ave., Oak Park, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The home will be decked ...
|
| |
SAVOR Stockton brunch; Equality Illinois wine-tasting
DISH Dining Guide
Stockton ( 1009 N. Rush St., second floor; StocktonChicago.com ) is in the space that the upscale Japanese restaurant Jellyfish occupied—but it definitely has established its own vibe since opening in October. Unfortunately, very few people ...
|
| |
DINING 'Frosty's Christmas Bar,' Tzuco brunch, Thanksgiving options
—The pop-up space Frosty's Christmas Bar is running at 809 W. Evergreen Ave. through Jan. 5, 2020. It is four levels of holiday cheer, with singing Santa shows, non-stop holiday music, three bars and two dance ...
|
| |
LETTER GroceryLand anniversary
Dear Editor: Twenty-five years ago, our beloved GroceryLand opened its doors and served its first participants! On Christmas Eve in 1988, a steadfast and caring crew of volunteers—led by Heartland Alliance Health's own Lori Cannon—began delivering ...
|
