The Equality Illinois Swing Into The New Millennium: 4th annual gala benefit, is Jan. 27 at the Chicago Hilton and Towers. Call (773) 477-7173.
Religious and other community leaders are joining together to support the right of same-sex couples to marry by hosting an interfaith program, public signing of the Marriage Resolution, and a news conference on National Freedom to Marry Day, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund said. On Monday, Feb. 12, the interfaith program will take place at noon at the John Marshall Law School, immediately followed by a news conference. Later that evening, the interfaith group of religious leaders will sponsor a program to reaffirm vows made by same-sex couples across Chicagoland. Feb. 12 marks the fourth annual National Freedom to Marry Day, linking the themes of love and equality evoking Valentine’s Day and Lincoln’s Birthday to call for an end to discrimination in marriage. Call RoiAnn Phillips (312) 663-4413 x27, rphillips@lambdalegal.org.
A special surprise screening of Cheryl Dunye’s (The Watermelon Woman) new film Stranger Inside was added to the Sundance Film Festival line up. The film tells the story of a mother-daughter reunion which takes place in the severe conditions of a women’s correctional facility. The film stars Yolanda Ross, Davenia McFadden and Rain Phoenix. The screening is scheduled for Jan. 24 at 11:30 a.m. at Prospector Square Theater in Park City, Utah. The film was produced by Jim McKay and Michael Stipe’s C-Hundred Corp for HBO. The film was co-written by Cheryl Dunye and Catherine Crouch. Yvonne Welbon was an associate producer on the film. Crouch and Welbon are Chicagoans.
Windy City Performing Arts has released WCPA LIVE! Shared Applause, including live recordings from Festival 2000, San Jose California and the last WCPA performance conducted by Welborn Young. WCPA LIVE! can be purchased by calling (773) 404-9242, or you can e-mail wcpa@windycitysings.org.