Test Positive Aware Network’s Gala 2001: Committed to Living, a benefit with cocktails, dinner and dancing, is Friday, Sept. 7. Honorees are State Rep. Larry McKeon and The Hearts Foundation. From 6-11:30 p.m., $150, Germania Place, 108 W. Germania (Clark & North Ave.), (773) 404-8726,.
Oak Park Area Lesbian & Gay Assoc. hosts a Music Extravaganza and Silent Auction Sat., Sept. 8, featuring Cook County Jazz Commission, Women of Song, and Ripley Caine. Cash bar; 8 p.m., $17-$20, 19th Century Club, 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park. (708) 848-0273, www.opalga.org.
Color Triangle Jam II is Sept. 14 at Hot House. This event brings the LGBT community together under a groove with performances, dancing, a resource fair and more. From 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m., 31 E. Balbo, (773) 472-6469 ext. 406, www.colortriangle.org.
Also Sept. 14, Irish singing duo Zrazy performs 7 p.m. at High Risk Gallery, 1115 W. Belmont, $12-$15.
Edgewater Chamber of Commerce hosts a fundraiser for the Chamber Sept. 6, with a chance to meet various elected officials including State Rep. Larry McKeon and Sen. Carol Ronen. At Secret Garden Cafe, 6215 N. Sheridan, (773) 561-6000.
Lesbian Community Cancer Project’s Cruising 6 … Because We Care: 6th annual Jazz Brunch Cruise is Sunday, Sept. 16. Brunch buffet, raffles, live auction with terrific items (American Airlines tix, hotel stays, even a chance to co-host Windy City Radio for one night), and entertainment from Penelope Walker and the From the Edge jazz band, featuring Laurie Lee Moses. Tix $90-$125, Odyssey Cruise Ship, Navy Pier, (773) 561-4662, www.lccp.org. Walker will be performing post-cruise, at Joe’s Be-Bop on the pier, to extend the cruise day a bit longer. The cruise always sells out, so buy tickets early and often.
Questioning Youth Centers hosts a cruise on the Fox River on the paddlewheel boat Fox River Queen in a fundraiser for QYC, drop-in centers for LGBT and questioning youth in the Far West and Northern suburbs. Lunch and cash bar, 12:30-3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 9, $40, boat leaves from Potawatomie Park in St. Charles, QYCfundraiser@aol.com.