Windy City Black LGBT Pride, Inc. will host thousands of African American lesbians and gays over the Fourth of July holiday during United in Pride. United in Pride is the organization’s annual celebration of gay pride, which is geared toward bridging the gap between mainstream gay life and African American gay life.
The celebration is one of a large network of African American gay pride celebrations that take place nationwide. United in Pride is the second-largest ethnic gay pride celebration with attendance reaching close to 10,000 people.
The Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 East Wacker Drive, returns for the third consecutive time as the host hotel for the event. Several events including a huge, free kickoff party and a performance by Rochelle Flemming are scheduled hotel events. Flemming will perform at luncheon held on Saturday, July 5. Flemming is widely known for being a member of First Choice, a Philadelphia based disco band. In the late ’70s and early ’80s Flemming and the band released the gay standard ‘Let No Man Put Asunder’ on Salsoul Records. Grammy-nominated Steve Hurley produced the record.
Talent is already lined up for the organization’s annual poetry slam sponsored by Northern Trust, which also happens at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. This year the poetry slam will take place on the Fourth of July. It is usually one of the weekend’s most attended events. It’s general admission, so arrive early to get a seat. The community will provide the talent and Northern Trust will provide the prizes!
The weekend culminates on July 6 with a huge outdoor festival at Rainbow Beach. Last year festival drew more than 7,000 people. The festival features vendors, food, and entertainment. It’s also a great place to connect with health service professionals to get testing and information.
Major sponsors for United in Pride include Windy City Media Group, Harris Bank, The Steamworks Gym/Men’s Sauna, Sidetrack, Northern Trust, and ChocolateCityUSA.com.
EVENTS
Wednesday July 2
Windy City Black LGBT Cocktails
Hosted by Sidetrack
Open bar cocktail specials.
It was a blast last year!
6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
@ Sidetrack
Thursday July 3
ChocolateCityUSA.com Live
‘Phat and full of flava!’
Hosted by Kendall Beatty and Jermaine Young
Special guest DJ.
Cash bar. FREE ADMISSION
9 p.m. until 2 a.m.
@ Hyatt Regency Chicago
Friday July 4
Windy City Black LGBT Poetry Slam
Hosted by C.C. Carter
8 p.m. until 12 a.m.
@ Hyatt Regency Chicago
Over 40 Steppers Dance
Hosted by Jackie Anderson and Ken McKane
Special DJ, cash bar
@ Hyatt Regency Chicago
9 p.m. until 2 a.m.
Youth Dance
Hosted by the Route
DJ Craig Cannon
@ Hyatt Regency Chicago
9 p.m. until 2 a.m.
Independence Ball
Doors open at 9 p.m./ ball starts at 10:30
@ Union Hall
9350 S. South Chicago
$25 at the door. Table reservations are $40.
(773) 931-9840
Black Men in Leather Party
Hosted by the Men of ONYX
Freaky.
10 p.m. until 2 a.m.
@ Cellblock
3704 North Halsted
iCandy Productions
(event for ladies)
@ Dragon Room 809 W. Evergreen
Saturday July 5
Windy City Black LGBT Pride, Inc. Community Awards Luncheon
11:30 a.m.
West Tower Regency Ballroom
Hyatt Regency Chicago
151 East Wacker Drive
The Pageant…
Always entertaining and often a spectacle.
Hosted by Chicago’s heavy Diva Otis Mack
@ Hyatt Regency Chicago
Cash bar
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The Steamworks
Black Pride Steam Party
3246 North Halsted
After midnight, it’s on.
18 and older.
Sunday July 6
Festival at Rainbow Beach FREE
You only get this much fun once a year. Join us along with more than 6,000 people for a day in the sun, filled with music, food and live entertainment.
Rainbow Beach
3111 E. South Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
(Enter the park from 79th and South Shore Drive.)
Time: Noon until 8 p.m.
Worship Service
Praise Center Chicago will offer a worship service at the Hyatt Regency Chicago
10 a.m.
Contact Pastor Kevin E. Tindell for additional information @ 773-451-6604 or praisecenterchicago@yahoo.com
ICandy Productions
(event for ladies)
@ Dragon Room 809 W. Evergreen
Monday July 7
House of Tut @ The Biology Bar
1520 North Fremont
MORE BLACK PRIDE EVENTS IN CALENDAR ON p. 10.