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Billy Masters on Lil Nas X, masks and more
"At first I felt a sense of responsibility. But now I kind of just don't care. It's not my job. Of course I want to spread good ideals, but I'm not nobody's parents. At the end of the day, I'm just ...
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SPORTS Chicago Red Stars drop season opener 5-0
One week after winning the NWSL (National Women's Soccer League) Challenge Cup, the Portland Thorns (1-0) routed the Chicago Red Stars (0-1) 5-0 at Portland's Providence Park on May 16 ...
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NATIONAL Conversion therapy, AIDS event, COVID measure, gay Republican, UNO
In Kentucky, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council voted unanimously to ban conversion therapy for LGBTQ minors, LEX18.com reported. The vote made Lexington the third city in Kentucky, along with Louisville and Covington, to ban the controversial ...
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SHOWBIZ Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo, Miley Cyrus, 'Halston' series, Pink
Tony winners Ben Platt (Aug. 13) and Cynthia Erivo (Aug. 20) are among the musicians slated to perform during the 2021 Citi Music Series on the Today show, Playbill noted. The series will include in-person concerts ...
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WORLD: Toronto schools, shocking death, trans women sentenced, Elton John
The Toronto Catholic District School Board plans to celebrate Pride Month every June, starting this year, CBC.ca reported. The board's trustees voted in favor of flying rainbow flags outside its office and all of its schools ...
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SPORTS Chicago Sky win season opener
In the WNBA, the Chicago Sky won their season opener by defeating the Washington Mystics 70-56 in Washington, D.C., on May 15. The Mystics' 56 points tied for the third-lowest for any opponent of the Sky ...
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Don Lemon announces end of 'CNN Tonight' [UPDATE]
CNN host Don Lemon insisted he is not leaving the network after claiming on his show on May 14 that "changes are coming," according to Newsweek. In part, he said, "It's been really, really great. This ...
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BOOKS Lesbian author Amanda Kabak to release hate-crime novel July 20
Lesbian author Amanda Kabak—a Chicago native who now resides in Lakeland, Florida—is releasing the novel Upended on July 20. In Upended, Maddie, a driven entrepreneur, finds her world thrown into disarray when she survives a hate ...
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Tennessee governor signs anti-trans 'bathroom bill'
On May 14, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed House Bill 1233 (Senate Bill 1367)—an anti-transgender "bathroom bill"—into law, The Advocate reported. The statute will deny trans students and staff in ...
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Former Chicago Blackhawk files sexual-assault suit against team
Attorney Susan E. Loggins—who represents a former Chicago Blackhawks player in a sexual-assault lawsuit against the team—told the Chicago Tribune that she intends to call a former teammate as a witness in the case. Loggins also ...
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U.S. House GOPs select Stefanik to succeed Cheney
On May 14, House Republicans voted to elevate Rep. Elise Stefanik to the number-three leadership position of conference chair, CNN.com reported. The development happened after the party, on May 12, ousted U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney from ...
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Lollapalooza expected to return July 29-Aug. 1
The Lollapalooza Festival will return to Chicago with a four-day event at its usual place and date range — Grant Park, July 29-Aug. 1—according to Variety. The City of Chicago gave the event the green light ...
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SPORTS Patrick McEnroe on his podcast, out athletes and Serena
When it comes to tennis, ESPN commentator Patrick McEnroe certainly knows his way around the court. The younger brother of Hall of Famer John McEnroe, Patrick carved his own path in the sport, as a player ...
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Quigley advocates for trans immigrants during ICE hearing
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), Vice-Chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus and a founding member of the Transgender Equality Task Force, questioned Acting Director of Immigration ...
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Black Lives, Black Words Int'l Project, Writers Theatre to premier Ride Share
--From a press release
Glencoe, IL— Black Lives, Black Words co-founders Reginald Edmund and Simeilia Hodge-Dallaway and Writers Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce Ride Share, a new ...
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COVID: CDC says fully vaccinated people don't need to wear masks indoors
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said that people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to wear masks or practice social distancing indoors or outdoors, except under ...
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Mayor Lightfoot expands vaccine exemption with Bridge Phase May 14
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Today, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot along with CDPH Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D., and BACP Commissioner Rosa Escareño announced a full expansion of the Vaccine Exemption when Chicago enters the Bridge Phase of reopening tomorrow, ...
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FILM NewFest announces summer film series NewFest Pride
NewFest, New York's leading LGBTQ+ film and media organization, announced programming for NewFest Pride, a new summer film series taking place this year from June 4-7. All film screenings and events will be available virtually to ...
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Gov. Pritzker confirms Illinois will enter Bridge Phase of reopening May 14
--From a press release
CHICAGO —Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) confirmed today the entire state will move into the Bridge Phase of the Restore Illinois reopening plan tomorrow, Friday, May 14. The Bridge ...
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FILM Tello Films founder starts new production entity
Veteran filmmaker Christin Baker, who launched the successful LGBTQ+, SVOD platform, Tello Films, in 2009—the first network dedicated to telling stories featuring and about lesbian/queer women—announced the launch of a ...
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Chicago Sky waive several players
--From a press release
CHICAGO (May 13, 2021) - The Chicago Sky waived Brittany Boyd-Jones, Alexis Prince, Lexie Brown, Kobi Thornton and Natasha Mack, the team announced today. Each of these moves comes ahead of the league-mandated deadline to cut ...
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Federal judge hears incarcerated trans woman's motion
On May 12, a federal judge heard an emergency motion in a case charging the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) with violating the constitutional rights of Ashley Diamond—a Black transgender woman currently incarcerated in a men's ...
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Biden to nominate Lhamon to lead the DoE's Office for Civil Rights
President Joe Biden plans to nominate Catherine Lhamon to lead the Department of Education's (DoE's) Office for Civil Rights, NBC News reported. If confirmed, Lhamon would have a highly visible role in determining how the federal ...
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International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia to take place May 17
--From a press release
LGBTQI+ networks, individuals and allies from around the world will be celebrating the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia again this year on Monday, May 17. The theme for this year's events, known also as ...
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'An Evening with Fran Lebowitz' in April 2022 in NYC
Legendary author, journalist and social observer Fran Lebowitz is slated to return to The Town Hall stage in New York City for two live, in conversation events on April 6-7, 2022. Lebowitz is coming off her ...
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Accidental Shakespeare Company presents virtual Romeo and Juliet
--From a press release
Accidental Shakespeare Company presents a virtual film production of Romeo and Juliet, to air in five weekly installments on their YouTube channel, free of charge, beginning on May 15, 2021. Links to each episode will be ...
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Controversial NU athletic director resigns [UPDATE]
Mike Polisky stepped down May 12 from his newly appointed role as Northwestern University athletic director as criticism continued to mount against his hiring, The Chicago Tribune reported. ...
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Pritzker announces 'Time for Me to Drive' campaign
to jump-start Illinois tourism
Gov. JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Office of Tourism and industry leaders to kick off "Time for Me to Drive"—a new campaign to promote the return of travel across the state. In its first new campaign ...
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Ann Hampton Callaway releases 'Revelation'
--From a press release
The latest in a string of singles, Ann Hampton Callaway, releases "Revelation", a song she composed to a Robert Frost poem which she kept in her jeans pocket when she was a teenager. Callaway wrote the ...
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Tina Turner, The Go-Go's among 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame revealed its 2021 inductees, calling this class "the most diverse list of inductees in the history of the organization." In the Performer category, inductees include The Go-Go's, Tina Turner, ...
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'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' to end after 19 seasons
After a rocky season, following a toxic workplace environment controversy and amid declining ratings, Ellen DeGeneres is ending her daytime talk show, Deadline reported. DeGeneres' current contract takes The Ellen ...
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LGBQ people six times more likely than general public to be stopped by police
--From a Williams Institute press release
Nearly one in four LGBQ people say they are unlikely to call police in the future A new study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law finds more LGBQ adults than people in the general United States population have ...
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GOP ousts Liz Cheney from leadership role
On May 12, U.S. House Republicans voted quickly to remove U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney as their number-three leader over her repeated criticism of Donald Trump—a massive shakeup that ties the party tighter to Trump and threatens ...
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UK to ban conversion therapy
Britain will move to ban conversion therapy and provide more support to those in the LGBT community who have undergone the treatment, as part of its post-pandemic government agenda, Reuters reported. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government ...
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DANCE Joffrey Ballet expands to South Loop
The Joffrey Ballet announced the establishment of new studio space and training facilities at 1920 S.Wabash Ave. (formerly the Chicago Dance Academy studios)—expanding the Joffrey's reach to the South Loop and beyond, and marking a major ...
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Gov. Pritzker announces $1B in Rebuild Illinois grants for Local infrastructure projects
--From a press release
CHAMPAIGN — As summer construction season ramps up, Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) today announced the fourth round of $250 million in Rebuild Illinois funded grants is available to advance municipal, ...
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Stephanie Battaglino, New York Life's first transgender officer, releases memoir
--From a press release
May 11, 2021… Educator and motivational speaker Stephanie Battaglino today officially released her memoir, Reflections from Both Sides of the Glass Ceiling: Finding My True Self in Corporate America, from L'Oste Vineyard Press. After many years ...
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TELEVISION Jasmine Davis returns to 'The Chi'
Actress Jasmine Davis has a past history with Chicago, Illinois that continues into the future. Growing up in the Windy City has certainly paid off for the transgender performer throughout her career. After attending Kenwood High ...
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Unprecedented 18 anti-LGBTQ bills enacted in 2021
--From a Human Rights Campaign press release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — With an unprecedented number of anti-LGBTQ measures sweeping through state legislatures across the country, 2021 has officially surpassed 2015 as the worst year for anti-LGBTQ legislation in ...
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Wisdom Awards celebrates accomplishments of Black LGBTQ+ women elders
--From a press release
On Sunday, May 16, at 12 p.m. (ET), the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) and AARP will host the virtual Black Women Legendary Elders Wisdom Awards ceremony and virtual tea party in commemoration of National LGBTQ+ ...
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Chicago Sky announce TV broadcast schedule for 2021
--From a press release
CHICAGO (May 10, 2021) - The Chicago Sky announced the team's broadcast schedule for the 2021 WNBA season today. Sky fans will be able to watch regular season games on The U, WMEU 48.1/WCIU 26.2 and ...
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Gerber/Hart holding large book sale/exhibit viewing June 6
Gerber/Hart Library and Archives, 6500 N. Clark St., is holding a one-day book sale is returning on Sunday, June 6, 12-4 p.m., in the library reading room. Extra tables will be set up to significantly increase ...
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Evangelical Lutherans select first transgender bishop
The Evangelical Lutheran Church elected its first openly transgender bishop on May 8, The Hill reported. The Rev. Megan Rohrer, who uses the pronouns they/them, was elected bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Sierra ...
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CMSA continues embezzlement investigation
Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association (CMSA) officials are still trying to determine the circumstances under which its former treasurer allegedly took thousands of dollars from the organization. CMSA announced May 4 ...
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Biden administration restores anti-bias protections, groups comment
--From a press release
The following statement is from Susan R. Bailey, M.D., President, American Medical Association "The Biden administration did the right thing by terminating a short-lived effort to allow discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation when seeking ...
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Gov. Pritzker plans vaccination of workers in commercial buildings as companies open
--From a press release
Chicago — To further expand convenient opportunities for Illinoisans to get vaccinated, Governor JB Pritzker launched a new program today that offers building workers and returning office staff a chance to get their shot at work. ...
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Dance for Life to take place in person (and for free) Aug. 26
Chicago Dancers United (CDU)—which supports the health and wellness of Chicago's professional dance community—announced that its primary annual fundraiser, Dance for Life, will take place live and in person Thursday ...
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GLAAD issues inaugural Social Media Safety Index
--From a press release
New York, NY - May 10, 2021 - GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, today announced the findings of its inaugural Social Media Safety Index (SMSI), a 50-page ...
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Billy Masters
"My friends are leaving California. My hangar, the guy right across, he was packing up his hangar and I said, 'Where are you going?' And he says, 'I'm moving to Sedona, Arizona. I can't take it ...
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HHS: Prohibition on sex discrimination includes sexual orientation, gender identity
--From a press release
Washington D.C. — Today, the Department of Health and Human Services announced that the Office for Civil Rights will interpret and enforce Section 1557 and Title IX's prohibitions on discrimination based on sex to include: (1) ...
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Jody Watley: Conversation with an icon
Singer Jody Watley has been many things during her illustrious career, including an activist, fashion plate—but, most certainly, a musician. Among her many achievements in that latter area are a Grammy win; a Lifetime Achievement Award ...
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WORLD Parenting news, Tonga activist, pension fight, drag personality
A Croatian court has ruled that same-sex partners can now adopt children, backing a same-sex couple in their five-year fight for the right to family life, Openly News reported. On April 21, Zagreb's Administrative Court ruled ...
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NATIONAL Military bill, LGBTQ teen, trans deaths, Pride items, children's book
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill that directs the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs in the Garden State to assist former Armed Forces service members who were denied an honorable discharge due to ...
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SHOWBIZ Tig Notaro, films, E. Lynn Harris, Nick Jonas
Emmy- and Grammy-nominated stand-up comedian Tig Notaro (HBO's Tig Notaro: Boyish Girl Interrupted), will return to HBO this summer with the first-ever fully animated stand-up special, HBO announced. The special ...
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SAVOR Takito Street
Takito Street (2423 N. Lincoln Ave.; http://takitostreet.com/) is the third in the Takito line of restaurants (along with Takito Kitchen and Bar Takito)—a string of restaurants offering playful vibes, fresh ...
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Pride Parade coordinator provides latest on the 'likely scenario' for event
Tim Frye, the coordinator of the 2021 Pride Parade, told Windy City Times that the assessment of this year's event has not changed over the last few weeks. The official statement/assessment at this point is: "We ...
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Citadel Theatre to return in fall with a four-show 2021-22 season
--From a press release
LAKE FOREST, IL - Citadel Theatre Company will return to live, in-person, indoor performances in September with a season of four productions — three plays plus the company's traditional holiday musical - according to Artistic Director ...
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Simmons, family advocates argue for $600-per-child state tax credit before Senate committee
--From a press release
SPRINGFIELD — Speaking alongside other advocates for Illinois children and families, Illinois state Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) argued the necessity of his plan to institute a $600-per-child income tax credit at the state level before the ...
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Essential tips for your COVID-free travel
COVID-19 will make travel a bit more complicated this summer. Going to Europe? Taking a cruise? Visiting Hawaii, San Juan or St. Lucia? Or maybe you are planning a road trip? The rules for traveling responsibly ...
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Chicago Red Stars announce schedule
--From a press release
Chicago, Ill. (May 7, 2021) — The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) announced today the broadcast schedule for the upcoming 2021 regular season. The Chicago Red Stars will play live on Twitch, Paramount+, and CBS Sports ...
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ART 'Frida Kahlo: Timeless' June 5-Sept. 6 in Glen Ellyn
The Cleve Carney Museum of Art (CCMA) and the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) at the College of DuPage (COD) will host "Frida Kahlo: Timeless" June 5-Sept. 6 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Featuring 26 original works on ...
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Refugee Coalition of East Africa calls for attention to anti-queer violence
--From a press release
On May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia will be observed worldwide, followed by many celebrations of Pride in the month of June. We at the Refugee Coalition of East Africa will raise ...
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Dining Out for Life taking place May 16-22
The annual event Dining Out for Life will take place May 16-22 throughout Chicago and Evanston. Participants dine in, order takeout/delivery or purchase gift cards from their favorite restaurants and donate directly to TPAN to support ...
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COVID Illinois to partially relax restrictions May 14, may fully reopen June 11
On May 6, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced the entire state will move into the Bridge Phase of the Restore Illinois reopening plan beginning Friday, May 14. The Bridge Phase will allow for expanded capacity limits ...
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Ravinia Festival announces 2021 summer programming
--From a press release
HIGHLAND PARK, IL — The Ravinia Festival, under the direction of its new President and CEO Jeffrey P. Haydon, announced the concert schedule for 2021 today, celebrating the reopening of the park for the first time ...
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NU faculty 'alarmed' by hiring of new athletic director
Northwestern University has hired Mike Polisky as its newest athletic director—a move considered controversial by the school's alumni and campus leaders, The Chicago Tribune reported. According to the school's website ...
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Utah Supreme Court upholds transgender rights
--From a press release
Salt Lake City — On Thursday, May 6, the Utah Supreme Court ruled today In Re Gray and Rice (20170046) 2021 UT 13, and confirmed the right of transgender Utahns to change the name and gender ...
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The National Black Justice Coalition mourns death of Mikayla Miller
--From a press release
MASSACHUSETTS — The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) mourns the loss of Mikayla Miller, a Black 16-year-old girl and member of the LGBTQ+ community. Miller was found dead on April 18th in Hopkinton, Massachusetts one day ...
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Cast announced for May 18 virtual reading of JEFFREY
--From a press release
CHICAGO — PrideArts today announced the full cast for its upcoming reading of Paul Rudnick's comedy JEFFREY. David Belew, founder and former artistic director of Eclectic Full Contact Theatre, will direct a cast that will include ...
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Mayor Lightfoot, DCASE announce Chicago summer events
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), Choose Chicago, and Chicago's cultural community today announced "Open Culture" — the next phase of ...
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Art on theMART to project Obamas, Frida Kahlo
In partnership with Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Art on theMART today announced two major new additions to its summer program: The Obama Portraits (debuting June 17) and Frida Kahlo (starting July 5). ...
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ART Terra Foundation awards $2.5M for permanent collection projects
The Terra Foundation for American Art announced the awarding of nearly $2.5 million in grants to 35 arts and cultural organizations throughout the country. These grants support projects through the foundation's new two-year exhibition grant initiative ...
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Old Town Art Fair returns June 12, 13, pre-registration opens Saturday
--From a press release
Chicago, IL — The Old Town Art Fair (OTAF) and its sponsoring organization, the Old Town Triangle Association (OTTA) celebrated the announcement from Mayor Lori Lightfoot and DCASE that the Old Town Art Fair will return ...
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Jonathan Ned Katz talks new book, LGBTQ history, state of the world
Author, historian and activist Jonathan Ned Katz will come out with a new book, The Daring Life and Dangerous Times of Eve Adams, on May 18. The biography is centered on the life of Adams, a Jewish lesbian immigrant, and also ...
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Chicago Red Stars announce expanded ownership group
--From a press release
HICAGO (May 4, 2021) — The Chicago Red Stars are thrilled to announce the second group of individuals who have joined the team's groundbreaking ownership group. All are dedicated to supporting and growing the Red Stars ...
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