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Belting for Life Sunday May 16, streaming through May 31
--From a press release
CHICAGO - Jeff Award-winning director and HIV+ activist Christopher Pazdernik presents the 6th annual Belting for Life (formerly known as Chris' Birthday Belt Fest), an annual benefit concert for Howard Brown Health, one of the nation's ...
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Former 'Bachelor' comes out as gay
In a Good Morning America (GMA) interview that aired April 14, former Bachelor Colton Underwood came out as gay, Entertainment Weekly reported. "I've [run] from myself for a long time, I've hated myself for a long ...
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ART 'Immersive Van Gogh' to now continue through Nov. 28
Due to popular demand, the U.S. premiere of the art experience "Immersive Van Gogh" exhibit will extend its run to Nov. 28 after having sold out the current block of tickets. It was originally extended through ...
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Billy Masters on The Real Magic Mike and more
"As a Republican man, as soon as it was my turn, I took the vaccine. I would encourage all Republican men to do that … take the vaccination."—Mitch McConnell encourages Republicans to get the COVID vaccine. ...
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SHOWBIZ Trans singer, 'Pose,' Kate Winslet, Lil Nas X, Broadway
Trans femme indie-punk artist Evan Greer (she/her) released a dystopian new music video for the song "Surveillance Capitalism," a press release noted. She is using it to launch StopSpotifySurveillance.org with Fight for the Future, where she ...
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Lifetime presents Variety's Power of Women The Comedians Special May 10
--From a press release
Los Angeles, CA (April 8, 2021) — Variety and Lifetime announced today the one-hour special Lifetime Presents Variety's Power of Women The Comedians which will premiere on Monday, May 10th at 8PM ET/PT on Lifetime. The ...
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GLAAD Media Awards honors creative forces of change in media, culture
--From a press release, video below
Los Angeles, CA, Thursday, April 8, 2021 — GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, tonight hosted a virtual ceremony to announce the award recipients of the 32nd Annu ...
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THEATER 'A Portrait of My Mother' to start streaming May 9
Jarrott Productions will present the world premiere of A Portrait of My Mother, written and performed by Carlo Lorenzo Garcia and directed by David R. Jarrott. The autobiographical tribute to Garcia's mother, Maria, begins streaming on ...
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SAVOR Sam's Crispy Chicken and Umami Burger
Sam's Crispy Chicken (SamsCrispyChicken.com) and Umami Burger (UmamiBurger.com), both from C3 (Creating Culinary Communities) and both at 945 W. Randolph St., have launched new food and beverage menus—although indulgence i ...
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LGBTQ+ History Podcast Queer Serial launches third and final season
--From a press release
Queer Serial, the acclaimed LGBTQ+ history podcast produced and hosted by 2021 GLAAD Award nominee Devlyn Camp, returns Monday, April 12, with its final season. Season 3 picks up in 1963, as militant gay activists, taking ...
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Joffrey Ballet presents world premiere of Nicolas Blanc's "Under the Trees' Voices"
--From a press release
THE JOFFREY BALLET PRESENTS WORLD PREMIERE OF NICOLAS BLANC'S UNDER THE TREES' VOICES World Premiere streamed online: April 30 at 7:00 PM CST Audiences are invited to experience a rehearsal via livestream TODAY: April 7 at ...
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Mercury Theater to reopen; new artistic director named
Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Ave., has announced its reopening—along with new leadership. New Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter returns to the theater where he collaborated on the hit productions of Little Shop of Horrors ...
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Story of Chicagoan and Broadway influencer Sister Rosetta Tharpe on to Broadway
--From a press release
NEW YORK (April 4, 2021) — Prolific writer and Chicago native Cheryl L. West (FANNIE: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer; Jar the Floor), will be joined on the creative team of SHOUT SISTER ...
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Sisters Walk the Walk In New Community Wellness Walk Program: Sister Outsider
--From a press release
CHICAGO, IL- Working towards a socially just world can begin in one neighborhood and that's exactly what Sisters in Cinema a Chicago-based 501(c)3 is setting to accomplish in their new program Sister Outsider, scheduled to launch, ...
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THEATER 'Security,' with Eric Roberts, running April 10-May 2
Kane Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Daniil Krimer and Managing Director Avery Bowne announced the world-premiere online production of Hammaad Chaudry's Security, as part of the company's new Multiplatform Commission. Security ...
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Billy Masters
"I didn't watch the documentary, but from what I did see of it I was embarrassed by the light they put me in. … I cried for two weeks and well … I still cry sometimes!!!!"—Britney ...
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'Ma Rainey,' 'Schitt's Creek' win during diverse SAG Awards
On April 4, a one-hour, pre-taped 27th Screen Actors Guild Awards aired on TNT and TBS, celebrating the best achievements in film and TV performances for 2020. According to Entertainment Weekly, it was a historic night, ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Special,' Bonnaroo, Broadway items, Rita Moreno, Bridgerton
The second season of the Netflix comedy series Special will premiere May 20, a press release noted. The series revolves around Ryan O'Connell, a gay man with mild cerebral palsy, and is based on his memoir ...
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Chicago's LGBTQ+ Armenian community aims to 'Cher the Love for Artsakh'
Entanik—a queer Armenian-American organization based in Chicago and operating online and whose name means "family" in Armenian—is holding its first event, "Cher the Love for Artsakh." The event is a virtual drag show featuring 12 Armenian ...
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First U.S. exhibition of Greek 20th-century artist Yannis Tsarouchis: Dancing in Real Life May 7
--From a press release
(CHICAGO, IL — April 2, 2021) — Wrightwood 659 is pleased to host the first U.S. exhibition devoted to the work of Yannis Tsarouchis (1910—1989), widely regarded as one of the greatest Greek painters of the ...
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LGBTQ critics group holding awards event April 18
GALECA, The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics Association, along with Karel Media, will present the 2021 Dorian Film Awards on Sunday, April 18, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on digital cable TV network Revry. The ...
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MOVIES 'The Sound of Identity,' about trans opera star, out June 1
Winner of the 2020 Outshine Film Festival's prestigious Programmers Award of Excellence, The Sound of Identity is a feature documentary that Shout! Studios will present on digital and on demand June 1. Profiling international opera star ...
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Yvonne Zipter's historical novel 'Infraction' out June 1
The lesbian historical fiction work Infraction, by Chicagoan Yvonne Zipter, will be out June 1. The publisher is Rattling Good Yarns Press. Set in socially turbulent St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1875, the work follows Marya Zhukova, ...
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E3 Radio relaunches with new show hosted by Anna DeShawn
--From an www.e3radio.fm press release
In 2009, E3 Radio hosted its first show Htled "Anna DeShawn & the QCrew". This show had an epic 10 year run educaHng, empowering, and entertaining the Black Queer community of Chicago. During that decade Anna ...
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THEATER 'The Summer of Daisy Fay' out April 5
New American Folk Theatre (NAFT) is presenting The Summer of Daisy Fay—the inaugural production of NAFT's "season of audio theater" that features new recordings of three of the company's past productions. The one-woman show starring N ...
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Submissions from Black musical-theater writers sought for album
Broadway Records and Black Theatre Coalition (BTC) announced today the call for submissions for Black Writers Amplified, a new album consisting entirely of new works by Black musical-theater writers to be released in 2021. Black Writers ...
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MOVIES 'Mommie Dearest' to come out on Blu-ray on June 1
The cult-classic drama Mommie Dearest celebrates its 40th anniversary with a brand-new Blu-ray in the Paramount Presents line, debuting June 1, from Paramount Home Entertainment. Based on Christina Crawford's controversial ...
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Billy Masters
"A little prick is better than no prick at all."—Billy Masters. Yes, that's my new motto when it comes to getting the vaccine. If the promise of a prick of any size doesn't entice you … ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Batwoman,' Adam Lambert, 'Glee,' Janet Jackson, 'Genera+ion'
The character of Kate Kane is coming back to the CW series Batwoman—but Ruby Rose won't be, according to out.com. British actress Wallis Day is joining the cast as Kane, the same character Rose played, after ...
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ART 'Quantum Mirror' on Michigan Avenue through April 20
Get ready for an innovative, immersive experience. "Quantum Mirror," by artist Adrian Stein, is a 300-square-foot space in Artspace 8, on the third floor of 900 N. Michigan Ave. It will run through at least April ...
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MUSIC North Coast planning for Labor Day event at new spot
Organizers of the North Coast Music Festival announced that the event will tentatively take place Sept. 3-5 at a new venue: SeatGeek Stadium, in the Chicago suburb of Bridgeview. A press that Windy City Times received ...
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Victory Gardens names artists for Black Monologues, part of Black Beauty Fest
--From a Victory Gardens Theater press release
Chicago, IL— Victory Gardens Theater, in partnership with The Black Women's Expo and Black Owned Chicago, presents the 5th Edition of the Black Beauty Festival (BBF), April 10-11, 2021. Offered virtually for the first time, Black ...
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CHM to explore work of photographer Vivian Maier
The Chicago History Museum 1601 N. Clark St., is featuring a collection of many never-before-seen works by world-renowned photographer Vivian Maier in an upcoming exhibition, "Vivian Maier: In Color," opening to the public May 8. "The ...
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Season of Concern benefit with Dixie Longate through March 28
Dixie Longate—the fast-talking, gum chewing, ginger-haired Alabama drag personality—is headlining Dixie's Happy Hour as a benefit for Season of Concern Chicago. People are urged to spend an evening with Dixie ...
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Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscars party to be virtual on April 25
The 29th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) Academy Awards Pre-Party will be hosted by Emmy- and Tony-winning actor and New York Times best-selling author Neil Patrick Harris alongside Sir Elton John and David Furnish, with ...
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Billy Masters
"I always knew Frank would end up in bed with a boy."—Ava Gardner, when told Frank Sinatra had married Mia Farrow. Is this a rerun? A headline this week: "Grammy Ratings Hit All-Time Lows in Viewership ...
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SHOWBIZ Tamron Hall, 'Killing Eve,' speedskater, DJ dies, 'Pariah'
On the March 16 episode of Tamron Hall, Hall highlighted groundbreaking transgender trailblazers in Hollywood, a press release noted. Pose/American Horror Story actress and tech CEO Angelica Ross opened up about her difficult coming-out experience in ...
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Next virtual OUTspoken on April 6
The next OUTspoken storytelling event will take place Tuesday, April 6, starting at 7 p.m., on Zoom. Speakers will include a writer/storyteller, a teacher, a professional photographer and a caregiver. Joy Wright is a nominated Best-of-the-Net ...
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Steppenwolf to present reading of queer Muslim play on March 28
Steppenwolf Theatre Company's new play-development initiative, SCOUT, will present A Virtual Reading of Mosque4Mosque, by Omer Abbas Salem, on Sunday, March 28, at 2 p.m. The free reading follows a 30-hour workshop process directed by Arti ...
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Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre announces revised 2020-2021 season
--From a press release
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre is a multicultural company that creates new dance and music to explore strong personal narratives. We build partnerships across Chicagoland to engage a diverse audience: sparking ...
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National Museum of Mexican Art to show unity-themed short
The National Museum of Mexican Art (NMMA) is inviting the public to a virtual screening of the unity-themed, award-winning animated short "Color of Tomorrow" as part of its Storytellers 4 Unity Film Forum. The virtual screening ...
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k.d. lang to release dance-remix album 'makeover' on May 28
In celebration of Pride Month, Nonesuch Records is releasing k.d. lang's makeover—a new collection of classic dance remixes of some of her best-loved songs—on May 28. The album brings these remixes, made between 1992 and 2000, ...
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Laverne Cox to speak at Indiana University virtual event on April 9
Emmy-nominated actress and Indiana University (IU) alumna Laverne Cox will speak during a live virtual event at 8 p.m. on April 9 as part of "The Style of the State," a multidisciplinary IU symposium on art, ...
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ATTRACTIONS Museum of Science & Industry offers 'Marvel,' 'Zephyr,' 'Michael Jordan'
The Museum of Science and Industry (MSI), 5700 S. Lake Shore Dr., recently reopened to the public—and has some impressive exhibits to offer. They include: —Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes: Kids of all ages (and those ...
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Doc honors 89-year old lesbian-feminist icon Sally Gearhart, raises early $30,000
--From a press release
San Francisco, CA — The feature documentary "Sally" is a humorous, thought-provoking and inspiring American road-trip in search of iconic lesbian-feminist activist Sally Gearhart. Brilliant, charismatic, provocative and visionary, Sally ...
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EXPO CHICAGO announces galleries, programs for EXPO CHGO ONLINE April 8-12
CHICAGO—EXPO CHICAGO today announced the participating galleries and program schedule for EXPO CHGO ONLINE (April 8—12, 2021), a curated digital exposition of contemporary and modern art complemented by five days ...
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'Disappeared: Chicago's Lost Lesbian Bars' screening April 3
Gerber/Hart Library and Archives will present a virtual screening of the short documentary film Disappeared: Chicago's Lost Lesbian Bars, by Jacob Pieczynski. The event will take place Saturday, April 3, at 1 p.m. The screening will ...
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Pope Francis documentary 'Francesco' to debut March 26
Pope Francis—in the news lately because of the Catholic Church's stance that it cannot bless same-sex unions, adding that it is "not licit" to bless relationships that involve sexual activity outside of marriage—is the subject of ...
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Elliot Page makes cover of Time
Oscar-nominated transgender actor Elliot Page is on the latest cover of Time magazine—and he wants to be an advocate for others, NBC News reported. "My privilege has allowed me to have resources to get through and ...
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Ravinia plans to present live music this summer
Taking a step toward resuming pre-pandemic conditions, the Ravinia Festival announced that it plans to reopen in July for the 2021 summer season, presenting its signature mix of classical, popular, and chamber music programming. A press ...
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MOVIES Two versions of one woman: Billie Holiday
By Anthony Eaton
"There's no damn business like show business. You have to smile to keep from throwing up."—Billie Holiday Billie Holiday's life was complicated with great extremes and she lived it on her terms, and the now-Oscar-nominated Andra ...
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Oscar nods for Boseman, Davis; 'Mank' leads films with 10
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveiled its nominations March 15 morning for the 93rd Oscars, with Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas announcing. Netflix's Mank which led all movies with 10 nods, including ...
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Billy Masters
"We're raising him gay until he decides he's straight."—Jesse Tyler Ferguson tells Ellen DeGeneres how he and hubby Justin are raising their son. He added, "Justin and I were saying we can just tell he's gonna ...
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Women dominate 63rd Grammys
At this year's Grammys (which took place March 14), it was the year of the woman. The winners in the top four categories were Taylor Swift (album of the year, for Folklore), Billie Eilish (record of ...
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SHOWBIZ Oscars art, Billie Jean King, Billy Eichner, Randy Rainbow
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the campaign art for the 93rd Oscars, an ABC press release noted. The 2021 campaign illustrates this year's tagline, "Bring Your Movie Love," celebrating our global appreciation ...
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'The Great Chicago Quiz Show' to debut March 26
The Great Chicago Quiz Show will premiere Friday, March 26, at 8 p.m. on WTTW and at WTTW.com/quiz, where at-home viewers can play alongside contestants. In each of the four weekly 30-minute episodes, Geoffrey Baer puts ...
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Chicago Fringe Opera announces the spring half of the 2020-2021 season
--From a press release
Chicago Fringe Opera (CFO), called Chicago's "alt-opera company" (John von Rhein, Chicago Tribune), announces the spring portion of its seventh season. Built within the parameters of our global pandemic, the ...
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Webinar to spotlight secret gay life of culinary giant James Beard May 5
--From a press release
James Beard, who changed how Americans eat, is spotlighted on May 5 with an entertaining live webinar by Food Network star Ted Allen, and author John Birdsall. In the Kitchen Closet takes place May 5 at ...
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POETRY E'mon Lauren Black talks queerness,
podcast, Black mobility
Even though she's only in her early 20s, E'mon Lauren Black has accomplished so much. Not only was Black named Chicago's first youth poet laureate in 2016 (an honor from Young Chicago Authors, in partnership with ...
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Del LaGrace Volcano exhibit at Center on Halsted through end of April
An exhibit featuring the works of genderqueer artist Del LaGrace Volcano will be displayed at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., until Sunday, March 28. Volcano (they/them) has created images that defy gender norms and ...
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Poetry = Life
"Writing these poems kept me alive." That sentence was spoken decades ago by Paul Monette about his book, Love Alone, Eighteen Elegies for Rog, which was published in 1986. Rog was Roger Hurwitz, Monette's partner who ...
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Billy Masters
"First gay man to go to space? I certainly can relate to that dream!"—George Takei applauded the efforts of New York-based astrophotographer Jon Carmichael. He added, "Jon's story is truly inspired. To my LGBTQs and allies, ...
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LGBTQ members of Lyric Opera of Chicago's Ryan Opera Center perform online
Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Lyric Opera of Chicago was forced to scrap its season of live performances in favor of filmed online concerts. And in many of those presentations, the featured performers were ...
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SHOWBIZ 'The World to Come' film, Dan Reynolds, Broadway, Green Lantern
The lesbian-themed film The World to Come is available to buy or rent, a press release noted. In this 19th-century romance (from Bleeker Street) that's set in the Northeast, Abigail (played by Katherine Waterston), a farmer's ...
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Author Rick Karlin speaks about Chicago memoir and local LGBTQ press
Author Rick Karlin was recently interviewed about his 2019 memoir, Paper Cuts, in a online discussion sponsored by Gerber-Hart Library and Archive. Karlin was interviewed by author and historian Owen Keehnen. They opened with a summary ...
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TELEVISION
'Pose' to end after season three
The FX show Pose—the groundbreaking series focused on New York City's African-American and Latino LGBTQ+ drag ball culture scene in the 1980s and ‘90s—will end after its third season, Deadline reported. ...
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Music Box to run Pedro Almodovar films starting March 12
On Friday, March 12, Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., and Sony Pictures Classics will present Pedro Almodovar's critically acclaimed English-language debut, the short film The Human Voice, starring Tilda Swinton and freely based on ...
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Sisters in Cinema brings back Learn & Earn Program: Sisters in Cinema Newsroom
--From a press release
CHICAGO, IL- Sisters in Cinema, a Chicago-based 501 (c)3 recently in the news for breaking ground on their new Media Arts Center, is proud to announce the return of their Sisters in Cinema Newsroom Program, and ...
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Awards season kicks off with 2021 Golden Globes
The 78th Annual Golden Globes Awards were distributed Feb. 28 in a quasi-virtual event hosted by performers Tina Fey at the Rainbow Room in New York City and Amy Poehler at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly ...
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Billy Masters
"Bridgerton is like a guilty pleasure, but it's like if The CW decided to go the route of Masterpiece Theatre."—Nathan Lane during a recent appearance on "Virtual Halston" with the divine Julie Halston. When does "no ...
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MOVIES Director Ali LeRoi on his LGBT time-loop film
'The Obituary of Tunde Johnson'
The Obituary of Tunde Johnson is a movie with some familiar elements—but they're used to make a novel film. The movie uses the time-loop element that's probably most popular in the film Groundhog Day. However, director ...
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SHOWBIZ Leslie Jordan, Zendaya, 'Handmaid's Tale,' Hulu, Chaka Khan
Emmy winner and viral sensation Leslie Jordan announced his debut album. Company's Comin', will drop April 2 via Platoon, a press release noted. Inspired by his weekly "Sunday Mornin' Hymn Singin'" live stream, the album has ...
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Spots revealed for Chicago Restaurant Week 2021
The venues participating in Chicago Restaurant Week (March 19-April 4) have been revealed. This year's participants include a range of restaurants throughout Chicagoland offering specially priced, prix fixe menus for ...
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DANCE Hubbard Street season to resume with 'In Any Event'
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's (HSDC's) 43rd season will resume Thursday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m. with a virtual world premiere of new work by choreographer and former HSDC dancer Penny Saunders. The piece will also be ...
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Chicago Gay Men's Chorus' 'Diva Dracula' in March
Chicago Gay Men's Chorus (CGMC) will present a virtual production of "Lipstick & Lyrics: Diva Dracula," on March 6, 12 and 13 at 8 p.m. CT. Featuring 15 drag performers, Diva Dracula embarks on a journey ...
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