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Three films score 10 nods each in Chicago Film Critics Association's 2023 Awards
--From a press release
Chicago, IL (December 8, 2023) — The Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA) announced nominees for their top film honors of 2023; winners will be announced at the organization's annual awards ceremony to be held in Chicago ...
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SHOWBIZ Former Disney star, women's sports, Latifah, Lenny Kravitz, 'Barbie'
Videos below
In an essay about mental health that ran in Teen Vogue, former Disney star Karan Brar came out as bisexual, Out noted. In the essay, Brar talked about moving out of his parents' place —something that ...
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Chicago author's new guide leads lesbian fiction authors toward inspiration and publication
From a press release: Award-winning and bestselling lesbian fiction author Elizabeth Andre—the pen name for a Chicago-based interracial lesbian couple—has published her latest book, titled Self-Publishing Lesbian Fiction, Write Your ...
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Trans actress, gay actors, 'Kokomo City' receive Spirit Award nominations
The nominations for the 39th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards have been announced—and LGBTQ+ actors, directors and productions definitely made their mark. Trans actress Trace Lysette was announced as one of the nominees for Best Lead ...
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MOVIES Rick Cosnett chats about 'Shoulder Dance,' Molly and Jason Momoa
In the new movie Shoulder Dance, which is out on streaming, friends Ira (played by out actor Matt Dallas, looking and sounding quite different than from his days on TV's Kyle XY) and Roger (played by ...
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New doc brings home that 'We Live Here' and everywhere
The new Hulu documentary We Live Here: The Midwest highlights the challenges faced in recent times by LGBTQ+ residents of the Midwest, giving voice to a wide representation of people struggling to simply live their lives ...
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MOVIES Director Daniel Peddle on the sequel to the classic doc 'The Aggressives'
In 2005, Daniel Peddle released The Aggressives—a groundbreaking documentary filmed during the late '90s and early '00s in New York City that profiled several masculine-presenting/transmasculine people of color. Fast-forward to ...
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Billy Masters: The icing on the cake at a gender-reveal party
"To hell with this place!"—George Santos's parting comments after being ejected from Congress. He also said that Congress "is full of felons galore." At least, that's what I think he said. With his lisp, it sounded ...
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THEATER Nelson Rodriguez talks boxing, queerness and his very personal play
On Saturday, Dec. 9 at the Chicago Cultural Center, there will be a reading of New Personalidad—a play by actor, playwright and former Windy City Times 30 Under 30 honoree Nelson Rodriguez. The program, part of ...
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May December film blossoms on Netflix
The Netflix feature film May December, directed by Todd Haynes, takes the craft of character study to a whole new level. The plot is inspired by the true story of Mary Kay Letourneau, an elementary school ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Bodyshop,' Beyonce, Ani DiFranco, Billie Jean King
The Breaking Glass Pictures film Bodyshop will be out on digital on Dec. 5, per a press release. The plot is described thusly: "The ghost of a young soldier sexually assaulted by his lieutenant says goodbye ...
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Billy Masters: The Dolly Cowboy Cheerleaders
Whoever intended to dumb down the citizens of America have done a FANTASTIC job. We are dumb as shit!"—Patti LuPone in an interview with broadcaster Tom Power prior to her touring show Don't Monkey with Broadway ...
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'Sleeping with Beauty' serves up naughty holiday laughs
Seasonal British pantomimes have been securing the talents of such known performers as Henry Winkler, George Takei and Sir Ian McKellen for decades now. This inventive recounting of fairy tales, utilizing popular song, comedy and rowdy ...
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Jerry Mitchell bops into Boop!
Director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell is bringing black-and-white Boop! The Betty Boop Musical into a world of color at the CIBC Theatre this winter. It's a pre-Broadway world premiere for the musical starring Jasmine Amy Rogers ...
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Hell in a Handbag to present 'Peep Show: The Handbag 2023 Benefit'on Dec. 10
--From a press release
CHICAGO—Hell in a Handbag Productions will present its 2023 benefit: Peep Show—a peep through the curtains at the company's 2024 season—on Sunday, Dec. 10, 11:30 a.m. — 3:30 p.m. at The Center on Halsted's The Hoover-Leppen ...
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SHOWBIZ Billy Porter, queer novel, 'Tammy Faye,' queer DJ, Bella Ramsey
Billy Porter released his long-awaited new album, Black Mona Lisa, via Island Records UK/Republic Records, and it's executive-produced by Justin Tranter, a press release noted. Porter said, "So many of the songs on my album have ...
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Sarah Siddons to produce 'Noor Inayat Khan: The Forgotten Spy'
In a first for the 71-year-old Sarah Siddons Society, it will produce a one-night performance of Noor Inayat Khan: The Forgotten Spy—a new one-woman play written and performed by Almanya Narula, a 2016 Siddons Scholarship recipient ...
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Disney exhibition chronicles a century of entertainment history
Disney100, a large-scale traveling exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company, has opened at the Exhibition Hub Art Center, 2367 W. Logan Blvd., in Bucktown. Hundreds of props and artifacts from the company's ...
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Photographer Irene Young launches book with stellar concerts
"Something About the Women" was appropriately the closing song for two sold-out, stellar concerts at Berkeley's Freight & Salvage November 19, in celebration of the new book of the same name by Irene Young, the legendary ...
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Billy Masters: Was Kim Kardashian officiating your wedding worth it?
I'd hoped to never again type the word "Jada" again. But this week, it's inevitable. It is being alleged that actor Duane Martin (don't feel bad—I had to look him up as well) slept with Will ...
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SHOWBIZ Music awards, military film, Tom of Finland, Yo-Yo Ma, 'Harley Quinn'
Video below
Brothers Osborne—a duo that includes gay brother TJ Osborne—won Vocal Duo of the Year for the sixth time at the recent CMA Awards, per a media release. Backstage, TJ told reporters, "I did not expect us ...
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THEATER Queer actor Chloe Baldwin talks 'POTUS,' identity and Shakespeare
In the Steppenwolf farce POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, queer actor Chloe Baldwin portrays the president's mistress Dusty, acting alongside a formidable group that includes Caroline Neff ...
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'Jersey Boys' stars reunite as Midtown Men on Dec. 2 in Glen Ellyn
The original stars of the Broadway hit Jersey Boys—Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and J. Robert Spencer—will reunite as Midtown Men on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m. at McAninch Arts Center's Belushi Performance Hall ...
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Billy Masters: The times Streisand failed to make a splash
"Fame is a hollow trophy. No matter who you are, you can only eat one pastrami sandwich at a time."—Wise words from Barbra Streisand. You all know that Barbra Streisand's book is out. And I ...
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Hell in a Handbag Productions presents world premiere of The Golden Girls Save Xmas, A Lost Episodes Parody
--From a press release
CHICAGO (November 10, 2023) — Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to kick off its 2023/24 season this November with The Golden Girls Save Xmas — A Lost Episodes Parody, featuring an all-new holiday tale ...
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SHOWBIZ Kaytranada, NFL star, Alexandra Billings, video game, George Michael
Out Montreal DJ/producer Kaytranada teased his latest single, "Out of Luck," with Mariah the Scientist, on Twitter, Complex noted. "THIS IS THE ANTHEM!" Kaytra wrote in his quote-tweet of the song playing at a release party. ...
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Charles Busch dishes on life as a storyteller
Performer/writer Charles Busch, who recently penned his autobiography, Leading Lady: A Memoir of a Most Unusual Boy, said that collecting his most precious and salient memories in a book felt "inevitable." "Storytelling is such an essential ...
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Billy Masters: Barbra's bio hits stores...but don't rain on Cher's parade either
"I will be forced to be in a position where I will have to openly say how I feel about the film and go against you, my mother and this film publicly."—Lisa Marie Presley's e-mail to director Sofia Coppola after reading ...
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Jeremy Jordan adds third show to Steppenwolf run
Steppenwolf Theatre announced that Broadway star Jeremy Jordan has added a third performance to his much-anticipated Chicago debut this winter. After completely selling out two previously announced performances on Saturday ...
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WTTW doc chronicles the activism of Danny Sotomayor
Practically everything the late Chicago AIDS activist Danny Sotomayor did was "a fight." So says fellow activist Victor Salvo in the new WTTW documentary The Outrage of Danny Sotomayor, which is part of the station's Chicago ...
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SHOWBIZ Allen Ginsberg, film series, Galantis, Patricia Velasquez, queer pianist
The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg is now available via streaming and a two-DVD set, per a press release. For 25 years, Oscar-nominated director Jerry Aronson accumulated more than 60 hours of film on Ginsberg, ...
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Chicago Gay Men's Chorus celebrates 40 years of holiday music in 'The Big 4-0, ho, ho'
--From a press release
CHICAGO, November 1, 2023 — Chicago Gay Men's Chorus celebrates its 40th Anniversary with The Big 4-0, ho, ho!, a celebration of CGMC's holiday favorites over the last 40 years. Featuring festive arrangements from current Artistic ...
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THEATER 'This Bitter Earth' tackles both political and personal commitments
I have more decades behind me than before me. Thus, my history comes at me in timeless waves. An event from 1986 will often assail my mind while one from last year follows, dreamily, behind it. ...
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Billy Masters: Britney spills the tea
"Brad Pitt, I think, in 'Troy'. That's a beautiful man. There's no denying it."—Jacob Elordi tells Jimmy Fallon his first celebrity crush. (If you can't place Jacob, you'll soon see him playing Elvis Presley in Sofia ...
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In Praise of Sondheim: Theo dedicates the rest of its season to a legendary composer
Evanston’s Theo theater company didn't originally set out to devote the majority of its 2023-24 season to the late gay composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. But then the company's artistic leadership saw a creative Sondheim offer ...
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CABARET Karen Mason celebrating Davenport's 25th anniversary on Nov. 10-12
On Nov. 10-12, award-winning vocalist, Broadway star, actress and recording artist Karen Mason will return in concert to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Chicago cabaret venue Davenport's, 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave. Mason was the first performer ...
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Chicago International Film Festival rolls into the Windy City once again
The 59th Chicago International Film Festival raced into various theaters across the Windy City from Oct. 11-22. The commute to many of the screenings changed this year with AMC River East's poorly timed construction conflict forcing ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Queer Eye,' queer films, 'Gen V,' Christian musicians, soap actor
Video below
The original cast of the groundbreaking TV show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy will reunite after 20 years, per a press release. Carson Kressley, Thom Filicia, Ted Allen, Kyan Douglas and Jai Rodriguez are coming ...
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About Face Theatre's 29th Season opens with LGBTQ+ theatre stars in a three-week queer theatre workshop
--From a press release
CHICAGO (October 26, 2023) — About Face Theatre's Re/Generation Studio workshop series returns to kick off the company's 2023-2024 season from November 30 through December 16, 2023 at The Den Theatre. Re/Generation Studio will includ ...
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Sean Fader memorializes LGBTQ+ history with Insufficient Memory
One of artist Sean Fader's recent projects project may be named Insufficient Memory, but his crucial work in memorializing LGBTQ+ history will hopefully never fade over time. In 2018, Fader—A New York City and New Orleans-based ...
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Broadway's Andy Mientus lugs his Jug-Band to Chicago for the holidays
Prepare to reconnect with your inner child through puppetry this holiday season with Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas. Puppets will play onstage Nov. 15-Dec. 31 at the historic Fine Arts Building, 410 South Michigan Ave., ...
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Former 'Bachelorette' contestant Josh Seiter talks bisexuality, mental health
t's safe to say that 2023 is probably one of the most pivotal years in Josh Seiter's life. During the summer, Seiter—a former Bachelorette contestant who's also a Chicago resident, Chicago-Kent College of Law grad, mental-health ...
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Billy Masters: Madonna sets her watch to Diva Time
"It is truly obscene what they're charging for tickets to 'Merrily We Roll Along' on Broadway. $500 to $800. PLUS—$40 a ticket 'handling charge.'"—Kevin Chamberlin voices his outrage at the price of Broadway tickets. Imag ...
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Chicago International Film Festival winners announced; 'Monster' takes LGBTQ+ competition
--From a press release
Chicago—The Chicago International Film Festival today announced this year's winning films at North America's longest-running competitive film festival's 59th edition, running October 11 - 22, 2023. This year, 46 films ...
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'Creepcast' creators discuss their spooky new season
Longtime theater buddies Sylas Dean and the monomynous Stew have hit gold with CreepTime the Podcast, their very fun, very informative look at often unacknowledged stories involving true crime. Loyal fans, known as Creepers, tune in ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Shucked,' Melissa Etheridge, 'Elite,' composer dies, Orville Peck
The Broadway production Shucked has set a closing date of Jan. 14, 2024 at the Nederlander Theatre, Playbill noted. At closing, the Tony-nominated musical will have played 28 previews and 327 regular performances. A North American ...
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THEATER Oct. 20-21 production to focus on beginnings of house music
A new production about house music will run Oct. 20-21 in Chicago. "In the Beginning There Was House"—inspired by the life and work of the late Chicago house-music legend Frankie Knuckles—is a new work from Steven ...
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Billy Masters: I remember Momma
"If Trick were made today, I'd not have been cast in it. I consider myself lucky to have been part of this beautiful film." —Christian Campbell discusses his role in the 1999 classic, which ultimately defined ...
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Billy Porter to release 'Black Mona Lisa' on Nov. 17
Billy Porter will release his long-awaited new album, Black Mona Lisa, via Island UK/Republic Records on Nov. 17. Justin Tranter, also a member of the LGBTQ+ community, is the album's executive producer. Black Mona Lisa contains ...
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SHOWBIZ Holiday TV movies, GLAAD concert, Janet Jackson, muscle-fem singer
Hallmark has revealed its full slate of holiday movies—and there are more than 40 films, Entertainment Weekly noted. Among the movie's stars are Lacey Chabert, Jonathan Bennett, Luke Macfarlane, Phylicia Rashad, Nikki DeLoach, Andrew Walker and ...
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Trans pop star Kim Petras to perform in Chicago on Oct. 18
Grammy-winning, international trans pop sensation Kim Petras will bring her larger-than-life live show to Chicago at the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., on Wed., Oct. 18, as part of her Feed The Beast ...
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Art Institute to show 'Picasso: Drawing from Life' starting Nov. 11
The Art Institute of Chicago announced that "Picasso: Drawing from Life" will be on view from Nov. 11, 2023 through April 8, 2024. This year marks 50 years since the death of Spanish artist Pablo Picasso ...
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BILLY MASTERS: Vegas, Cher and Kathy Griffin
"It's been a challenge just because, honestly, my son being gay.…it was unknown for me. I think a lot of people are afraid of the unknown, whereas I'm not. To me, it's intriguing. And I want ...
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MUSIC Sufjan Stevens dedicates new album to late partner
The usually private singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens posted an Instagram message dedicating his new album Javelin, out Oct. 6, to his late partner Evans Richardson, Deadline noted. Richardson was the chief of staff of the Studio Museum ...
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Choose Chicago, City of Chicago announce start of 'Theater Season'
--From a press release
Chicago, IL (Oct. 5, 2023) — Mayor Brandon Johnson, Choose Chicago and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the launch of Theater Season, a new campaign to promote local ...
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SHOWBIZ 'True Detective,' Rock & Roll HoF, Sheryl Lee Ralph, RuPaul, Outfest
Video below
The six-episode HBO Original drama series True Detective: Night Country—starring Oscar-winning and Emmy-nominated Jodie Foster and Kali Reis, with Finn Bennett, Fiona Shaw, Christopher Eccleston, Isabella Star LaBlanc and John ...
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10th Annual Black Alphabet Film Festival to take place Oct. 13-15
The 10th Annual Black Alphabet Film Festival (BAFF) will take place Oct. 13-15 in Chicago. One of the longest running Black LGBTQ+/SGL film festivals in the world, this year's event includes more than 15 free film ...
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Glessner House to present A Theater in the Dark's staged reading of The White City
--From a press release. Video below
Immersive staged reading of WHITE CITY - a theatrical thriller surrounding the notorious Chicago serial killer H. H. Holmes, who is said to have murdered more than 20 people during the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893. ...
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Chicago International Film Festival to open with Chicago-style block party Oct. 11
--From a press release
CHICAGO, Illinois (Oct. 4, 2023) - The Chicago International Film Festival today announced details of this year's ChiFilmFest Opening Night Block Party, to be held Wednesday October 11, 2023 from 5 - 10 p.m. all along ...
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55th anniversary Jeff Awards for Equity theaters announced
--From a press release
(October 2, 2023 — CHICAGO) — At the 55th anniversary celebration of Equity theater excellence, the Jeff Awards recognized 46 award recipients selected from among 214 theater artist nominees across ...
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Beyonce concert film 'Renaissance' debuting Dec. 1
Media outlets have reported that the theatrical release date for Renaissance: A Film By Beyonce—a movie chronicling the superstar's most recent world tour—is Dec. 1. Advance tickets are already available for sale on major theater chains ...
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Billy Masters: Cher (allegedly) goes on the offensive
"Let's face it, Ron—if the campaign was going well, you wouldn't be on this show." —Bill Maher to Ron DeSantis on Real Time with Bill Maher I don't know what to make of this story about ...
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OPERA REVIEW Lyric's new season at full-sail with debuting 'Dutchman' production
Lyric Opera of Chicago is off to a flying start with its new-to-Chicago production of Richard Wagner's The Flying Dutchman. Magnificent performances by the leads and chorus—not to mention masterful work by Lyric's orchestra, conducted by ...
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THEATER REVIEW 'Little Voice' showcases big talents
The Gift Theatre at Filament Theatre, 4041 N. Milwaukee Through Oct. 15 thegifttheatre.org � I kept thinking of Walter, one of the regulars at (late, lamented) Bucks Saloon, when watching The Gift Theatre's current production of ...
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MUSIC Former 'Idol' finalist Jim Verraros on his new song, Chicago and Kelly Clarkson
Jim Verraros, the first openly gay top 10 finalist from American Idol (from the show's very first season in 2002, which Kelly Clarkson won) is back on the music scene with his first song in 12 ...
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SHOWBIZ Outfest, Halo, 'Sex Education,' trans singer, 'Doctor Who'
Outfest announced that it will honor Oscar winner Shirley MacLaine with the James Schamus Ally Award and trans actress Trace Lysette with the Trailblazer Award at the 2023 Legacy Awards presented by Genesis Motor America, per ...
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Chicago Parks celebrates Queers in Gospel Music with Concert
As part of its summer Night Out in the Parks series, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs presented Shout Out: A Tribute Concert to Queers in Sacred and Gospel Music. The event which took place on ...
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DANCE Deeply Rooted performing Nov. 3 at the Auditorium Theatre
The Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr., is presenting Deeply Rooted Dance Theater—a Chicago-based contemporary dance company rooted in traditions of American and African-American dance—in a one-night-only performance ...
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Billy Masters: Boebert's Beetlejuice bachanalia
"God, here I am...closer to the gutter than ever!" —John Waters quipping at the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It bears mentioning that he was fÀ�ted by his former muses Ricki ...
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Teatro Zinzanni returning to Cambria Hotel on Oct. 5
Teatro ZinZanni is returning to the Chicago Loop—tucked inside a mirrored spiegeltent within the 14th floor of the Cambria Hotel, 32 W. Randolph St. The cast features returning fan favorites including Duo 19, a dynamic trapeze ...
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Reeling Film Festival chooses Family first for opening night
Reeling: The 41st Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival kicked off a night of festivities with its first feature The Mattachine Family at Music Box Theatre on Sept. 9. One of the longest-running film festivals in the ...
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THEATER Mosaic Players revives 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche
Are suburban Illinois and Wisconsin towns ready to welcome 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche into their churches, synagogues and community colleges? The artists of a Lake County theater company certainly think so. "I was very pleasantly ...
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Organizers found the Cure for the Riot (Fest) in Douglass Park
Picture it: Chicago, 2023. There were punk rockers, some in their golden years, attending Riot Fest in Douglass Park on Sept. 15, 16 and 17. Split between South Albany and South California Avenues, along West Ogden ...
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Reeling premieres a queer coming of age story told through a Southern Gothic lens
Ganymede, a Southern Gothic horror film that explores a teenager's experiences as he discovers his sexuality, will premieres Sept. 23 as part of the 41st Reeling Film Festival. The film, according to Chicago filmmakers Colby Holt ...
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SHOWBIZ John Waters, Madonna, Miriam Margoyles, Angelica Ross, 'Cassandro'
Openly gay film director John Waters (Pink Flamingos, Serial Mom, Cry-Baby) received his star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, The Hollywood Reporter noted. (Actors Ricki Lake and Mink Stole as well as photographer Greg Gorman were ...
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