| |
MUSIC Janet Jackson to release deluxe edition of 'The Velvet Rope'
Five-time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Janet Jackson will release a new deluxe edition of her sixth full-length album, The Velvet Rope, on Friday, Oct. 7—the 25th anniversary of the original ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ Hallmark film, Oprah, Janelle Monae, 'Dahmer,' Met Gala
As a part of its "Countdown to Christmas" event, Hallmark Channel announced its first holiday movie that focuses on a gay romance, according to Out. The Holiday Sitter will be released on Sunday, Dec. 11, on ...
|
|
| |
| |
World Music Festival Chicago Sept. 30-Oct. 9
World Music Festival Chicago will return Friday, Sept. 30-Sunday, Oct. 9 in venues across the city. The festival returns with 34 bands (including three DJs) representing 22 countries and spotlighting 10 local music groups. Now in ...
|
| |
| |
MUSIC Jessie Mueller and Seth Rudetsky at Steppenwolf on Jan. 14, 2023
On Jan. 14, 2023 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theater, 1650 N. Halsted St., Steppenwolf Theatre and Mark Cortale will present Tony winner Jessie Mueller (Beautiful; Waitress) for a hometown concert, hosted and music directed by Sirius XM ...
|
| |
| |
EVENTS Fahrenheit heats things in the cool autumn
In the early throes of autumn, the LGBTQ+ organizational development service Lord, Rustin, and Bates Inc. presented part one of the yearly Fahrenheit Humanities Festival at Haven, an entertainment and performance space at 932 E. 43rd ...
|
| |
| |
Billy Masters
"I just heard about Leonardo DiCaprio's 25-year rule. His loss. You don't know what you're missing."—Dionne Warwick tweeted her disdain over reports that DiCaprio does not date anyone over 25. Where were you during Queen Elizabeth ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ Cardi B, Sam Smith, 'Wednesday' series, Sean Hayes, Serena
Video below
Cardi B clapped back at someone on Twitter who declared her a celebrity who "came out as bisexual but never dated someone of the same gender," per Out Magazine. The tweet,—featuring pictures of Cardi, Grimes, Lady ...
|
| |
| |
MUSIC Cabaret singer Jeff Harnar talks Sondheim, coming out
Jeff Harnar wasn't born in Chicago, but he will tell you first-hand that it is his home. Having spent his formative years in this city, Harnar discovered a passion for musical theater. Decades later, he has ...
|
| |
| |
MUSIC 'A Boy Band Christmas' coming to Hard Rock Live on Dec. 18
A Boy Band Christmas is coming to Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana's Hard Rock Live venue in Gary, Indiana on Sunday, Dec. 18. Doors open at 6 p.m. The event will feature Jeff Timmons, Drew Lachey ...
|
| |
| |
Artemis Singers to present 'Samhain - Encounters through the Veil' Oct. 29
-- From a press release
CHICAGO─Artemis Singers, www.artemissingers.org, Chicago's lesbian feminist chorus, will present a unique, timely concert, "Samhain - Encounters through the Veil," about the time of year when we reflect on those who have gone before and honor t ...
|
|
| |
| |
Riot Fest heats up (through music and controversy) in 2022
For three days, Riot Fest took rock and roll fans on a rollercoaster of a ride in Douglass Park. Located in Chicago's North Lawndale community area at 1401 S. Sacramento Dr., this loud outdoor celebration of ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ 'Watermelon Woman,' 'Dragula,' Indigo Girls, 'Dahmer' series
Video below
Cheryl Dunye shared a photo on Facebook confirming that her 1996 groundbreaking lesbian-themed film Watermelon Woman is now officially part of the National Film Registry Library. According to the library's website, some of the other movies ...
|
| |
| |
THEATER 'Cabaret' at Metropolis through Oct. 22
Musical Broadway classic and hit film Cabaret re-creates the decadent and complicated world of 1929 Berlin at the Arlington Heights venue Metropolis Performing Arts Centre through Oct. 22. Cabaret is Kander and Ebb's legendary musical masterpiece ...
|
| |
| |
Park district pushing change as criticisms of Chicago music festivals increase
As criticism increases over the use of public parks for large-scale events put on by private companies, leaders at the Chicago Park District are moving to change their code to mandate a board vote to sign ...
|
| |
| |
MUSIC Raue Center to host ABBA tribute on Oct. 15
Raue Center for the Arts will welcome "Mania: The Abba Tribute," from London's West End, to downtown Crystal Lake at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15. "Mania" takes audiences back in time by recreating one of ...
|
| |
| |
Elton John's 'last' U.S. show to air Nov. 20 on Disney+
The show being promoted as Sir Elton John's "last" U.S. concert—a Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour gig at Los Angeles' Dodger Stadium—will livestream on Disney+ on Nov. 20, Rolling Stone reported. The streaming service officially announce ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ Religion movie, Laverne Cox, 'Will & Grace,' Jeopardy!, Elton John
The LGBTQ+ film Wonderfully Made—LGBTQ+R(eligion) will have its New York premiere at the Woodstock Film Festival on Thursday, Sept. 29, following its world premiere at Out in Film in Atlanta on Saturday, Sept. 24, per a ...
|
| |
| |
Chicago House Music Festival to showcase national and local talent Sept. 15 - 18
-- From a press release
CHICAGO—Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced today the full lineup and expanded dates for the annual Chicago House Music Festival and ...
|
| |
| |
Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, 'Carrie 2' part of Venus Cabaret Theater's fall programming
-- From a press release
Chicago, IL — Venus Cabaret Theater, the intimate performance space at Mercury Theater Chicago, under the director of Cabaret Director Honey West, Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter, Managing Director Kristi ...
|
| |
| |
George Michael is the focus of the new film 'Portrait of an Artist'
On Christmas Day 2016, the world awoke to shocking news. George Michael, one of music's brightest stars since the 1980s, had died suddenly in his sleep at age 53. So many were left reeling—people who felt ...
|
|
| |
| |
Ricky Martin sues 'maladjusted' nephew for $20 million [UPDATE]
Actor/singer/author Ricky Martin has filed a $20-million lawsuit against the nephew who accused him of sexual abuse, Deadline reported. "The reckless, malicious and culpable actions by Defendant Sanchez were motivated by the desire to expose Plaintiff ...
|
| |
| |
Black Excellence Award nominations announced; gala on Nov. 14
-- From a press release
Chicago—The Board of Directors of the African American Arts Alliance (AAAA), and the Black Excellence Awards Committee announce the nominations for the 22nd Annual Black Excellence ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ Lady Gaga, VMAs, Emmys, daytime soap, anti-trans comments
Lady Gaga might perform a virtual concert on the popular online video game Fortnite sometime soon, according to Out Magazine, citing Kotaku. In a previous press release by Fortnite developer Epic Games, the studio announced that ...
|
| |
| |
MUSIC KOKUMO talks about moving to New York City, other endeavors
The multifaceted artist KOKUMO, The Queen of Queer Soul has recently released a new album, Wildflowa': Da' Prelude Ta' Freedom Mixtape, featuring 16 tracks focusing on traumatology, Afro-Elysium and other ...
|
| |
| |
MUSIC Limited-edition box set of George Michael's 'Older' out Sept. 16
Sony Music announced that a deluxe, limited-edition box set of George Michael's album Older will be out Sept. 16. Originally released in the United Kingdom on May 13, 1996, through Virgin Records, Older reached the pinnacle ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ 'Umbrella Academy,' HBO Max, Patti LaBelle, Richard Simmons
The Umbrella Academy has been renewed for a fourth—and last—season at Netflix, Variety noted. Cast members Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, David Castaneda, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Robert Sheehan, Aidan Gallagher, Justin H. Min, Ritu Arya and Colm Feore ...
|
| |
| |
Windy City Performing Arts welcomes Dr. Eric Esparza back as interim conductor
-- From a press release
CHICAGO - Windy City Performing Arts is announcing that Dr. Eric Esparza will be stepping into the position of Interim Conductor for the Windy City Gay Chorus and Windy City Treble Quire this upcoming season. Esparza ...
|
| |
| |
MUSIC Chicago Philharmonic to perform 'Ghostbusters' on Oct. 8
The Chicago Philharmonic Society and the Auditorium Theatre will present "Ghostbusters Live in Concert" on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 7:30 p.m. at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E Ida B Wells Dr. The full Ghostbusters film will ...
|
| |
| |
Kelly Clarkson's 'Kellyoke' at Navy Pier on Aug. 27
The Kelly Clarkson Show is bringing its "Kellyoke" segments to fans in Chicago at Navy Pier at 12-7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27. ...
|
| |
| |
Music of the Baroque opens 2022-2023 season with Handel's 'Jephtha' Sept. 18-19
-- From a press release
CHICAGO - Music of the Baroque officially opens its 2022-23 season with Handel's "Jephtha" on Sept. 18-19. The season marks the 20th anniversary of the appointments of Music Director Dame Jane Glover and Principal Guest Conductor ...
|
|
| |
| |
Ruido Fest celebrates fifth year
The popular outdoor music fair known as Ruido Fest returned to Chicago for the fifth time on Aug. 19-21 at Chicago's Union Park. Inspired by Spanish words describing noise and sound, this outdoor gathering highlights Latin ...
|
| |
| |
MUSIC Mavis Staples added to Symphony Center's 2022-23 programming
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA) announced that legendary Grammy winner and soul, gospel and R&B artist Mavis Staples will return to Orchestra Hall for a Symphony Center Presents concert on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, at ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ Ariana DeBose, trans child model, 'Take Me Out,' 'Feud'
Video below
Prime Video and Blumhouse Television announced the upcoming psychological thriller House of Spoils, starring queer Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose, per a press release. The film (directed by Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy from their ...
|
| |
| |
Queer Chicago rapper Psalm One to perform Aug. 19 at Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest
Psalm One—a queer rapper from Chicago—will take the stage at the annual Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest on Friday, Aug. 19, at 8:15 p.m. "I'm really, really excited to perform," she told Windy City Times. "I'm nervous, ...
|
| |
| |
Taste of Greektown festival returns to Chicago Aug. 26-28
-- From a press release
CHICAGO—Greektown Chicago's Taste of Greektown festival returns for its 32nd year this summer with the city's largest celebration of Hellenic cuisine and culture on Friday-Sunday, Aug. 26-28 along Halsted Street from Adams to Van Buren. The ...
|
| |
| |
Chicago trans rapper Lila Star releases new song
Video below
Chicago trans rapper Lila Star (most known for her guest vocals on Shea Coulee's 2017 single "Cocky") has released the music video for her latest single, "Sex Appeal," which may strike some as a tribute to ...
|
| |
| |
THEATER Kokandy's 'Sweeney Todd' running Sept. 8-Nov. 6
Kokandy Productions will continue its 10th-anniversary season with a revival of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street that will run Sept. 8-Nov. 6. The production will feature music and lyrics by Sondheim, ...
|
| |
| |
Market Days marks 40 years
The Northalsted Market Days street festival returned to the Halsted Street area for its 40th anniversary on Aug. 6 -7. Running from Belmont Avenue to Addison Street, a $15 suggested donation greeted attendees as they entered ...
|
| |
| |
PASSAGES Singer/actress Olivia Newton-John dead at 73
Olivia Newton-John—the Australian singer who charmed generations of viewers in the 1978 blockbuster movie Grease and had such music hits as "Physical," with both garnering many LGBTQ+ fans—died Aug. 8 at age 73, according to media ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ Jane Lynch, Dwayne Johnson, 'Star Trek,' Beyonce, Shea Coulee
NBC has renewed the Jane Lynch-hosted game show Weakest Link for a third season, Variety noted. Season three will run for 20 episodes. The series is based on a British format distributed by BBC Studios that ...
|
| |
| |
Lollapalooza lit up with LGBTQ+ acts in 2022
The annual outdoor festival Lollapalooza ran July 28-31 in Chicago, displaying a wide spectrum of talent—including many LGBTQ+ acts—this year on nine stages. The music carnival began as an eclectic ...
|
| |
| |
THEATER 'Cabaret' coming to Metropolis Arts on Sept. 15
Musical Broadway classic and hit film Cabaret re-creates the decadent and complicated world of 1929 Berlin at the Arlington Heights venue Metropolis Performing Arts Centre on Sept. 15-Oct. 22. Cabaret is Kander and Ebb's legendary musical ...
|
| |
| |
Lollapalooza to be in Chicago for at least the next 10 years
Get ready to see a lot more musical acts, crop tops and (mostly younger) people in Grant Park for at least the next decade of summers. Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced July 31 that the ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ Comic Con, WNBA player, Timothee Chalamet, Kate McKinnon
Out Magazine listed at least seven LGBTQ+-related characters and projects that were unveiled at San Diego Comic Con. Some of them include Michaela Coel (from TV's I May Destroy You) as a queer character in the ...
|
| |
| |
Chicago announces lineups for Marquee Fall Music Festivals
-- From a press release
CHICAGO—Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced today music lineups and expanded date information for three of the City of Chicago's most ...
|
| |
| |
Northalsted Market Days to take place Aug. 6-7
The 40th Northalsted Market Days—a live music street festival celebrating community in Chicago's Northalsted/Lakeview district—will take place Aug. 6-7. The half-mile long summer festival features all-day lineups of live music ...
|
| |
| |
Live music returns to Touche starting July 30 with 'Bear All'
After a nearly three-year hiatus due to COVID-related interruptions, Touche, 6412 N. Clark St., is reviving the bar's live music series "Bear All" at 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 30. Begun in 2011 and produced by ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ Broadway, 'Game of Thrones' prequel, Dexter Mayfield, Shania Twain
The Broadway League announced that theaters will continue their recently adopted mask-optional policy for audiences at least through August, Deadline reported. The mask-optional policy—in which audiences are encouraged but not ...
|
| |
| |
Local queer icon DJ's event
Darrell Gordon was the guest presenter for the Lunch Bunch at Third Space at Lakeview Presbyterian on June 1 and 30—the beginning and end of both Pride Month and Black Music Month. ...
|
| |
| |
Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra performing historic concert on Aug. 6
The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture announced a once-in-a-lifetime concert event featuring the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra to be held Saturday, Aug. 6, at Chicago's Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. The performance, ...
|
| |
| |
MUSIC Hulu to stream Lollapalooza
Hulu announced that it would serve as the official streaming destination for three of C3 Presents' biggest music festivals—Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits Music Festival—in 2022 and 2023. To that end, Hulu announced the streami ...
|
| |
| |
Band featuring actor Michael C. Hall in Chicago on July 24
Princess Goes to the Butterfly Museum—a band that features Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award-winning and Emmy-nominated actor/musician Michael C. Hall (TV's Six Feet Under and Dexter) as well ...
|
| |
| |
Pitchfork Music Festival faces a few pitfalls due to the weather
Pitchfork Music Festival faced some tough challenges this year, with unpredictable weather over the weekend of July 15-17. Held in Union Park annually, this gathering to hear a multitude of types of music usually is packed; ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ Warhol/Basquiat, 'Raven's Home,' Jonathan Bailey, Broadway, Ricky Martin
Video below
The Collaboration—Anthony McCarten's hit London play about artists Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat—will make its U.S. premiere on Broadway this fall, with Paul Bettany and Jeremy Pope as the two ...
|
| |
| |
Streisand interpreter Steven Brinberg at The Acorn on July 31
Celebrating Barbra Streisand's 80th birthday, Steven Brinberg will perform the live musical performance "Simply Barbra" on Sunday, July 31, at The Acorn, 107 Generation Dr., Three Oaks, Michigan (approximately 70 miles from Chicago). ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ Queen + Adam Lambert, Spider-Man, 'Victoria's Secret,' 'Friends'
Queen + Adam Lambert announced details of "Rhapsody Over London"—an exclusive concert spectacular filmed live at London's O2 Arena during their current sold-out European tour that will premiere live on July 24 via Kiswe's global streaming ...
|
| |
| |
WORLD Slovenia marriage item, Antigua and Barbuda, Berlin mosque
In Slovenia, the Constitutional Court legalized same-sex marriage and adoptions after finding a law under which only heterosexual partners can marry and same-sex couples cannot adopt children to be in contravention of the constitutional ban on ...
|
| |
| |
Wicker Park Fest announces complete music lineup, will take place July 22-24
-- From a press release
CHICAGO—Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the complete lineup, schedule, additional programming, and festival perks for Wicker Park Fest, one of Chicago's most anticipated summer events. Returning on July 22-24 fo ...
|
| |
| |
Bette Midler, Macy Gray caught in anti-trans controversies
Bette Midler explained her controversial tweet about what women are being called and insisted there was nothing "transphobic" about comments she initially made, according to Newsweek. Midler initially caused a huge reaction online when she suggested ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ JoJo Siwa, NFL player, gay country singer, 'Bliss,' MGK
LGBTQ+ teen sensation JoJo Siwa will guest-star in the third season of Disney+'s hit series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Out Magazine noted. She will play Madison, a Camp Shallow Lake alum. Also, Corbin ...
|
| |
| |
Ricky Martin at center of $3M lawsuit
Superstar singer/actor Ricky Martin has been sued by his former talent manager, Rebecca Drucker, Deadline reported. Drucker was Martin's manager during 2014-18 and 2020-22. The complaint, filed June 29 in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeks in ...
|
| |
| |
R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years
On June 29, Chicago-born R&B superstar R. Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, The Chicago Tribune reported. The sentence marked a fall from grace after decades of sexual-misconduct ...
|
| |
| |
MUSIC 'All Day I Dream' festival Aug. 6 in Chicago
All Day I Dream of Chicago Shimmer—part of the global touring festival All Day I Dream (ADID)—will take place on 31st Street Beach on Saturday, Aug. 6. After 10 years of producing hundreds of iconic day ...
|
| |
| |
MUSIC Taylor Bennett announces free July 22 show at Lincoln Hall
Chicago rapper Taylor Bennett—whose year has included teaming with Champion Athletics for a clothing line and tour; dropping his new project, Coming of Age; and much more—announced his free homecoming show on Friday, July 22, at ...
|
| |
| |
Pride in the Park pumps up the volume in 2022
From East Monroe Street to East Jackson Drive, Pride in the Park covered just the right amount of territory in the Grant Park area in downtown Chicago on June 25 and 26. Butler Field was overrun ...
|
| |
| |
Back Lot Bash attendees party during Pride weekend in Chicago
The inclusive music fest known as the Back Lot Bash took place June 25-26 at 5238 N. Clark St., in Andersonville. Back Lot Bash started in 2004 in response to the lack of women's events and the limited presence of ...
|
| |
| |
WORLD Japanese ruling, Pride events, Colombia election, Boris Johnson
A Japanese court ruled that the country's ban on same-sex marriage does not violate the constitution, and rejected demands for compensation by three couples who said their right to free union and equality has been violated, ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ Elliot Page, NPH, Madonna, Chita Rivera, Jennifer Lopez
Elliot Page talked with talk-show host Seth Meyers about how her Netflix show The Umbrella Academy incorporated the actor's own personal transition into season three of the series, Deadline noted. "With Steve Blackman, the showrunner of ...
|
| |
| |
Lynda Carter releases new single, 'Human and Divine'
Many people are familiar with actress Gal Gadot as superhero Wonder Woman. However, decades before, Lynda Carter wore the bracelets and wielded the golden lasso as the Amazon princess who set many hearts (of men and ...
|
| |
| |
Back Lot Bash taking place June 25-26
The inclusive music fest known as the Back Lot Bash will take place June 25-26 at 5238 N. Clark St., in Andersonville. Back Lot Bash started in 2004 in response to the lack of women's events and the limited presence of ...
|
| |
| |
Chicago Philharmonic launches 2022-23 season
-- From a press release
CHICAGO, IL - (June 20, 2022) Chicago Philharmonic has announced its 2022-23 symphonic season on the heels of a 2021-22 season that ended with the sold-out Chicago Premiere of Marvel Studios' Black Panther in Concert. The ...
|
| |
| |
Chicago Pride Fest adds new features to the outdoor celebration
The Chicago Pride Fest outdoor celebration returned June 18-19, as local Pride events lead up to the parade on Sunday, June 26. The festival featured music on three stages and more than 150 vendors running down ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ 'Lightyear,' celebrity event, LGBT runner, Mariah Carey
Video below
Pixar's latest film Lightyear is hitting theaters, and it has a special moment for gay fans—a same-sex kiss between the character Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba) and her female partner—that almost didn't happen, Out Magazine note ...
|
| |
| |
Five Worth Finding: WNDR Museum, Prince, queer books, flowers
— WNDR Museum's Pride event "Crafting with Queens": The West Loop museum is usually entertainment and, um, wondrous enough on its own—but during Pride Month, WNDR is queering things up with "Crafting with Queens" on Tuesday, ...
|
| |
| |
PERFORMANCE 'Moonset Sunrise' at Navy Pier on June 16 and 18
Collaboraction announced that Moonset Sunrise, its 25th-anniversary production, with live performances on June 16 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Beat Kitchen's new Bar Sol on Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave. Through healing ritual, storytelling, ...
|
| |
