THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

Emcee Ronnie Taylor kicked the show off by welcoming Lexi Frazier, who entertained the near capacity crowd with her balloon sculptures that caught everyone off guard. Keith Butler presented a heartfelt reading of Go Down Death by James Waldon Johnson, and was followed by Patrick Curtin, who effortlessly encapsulated queer history from the '70's to the present with his own story of self-evolution. Curtin's spoken story managed to include Anita Bryant, Studio 54, his coming out at work and the AIDS crisis, all in an often hilarious and heartbreaking package.

Zelda Cohen combined history with self-awareness in a song they wrote which contrasted the Lavender Scare of the '40's with our current political climate. Cameron Scott accompanied himself on piano for a rollicking take on the old Patsy Cline chestnut "Blue," while Lucian Foster presented a spoken word piece that hushed the room.

Drag artist Marsha Michaels hit the stage in a wedding gown and wilted corsage for a cheeky take on both Petula Clark's "Winchester Cathedral" and "Waiting at the Church" by a very young Julie Andrews. A jittery Mia Sostrin came out and wowed the crowd with a brazen reading of Sia's "Alive" that gained strength as they warmed to the reaction. With Scott's accompaniment, Lydia Farmer toasted the recently deceased Burt Bacharach with a heartfelt reading of his and Hal David's signature "I Say A Little Prayer for You."