Parties, parades, workshops, readings and more—we got it all
THU/25
Fundraiser for Rape Victim Advocates 35th Anniversary Gala celebration for RVA. National Public Radio’s Cheryl Corley will emcee the event and Angela Rose, founder and executive director of Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment, will be the keynote speaker. Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton, (312)443-9603, 6pm. Purchase tickets online, $100; $75 for students with valid ID.
Lambda Legal Ladies on the Lake Lambda Legal supporters will take a sunset cruise aboard Chicago’s Fair Lady with an open bar and hors d’oeuvres. Chicago’s Fair Lady, Michigan Avenue Bridge and the Chicago River, (312)663-4413, ext. 335, 6pm-9:30pm. Tickets needed, $50 general admission.
Literary Double Header Larry La Fountain-Stokes, author of “Unas Pintadas de Azul/Blue Fingernails,” and E. Patrick Johnson, author of “Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South” will be at the Women & Children First Bookstore, 5233 N. Clark, (773)769-929, 7pm. Free.
OUT Front and Center Music Series Anita Davis Dance Theatre presents “Diva Suites,” a dance display of historical African-American icons such as Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Prince and Phyliss Hyman. Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, (773)661-0763, 7pm. $20 VIP; $15 General Admission; $10 Senior/Student discount with ID.
FRI/26
Center on Halsted 2009 Pride Celebration An evening of celebrating Pride while supporting the Center’s programs. Center on Halsted Richard M. Daley Roof Garden, 3656 N. Halsted, (773)472-6469, 5:30pm-9pm. $15 limited admission (purchase tickets online).
Chicago Pride Fest The first day of the two-day street festival hosted by Northalsted Area Merchants Association. Kimi Hayes Band, Windy City Cowboys, Rock Candy and Dot Dot Dot will perform on the South Stage. The North Stage will host two drag shows plus Jeanie Tracy and Martha Wash. Halsted and Waveland, (773)868-3010, ext. 231, 3pm-10pm. $5 voluntary contribution.
Over the Rainbow The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus will perform a repertoire in tribute to legendary Judy Garland and a commemoration of the fortieth anniversary of Stonewall. Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway, (773)472-3492, Doors at 5:30pm, Performance at 7pm, tickets required. $25.
Poetry Readings The first, “Tinderbox Lawn” by Carol Guess and the other, “a/long/division” by Hanna Andrews. Women and Children First bookstore, 5233 N. Clark, (773)769-9299, 7:30pm. Free.
Positive Spin Mixer An event for HIV Positive men to meet and have some fun. Spin Nightclub, 800 W. Belmont, (773)327-7711, 8pm-11pm. $5 suggested donation.
SAT/27
Backlot Bash First day of the two-day music fest hosted by Nikky Lindgren and featuring Martha Berner, Halycon and Too White Crew. Parking lot behind Cheetah Gym in Andersonville, 5238 N. Clark, 3pm-10pm. $10 before 5pm; $15 after.
Befriending the Bible: Reading Condemnation with CARE Led by Rev. Jacki Belile, a lesbian Baptist minister and spiritual life coach. Living Well Ministries, 6554 N. Rockwell, (773)655-4357, 10am-midnight. Pre-registration required, $30.
Chicago Pride Fest The two-day festival hosted by Northalsted Area Merchants Association (NAMA) continues with PETCO’s Pet Pride Parade. Halsted and Waveland, (773)868-3010, ext. 231, 3pm-10pm. $5 voluntary contribution.
Dyke March Bike contingent will begin from Trumbull Elementary at Foster and Ashland to the rally. 18th and Halsted, rally at 1pm. Free.
Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk An eighteen-mile walk creating suicide awareness and education for everyone, including the GLBT community. For more information and registration go to www.theovernight.org.
Over the Rainbow The repeat performance from the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus as a tribute to Judy Garland and the fortieth anniversary of Stonewall. Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway, (773)472-3492. Doors at 5:30pm, Performance at 7pm, tickets required. $25.
Proud to Run The twenty-eighth annual 10K and 5K runs and two-mile fun walk is sponsored by the Chicago chapter of Frontrunners/Frontwalkers as a celebration of lesbian and gay pride. 4400 N. Montrose, (312)409-8991, 7:40am warm-up; 8:04am start. $30 run; $25 walk.
Queer Prom “Under the Sea” is the theme for the second-annual dance put together by Girlie-Q Productions. A portion of the proceeds benefits Beyondmedia Education. The headlining band will be Miss Derringer from Los Angeles and DJ Sky will play prom hits all night. Also starring queer burlesque performers, plus dancing, games and a raffle. Dress in creative, sexy prom attire. Subterranean, 2011 W. North, 10:30pm. $10 at door.
Sober and Proud 2.0 Alcohol and drug-free event for LGBT members in recovery. Alexian Brothers Bonaventure House, 825 W. Wellington, (773)327-9921. $10 suggested donation.
SUN/28
Backlot Bash Abby and Celeste will host the second night of festivities with The Betty Fords, Sean Wiggins and Dot Dot Dot performing. Parking lot behind Cheetah Gym in Andersonville, 5238 N. Clark, 3pm-10m. $10 before 5pm; $15 after.
Chicago 40th Annual Pride Parade Alexandra Billings—actor, teacher, activist and transgender woman—is this year’s Grand Marshal. Step off from the corner of Halsted and Belmont. Proceed north on Halsted then south on Broadway, then east on Diversey to Cannon in Lincoln Park. (773)348-8243, Noon.
Girlblast A party for the girls with guest DJs and drinks. Ann Sather parking lot, 929 W. Belmont, (312)493-7123, 1pm-10pm. $12 at door.
Pretty Boy Pride featuring Pepper Mashay Pretty Boy Enterprises Inc. will host the Pride Parade after-show full of giveaways and a special concert by Pepper Mashay. Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie, (773)507-0566, 9pm-2am. Tickets needed, $10.
Red Party Youth Pride Center Pride Parade after party. Location TBA, (773)690-6790. Free when you wear red; $5 for others.
MON/29
D.I.Y. Bring your own iPod or make requests from Berlin’s. $2 PBRs and $3.25 Heineken. Berlin, 954 W. Belmont, (773)348-4975. Free.
Dollar Drink Night Drink dollar well cocktails all night while dancing to DJ Laura B. Hydrate, 3458 N. Halsted, (773)975-9244, 9pm. Free before 10pm; $5 after 10pm.
Let’s Talk About Sex Discussion group for LGBT youth to ask questions about sex, relationships and dating. CGY Youth Pride Center, 1218 W. Addison, (773)610-5320, 6pm-8pm. Free.
TUE/30
Block Party Second annual block party hosted by the Youth Pride Center and Code Red. Halsted and Roscoe, (773)690-6790, 6pm.
Civil Unions, Equal Marriage and Straights How marriage equality in Illinois benefits everyone, hosted by the DuPage County Green Party. Featuring Andy Thayer of the Gay Liberation Network; moderated by Bob Mueller of the DuPage County Green Party. Westmont Public Library, 428 N. Cass, Westmont, 7pm-9pm. Free.
The G Quotient Why LGBT Executives are Excelling as Leaders, hosted by Harris Bank. President of Mosaic, Lori Fox, Jenner & Block law Partner Gail Morse and others will be speaking. Harris Bank, 111 W. Monroe, 8th floor auditorium, 5pm-7pm. Free; RSVP by June 26.
Best of Chicago 2021: Ray Pride's Personal Best Newcity invited fourteen writers to share their "personal Best of Chicago”—a collection of voices expressing their city in their own very personal ways, that together offer universal insights into what we all cherish about our life in this place.
