Fri. June 8, 2012
By Sukie de la Croix
Gay life in Chicago this week, back in...
1978
The Chicago Chapter of the Gay Academic Union sponsors a slide presentation and talk by Wayne Dynes on "The Orpheus Myth." Among the many versions of this myth, one asserts that the Greek god Orpheus invented homosexual love after losing his female beloved, Eurydice.
An article in Gay Life reads:
"One of the popular bars in Calumet City is the Pour House, owned by Ernie Taliani. It's a disco bar with a young crowd of both men and women who find the music and atmosphere very congenial.
"The Pour House provides its patrons with frequent social events, including a recent Fever Dance Contest and a Mardi Gras Costume Contest.
"A modern disco light and sound system has been installed by Dave Morrison of Stereo Components and the Pour House has a DJ 7 nights a week."
"Fanny's Follies," an all-women tribute to Fanny Brice, plays for two nights only at Center Stage, 3730 N. Clark St.
The Lavender University Joggers start their weekend runs along the lakefront. Those interested can call Randy Stover or Chuck Whitman.
A Lesbian Community Center General Meeting is held at the feminist coffee house Mama Peaches, 3059 N. Southport.
1983
A headline on the cover of Gay Life reads: "Mayor Washington won't march in Gay-Lesbian Pride Parade '83."
(Image: Gay Chicago Cover – Gay Chicago May 19, 1983)
KeepHers invites you to "The First Dance Till You Drop Party." Hundreds of women. Hot music. Tickets are $5 and you can buy them from the Jane Addams Bookstore, the Lady Bug, the Swan Club, and Women & Children First.
(Image: Dinner At the Diner – Gay Chicago May 19, 1983)
Black and White Men Together hold a Book Sale at Company, 2683 N. Halstead. The event includes a benefit performance by the Backstreet USA Puppet Theater.
The Varsity Theater in Evanston shows a rarely seen film by gay filmmaker Rainer Werner Fassbinder. "The Stationmaster's Wife," or "Bolwieser", originally produced for German TV in 1977, is described as "a touching story of love and deception."
Jimmy Deery's play "Nature's Bounty: Homosexuality in the Animal World" is presented by Lionheart Theater at Opal Station, 6655 N. Clark St., and is described as "a burlesque gay adults educational kids show about lesbian seagulls."
1989
Events in the bars and clubs this week include the short-lived Rage, 5006 N. Clark St., that opens with great fanfare; John Ortiz is the new manager of Hev'in, a cocktail lounge with a grand piano, at 54 E. Walton; it's Ellen's birthday party at Razmataz, 4714 N. Elston, and also a benefit for the Anti-Cruelty Society; the rock band Women of All Sexes performs at Suzie B's Tavern, 1829 W. Montrose; the 5th annual Pet Costume Contest is held at Berlin, 954 W. Belmont; the first of a new monthly Sock Hop is held at U-Bahn, 3406 N. Sheffield, with DJ's Galen, Dion and Teri Bristol; Bob Moore, "not just another handsome homosexual," sings and plays the piano at Gentry of Chicago, 712 N. Rush St.; Cheeks, 2730 N. Clark St., presents the Miss Cheeks Contest featuring Tonette (Miss Cheeks 1988-'89). $1000 in cash prizes.
(Image: Fashion Feature Cover – Gay Chicago June 8, 1989, March 5, 1976)
Author Barry Frauman reads from his new book of poetry "Sons of New Town" at People Like Us Bookstore, 3321 N. Clark St.
You're invited to a private showing of … "Andy Warhol: A Retrospective" at the Art Institute of Chicago to benefit Open Hand Chicago and the Howard Brown Memorial Clinic. Tickets $30, $50, $75, $100.
"Boys in the Band" and "Torch Song Trilogy" are shown as a double feature at the Music Box, 3733 N. Southport.
On June 11, 1989 Rev. Larry Fay is installed as the first full-time pastor of Christ the Redeemer Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) at 933 Chicago Ave. in Evanston, the 6th anniversary of the church.
(Image: Hydrate, Laura B – Gay Chicago June 8, 2006)
On June 11, 1989 Rev. Larry Fay is installed as the first full-time pastor of Christ the Redeemer Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) at 933 Chicago Ave. in Evanston, the 6th anniversary of the church.
Thanks go to publishers Michael Bergeron for Chicago Gay Crusader, Ralph Gernhardt for Gay Chicago, Grant Ford and Chuck Renslow for Gay Life and Tracy Baim for all the publications at the Windy City Media Group, which aided the above research. St. Sukie de la Croix is an internationally published reporter, playwright, photographer and historian. He is also the author of the book Chicago Whispers: A History of LGBT Chicago Before Stonewall published by the University of Wisconsin Press.
Homework
Does anyone know who wrote "The Wizard of A.I.D.S."?
Anyone go to Mama Peaches?
Is Ernie still at the Pour House?
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