November 8-November 14, 2012

Gay life in Chicago this week, back in ...

1988

Theater treats include Anne Francis and Marcia Rodd in "Steel Magnolias" at the Royal George Theatre; "Hair," the American Tribal Love Rock Musical, is at the Vic, 3145 N. Sheffield; and "The Rocky Horror Show," directed by Kelly Hazen, is at the Organic Theater, 3319 N. Clark St.

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Comedienne/musician Lori Noelle performs at Boombala, 2950 N. Lincoln.

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(Image: El Dorado Go-Go Boy Contest – Gay Chicago News October 7, 1977)

Music Playlist courtesy of Fred Bain and Orlando at the Normandy bar: 1) "Open Your Eyes" – Marshall Jefferson; 2) "Looking For Somebody New" – Nu Shooz; 3) "Big Fun" – Inner City; 4) "In the Night" – Ralphie Rosario; 5) "I Surrender" – Funk Deluxe; 6) "Say It's Gonna Rain" – Will to Power; 7) "Only Way It Is" – Yazz; 8) "Rock Your World ('88 Rx)" – Weeks & Co.; 9) "Can't Wait (On Tomorrow)" – Cybill; 10) "Rough House (Rx)" – Rough House.

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In a feature on piano bar entertainer Faron Evans, Gay Chicago writes: "With a repertoire that ranges from old standards (‘Blue Moon') to current Broadway hits (‘Les Miserables,' ‘Phantom of the Opera'), and some campy numbers (‘The Homecoming Queen's Got a Gun'), he certainly ‘ ... knows a fine way to treat a Steinway.' Evans seems to have as good a time as his customers have out in front."

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The National Latino Gay and Lesbian Organization meets in Chicago at the Howard Brown Clinic, 945 W. George.

1996

The British film "Beautiful Thing," a gay coming-of-age story about what it's like to be sixteen and in the throes of first love, plays at the featured screen opening night of Reeling '96: The 16th Chicago Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival at the Music Box, 3733 N. Southport.

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Nearly 400 pieces of art and services donated by artists and galleries across the nation are auctioned during the 5th annual Art Against AIDS, a live and silent art auction to benefit Louis A. Weiss Memorial Hospital's HIV/AIDS programs. It's at Hotel Nikko Chicago, 320 N. Dearborn.

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(Image: Big Chicks – Nightspots July 22, 1998)

In the bars and clubs this week DJ Matt Nelson is at Fusion, 3631 N. Halsted; a Lights Out Pit Party at Chicago Eagle, 5015 N. Clark St.; there's a Salsa Release Party at the Rainbow Room, 4530 N. Lincoln; "Pleasure Dome" with DJ Earl Pleasure is at Spin, Halsted and Belmont; North End, 3733 N. Halsted, welcomes members and followers of Girth and Mirth Chicago; Mr. Vulcan Rubber 1997 Contest is at Cell Block, 3702 N. Halsted.

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Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar issues an administrative order banning anti-gay discrimination. The policy directive affects more than 62,000 statewide employees working in 54 agencies under the direction of the governor's office.

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Integrity, the gay Episcopalian group, holds its annual banquet at Ann Sather's restaurant, 929 W. Belmont.

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Ani DiFranco is performing at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St.

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Jammin' Monday, an evening of Jazz/Cabaret performance in tribute to Chris Teal, benefitting the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, takes place at Vinnie Black's Coliseum Room, Piper's Alley, 210 W. North St. Performers include Honey West, Freddy Allen, Alexandra Billings, The Blondes, Buddy Charles, Sue Conway, Michael James, Ginger Tam, Joe Vito and others.

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A special dinner, speaking engagement, and "roast" of newspaper columnist Jon-Henri Damski is at AIDSCare Chapel, 309 W. Barry.

2000

Join the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Veterans of America as they attend Mayor Daley's Veteran's Reception at the Chicago Cultural Center.

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The Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association hold a coffeehouse soiree at Buzz Café, 905 S. Lombard, Oak Park.

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One headline on the cover of Windy City Times reads: "Too Close to Call: Nader factor played out in some states. Hillary Wins in NY."

"In one of the closest presidential races in U.S. history, Vice President Al Gore trailed Republican Gov. George Bush by less than 30,000 votes Wednesday morning, with neither candidate receiving a confirmation that they had the 270 necessary electoral college votes. The state of Florida is in the balance, with just 1,200 votes separating Bush and Gore, but with thousands of votes left to be tallied."

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Quote in Windy City Times reads:

"The world is getting more vulgar and horrible by the minute. At my age now, I take a dim view of everything." – Gay composer Ned Rorem, age 77.

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(Image: Adam Lambert in Concert – Gay Chicago May 6, 2010)

The 3rd Annual Rainbow Spirit Awards, a Dinner Dance Celebration, takes place at the 19th Century, Oak Park. Honorees: Nina Beck and Stacy Jolles, one of the couples who were plaintiffs in the historic same-sex couples ruling in Vermont; Vernita Gray; Lorraine Sade Baskerville; Temptations, George Grivas; Hunters, Mark Hunter; and Nutbush, Mike Zych. Performers include Valerie James, Honey West and Marlene Moore.

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Betty DeGeneres discusses her new book "Just a Mom," heartfelt advice on supporting your gay child, at Barnes and Noble, 659 W. Diversey.

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

Is Lori Noelle still around?

What happened to the Rainbow Spirit Awards?

Does anybody remember Fusion?