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

1983

Weekly events taking place include the Artemis Singers rehearsal at 2nd Unitarian Church, 656 W. Barry; Black Bible Study Group, a black lesbian/gay religious discussion group, meets at Lincoln Methodist Church, 2200 S. Damen Ave.; Chicago Women's Rugby Team at Lincoln Park and North Ave.; Gay Persons Bridge Group at 656 W. Barry; and Windy City Wrestling Club meet for wrestling practice. Call ______ for directions.

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The Windy City Gay Chorus and Twin Cities Men's Chorus join forces for an historic concert in the Lane Technical High School Auditorium. The concert is divided into three segments–the first two presenting the individual choruses and the final portion a massed chorus of almost 150 men. Richard Garrin conducts the Windy City Gay Chorus, and Richard Weinberg the Twin Cities Men's Chorus. The program includes Randall Thompson's "Testament of Freedom" set to the words of Thomas Jefferson, Gabriella's "Buccinate," and Jerome Kern's "All Things You Are."

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(Image: TJ – Gay Life March 31, 1978)

Films shown at the Chicago Lesbian and Gay Film Festival include: "The Deputy," a Spanish political thriller about a Socialist party deputy involved with a hustler who is being used as bait by right-wing militarists; "Maedchen in Uniform," the classic 1931 German lesbian love story; and "The Queen," a sensitive look backstage at the 1967 "Miss All America" female impersonators contest judged by Andy Warhol, Edie Sedgwick, Terry Southern and other counter-culture heavies of the day.

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Raymond Messick's Music Update Top 5 in Gay Life are: 1) "Weekend" – Class Action; 2) "Back In My Arms" – Cynthia Manley; 3) "Got You Where I Want You" – Stereo Fun Incorporated; 4) "Too Tough" – Angela Bofill; 5) "Sex, I'm A" – Berlin.

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All-girl band Surrender Dorothy with Toni Armstrong Jr., Paula Walowitz and Laurie Lee Moses play at Opal Station, 6655 N. Clark St.

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Christopher Street, 3458 N. Halsted, celebrates its sixth month anniversary.

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Joel Hall Dancers are in concert with guest artist Anna Czujun at the Francis W. Parker Theatre, Clark and Webster.

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Wayland Flowers and Madame perform at Park West, 322 W. Armitage.

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The political action committee of the Greater Chicago Gay and Lesbian Democrats meets at 3812 N. Wilton Ave., an event hosted by chairperson Michael Harrington.

1988

"Legends in Their Own Minds," a benefit for Test Positive Aware Network, takes place at Christopher Street, 3458 N. Halsted, and features Beverley Del Vecchio and Stardust.

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Various Chicago Area Gay & Lesbian Organizations "Have a Heart! For Friends With AIDS" is a benefit show at St. Sebastian's Hall, 824 W. Wellington. Co-hosts are Paul Adams (Mr. Windy City) and Dr. Ron Sable.

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(Image: Knuckles – Gay Chicago April 2, 1987)

"Romanovsky and Phillips In Concert," a cabaret benefit for Holy Covenant MCC's Building Block Fund, is at the Community House, Madison & 18th Streets in Hinsdale.

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The Gay and Lesbian Alliance (GALA) at the University of Chicago hold a rally in Hutchinson Courtyard supporting the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance.

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The NAMES Project Chicago chapter has its 4th Quilting Bee, at Good Shepherd Parish Center, 615 W. Wellington Ave.

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Gay and Lesbian Town Meeting sponsor a block party outside bars along Halsted Street from Belmont north to Grace. Along with balloons and t-shirts, information on how to help pass the Human Rights Ordinance through the City Council is available.

1995

Report from June 1995 Outlines:

"The 5th accomplice in the 1992 murder/robbery at the 411 Club was convicted April 24, 1995. Bryant Collins, 23, was sentenced to 36 years for murder and 13 concurrent 30-year sentences for armed robbery. Collins was the fifth of six suspects wanted in the armed robbery that occurred just after midnight September 20, 1992 and ended in the murder of manager John "Johnny" Conley. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of the sixth suspect, Ontario "Sconey" Ervin, 22, of 6402 S. Martin Luther King Drive. The suspects allegedly targeted 411 Club, at 411 E. 63rd, because it is a gay establishment."

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The movie "Priest" is showing at the Biograph and Esquire theaters.

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In the clubs and bars this week, Khris Francis "singer, songwriter, comedian, bitch!" is playing at Gentry, 712 N. Rush St., until the end of April; it's the second annual Big Hair contest at Charlie's, 3726 N. Broadway; porn star Joey Morgan appears at Glee Club, 1543 N. Kingsbury, with DJs Earl Pleasure and Ralphi Rosario, Freddie Bain in the Mezz, and Byrd Bardot on the door; Great Lakes Bears meet at North End, 3733 N. Halsted.

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(Image: Feeling a little kinky? – Nightspots March 27, 2002)

TPA Network invites you to attend a private reception prior to the Chicago premiere (Preview night) performance of the multi-award winning "Kiss of the Spiderwoman: The Musical" at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.

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The Top Ten Music Playlist courtesy of DJ Psychobitch: 1) "Bedtime Stories (Teri & Mark's Remixes)" – Madonna; 2) "I Believe" – Happy Clappers; 3) "10,000 Screaming Faggots" – Moonwalkers; 4) "I'm Ready" – Size 9; 5) "Too Many Fish" – Frankie Knuckles featuring Adeva; 6) "Trustin'" – Articulate; 7) "Drop a House" – Urban Discharge; 8) "Confusion/Lift Me Up" – Danell Dixon; 9) "Keep House Underground" – Dope Dog; 10) "I Love You Baby" – "The Originals.

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"I Will Survive" starring Gloria Gaynor and Thelma Houston, a ‘70s Dance Party to benefit AIDSCare is at Park West, 322 W. Armitage.

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A 30-minute interview with HIV-positive Olympian Greg Louganis is featured on "Aware: Positive Health Talk Show Radio" on WNUA. He discusses his book "Breaking the Surface."

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

This was taken in Bucks in 2002 and published in Nightspots.

Remember the patio at Star Gaze. That was a great bar.

Great photograph from Spike King in Gay Chicago April 21, 1988

Detroit's Trident Motorcycle Club and three babes from Bistro Too in Gay Chicago April 28, 1988

Homework

Whatever happened to Romanovsky and Phillips?

Who remembers Christopher Street?

"10,000 Screaming Faggots," is that a song or PrideFest?

Thanks go to publishers Michael Bergeron for Chicago Gay Crusader, Ralph and Craig 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.