August 21-27, 2014

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

1989

On the front page of this week's Windy City Times:

"U.S. Representative Gus Savage (D-Chicago), a firebrand orator from the South Side, made several anti-gay slurs during a speech he gave Saturday, August 19, at a local rally. The congressman said that he was 'no faggot,' used the same word to insult WBBM-TV political editor Mike Flannery, and disparaged the moral authority of openly gay Representative Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts) on account of his homosexuality.

"Savage has indulged in anti-gay rhetoric several times before, vexing lesbian and gay activists because, ironically, Savage's voting record shows solid support for gay and AIDS issues."

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IMAGE: The Generator – Babble August 10, 1994

Theatrical delights include "Living Up to My Blue China: The Art & Passion of Oscar Wilde," adapted and directed by Patrick Trettenero at the Stage Left Theatre, 3244 N. Clark St., and Stephen Sondheim's "A Little Night Music" performed concert style with a full orchestra is at the Civic Theatre, 20 N. Wacker Drive.

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In this week's Windy City Times, Dan Parreten's review of Laurence Gonzales' "Swamp Foxes" at the Organic Lab Theatre, 3310 N. Clark St. began:

"I knew it was going to be bad when I called to arrange for some tickets to see the show. 'Well,' the publicist told me, 'the show is no longer in previews but we're not really having a press opening. But I guess you can come look at it. If you want to.'

"Excuse me! 'I guess you can come and look at it'? Sounds like an invitation to view the La Brea tar pits rather than to experience live theater. As it turned out the tar pits would have been more fun."

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Lime perform live at Christopher Street, 3458 N. Halsted.

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Popular entertainer Lynn Lavner, who describes herself as "a left-handed leather lesbian,' brings her comedy and music to the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Lavner's performance is part of the evening's entertainment at the 11th International Conference of Gay and Lesbian Jews.

1991

TOP 10 12-INCH PLAYLIST courtesy of DJ Mark Vallese at Manhole: 1) "Army of Lovers" – Crucified; 2) "Like it Was Like It Is" – Freedom; 3) "Without You" – Midnight Shift; 4) "Orinico Flow" – Melange; 5) "I Keep To Myself" – 747; 6) "From Here to Eternity" ­–Paul Parker; 7) "Winds of Change" – Red Star; 8) "Dreams Can Come True" – Before Moses; 9) "Girl From Ipanema" – Lio; 10) "Love Conquers All" – ABC.

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IMAGE: Sam Harris & Vortex – Gay Chicago January 9, 1992

In the bars and clubs this week, Different Strokes, 4923 N. Clark St., invites you to "Strokes Night" featuring the Rockets, Sister "Killer Swish." Emceed by Mercury Ta Ta La Mor; it's the Mr. Vortex Contest at Vortex, 3631 N. Halsted; the Many Faces of Paula Sinclaire with guest star Vikki Spykke at North End, 3733 N. Halsted; Full Moon Party & Tan Line Contest at Touche, 6412 N. Clark St.; Back by Popular Demand, the International Male Dancers, at Carol's Speakeasy, 1355 N. Wells St.; Dog Days Party with prizes for the most fabulous sunglasses and confetti cannons filled with cash shot into the crowd at Bistro Too, 5015 N. Clark St.

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The 2nd Annual "After Dark" awards honor Chicago Theatre and Cabaret Artists, including: Outstanding Performance–Harry Althaus in "The Lisbon Traviata" for Bailiwick Repertory; Jerry Spitz in "The Wizard of Oz" for the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus; Outstanding Cabaret Artist–Rudy de la Mor at Gentry.

1994

Quotelines in Outlines:

"I can walk around without being recognized because enough guys are impersonating me, nobody thinks it's me." – Barbra Streisand.

"I like having sex with men. I'd still be fucking men if I didn't have to deal with them." – Lesbian singer Lynn Lavner.

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IMAGE: Punchinello's – Gay Chicago September 27, 1979

In Babble's "The Ooze."

" ...and I've seen some things that a woman ain't supposed to see ...The release party for 'The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert' at Berlin did the film proud. Vikki Spykke's "I Will Survive number, adapted from the flick, was absolutely fabulous, especially her MANDRA-designed costume which was a dead ringer for the one in the movie, which is also absolutely fabulous, by the way. Several Cuervo slushy things later, served up with lotsa sass de Mandra, Vikki was joined back on stage by Paula Sinclair for a riveting ABBA number taken from the film."

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IMAGE: STOP AIDS – Thing Summer 1993

"MUSIC COMEDY NEWS" Lesbigay Radio is Chicagoland's first commercial gay/lesbian radio show, with hosts Alan Amberg & Carrie Kaufman.

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The Windy City Performing Arts hold a reception at the home of V.T. Vaughn, 5059 N. Sheridan Ave. to give the general public an opportunity to meet Patrick Sinozich, interim musical director of the Windy City Gay Chorus and Dr. Ron Combs, guest conductor of UNISON: Windy City Lesbian and Gay singers.

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In the bars and clubs, "Priscilla Queen of the Desert is showing up in the mezzanine at the Glee Club, 1543 N. Kingsbury, hosted by Daisy Mae; the Vortex, 3631 N. Halsted, cordially invites you to "The 21st Annual White Party" with DJ Mark Hultmark: Lights, Ken E, VJ Peter Lewicki.

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Howard Brown Health Center announces the appointment of Dr. Gary G. Bucher to its medical staff. Dr. Bucher is responsible for managing the Center's current caseload of seventy primary care clients as well as providing primary care services to new clients.

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The August Midwest regional meeting of the recently formed National Lesbian and Gay Labor Organization is held at 5445 N. Kenmore Ave, A pizza dinner precedes the meeting.

Homework

What happened to Lynn Lavner?

What happened to Daisy Mae? I hear rumors that she was born again.

Is Patrick Sinozich still around?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Spike King photographs Elisa Chon, Brian K. Woodword, BJ, Jeff Daniels, Sean Engeman, Derrex Stringfellow, at the Rage and Bistro bars for Gay Chicago July 5, 1990. I wonder where these guys and gals are now?

David Veltkamp photographs George Nichols of the Bushes for Gay Chicago July 12, 1979

David Rosenberg photographs owners of Sidetrack for Nightlines June 19, 1996

Kirk Williamson photographed this guy for Nightspots May 14, 2003

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, Malone Sizelove for Babble/Gab, David Costanza and others for Chicago Free Press, Jeff McCourt for Windy City Times, Stacy Bridges and Mark Nagel for GRAB, 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 Chicago Whispers: A History of LGBT Chicago Before Stonewall published by the University of Wisconsin Press.