October 15-21, 2015

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

1981

Article in Gay Life reads:

"Two fundraising events will be held next week to benefit the Windy City Gay Chorus in preparation for its proposed New York tour next February.

"Popular vocal-piano duo Mary Lynn Morrison and Bill Muzillo will perform Saturday, Oct. 17, at His n' Hers, 944 W. Addison St., as part of a concert presented by the St. James Family. The $3 donation will go directly to the chorus.

"The chorus will host 'A Roll in the Hay,' a night of fun Sunday, Oct. 18, featuring an hour-long hayride, a wienie roast, and barn dancing. The cost for the whole package, including bus transportation to Peppertree Farm in Streamwood, is $20."

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IMAGE: Come Out Come Out – Gay Chicago October 11, 1987

Article in Gay Life reads:

"British comedian Graham Chapman, one of the original members of Monty Python's Flying Circus, will be the honored guest at a champagne brunch benefit Sunday, Oct.25, for the Midwest lesbian and gay resource center and archives, the Gerber-Hart Library, and for the Gay Academic Union Chicago Chapter's scholarship fund. To make reservations for the brunch, call Gregory Sprague at _______ "

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Lesbian comedienne and activist, Robin Tyler, appears in the high school auditorium at Irving Park Road and Ashland Ave. Donation of $6 at the door.

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Maturity, the group for senior gays, meets at the Germania Club, 108 W. Germania Place. Art collector Wayne Banchek discusses and displays his collection of nostalgia and antiques.

1990

The Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization's Independent Gay and Lesbian Caucus presents its sixth annual Glynn Sudberry Awards at Ann Sather restaurant, 929 W. Belmont. This year's recipients are Helen Schiller, Alderman of the 46thWard, for public service, Horizons Community Services for community service, and Terry Cosgrove for community action.

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Obituary in Windy City Times begins:

"A service of celebration of the life of David Navarro Edmonds will be held on Sunday, October 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 5650 S. Woodlawn, in Chicago's Hyde Park.

"David, former lead soloist in the Chicago Children's Choir, died peacefully on September 22 at St. Joseph' Hospital after a 17 month battle with AIDS. He was 31 years old.

"A lifelong resident of the South Side, David, who worked in recent years as a chef and caterer, was a graduate of Reavis Elementary School, Louis Wirth experimental school, and Kenwood High School class of 1977. He also studied liberal arts at Loop College for two years."

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IMAGE: Vortex – Gay Chicago November 12 1992

Romanovsky and Phillips present a special benefit performance at Grace Episcopal Church, 924 Lake St., in Oak Park. Profits from the concert go to Community Response, a neighborhood organization that helps people with AIDS, their families and loved ones in the Austin, Oak Park and the near west suburban area.

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"Studio '90 ...and the Dream Lives On," is the theme of Howard Brown Memorial Clinic's annual benefit dinner at the NBC Tower studios. More than 700 people attended the black tie event, including Mayor Richard Daley, Neil Hartigan, and photographer Victor Strebneski.

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Milly's Orchid Show with Brigid Murphy, also comics Deb Quintel and Marcia Wilkie, perform at Suzy B's, 1829 W. Montrose.

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Gera-Lind Kolarik, author of "Freed to Kill: The True Story of Larry Eyler," signs copies of her book at People Like Us Bookstore, 3321 N. Clark St.

2000

In the bars and clubs, Katherine Davis, jazz and blues diva, performs every Sunday and Wednesday at Voltaire, 3441-43 N. Halsted; Alexandra Billings sings every Tuesday at Gentry, 3320 N. Halsted; Acucrack "Sorted" CD release party is at Berlin, 954 W. Belmont; there's a Beer Bust hosted by Onyx at Cell Block, 3702 N. Halsted; New York's Barbara Herr and Tina Sprinkles appear at the Baton Show Lounge; and Ron Helizon "The Polish Princess" celebrates his 55th birthday at Bobby Love's, 3729 N. Halsted.

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IMAGE: Valley of the Kings – Nightspots September 12, 2007

A spiritual group, "Moving to Your Step: Setting and Achieving Goals in Our Lives as Gay Men," meets for six weeks on Thursdays at AIDS Pastoral Care Network, 4753 N. Broadway.

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An obituary in Gay Chicago begins:

"Bruce 'Dad,' Gant, life partner of Bob Rolofson, died on August 19, 2000 of a major heart attack. He is also survived by a large, extended family of loving friends and neighbors.

"Mr. Gant was active in many community ventures throughout his life, which included participation in the Trade Winds Bike Club, fund-raising for the Briggs Initiative, as 'Dad' of the St. James Family and as a tireless volunteer for Travelers and Immigrants Aid at the Bargains Unlimited and Treasures in Transition resale shops. ...Additionally, Mr. Gant was a recipient of the 1981 Gay Chicago Magazine Male Personality."

Homework

Who remembers serial killer Larry Eyler?

What happened to Romanovsky and Phillips?

Is Tina Sprinkles still around?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Photos by Jack Sitar, Dan Di Leo, and Tom Granzow of venues around town for Gay Chicago October 1, 1987

Arch Boudros and Terry Gaskins photograph several bars for Gay Chicago October 12, 2000

Terry Gaskins photographs the Cow Toss at Buddies for Gay Chicago October 27, 1994

Larry at BJ's in Gay Life October 7, 1982

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.