October 27-November 2, 2016

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

1981

An article in Gay Life begins:

"The United Skates of America roller rink, 4836 N. Clark St., is offering special rates for gay groups on Tuesday nights from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. The special group rate is $2 admission and $1 skate rental.

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IMAGE: Roscoe's 10th Anniversary – Gay Chicago March 27, 1997

The Robert Fischer Bizzarte Halloween Ball, a "total art event," features dancing, live New Wave, male strippers, female mud wrestlers, sword swallowers, food, door prizes, and costume contest. Prize for Best Costume is an original Bizarrte portrait of the winner (valued at $2,500), a guided tour of the art world, dinner and a night on the town with Bobby, the Bearded Lady. Fischer has donated 100 tickets ($10 in advance) to Howard Brown Memorial Clinic to sell as a fundraising operation (Tickets at the door are $15). Takes place at 1106 W. Lawrence Ave.

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The 46th Annual Finnie's Original Halloween Disco Masquerade Ball is at the International Amphitheatre Arena, 4300 S. Halsted. Special attractions include Crowning of the King and Queen and costume and disco-dancing contest. Also features Bertha Butt, Little Willie Clayton and Chicago's Olympic Men of Steel. Sponsored by Prince Original Beauty Salon.

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IMAGE: Second Story Emporium – Gay Chicago January 29, 1981

Lesbian performance artist Ursula Kavanaugh brings a different kind of entertainment to Mountain Moving Coffeehouse, 1665 W. School St.

1991

An article by David O'Connor in Windy City Times:

"Statistics show that Chicago streets are more perilous than ever for gays and lesbians. Horizons Community Services documented 198 hate crimes in 1990 alone. Undoubtedly, many more such crimes went unreported to the agency.

"But a new group modeled after the Guardian Angels and New York's Pink Angels aims to curb the violent trend. The Chicago Pink Angels, organized by Mr. Windy City Alyn Toler and composed primarily of gay and lesbian volunteers, will patrol Lakeview area streets on Friday and Saturday nights beginning Dec. 6. Local Guardian Angels will join in for the Pink Angels' debut.

"Although aimed at curbing hate crimes against lesbians and gays, patrols will report all crimes they encounter–via cellular phone. Their mission is to report crimes rather than confront criminals."

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IMAGE: The Stag – Gay Chicago December 23, 1982

The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus receives a $12,000 grant from the Chicago Community Trust to fund audience development programs.

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Gay and Lesbian Bestsellers from Unabridged Books:

FICTION: "Putting on the Ritz" – Joe Keenan; 2) "Spontaneous Combustion" – David B. Feinberg; 3) "The Language We Use Up Here" – Philip- Gambone; 4) "Edge of Passion" – Shelley Smith.

Nonfiction: 1) "Leathermen Speak Out" – edited by Jack Ricardo; 2) "The Big Gay Book" – John Preston; 3) "Intimacy Between Men" – John H. Driggs and Stephen Finn; 4) "A Low Life in High Heels" – Holly Woodlawn.

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Top 10 12-inch playlist courtesy of Mark Hultmark: 1) "Emotions (remix)" – Mariah Carey; 2) "Runnin' Back" – Vanessa Williams; 3) "Do What you Feel" – Joey Negro; 4) "Move to the Music" – Monica deLuxe; 5) "We're Gonna Get" – RAF; 6) "Move Any Mountain" – Shamen; 7) "Finally" – Ce Ce Peniston; 8) "Night in Motion" – Cubic 22; 9) "Take Control" – Lords of Acid; 10) "Lost in Music" – Stereo MC's.

2010

Tracy Baim, author of new book "Obama and the Gays: a Political Marriage," offers an in-depth look at Obama's trajectory on gay issues, including documents, photos, and interviews with Obama, illustrating how his views on LGBT issues have changed over the years, as well as the accomplishments and stumbles of his presidential administration. Takes place at Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark.

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IMAGE: Ferron – Outlines February 1989

The Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce host a Mix & Mingle networking event and celebration of Halloween at the Illinois Nut & Candy, 3745 W. Dempster, Skokie.

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THEATER CRITICS' PICKS from Windy City Times:

"Macbeth, Lyric Opera of Chicago, through Oct. 30. Chicago Shakespeare Theater founder and artistic director Barbara Gaines may over-apply the flying special effects in her operatic debut, but she certainly knows how to lure truly dramatic performances from her starry singing cast. SCM

"The Mamet repertory, American Theater Company, through Oct. 31. Two beautifully acted quintessential Mamet plays in rotating rep: the Hollywood spoof Speed-the-Plow and the more pertinent and powerful Oleanna, dealing with academic freedom and sexism. JA

"She Loves Me, Writers' Theatre, through Nov. 21. Luxury casting abounds in director Michael Halberstam's lovely take on the acclaimed 1963 musical comedy romance. You probably won't see this beloved show performed better any time soon. SCM

"'The Lady's Not For Burning,' Theo Ubique at the No Exit Café, through Oct. 31. An imprisoned witch may be the precipitating factor in Christopher Fry's verbally dazzling romantic comedy, but the complexities leading to a happy reconciliation are more Georgette Heyer than Mary Shelley and you've got only one more weekend to share in the fun. MSB

—By Abarbanel, Barnidge and Morgan."

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Article in Windy City Times begins:

"Woke Up Black', the first feature documentary by LGBT activist Mary F. Morten, chronicles the lives of five diverse African-American young people. There will be a preview Nov. 11 at a fundraiser hosted by community businessman and philanthropist Michael Leppen."

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Join the dynamic duo, Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen, for a fun-filled evening at Rehab, 3641 N. Halsted. You're guaranteed great laughs, swell music, and tasty drinkie-poohs!

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The 35 th anniversary of the "Rocky Horror Picture Show' is celebrated at midnight at Excalibur Nightclub, 632 N Dearborn. Dress the part and participate in the interactive viewing experience along with live actors singing, dancing and "time-warping" along with the film.

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"It Takes a Village, People!" is the first gay-themed production from Salsation Theatre Company at Gorilla Tango Theatre 1919 N Milwaukee.

Homework

Whatever happened to Joe Keenan?

Does anybody know who owned the United Skates of America roller rink?

Who remembers the Second Story Emporium?

Early picture of Shante (Alexandra Billings) and Ginger Grant at Christopher Street bar, photographed by Spike King for Gay Chicago February 2, 1989

Mike Carter photographs Ald. Tim Evans, Ald. Larry Bloom, and Mayor Eugene Sawyer for Outlines February 1989

Team Chicago in Windy City Times February 2, 1989

Genyphyr Novak photographs Daniel Sotomayor and other AIDS activists for Windy City Times October 10, 1991

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.