Groove Line

House About Town & Home
Since dancing to some straight up house music isn’t really a viable option on North Halsted Street, I recently went with friends to Zentra for their Friday night Jack party when Cajmere was spinning. It was a refreshingly mixed crowd on hand, and when Dajae stepped up to the mic and sang classics such as "Day by Day" and "Brighter Days" there was a sea of wide smiles. To top the night off, Cajmere rocked "Percolator" for the very appreciative crowd.

So pleased to be stimulated by house beats, my friends and I ventured over to an early session at Boom Boom Room the following Monday night with DJ Michael Serafini delivering an inspired set. Wow! The music was great and the crowd was friendly and freaky: just the way we like it.

Memorial Day Mish Mash
Typically, Memorial Day weekend provides an embarrassing wealth of fun party options in Chicago that coincide with the International Mr. Leather confab. This year, however, signature events such as the Leather Rites Party and Hot Tea are no where to be found and Crobar is going in a markedly different direction on Sunday night. Still on the calendar are the Military Ball at Circuit Nightclub on Saturday night with guest host Chi Chi LaRue and DJ Oskar and then the Black & Blue Ball on Monday night at Excalibur with DJ Matthew Harvat .

For those of you preferring your dance rhythms and beats defined as house music, Friday night will probably be the focal point of your weekend. The Godfather, Frankie Knuckles, will be at Sound-Bar while Ralphi Rosario will be at Zentra. Expect a very fun and mixed crowd at both.

Tidbits
Miss Foozie has moved her Thursday night act over to Pride Night at Cesar’s on Broadway. With her as the host and me in the DJ booth, Cesar’s is surely the place to start your weekends.

Chicago DJ Greg Drescher has been booked up in Milwaukee for the 2nd Annual " PUMP!ed with Pride " party on Saturday, June 10th. This is the highlight dance event during Mil-Town’s Pridefest weekend.

The Ladies of Gay Days
Gay Days - the annual Orlando gathering of the various GLBT tribes - will occur June from the 1 – 4 with Gloria Gaynor & Kristine W as the featured entertainers during the circuit-styled One Mighty Weekend parfties. Official Hostess of One Mighty Weekend is none other than former Chicagoan Jessika Sterling, More info about these Gay Days Ladies can be found at JustCircuit.com.

Spotlight CD --
Eye To The Telescope – KT Tunstall (Virgin)
Since this album’s debut in 2004, the Scottish singer/songwriter Tunstall spent 2005 dazzling and conquering Europe with her unique and “provocative sonic mesh of heartfelt pop, bona fide electric blues, and left-field alt.folk.” It led to certified double platinum status in the Old World. She is now is the midst of a successful U.S. invasion with her and her songs showing up everywhere on TV: Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, Conan, Jimmy Kimmel, and Ellen. She’s got a compelling personality, a compelling voice, and this album is a compelling 12-track long-player. GET IT!