February 12 - 15

Love is in the air this weekend. It's Valentine's Day, but don't let that overshadow your weekend, there are plenty of things to do - you could go to a Protest on Saturday or catch a Magic Show on Sunday. You'd better start checking out these hot picks because - You've got a busy weekend!

Kick off your weekend with a trip to Andersonville for a Many Mountains Moving Press book reading at 7:30PM at Women & Children First Books. Hear poems written by authors: Anne-Marie Cusac, Patrick Lawler and others.

The Association of Writers and Writing Programs is in town for its annual convention. Make sure that you stop by the Gerber/Hart Library - 1127 W Granville for a reception honoring Lambda Emerging Writers Retreat Fellows from 7PM-9:30PM

The Oscars are coming....The Oscars are coming! To get ready, you should catch the Oscar Nominated Short Films at the Music Box Theater. The Animated Shorts will screen at 5:20 and 9:30 and the Live Action shorts will screen at 7:25

Nerds at Heart will host their 2nd Annual Love Fest at the Holiday Club - 4000 N Sheridan. A special 'game night' for straight and queer singles who are looking for that perfect nerd match. Tickets: $20 advance/$25 door, includes one drink, chances to win prizes and entertainment by Bertha Mason.



FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13

Queering The Night, an open mic event for the LGBTQI community is at the Center for New Possibilities - 1505 W Morse Ave from 7-9PM. Tonight you can catch La Dulce Palabra, $5 donation.

Chicago Filmmakers will screen GAEA GIRLS, a film about a group of Japanese women wrestlers. The Nightengale - 1084 N Milwaukee Ave at 8PM Tickets are $8

Guerrilla Gay Bar-South Loop takes Grace O'Malley's - 1416 S Michigan into it's sights and plans to turn this straight bar in the South Loop into a Queer Bar for the night starting at 11PM.

Editors and Contributors of the online literary journal - Literary Mama, will read from their recent work. Scheduled to appear are Kristina Riggle, Rebecca Kaminsky, Shannon LC Cate and others. So stop by Women & Children First - 5233 N Clark at 7PM

Can't think of a good way to start the weekend off? Stop by the Leather Archives & Museum - 6418 N Greenview and take in the latest exhibit 'Beauties Service' The museum is open from 11AM-7PM and the exhibition runs through April 10.

GOLDEN, Lakeview's hottest new gallery premieres 'Big Mess, Paintings by Sonja Drummond and Andrew Holmquist' with a reception this evening from 7-10PM

Northend takes the stage in TPAN's 'Chicago Takes Off' Barlesque Competition' starting at 10PM. Hosted by Teri Yaki (pictured), the more money you donate, the more the bartenders will take off!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14

Fat Saturday Ball: Nocturne, AIDS Care Chicago's annual gala will take over the Stan Mansion next Saturday night, tickets start at $25.

Today may be Valentine's Day, but it is also 'National FREEDOM TO MARRY DAY!' A protest is scheduled in front of the Cook County Marriage License Bureau - 118 N Clark St at 11AM SHARP!

Looking for a unique way to start your Valentine's Evening? Stop by Women & Children's Books in Andersonville at 6PM for a reading of poetry by authors published by Northwestern University Press. Scheduled are A.E. Stallings, Nomi Stone, Christina Pugh and Judith Hall.

While you're in Andersonville stop by Chicago Filmmakers - 5243 N Clark for a screening of the lesbian classic - DESERT HEARTS, part of the Dyke Delicious Series. A social hour will start the ball rolling at 7PM followed by the screening at 8PM, tickets are $10

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15

Stop by Women & Children First Books in Andersonville for aLesbian Poetry Celebration at 4:30PM. Celebrate the present and future lesbian poetic tradition with authors Acy Obejas, Ching-in Chen and others.

There's nothing like Classical Music to help you wind down. Enjoy 'A Classical Valentine' free concert at the Chicago Cultural Center - 78 E Randolph at 3PM. Today's concert features soprano Kimberly Jones and tenor Cornelius Johnson performing an afternoon of romantic songs.

Looking for something totally off the wall? The Morse Theater is hosting a Vaudeville Magic Show with Sean Masterson at 2PM. When was the last time you saw a live magic act? Tickets are $10 and give you bragging rights to say you saw a man pull a rabbit out of a hat!

The Oscars are in one week, if you're looking for the perfect Red Carpet Event, don't miss the Center on Halsted's 'On The Red Carpet Oscar Party' next Sunday at the Center. Tickets start at $75