February 26 - 29

Yes it's gonna be cold this week but there are plenty of things going on to get you ready for spring, that's right spring is right around the corner. There's lots to do this weekend, you can mingle with the Chicago Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce on Friday, or head down to the Garfield Conservatory for a dose of spring. Bu you had better not dare miss Varla Jean Merman at Hydrate on Friday and Saturday. Get out there - and have some fun!

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26

The Mini Silent Auction at the Gerber/Hart Library - 1127 W Granville, ends tomorrow, check and make sure that you haven't been over-bid!

Did you miss the "L-Word" last Sunday? Stop by Mary's Attic in Andersonville where they'll be screening the latest episode at 9:30. Stick around for Ladies night with $2 J-ello shots, $3 Lite draft and $4 well drinks.

Simon Strikeback, editor of the magazine 'Bound to Struggle' will be at Women & Children First Books - 5233 N Clark St at 7:30PM where he will discuss the latest issue of his magazine and 'the intersections between radical sexuality and radical politics.'

If you haven't had a chance to get out and enjoy Chicago's Restaurant Week you still have today and tomorrow to enjoy prixe fre menus at more than 130 restaurants across the city.

Chicago, the musical starring John O'Hurley (J. Peterman from Seinfeld) opened last night at the Oriental Theater and is here through March 8th. I'm catching the show this evening, so grab your tickets while you can and maybe I'll see you at the show!

The Art Institute is open until 8PM this evening and general admission is free. Catch the new exhibit 'Becoming Edvard Much: Influence, Anxiety and Myth' for only $10 - half price, through the end of February. 9AM-8PM

Daniel Bergner, author of 'The Other Side of Desire: Four Journeys into the far realms of lust and longing' will be at the Leather Archives & Museum - 6418 N Greenview, will be reading from and discussing his latest work at 7PM, a $5 donation is requested.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27

The Chicago Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is holding a 'Mix & Mingle Networking Event' at In Fine Spirits - 5418 N Clark St from 6-9PM, Members: $20, non-members: $30. Enjoy a sampling of 5 wines and appetizers as you network and put the stress of the work week behind you.

Christine Fletcher author of 'Ten Cents a Dance' which is set in 1941 Chicago will be at Women & Children First Books in Andersonville to offer a reading and discussion, 7:30PM

Those wild and crazy boys of the Feast of Fools Podcast are hosting a live podcast from the Steamworks Fireplace Lounge at 8PM, stop by and meet hosts Fausto Fernos and Marc Felion as well as enjoy original comedy by Adam Guerino, the Shirtless Vlogger Keith Ecker and others.

Varla Jean Merman - star of 'Girls will be Girls' will be appearing at Hydrate for 2 performances only (Friday & Saturday) to regale us with comedy, signing and who knows what! Tickets are $20, sorry the VIP section is sold out. You will not want to miss this show.

The Mini Silent Auction at the Gerber/Hart Library ends today, check and make sure that you haven't been over-bid!

Cinema Lesbiana, the Gerber/Hart Library's Women's film screen group will meet at the Library at 7:30PM

Stop by Spin for TPAN's 'Positive Spin Mixer' from 8-11, enjoy a hosted bar and music by VJ Terp, a $5 donation is suggested.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28

Want to get a birdseye view of Chicago without getting in an airplane? Head down to the Chicago Cultural Center - 72 E Randolph, to take a gander at 'Exquisite City, City of Cardboard' at 30-block miniature cityscape of Chicago made almost entirely of cardboard. Enjoy an Artist led Gallery Walk at 1PM today.

The Lincoln Park Lagooners are holding a 'Game Night' this evening. The Lagooners are Chicago's first Gay & Lesbian social organization that offers a diverse selection of events as well as community based activities.

Varla Jean Merman - star of 'Girls will be Girls' will be appearing a second appearance at Hydrate to regale us with comedy, signing and who knows what! Tickets are $20. You will not want to miss this show.

Cold weather got you down? Got cabin fever? Head over to the Lincoln Park Conservatory - 2391 N Stockton for the free Spring Flower Show where you'll see spring flower annuals, perennials and Azaleas that are descendents of those that bloomed at the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. 9AM-5PM

Head down to the Rockefeller Memorial Chapel - 5850 S Woodlawn Ave at the University of Chicago for the World Premiere of Sven-David Sandström's Work for Organ and Choir, a third in a series of new commissions for the Universities recently restored E.M. Skinner Organ, 8-10PM, $20

Stop by Chicago Filmmakers - 5243 N Clark to catch a screening of 'Electric Schematic: Recent Work by UIC Alumni' enjoy experimental and documentary filmmaking, starting at 8PM. $4 Members/$8 General

The Rogers Park Social group is celebrating their 6 month anniversary and the addition of their 100th member at the Glenwood -6962 N Glenwood from 6-10PM, stop by, meet a neighbor - make a friend.

SUNDAY, MARCH 1

BRRRRR, it's time for Chicago's Polar Plunge at North Avenue Beach. Registration starts at 9:30AM and the plunge begins at 10AM, admission is free but the organizers ask that participants raise a minimum of $100 that benefits Special Olympics. After you plunge you can enjoy music and refreshments at the 'Melt Down Party'.

Some friends and I are heading down to the Lyric Opera this morning. They're holding their annual "Back Stage Tours" which only happen 3 days out of the year, tickets are $35 and the tour lasts approximately two hours. If you can't make this week then you have one more chance on March 15th. If you love the theater you won't want to miss this opportunity.

If you're looking for more ways to make spring hurry up and get here, head over to the Garfield Park Conservatory - 300 N Central Park Ave where you can catch hundreds of spring flowers in full bloom. 9AM-5PM, free parking.

Celebrate Poland at Navy Pier at this one-day only free event featuring traditional food, music and dance as well as the Midwest premier of the film 'Casmir Pulaski:Polish and American Hero' Check here for a full list of events

Have you been watching 'RuPaul's Drag Race' on Logo? Now you can catch the current episode BEFORE it airs at Mary's Attic at 9:15PM, find out who gets kicked off this week and then spoil the fun for your friends who haven't seen it yet!

If you just can't get enough of RuPaul's Drag Race then you should definitely run on over to the Feast of Fools, they recently had RuPaul, Jade and Ongina on the show! Find out more dirt about what was going on behind the scenes!

The Millennium Chamber Players will perform at the Morse Theater as part of 98.7WFMT's live broadcast of World Class Chamber Music. Tickets are $10

Asians & Friends - Chicago will meet for their monthly 'Dim Sum Outing' at Furama - 4936 N Broadway at 12:30pm, no RSVP is required.



COMING SOON:

MONDAY - Men on Mondays at Center on Halsted

TUESDSAY - State Trek - 2009 Illinois HIV/AIDS Lobby Days

WEDNESDAY - Gay Liberation Monthly Meeting