April 9-12

Do you have your Easter bonnet ready for the weekend? The Easter Bunny is sure to make an appearance to check it out so you'd better be ready. There's so much going on this weekend! Ben Lerman is in town, there's a Brunch Booze and Bunny Cruise on the lake and it's Miss Foozies Birthday, she's having a party at Circuit and you're invited. Get out there and have some fun!

THURSDAY, APRIL 9

It's all about the Flamingo's at Macy's on State Street. To celebrate spring stop by and check out the 2009 Spring Flower Show on the first floor, now through April 19th.

Becoming Edvard Munch is only here through the end of April and Thursday night is the best time to go because general admission to the Art Institute is free after 5PM and they're open until 8PM - a great way to kick start the weekend.

Tonight is the night that you've been waiting for. The American Theater Co opens their production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch tonight. Catch this award winning show for a limited run through May 17th. The show runs Thursday-Sunday, prices range from $35-40

It's Prose, Poetry and Pints at the Wild Pug - 4810 N Broadway - a brand new open mic night for authors and new writers, it's hosted by 2009 Lambda Literary award finalist Drew Ferguson. If you want to participate, sign-up starts at 7:30PM and the readings start at 8PM

Jon Ginoli from the queer punk band Pansy Division, will read from his memoir - Deflowered at Borders - 755 W North Ave at 6:30PM

FRIDAY, APRIL 10

Ben Lerman takes the stage at Mary's Attic at 7:30PM. Aunt Joanna and Cameron Esposito will join him. You've probably heard him on Feast of Fun, HereTV and Sirius Radio - now catch him in person.$10

Stop by 'Queering the Night' an open mic event at Center for New Possibilities - 1505 W Morse Ave - features J'Sun Howard. 7-9PM, $5 donation or $3 if you want to perform. Celebrate queer love with sweet words and movement.

'Brian Tilton: In The Details' an exhibit of architectural watercolors opens at the Center on Halsted. Stop by for the opening reception from 6:30-9:30PM, a $5 donation is requested. The show runs through May 31. Check the site for full details.

Stop by Hydrate for the Positively Aware Party hosted by TPAN. It's a fun place for positive people to meet from 8-11PM

Midnight Madness reigns supreme at the Music Box for 'Repo! The Genetic Opera' 90 Day Delinquents will be doing a 'shadow cast' What the heck is a shadowcast? I guess I'll need to go and find out for myself!

SATURDAY, APRIL 11

I just caught the Mapplethorpe exhibit at the Block Museum at the last minute, so don't make sure you wait until it's too late to catch the Buckminster Fuller exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Stop by the Chicago Cultural Center for the unveiling of their newest exhibit 'The Sorrows of Swans: Paintings by Eleanor Spiess-Ferris' admission is free through July.

Hop Hop Hop down to the Brunch Booze & Bunny cruise that sets sail from Navy Pier at 12:30 and runs the gamut of the shoreline to Hollywood Beach and back. Enjoy a 4 hour cruise with a 2 hour hosted bar and a delicious buffet, $100 per person. Check the site for full details and to purchase tickets online

It's Miss Foozies BIRTHDAY and she's having a party - and you're ALL INVITED!!! Stop over at Circuit - seating starts at 9:30 and the show starts at 10:30. Come on Pineapples - go give Miss Foozie some love!

The Edgewater Historical Society is hosting speaker Dan Weinberg to discuss Abraham Lincoln Memorabilia, the free program starts at 10AM. Check the site for full details.

Catch Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth in the 1948 film 'The Lady from Shanghai' in all it's glory with an archival 35mm print at the Gene Siskel Film Center at 3PM. As part of The First Transition: World Cinema in the 1940's program will start with a lecture/discussion by Jonathan Rosenbaum. 3PM

It's Dyke Delicious at Chicago Filmmakers, catch Affinity a film that follows the leading lady as she heads to jail hoping to escape her 'widowly troubles while attempting to be a good influence to the female prisoners. There she meets Selina, a talented medium, who catches her attention and reads her mind' - oh yeah and it's set in 1870. A Social Hour kicks off at 7PM with the screening at 8PM. $10

SUNDAY, APRIL 12

It's Easter enjoy the day with your friends or family!

Why not catch a show? Mary Poppins is at the Cadillac Palace Theater for a limited run, you won't want to miss this amazing show.

Today is the last day to catch Rent at the Oriental Theater with two of it's original Broadway stars - Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp, catch it before it's gone!

The tulips are coming, the tulips are coming! Last year hundreds of thousands of tulip bulbs were planted along the Magnificent Mile. We're going to Amsterdam next week to see where they come from, but I'm going to stop downtown first to get in the mood - I hope they show up soon!

COMING SOON

APRIL 25 - An afternoon with Rita Mae Brown

APRIL 30 - Dining out for Life

MAY 3 - 23rd Annual Rogers Park House Tour

MAY 10 - Mommie Dearest at Music Box Theater