June 18 - 21, 2009

The longer days mean more time to spend outside, now if it will just stop raining! I hope you've been saving your energy during those rainy days earlier this week because you'll surely need them for all the fun things this weekend. There's Street Festivals galore this weekend as well as fundraisers and film screenings. Get out there and have some fun!

BEHIV & Vital Bridges present 'Mojito Mayhem Pride Party' tonight at Halsteds - 3441 N Halsted from 6-8PM. Can you think of a better way of kicking off Pride than by helping two great organizations that give so much back to the Community? Enjoy Mojitos, complimentary appetizers and your chance to win some amazing door prizes. Tickets are $12/$15 and can be purcahsed online.

Melissa Etheridge will be performing at The Venue at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, IN - just a short 30 minute drive from downtown Chicago. Tickets start at $45 and she'll take the stage at 7:30.

The PEOPLE*s Theater and MidTangent Productions present "A Perfect Relationship" at the Leather Archives & Museum with it's premier performance this evening. The show runs through July 10th on Thurs/Fri evenings at 8PM. Tickets are only $10 and can be purchased at the door.

Trying to build a family but running into some roadblocks? Not sure what path to turn down? UBS, Pricewaterhouse and Lotus Blossom Consulting will hold a free forum, Family Building for Alternative Families, from 11:30-1:30. The forum will discuss the needs of the LGBT family and how they can work to grow their family. Lunch will be provided, but you do need to Reserve a Seat. Check the site for full details

I got a note that Lady Bunny is making an appearance at Berlin tonight for a fundraiser for the film 'Fish out of Water' Starting at 10PM, DJ Stinky Pinky and DJ Regaonomix will kick off the evening of fun fabulous dancing. Drinks specials abound, but more importantly you're helping to fund a new and exciting film.

WEEKEND FESTIVAL LINEUP

F/S/S - Close Up 2 Smooth Jazz Festival

F/S/S - Festa Pasta

F/S/S - St. Josaphat's Summerfest

F/S/S -Taste of Greece

F/S/S - Taste of Randolph Street

S/S - Belmont Arts Festival

S/S - Chicago Summerfest

S/S - Custer's Last Stand

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

Last Friday we headed down to the Art Institute to take advantage of their free admission from 5-9PM. The atmosphere was fun and electric and it was wonderful to see the museum so full of people enjoying the art, the building and the space. Go spend a few hours or just check out the new Modern Wing - you won't be disappointed.

Chicago's very own Alexandra Billings is coming back to Chicago to play Grand Marshall at this years Gay Pride Parade. If you're not familiar with Billings you can catch a viewing of "Schoolboy to Showgirl: The Alexandra Billings Story" on WTTW tonight at 8:30PM

The Gene Siskel Film Center will host screenings of British filmmaker Terence Davies 'memoir' Of Time and the City. He explores the history of his hometown, Liverpool, England, and how it has transformed during his lifetime. Screenings are limited through June 25. Tonights show starts at 6:15

Thank GLAAD it's Pride! Head on over to minibar for GLAAD's networking event where you can meet like-minded LGBT Professionals from 7-9PM. J. Michael Durnil, GLAAD's Sr VP will host the event. Tickets are $35, include 2 hours hosted bar, special pride gifts and a one year membership to GLAAD.

Stop by Uncommon Ground - 1401 W Devon for a Farmer Fridays Farmer's Market from 4-8PM every Friday through Halloween! Stop on by and grab some delicious, tasty and fresh food for the weekend.

SATURDAY, JUNE 20

The Chicago Smelts, Chicago's mostly gay and lesbian Masters Swim Club, is holding a bachelor auction at Halsteds - 3458 N Halsted starting at 8PM. There will be a hosted bar from 8-9:30 and you'll have the chance to bid on some hot swimmers, silent auction items or even win cash in the 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $10 at the door and benefit the SMELTS and the Chicago Park District Pool at Gill Park. Put your fins on and head on over

It's Third Saturdays in Edgewater...say what? The Edgewater Chamber of Commerce is promoting a new summertime shopping event to draw people to the exciting and interesting stores that line Broadway in the Edgewater neighborhood. There's going to be entertainment, food and free trolley rides. If you like shopping for antiques, Edgewater is definitely the place to start. Check the site for full details

Artemis Singers - Chicago's Lesbian Feminist Chorus celebrates Pride month with a special program: A Girl Meets Girls Musical at the COS Episcopal Church - 530 W Fullerton at 7:30PM. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 or $15 at the door.

It's the night for music, not only is Cake Chicago presenting an LGBT Film Themed program at the Red Line Tap but the Pansy Division (pictured) is taking the stage at Subterranean. The very rarely touring queer punk band is hitting a lot of cities for Gay Pride Month so don't miss your chance to catch their Chicago edition.

Chicago's only women's roller derby team - the Windy City Rollers - will compete in the 2009 Ivy King Cup Championship at the UIC Pavilion - 525 S Racine - at 5PM. To kick off the evening, The Polkaholics will present a pre-game concert

Head up to Women & Children First Books to help celebrate the First Anniversary of Sappho's Salon: A Provacative Night of Lesbian Diversions. For a year now musicans, poets, and authors have been bringing the artistic voice to life. The party starts at 7:30

Mama Sandy will hold a fireside chat at the Leather Archives & Museum starting at 7:30PM. This third in a series of programs presented by LA&M gives you an opportunity to talk with, and learn from, leaders within the Leather Community.

SUNDAY, JUNE 21

Those fun boys and girls of the Gay Gaymers are doing it again! They're meeting up at Guthries Tavern - 1300 W Addison for some game playing starting at 5PM. I had a chance to meet up with this fun group last month and had a blast playing board games and card games and taboo! Check out their Facebook page for full details.

Don't forget that it's Father's Day today. If you're looking for a unique way to show Dad that you care, why not head over to the Drake Hotel for their 'Gentleman's Tea' Check here for full details

If you're heading over to the Quad Cities for Pridefest 2009 - Winds of Change - then make sure that you stick around and participate in Colors Across the River for Equality (CARE) as they attempt to carry 1000 Pride Flags across the Mississippi River over the Centennial Bridge between Davenport, IA and Rock Island, IL. A picnic starts at 2PM and the crossing will begin at 4PM.

Fidler on the Roof, starring Topol of the 1971 film version, started last week at the Oriental Theater, but tonight cast members will head over to The Spot - 4437 N Broadway for a cabaret benefit 'Fiddlin' Around' to benefit Chicago House. Tickets are only $10 and include a drink ticket. 7-9PM

RECESSIONI BUSTER Head on up to the Block Museum in Evanston and take in a free docent-lead guided tour of their current exhibition 'Bare Witness: Photographs by Gordon Parks' at 2PM. While you're there take some extra time to view the rest of the museum and take a walk along the lakeshore.

Hell's Fairies - Chicago's LGBT Scooter Club are hosting a Jelly Belly Ride. They're meeting at 11AM at the Coffee Studio - 5628 N Clark and will scooter out to the Jelly Belly factory in Pleasant Prairie, WI where they'll take an exciting tour of the Jelly Belly Factory. **Note** Because of highway speeds they're limiting this ride to the 125cc Scooters or higher

COMING SOON

TUESDSAY - Movie in the Park at CHM

WEDNESDAY - Film Fundraiser for "Like a Lady: The Fakaleitis of Tonga"

FRIDAY/SATURDAY: PRIDEFEST

SATURDAY - Mamma Mia! in the Park

SUNDAY - PRIDE PARADE