March 18 - March 21, 2010

HOORAY, it's the Vernal Equinox!!! Well, it will be at 10:32 on Saturday night and that's all that really matters! Welcome Spring, we've been waiting a long time for you. This week also marks the time when we start having more daylight hours than darkness,

THURSDAY, MARCH 18

My friend, and sometime video conspirator, DJ Gregory, will make his debut tonight during tonights first Bear Den Dance Party at Big Chick's. Bear Den starts at 9PM every Thursday and DJ Gregory will start spinning the tunes at 10PM. Check out the hot and hairy men at Big Chicks and dance the night away - you don't need to go to work on Friday do you?

Looking to get more involved with the LGBT Community? The Out & Equal Chicagoland Regional Affiliate Coucil will hold an informational meeting from 5:15-6:30PM to kick off the events for Citywide Pride 2010. Or head to the Center on Halsted on Friday and partake of GLADD's 'Media Advocacy Training' program from 2-5pm to learn how you can become an ambassador to the LGBT community. Both events are free

Enjoy a weekend of Theater as the Victory Gardens Theater presents the LGBT themed Series: Fresh Squeezed. You can catch Lay of the Land, written and performed by Tim Miller or Dog and Pony Show & Lay of the Land, written and performed by Holly Hughes. Tickets to each are $25 and can be purchased online. Check the site for a full list of performances.

FRIDAY, MARCH 19

One of the newest faces in Boystown is Paciugo Gelato, and they are will presenting their first Local Artists Series focusing on the work of Ian Sklarsky. Skarlsky images of people and objects are created with with pen and epoxy. 10% of sales go to Howard Brown Health Center and in true social-media interaction, one piece will be voted on Paciugio's Facebook page to have 100% of the proceeds donated to HBHC. The opening is from 6-10PM with complimentary Champagne & Baileys, the art will be on display until April 20

Chicago designer Borris Powell will present his Fall/Winter 2010 collection 'The Rise of an Empress' at the Knickerbocker Hotel at 7PM. Stop by to see some of the latest designs coming out of the Chicago Fashion Scene after a recent showing during London's Fashion Week.

Sapphic Adventures will be hosting a 'Spring Fling' at The Call in Andersonville tonight starting at 9PM. Sapphic Adventures is 'a group of fun-loving professional women of all ages and races.' Sign up at their website so you're one of the first to find out about their upcoming events.

SATURDAY, MARCH 20

Don't forget to celebrate the arrival of Spring today, and what better way than to get your bike out of storage and joining up with the Windy City Cycle Club for their annual Kick Off Party. This fun LGBT Bike Club has plenty in store for the upcoming year, find out tonight at The Glenwood Bar from 6-9PM

Experimental musical group White/Light will perform with Steve Shelley, the drummer of Sonic Youth, at the Museum of Contemporary Art at 3PM as part of the 12x12: New Artists/New Work Series. Free with $12 museum admission.

The Union League Club in the heart of the Financial District will be the place to be tonight for Red Hot Cabaret, BEHIV's largest fundraiser of the year. Starting at 7PM you'll be serenaded by Amy & Freddy, enjoy delicious food and have a chance to win some amazing raffle prizes including a Chicago Getaway package. Tickets start at $150 and can be purchased online.

BONUS: Stop by Kafka Wines in Boystown from 4-6PM tonight for a Welcome Spring Wine Tasting to benefit the Gerber/Hart Library. Gerber/Hart Library is a depository or more 14,000 volumes of the LGBT Community. Tickets are only $20 and not only will you get a chance to sip some new wine, but you'll be supporting a great organization.

SUNDAY, MARCH 21

Head to the 28th Annual Maple Syrup Festival at North Park Village Nature Center - 5801 N Pulaski from 10AM-3PM today. Learn how sap is tapped from the trees and turned into maple syrup. Fun for everyone with pancakes and real maple syrup and hot beverages available to purchase.

Women & Children First Books will host a Feminist Book Group this evening from 6-8PM to discuss Exile & Pride: Disability, Queerness & Liberation by Eli Clare. Join in the discussion.

John Oates of the 80's duo Hall & Oates will be performing at Evanston SPACE tonight with Matt Duke. Doors open at 6:30 the concert begins at 7PM. General Admission tix are $35 and reserved table seating tix are $58, order tickets online.

BONUS: Catch the Mayor of Boystown himself, Bill Pritchard, as he makes a special appearance at The Fuggit Show at the Holiday Club. Hosted by comedian Lloyd Young and Diva Amy Armstrong the show is a mix of music, comedy and a whole lot of 'puppets gone wild' apparently Bill may have his hand up a puppets arse - the fun starts at 7:30, tix are $10 at the door. Check the site for their Verizon parody commercial!