April 22 - 25

It's wonderful to watch more and more flowers bloom, it's great to walk through the neighborhoods and see old friends and there's plenty to do this weekend so get out there and have some fun, enjoy this cool weather. We'll be at Hollywood Beach before you know it!

THURSDAY, APRIL 22

Your chances to compete in this years Windy City Idol is dwindling, but head to Spin tonight where you can sign up to compete starting at 8PM and the show starting at 9PM. $10 to sing/$5 audience. Winner tonight receives $100 and an opportunity to advance to the semi-finals later this summer.

Tired of listening to the same old beats on the radio yet don't know how to make your own. Stop by Transistor, the latest little gadget shop in Andersonville for lessons on Apple's Garage Band. Learn to make your own music, remix and create your own dance tunes. Course is $40 and starts at 7PM. Go ahead, learn something new.

Get to the Gerber/Hart Library tonight at 7PM and join in on the 'One Book, One Chicago' discussion of Brooklyn by Colm Toibin. The book tells the story of a young woman who leaves her small Irish town in the 1950s and immigrates to Brooklyn. Several of Toibin's prior works have received Lambda Literary Awards.

FRIDAY, APRIL 23

Stop by the Center on Halsted at 5:30 for Trancinema, a casual movie night for those 18+ who identify as transgender or have questions regarding gender identity. The movie is FREE and a discussion will be held after the film.

Kuek Aleu Garang and Garang Mayuol are recent subjects of two documentary films being shown at Chicago Filmmakers at 8PM. 22 Years from Home and Rebuilding Hope tell the stories of these courageous men who were driven from their homeland and eventual return to rebuild their lives. Kuek and Garang will be at the screening. Tix are $8 at the door.

Stop by The Julian Marc Gallery - 6054 N Broadway - for an exclusive showing benefiting Illinois Gender Advocates. Featuring Dorothy Mason, watercolors; Tracey Poysner, photography; Patricia Carey, knitwear and others. Windy and cheese by Cheri. 21+ $20

SATURDAY, APRIL 24

I hope your bike is tuned up because the Windy City Cycling Club is hosting a 45-mile North Shore tour to Highland Park via the North Branch Trail. Stop for lunch and then head back to the city. Sign up and meet at the Cheetah in Andersonville at 8AM, you should be back in town by 1PM. Go ahead, get some exercise.

The Chicago Dragons, our very own gay rugby team, will host the University of Chicago in their season opener at Lerner Park at 1PM. Come out to the scrum and get muddy!

The wonderful social organization, Lincoln Park Lagooners, will host their Annual Meeting at Touche from 7-10PM. Come out and meet up with some great guys and gals for some fun times. Summer is just starting and the LPL has a fun summer planned.

BONUS there was A Snuggie Bar Crawl a few weeks and now Andersonville will play host to a Zombie Bar Crawl starting at 2PM. Yep, don't be surprised if you see Zombies roaming the streets looking for brains....err, I mean beer. Registration online is $20 and includes stops at 6 bars, a t-shirt, souvenir cup, and access to drink specials. Come on, if you've gotta be undead, might as well be a zombie!

SUNDAY, APRIL 25

You know that your pets are part of the family, so why not go to the Bark Bark Club in Edgewater for a Pet Portrait from 10AM-5PM, RSVP's ARE required for this event so call (773) 878-7233. Prices start at $30 and a $15 downpayment is required. Wouldn't Mom just love a picture of the grandkids? I know mine would.

This months Buffy Discussion Group at Women & Children will discus the topic of 'The Role of Mothering in Buffy' stop by the site to see the suggested episode listing and essays to read beforehand to join in on the conversation. Starts at 2PM and runs til 6PM, just in time to enjoy a nice Sunday evening in Andersonville.

Women of the Western Suburbs, come out come out for the monthly meeting of WOWS for a chance to network and social with other women. The event will be held in Streamwood, RSVP to deecaps@netzero.net for more details.