Summer is in full swing, street festivals have become a major part of our weekends and catching up with friends at Hollywood Beach is even more fun than it was last year. There's plenty going on this weekend, so get out there and have some fun!
THURSDAY, JUNE 17
Looking to get some music in your life? Then get ready with the Grant Park Music Festival that's already in full swing. Concerts are planned all summer, but another great part of the program is that you get to sit in on the rehersals too. Today from 10:30AM to 1PM you can sit in on a open rehersal for Beethoven: Mass in C Major at Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. Check the site for a full list of concerts and open rehersals. Grab a bite to eat and enjoy the lawn.
Instead of just staring into the night sky, why not head to the planetarium tonight for 'Adler After Dark' for their 21+ extravaganza. Look at the stars, enjoy cocktails, appetizers, music by DJ Sean Alvarez and get a chance to look through the telescope to get an up close view of the stars. Tix are $10 but if you ride to the Adler and show them your bike helmet you'll get in for only $5.
Head to J Bar - 610 N Rush St - when Terrence Chappell hosts the Professional Young Gays or P.Y.G. networking event. Mix, mingle, and network with other gay professionals and share the night with special keynote speaker James Bennett, Regional Midwest Director of Lambda Legal. Gift bags for all RSVPs, $10 suggested donation to benefit Center on Halsted.
FRIDAY, JUNE 18
The Center on Halsted presents PRIDE Awareness Month with a screening of the film Sebastiane by director Derek Jarman. Set in 300 A.D. Sebastiane is exiled and sent to an outpost populated exclusively by men. This movie was very controversial when released in 1976 for its depictions of homosexual sex acts that weren't pornographic in nature. The film starts at 6:30
It's Adams Birthday (Suit) Show at Dank Haus starting at 7:30. It's comedian Adam Guerino's birthday and he's baring it all in a show filled with comedy, music and cocktails. Tix are $12 but include one free drink. Check the site for full details.
Looking for some almost naughty nudies? Then head to the Lincoln Tap Room for 'Lincoln Fair - The Monthly Burlesque Exposition' presented by Vauezilla. It's not just burlesque, there's celebrity impersonators, a bellydance workshop and even more! It's FREE, check out the site for full details.
FESTIVAL LINE UP
Th/F/S/S - Fiesta Puertorriquenas
F/S/S - Festa Pasta Vino
F/S/S - MidSummer Festival
F/S/S - Taste of Randolph
F/S/S - The Raven
S/S - Custer's Last Stand
S/S - Randolph Street Market
SATURDAY, JUNE 19
It's Gay Day at Six Flags sponsored by Gay Chicago Magazine. You can get tickets from GCM for $40 per person (and $5 of that benefits BEHIV) and grab a bus at Touche at 10AM for $15. Also, Six Flags is offering a buy one/get one free offer on their website. There's no mention on any of the sites, but typically red t-shirts are used to "identify family members," I'll be wearing mine and I'll see you there.
We spend plenty of time in the bars drinking, but do you ever wonder where that wonderful elixir actually comes from? Chicago's first boutique distillery, Koval, located in Andersonville opens their doors several times this summer to give you a chance to check out the magic. Koval makes Whiskey, Vodka distilled from Rye, brandy and more. Check out today's tour at 2PM or others scheduled throughout the summer for only $10 per person.
