Chicago, IL -
It is with a tear in my eye that I report the closing of a Halsted St. staple. The closing party/ GLEE Club Reunion party was May 4th for Manhole and lasted 3 days with guest spots by Jim Lewis, Ralphi Rosario and Teri Bristol. Children, MZ Kii Kii remembers when that space was Christopher St. The grit of the bar and the funny street sign logos put up on the corner of Cornelia and Halsted for the whole world to see definitely did add spice over the years. You will be missed, Mangina ! Mark Liberson (UR Magazine) is the new owner and plans to re-open the space as a lounge club with a dance floor called Hydrate (www.hydratechicago.com). Which one of Halsted St's more tangible bars recently lost almost all of its staff? Down to only one bartender and a bar back on some nights we hear they will be hiring soon.
Friday April 18th brought West Coast DJ Marques Wyatt to SmartBar with an opening set by DJ Dayhota. A fun mix of str8, gay, gals, and other unidentifiable beings made the night WAY WAY CUTE!! Darren Emerson of the group Underworld spun a fierce set April 24th at Transit. April 25th brought Timo Maas to House of Blues to tear up the children of the night…..and he succeeded. I've never heard Timo live, but he impressed me. Normally I don't like to credit straight club crowds for much, but I'll tell you, they carry the dance floor energy that gay dance floors have lost. They cheer when they hear songs they like. They …….dare I say it…..smile and actually look like they are enjoy themselves. I can't remember the last time I heard boyz hoot for a song they liked at the club. Hats off to Pure for Timo's appearance. April 26th gave us White Party (Palm Springs) regular Kimberly S. at Circuit and House standard Miles Maeda at SmartBar. Kimberly was cute and worked the boyz, naturally, while Miles let the house-heads have it up and down the dancefloor. Also on that night, Funky Buddha Lounge delivered its classic "Pimps and Ho's" party part 3. Gramaphone Records' "Default One" party was a success on May 3rd at the Metro. I got my head chewed off because I accidentally listed the ticket price for the Default party in this column as "11$" at the door. Well, it was actually 25$ at the door and you know the queens let me have it! The Heart's Foundation showed their appreciation back on April 27th with a party at Domaine spun by Ralphi Rosario and Teri Bristol. The house was full and fun was had by all.
Gone but NEVER forgotten: Miss Amy Armstrong sang her last with the Voltaire troop back on April 26th. There was many a teary eye in the house that night. She is moving on to greener pastures. We will miss you, Amy!! Where is the man on the box? Stopping into Cell Block recently I spotted Box Boy Rich behind the bar serving libations of the leather kind. He's there Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Rumors of possible T dances at Cellblock? Rumors of a new Sunday gay happening at Circus (no, not Circuit)? Stay tuned for more. Cherry Red on Sheffield……been there yet? Crawl out of your shell and experience it kids. For those who don't venture out much, Saturday nights on radio station 88.7FM you can hear DJ Shani Herbert's radio show "Groove Temple" as part of the "Gotta have house music" movement. She's had many guest DJ's from Keith Ware to DJ Glen so you know the show has musical variety. Tune in and enjoy.
Do you like to munch? Food, that is. 1492 Tapas Bar has opened down on Superior & Rush and the cuisine is way Spanish, way cute, and way proper. Dress nice or you'll be eatin' cheetos from the 99cent rack! What's next for the Babes in Boyland? Memorial Day approaches with DJ Mark Anthony doing the IML tea dance at Excalibur on May 25th and Susan Morabito doing the "Slap Leather" party at the same venue the next day. And waaaaaayyy down the line, Mariah Carey will be belting it out at the United Center on July 29th. Well, that's it for now kids, and remember to douche properly!
Friday April 18th brought West Coast DJ Marques Wyatt to SmartBar with an opening set by DJ Dayhota. A fun mix of str8, gay, gals, and other unidentifiable beings made the night WAY WAY CUTE!! Darren Emerson of the group Underworld spun a fierce set April 24th at Transit. April 25th brought Timo Maas to House of Blues to tear up the children of the night…..and he succeeded. I've never heard Timo live, but he impressed me. Normally I don't like to credit straight club crowds for much, but I'll tell you, they carry the dance floor energy that gay dance floors have lost. They cheer when they hear songs they like. They …….dare I say it…..smile and actually look like they are enjoy themselves. I can't remember the last time I heard boyz hoot for a song they liked at the club. Hats off to Pure for Timo's appearance. April 26th gave us White Party (Palm Springs) regular Kimberly S. at Circuit and House standard Miles Maeda at SmartBar. Kimberly was cute and worked the boyz, naturally, while Miles let the house-heads have it up and down the dancefloor. Also on that night, Funky Buddha Lounge delivered its classic "Pimps and Ho's" party part 3. Gramaphone Records' "Default One" party was a success on May 3rd at the Metro. I got my head chewed off because I accidentally listed the ticket price for the Default party in this column as "11$" at the door. Well, it was actually 25$ at the door and you know the queens let me have it! The Heart's Foundation showed their appreciation back on April 27th with a party at Domaine spun by Ralphi Rosario and Teri Bristol. The house was full and fun was had by all.
Gone but NEVER forgotten: Miss Amy Armstrong sang her last with the Voltaire troop back on April 26th. There was many a teary eye in the house that night. She is moving on to greener pastures. We will miss you, Amy!! Where is the man on the box? Stopping into Cell Block recently I spotted Box Boy Rich behind the bar serving libations of the leather kind. He's there Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Rumors of possible T dances at Cellblock? Rumors of a new Sunday gay happening at Circus (no, not Circuit)? Stay tuned for more. Cherry Red on Sheffield……been there yet? Crawl out of your shell and experience it kids. For those who don't venture out much, Saturday nights on radio station 88.7FM you can hear DJ Shani Herbert's radio show "Groove Temple" as part of the "Gotta have house music" movement. She's had many guest DJ's from Keith Ware to DJ Glen so you know the show has musical variety. Tune in and enjoy.
Do you like to munch? Food, that is. 1492 Tapas Bar has opened down on Superior & Rush and the cuisine is way Spanish, way cute, and way proper. Dress nice or you'll be eatin' cheetos from the 99cent rack! What's next for the Babes in Boyland? Memorial Day approaches with DJ Mark Anthony doing the IML tea dance at Excalibur on May 25th and Susan Morabito doing the "Slap Leather" party at the same venue the next day. And waaaaaayyy down the line, Mariah Carey will be belting it out at the United Center on July 29th. Well, that's it for now kids, and remember to douche properly!
