Twenty years ago, it was a fierce honor to be called a diva. Just look at En Vogue's sophomore outing, Funky Divas; Annie Lennox's stunning solo bow; and Club 69's anthem featuring Kim Cooper. As seen on RuPaul's Drag Race, it can also be an insult. Leave it to Chicago Gay Men's Chorus to have its spring show appropriately be titled DIVAS!
Opening night is Friday, May 20, and there will be two shows on Saturday, May 21, also at Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport. The performance moves to Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st, Oak Brook, for the final two concerts Sunday, May 22. For more information, visit www.cgmc.org .
Chicago Gay Men's Chorus is going to interpret material from a broad array of women. The genres will range from showtunes, jazz standards to pop hits. Some divas only need one name, such as Aretha, Cher, Mariah, Liza, Judy and, of course, Barbra. While this show is dedicated to the legendary ladies, let's not forget, not all divas are women. The outspoken Boy George has been known to draw all eyes to him. For another example, look no further than the 1997 documentary Elton John: Tantrums & Tiaras.
Disco siren Donna Summer is going to receive royal treatment as Ladies of the Canyon pay tribute to her on Wed., May 25, at Fitzgerald's, 6615 Roosevelt, Berwyn. Ladies of the Canyon showcases different local talents by paying homage to the great female singer-songwriters. Having previously recreated a flawless nights of Diana Ross and Madonna's music, Ladies of the Canyon surely can revisit Summer's catalog.
Best known for her feel-good dance classics like "MacArthur Park" and "Last Dance," Summer continues to issue gems like "Love Is a Healer," "I Got Your Love," a remake of Luther Vandross's "Power of Love" and "To Paris with Love." Her recent efforts still find success in the club charts, despite not being embraced by radio.
In the liner notes to David Bowie's Sound and Vision, when Brian Eno first heard Summer's 1977 stomper "I Feel Love," he said to Bowie, "I have heard the sound of the future."
Summer has been sampled and covered by many, including Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Selena, Sheena Easton, Beyonce and Laura Branigan. Andy Bell and kd lang redid the chart topper "No More Tears (Enough is Enough)" for The Coneheads soundtrack and Marc Almond collaborated with Bronski Beat on a medley featuring "I Feel Love" and "Love to Love You Baby."
Need more another night of covers? Chicago's beloved outfit Tribitosaurus is dedicating a night to "One Hit Wonders of the '80s" at Park West, 322 W. Armitage, on Friday, May 20. That particular decade had so many memorable queer acts, which only impacted the charts once like Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Soft Cell, Baltimoro, Jermaine Stewart and Paul Lekakis.
International Mr. Leather weekend is approaching and that means Blowoff will be spinning another lively party. The gay duo consisting of Bob Mould and Rich Morel will DJ at The Metro, 3730 N. Clark on Saturday, May 28. Attendees can expect a spirited mix of '80s, alternative, radio favorites and club hits. Be sure to check out Blowoff's website www.blowoff.us for photos, setlists and more information.
Mould has an autobiography, See a Little Light: The Trail of Rage and Melody, due out June 15 via Little, Brown and Company.
Benny Benassi has developed a signature sound with computerized vocals and pounding beats that recall power tools set to music as heard on his crossover "Satisfaction." Even though he has remixed such luminaries as Goldfrapp, Moby, Madonna and Faithless, Benassi also has released the notable "Love's Gonna Save Us" and "Who's Your Daddy" under his own name. On Thursday, May 26, the Italian producer and remixer extraordinaire will be returning to The Mid, 306 N. Halsted, for a DJ set. The Mid is located where The Generator used to be.
When I reviewed Lucinda Williams' latest, Blessed, last month, she did not announce any Chicago-area dates on her tour. As luck would have it, the critically acclaimed singer-songwriter comes to Park West, 322 W. Armitage, on Saturday, May 21, and Sunday, May 22.
There is a new catchy song to raise funds for The Trevor Project and It Gets Better. It is a promising introduction to The Juliettes with the upbeat celebratory anthem "Hooray! You're Gay." The reassuring message is directed to troubled LGBTQ youth. Lead singer Julie Mains fires out, "Gay is never going to go away. You're absolutely fabulous and absolutely here to stay." "Hooray! You're Gay," the debut single from this Seattle-based female rock quartet, can be found on iTunes, tunecore and other digital outlets.
Once again, music comes to the aid of a good cause. Jennifer Harding painted "Sweet Sweet" in response to 2010 American Idol winner Lee DeWyze's song of the same name. The painting now is on a T-shirt, which is available for purchase at www.artandmusicforhope.com . Proceeds from sales will benefit Feeding America and The Greater Berks Food Bank.
DeWyze's "Sweet Sweet"—not to be confused with his post-Idol hit "Sweet Serendipity"—is taken from his album Slumberland, which is available via WuLi Records. With its Americana rock sound, "Sweet Sweet" captures the hopeful spirit of somebody looking for something better elsewhere. DeWyze is from Mount Prospect, Ill.
