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Jeff Awards Nominee Night cabaret concert online June 1
The Non-Equity Jeff Awards Nominee Night concert, a version of the annual event at Sidetrack to showcase Jeff Award nominees, will be broadcast without charge Monday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m. at www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VZs3TQGefc . The annual ...
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NATIONAL 'Drag Fest,' eating disorders, journalist attacked, NCLR event
Political activist/New York City drag staple Marti Gould Cummings and The Only Productions announced the largest digital drag festival during Pride 2020, a press release noted. More than 100 performers are scheduled to appear during "Pride ...
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NUNN ON ONE DRAG Miz Cracker on being an 'All Star' and using karate
Drag personality Miz Cracker drove into the spotlight by placing fifth on the 10th season of RuPaul's Drag Race. The race continues with the recent announcement that Cracker is a contestant on the fifth season of ...
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Summer weather draws crowds, and criticism, to Andersonville
Numerous Chicagoans emerged from isolation over Memorial Day weekend looking to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather. Many residents and visitors in Andersonville reportedly did not practice social-distancing guidelines, eschewing recommendations for both face coverings and ...
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IML officially cancelled for 2020
The annual International Mr. Leather ( IML ) global convention—pushed back from its usual Memorial Day weekend to Sept. 25-27 because of the coronavirus pandemic—has been officially cancelled for 2020. On the event's website, it states, ...
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Chicago Pride Fest going virtual
Chicago Pride Fest will mark its 20th year with a virtual festival format. On June 20-21, the Northalsted Business Alliance will bring Boystown to the world with a streaming Chicago Pride Fest celebrating the love, life ...
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Affinity to mark 25th anniversary virtually
Co-chairs and the Affinity Community Services board of directors recently announced that Affinity's 25th-anniversary event will be a virtual experience taking place the weekend of Oct. 9-11, with the centerpiece event on Saturday, Oct. 10. Co-chairs ...
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Preckwinkle releasing social-distancing photos
Recently, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle shared the first in a series of photos to illustrate and promote the need for physical distancing during this pandemic. The first photo is "Abbey Road & E. 53rd ...
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'Andersonville at Home' virtual event June 12
The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce ( ACC ) is taking the Midsommarfest experience online for a virtual event and fundraiser Friday, June 12, to celebrate the weekend in which the 55th annual outdoor Midsommarfest was previously ...
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2Bears Tavern Group prepares community meals
When you're here, you're family ... Twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays, the staff of 2Bears Tavern Group distributes community meals at Meeting House Tavern, 5025 N. Clark St., 2-6 p.m. The effort began immediately after ...
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VIRTUAL VIBES LGBTQ bar events online
Support your favorite LGBTQ bar events online. Physical distancing, social togetherness. Virtual Music Monday-Show Tunes Trivia Join Sidetrack Monday, May 18, at 8 p.m., for a Sidetrack Show Tunes Trivia experience with your Facilitator of ...
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NUNN ON ONE DRAG Eureka O' Hara,'Here' and now
Born in Johnson City, Tennessee, David Huggard transformed into drag personality Eureka O'Hara and began performing in the local gay club called New Beginnings. Competing in the pageant system around town prepared them for a future ...
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Market Days postponed to Labor Day weekend
The Northalsted Business Alliance is rescheduling Northalsted Market Days, originally slated to take place Aug. 8-9, to Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 5-6, in combination with Chicago's PrideFest celebration. Festival Chairperson Mark Liberson said in a statement, ...
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VIRTUAL VIBES
Support your favorite LGBTQ bar events online. Physical distancing, social togetherness. Virtual Men's Room Wednesday Insta Live Sidetrack brings the men right to you. How's that for service?! Check-in with Team Sidetrack on Insta ...
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Steppenwolf holding online gala May 9
Steppenwolf Theatre Company is replacing its 2020 gala with a special online event, "Pants Optional: A Steppenwolf Soiree," celebrating the power of theater and raising vital funds. Ensemble member Audrey Francis will emcee this festive ( ...
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Midsommarfest moved to August
The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce ( ACC ) will postpone the 55th annual Andersonville Midsommarfest, originally scheduled for June 12-14, to the weekend of Aug. 21-23. This decision was made with consideration in light of the ...
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About Face Theatre's Wonka Ball and Laced production postponed
Video below
CHICAGO ( April 1, 2020 )— About Face Theatre today announced the postponement of its annual benefit gala and its planned production of LACED, which was set to begin performances on May 13. WONKA BALL: SILVER ...
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SHOWBIZ Troye Sivan, Digital Drag Fest,'Killing Eve,' rapper comes out, 'Star Trek'
On March 22, singer Troye Sivan revealed that his brand new single, "Take Yourself Home," would be officially coming out on April 1, Billboard.com noted. Alongside his announcement, Sivan also appeared to give fans a quick ...
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NATIONAL Lesbian bishop, iconic activist dies, military lawsuit, drag legend passes
Rev. Bonnie Perry was recently ordained as the 11th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan—beconing the first woman and openly gay person to hold the position, ClickOnDetroit.com noted. "Jesus said almost nothing about homosexuality," Perry ...
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Fundraisers online for workers sidelined by Chicago bar closings
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor JB Pritzker has ordered the closing of all bars and restaurants for dine-in business at least through the end of April. This is a necessary action to stem ...
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COVID-19: LGBT Chicagoans weather pandemic's economic storm
Millions of U.S. residents will face uncertain financial futures as the coronavirus pandemic unfolds. Nearly 3.3 million people filed new unemployment claims the week of March 23, while economic activity has ground to a virtual halt ...
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IML postponed due to coronavirus
Organizers of the annual International Mr. Leather ( IML ) celebration announced the morning of March 19 that the annual event—normally held each Memorial Day weekend—has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. The 2020 IML ...
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LGBT nightclubs prepare for weeks-long closings
Chicago-area nightclubs and restaurants, along with all food-and-beverage hospitality businesses in Illinois, received the order from state authorities the afternoon of March 15 to cease operations at the close of business the following day. The mandate ...
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LGBT nightclubs prepare for mandated weeks-long closings
Please see the full story at http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/LGBT-nightclubs-prepare-for-weeks-long-closings/68186.html . ...
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'Chicago Is A Drag Festival' on June 26
A Queer Pride's Chicago Is A Drag Festival ( CIADF )—being promoted as the first-ever outdoor festival in Chicago that showcases an intersectional look into its drag culture and scene—is slated to take place Friday, June ...
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'OUTspoken' at BAC on April 10
The Beverly Arts Center ( BAC ), 2407 W. 111th St., will present an evening with LGBTQIA storytelling collective OUTspoken on Friday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m. Chicago-based comedian Elizabeth Gomez will host the event, which ...
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Pride in the Park Chicago to expand to two days, June 27-28) UPDATE: CANCELED
CHICAGO—March 2020—Pride in the Park Chicago today announced the return to Grant Park in downtown Chicago, Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28. Building on the success of last year's inaugural event, Pride in the Park ...
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Leather64TEN Presents Kurt Allen Outstanding Community Service Award 2020
On Saturday, March 14, Leather64TEN will present the very first Kurt Allen Outstanding Community Service Award to Gerald "Daddy G" Cernak. The event will take place 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Jackhammer Bar, 6406 N. Clark St. ...
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NIGHTLIFE SIDETRACK Circuit Mom
A fat and happy Tuesday at Circuit Mom's Mardi Gras takeover. Joseph Stevens Photography ...
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NIGHTLIFE The Sofo Tap
Seeing red at Otter: Lumbersexual. Joseph Stevens Photography ...
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NUNN ON ONE DANCE James B. Whiteside on drag, ballet and being with Milk
American Ballet Theatre is returning to the Auditorium Theatre to celebrate an 80th anniversary. One of the pieces brought to life is Twyla Tharp's Deuce Coupe that was first performed by ABT in 2019 and now ...
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SHOWBIZ Disney first, queer band, awards events, Aretha, 'Drag Race'
Months after The Rise of Skywalker featured the first same-sex kiss in the Star Wars galaxy, the new animated film Onward introduces the first self-identified lesbian character into the Disney-Pixar universe, Yahoo! noted. Her name is ...
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PHOTOS Sidetrack
Feeling the love of Sidetrack's Valentine's Day party. Joseph Stevens Photography ...
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PHOTOS Jackhammer
No one does it harder than Joe Whitaker's FuKr party. Joseph Stevens Photography ...
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ShOWBIZ 'Drag Race' judges, Dwyane Wade, 'Porgy,' Of Montreal, Cirque du Soleil
RuPaul Drag Race's season-12 guest judges consist of film, music, television, fashion and political figures such as Nicki Minaj, Whoopi Goldberg, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Chaka Khan, Robyn, Leslie Jones, Normani, Jeff Goldblum, Daisy Ridley, Thandie Newton, Olivia ...
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March 7 fundraiser set for Elgin's first Pride Parade and Festival
Organizers of the first Elgin Pride Parade and Festival will be holding a benefit for the summer event on Saturday, March 7. The Big Queer Variety Show and Fundraiser takes place at The Martini Room, 161 ...
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Decades after San Francisco closed gay bathhouses, new law makes way for return
SAN FRANCISCO — District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman introduced legislation Tuesday at the San Francisco Board of Supervisors requiring the San Francisco Department of Public Health to remove current regulations requiring the monitoring of patrons' sexual ...
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'Love Out Loud' ball Feb. 8
In Demand Entertainment and CSU Royal Court are presenting the Love Out Loud Ball on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2-10 p.m., at Chicago State University's Student Union Building, 9501 S. King Dr. The ball-approved event is offering ...
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'A Night with Oscar' viewing party Feb. 9
Center on Halsted will hold its annual "A Night with Oscar" viewing party Sunday, Feb. 9, 6-11 p.m. at the Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave., with the red-carpet arrivals starting at 5 p.m. There will ...
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Queer Valentine's Day event at MCA
"Odd Pleasures: A Queer Valentine's Day Event" will take place Friday, Feb. 14, 7-8:30 p.m., at the Museum for Contemporary Art ( MCA ), 200 E. Chicago Ave. Chicago drag queen/comedian Aunty Chan will host the ...
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Mr. Chicago Leather 2020
Congratulations to Butch Romero, the newly-chosen Mr. Chicago Leather 2020. Butch gained the title Saturday, January 25, at Leather Archives & Museum, 6418 N. Greenview Ave. The party continued at Touche, 6412 N. Clark St., with ...
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Mayor Lightfoot, Gov. Pritzker to address Equality Illinois 2020 Gala
CHICAGO — Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot will deliver the keynote address at Saturday night's Equality Illinois 2020 Gala. United Airlines is the Presenting Sponsor at the annual event in the Hilton Chicago, where more than 1,500 ...
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NATIONAL Political candidates, Larry Kramer, Virginia laws, drag-queen news
LGBTQ Victory Fund—the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office—endorsed Ross LaJeunesse for the U.S. Senate, a press release noted. LaJeunesse would be the first openly LGBTQ man and just the third ...
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SHOWBIZ Judith Light, RuPaul, queer docufiction film, Lil Nas X, Mika
GLAAD will honor award-winning actress, producer and activist Judith Light with the Excellence in Media Award at the 31st Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York, a press release noted. The organization also announced that Lilly ...
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GoFundMe page launched for DJ Bristol
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help Teri Bristol, who has been a longtime DJ at various LGBTQ venues as well as spots such as Smartbar. After DJing a New Year's show with longtime mixing ...
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Drag Performer of the Week: Laila McQueen
BEHIND THE NAME "I used to work a small store inside a strip club and Laila sounded like a pretty stripper name that none of the other girls had. And as far as McQueen, I was ...
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Jerry Nunn's 50th at Mary's Attic
Seeing red at Jerry Nunn's 50th birthday/fundraiser for Heartland Alliance. Photos by Jerry Nunn ...
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SIDETRACK New Years'
This ... is 2020! Photos by Jed Dulanas ...
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Performer of the Week Alex Jenny
BEHIND THE NAME "Alex is my given name and Jenny is my mom's name. When choosing my stage name, I knew I wanted it to feel less like a character or a persona and more ...
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Lips Chicago New Years' photos
Dropping the ball with ABC-7! Photos courtesy of Lips Chicago ...
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Jackhammer New Years' photos
Have a fetishy 2020! Joseph Stevens Photography ...
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Bowie Ball celebrates with drag and dance Jan. 10
Heaven Malone and A Queer Pride will present "Bowie Ball: David Bowie's Birthday" Friday, Jan. 10, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., at Le Nocturne, 4810 N. Broadway. Lucy Stoole will be mistress of ceremonies. Mick Douch, Ari Gato, ...
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theWit celebrating Warhol with package
theWit Hotel, 201 N. State St., is celebrating the arrival of "Andy Warhol—From A to B and Back Again," the acclaimed traveling Andy Warhol exhibit that has just made its debut in Chicago—with a hotel package ...
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Fifth annual Mr. Leather64Ten March 14
The fifth annual Mr. Leather64Ten contest weekend will be held from March 12, 2020 - March 15, 2020. Leather64Ten and The Jackha.m.mer Complex will host a weekend of events to promote our search for the next ...
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Sidetrack's New Years Eve Party to benefit the Legacy Project
Sidetrack's New Years Eve Party, New Year's 2020: A Vision for Our Future , will benefit The Legacy Project. Presale tickets are $30. $35 at the door, if still available. Party goers must be 21+ with ...
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SIDETRACK holds Holiday Customer Appreciation Party
Feeling appreciative at the Holiday Customer Appreciation Party. Photos by Jed Dulanas ...
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NATIONAL Trans deaths, Stonewall Housing, sex-workers act, RuPaul
On Dec. 7, 18-year-old Nikki Kuhnhausen was found dead after a six-month search that ended in a grassy field in her hometown of Vancouver, Washington—making her the 27th transgender homicide victim in 2019, NewNowNext.com noted. There ...
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PERFORMER OF THE WEEK Edna Mascara
BEHINDTHE NAME "Edna D. Mascará— because I'm a classy housewife from Edina, Minnesota, dontcha know, and Mascara is a monthly drag show in San Francisco that helped me find my voice." MY MUSE "Maria Bamford—her comedic ...
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Pro-LGBTQ groups hail trans question in Democratic debate
Pro-LGBTQ groups responded to a question in the Dec. 19 Democratic presidential primary that focused on violence against the transgender community. Yamiche Alcindor, one of the moderators of the PBS NewsHour-Politico debate, asked U.S. Sen. Bernie ...
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PERFORMER OF THE WEEK Ryan Royale
BEHIND THE NAME "The name Royale comes from my fascination with royalty and the rise and fall of fame. I was a young art student when I saw Prince Poppycock perform on America's Got Talent, and ...
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PHOTOS The Sofo Tap
Happy Holidays from St. Nick and Doaays! Photos by Kirk Williamson ...
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PHOTO Sidetrack
Ninth annual Santa Speedo Run raises some fun funds for Center on Halsted. Joseph Stevens Photography ...
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Community turns out for World of Chocolate
About 1,000 Chicagoans and other visitors showed up at Revel Fulton Market in the West Loop for AIDS Foundation of Chicago's annual World of Chocolate fundraiser, which shows off the finest confections from local-area vendors to ...
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theWit celebrating Warhol with package
theWit Hotel, 201 N. State St., is celebrating the arrival of "Andy Warhol—From A to B and Back Again," the acclaimed traveling Andy Warhol exhibit that has just made its debut in Chicago—with a hotel package ...
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Santa Speedo Run speeds through Boystown
Warm( -ish ) weather greeted the many participants of the Santa Speedo Run, which took place this year Saturday, Dec. 7 at Sidetrack. This annual fundraiser featured Santa-hat-bedecked, Speedo-clad runners, doing a lap around the Boystown ...
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December at Women & Children First to include Drag Queen Story Hour
CHICAGO, IL ( December 3, 2019 ) - As 2019 comes to a close, Women & Children First is proud to announce our 19 Bestselling Books of 2019! Once again, this list brilliantly reflects our feminist ...
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NATIONAL Activists' honor, N.J. attorney general, gay bar closes, Warhol display
Three longstanding LGBT legal activists will be honored by the American Bar Association Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity with its eighth annual Stonewall Award during a ceremony on Feb. 15, 2020, at the ABA ...
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Chicago drag production in Louisville Dec. 21
For the past decade, Snow White and the Seven Drag Queens has played to sold out crowds in Boystown, at the SOHO House Chicago, in historic Provincetown and, most recently, at Louisville's own Play Dance Bar. ...
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Gay-owned Pastoral closes
Greg O'Neill and Ken Miller—the couple who the founded and owned Chicago business Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine—recently closed after 15 years. In a letter to Pastoral's customers and stakeholders, O'Neill and Miller stated, "Unfortunately, ...
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And they're off ... Santa Speedo Run returns to Boystown
The December chill will be no match for the hot participants in the annual Santa Speedo Run Boystown, Saturday, December 7. This ninth annual run, presented by Miller Lite and Sidetrack, will raise money to support ...
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PERFORMER OF THE WEEK Travis Fiero
BEHIND THE NAME: "I was stressing about finding the perfect drag name and I finally just asked my roommate what it should be and she goes 'I don't know, Travis? Yeah, do Travis' and then went ...
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ALMA marking 30 years on Nov. 15
The Association of Latinx Motivating Action ( ALMA ) will mark its 30th anniversary with an event Friday, Nov. 15, at the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance ( PRAA ), 3000 N. Elbridge Ave., 6-9 p.m. In ...
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Andersonville holiday programming includes 100 businesses
CHICAGO ( November 11, 2019 ): More than 100 Andersonville businesses are featured in the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce's ( ACC ) holiday programming lineup this season with a full schedule of shopping, dining, entertainment, traditional ...
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Halloween weirdness at Sidetrack
Photos by Jerry Nunn ...
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Drag star's "All I Want for Christmas is Attention" tour Dec. 10
Seattle sisters and drag superstars BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon have joined forces once again to present a new holiday extravaganza, All I Want for Christmas is Attention, to audiences across the US and the UK and ...
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