AIDS Run & Walk Chicago 2019: Taking place Oct. 5, advocates from across Chicago and beyond will gather at Soldier Field to support those living with and vulnerable to HIV. The 18th annual eventwith a 5K walk as well as the 5K and 10K runsencourages participants to live true as they raise vital awareness and funds for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and 27 CommunityDirect partners ( including The Night Ministry, Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus, Howard Brown Health, Pride Action Tank, Center on Halsted, Chicago House and Social Service Agency and many others ). Visit AIDSRunWalk.org or call 312-334-0946.
Forever Yogurt ( the Andersonville location at 5309 N. Clark St. ): Noah Rizek, the owner of this location, brands himself as inclusive, expressing his pride at hiring employees of all sexual orientations and gender identities. However, the spot is also pretty expansive, featuring a lounge and even a kids' area. As for the offerings, Rizek said it's the only Forever Yogurt spot to have a juice bar ( try the super-healthful Greeno Supremo )but there are also smoothies, a coffee bar, cupcakes and even Slim Jims in addition to the intriguing frozen yogurt flavors.
Continental Divide: The newest book by trans writer Alex Myers ( author of Revolutionary ) won't be out until Nov. 30, but it's already generating a lot of buzz. The book focuses on newly out transgender man Ron, who loses his family, an opportunity to return to college and even his queer girlfriendbut gains a new start by moving to Wyoming. Myersthe first openly transgender student at both Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard Universitywill be supporting the book with a tour that will include stops at Chicago's Uncharted Books, 5140 N. Clark St., on Feb. 2, 2020; and Latin School of Chicago, 59 W. North Ave., on Feb. 3-4. See AlexMyersWriting.com .
The Ice King: This riveting documentary, courtesy of Film Movement, is about John Curry, who transformed ice skating from a dated sport into, simply, art. Coming out on the night of his Olympic win in 1976 ( when the media peppered him with questions about his sexuality instead of asking him about his victory ), the late skater became the first openly gay Olympian in a time when homosexuality was not even fully legal. The movie will be out on DVD/digital on Oct. 8.
TopGolf Swing Suite: New to 900 North Michigan Shops ( which house Bloomingdale's, among many other swanky stores ), this sixth-floor suite is a luxurious indoor sport simulator where you can play, dine and relax in between rounds of your choice of golf, hockey, football, baseballor zombie dodgeball ( and that last one is scarier than it sounds ). Menu items include slider versions of nearby Aster Hall favorites such as the Nashville hot fried chicken sandwich and the classic Small Cheval burger, among other treats; drinks ranging from cocktails to milkshakes are also available. See SwingSuite900.com .
By Andrew Davis
( Andrew@WindyCityMediaGroup.com and @azygous60610 )