June 20 proved to be a jam-packed night for the LGBT community with events all over the city to celebrate Pride month.
The AT&T Chicago Flagship store on Michigan Avenue hosted an exclusive Pride event with singer-rapper Lizzo. Starting at 8 p.m., the outspoken performer met with the first 50 people in a line that snaked down East Ontario Street.
She sang several tracks from her third release Cuz I Love You such as "Juice," "Jerome" and "Tempo." Lizzo was moved to tears at one point after an emotional Instagram post dealing with depression earlier the same day and seeing the support from the crowd. The mood quickly changed, as fans were brought up onstage to dance and express themselves.
AT&T's Turn Up the Love events continue annually during Pride season booking guests that support and are popular with the LGBT community.
Meanwhile, at 8:30 p.m. across town at Lincoln Hall, trans pop singer Kim Petras packed the venue with a concert that sold out within minutes of announcement. The Broken Tour simply did not need to be fixed with bubblegum gems such as "Hillside Boys" and "I Don't Want It at All" that had ticket holders jumping and screaming.
Afterward, Petras headed to Roscoe's Tavern for a late night appearance that included "Sweet Spot" and a lively meet and greet.
Both artists had played Pride festivals this year with Lizzo at Indy Pride Festival and Petras at PrideFest Milwaukee. By strange coincidence, both shows were once again on the same night on June 8. Coincidence or competing for our dollars? All we know is don't expect these artists to play at venues this size in the future as their careers are both on the upswing.
Without a doubt, Lizzo loves Chicago as she returns with a visit to Gallagher Way, 3635 N. Clark St. by Wrigley Field, on Saturday, Aug. 10, and again at Aragon Ballroom on Saturday, Sept. 28-29, after two sold-out shows at The Riviera Theatre earlier this year.
Visit CuzILoveYou.LizzoMusic.com and KimPetras.com for more on these rising performers.