Cinema Q V Film Series through May
The free film series Cinema Q returns (and celebrates five years) with four film screenings Thursdays throughout May at 6:30 p.m. at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.
The movies slated to be shown are the documentary I Am Divine (May 7); Violette (May 14), about the personal life and work of bisexual French feminist writer Violette Leduc; Beautiful Boxer (May 21), the true story of trans female kickboxer Parinya Charoenphol; and the 1971 film Death in Venice (May 28).
The Queer Film Society (QFS) is presenting in partnership with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and in association with Chicago Filmmakers (the presenting organization of Reeling: The Chicago LGBT International Film Festival) and The Legacy Project.
This series contains mature subject matter; viewer discretion is advised. Email qfsociety1@yahoo.com or visit www.ChicagoCulturalCenter.org for more information.
May 10 show to benefit HBHC
"Option Up!"the musical theater cabaret and talk-showcelebrates co-host Christopher Pazdernik's birthday with "Chris' Birthday Belt-Fest," a concert to benefit Howard Brown Health Center on Sunday, May 10 at 7:30 in The Cab at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.
Featuring award-winning musical theater performers from across Chicago, the evening will be directed by co-host Aaron Benham. The event will feature leading ladies such as multiple Jeff Award nominee Heidi Kettenring (Wicked in Chicago), Drama Desk nominee Marya Grandy (Broadway's Les Miserables and off-Broadway's The Great American Trailer Park Musical) and Jeff Award winner Alexis J. Rogers (Court Theater's Porgy and Bess; Porchlight's Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill).
Tickets are $10; call 773-327-5252 or by visit www.stage773.com .
See full calendar of events at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/chicago/events/upcoming.php .
Chicago House's brunch/fashion show May 3
Chicago House will mark 30 years of service with its annual spring brunch and fashion show.
The event will be held Sunday, May 3, in the Harold Washington Library's Winter Garden Ballroom, 400 S. State St., at 12-3:30 p.m.
This year's honorees are Jay Paul Deratany and Julie Hamos. Deratanyan attorney, playwright and writeris the founder of The Deratany Firm and former member of Chicago House's board of trustees. Hamos, an attorney and former member of the Illinois House of Representatives, has been a longtime advocate of Chicago House.
After a brunch courtesy of Jewell Events Catering, guests will view a runway show.
Garden seating is $200 each, while runway seating is #300 each. Visit www.ChicagoHouse.org .
Neil Lane jewelry lecture on April 30
The Richard H. Driehaus Museum, 40 E. Erie St., will present "From Brooklyn to Hollywood: A Journey in Jewels," with distinguished jewelry designer and collector Neil Lane, on Thursday, April 30. The lecture and reception begin at 6 p.m.
Lane will discuss his world-class collection and lasting legacy that's focused on celebrating style and elegance.
Admission is $45 ( $30 for museum members ); visit www.DriehausMuseum.org or call 312-482-8933 .
Call for interior design award entries
The American Society of Interior Designers: Illinois Chapter ( ASID-IL ) will be accepting entries for the 12th annual Interior Design Excellence Award Competition starting Friday, May 1.
In celebration of ASID's 40th anniversary, this year's program will underscore the many ways in which design matters by showcasing environments that have influenced beauty and function in the residential and commercial sector this past year.
The deadline for entries is Friday, June 26; the Celebration of Design Gala is Friday, Sept. 18. Visit asidillinois.com/ .
ALCC to reveal new name at May 2 event
AIDS Legal Council of Chicago ( ALCC ) will host its first-annual May Ball at the Dr. Nabeela Rasheed's historical home, which was recently featured on the HGTV television network. The event will take place Saturday, May 2, 7-10 p.m.
The event will feature food, wine, champagne, dancingand the big reveal.
ALCC will announce its new name that reflects its expanded organizational mission. All proceeds from the event will directly support ALCC's legal projects that help low-income individuals with HIV, people at risk of homelessness and children with disabilities.
May Ball tickets start at $75, and are available by visiting alccmayball.eventbrite.com or calling 312-605-1985.
Chicago a cappella to honor Sinozich May 2
Chicago a capella will sing classics by Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland, Beyonce and other female superstars at the ensemble's gala fundraising event, "Divas." The event will take place Saturday, May 2, at the Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State St., at 6:45 p.m.
Terri Hemmert of 93XRT will emcee.
In addition, the group will present its Tribute Award to Patrick Sinozich in honor of his contributions to choral music in Chicago. Sinozich recently retired as artistic director of the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus after 18 years. He also joined Chicago a capella's musical staff in 2007 as music director, and served in that position through the 2011-12 season.
Tickets are $175-$250; call 773-281-7820 or visit www.ChicagoACappella.org .
Storycorps founder at CHM May 7
The Chicago History Museum ( CHM ), 1601 N. Clark St., will welcome storyteller and StoryCorps founder David Isay, who will lead an evening of conversations at the final 2015 "Out at CHM" event, "StoryCorps OutLoud," on Thursday, May 7.
The event opens with a drinks and appetizers reception at 5:30 p.m. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. in the museum's Chicago Room.
Isay is the recipient of numerous broadcasting honors, including six Peabody Awards and a MacArthur Genius Fellowship. He will be joined by Jennifer Brier, a University of Illinois gender studies professor, for a discussion on StoryCorps OutLoud, a multi-year initiative dedicated to recording and preserving LGBTQ stories across the country.
The event is a $20 ( $15 for students and CHM members ); visit chicagohistory.org or call 312-642-4600.
ILGRA's shopping party May 4 at Alcala's
The Illinois Gay Rodeo Association ( ILGRA ) will hold its Cinco de Mayo shopping party Monday, May 4, at Alcala's Western Wear, 1733 W. Chicago Ave., 4-7 p.m.
There will be free refreshments during. Also, Alcala's will donate 10 percent of all sales to ILGRA.
Visit www.ilgra.com/ .
See full calendar of events at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/chicago/events/upcoming.php .
Trans artist Drucker
to show films May 8
Trans artist Zackary Drucker will present She Gone Rogue ( 2012 ) and other short films at the University of Chicago on Friday, May 8, at 7 p.m. at the Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St.
Recently exhibited in the 2014 Whitney Biennial, She Gone Rogue is an Alice-in-Wonderland-inspired narrative film that weaves a history of trans feminine people, practices, and revolutionaries into its tale of identity exploration.
Drucker is an associate producer of the Golden Globe-winning series Transparent.
Free tickets ( required for admission ) are available online ( arts.uchicago.edu ) and by phone ( 773-702-2787 ).
'Wright Plus 2015' May 16 in suburbs
Wright Plus 2015an architectural housewalk featuring rare interior tours of private homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and his contemporarieswill include five homes that have never before been seen on the walk.
Among the residences new to Wright Plus 2015 are three buildings on Wright's Avery Coonley Estate, as well as the Ernest Hemingway Boyhood Home. The 41st annual Housewalk will take place 9 a.m.-5 p.m., on Saturday, May 16, in Oak Park and Riverside, Ill.
Also on the Wright Plus tour is the place where Wright's innovative Prairie homes were conceived: Frank Lloyd Wright's Home and Studio, the oldest Wright building open as a public museum. The housewalk includes two 2015 World Heritage Site nomineesUnity Temple and Frederick C. Robie Houseboth designed in Wright's Oak Park studio.
Tickets are $110 each and $95 for members of the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust. Transportation between Oak Park and Riverside is included in the ticket. For more information, visit flwright.org .
Moreover, two separate day trips, May 15 and 17 excursions, each including a gourmet lunch and expand the Wright Plus experience on the days before and after the housewalk. Each day trip is $185 ( $170 for Trust members ). For more information, visit flwright.org .
Lastly, The Ultimate Plus Weekend Package, May 14-17, includes six exclusive events and preferred admission to each site on the May 16 Housewalk, hotel accommodations and transportation. The cost of the Ultimate Plus Package is $2,850 ( $2,700 for Frank Lloyd Wright Trust members ). For more information, visit flwright.org .
'Lean Times' dance event May 1-2
Two award-winning Chicago choreographersMargi Cole, founder and director of The Dance COLEctive (TDC), and Peter Carpenter of Peter Carpenter Performance Projectcollaborate for "Rituals of Abundance for Lean Times #14: Curious Reinventions," an evening-length premiere May 1-2 at the Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St.
Collaborating on the new work are TDC company members Julie Boruff, Madelyn Doyle, Shannon Edwards, Olivia May and Katie Petrunich; guest artist Matthew McMunn; TDC apprentices Liz Conway and Jamie Corliss; and contributing artists including musician/composer Michael Caskey, costume designer Jeff Hancock and lighting designer Richard Norwood.
Admission is $15; visit brownpapertickets.com/event/1126399.
See full calendar of events at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/chicago/events/upcoming.php .