'Wonka Ball: Dragstrip' April 15 in Ravenswood
About Face Theater's annual gala Wonka Ball will take place Friday, April 15, at Ravenswood Event Center, 4011 N. Ravenswood Ave., 8-11 p.m. (There will be a VIP cocktail reception at 7 p.m.)
The event's theme this year is "Dragstrip."
Guests are invited to make a pit stop to enjoy food from Ravenswood Event Center and participating restaurant partners, refuel with an open bar serving signature cocktails, and join AFT on the dance floor with music and entertainment from DJ Circuit Mom.
Admission is $150-$200 each; see AboutFaceTheatre.com .
'I Am Jazz' readings in Chicago in April, May
The Human Rights Campaign, through its Welcoming Schools program, is planning more than 100 readings of the book I Am Jazz—by transgender teen activist Jazz Jennings—across the nation on the same day.
In Chicago, at least three readings will take place. ( Note: The dates differ. ) They will be at:
—Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark St., on Thursday, April 28, at 7 p.m. The reader will be Searah Deysach, the mother of a transgender child and owner of Early to Bed, FtM Essentials and TransKids.
—John Merlo branch of the Chicago Public Libary, 644 W. Belmont Ave., on Monday, May 2, 6-7:30 p.m.
People can also host their own readings, and organizing kits are at www.hrc.org/resources/i-am-jazz-an-organizing-kit-for-parents-educators-and-community-advocates. For more information, email volunteer@hrcchicago.org .
'The Piano Men' April at Davenport's
Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael will present "The Piano Men"—paying tribute to Barry Manilow, Michael Feinstein and Billy Joel—will run every Saturday in April at Davenport's, 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave., at 8 p.m.
The longtime local entertainers have appeared at venues including Millennium Park, Maxim's and Carnegie Hall.
Call 773-278-1830 or visit DavenportsPianoBar.com . Also, see BeckieMenzie.com and TomMichael.net .
Mary Lambert at NU April 26
Grammy nominee Mary Lambert—possibly best known for singing with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis on the song "Same Love"—will discuss the art of songwriting ( along with a special performance ).
The free event will take place Tuesday, April 26, 7-8:30 p.m., on the Evanston campus of Northwestern University at Lutkin Hall, 700 University Pl. Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot will be the moderators.
See www.northwestern.edu/writing-arts/ .
Queer Bollywood dance party April 22
Trikone Chicago is hosting its bimonthly Bollywood dance party Friday, April 22, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., at Big Chicks, 5024 N. Sheridan Rd.
This event, which features South Asian dance music and performances, is open to all; attendees are encouraged to invite friends and family. The venue will have all-gender restrooms and nametags for pronouns.
A suggested $5 donation will go toward helping Trikone raise funds to support programs for the South Asian LGBTQI community in Chicago.
See TrikoneChicago.org .
View full calendar of events at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/chicago/events ./upcoming.php
