'Witches' cabaret event June 22, 29
No One Here but Us Witches, a witch-themed cabaret that Harmony France has conceived, will take place June 22 and 29 at 8 p.m. at Uptown Underground, 4707N. Broadway.
Featuring Chicago actresses Missy Aguilar, Harmony France, Amanda Horvath and Danni Smith, the two-night only cabaret is directed by Geoffrey Bleeker with musical direction by Aaron Benham.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door ( $15 for students, military members and veterans ); visit uptownunderground.net . A cash bar is available and guests must be at least 21.
Chicago women's festival in June
Stage 773 Director of Operations Jill Valentine and co-producer Liz McArthur have announced the lineup for the 4th Annual Chicago Women's Funny Festival, taking place June 18-21 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.
Highlights include the return of SNL writer Katie Rich; stand-up performer Tamale Rocks; Chicago Sketchfest veteran groups Off Off Broadzway, The Cupid Players and Feminine Gentlemen; wheelchair comic Shannon DeVido; transgender comic and writer Dina Martinez; and stand-up comedian/breast-cancer survivor Kyna Lenhof.
The full schedule for the 4th Annual Chicago Women's Funny Festival can be viewed at ChicagoWomensFunnyFestival.com .
Midler touring, in Chicago June 18
Grammy-winning singer and legendary performer Bette Midler's first major tour in a decade, "Divine Intervention," has launched.
She started her tour with shows in the Florida cities of Hollywood and Tampa, and she's slated to stop by Chicago's United Center on Thursday, June 18.
Accompanied on stage by a 12-piece band as well as backing vocals by the Harlettes, the show features a stage production courtesy of stage designer Michael Cotton. Midler counterbalances the two-hour set of songs with a skewering of social media, in which Midler mocks Facebook and Twitter with commentary and punchlines.
For complete tour and ticket information, visit bettemidler.com and www.livenation.com .
View full calendar of events at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/chicago/events/upcoming.php .
Proud to Run registration open
Registration is now open for its 2015 Proud to Run 10K run and 5K run/walk that will take place June 27.
Proud to Run has selected Affinity Community Services, AIDS Legal Council of Chicago ( ALCC ) and Chicago House as beneficiaries of its annual race. Since 1982, Proud to Run has raised more than $400,000 for local LGBTQ organizations. Affinity and ALCC are first-time beneficiaries while Chicago House has been involved in past Proud to Run races.
The event will start at Montrose Avenue and Simmonds Drive, just north of Montrose Harbor. There are staggered starting times; the 10K starts at 8:04 a.m., with the 5K commencing at 8:15 a.m.
Runners and walkers can sign up in one of three categories: mixed, male-identified or female-identified. The top team in each category in the 10K run and in the 5K run/walk will receive a coupon for a custom cake from Whole Foods.
Interested persons can register at www.proudtorun.org . Race-day registration is also available.
Pride 5K run/walk June 25 in Boystown
The second annual Pride lakefront party and Pride5K run/walk will take place Thursday, June 25.
The outdoor bash, which benefits Center on Halsted, will feature DJs, drinks and go-go dancers following a 5K "fun run" along the lakefront path.
The race kicks off at 7:30 p.m. near the Lakefront at Fullerton Avenue and Lake Shore Drive. When the run is over, DJs Matthew Harvat and Adam LeBlanc of Sixteen Candles will be the featured entertainment at the Pride Weekend Kick-Off Party at Diversey Harbor, 6-10 p.m. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.
The fee is $45 ( $50 after May 15 ). Packet pick-up will take place on Friday, June 19 ( 6-10 p.m. ), and Saturday, June 20 ( 9 a.m.-5 p.m. ), at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St. Visit starevents.com/events/pride-5k/ .
Gold Coast Art Fair June 20-21
The 58th annual Gold Coast Art Fair—the third oldest and one of the most well attended art festivals in Chicago—will return to Grant Park's Butler Field, at the corner of Monroe Street and Lake Shore Drive, on June 20-21 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Free and open to the public, the Gold Coast Art Fair will showcase the work of more than 250 juried artists from around the world in a variety of mediums, including paintings, glass, ceramics, photography and furniture. Artists will showcase their talents with lively art demonstrations in their booths throughout the weekend. Original works range in price from $15 to $25,000.
Festival attendees will also enjoy live music from local bands and musicians, including acoustic rock duo Cirrus Falcon as well as folk group Patchouli. Festivalgoers will also enjoy tasty local fare from neighboring restaurants, such as Mediterranean Cuisine and Pacific Rim Noodles.
There is a suggested donation of $5 for Chicago Park District's art programs. For more information about the free Gold Coast Art Fair, including festival map, featured artists and parking information, visit AmdurProductions.com, call 847-926-4300 or email info@amdurproductions.com .
Pride Fest set for June 20-21
Chicago Pride Fest returns to Boystown June 20-21 with a mix of national headliners and festival favorites.
The annual event, which the Northalsted Business Alliance hosts, is debuting the "Keep Pride Proud" catch phrase.
On Saturday ( June 20 ), Deb Gibson, Jessica Sutta and The Veronicas take to the Main Stage. Sunday ( June 21 ) will feature Big Freedia, Crystal Waters, Estelle, Cazwell and St. Lucia.
The event will take place on Halsted Street from Addison to Grace streets, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. There is a $10 suggested donation.
YouTube sensation comes out as lesbian
YouTube sensation Ingrid Nilsen has revealed that she's lesbian, according to The Huffington Post.
"I'm gay. It feels so good to say that!" she said in an emotion-filled video, posted on YouTube to her 3.3 million followers. "I'm shaking right now because this moment is real and it's here. And I've been waiting for this." Nilsen talked about learning to understand her sexuality and how she came to accept that she couldn't deny her true feelings.
Melissa Young's 'Out and Proud!' June 17, 20
Vocalist Melissa Young plans to take audiences on a tour of the gay-rights movement through song and comedy in "Out And Proud! A Rainbow Celebration" on June 17 and 20 at 8 p.m. at Davenport's, 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Young will match icons to significant moments in LGBT history. For example, she Bette Midler's "Do You Wanna Dance" aligns with a post-Stonewall New York, and Diana Ross' "I'm Coming Out" dovetails with the creation the gay-pride flag.
There is a $15 cover with two-drink minimum; reservations are encouraged by calling 773-278-1830 or visiting DavenportsPianoBar.com .
Village People in Chicago June 20
Marking their 38th year as the "kings of disco," Village People return to Chicago for a special Pride Fest concert and '80s dance party on Saturday, June 20, at the Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Selling more than 100 million recordings, Village People had many hits throughout the '70s and '80s, such as "San Francisco/In Hollywood," "Macho Man," "YMCA," "In the Navy," "Go West," "Can't Stop the Music" and more.
Village People are Ray Simpson ( cop/lead singer ), Alexander Briley ( G.I./military ), Felipe Rose ( Native American Indian ), Eric Anzalone ( biker ), Bill Whitefield ( construction worker ) and Jim Newman ( cowboy ).
Chigayco holding 'Unicorn' show June 21
Chigaygo, Laugh Factory Chicago's queer comedy showcase, is kicking off Pride Week with "The All-Star Sparkly Unicorn Pride Show" on Sunday, June 21.
Hosted by Scott Duff ( WCPT's OUT CHICAGO, Laugh Factory ), the evening will feature queer Chicago comics such as Cody Melcher, Peter Kim, Gwen La Roka, Ali Clayton, Marla Depew and Rachel McCartney.
Doors open at 7 p.m.; the show starts at 8 p.m.
Laugh Factory Chicago is at 3175 N. Broadway. All shows are for those at least 18. For details and reservations, visit www.LaughFactory.com or call 773-327-3175 .
View full calendar of events at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/chicago/events/upcoming.php .
WCGC, Treble Quire have June 20 shows
Windy City Gay Chorus and Windy City Treble Quire will present two performances of "When You Believe" on Saturday, June 20, at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 W. Foster Ave.
"When You Believe" takes a musical look at some of the landmark dreams people still want to achieve. Highlights will include a song by Stephen Sondheim, a piece about Harvey Milk and an arrangement of "Over the Rainbow."
The shows will also feature collaborations with The Youth Empowerment Performance Project, a company for and of LGBTQ youth who are experiencing homelessness.
Advance purchase tickets are available at wcpawhenyoubelieve.brownpapertickets.com .
Lea DeLaria to release CD in June, July
Ghostlight Records will release Lea DeLaria's House of David: delaria + bowie = jazz on digital formats June 23 and on CD July 24.
DeLaria is the television, stage and music star currently best known as Carrie "Big Boo" Black in the hit Netflix series Orange Is the New Black.
The first major jazz reworking on Bowie's beloved catalog, the album features tracks such as a bossa nova interpretation of "Golden Years," DeLaria's version on "Life On Mars" and a gospel take on "Modern Love." To pre-order, visit www.sh-k-boom.com/houseofdavid.
View full calendar of events at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/chicago/events/upcoming.php .
