Every Tuesday + Thursday 7-9pm practice at Clarendon Park Community Center, 4501 N Clarendon Ave. Social and fundraising events at Replay, Sidetrack, Hydrate and other venues - see their facebook page for upcoming events.

First Tuesdays, 7-9pm - presented by Sidetrack. Welcoming new storytellers to the OUTspoken! stage; unique first hand tales from across our diverse community. Inspired, inspiring, funny, heartbreaking - like life…with friends all around you. Typically there will be 6 storytellers and one intermission.

First FRI M.A.F.I.A Club Night and CD4 POZ socials/ postive-minded men. First SAT Bear Night w/ 12am pizza. Second FRI Chicago Leather Women's Cruise. Second SAT Dungeon Master Night w/ midnight S/M demo. Third SAT BLUF Leather, Rubber, Uniform Dress Code Gear Night w/ barber + bootblack. Fourth FRI ONYX Club Nights. Fourth SAT Ripe Party w/ Deep Beats, Dim Lights, Hot Go-Go Dudes.

When they feel like it Rock/Punk/New Wave queer night hosted/ co-curated by Donnie + Madison Moore of ABSOLUTELY NOT. New/exciting local bands from Chicago/ beyond perform onstage. Previously 3rd Wednesdays - now "held WHENEVER THE #$%! WE FEEL LIKE IT! So get pumped for STACKED bills, SIQQ hosts, and of course MORE GLITTER! Keep your eyes peeled and brows on fleek!"

Now streaming on The Criterion Channel. The third feature film from Gus Van Sant, working for the first time with his own original material: a simultaneously heartbreaking and exhilarating road movie about two male hustlers (River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves) in the Pacific northwest.

Ongoing at Art Institute. 44 iconic works by artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Jasper Johns. These paintings, sculptures, and photographs transform the museum’s presentation of contemporary art, bringing new depth and perspective to the Art Institute’s already strong holdings, making this collection the strongest of any encyclopedic art museum in the world.

First Sundays, 1-3pm. Draft beer and shots on special! Plus, Boozy Gummy Bears and FREE Chicago Style Hot Dogs (while they last)! Bears, beers and big weiners on Sunday Funday. See re-opening updates at:

Sundays, 10pm at The Hole/ Jackhammer. Join the regulars on the wrestling mats with Dan, everyone’s favorite bartender, playing alternative-electro-industrial music favorites. The event also features pop-up fetish demonstrations. See virtual events and Jackhammer re-opening updates at FB

January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2021, 2-9pm. The only After Brunch Party with the #extraordinary beats of Dj X-tasy! Get Bubbly! From 12-2pm, grab a bottle of champagne for $10 or a bud light draft for $3! Hungry? Teamed up with Crispy Chicks we bring you the best outdoor bar and food duo in the neighborhood. Doors open at noon.

January 5, 2021, 7-10:30pm. OUTspoken on Zoom, with storyteller Emma Vosicky, writer/storyteller/public speaker and trainer. Monthly Sidetrack storytelling event w/ unique personal stories from across the LGBTQ community - normally first Tuesdays each month. Outside Table Service daily until 11pm. Front Patio or Rooftop Deck (weather permitting), 3-11pm Weekdays + 1-11pm on weekends.

January 6 + February 3, 2021. Each first Wednesday of the month, 7-9pm. Team Sidetrack is geared-up and ready to Party! Join in for naughty games to win fun prizes with Dixie Lynn Cartwright! As always, friends from Men's Room Chicago will be on site with an awesome Pop-Up Shop and cool giveaways! No Cover…it's Sidetrack.

January 13 + February 10, 2021, 9pm-1am. Bow Down to Queen Bey every 2nd Wednesday of the month at All Things Beyoncé. Watch your favorite Beyoncé videos & concert performances, and SLAY to drag by our Resident Queens.

January 20 + February 17, 2021, 9pm-1am. Get Sidetrack'd 3rd WED each month! All Things Gaga! mix of Gaga Party Music for you to Just Dance-In-Your-Seat to all night. You were Born This Way to join us for a night of Gagariffic FUN! No Cover...it's Sidetrack with your favorite music videos, Frozen Cocktails, 3-times weekly Show Tunes, rooftop deck and nightly parties.

January 27, 2021, 6-8pm. Look What You Made Us Do! Get Sidetrack'd for a night of Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande Pop Faves and Drag. Shake It Off and get on stage to win fun prizes. Break Free for a night of music, dancing-in-your-chair, and drinks with today's Pop Princesses!

January - February, 2021 (On hold). Annual month-long multi-arts non-narrative, multidisciplinary fringe festival; new theatrical works by invited artists/ companies. The longest-running multi-arts fringe festival in Chicago, the Rhino features works in theater and performance from Chicago companies and national artists alike. Prop Theatre Elston Ave has CLOSED - see new venue TBA.

February 13, 2021, Mardi Gras Masquerade Party. Feb 16, Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Party. Mar 13 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Day Party. Mar 14 Grammys Viewing Party. Mar 17 St. Patrick’s Day Party. Apr 3 Easter Bonnet Party. Apr 25 Oscar Viewing Party. May 22 Eurovision Viewing Party. May 31 IML Chicago Weekend. Jun 10 Sidetrack Anniversary Party. Jun 19-20 Chicago Pride Fest. 

Early May, 2021, the annual Chicago Film Critics Association week-long selection of films includes recent festival favorites and as-yet-undistributed works from a wide variety of filmmakers. The only major film critics group hosting its own festival. Features works from around the globe and offers viewers an eclectic blend of raunchy comedy, introspective drama and mind-blowing fantasy.

May 27-31, 2021. Expansive market with vendors from around the globe, title contests, an unforgettable Victory Party and the must-attend Black and Blue Ball. Lobby social time and multitude events fill the entire weekend in downtown and lakefront Chicago. Thursday night start things off with Opening Ceremonies. Events conclude with the Monday Black and Blue Party. More info/ updates:

May 29, 2021 (TBC). Featuring the hottest male porn stars in the business. Saturday awards bash (past year at Metro), plus parties with the guys at Hydrate, Sidetrack, Lucky Horseshoe, and Charlies w/ POST GRABBY BBQ at Replay. Hosts: Chi-Chi LaRue + Honey West. Rooms at The Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park have been cancelled. See website for updates, nominees, interviews, and more:

May 29, 2020, 10pm. Blowing the house down with a Saturday night dance party during Chicago's infamous IML weekend. For the first time ever, Nasty Pig (NYC), will be the exclusive collaborative partner and sponsor for what is sure to be THE talked about event of the weekend. With INTERNATIONAL DJ / PRODUCER CHAD JACK (NYC) + warm-up by DJ Kardona.

June 9-13, 2021 (TBC), at Logan Theatre. Annual 5-day film showcase: 25 screenings, 4 Bar Talk discussions, 5 After-Parties. independent features, shorts, documentaries + experimental films from around the world. Innovative/ unique programming from lowbrow entertainment of John Waters, Doris Wishman and Coffin Joe to fine art avant-garde films and videos. Virtual in 2020 - see updates:

June 12-13, 2021, on N Wells St, between North Ave and Division St. Glass and ceramics, to pencil drawings and oil paintings - a diverse mix of nearly 200-plus juried artists + free educational workshops + tasty cuisine from the neighborhood’s eclectic restaurants and cool music stage acts. A treasure trove of creativity in Chicago’s historic Old Town neighborhood.

June 18-20, 2021, the 56th annual Andersonville summer street festival; around 50,000 people fill Clark Street, from Foster to Catalpa for music for cutting-edge bands, ethnic dance troupes, lots of food, and vendor wares. Born out of Andersonville’s Swedish heritage, Midsommarfest will transport you back to old-world Swedish traditions. 2020 events were postponed, then cancelled.

June 18-20, 2021, Randolph St at Peoria St. Commemorating the street festival’s 21st Anniversary with the biggest and brightest names in Chicago dining, featuring over 18 restaurants exemplary for delectable menus and irresistibly unique flavors. Bands and musicians, the biggest names in Chicago house music, will perform on two stages and a DJ stage, to entertain guests.

June 26-27, 2021, 3-10pm at Grant Park-Butler Field, 350 E Monroe St. Pride in the Park Chicago returns after the cancellation of 2020 events - this year expanded to two days, featuring a second DJ stage presented by Circuit MOM Productions!

June 27, 2021 (TBC). Pride Month events, with a late June two day Pride Fest, and Sunday Parade, noon from N Halsted at Belmont to Lincoln Park by way of Broadway & Diversey. The Pride Street Festival, takes place on N Halsted, with music, food, vendors. Dozens more social, cultural, athletic & political events. Cancelled in 2020. See website for 2019 media + 2021 updates:

July 1-4, 2021 (TBC). Past year 2020 no events. Previous year, 2019, included: FRI Urbano Blackout Party at Fantasy); SAT Wet n Wild Pool Party at Holiday Inn Chicago O'Hare + Black Party at Metro; SUN Closing Party at Club Escape. FRI-MON nights at Club Escape. Host hotel: Holiday Inn Chicago O'Hare. See updates TBA at:

August 7-8, 2021, 11am-10pm. Since 1980 (2020 was cancelled), the annual street fair along six blocks of N Halsted, between Belmont and Addison; musical acts on five stages; hundreds of food, arts and crafts vendors. Dozens of gay bars, dance clubs, restaurants, stores and a bathhouse surround the festival site. About 100,000 people arrive from across the globe.

August 27 - September 5, 2021 (TBC), Labor Day Weekend in Millennium Park Cultural Center, Von Freeman Pavilion (S Promenade), the Jazz and Heritage Pavilion (N Promenade), the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E Washington), and other venues. A favorite Labor Day Weekend tradition of free, quality live musical performances since 1979.

September 23 - October 3, 2021 (TBC). Award-winning international feature films, social documentaries and experimental shorts. This past year online. Normally 11 days, 65 screenings at six venues around town, including: Landmark's Century Centre, 2828 N Clark St; Instituto Cervantes, 31 W Ohio; Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N Clark St; ShowPlace ICON, 150 W Roosevelt Rd.

October 13-24, 2021 (TBC). The odest competitive North American film festival, founded in 1964 to provide an alternative to commercial Hollywood movies that dominated city theaters. The 57th world-renowned annual event with the best in international cinema, new talents, and windows to a world of film previously or otherwise unavailable in Chicago. Past year a virtual event, see program:

October 31, 2021. The 25th Annual Halloween Parade, 5-10pm up N Halsted from Belmont, to Addison, with cash prize awards and live entertainment. Registration on Halsted just north of Belmont near The Playground Theater, 5-7pm for Costume Contest in one of five categories.

November, 5-7, 2021 (TBC). The Center on Halsted registration. Past year included: Touché Welcome Party and other events; Kink Market Sessions, Latex Wrestling, socials and The Rubber Ball at Center on Halsted;  M.A.F.I.A. party at Steamworks; socials at Cell Block; Mr International Rubber Contest at The Vic Theatre; Jackhammer events; Sidetrack closing party.