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Gay Chicago

Come workout with us!
Chicago Dragons Rugby Football - On Hold

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.

www.chicagodragons.org
Chicago's Monthly LGBTQ Storytelling Event!
OUTspoken! LGBTQ Stories - now virtual

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.

www.sidetrackchicago.com/outspokenchicago
Ongoing monthly events at Chicago's Leather Bar since 1977
Coming up at Touché - On Hold

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.

touchechicago.com
A Rock/Punk/Experimental/New Wave queer night
Glitter Creeps - On Hold

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!"

www.facebook.com/GlitterCreeps
Director: Gus Van Sant
Cinema Chicago Films to Stream: My Own Private Idaho (1991)

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.

www.chicagofilmfestival.com/56-films-my-own-private-idaho
Galleries of contemporary art
The New Contemporary - On Hold

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.

www.artic.edu/exhibition/new-contemporary
Mix and mingle with the bears
Bear Beer Blast at The SoFo Tap - On Hold

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:

www.sidetrackchicago.com/calendar
At The Hole inside The Jackhammer Complex every Sunday through December 21st
SINglet Sundays in The Hole - On Hold

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

www.jackhammerchicago.com
Erotic Video Awards
The Grabbys XXII - Streamed Live

May 29, 2021. 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:

www.grabbyawards.com
First Tuesdays - Hosted by Sidetrack The Video Bar and OUTspoken LGBTQ Stories
Virtual OUTspoken! LGBTQ Storytelling via Zoom

June 1, 2021, 7-10:30pm. OUTspoken on Zoom. Chicago’s monthly storytelling event celebrating uniquely personal stories from across the LGBTQ community. OUTspoken is held on the first Tuesday of each month at Sidetrack. Doors to MainBar open at 6pm, Stories begin at 7pm. Typically there will be 6 storytellers and one intermission.

www.sidetrackchicago.com/calendar
The lights go down, the men come out - Party the first Wednesday of every month
Men's Room Wednesday

June 2, 2021. Each first Wednesday of the month, 9pm-1am. 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.

www.sidetrackchicago.com/calendar
Enjoy cocktails and pizza while you watch on Sidetrack's Big Screens!
Chicago's RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under Viewing Party

June 5, 2021, 2pm. G'day, G'day, G'day! Get Sidetrack'd Saturdays for Chicago's RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under Viewing Party! 10 queens from Australia and New Zealand will compete to become the show's Drag Race Superstar judged by RuPaul, Michelle Visage, and comedian Rhys Nicholson.

www.facebook.com/events/127221982669196
Get Sidetrack’d Wednesday
All Things Beyoncé

June 9, 2021, 8pm-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/ Chicago's Bey Hive!

www.facebook.com/events/157462196172514
You were Born This Way to join us for a night of Gagariffic FUN!
All Things Gaga

June 16, 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.

www.facebook.com/events/483314285884056
In its official charity partnership with Center on Halsted
Pride in the Park Chicago 2021

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!

prideintheparkchicago.com
Look What You Made Us Do! Shake It Off and Break Free
All Things Taylor & Ariana

June 30, 2021, 7-11pm. Get Sidetrack'd the last Wednesday of each month for a celebration of All Things Taylor Swift & Ariana Grande. Hosted by some of your favorite Chicago Drag Queens, play trivia games to win fun prizes and dance in your seats to your favorite Music Videos and Concert Performances by these Queens of Pop Music!

www.facebook.com/events/794334927610357
4th of July Weekend - Hosted by the Men of WASSUP N ATL
Chicago Black Pride 2021

July 1-5, 2021. THU 5pm-10pm Roof Top Strippers+Cocktails Party at Inn of Chicago, 162 E Ohio. FRI 11pm-4am BLACKOUT PARTY at FANTASY NIGHTCLUB, 3641 N Halsted. SAT 4pm-8pm MEGA POOL PARTY w/ host SIDNEY STARR at Holiday Inn Chicago O'Hare 5615 N Cumberland Ave. SAT 11pm-5am EIGHTH ANNUAL BLACK PARTY at METRO, 3730 N Clark. SUN 10pm-2am MEGA POOL PARTY w/ host SIDNEY STARR at METRO.

www.eventbrite.com/e/chicago-black-pride-2021-tickets-85939095147
The largest two-day street fair in the Midwest
Northalsted Market Days 2021

August 6-8, 2021, FRI 5pm-10pm, SAT+SUN 11am – 10pm. Since 1980 (cancelled 2020), 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.

northalsted.com/marketdays
By Jake Resnicow and MEAT - NYC Underground Party
MEAT Chicago - Market Days XXL - Ben Bakson + Las Bibas

August 6, 2021, the sexiest party in the USA makes its Market Days debut, at RADIUS, Chicago's Newest Megaclub w/ a state of the art D+B KSL sound system and mind-blowing light effects! Thousands of guys from around the world at the BIGGEST Market Days Friday Event w/ Superstar international DJs Ben Bakson (DE) and Las Bibas From Vizcaya (Braz make their Chicago debuts!

www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/meat-chicago-market-days-xxl-featuring-dj-ben-bakson-las-bibas-from-viscaya/Event?oid=88294260
Prestigious outdoor art fair - the 45th year
Wells Street Art Festival - New Dates

August 14-15, 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.

www.chicagoevents.com/events/wells-street-art-festival
2021 Special Events
At Sidetrack

August 14-15, 2021, Northalsted Market Days 2021 (TBC). September 4-6, Chicago Pride Weekend TBC). November, IML Weekend in Chicago (TBC).

https://www.sidetrackchicago.com/calendar/upcoming-dates
Chicago’s leading jazz artists
Chicago Jazz Festival / Chicago In Tune

August 19 - September 19, 2021. Special Evenings at Millennium Park, Jay Pritzker Pavilion. 5:30-8:30pm daily. FRI Sep 3, Gospel. SAT Sep 4, Jazz. SAT Sep 11 House. SAT Sep 18, Blues. The Jazz Festival has been a favorite Labor Day Weekend tradition of free, quality live musical performances since 1979.

www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/in_tune.html
39 years of queer film
Reeling: Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival

September 23 - October 3, 2021. 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.

www.reelingfilmfestival.org
Take part in Pride Month events whether in person or virtual
Chicago Pride 2021 - New Date

October 3, 2021, noon. The Parade route remains the same as past years: from Montrose and Broadway, south on Broadway to Halsted and continuing south on Halsted to Belmont, then east to Broadway, south on Broadway to Diversey, and east on Diversey to the Cannon Drive end point. Anticipate that everything else will remain the same as in past years. Next year: June 26, 2022.

www.chicagopridecalendar.org
Because Everybody Loves Movies
Chicago International Film Festival

October 13-24, 2021. 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:

www.chicagofilmfestival.com/festival
Outrageous and imaginative costumes!
Haunted Halsted Halloween 2021

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.

northalsted.com/events/halloween
25th Annual
Mr International Rubber

November, 5-7, 2021. 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.

www.mirubber.com
All our traditions return in full swing this coming Memorial Day Weekend
International Mr. Leather and International Mr. Bootblack 2021 - New dates

November 11-14, 2021. Expansive market, 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:

www.imrl.com
A grand week of Chicago premieres!
Chicago Critics Film Festival 2021 - Postponed until Fall 2021

November 12-14, 2021. 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.

chicagocriticsfilmfestival.com
Hosted by Organized Grime Crew + DJ Alex Cabot
Three Nasty Pigs by Chad Jack

November 13, 2021, 10pm-5am. 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.

www.facebook.com/events/2538848049689333
The 32nd Annual
Rhinoceros Theater Festival 2022

January - February, 2022. 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.

www.rhinofest.com
Commemorating the iconic street festival’s 21st Anniversary
Taste of Randolph

June, 2022, Randolph St at Peoria St. Some of 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. Cancelled 2020-21.

www.starevents.com/category/taste-of-randolph
"..not just admission to the films but admission to a subculture” - Roger Ebert
Chicago Underground Film Festival

June, 2022 (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. See updates:

www.facebook.com/pg/ChicagoUndergroundFilmFestival
A Chicago Swedish mid-summer bash
Midsommarfest

June 17-19, 2022 (TBC), 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. 2020-21 events cancelled.

www.andersonville.org/events/midsommarfest