Chicago dining, nightlife, events and photos for the gay and lesbian community http://www.chicagopride.com en-US http://www.chicagopride.com/graphics/cplogo-sm2.gif http://www.chicagopride.com I wish we could have a gay male country star, says a typically irreverent Laura Bell Bundy when talking about her kinship with the gay men that helped shape her career as a singer and performer. Until then, I m the closest gay male country artist you re going to find! Turning serious, Bundy explains that the fearlessness that led her to buck Nashville trends with her new album Achin  and Shakin  came partly f... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/159169 2010-02-03 Robert Cyon Flare is famous for setting the hearts of Boystown bar patrons aflame (pun intended) with an infectious, positive energy and vibrant, Technicolor costumes. In fact, the appeal of Flare (whose entertainment persona shuns the first name) actually shines far beyond Lakeview, fueled mainly by two Billboard-charting dance hits: In 2008, Everybody, Everybody, hit number 31 and, just a year later, Rise rose to number 36 on the charts. In his... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/159696 2010-02-03 Santino Rice had his big break as a finalist on the second season of Project Runway. Proving that great things come in twos, he is once again connected to the runway, this time judging on season two of RuPaul s Drag Race. WCT: (Windy City Times) Hi, Santino! I love how RuPaul s says your name with a big O! SR: (Santino Rice) That s funny. He always makes me laugh when we are around each other. WCT: How did you get invol... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/158644 2010-02-01 Lucy Lawless plays Lucretia in the upcoming Spartacus: Blood and Sand for the Starz network. Windy City Times called her up halfway around the world to get the scoop on the warrior princess  new project. WCT: (Windy City Times) G day, mate! How s New Zealand this time of year? LL: (Lucy Lawless) It s hot and muggy. It s been incredibly tropical. WCT: It s the opposite here. You are done filmin... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/158121 2010-01-20 With talent, tenacity, and charisma, Gretchen Bonaduce has proven time and time again that she can overcome adversity and make her dreams come true. She was executive producer of 2 seasons of VH-1´s <i>Breaking Bonaduce</i> which documented the chaotic life of her family. Over the years, she has been successfully balanced being a soccer mom, a reality TV Star/Producer, a career singer, and businesswoman. This Friday (Jan. 15)... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/157600 2010-01-13 Patrick Andrews, despite being in his early 20s, already has extensive theater experience, appearing in everything from Drury Lane s Cabaret to About Face Theatre s The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later. Now, his skills are being displayed and tested in the Steppenwolf production American Buffaloa play in which he is the only non-ensemble member of the cast. In an interview with Windy City Times, Andrews talked about growing up ar... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/157081 2010-01-06 In the second part of ChicagoPride.com s feature on the Bravo hit Tabatha s Salon Takeover , Chicago Male Salon owner Scott Neesham discusses how our favorite hair guru, Tabatha Coffey, gave his salon an new lease on life. Chicago Male Salon is located in the heart of Boystown and was an instant success was it opened several years ago but lately has seen its clientele greatly decline, until the arrival of Tabatha! Tabat... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/156564 2009-12-27 Openly gay writer Paul Rudnick has written for the stage (I Hate Hamlet, Jeffrey, The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, etc.), screen (Sister Act, In & Out, Addams Family Values, The Stepford Wives, etc.) and for various publications (most hilariously in the guise of Libby Gelman-Waxner, the film critic for the late Premiere magazine). Now Rudnick has released I Shudder, a collection of autobiographical essays and pieces about his writing experi... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/156049 2009-12-16 Bravo s hit television show Tabatha s Salon Takeover  has descended on Boystown s Chicago Male Salon, in an episode airing on December 29th. Host and hair guru Tabatha Coffey sat down for a candid interview with ChicagoPride.com about the salon, the show and how she balances her 10 year relationship with her skyrocketing career. MR: (Michael Roberts) First Tabatha, I want to know how a nice Aussie girl like you... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/155536 2009-12-09 This year, a self-described messy bombshell hit the television talk-show circuitand her name is Wendy Williams. (By the way, her fans will be thrilled to know that The Wendy Williams Showwith the host saying her signature line, How you doin ?has been extended through the 2011-12 season.) In a candid interview with Windy City Times, Williams talked about everything from her recent induction in Chicago s National Radio Hall of Fam... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/155025 2009-12-08 The fabulous and fierce Nina Flowers, one of the finalists on the first season of RuPaul s Drag Race,  makes an outrageous and naughty  Chicago debut Saturday, December 5th at <a style="text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.chicagopride.com/calendar/event.cfm/id/84866" target="new">Spin Nightclub</a>. Jorge Flores, known as Nina Flowers, was born in Puerto Rico and now li... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/154009 2009-12-02 Grammy Award-winning duo Sugarland are spreading lots of Christmas cheer this year with the release of their holiday-themed record <i>Gold And Green</i>. The album includes five original songs co-written by lead members Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, plus classics like Winter Wonderland, Silent Night and Holly Jolly Christmas. Also, with the purchase of <i>Gold And Green</i>, fans will be able to access exclusive cont... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/154516 2009-12-02 The incredibly dashing Anderson Davis dons the role of Lt. Cable in the National Tour of South Pacific. From his humble days as a would be oboe player to strapping leading man, Anderson talks to ChicagoPride.com's ShowBizQ about the impact South Pacific has had on the musical theatre, his blossoming career and his college days at Carnegie Melon along side some of Broadway s greatest up and coming talent. South Pacific runs November 24-29... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/153504 2009-11-18 Known for his groundbreaking works including the Pulitzer Prize-winning Angels in America and the Olivier-awarded <i>Caroline</i>, <i>Or Change</i>, celebrated playwright Tony Kushner sat down with ChicagoPride.com's ShowBizQ to discuss his perennial works, the process of stage to screen translation, and why so many LGBT people have found a home in the theatre. Kushner will received the 2009 Chicago Tribune Literary Prize ... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/153001 2009-11-18 Bruce Vilanch is no longer just a Hollywood Square. Whether he s writing for the Academy Awards or losing weight on Celebrity Fit Club, this comedic man behind the scenes continues to stand out. With his new movie Oy Vey! My Son is Gay! at Reeling it was time for Nunn on One to Get Bruce! WCT: (Windy City Times) Hi, Bruce. I met you a few years ago at the Grabby Awards in Chicago. BV: (Bruce Vilanch) Oh, wow. I must have been chemically ... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/152500 2009-11-15 Various churches and religious leaders have spoken against homosexuality citing the Bible as their main resource. But does the Bible really say anything about homosexuality? Filmmaker Ky Dickens tackles that exact question in her documentary Fish Out of Water. The film asks LGBT church figures and other people (e.g., the Rev. Fred Phelps) their interpretations on homosexuality in the Bible while unveiling new perspective on seven Bible passages t... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/152001 2009-11-04 Before their November 11th inaugural Speaker Series featuring President Bill Clinton, Chicago House CEO Stan Sloan takes a moment with ChicagoPride.com's Brian Decker to chat about the founding of Chicago House, the Sweet Miss Giving's bakery job program one year later, and a deep dark secret that you may not already know about this fascinating community leader. CP: (ChicagoPride.com) Chicago House was founded in 1985. While the initial reason f... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/151009 2009-10-28 The very out (and striking) Cheyenne Jacksonwho has made a splash in everything from Broadway s Xanadu to the TV show Ugly Betty to the film United 93 (in which he played gay rugby player Mark Bingham)has teamed with musical legend Michael Feinstein to record The Power of Two. Based on the sold-out shows at Feinstein s New York nightclub, the album (which will be available Tuesday, Nov. 3) features the twosome singing together a... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/151504 2009-10-28 Stage 33 Chicago, 3655 N. Kedzie, is presenting a 60-minute improvised game show hosted by Elizabeth Keener for its first production. Windy City Times' Jerry Nunn talked with Keenersister of actress Catherine Keenerabout The L Word, family and the show (called Keenerville). WCT: (Windy City Times) Hi, Elizabeth. Do you miss playing Dawn Denbo on The L Word? EK: (Elizabeth Keener) Absolutely, best gig ever. You get to be nasty as you want to be. [... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/150516 2009-10-07 Now over a decade since Matthew Shepard was tragically murdered in the town of Laramie, Wyoming, the company at the Tectonic Theatre Project will present and publish an epilogue to its poignant theatrical retelling, The Laramie Project. Leigh Fondakowski, head writer of <i>The Laramie Project, The People s Temple, and The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later</i>, sits down with Michael J. Roberts & Alissa Norby to discuss the... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/150025 2009-10-07 In a city synonymous with House Music and legendary talent like Frankie Knuckles, it s hard for a young spinner to keep from being drowned out by the other up-and-comers, let alone find their music and artistic identity. It s a reality that fresh-faced DJ Chris MD can relate, but one he is determined to overcome. I try not to copy anybody, proclaims Chris. It s all about being different! At Lake Park High School, Chris ... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/149536 2009-09-30 It seems a lot of people like the Fox series 'Glee.' So much so that the new series has already been signed for 9 more episodes. Fox touts the show as a new comedy for the aspiring underdog in all of us. Glee s certainly got it all: hit songs, dance, laughs, intrigue and gays. Earlier this month, the cast of 'Glee' visited Chicago s Orland Square Mall to meet the fans. That s where ChicagoPride.com s Michael J.... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/149049 2009-09-30 You might not be able to put a name to the voicenot yet anyway. But all of that is about to change. Pop music fans are soon destined to not only recognize, but to revel in, the gorgeous voice and emotional intensity of Chris Willis, a performer who has been thrilling dance music aficionados, DJs, and club denizens for the better part of this decade. Beginning with his vocal performances on the debut album, <i>Just a Little More Love</i&g... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/148564 2009-09-23 <b>FLYING THE TRENDY SKIES</b> Pam Ann Flies into Chicago, by Jared Lytner Fasten your seat belt, stow your designer luggage and prepare for the flight of your life. The super glamorous air-hostess with-the-<i>mostest</i>, Pam Ann, is bringing her one-woman comedy show to Chicago s Harris Theatre. Boystown will never be the same. Q: What's the first thing you plan to do when you touch down in Chicago? Pam: I can&... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/148081 2009-09-16 The cast of Fox's hit musical series, <i>Glee</i> visited Chicago's Orland Square Mall to meet with fans, offer sneak peeks of what is to come in the upcoming premiere season, and gab about what it has been like to star in America's favorite show choir. ChicagoPride.com's Michael J. Roberts and Alissa Norby were there to interview the multi-talented Gleekers about the unique experience of being part of one of the biggest television ph... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/147600 2009-09-08