What'sNew
in...
CHICAGO
by Melany Walters-Beck
Who says Chicago is just a “Boystown?” The Second
City has one of the hottest lesbian scenes in the country.
You just have to know where to look, and depending on
whether you want your arrival to be splashy (O’Hare)
or low-key (Midway), there are two international airports
to choose from with flight deals ranging from first-class
to budget. Jet Blue’s debut at O’Hare in January
2007 is great news for thrifty dykes on either coast.
With $89 flights from JFK and Long Beach, there’s
no excuse not to hit the Windy City for a weekend romp
with a nice, wholesome, Midwestern girl.
Of course if wholesome isn’t quite your thing, you
can always check out The Sissy Butch Brother’s Gurlesque
Burlesque at the Vic Theatre (3145 N. Sheffield Ave. Tel:
773-472-0366. http://www.sissybutchbrothers.com).
With occasional celebrity guest stars like Margaret Cho,
Gurlesque Burlesque has blended the art of burlesque with
often scathing political commentary to cook up a sexy,
shocking, irresistible stew. Originally conceived by Red
Vaughan Tremmel and Gwen Lis as a fundraiser for their
upcoming indie film on “the history and revival of
burlesque in the United States since 1860,” Gurlesque
Burlesque has grown into a sold-out phenomenon in the
event-driven Chicago lesbian scene. So sit back, relax,
and watch guilt-free. Remember, you’re funding the
arts.
For more dancing girls, plan your weekend
around one of the many Chix Mix events at Circuit Nightclub
(3641 N. Halsted St. Tel: 773-325-2233. http://www.chixmixproductions.com)
held on the third Friday of each month. The Chix Mix
parties are the place to get your groove on and check
out some of the most gorgeous women in Chicago. Go-go
dancers move to the latest club mixes by DJ Dani B and
by midnight, the place is generally packed to the gills
with stylish twenty- and thirty-somethings. Admission
usually hovers around seven dollars and each event has
a theme that makes dressing for the occasion even more
fun. The recent “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”
Uniform Party to benefit the Service Member’s Legal
Defense Network featured a pre-party comedy show by
I’ve Got a Secret’s Suzanne Westenhoefer,
who is a riot both onstage and in person. The Chix Mix
crew also does an excellent job of keeping things interesting
with exclusive L Word viewing parties and their biggest
event of the year, the Black Bra Party in February.
Over a thousand women, flashing lights, exciting new
drink specials, and a thumping bassline is a recipe
for a raucous evening in the city.
When it comes to drag kings, Chicago
is still the undisputed ruler and Versage Productions
(http://www.myspace.com/versageproductions)
knows all about putting on a good show. With their campy
drag competitions held at Circuit, Medusa’s (209
East Chicago, Elgin. Tel: 847-488-0320) and The Lakeshore
Theater (3175 N. Broadway. Tel: 773-472-3492) these
“boiz” round out an eclectic mix of nightlife
options with two to three events per month.
Boiz and Boystown aside, where can a
well-dressed girly-girl go to feel welcome in the Windy
City? With its European flair, tasty corner bakeries,
and Scandinavian hospitality, Andersonville fits the
bill nicely. Dinner at Tomboy (5402 N. Clark St. Tel:
773-907-0636), with its funky New York loft style and
fusion menu, is always a sure bet for a subtle, yet
still impressive date. Save room for dessert. The crème
brûlée is exquisite, and if you have a
bit of time afterward pop over to Continuum Studio (5671
N. Clark St.
Tel: 773-728-7883. http://www.continuumstudio.com)
for some heavy-duty pampering before your night out.
A wellness-oriented, full service spa founded by Johnnie
Grozenski and Paul Hasenwinkel, Continuum Studio offers
everything from massage and bodywork to mud treatments
and ear candling.
After a relaxing soak, peel, or cleanse
you will need some new threads to accentuate that healthy
glow. Fortunately, New York City fashion house dykesinthecity
(http://www.ditc.net)
relocated to this Midwestern hub in February. DITC features
“high-quality, cutting-edge clothing for lesbians
and those who love lesbians.” The result is a trendy,
occasionally androgynous fashion line that represents
urban women in our various incarnations, from sexy Rosie-the-Riveter
dresses to tight little tees and denim. Supporting fair
trade and labor practices, DITC is also family-friendly
for those of us leading the “gayby boom.”
Speaking of the little ones, lesbian
mommas can bring a tot or two to Adesso (3332 N. Broadway
Ave. Chicago. Tel: 773-868-1516. http://www.eatadesso.com),
the brand-new Italian BYOB on the corner of Broadway
and Buckingham in East Lakeview. Open for brunch and
dinner with a children’s menu featuring mac n’
cheese and spaghetti and meatballs, Adesso is one of
the few places in the city where you can enjoy a romantic,
candlelit dinner without the stress of having to locate
a babysitter. The Pesto alla Genovese with orreciette
pasta and green beans tossed with basil, pinenuts and
parmigiano is excellent with generous portions and smart
presentation. My sixteen-month-old daughter ate half
my plate and I was still so full that I opted for a
cup of the imported Lavazza brand coffee in lieu of
the tiramisu. Rich and full-bodied with a slightly nutty
aftertaste, it’s likely to satisfy even the most
discriminating coffee snob. Simple art deco flower mosaics
and brushed chrome give the place a modern vibe that
makes the most of the smallish space. Communal seating
is available at the longer tables in the middle and
is a great opportunity to rub elbows (literally) with
plenty of charming ladies. If you’re shy, wear
black and sit by the window. You’ll look mysterious
and have a great view of the Broadway nightlife.
For more eye candy, take the short walk
back to Halsted to the Lakeview Broadcasting Company
(3542 N. Halsted St. Tel: 773-857-2444. http://www.lbcchicago.com),
which hosts a lesbian night every Thursday. Local party
promoter and fashionista, Jenae Williams was the brains
behind introducing “dyke night” to this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it
watering hole. With its black signage and small understated
lettering, it is easy to overlook this hotspot at the
corner of Halsted and Addison. The inside décor
is kitschy Frank Lloyd Wright meets That 70’s Show,
with vintage boomboxes on the walls and a DJ booth.
The “model box” with orange shag carpeting
near the front bar often features scantily clad females
gyrating to early nineties hip-hop. The clientele is
mostly made up of young hipsters with Shane haircuts
and skinny jeans, with a smattering of hip-hoppers and
heteros. The “LBC,” as it is often called,
also serves a menu of “new school comfort food”
munchies like PB&J Maki, Jalapeño Poppers,
and Toasted Ravioli.
Continued
|
