The Chicago Traveler

Happy Halloween everybody! Even though it’s a weeknight, there’s still plenty to do out there in the city…
• The Dead Diner will be serving up Halloween-themed food and drink specials, along with ghostly tunes, horror flicks, and a midnight costume contest with a $200 cash prize.
• Roscoe’s Halloween Night offers over $4,000 in cash and prizes in two big costume competitions: Best Costume and Best Drag. Each is limited to 30 participants so be there at 9:00 p.m. to sign up.
• Debonair Social Club celebrates its first anniversary with seven guest DJs and a live video photobooth.
• Casey Moran’s, across …read more

Comments Off

October is GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender) History Month and was first celebrated in 1994. Founded by Missouri high-school teacher Rodney Wilson, the dedication was first supported by many leaders and educators, including Kevin Boyer of Chicago’s Gerber/Hart Library, writer Paul Varnell of the Windy City Times, and Torey Wilson, a Chicago-area teacher. Rodney Wilson chose October because National Coming Out Day (Oct 11) was already a well-known annual “holiday,” and the first march on Washington by GLBT people took place in October of 1979. In 1996, Mayor Richard M. Daley officially proclaimed October GLBT History Month in Chicago.
Lesbian, …read more

Comments Off

Your elders have always told you to send Thank You cards. But what about cards that say “Get Awesome!”, “Holla!” or “Bite Me”?
Rebecca Ann Rakstad of Rar Rar Press has come up with creative sayings for just about every occasion and prints them out on colorful letterpress postcards. She also makes greeting cards and blank drawing and writing books.
Keep an eye out for this local artist at various arts & crafts fairs, or stop by Rebecca’s site at http://rarrarpress.etsy.com/
And remember to send her a Thank You.

Photo credit: Rar Rar Press

Comments Off

This 275-foot (84 m), 21-story skyscraper actually goes by a few names: the Michael A. Bilandic Building, the Burnham Building (named for the architects), and even the State of Illinois Building, even though a new state government building was constructed across the street (the Thompson Center) in 1985. Completed in 1920, the structure now serves as the state government annex.
In 2003, the building (across Randolph St from Hotel Allegro) was renamed in honor of former Chicago Democratic mayor and Illinois Supreme Court justice Michael A. Bilandic. When Mayor Richard J. Daley died in 1976, the City Council elected this Bridgeport …read more

2 Comments

Pretty soon, those little superheroes, ghosts, and pirates will be ringing your bell and knocking at your door, expecting something sweet to eat. Sure, you could go to any store and pick up the same ol’ Snickers and M&M’s that everyone else has, but how many houses can boast Abba Zabba, Mary Janes, or Wonka Bars?
Around the corner from Luxe, Suckers Candy, Inc. is chock full of candy memories. Revel in the sweets of the past, browsing through the likes of Slo’ Pokes and Wacky Taffy. Can’t decide? They’ll gladly put together a gift package for you, filled with all …read more

3 Comments

So it’s costume time, and you’re on the hunt for something… fabulous. If you’re thinking along the lines of feathery angel wings, disco balls, vinyl, rhinestones, and size 12 platforms, walk loud and proud to Beatnix.
This outlandish boutique in the heart of Boystown (mere steps away from Sidetrack) attracts a clientele as flashy as its merchandise. Clubbers, drag queens, and a curious, giggling straight tourist or two can be found perusing the aisles. The staff has just about seen it all, so they won’t give a second thought to helping you find outrageous wigs, tiaras, feather boas, headpieces, or even …read more

7 Comments

I wanted to highlight a flick (filmed in Chicago) this week that was appropriate for the frightful season. I think I found the perfect choice in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer.

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)

Directed by:
John McNaughton

Produced by:
Malik B. Ali
Waleed B. Ali
Lisa Dedmond
Steven A. Jones
John McNaughton

Starring:
Michael Rooker
Tom Toweles
Tracy Arnold

Distributed by:
Greycat Films

All Movie Guide
IMDb
Amazon.com

When I first heard the title of this movie, I thought it was one of those B-grade slasher movies with so much cheesy gore it’s laughable. However, there’s absolutely nothing silly about this low-budget film, often just referred to as Henry. It is easily one …read more

Comments Off

• A ghoul’s gotta eat. The Dead Diner (a.k.a. the Orbit Room) will be serving up Halloween-themed food and drink specials, along with ghostly tunes, horror flicks, and a midnight costume contest with a cash prize. (Oct 27, 31)
• Eat, Drink, and Be Scary at the Museum of Surgical Science. Hosted by the Foundation for Community Betterment, this costume party and fundraiser features festive drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and tours of the unique venue. An after-party and raffle complete the celebration at aliveOne. Proceeds benefit 7-year-old Mallory Langill, diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at birth. (Oct 27)
• Vision and Excalibur come together …read more

1 Comment

 I have to admit, I love this time of year. While I’m not a fan of chilly weather or candy-greedy kids, I can’t get enough of all things creepy and spooky. If you enjoy an adrenaline rush and want to potentially bust some ghosts, grab a tour with Chicago Ghost Investigations. This paranormal research group will teach you how to use authentic ghost-hunting equipment, including cameras, sensors, and thermal scanners. CGI investigators will be there to guide you, but for approximately two hours, you are the ghost hunter. This mind-altering experience is incredibly fun but also very intense, so be …read more

2 Comments

Got an idea for a creative costume? Not military-related? Maybe you should stop at American Science & Surplus in Jefferson Park, just down the street from Andy’s Deli.
There really is no adequate way of describing American Science. It’s a bit of an oversized junk drawer, with all kinds of odds, ends, doodads, and thingamajigs. The store carries a large collection of old science-fair things (chemistry sets, ant farms, etc) as well as home repair items (paintbrushes, small engines, wrenches, etc). But that doesn’t even begin to describe the kinds of things you can find in the numerous aisles of this …read more

1 Comment