The Chicago Traveler

• Miss Foozie hosts the 12th annual North Halsted Street Halloween Parade. (Register at Spin to participate in the parade.) After the parade, festivities include a costume contest and the Chicago Spirit Brigade.
• Comic book fans can party down at Heroes & Villians sponsored by Metromix at Harry Caray’s Tavern. Guests can enter the costume contest by having a professional photo taken in front of a comic book backdrop. Awards will be given for Best Hero, Best Villian, and Best Overall Costume.
• Psychic Sidney Friedman shows off his telepathic and mind reading skills at Davenport’s as part of Mind Shivers.
• …read more

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Chicago is renowned for its culture and diversity, bringing together people from all backgrounds and labels. The gay and lesbian community plays a significant part in the Windy City’s population, attracting men and women from less resourceful rural areas across the Midwest. Two of Chicago’s most thriving gay neighborhoods are Boystown (inside the Lakeview/Wrigleyville area) and Andersonville (and consequently its surrounding Edgewater neighborhood). A high concentration of bars, shops, and restaurants can be found among the colorful pylons of Boystown. Andersonville has a few bars as well but is better known for its boutiques and “hip” eateries.
While it is by …read more

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In the interest of full disclosure, I have to say that it has been a long, long time since I’ve been to Hydrate on a weekend evening. That’s because the lines are long, the drinks are small and expensive, and the dance club is wall-to-wall crowded. But in spite of all that, this place can still be fun. You just have to know when to go.
Chic 20-somethings hypnotized by the deep bass emerging from Hydrate (just north of Beatnix) enter via the “blue room,” where a bar island sits in the middle of an aquamarine-colored room. There are only about …read more

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For many people, the thumping beat of dance music goes through them like an electric current, giving them energy to move and groove for hours. So appropriately enough, one of Boystown’s premier dance clubs is called Circuit.
At Circuit (just south of Kit Kat Lounge), you can find lesbians, gay men, and even straight couples moving their bodies to the beats of dance mixes and Latin rhythms. Many start the evening quietly sipping cocktails in the front bar lounge named Rehab, where they restore themselves from a trying work week. The night doesn’t stay quiet for long though. The club features …read more

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• Check out two local designers and their earth-friendly clothing for women at EcoFashion: Beyond the Basics. Sip on pomegranate martinis with organic vodka at Pivot, while seeing how scarves are made with natural pomegranate dye. (Apr 4)
• The 24th Annual Chicago Latino Film Festival features more than 100 short, animated, documentary, and feature films from the United States, Portugal, Mexico, Argentina, and Spain. Screenings take place in several venues across the city and explore politics, race, sex, and social issues. (Apr 4-16)
• Doug Benson, as seen on VH1’s Best Week Ever, will be appearing at Lakeshore Theater. (Apr 4-5)
• …read more

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It’s time to say good-bye to 2007. The year has treated me very well. I moved to a new apartment, did some traveling, and, best of all, began writing The Chicago Traveler! Many thanks to Mary Jo and everyone at b5media who has been so welcoming and helpful.
Even though The Chicago Traveler is only a few months old, let’s take a look back at the ten most popular articles of this year.
10. Abegweit. Resting peacefully on Lake Michigan, this beautiful ship was once the most powerful icebreaker in the world.
9. Let’s Boogie Records & Tapes. This music store on the …read more

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• Alinea: Chef Grant Achataz is the frontrunner of progressive cuisine. The word “unique” doesn’t even begin to describe his dishes… many of which don’t even come on a dish! He’ll be presenting his cuisine at two seatings. The first seating offers a ten-course meal; the second offers 15 courses and a champagne toast. Wine pairings are also available. Reservations required. Jackets recommended, jeans not allowed. (5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., $175-$250) (map) (link)
• Salud Tequila Lounge: This popular spot has about 85 different tequilas to choose from, available straight or in a margarita. They’ll …read more

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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

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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

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This weekend’s 26th Annual Northalsted Market Days is no ordinary street fair. It’s the Midwest’s largest two-day outdoor festival, held in the heart of Boystown—Chicago’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender neighborhood. Thousands of people come from across the country to check out the live music, food, arts and crafts, and of course, the hot men and women.
For sure, Halsted Street becomes not only the best place to browse unique wares, eat great food, and dance to 40 different musical acts, but also the best place for incredible eye candy. Pierced pecs are a common appearance as men (and the occasional …read more

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