Planning on attending this weekend’s 34th annual Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade? Arrive early to grab a front-row seat for three hours of over-the-top costumes, floats, music and spectacle. It kicks off at noon Sunday at Halsted Street and Belmont Avenue, proceeds north on Halsted to Broadway, turns south on Broadway to Diversey Parkway, then east on Diversey to Sheridan Road. Former Major League Baseball player Billy Bean serves as grand marshal.
But the parade is just one of many opportunities to party with pride this weekend. Celebrate diversity with other gay and straight revelers at these festivities.
Party central
Centered on Pride
This benefit for The Center on Halsted is the unofficial kick-off party for Pride Weekend. There’s live entertainment by the Chicago Kings, plus DJs, dancing, food, carnival games, salsa dance lessons and more. $5. 6-11 p.m. Friday. Halsted Street and Waveland Avenue, 773-348-8264.
Pride Fest
The Northalsted Area Merchants Association debuts its highly anticipated festival featuring food and drink, DJs and live music by Cathy Richardson, Robert Cornelius 7 and others. $5 donation. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday. Halsted Street and Waveland Avenue, 773-868-3010.
6th Annual Girl Blast
Paris Dance and Girlbar are history. These days Ann Sather’s outdoor lesbian dance party is the place where girls go for DJs and drafts. $10. 4-10 p.m. Sunday. 929 W. Belmont Ave. 773-871-7610.
Post Pride Parade Party
Head to Peg Leg Sullivan’s after the parade for drink specials, including $3.50 UV blue-raspberry flavored vodka lemonades and $3 Bass, Guinness and Harp pints. The full menu will be offered–including the famous Pig and Bird, a grilled chicken breast sandwich topped with ham, cheddar cheese and barbecue sauce. Noon-2 a.m. Sunday. 2721 N. Halsted St. 773-529-1700.
Rejoice: The Pride Party
Want to get away from the Halsted Street crowd after the parade? DJs Barry Harris and Greg Drescher spin at Excalibur’s after-party and benefit for the Hearts Foundation. $20-$25. 6 p.m.-4 a.m. Sunday. 632 N. Dearborn St. 800-956-4827.
Tours, plays and more
Pride Brunch
A seat in the shade is a precious thing during the Pride Parade. At The Hearty Boys Cafe’s brunch, you can see all the activities and get all you can eat and drink to boot. $50, reservations recommended. 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. Sunday. 3404 N. Halsted St. 773-244-9866.
Gay and Lesbian Guided Walking Tours
Chicago has a rich gay history that goes far beyond a few bars and clubs. Tour historic and cultural hot spots of the city’s early gay and lesbian community, including Bughouse Square, Crilly Court and more. $20, reservations recommended. 2-4 p.m. Saturdays from Jun. 28-Oct. 11. Tours depart from Savories, 1700 N. Wells St. 773-330-1541.
Proud to Run
Frontrunners/Frontwalkers of Chicago hosts this annual event with 5K and 10K runs and a 2-mile walk along the lakefront path. $22-$27. 8 a.m. Saturday. Montrose Harbor, 312-409-2790.
Pinafore!
The writer/composer of “Naked Boys Singing” spins this parody of Gilbert and Sullivan musicals about the flagship of the New Gay Navy docked in Palm Springs. $15-$30. Through July 27. Bailiwick Arts Center, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. 773-883-1090.
The Chicago Kings’ 3rd Annual Pride Show
Chicago’s drag king performance troupe’s prom-theme party features keepsake Polaroids, a crowning of the best-dressed attendees and music by DJs Kitty and Boywonder. $5-$8. A portion of proceeds benefit the Chicago Dyke March. 10 p.m. Friday. Circuit Night Club, 3641 N. Halsted St. 312-458-0747.
Eat, drink, be merry
Recommended gay-friendly spots
Bars
Prop House
On Friday night the Prop House really does earn its props with Black Velvet, one of the few predominately gay African-American dance nights in the city. Two rooms each have their own live DJ overseeing the beats. Though women make up only a quarter of the crowd, it’s still a good mix compared with other clubs in the city. 1675 N. Elston Ave. 773-486-2086.
Charmers
This diamond in the Rogers Park rough features a pre-ironic 1929 art-deco interior. Yuppies, working-class Joes and Janes, and older straight folk from the ‘hood all gather for a drink–and occasionally to take their turn as “guest celebrity bartender.” If you’re new, longtime barkeep Rick Osborne will gladly make introductions. 1502 W. Jarvis Ave. 773-465-2811.
Sidetrack
Why spend another night sitting home watching television when you can go to Sidetrack and do the same thing? A Boystown anchor, this cavernous video bar has built a national reputation by offering a great selection of eye candy both on and off its plentiful monitors. 3349 N. Halsted St. 773-477-9189.
Find more recommended gay and lesbian bars on Page 26.
Restaurants
La Tache
This cozy bistro is one of the best restaurants to open in Chicago in the last year. Chef Dale Levitski puts a fresh spin on French fare for a diverse crowd. Recommended dishes include the best Lyonnaise salad this side of, well, Lyon. 1475 W. Balmoral Ave. 773-334-7168.
Speakeasy
This restaurant and cabaret recently opened in Edgewater. Menu items include grilled beef tenderloin with twice-baked potatoes and seared scallops and foie gras with port syrup. The owners include singer Michael Feinstein and Jody Andre (of The Room). Dinner only. 1401 W. Devon Ave. 773-338-0600.
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Find more gay- and lesbian-friendly dining options on Page 24-25.
