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June 23rd - July 2nd

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The Run Up To Pride:

Before heading over to "Showtunes" @ Sidetrack on Monday, June 23, be sure to first check out the "Pride & Joy Reception" by the Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame @ Circuit Night Club. The $10 admission gets you a light buffet, entertainment & a DJ starting @ 6pm.  Earlier in the day @ noon is the "6th Annual City of Chicago Salute To LGBT Veterans" downtown in Daley Plaza.

The major Pride oriented event on Tuesday, June 24 is the "30 Under 30 Awards Ceremony" @ Center on Halsted (3656 N. Halsted), beginning @ 6pm.  Afterwards, folks may head north to Crew Bar & Grill for "Man The Mic Karaoke" or south to catch Roscoe's "Drag Race 2008 DEATHMATCH" hosted by Frida Lay w/ guests performances by Jerri Blank & Mimi Marks @ 11pm.  Across the street DJ Michael Serafini will be serving up the house beats for the Spank Go-Go Boys @ Cocktail.

The evening of Wednesday, June 25 finds "Hairspray" being screened outdoors @ Hollywood Beach starting at dusk (approximately 8:30pm).  Later that night the drinks will be cheap, and so will the chicken, at Spin Nightclub's "What The F*%k Wednesdays" with $1 well drinks and DJ Chris Eterno. Meanwhile there will be lots of flashbacking to the days of polyester and platforms at "Disco Obsession" w/ DJ Pervy @ Berlin.

Chicago Gay Men's Chorus will be presenting their "The Boys are Back in Town!" concerts at the Lake View Presbyterian Church (716 W Addison) throughout the weekend.  Admission is $25 with performances slated for Thursday, June 26 @ 8pm; Friday, June 27 @ 8pm; and Saturday, June 28 @ 3pm & 8pm.  Singing of the solo cabaret variety can be found at 3160 and Cornelia's in Boystown and at Davenport's Piano Bar and Cabaret in Wicker Park. 

ChicagoPride.com and 103.5 KISS FM continues the "I'm Too Sexy" bar tour, this Thursday, June 26 stopping at Hydrate Chicago from 9pm - 11pm. Ronnie Kroell from Bravo's "Make Me a Supermodel" will guest host with DJ Nina Chantele from KISS FM.

Pride Weekend Begins:

After work on Friday, June 27 Bucks Saloon hosts the "Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) Anniversary Party" @ 6pm.  The downtown office-workers crowd will begin their Pride weekend fun @ Second Story Bar for a "TGIF Happy Hour" that's not to be missed.  Later that night Boystown features two long-time Chicago House music DJing favorites: Freddie Bain is @ Cocktail along with the Spank Go-Go Boys while Ralphi Rosario lords over the late-night dance floor @ Hydrate Chicago.  Two other late-night dancing options in Boystown are Charlie's w/DJ Lightning Lulu and Berlin "Cosmix" w/ DJ Greg Haus. 

The signature event on Saturday, June 28 is "Pride Fest" w/ performances by Tiffany, Inaya day, Kimberly Lock, Martha Wash, and Frenchie Davis.  The all day events (11am-9pm) takes place on N. Halsted Street between Addison & Grace Streets.  Up in Andersonville on the same afternoon the "5th Annual Back Lot Bash" takes place behind Cheetah Gym (5238 N Clark) w/ DJs & live music, 3pm-10pm.  Other distractions in Andersonville that night include "Attic-tion To Pride" w/ DJ Plez @ Hamburger Mary's - Mary's Attic, go-go dancers shaking their money-makers @ @mosphere w/ DJ Timmy Loop, an open Club Room at the Chicago Eagle leather bar, strippers dangling their uncovered money-makers @ Man's Country. Further north, Touché hosts its late night "Leather Pride Party."

Back down in Boystown, the monthly Nitro event hosts the "Centaur Gay Days Tour" w/ DJs Randy Bettis (NYC) & Hugo @ Circuit Night Club.  The usual cast of characters – Cyon Flare, Miss Foozie, Eddie Couture & Sal-E – will be on hand for the merriment and fun.

Pride Parade Sunday & Beyond

Sunday, June 29 brings the "39th Annual Pride Parade" coordinated by PRIDEChicago. Grand Marshal this year is military veteran and activist Eric Alva. Step off from the Halsted/Belmont corner is @ 12noon, proceeding north on Halsted (to Broadway); then south on Broadway (to Diversey); then east on Diversey (to Cannon Drive). Of the various floats in the Parade, be on the lookout for the Fusion Radio Chicago entry w/ award-winning singers Jenna Drey and Jenn Cuenta on-board.  If you're looking for a fun vantage point from which to watch the festivities, check out the "Parade Party" @ Cesar's on Broadway (2924 N. Broadway) sponsored by ChicagoPride.com w/ DJ Plez providing the soundtrack.

What to do after the Parade? Well, there's the annual "Girlblast" benefit party ($12 cover) in the Ann Sather Restaurant parking lot, 929 W. Belmont.  There will be guest DJs & food available. On the other side of the "L" tracks DJ Greg Haus will get things grooving at Berlin Chicago starting at 4pm.  If your feeling particularly amorous head on over to the "Pride ‘N Seek Lights Out Play Party" @ Steamworks which begins @ 4pm.  And if you just feel like dancing with at least some of your clothes on then head north to Kinetic Playground (1113 W. Lawrence) which is having a Post-Parade "Super Secret Make-Out Party" presented by Music-101 w/ DJs Derrick Carter, Michael Serafini, Ron Carroll, and more.  The fun there also begins @ 4pm.

The perfect end to Pride Parade weekend? Well, the Sunday conclusion features "Super Pride Sunday" w/ Superstar DJ Manny Lehman @ Crobar.  There will be a performance by Cyon Flare & DJs Luis M, Ron G, Joel Rodriquez will rock the Mezzanine.  The Monday, June 30 finale: "Boom Boom Room" @ Green Dolphn Street with its "Moo & Oink BBQed Beats Party" Guest DJ Lego joins residents Michael Serafini, JustJoey, Diz, and Uncle Milty while Byrd Bardot is at the door.

This article was originally published in Boi Magazine and provided in partnership with www.boimagazine.com. 

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