Night of 100 Drag Queens

Sidetrack
3349 N. Halsted St.
(773) 477-9189

Move over Pricilla Queen of the Desert, here comes a Night of 100 Drag Queens to Sidetrack located in the Boystown neighborhood. This annual benefit benefits Equality Illinois is sure to bring out Chicago's best and well, most colorful drag queens.

This year the event will occur on Tuesday, October 25th and Wednesday, October 26th and if it's anything like last year, there will be plenty of big wigs, glitter, and makeup to give any salon a run for their money. Also expect to see the queens in full force with Halloween garb! How many Lady Gagas will there be?

Doors open at 8pm and general admission tickets sell for $15 (advance tickets are available for $10 via online purchase here)VIP packages are also available through the website.

Renegade Craft Fair

On September 10th and 11th between 11am and 7pm, the 9th Annual Renegade Craft Fair takes over the Wicker Park neighborhood. The 300 booth event brings together some of the brightest and talented artists to this hip and trendy hood.

Take a break from all the shopping and enjoy MANA food bar, known for their portabello sliders. If it's warm enough outside, take a seat on their patio and get ready for people-watching galore!

There will also be representatives from local non-profit organizations such as Grateful Greyhounds and The Treehouse Humane Society. So inbetween buying buttons and cool t's, consider making a donation!

Pride Day at Wrigley

Despite the usually testosterone filled neighborhood of Wrigleyville where frat boys both new and used drunkenly roam up and down Addison and Clarks Streets, this Sunday brings Pride Day at Wrigley. The Chicago Cubs are one of the very few MLB teams to contribute a message to the It Gets Better campaign. (View the video here)

The cursed Cubbies will take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at 1:20pm. Make sure to get there early. The division champions from the Gay Softball World Series will be honored before the game.

Tickets are available at the official Chicago Cubs website.

Food Truck Social

Alas, here drives in the the Food Truck Social. The food truck movement has taken Chicago by storm. I'm sure you've seen the Flirty Cupcakes van cruising around the city often times stopping traffic to the dismay of impatient drivers. Here's your chance to get all your food truck love all in one place.

On Saturday, August 27th from noon to 10pm, join the feeding forces of Bergstein's Deli, Flirty Cupcakes, Gaztrowagon, Haute Sausage, Hummingbird Kitchen, La Isla Cafe, Southern Mac, Starfruit Cafe, Sweet Miss Giving's, Sweet Ride Chicago, and Tamalespaceship. Local chef heroes, Bill Kim (Belly Shack and Urban Belly), Michael Carlson (Schwa), Justin Large (Big Star), and Stephanie Izard (Girl and the Goat)will also be there throughout the day.

This Time Out Chicago event has also teamed up with The Empty Bottle to provide live music as you eat your hearts out!

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Update: My food loving self ventured to the social and found myself in seas of truck hungry attendees. Prepare thyself for long lines. I wonder if the organizers expected such a great turnout. I had my first flirty cupcake this afternoon. One bite gave me validation as to why America is overweight and diabetic. Yum.

The Interrupters (The Loop)

Gene Siskel Film Center
164 N. State St.
Chicago, IL 60610

Here's a chance to take an intimate look into the lives of those involved in the attempt to curb the violence that plagues the city of Chicago. The Interrupters is a film made by Steve James (Stevie and Hoop Dreams) and Alex Kotlowitz (The Other Side of the River and There Are No Children Here). This haunting documentary follows three of the many brave members of Ceasefire as they work some of the toughest neighborhoods in Chicago. Shot over four seasons between 2009 and 2010, the viewer experiences the tension of the streets and the heartbreak of the families who have lost loved ones. The content seems to weigh heavy on the young people of Chicago including the death of Derrion Albert. The filmmakers also do a fantastic job integrating the social issues and problems which contribute to the cycle of violence.

This film brought me back to my days working as a therapist in East Chatham and Humbolt Park. While Hollywood is often known to glamorize certain aspects of films in order to boost box office sales, The Interrupters remains a true depiction of life outside of the touristy downtown Loop.

The remaining shows for The Interrupters are currently sold out. The film returns to Chicago in October 2011 as part of a 40 theater limited release nationwide.

Chicago Air and Water Show (Lincoln Park)

Chicago Air and Water Show
North Avenue Beach
August 20-21, 2011

Get ready, get set, and fly! The annual Chicago Air and Water Show takes North Avenue Beach by storm the weekend of August 20th and 21st. Featuring Thunderbirds, Golden Knights, and the United States Navy Parachute Team.

Bring earplugs for your little ones or for yourself if you've got hearing sensitivity, as this event is LOUD. I've been listening/watching the rehersals for the past two days and I can hear the plans swooping overhead through the thick walls of my brick building office in Lincoln Park.

While North Avenue Beach seems to be the epicenter of this event, and probably the most crowded spot to watch, the show can be viewed as far north as Fullerton Ave and as far south as Oak Street Beach.

Because social media is the thing now, you can follow the air and water show via Twitter: @AirAndWaterShow for up to date commentary. If you're lucky enough to snag a seat at Oak Street Beachstro or Castaways, you can enjoy the show while sipping on cocktails.

North Halsted Market Days (Boystown)

Get ready, get set, and go! The weekend of August 13 -14 brings Northalsted Market Days which is claimed to be the largest 2-day festival in the Midwest. Set in the heart of the Boystown neighborhood, attendees are sure to have their share of spectacular people watching, access to vendors (anything from knick-knacks to information booklets from local non-profits), and live music. This years musical acts include Gloria Gaynor and the always entertaining 16 Candles, a local cover band.

Northalsted Market Days can be crowded. Expect large gatherings especially at the music stages. If you want a shot at a decent spot, make sure to get there early. It can get hot, it can get sticky. For more information, visit their official website.

If you need to take a break from the 6 city block party (on Halsted St. between Addison and Belmont), there are plenty of dining estabilishments that are sure to please. There's the well established Chicago Diner, known for their vegetarian and vegan fare. The Center on Halsted, located on the corner of Halsted and Waveland serves as the neighborhood's main LGBTQ resource center.