“Beyond The Grimm” Dance Concert at Center On Halsted

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Travis

Reveries In Motion (RIM) is partnering with the Center on Halsted to present “Beyond the Grimm,” a dance concert benefitting the Center’s programs for youths who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or straight allies (LGBTQA). The concert will a collection of inspired dance pieces conceptually based on Grimm’s fairy tales.

RIM is a talented group of dancers based in Chicago specializing in modern and contemporary jazz dance performance. The group was founded on the premise of dance activism – dancing for causes. In previous years, the company performed to raise money for the Invisible Children Organization, Chicago Children’s Charities, and most recently the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

RIM wants to help brighten the outlook for children battling harsh or particularly challenging realities, and give the children a “happily ever after” instead of a “happily never after.” All proceeds from the dance concert will be donated to the Center on Halsted to help meet this noble goal.

There are three performances of “Beyond the Grimm” taking place at the Center on Halsted on Saturday May 19 at 3pm and 8pm, and again on Sunday May 20 at 3pm. Tickets are $15 for general admission, or $10 for students, dancers, or seniors. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. You can find the event’s Facebook page here.

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Ain’t Nothin Like the Real Thing

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Travis

This video is about 2 years old now, but it’s still a goodie. It was removed from YouTube for violating their “policy on nudity or sexual content,” so you know there has to be some entertaining footage in there. The video is titled “Ain’t Nothin Like the Real Thing” and was made to help launch Yves Saint Laurent’s A/W 2010/11 menswear line.

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New Music from TheSwimmingPools

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Travis

TheSwimmingPools has recently released their new music single “Looking for Love in the Dark,” which was directed by renowned photographer Karine Laval. It’s a pretty awesome song, like something you’d hear at Berlin. Take a listen!

TheSwimmingPools was founded back in 2004 in New York by boyfriends Christophe and Daniel, who have been together for the last 10 years. Originally from Paris and Colorado, respectively, they both now live in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

The group has played all over New York at venues such as Joe’s Pub and Union Pool, as well as NYC loft parties like Spank and Xanadude. TheSwimmingPools has even played at the “Meat Rack” on Fire Island a few years ago, where nearly 200 people showed up and the show went on until the wee hours of the morning. Last year TheSwimmingPools toured Europe, playing shows in London, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona, and Glasgow. A US tour is currently being planned for 2013.

You can listen to many of their other songs on their website and on YouTube. The new single “Looking for Love in the Dark” is currently available for download for free at their website. You can find out more background info about TheSwimmingPools here.

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Underground Tunnels Planned For Boystown

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Travis

 Today the Northalsted Business Alliance announced plans to build underground tunnels in Boystown. The tunnels will serve as an underground pedway, similar to the pedway in downtown Chicago, allowing patrons access to bars and businesses on Halsted’s main strip.

The tunnels will run underneath Halsted from Cornelia to Belmont, linking all businesses along the way. Depending on the success of the program, the tunnels may be extended north to Waveland. Access to the tunnels will be from stairways positioned at every major intersection along the route. Businesses will have the option to allow direct access to their buildings via underground entrances. For example, Roscoes is considering building an underground passageway that links the tunnels to a basement entrance, in which patrons would then climb stairs from the basement and enter the bar directly.

Funds for the tunnel system are being provided jointly by the Northalsted Business Alliance, TIF funding, and the City of Chicago. However, the provided funds still fall short of the estimated tunnel costs, so access to the tunnels will initially be granted only to those paying a monthly access fee of $30. The access fees will go towards infrastructure costs and utilities such as heating and lighting.

Just think, in the winter you can leave that bulky coat at home when bar hopping, and in the summer you’ll be able to move from bar to bar without being stabbed. Presumably nobody that can afford a knife can also afford a $30/month access fee to use the tunnels.

The estimated completion date of the tunnels is exactly one year from today, on April 1, 2013.

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Chicago Red Dress Party And Couture In Rouge

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Travis

The Red Dress Party is a national event dedicated to creating awareness and visibility for the HIV/AIDS movement and raising funds for organizations that provide vital community services.

There are two events taking place in April under the umbrella of the Red Dress Party: (1) The Chicago Red Dress Party on April 21, and (2) ”Couture in Rouge” on April 4.

The Chicago Red Dress Party is taking place Saturday April 21, 2012 at Joffrey Ballet Studios, 10 East Randolph Street, right in The Loop. The funds raised at the Chicago Party this year will establish a grant giving fund in which organizations like TPAN, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, and/or Chicago House can apply for funding. The funds will be restricted to programs for HIV+ individuals and research, and the programs must benefit Chicago area residents in some way.

While drag is not required in order to attend the event, some sort of red must be worn by all attendees. Typically, however, both men and women wear red dresses, though kilts and togas are also acceptable types of clothing. If you’re wondering where to buy a red dress, you can try Beatnix in Boystown, either of the Brown Elephant resale shops, or either Ragstock or Hollywood Mirror on Belmont.

Tickets for the Chicago Red Dress Party can be purchased here, and come in three different levels: General Admission, VIP, and VIP Exclusive. Fortunately, all levels come with an open bar. The price of the tickets increase as the event draws near, so buy early, especially because there’s a chance that tickets will sell out.

On Wednesday April 4, 2012 from 5-8 PM, the Chicago Red Dress Party, along with the Drake Hotel and Neiman Marcus, will host “Couture in Rouge” at the Drake Hotel in Chicago, an evening dedicated to “red fashion” and raising awareness for the HIV/AIDS movement. The three-hour cocktail event in the Drake’s Palm Court will showcase the latest designer red dresses from Neiman Marcus. Proceeds will also benefit Chicago area programs for HIV+ individuals and research. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased here.

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