September 10, 2008
Obama says McCain/Palin ‘make stuff up’
FLINT, Mich.—Barack Obama broadly accused his Republican rivals of dishonesty Sept. 8, citing former lobbyists working for John McCain, Sarah Palin’s shifting stance on the “Bridge to Nowhere” and their promise to change Washington. With national polls finding the Democratic presidential nominee... Full Story
Editorial
The political conventions are over and the presidential campaign between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain is in full swing. First and foremost, GLBTs need to make sure they are voters. If you’re not registered at the address you live at, register now. Call Equality Illinois at (773) 477-7173 to find out how... Full Story
Sarah Palin’s remarks at the Republican Convention oppressed the importance of community organizers who have worked against governments and systems that have forsaken the call to advocate on a community level. As far back as I can remember, community organizers were the real movers and shakers within America’s... Full Story
Freestyle: arts, entertainment & lifestyle
Lyric Opera of Chicago raises the curtain on its 2008-2009 season at the end of this month, bringing to Chicago audiences productions ranging from audience favorites “Madama Butterfly” and “The Pearl Fishers” to less traditional fare such as “Lulu.” “Balance is key” in planning each new season, according to Roger Pines, Lyric’s dramaturg... Full Story
The season struts its shows: CFP’s fall theater preview
Now moved to autumn, Bailiwick’s Pride Series features the Chicago premieres of three works with international themes, written by emerging gay playwrights. Two dramas run in prime-time repertory: “Anna Livia, Lucky In Her Bridges” (Sept. 13-Oct. 19) is set in James Joyce’s Dublin and explores the endurance... Full Story
“The Dark Knight” and “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” aside, what started out as a mediocre year at best for moviegoers is beginning to show signs of improvement. It’s good timing considering that 2008 is winding down. In September, Alan Ball, the gay mastermind behind “Six Feet Under” and “American Beauty,” adapts Alicia Erian’s novel “Towelhead” (Warner Independent... Full Story
From A to (almost) Z: Live entertainment for GLBTs this fall
From live music to theater and literary events, fall 2008 has much to offer the people of the GLBT community. Here’s a rundown of what’s available this fall... Full Story
Art in bloom: Fall art exhibits feature wide range of genres
Sept. 5 marked the beginning of the Chicago galleries’ fall art season, when more than 60 of Chicago’s museums and galleries in River North, Fulton Market, Bucktown, Pilsen and other gallery-rich areas introduced their fall offerings. Others will quickly follow suit. Most galleries offer free admission, while most museums... Full Story
Get up and dance: The fall dance season
Check out this season's live dance performance schedule... Full Story
Dancing and glancing: an interview with John Bolger
There are many reasons to see the U.S. premiere of “Dirty Dancing,” the stage musical adaptation of the cherished 1980s movie that opens Sept. 28 at the Cadillac Palace Theater (151 W. Randolph). The vintage music and original tunes, the period costumes and hairstyles, the bodies and, of course, the dancing, dirty and... Full Story
CFP offers a roundup of this week's live performances... Full Story
The LGBT community has a reputation for latching onto a diva and sending her soaring. From Judy to Madonna, and all the rest in between, the proof is there. For someone whose first album was released more than 35 years ago, and who has an impressive list of hit singles, Bette Midler, who recently breezed through... Full Story
Roll out the shag carpet: Equipping a home theater
The Netflix Player by Roku arrived via Fed Ex with a return shipping label. That means this item, like most electronics shipped to product reviewers, needs to go back. But I’m wondering if I can just send a check for the purchase price... Full Story
It’s all about the money, honey
Has the economy got you in a funk? You’re not alone. It seems the fact that everyone’s wallet is a little lighter than usual has greatly impacted the food service industry nationwide. Add to that the fact that we Chicagoans pay the highest sales tax of any city in the country and... Full Story
For homeowners looking to remodel their kitchens, picking a durable and good-looking countertop is a way to make the room both comfortable and practical. Kitchens are usually among the busiest rooms in the home, the place where families cook, eat, gather and entertain. It’s also the room that’s usually seen and judged... Full Story
News
Well, now we know what John McCain was thinking when he picked Sarah Palin to be his running mate on the Republican ticket. I know—there’s like a million theories already, given that none of the normal definitions of human logic seem to apply, but just take a look at this cover of LIFE magazine from September 2004... Full Story
Log Cabin Republicans endorse McCain
Log Cabin Republicans endorsed John McCain Sept. 2 at the Republican Convention in St. Paul, Minn., calling McCain “the most qualified person to lead our country.” “Progress in the fight for LGBT equality requires support from both Republicans and Democrats,” said LCR President Patrick Sammon. “Log... Full Story
Palin’s church promotes ‘cure’ for gays
ANCHORAGE, Alaska—Gov. Sarah Palin’s church is promoting a conference that promises to convert gays into heterosexuals through the power of prayer. “You’ll be encouraged by the power of God’s love and His desire to transform the lives of those impacted by homosexuality,” according to the insert in the... Full Story
Palin downplays Pentecostal background
ST. PAUL, Minn.—Sarah Palin often identifies herself simply as Christian. Yet John McCain’s running mate has deep roots in Pentecostalism, a spirit-filled Christian tradition that is one of the fastest growing in the world. It’s often derided by outsiders and Bible-believers alike... Full Story
McCain vs. Obama: How each candidate’s plans affect tax bills
WASHINGTON—Job No. 1 for the next president? In the minds of an overwhelming number of Americans, it’s fixing what ails the sick economy. What the voters will have to sort out are very different approaches offered by Barack Obama and John McCain. Both of their fix-up plans rely heavily on tax cuts... Full Story
AIDS caravan to roll from Chicago
AIDS activists are calling on presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain to implement a national strategy to fight AIDS domestically. Nine activist “caravans,” including one from Chicago, are making their way to Oxford, Miss., where Obama and McCain meet for their first presidential debate Sept. 26. There the activists say they’ll call for a... Full Story
The artistic director of Bailiwick Repertory Theatre announced Sept. 6 that the GLBT community institution is losing its space at 1229 W. Belmont at the end of next month. David Zak said the theater plans to seek another venue to stage its shows—perhaps at the Center on Halsted... Full Story
NEW YORK CITY—New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has announced new regulations designed to combat bias-based bullying in public schools through prompt reporting and comprehensive tracking of incidents. “Simply put, there is just no place for prejudice or hate or bullying in our schools,” said Bloomberg, who was joined by schools Chancellor Joel Klein and other officials in announcing the new rules Sept. 3... Full Story
Opinion
I did not watch any of the Democratic or Republican conventions. Nothing important gets decided at conventions nowadays so how can anyone care? Mostly conventions are spectacle and show (with bands, the demonstrations and the occasional balloon drop), designed to excite the party faithful. Since candidates... Full Story
I’ve recently discovered something about myself: I’m not a partisan. I thought I was. I’m a stalwart Democrat. I have strong opinions. But even though there are issues I feel strongly about—gay civil rights, universal health care, abortion rights, the role of government in society—I tend to believe that... Full Story
Theater
The most obvious thing to note about the oddly enthralling “bobrauschenbergamerica” is that, quite simply, this is a show for a select audience. Of course, the title alone—all lowercase letters, no spaces—is a signal: This play breaks rules. While not essential to the experience, having some knowledge about who Robert... Full Story
Not to be confused with Jean Anouilh’s play of the same title, this new work by New Town Writers artistic producer Matt Johnston is a curious offering from a supposedly GLBT performing troupe. Conventional and familiar, this two-hour play could have been done anywhere, as it depicts a father’s dying and his family’s loss... Full Story
Stage veteran Betsy Palmer claims her murderous Mrs. Voorhees became a cinematic legend because she was the ultimate mother, willing to do anything for her child. The same can be said of Tennessee William’s Amanda Wingfield in the award winning “The Glass Menagerie.” Intelligently, Shattered Globe Theatre... Full Story
Freetime
It seems that never a week goes by without the homophobic American Family Association boycotting somebody or something—last week it was McDonald’s, this week it’s Hallmark because of their new line of same-sex wedding cards... Full Story
ARIES: People are using back door tactics to get what they want from you. If you’re being used, it’s time to smarten up. You might want to tell them you’re wise to their game and would prefer it if they dealt with you more honestly. More
DVDiva: Bright lights, cool hand
“Bright Lights, Big City” (MGM/20th Century Fox)—Almost everything about the movie adaptation of Jay McInerney’s breakthrough novel indicated that it would be a bigger commercial and critical success than it was. It was the kind of serious dramatic role that Michael J. Fox needed to permit his fans to forgive him for the... Full Story
Back in the day: Moments in Chicago’s GLBT history
1976: Mattachine Midwest’s Second Annual Theater Party is at the Drama Shelter and tickets are $5. The name of the play is “Angel, Honey, Baby, Darling, Dear” and there’s a cast party after the play... Full Story
CFP reviews 'Boot Black Blues' & 'Juice'. Full Story
