Chicago Like a Local Blog

As the leaves begin to change and Halloween fast approaches, it seems appropriate to chat with one of the season’s biggest LGBTQ fans, Chicagoland original Brian Kirst aka the Big Gay Horror Fan. A man of many talents, Brian has an exciting new project, the musical Zombie Bathhouse coming in October to the Hoover-Leppen Theatre at the Center on Halsted (3656 North Halsted Street). Kirst wrote the book of the musical in collaboration with local performer, musician, and songwriter Scott Free who did the music and lyrics. Zombie Bathhouse will be running from October 15-29, 2017; tickets are $20. 

If the names Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia elicit fond memories, then the fast-paced fun of the latest hilarious send-up from Hell in a Handbag Productions, The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes (extended through September 16, 2017) will have you grinning ear to ear.

The entire cast is spot-on in this raunchy, ridiculous, and irresistible parody of the beloved television series. Bravo to Hell in a Handbag co-founder, resident playwright, Artistic Director, and recent Jeff Award honoree David Cerda, who has produced yet another hit for the beloved company.

The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes is currently playing at Mary’s Attic (above Hamburger Mary’s) at 5400 North Clark Street.   

A Kiki is urban slang for a party with good music and friends meant to calm the nerves, allowing people to spill the tea and dish the dirt for the purpose of reducing anxiety and stress. Given the political climate, the LGBTQ community and their allies seem in desperate need of a kiki.

Early in 2017, the Laugh Factory Chicago (3175 North Broadway) launched the new LGBTQ monthly show, the Kiki — Queer Comedy with Variety. Since then, the Kiki has provided a solid roster featuring Chicago’s top queer talent.

Since 2009, The Queer Film Society (QFS) has been bringing LGBTQ-focused film entertainment to Chicago. The QFS is proud to announce the Cinema QVI film series, taking place on three consecutive Fridays (May 5, 12, and 19) at 6:30 pm in the Claudia Cassidy Theater at the Chicago Cultural Center [78 E. Washington Street].

The trio of films scheduled is focused on the fictional and non-fictional representation of activism on film.