See our daily events listings for bars and clubs in the Chicago area at the link below, followed by an editor's pick of events throughout the year.
Second Tuesdays, 10pm-2am Off Chances at Danny's, 1959 W. Dickens Ave. Third Mondays 10pm-2am, at The Subterranean, 2011 W North. First Saturdays at the Hideout, 1354 W Wabansia, Queer dance parties and collective dedicated to building safer spaces in Chicago since 2005. All gender expressions are welcome.
Ongoing through March 1, 2015. The 26th annual multi-arts non-narrative, multidisciplinary fringe festival - seasoned veterans along with obstreperous young newcomers - poetry, music, video, new media, theater, dance, performance art... and more from Curious Theatre Branch.
March 1, 4, 7, 12, 15, 18, 21, 27 + April 3, 2015. Two men feel helpless and frightened when their friend is assaulted outside a bar. Pure rage then fuels an intense political campaign. Dark/ hilarious effort to rectify the wrong/ Oscar Wilde-meets-Tarantino fever dream about how good ideas go bad. "It doesn’t just get better. We have to MAKE it better."
March 3, 2015, 7pm at Sidetrack. Welcoming 6 new storytellers to the OUTspoken! stage with unique first hand tales from across our diverse community. Inspired, inspiring, funny and heartbreaking. OUTspoken! is like life…with friends all around you. No cover. Storytellers: Greg Baird, Ann Marie Carrothers, Todd Michael Kiech, Marquell Smith, Aimy Tien, Tonks.. Next date: Feb 3rd,
March 8 + 28, 2015, 7:30pm, Not everyone can fly all over the world to enjoy great theatre. Mar 8: Robert Louis Stevenson’s story of murder, money and mutiny is brought to life in a thrilling new stage adaptation by Bryony Lavery, broadcast from the National Theatre. Mar 28: The great Arthur Miller confronts the American dream in this dark and passionate tale.
March 21, 2015, monthly cult classic: The Rocky Horror Picture Show - with audience participation of course! At The Music Box, 3733 N Southport Ave. Other April midnight movies include: The Life of Brian, April 3-4, for Easter.
April 11, 2015 Raising funds and awareness for the HIV/AIDS movement; building a strong, unified LGBT and allied community. By the RedRibbonParty, a 21+ event. RED ATTIRE/DRESS REQUIRED. Featuring: DJs Pete Augusta, Chrissy Gunnz; Miss Foozie, Coco Peru, Yara Sofia, Tippi Marie Peppermint, Alexis Hex, Samuel Brinton, Candace Jordan.
April 16-19, 2015, in Wicker Park. Four-day festival of international films, live music concerts, exhibits, and presentations. Over 14,000 filmmakers, producers, musicians, artists, and fans; amazing, innovative programming: premiere music documentaries; feature films and shorts; live concert films; music videos; cutting-edge DJ/VJ shows; panel discussions, presentations and more.
April 17-18, 2015, at the Music Box Theater, 3733 N Southport Ave. Ordinary people from all over the Pacific NW become weekend porn stars, making 5-minute dirty movies for cash prizes! Films run the gamut of LGBT+S sexual styles; funny, thought-provoking, sad, artistic, outrageous, and sexy-because they're real- created and performed by sex-positive people.
May 13-17, 2015, at the Logan Theatre. An annual film event showcase. This year with a mix of independent features, shorts, documentaries and experimental films from around the world, augmented by nightly parties and concerts. Innovative and unique programming, ranging from lowbrow entertainment of John Waters, Doris Wishman and Coffin Joe to fine art avant-garde films and videos.
May 22-25, 2014. Meet & Greet Social, explore the city Trolley Tour or Boat Tour, over-the-top parties, and bath time with Wet 'n' Wild at Steamworks. Plus games in the Bear Lounge and late night After Hours Parties. See details/venues online:
May 23, 2015, Memorial Day weekend -the hottest male porn stars in the business, big awards bash, parties in clubs around town with the guys. See the website for venues and more info.
August - September, 2015, Labor Day Weekend in Millennium Park Cultural Center, Von Freeman Pavilion (S Promenade), the Jazz and Heritage Pavilion (N Promenade), the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E Washington), and other venues. A favorite Labor Day Weekend tradition of free, quality live musical performances since 1979.
December, 2015 at Theater Wit, 1229 W Belmont Ave. A special mix of naughty and nice that comes but once a year, may return for the 5th time around. A non-traditional concert of songs, stories and spirits starring Meghan Murphy, John Francisco, Patrick Andrews and Nick Davio. Already an annual tradition for Chicagoans looking to escape typical holiday drudgery, celebrating their own way.