Harris Theatre
May 24th
Tickets!

Pam Ann – who has toured with Cher and crewed private jets for Elton John – returns to the USA in her raunchiest comedy show yet! In Pam Ann: Cockpit, the gutsy and glamorous, sixties-inspired Pam Ann takes aim at the numerous airline calamities making news today. From the grounding of Boeing 787’s Dreamliner to Emirates Airlines’ door blowing open at 37,000ft, all the deliciously alarming incidents that are plaguing the world’s airline industry are discussed. Pam Ann’s first stateside tour in four years comes directly after sellout Australian and European tours that took her to France, Scandinavia, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom

In Pam Ann: Cockpit, the comedienne will premiere her spoof appearance on the ABC-TV series, PAN AM. She will also present never-before-seen-in-the-USA footage from her latest airline news channel.

Pam Ann is the alter ego of Australian comic Caroline Reid. Reid’s portrayal of the outrageous airhostess has been featured in advertising campaigns for British Airways and Sky Team. In fact, as the celebrity spokeswoman of Sky Team Terminal 4 at Heathrow, Pam Ann is featured on all in-flight video programming and has been featured on CNN and CNBC. Pam Ann has appeared in promotions for KLM/Air France, JetBLue, Lufthansa, British Airways, Qantas, SAS and low cost British carrier EasyJet uses her videos in their training.

Adam Guerino hosts an interview with the managing editors of In Our Words Blog: A Salon For Queers & Co, Patrick Gill and Jessica Neria.

Tony and Erin welcome NVRLND creator Anthony DiFiore to the QuCast, Tony and Shea are off to LA, Erin would like a moratorium on boner disco and much more.

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”
~George Bernard Shaw

A moment of unusual clarity convinced me not to attend the anti-gay/pro-gay demonstration scheduled in front of my state Representative’s office last Saturday. As active as I am in promoting equality, I realized that it would be dangerous for me to stand on a street corner cheek by jowl with those opposed to gay rights; I just didn’t think I could maintain civility when confronted with their outrageous and erroneous assertions.

And, I was right. The Downers Grove Reporter (Wednesday, May 8, 2013) reported that a representative of the Illinois Family Institute (IFI) stated that they wanted to convince state Representative Sandack to vote against the bill. The IFI is a conservative group opposed to the Marriage Equality and Religious Fairness Act. The IFI representative stated, “We’re trying to encourage Sandack to uphold what marriage has been throughout history, Sandeck has publically stated he will vote for the bill,

I’m not sure what history the IFI representative was referring to. Many biblical leaders had multiple wives. Until modern times, marriages were arranged to enhance the family fortune. Today, marriage is a legal agreement between two adults. The state issues a license to protect the rights of the individuals, provide benefits, and create a legally binding contract.

So, IFI’s knowledge about the history of marriage is not only false; it is dangerous. The people who use code words like “traditional marriage” mean anybody can get married as long as they are not gay. They excel at spreading lies and promulgating fear about what will happen when we allow all citizens to be treated as equals under the law. In all cases, their fear mongering has been proven false. They present no evidence to support their position; gay marriage has not led to the downfall of western civilization. In fact, well documented studies find no difference in the achievement, mental health, or abilities of children raised by gay parents. And, in states where there is marriage equality, the divorce rate has actually gone down.

A pro-gay activist at the rally tried to have a meaningful discussion with an IFI member who was picketing Representative Sandack’s office. The attempt revealed the true depth of this person’s belief that anything gay is evil. He believes homosexuality is a “disease” associated with original sin. He further explained that if we, as a society, continue to grant the validity of homosexuality, we will all be punished.

How can any sane person respond to this kind of bigotry? You can’t have a civil conversation. You can’t even try to find the logic in it. Individuals with this belief system hold onto an ideology that has not changed much since the dark ages when anyone who differed from Christian teachings was beaten, tortured, and put to death. Yet, these are the people who are holding our legislators back from voting on legislation that will provide full rights and benefits to all citizens of Illinois. It won’t force a single priest, rabbi, minister, or preacher to perform a religious ceremony for anyone. It won’t change a single religious practice or belief. It won’t affect anyone else but those loving individuals who want to make a legal commitment to each other, for better or worse, in sickness and in health . . . just like any other loving couple.

So, it’s time for our legislators to stop being fearful of constituents full of false knowledge. It’s time for our legislators to vote with their consciences. If it were them or someone they loved who was denied this fundamental right, they wouldn’t think twice about it.

It’s time for the State of Illinois to move forward, to embrace the future where ALL people are created equal.

It’s time too for the people of Illinois to demand equality for ALL citizens. So, call your Representative today and tell him or her to vote “Yes” to the Marriage Equality and Religious Fairness Act. Do it today. There is still time to be on the right side of history.

. . . And I’m just a mom who loves her son . . .

Enter to win Music from Baz Luhrmann’s Film The Great Gatsby Sampler! All you have to do is sign up for our weekly newsletter on the right side of your screen! Already signed up, no problem. Just comment on this post to be to be thrown into the fish bowl! We are thrilled that we can bring you weekly giveaways, so keep checking out The Qu for more GREAT prizes!

Music from Baz Luhrmann’s Film The Great Gatsby

Executive produced by Shawn “Jay Z” Carter

Featuring original new music including “Young and Beautiful” from Lana Del Rey and “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got)” from Fergie + Q Tip + Goonrock

Available now!

The Great Gatsby is now in theaters. Check your local listings for showtimes.

On April 26th About Face Theatre threw their annual WONKA BALL! Xandra Fairlawn and Shea Couleé attended the fabulous event for TheQu.co.

Comedian-turned-musician Homer Marrs brings his catchy queer melodies back to the Elbo Room on Friday, May 17th, 2013 at 8 p.m. He will be joined by a full band to bring his seriocomic ditties back to the sacred club after a successful debut in February.

What: Homer Marrs opening for Snow Globe Mules, Sona Bliss and Loveblast
Where: The Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave
When: Friday, May 17th, 8 p.m.
Tickets: $10 at the door or online.

Debut EP “Prom King” out now!

Come dance with us.
Special guest DJ.
Benefits T.G.I.F.

DJs
Shaun J. Wright (Hercules and Love Affair, Twirl)
Black Gold
Big Business

$3 —> T.G.I.F.

(Trans*, Gender Non-Conforming, Intersex Freedom). T.G.I.F. is an annual gathering held to address the current state of affairs regarding the international TGI community.

LIKE’em and learn more HERE!

w/ Glitter Guts photobooth to show off your styles

*21+ bar/event
*Space is accessible
*Beauty Bar accepts all forms of legal identification including non-U.S. and consulate-issued IDs

Enter to win the “Summer of Gatsby” Sweepstakes! All you have to do is sign up for our weekly newsletter on the right side of your screen! Already signed up, no problem. Just comment on this post to be to be thrown into the fish bowl! We are thrilled that we can bring you weekly giveaways, so keep checking out The Qu for more GREAT prizes!

Enter to win the “Summer of Gatsby” Sweepstakes!

Opening Friday, May 10, The Great Gatsby is a unique and imaginative retelling of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic story from trailblazing director Baz Luhrmann who has wowed audiences and critics with films such as Moulin Rouge! and Romeo & Juliet.

Fantastic music, spectacular visuals and stunning costumes combine with Fitzgerald’s enduring drama and a talented international cast led by Leonardo DiCaprio. The cast includes Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Isla Fisher, Jason Clarke, Elizabeth Debicki and Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan.

Luhrmann has infused The Great Gatsby with an eclectic collection of songs and score that drives the story and creates a bridge between the Gatsby era and today. Breathtaking sets and gorgeous costumes combined with the music and cast make it the must-see 3D film of Summer 2013!

The Great Gatsby opens with special 10pm screenings Thursday, May 9. Opens in theaters everywhere, Friday, May 10!

Music from Baz Luhrmann’s Film The Great Gatsby is available May 7.

Three lucky “Summer of Gatsby” Winners will win: one v-neck, one iPad cover, one mini-poster.

Sign-up for Warner Bros. Special Offers, Updates and More by clicking here.

From the uniquely imaginative mind of writer/producer/director Baz Luhrmann comes the new big screen adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. The filmmaker created his own distinctive visual interpretation of the classic story, bringing the period to life in a way that has never been seen before, in a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio in the title role.

The Great Gatsby follows would-be writer Nick Carraway as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz, bootleg kings, and sky-rocketing stocks. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby, and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy, and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan. It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super rich, their illusions, loves and deceits. As Nick bears witness, within and without of the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles.

Academy Award® nominee DiCaprio (Django Unchained, Aviator) plays Jay Gatsby, with Tobey Maguire starring as Nick Carraway; Oscar® nominee Carey Mulligan (An Education) and Joel Edgerton as Daisy and Tom Buchanan; Isla Fisher and Jason Clarke as Myrtle and George Wilson; and newcomer Elizabeth Debicki as Jordan Baker. Indian film legend Amitabh Bachchan will play the role of Meyer Wolfsheim.

Oscar® nominee Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge!) directed the film in 3D from a screenplay co-written with frequent collaborator Craig Pearce, based on Fitzgerald’s novel. Luhrmann produced, along with Catherine Martin, Academy Award® winner Douglas Wick (Gladiator), Lucy Fisher and Catherine Knapman. The executive producers are Academy Award® winner Barrie M. Osborne (Lord of the Rings – Return of the King), Shawn “JAY Z” Carter, and Bruce Berman.

Two-time Academy Award®-winning production and costume designer Catherine Martin (Moulin Rouge!) designed as well as produced. The editors are Matt Villa, Jason Ballantine and Jonathan Redmond, and the director of photography is Simon Duggan. The music is by Craig Armstrong, with Anton Monsted serving as executive music supervisor and co-producer.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, in association with A&E Television, a Bazmark/Red Wagon Entertainment Production, a Film by Baz Luhrmann, The Great Gatsby. Opening May 10, 2013, the film will be distributed in 3D and 2D by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.

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Entertaining expert, elevated home cook, and author Marc J. Sievers shares two of his favorite desserts that are elegant and easy! Impress you guests with figs and whipped mascarpone or a light, fresh, and crunchy fruit parfait! Sure to impress your guests, or just as an indulgent yet simple and easy to prepare treat, these desserts are elegant and easy!