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CONTENTS
Publishers
MIMI
GONZALEZ
Stacy Bridges
Mark Nagel
6
Contributors
IN
THIS
ISSUE
INAYA
DAY
Chris Azzopardi
Dan Chisholm,
Kevin Lee, Omeed Memar,
Roger V. McCaffrey-Boss,
Anthony Morgano,
Mark Nagel, Tom Olah,
Mikey Rox,
Erik Sosa-Kibby
12
Production
Stacy Bridges
James Gumb
SINGER JASON WALKER
20
FITNESS DAN CHISHOLM
26 JOHNATHAN
GRAB ERIK SOSA-KIBBY
28
KAYNE
DRINK SPECIALS
32
16
NEXUS DANCE CHART
34
GRAB ANTHONY
36
TRANSGENDER
42
GRAB EVENTS
44
GRAB THEATER
46
GRAB NEWS
48
GRAB MUSIC
50
Bar/Restaurant/
Directory/
54 & 56
MAP
57
CLASSIFIEDS
58
GRAB MAGAZINE
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CHICAGO, IL 60613
TEL: 773-857-2262
WWW.GRABCHICAGO.COM
WWW.GRABBYS.COM
BRUNO
BERNAL
53
Photography
Bear Lens Photography
Sales
Donny Aldo
Judy Kyle
Todd Wise
Public Relations
Nick Wille
MARC
ENGEL
24
NATIONAL SALES
REPRESENTATIVE
RIVENDELL MEDIA
908-232-2021
COVER:
Mimi Gonzalez
Go Girl Saugatuck
June 3 - June 5th
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All rights reserved. Publication of the name, photograph or likeness
of any person, organization or business in this publication is not to
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preference of that person, organization or business. The opinions
expressed by writers and other contributors are their own and are
not necessarily those of this magazine, publishers or its staff. GRAB
Magazine is owned and operated by Grabbys, LLC.
4
GRAB Magazine
April 19, 2016
COMEDY
GRAB MIMI
Comedian
Mimi Gonzalez
By Mark Nagel
GRAB Magazine recently had the
chance to talk with comedian Mimi
Gonzalez, who will be appearing at
Go Girl Saugatuck at the Dunes
Resort.
Mark Nagel: Where were you
born?
Mimi Gonzalez: Columbus, Ohio.
MN: I did not grow up in a funny
family. Did you have siblings?
MG: I like to say my father had
seven babies, all boys and a girl
and my brother Hudson [laughs]. I
am the only girl and I have a gay
brother.
MN: How does the funny get there?
MG: My father was married 10
times and he was a psychiatrist. He
had seven children with four
different women. My mother was an
angry, single parent, an Italian
mother who did not cook.
MN: Isn’t it against some rules for
an Italian woman to not cook?
MG: When you have to raise your
kids and your husband is off and
left you to make children with other
women, you are going to be sad,
depressed and angry, so my mother
put us in Catholic school so a moral
compass is installed, along with a
lot of other f*cked-up attitudes.
That’s a lot of stuff for a future
comedian.
MN: Your parents sure did give you
a lot of material to work with.
MG: Tons and tons of material.
MN: Growing up, who were your
comic role models?
MG: With my Catholic background,
I call them my holy trinity: Lucy
(Ball), Carol (Burnett) and Lily
(Tomlin). They could have me crying
but left me laughing. I am an
original latchkey kid who had
television as a role model and Lucy,
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GRAB Magazine
Carol and Lily gave
me a lot to go on. I
adore Paula
Poundstone. I love
Ellen’s sheer humor.
I just like really loud,
opinionated women.
MN: When was the
first time you
appeared on stage?
MG: A pack of wild,
hairy lesbians from
the ’70s who
produced the
Michigan Music
Festival were the
women that I came
out with at Central
Michigan University
and they were very
encouraging to
women for finding
their voice. One of the women was
a theatre student and she had an
acting sketch comedy thing that we
were doing. We went to Lansing,
Michigan for the sketch comedy,
and I was, like, why don’t I try my
first stand-up comedy? That was
my first one and it went really well
with a third place finish that
included a case of beer that I took
to the party and danced and drank
all night. I think I even got a
girlfriend that night, a girlfriend for
the night.
MN: For someone who has never
seen you perform on stage, how do
you describe your act?
MG: I am an old school feminist
and political, and when I say
feminist, I am not saying anti-man. I
am anti-asshole and assholes come
in all genders.
MN: You performed for our troops
overseas. How did they find you? I
think it is amazing. How did it all
come about?
MG: One of my comedy comrades
April 19, 2016
had the opportunity to bring an
opening act in 2000 and she took
me to Japan and six months later, I
was in Bosnia in the war zone. I
have been to Japan, Korea, Iraq
twice, Afghanistan and Kosaval
three times.
MN: What was it like performing for
the troops?
MG: Culture shock because I am
not a military person and I am a
liberal and war is the last thing I
want to support, however, I have
had members of my family who
have been in the military. There are
a lot of people that the military is
their only financial choice, and I
wanted to support the people who
wanted to do something good for
our country.
MN: For someone who is part
Italian and part Cuban, what did you
think about our President’s recent
trip to Cuba?
MG: I was there before him and
actually left the day before he
arrived in Cuba. I couldn’t be
happier because the embargo has
done nothing but punish the people
of Cuba because the government of
Cuba did not suffer. I like that the
people of Cuba will finally get an
opportunity to generate some extra
income and some wealth for
themselves. I am terrified that Cuba
will be become a spring break
playground. Go to Cancun I am
horrified that Carnival Cruise Lines
is going to be going into Cuba and
destroy some of the pristine coral.
MN: I have to ask, as a comedian,
how much fun are you having with
the presidential election?
MG: Once I got over the shock, a
person like Trump scares me.
Trump is a joke. We all thought this
was a joke but it’s proof that you
can take a joke too far. I think he
and his buddies sat down and he
said let’s have me run for president
and I will say the most outrageous
things and see how far I can go.
MN: What can you tell us about Go
Girl Saugatuck?
MG: I will say I adore the men of
the Dunes Resort. They are getting
ready to celebrate their 35th
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GRAB Magazine
anniversary May 14. Every year
since these men have owned
the Dunes, they have had a
women’s weekend, two per
year, and these guys have what
I call the old school family
feelings. Remember when we
used to call each other family,
not LGBTQ. I have been gay so
long that I remember when it
was spelled with three letters
G*A*Y and these guys still want
that feeling. Maybe it’s because
Saugatuck and Douglas are
smaller communities. They have
been keeping the idea of
women’s weekends alive even
though it’s kind of become a
victim of the gay revolution
success. I think we need a reason
to come out and celebrate. The
guys are great at throwing lots of
parties and the women need to
come back out and celebrate. Go
Girl Saugatuck is a rebranded
version of the women’s weekend.
Go Girl Saugatuck is the launching
of a new women’s weekend. Dinah
Shore started small and it’s huge
now; why can’t the Midwest have
April 19, 2016
it? But we can!
MN: Let’s say I don’t have the time
to spend the whole weekend. Can I
just drive up on Saturday?
MG: Friday is a $10 ticket and
Saturday is $15 or you can buy the
weekend pass for $20.
MN: That is a good deal. Best way
to keep up with Mimi?
MG: www.mimigonzalez.com or
go to gogirlsagatuck.com for more
information about the event.
GRAB INAYA
MUSIC
Singer
Inaya Day
By Mark Nagel
Good news Chicago! Inaya Day
is coming to Hydrate on April 30
and GRAB Magazine had a chance
to check in with this special lady
before she gets to town. Mark Nagel: Where did you grow
up?
Inaya Day: Brooklyn New York.
MN: Do you remember the first
time you sang in public?
ID: Yes. It was at church and I think
I was about four years old and my
mother made me sing with the little
kids choir. I hated singing with the
little kids choir because they sang
out of tune and it annoyed me
because I did not know why they
wouldn’t sing correctly. I was, like,
why don’t you sing it the way it
goes? I just didn’t realize that not
everyone can carry a tune. That
pushed me forward to sing the
solos. I loved doing it but I hated
doing it with the little kids. I thought
I should have been with the adults.
MN: [Laughs] You were a sassy,
little girl.
ID: I didn’t say anything but my
mother said I just had a look on my
face.
MN: I did not realize that you were
Stephanie Mills’ understudy in “The
Wiz.”
ID: Yes, in the revival in ’92. I was in
grade school when the original was
on Broadway in ’74. When my
mother took me to see “The Wiz,”
like six or seven years of it running,
I told her I want to be in “The Wiz,”
even if I was Stephanie Mills’
understudy, and in ’92-’93, I
became her understudy. I
was the understudy who
went on the most in the
history of the show.
MN: As an understudy, do
they just call you if she is
sick or are you just sitting
around behind the scenes?
ID: I was in the chorus and
they gave me a standout
part, I was a munchkin in
Emerald City, so when she
was out, I became Dorothy
and got a much better
check.
MN: I have to ask, did you
watch when they did the live
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GRAB Magazine
April 19, 2016
show of “The Wiz” that they did for
TV?
ID: Yes, I watched with a lot of
people who were in the original
cast from ’74-’75 at the George
Faison Theatre. He was the original
choreographer and co-director of
the show from the ’70s.
MN: You recorded a track with
Michael Jackson?
ID: One track and it was called
Ghost. It’s on his “Blood On The
Dance Floor” CD. Michael was
looking for a different take on the
song and a producer friend of mine
was commissioned to do a remix.
He told me to come in and record
some background music and he let
be creative, write and record
background vocals. Michael
Jackson’s people said that Michael
loved what I did and that Michael
was going to keep most of it. When
I listened to the final recording, I
don’t know what he took away.
Some of the recording, I mimicked
him and people thought it was
Michael, but it was me, and that
was so cool.
MN: Did you ever get to meet
Michael Jackson?
ID: I was living in Germany at the
time and he was in California.
MN: Now you write music. How
does that process work with you? Is
it like a job and between 9-5, you
write or do you have to be inspired?
ID: A little of both; sometimes I
wake up with a melody in my head
after I dreamed of a song and I will
jump up and run into my little studio
and turn on my Yamaha keyboard,
pluck it out and record the idea so I
don’t forget it. Then I go to my
laptop and hum the tune out just to
hold it. When I wake up in the
morning, I will send it to a producer
and say to try and refine this. Also, a
lot of time producers will send me
tracks and ask me to write
something for this. I also am hired
to write stuff and they PayPal me
the money.
MN: And you are inspired!
ID: Correct, I am inspired [laughs].
MN: You are coming to Hydrate on
April 30. How did we get so lucky to
have you back in Chicago?
ID: The owner of
Hydrate, Mark
Liberson, is a
very good friend
of mine. I have
been working
with him for so
long at Chicago
Pride Fest for the
last eight years in
a row. Before
that, I was
singing at
Hydrate. I have
been working
with Mark for 10
or 11 years. We
were chatting on
the phone and he
said [DJ] Joe Gauthreaux is here on
April 30 and asked, how is that
looking for me? I said I am open.
While I am on the phone with him,
he is click clacking on his computer
and books a flight for me and I am,
like, okay, I am coming to Chicago.
MN: I understand you are going to
be singing You Are My Family.
ID: Yes. It’s a song that Joe
Gauthreaux wrote and produced.
Actually, it’s the first song he wrote
and published. Joe said, I hope you
like it and I said, relax, this song is
universal and everybody will be
touched by it.
Inaya Day will be performing
April 30 at Hydrate 3458 N
Halsted.
For more information visit
www.InayaDay.com
April 19, 2016
GRAB Magazine
13
GRAB JOHNATHAN
FASHION
Celebrity Designer
Johnathan Kayne
By Mark Nagel
America was first introduced to
Johnathan Kayne on “Project
Runway” and then “All Star Project
Runway.” He is now known as the
celebrity designer of the south
because he has designed for
Miranda Lambert, Kellie Pickler,
Brook Hogan, Martina McBride,
Dolly Parton and Jennifer Lopez.
GRAB Magazine recently had the
chance to talk with Johnathan
Kayne about everything including
his new job as NStyle Country’s
newest correspondent.
Mark Nagel: What was it like being
on “Project Runway”?
Johnathan Kayne: It was
incredibly exciting, stressful and
scary time in my life. When you are
doing a reality show (this was my
first one), it is definitely opening up
your life to public praise or humility
and as much as I like to make fun
of myself, you don’t want to look
like a complete idiot on
international television. It was a
little stressful but it was one of the
most amazing times in my life
because my work was being
judged my some of my heroes in
the industry like Vera Wang,
Michael Kors, Diane Von
Furstenberg. It was pretty
incredible to get that kind of
feedback and it’s probably the only
time I will get the experience. It was
an incredible time and I just tried to
relish in the moment and enjoy it as
much as I could because it was
flying by so quickly.
MN: Since you are the celebrity
designer of the south, can I assume
you watched the “Country Music
Awards”?
JK: Absolutely, since we had some
stuff on the red carpet.
MN: So other than your stuff, who
did you like on the red carpet as the
best dressed?
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GRAB Magazine
JK: I
always love
what
Miranda
Lambert
and Carrie
Underwood
and I really
love what
Jennifer
Nettles is
wearing
lately.
Those are
my
favorites.
MN: I know
Nicole
Kidman is
married to
a big
country
star. What
do you
think when
she shows
up?
JK: I love Nicole Kidman. I think
she does take some fashion risks
but with her body and beauty, she
can do that and wear whatever she
wants and look incredible. But at
ACM this year, it was a little iffy
because with a lot of these couture
gowns, you really have to admire
them up close and sometimes they
don’t photograph the best. I feel a
lot of the choices she makes are
because of the exquisite work up
close and sometimes it doesn’t
translate, but sometimes she
knocks it out of the park.
do too much sleeve or neck, it
highlights that you have a very
muscular build and it makes you
look less feminine. She does have a
rocking body. I just think it could
have been better and more
flattering and feminine.
MN: Okay. Who didn’t you like?
JK: Kimberly Perry from the group
Perry, but I am hoping to work with
her very soon actually.
MN: I really thought you were going
to say Katy Perry.
JK: Oh, don’t even talk about that. I
should have said that because she
performed with Dolly and I get that
she was trying to be over the top,
and this is the woman who wears
light-up costumes. I had a hard
time deciding if she was making a
mockery of her outfit or if she was
trying to see if she could make it
look cool but, either way, it was just
wrong.
MN: [Laughs]
JK: She has a very muscular,
athletic build and sometimes, if you
MN: Whom do you want to get your
hands on?
JK: Are you talking about hands or
April 19, 2016
actually dressing?
MN: We will start with dressing.
JK: I actually have a dream list. It
starts with Dolly Parton, who we
just did a few pieces for and we
hope to keep her as a long-term
client, Kerry Washington, Cher,
Reba, Carrie Underwood, Julia
Roberts, Adele, Lady Gaga and
Celine Dion.
MN: They are all so different.
JK: And that’s what I love about the
list. There are just so many
gorgeous women out there that I
just can’t wait to dress.
MN: Now you are the new
correspondent for NStyle Country.
What does that mean?
JK: It means that I am going to be
your go-to fashion guy and you
would get a true behind-the-scenes
view of country’s top celebrities in
fun environments. I don’t want it to
be a normal interview. I want it to
be a mini behind-the-scenes and
go into celebrities’ closets and see
their every day clothes and look at
some of their favorite
red carpet looks.
MN: Who do you want
to interview the most?
JK: Probably Dolly
Parton and Adele,
because I am in love
with them both for
different reasons.
MN: How does the
average person with
some coin get
Johnathan Kayne to
design some formal
wear for them?
JK: You can contact me
through my website at
www.johnathan
kayne.com or one of
our retailers. We are in
like 350 stores through
out the world.
MN: What’s next for
Johnathan Kayne?
JK: Now that we are back in
Nashville, we are building up to be
the red carpet designer and every
year, bring new and fresh ideas to
the red carpet with a dramatic sexy
evening wear flare.
For more information visit
www.johnathankayne.com
April 19, 2016
GRAB Magazine
17
Photo by Karl Giant
MUSIC
GRAB JASON
Jason Walker is SO HAPPY
The Out Music Award winner Releases New Song
By William Cooke
Jason Walker and two-time
Grammy nominated dance
producer Tony Moran unite on the
most powerful pop-dance record of
spring, “So Happy”. Written by
Tony Moran and Chris Willis –
the American gospel singer turned
electronic dance music
phenomenon for his work with
David Guetta - the epic single
features an amazing vocal
performance by Walker, a superstar
collection of remixes and a
visionary music video by Karl Giant. “With all that's happening in
the world today, isn't that what
everyone wants: to be happy and
feel good,” wonders Jason Walker
from his home in New York
City. “The dance floor is my happy
place. It’s where I can forget my
troubles and let the music take
over. For me, music is the universal
truth and when a hard beat pulses
20
GRAB Magazine
through my body, there is simply no
better feeling than that. My hope is
that ‘So Happy’ lifts listeners to
their own place of pure joy.”
When deciding on a location to
shoot the song’s music video,
videographer Karl Giant – who has
shot videos for Cyndi Lauper, Ultra
Nate, and The One’s - had in mind
a destination that was a bit grander
in scale than a dance floor. He
whisked Walker to a land of
breathtaking panoramas and
transcendent realities. “We went to the Salt Flats in
Utah!” Walker explains. “It turned
out to be one of the most
exhilarating, life-changing
experiences ever. Five days in the
desert was insanely riveting.”
This isn’t the first time Giant
and Walker have collaborated on a
music video. Their music video for
“I Can’t Get You Off My Mind”
April 19, 2016
reached #1 on MTV LOGO’s “The
Click List”.
Jason Walker grew up in
Pittsburgh, singing in church choirs
and then in local R&B and Blues
bands. He first shined on the
national spotlight with a winning
performance on TV’s “It’s Show
Time at the Apollo”.
He recorded two albums, “This
Is My Life” and “Flexible”, on dance
music icon Junior Vasquez’s music
label, garnering three Top 10
Billboard hits (“My Life”, “No
More”, and “Movin’ On”), two
Billboard #1s (“Foolish Mind
Games” and “Set It Free”) and 2
IDMA (International Dance Music
Award) nominations including one
for Best Breakthrough Dance Artist. In 2010, Walker set out on his
own, releasing his third full-length
album “Leave It All Behind”,
independently and landing his
Photo by Karl Giant
seventh Top 20 Billboard Dance
hit. His eighth release, “Raise Your
Hands”, climbed to #17 on the
Billboard charts. He followed with
"Beat Don't Stop”, a song that
peaked at #5 on Billboard, and
then “Tell It To My Heart”,
an explosive re-imagining of Taylor
Dayne’s pop classic, produced by
Bimbo Jones, that hit #10 on
Billboard.
“I’m extremely proud of
Jason’s performance on So
Happy,” says Tony Moran. “It is
destined to become a crossover
pop hit.”
Tony Moran should know. In
addition to an impressive list of #1
dance singles including Kristine
W’s "Walk Away" and Martha
Wash’s "Keep Your Body Working"
and “Free People”, Moran has
remixed tribal house anthems for
some of pop’s biggest artists
including Beyoncé, Rihanna,
Jennifer Lopez and Madonna.
“I am truly the definition of So
Happy”, reflects Jason Walker. “In
my career, I’ve had the opportunity
to collaborate with all the dance
greats from Junior Vasquez to
Bimbo Jones, and now Tony
Moran!“
“Each is so different with his
own unique style of producing a
vocal,” he continues. “The one
thing all have in common is a
passion and tenacity that drives
them. Making dance records is
hard work but when done right,
boy, is it magical. Dance music has
the power to make everyone ‘So
Happy’.”
For more information on Jason
visit JasonWalkermusic.com
April 19, 2016
GRAB Magazine
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April 19, 2016
GRAB Magazine
23
GRAB MARC
PRIDE
Northalsted Business Alliance
Pride Person Marc Engel - CRAM Fashion
Q: How long have you owned
CRAM?
Marc Engel: We are going into our
eighth year!
Q: Have you always been interested
in fashion?
ME: I have always been in the
fashion industry. My father owned
several clothing stores in Germany,
and I was always in his shops. I
came to the States about 20 years
ago and opened my first shop,
Chasalla Fashion, downtown, we
were open for 14 years. At this time
there wasn’t such a thing as
“Chicago Fashion,”so we decided
to try it out. I am aways exploring
other neighborhoods to see what is
going on and was drawn to
Boystown. We then decided to
open CRAM Fashion. It was an
instant success and from day one
we had the support of the
community.
Q: How long have you
been part of the
Northalsted Business
Alliance?
ME: We are fairly new. This
is our second year and we
are loving it so far.
Q: What are your favorite
places to go out in
Boystown?
ME: My favorite places on
North Halsted to eat are
Yoshi’s Café and Wood.
Q: What do you see for the
future of our community?
ME: I would like to see all
the local businesses to
work together more. A
good example of this is the
recent Soup Walk, where
the neighboring chambers worked
together to create a wonderful
event that
was heavily
attended. It
was a great
success for
us!
Have you reserved
your space for the
GRABBY Issue that
hits the streets
Tuesday May 17?
Call today for
ad rates
773-857-2262
24
GRAB Magazine April 19, 2016
Q: How do
you exude
pride
everyday?
ME: I am
proud of my
store and the
community
supporting
us. I am
proud to be
able to give
back to
charity as
well through
the events at
store. In April
we had the
kick off party
for the
Grabby’s where we will be giving
10% of proceeds to TPAN. I am an
out and proud gay man and I am
proud to be part of the community
and give back to it as much as I
can.
Q: What is something people don’t
know about you?
ME: I love restoring old cars! I have
two vintage Mercedes that I work
on. In my spare time I shop for
vintage parts, talk to mechanics,
and read car magazines. I enjoy
classic car shows. They are always
on my television at home and
always on my computer. Of course,
my passions are my husband
Stephane and our Jack Russell
Terrier Dexter.
CRAM Fashion is located at 3331
N. Broadway and is open
Sundays 11:00am - 8:00pm
Mon - Friday 11:00am - 9:00pm
Sat 10:00am - 9:00pm
For more information on
CRAM call 773-477-1737 or visit
www.CramChicago.com
FITNESS
GRAB DAN
Poppers are Aromatherapy
By Dan
• Background
Aromatherapy advocates claim
that the regular practice and
application of essential oils on and
in the body helps reduce pain
throughout the body, positively
enhances mood and keeps some
of your body aches in check. I
know you want to believe that idea,
considering all the headway made
getting your kitty punched after
using Jungle Juice but it’s a
different type of “aroma.” This
month, I’m not here to extol the
benefits of being able to trick your
butthole into becoming a
bottomless pit but instead about
the purported benefits of
aromatherapy.
Nearly every pharmacy and
natural grocery store has these
small bottles of fragrant oils like
peppermint, lavender or
26
sandalwood oil extracted
from plants. So maybe
grab one as you are
picking up your Rid refill
for those “cock lobsters”
and kill two birds with one
bone. This complementary
therapy claims it can aid in
sleep and reduce migraine
intensity that coincidentally are the
same things that riding this GradeA dick provides. Sometimes if I
want a whore to leave, I’ll reverse
the benefits and give them a
sleepless night and a killer
migraine. The public, too, is
convinced, as in the U.S. alone in
2015, they spent about $1 billion
on essential oils. But does it work?
There is no proof that
employing aromatherapy can cure
any illness or have a meaningful
reduction of symptoms, as there is
very little testing
behind it. The
data supporting
it has basically
been back-andforth and more
research is
warranted. What
I can speak to is
the efficacy of
buying me a
drink and trying
to give me a
hand job at the
bar: People
really like that I
am a more than
just a handful.
Lemon and
lavender
essential oils are
popular for the
“mood boosters”
category, and
along with
jasmine, seem to
be temporary.
The essential oils
that are more
closely aligned
with anxiety
reduction are
GRAB Magazine April 19, 2016
chamomile, frankincense, lavender,
lemon, bergamot and rose. And
hey, if it is good enough to bring to
Jesus’ birthday, then I’m all for it.
Peppermint and ginger oils are
commonly found as a way to help
soothe a sour stomach. Also you
may want to try three drops of
lemon essential oil on your tongue,
then take a hot load from me down
your throat: I’m not sure it does
anything but would make a great
story if it did. Some of the
aromatherapy essential oils can be
purchased as single ingredients
and there are many that specific
combinations indicated. Now go
find your blend but first …
• Buying Tip
Before you go out and buy, here
are some concepts to consider with
aromatherapy. If you have asthma,
avoid it all together, as these
volatile organic compounds can
trigger an attack. Try not to use
aromatherapy as a way to skip your
ebola meds or rely on it as a cure.
Always mix the essential oil with
another “carrier” oil like jojoba
(which is nearly identical to human
oil) before rubbing it all up on you.
Without dilution, you risk a rash or
burn. Try one to three drops per
teaspoon of the carrier oil.
Note: Dan Chisholm is not a
doctor. If you have any questions
about your health, consult your
physician.
Dan is MS BS LMT(Masters of
Science in Exercise Physiology,
Bachelors of Science in
Kinesiology and Licensed
Massage Therapist: it's kind of a
big deal) Twiiter @RiverNorthFit
COLUMNIST
GRAB ERIK
Toys ”R” Us
By Erik Sosa-Kibby
I may be dating myself, but who
remembers the slogan, “I don’t want
to grow up. I’m a Toys “R” Us kid,” a
marketing genius or subliminal mind
programming. Don’t grow up. Act
like a child, play and don’t mind
anyone else. Don’t worry about
responsibilities because others will
take care of that and decide for you.
Yes, they have your best intentions
in mind. Here, at Toys “R” Us, your
dolls and trinkets never talk back or
tell you what to do. The games are
entertaining and never boring, and
the mood always colorful and bright.
Trust “Us,” you don’t want grow up.
The world can be a cruel and dark
place. Just ask Batman!
Seriously. How can any parent
compete with a charismatic
corporate giant giraffe named
Jeffrey. I know I’ve tried with those
yellow-faced LEGO minifigs.
Growing up, Toys “R” Us was
heaven and back-to-school
shopping was my favorite holiday.
Why? Because we had little and the
world, thanks to some, was a very
mean-spirited place, full of fear and
disdain. So it was through my
newfound anthem that I slowly
learned to detach from the
structures of society and decided to
never grow up, but not in a Peter
Pan kinda way. I’m talking about
28
GRAB Magazine
escapism from a 120-ct.
Crayola crayon box set, Mad
Libs and Spirograph kinda
way; Lite-Brite, not so much.
Crayons and coloring
books were my thing. Maybe
that’s why I am an artist today.
But for the longest time, I did
not paint or create. For you
see, as a child, I confused
color with vessel. And the
crayons and markers I thought
were so pretty, I refused to use
in fear that they would break or
dry out. Nobody, especially a
child, likes to lose the one
thing they cherish most. So,
with no outlet for expression, I
got lost within, I floated away,
daydreaming of the endless
possibilities of everything and
nothing. Unfortunately, this resulted
in me learning and mastering the
ability of just getting by with little to
no effort, hardly ever making any
real or important decisions, and
unknowingly knowing that I was
letting others take control of me like
a balloon, pretty, but directionless on
its own.
But then, you know what? I
started to ask questions and open
my eyes. Some of us who walk
about entranced are lucky enough to
wake up and realize that we have
been lazy. Therefore, I am now trying
to stop blaming others for my
ignorance that has never been bliss
to myself or others. And now, as I
start to walk and look behind, I see
that the life of a
balloon is cute but
short. In the end,
balloons pop, run
out of air or are let
go. As for me, well,
I was popped just
as I was starting to
dissipate. But
nevertheless, once
you understand
that balloons don’t
last forever, you
realize you have to
grow up after you
blow up.
Bittersweet is the
term I would like to
use in order to
define personal
growth. I see it in
my children and
have begun to see
it in myself if I am
to be honest. No
April 19, 2016
wonder I’m so good with kids. As
mentioned previously, life is no
longer like a box of chocolates. In
fact, it is like a bottle of pills. And the
ones called Responsibility and
Accountability seem to be the
hardest to swallow. It’s so easy to
claim ignorance in order to keep
from making decisions. Why? It is
because when dealing with the
consequences, one must confront
their truths. And reality is not always
as pretty or picture-perfect as the
fantasy world we continually
restructure around us. I guess that is
why Minecraft is so popular
nowadays. It’s your world to create
and manage. Correction. It’s your
matrix. It’s your matrix to isolate
yourself and get lost in.
Hiding is good and fun if you’re
a child and are playing hide and
seek. However, the truth of the
matter is that individuals, young and
old, are hiding more and more from
each other. Person-to-person
contact, much like reality, may soon
be a thing of the past. Hello Simms
and Club Penguin. Couple that with
the ongoing issues of racism,
religion and economic division, and
it is no wonder trust among people
is being dismantled. In order to
conquer humanity, you have to live
it. Now, with that said, are we, as
individuals, doing this to ourselves
or are the people of this earth being
manipulated, distracted and directed
to behave in such a manner through
catchy methodically written jingles
and cutsie wootsie branding
mascots. Inquiring minds want to
know.
There is no blame here, just
questions. All I can do is keep
digging for my own answers and
take responsibility and
accountability for my own actions.
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lockers. The Office: $5 Martinis (you-call-it). Touche: Big Game Night Come Out & Play.
@mosphere: Gayme Night XBox Kinnect, cards, Jenga, etc. Charlie’s: Rockstar Karaoke with
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You-Call-It Pitchers. Crew: $1 Tacos, $5 Beergarita Pints, $5 Michelada, $20 mexican beer buckets. Kit
Kat Lounge: Half priced martinis & 33 percent off small plates; Tarot Card Readings by Therese
Murphy. "Burger, Beer, Bitch!" $14.95 Burger & Sam Adams. Lucky Horseshoe: Open Auditions for
male dancers 7pm. Open at 3pm, Dancers 7pm. North End: Open at 11am, $5.75 22 oz Lites.
Phoenix Bar: Dollar Drink Night (Well liquor only), $5 Manager Shot Special. Progress Bar: Industry
night 50% off everything for industry people with a valid pay stub $4 Fat Tire drafts, $5 Jack Daniels
products. Replay Beer & Bourbon: Tat-Tuesdays with Keith, Ryan and HO-sted by Debbie Fox,
Richard on Door, FREE Tattoo weekly! Sidetrack: Open at 3pm, TRL Tuesday: Totally Rad Line-up of
90's and early 00's Music Videos 8pm-2am. SoFo Tap: $5 Absolut cocktails, $6.50 Big Beers (all
drafts), 9PM Tringo (Trivia Bingo) with host Sister Margaret Cootersnatch. Scarlet: $4 You-Call-Its, $4
Jager, Jameson, Rumpleminze Shots. Steamworks: Come Back Tuesdays Use your weekend receipt
to get $4 off anytime Tuesday or Wednesday, 4p-7p-Howard Brown Open Testing To the Public. $5 off w/
Student ID. The Call: Vodka Night & Music Videos. $5 Skyy Vodka Cocktails. Touche: Hardcore
Cruisin Club Room Open.
Baton Show Lounge: Shows at 8:30pm, 10:30pm & 12:30am. Charlie’s: Shower Contest Hosted
by Carlos $100 Cash Prize for first place! Sign up by 11pm. $2 Wells $1 Draft Pints, DJ Alex Cabot spins
till 4am. Crew: $5 off all pitchers of beer (Beer buddy Wednesdays) $5 stoli cocktails. Kit Kat
Lounge: Half-price Cocktails & Martinis, Buy one entree get one free. Lucky Horseshoe: Open at
3pm, Dancers 7pm. North End: Open at 11am, $5.75 22 oz Lites. Phoenix Bar: Hump Day! $5
Absolut Vodka, $5 Manager Shot Special Progress Bar: $4 Svedka Flavors and $3 Coronas.
Scarlet: $3 Miller Lite, $4 Svedka, $4 Old School Shots. Shakers: $1 Off Craft Beers, $1 Off Long
Island Iced Teas and Flavored Teas. Sidetrack: Open at 3pm, Woof Wednesday 1st Wed of Month,
monthly All Things Beyonce and Sync It Parties other Wed.'s 9pm-2am SoFo Tap: $4 Fat Tire Drafts,
$6.50 Fat Tire Big Beers, $4 Fireball Shots, 9PM Live Game Show with host Dick Guhzinya.
Steamworks: Come Back Wednesdays Use your weekend receipt to get $4 off anytime Tuesday or
Wednesday, $5 off w/Student ID. The Call: Showtunes Absolut & Skyy Martini Specials. The Office:
$3 Wells & $2.50 16oz Draft Beers. Karaoke at 9pm Touche: Jockstrap Night Free Pants Check.
Thursday
@mosphere: Male Dancers 10pm. Baton Show Lounge: Shows at 8:30pm, 10:30pm & 12:30am.
Charlie’s: Industry Night! Dancers, $3 You-Call-It Drinks, Shots, and Beer All Day! (Excludes
LongIsland) Dart League 8pm. Dart Tournament 10pm. Afterhours Dance Music with Ron G from
11pm-4am.. Crew: Karaoke 10pm, $3.50 Draft beers (not including high ABV). Hydrate: $5 Effen
Cocktails & Bombs. Kit Kat Lounge: Half-priced martinis and $5 mojitos; Tarot Card Readings by
Therese Murphy. Lucky Horseshoe: Open at 3pm, Dancers 4pm. North End: Open at 11am,
$10.75 Miller Lite Pitchers. Phoenix Bar: Dancers and Go-go Boys! $5 Bacardi, $5 Vegas Bombs.
Progress Bar: 1st Thurs Illuminaughty Party, Every Thurs $4 Fireball and $3 Miller LIte drafts.
Scarlet: $5 40 oz. Miller Lite, $5 24 oz. Corona, $5 Long Island Mini-Pitchers, $5 Old School Shots.
Shakers: $4 Fireball Shots, $2 Miller Lite Bottles, $4 Well Drinks. Sidetrack: Open at 3pm, Comedy
Videos 8pm-12am, Music Videos 12am-2am. SoFo Tap: $6 Miller Lite Draft and a Shot of Jameson, $3
Blueberry or Raspberry Vodka Lemonades, $1 Jello Shots Steamworks: $5 off w/Student ID.
The Call: BINGO 7:30pm, 2nd #TBT w/ DJ Riley York 4th Music Video Mix. $6 Absolut Cocktails.
Touche: Handballer Night Red/White Hanky Specials Club Room Open.
32
GRAB Magazine
April 19, 2016
Friday
@mosphere: Male Dancers 10:30pm. Baton Show Lounge: Shows at 8:30pm, 10:30pm &
12:30am. Charlie’s: Free Two-Step Line Dancing Lessons @10pm Country Dancing until 1:30am,Top 40
Dance/House Mixes with Lightning LuLu till 4am. $5 Draft Pitchers & $13 Long Island Pitchers.
Crew: $4.25 Lagunitas IPA pints, $2 PBR cans, $4.50 Skinny Lemonade F.O’Mahony’s: $15 All-U-Can
Eat Fish & Chips. Hydrate: $4 Jameson Shots. Kit Kat Lounge: $32 three course prix-fixe menuincludes a martini, salad and entree. Lucky Horseshoe: Open at 3pm, Dancers 4pm. North End:
Open at 11am, $5.75 22 oz Lites. Phoenix Bar: Dance Night with Go-go boys! $5 Three-Olives Vodka, $5
Fireball. Progress Bar: 9PM to 10PM POWER HOUR $2 All Svedka Cocktails, No Cover EVER DJ starts at
10PM. Scarlet: $4 Well Drinks, $4 Domestic Beers, $4 Wine. Shakers: $3 Molson Golden Bottles, $5
Cosmos. Sidetrack: Open at 3pm, T.G.I.F. Show Tunes 5-9 pm, High Energy 9pm-2am. SoFo Tap: $6
Big Miller Lites, $4 Red Stag Shots or Cocktails, $4 Fireball Shots, $2 PBR Cans, 3PM – 7PM, Customer
Appreciation – Free Food (while supplies last), Free Darts, first 10 people in get a scratch off Lotto Ticket 9PM
– Close, GRR… It’s Friday – Bear Party. Steamworks: Quick Trix 9a-1p $7 lockers, 9p-12a TPAN HIV
Rapid Test. The Call: LesPop 1st, Rih-Once 2nd, It’sBirtneyBitch last. DJ Riley York. $5 Skyy Vodka
Cocktails. The Office: DJ’s @ 10pm. Touche: 4/22 ONYX Club Night, 4/29 Leather Eye for the Preppy
Guy Makeover contest benefit for Groceryland Pantry.
Saturday
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@mosphere: Male Dancers 11pm. Baton Show Lounge: Shows at 8:30pm, 10:30pm & 12:30am.
Charlie’s: Smoke & Mirrors hosted by Khloe @ Midnight, Lightning Lulu spins Top 40 mixes till 4am. $3 ApplePie
Moonshine Shots, $5 Draft Pitchers, $13 Long Island Pitchers. Crew: $4.25 Coors Lite tall boys, $7-9 Crew Bloodies,
$15 bottomless mimosas (with entree purchase). Hydrate: $5 Effen Bombs. Lucky Horseshoe: Dancers all
day! 2pm. Manhole: 11/21 DJ Dan Darlington/NYC, 11/28 DJ Ralphi Rosario. North End: Open at 11am,
Welcoming CMSA and AAC teams. Phoenix Bar: Dance Night with Go-go boys! $5 Svedka Vodka, $5 Fireball.
Progress Bar: No Cover Ever. DJ starts at 10:30 p.m. Scarlet: $5 Well Drinks, $5 Imported Beers, $95 Classic
Stoli Bottle Service. Shakers: $5 Jager Shots, $4 Fireball Shots, $1 Off all Imports. Sidetrack: Open at 1pm,
Sidetrack Video Mix 1-9 pm, High Energy 9pm- 3am. SoFo Tap: $4 Stella Drafts, $4 Fireball Shots, $4 Skinny
Lemonades, Noon – 3pm Doggy Days – Afternoon Dog Party, First Saturday of the Month - 9PM – Close, DILF, Last
Saturday of the Month – 9PM – Close, GEAR. The Call: Music Videos. Ashley Morgan Presents…Drag Show 3rd
9:30pm. BEAR Party 4th 10pm $6 Absolut Cocktails. The Office: DJ’s @ 10pm. Touche: 4/23 Bear All 4 Men
singing sweaty steamy songs, 4/30 RIPE deep beats dim lights hot go-go dudes DJ Harry T.
Sunday
Funday
@mosphere: Best Music of the 70‘s, 80‘s & 90‘s every week with Monthly Special events & Drink
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Rockstar Karaoke with Robb 9pm-1am. Top 40's Dance Beats with Lightning LuLu 1am-4am. $5 Draft
Pitchers, $13 You-Call-It Pitchers. Crew: $5 Beergarita pints, $12 Miller Lite pitchers, $7-9 Crew
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Hydrate: $4 U-Calls Its Kit Kat Lounge: Half priced martinis, 33 percent off small plates;
Divalicious Brunch staring Madam X, 11am-4pm; $29.95 prix-fixe; $14.95 “Build your own” cocktail
package. Lucky Horseshoe: Dancers 2pm. North End: Open at 11, Playing all the Sunday
Funday games! Phoenix Bar: Latin Night / Variety Latino Show! $4 Corona Bottles, $7 Long Island,
$5 Patron Silver Shots. Progress Bar: Sunday Funday! $10 Bottles of Bubbly/Mimosas $10 Pitchers
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favorite music videos and always taking requests. Scarlet: $12 Champagne Bottles, $4 Bloody Mary,
$3 Miller Lite. Shakers: $6 Bloody Mary Bar, $4 Mimosas, $13 Mix & Match Buckets, $5 Chocolate
Martinis. Sidetrack: Open at 1pm, Show Tunes 4-9pm, Flashback Videos 9pm-2am Retro with a beat.
SoFo Tap: $5 PBR and a Shot of Jameson, $3 Miller Lite Drafts, $5 SoFo Marys, $4 Skinny
Lemonades. The Call: Hard Candy Drag Show 3rd 8:30. Bloody Mary 4th 4pm. Country 1st & 3rd 4pm. $5 Margaritas. The Office: $2.50 Bloody Marys, $2.50 Champagnes, & $2.50 16oz Draft Beers. Karaoke at 9pm. Touche: 4/10 Trident Windy City’s Cupcake Wars, Beer Bust $1 Bud & Bud Light
Drafts, Sodas, Club Room opens 6pm, Movie Night 7pm.
April 19, 2016
GRAB Magazine
33
DANCE
GRAB A HIT
Top 15 Dance Chart this week
Visit nexusradio.fm
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34
Artist
Terri B!
Nick Gunn
Carlos Mojica
Juventa
Florian Picasso
DJ Fenix
Owl City
Neon Hitch
Armin van Buuren
Blinkie
CID
Above & Beyond ft Zoe Johnston
Ferry Corsten
Tori Kelly
Jonas Blue
GRAB Magazine
Title
I'm Coming Back (TwoKnobs Radio Mix)
The Day We Met
How I Move ft. Felicia Punzo (Radio Version)
Miami Waves (2016 Nexus Radio Edit)
Want It Back (Origami) (Radio Edit)
Satellite ft Frankie
Verge ft. Aloe Blacc
Freedom (Main Edit)
Heading Up High feat. Kensington (Years Radio Edit)
Don't Give Up ft Alahna (Radio Edit)
No!
Fly To New York (Radio Edit)
Heart's Beating Faster (Radio Edit)
Hollow (Widelife Radio Edit)
Fast Car ft Dakota (Daddy's Groove Radio Edit)
April 19, 2016
April 19, 2016
GRAB Magazine
35
COLUMNIST
GRAB ANTHONY
It’s All Greek to Me (or My Big Fat Greek Winter)
By Anthony Morgano
In this post-recession world,
stories of postgraduates and 20somethings moving back in with
their parents pepper the media
landscape. I can still remember
leaving my parents’ house for
college (back in sunny, prerecession 2007) and arguing with
my mom that “only losers” would
ever live back home with their
parents again – oh, how times of
changed.
No, I don’t live with my parents,
who have since relocated to
Mississippi, but I now sleep,
shower and have sex somewhere
that I still can’t quite bring myself
to call “home” yet.
With our wintertime plans to
play gypsy travelers, my boyfriend
and I decided not to find another
apartment when our lease was up.
Most of our “not necessary for
everyday” stuff was packed into a
storage locker and a few bags of
clothes, books and pet supplies
came with us to a part of Chicago
further north and west than many
of my friends have ever been in the
city.
If you haven’t guessed it yet, I
currently reside with my boyfriend’s
parents and the result is something
like a mash-up of one of the
aforementioned “moving back
home” movies and the classic (and
now the sequel) movie, “My Big Fat
Greek Wedding.”
I’m constantly teasing my
boyfriend by calling him a FOB
when, for example, he doesn’t
know the meaning of a specific
word or uses it incorrectly in
conversation. All of this comes
from his life at home, where he was
raised by two parents who both
came to the U.S. from Greece as
teenagers and learned to speak
Greek before he learned to speak
English. He has countless stories
about the Orthodox fasts he and
his two younger sisters endured
(no meat on Wednesdays or
Fridays ever and never during Lent,
and other weeks without even
36
GRAB Magazine
cheese or oil), the stories of Greek
exceptionalism from the old men at
Greek school and, of course, about
the pleated skirts that are part of
the men’s national costume of
Greece.
At first, my boyfriend’s parents
were just the voices I heard
through the phone whenever my
boyfriend started talking in Greek.
The first time we met in-person
was probably six months or so
after I started dating (and by dating
I mean sleeping with) their son,
when we joined them for my very
first Greek Easter.
For those of you who (like
myself) associated Easter with
hunting for hidden baskets,
marshmallow Peeps and a table of
ham, lamb and colored eggs, let
me give you a Greek Easter
rundown:
On Saturday, my boyfriend’s
mother spends countless hours
cooking massive amounts of food
until around 11 or so when all the
younger, extended family members
show up and everyone heads to
the nearest Greek church. (If you’re
wondering how to spot it, try
driving around the Northwest side
on the Saturday night of Greek
Easter – they’ll be the ones with
crowds of folks holding candles
outside around midnight.)
Congregants each hold a candle lit
from a flame that travels to each
church all the way from Greece
(insert Jesus Olympics pun here)
and chant together in Greek.
Around this moment, there’s
usually an ambulance appearance
as the diehard (read: really old)
Greeks spend almost the entire day
praying and not eating in a hot,
stuffy room full of incense smoke
and, thus, predictably have a hard
time making it to breaking that fast.
After church, we pile into cars
and head back to my boyfriend’s
parents’ house where his entire
extended family hangs out, eats
and plays a game where you crack
(only red) colored eggs against one
April 19, 2016
another for good luck. Everyone
leaves around 3 or 4 a.m.
Then, less than eight hours
later, the same folks all gather
again for Easter Sunday, which for
my boyfriend’s family means
roasting a lamb on a spit in the
backyard – and no, somehow the
cops have never showed up.
As the years went by, I became
more and more familiar with my
boyfriend’s very Greek family at a
variety of events and holidays. And
while he has a tendency to revert
back to a rebellious teenage state
around his parents, loving nothing
more than to mock and question
and call out their habits, we always
got along rather well. Had you
asked me if I ever pictured myself
living in their apartment in North
Park, however, I would have
laughed -– but I think I’m old
enough now to know that you can’t
really ever rule anything out in this
life.
While both of my pseudo inlaws were born in Greece, they
never met until after both were
living in the United States. In fact,
they grew up in entirely opposite
Greek styles, which I can see
reflected in their massively
opposing personalities.
My boyfriend’s mother was
raised in a tiny village high up on
Mt. Taygetos in the Peloponnese
(the big island of Southern Greece),
not far from historical Sparta and
too high up in the mountains to
have been breached by the
Ottoman invasions. She grew up
working on her family farm and
climbing the mountains
surrounding her village. His father
is Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-
April 19, 2016
GRAB Magazine
37
largest city that lies near the sea in northern Greek
Macedonia, a crossroads during the times of the
Byzantine Empire and a thriving urban metropolis.
I would say my boyfriend’s dad reflects a vision of
Greeks popular especially since that country’s financial
crisis. He works mostly odd jobs if he works at all and
spends a good deal of his time during the days
relaxing on the couch, preparing for the nights when
he goes out to help run backroom poker games in
some of the local Greek establishments.
His mother, on the other hand, is up by at least 6
a.m. every morning to head to her job running a
kitchen for CPS. Probably from years of dealing with
her husband, she has the notably quicker temper of
the pair (though they definitely battle it out for who is
loudest) and one of her most-frequent English phrases
is “I have to tell you, I’m starting to get hot. I am
getting really pissed off,” followed by an apology for
swearing in front of me.
Their apartment is somewhat what you would
expect of the home of very Greek folk. A mantle in the
living room is cluttered with pictures of family, distant
and close, alongside framed pictures of Jesus, Mary
and the saints. These pictures, or “icons,” adorn the
rest of the house too – stylized portraits of religious
figures with slim noses and blank expressions in
mismatched frames gaze down from the walls and
doorways, including in the room where I share a bed
with my boyfriend.
Just call me an Exbitionist for Jesus!
38
GRAB Magazine
April 19, 2016
I should also stress that while I mentioned before not
calling this apartment (in which I currently sit writing)
home, it is not for any lack on his parents’ part, whom
are incredibly generous and kind to me. Recently, his
mother has even stopped apologizing for swearing in
my presence.
Our time all living together is drawing to a close
now that spring is here and I actually think I’m going to
miss it. I’ll especially miss coming home and hearing
conversations in Greek -- something that always
makes the mundane feel just a little more exotic.
Though I’ve tried to improve my Greek over the years,
and especially over these last few months, my
vocabulary remains wildly underdeveloped, besides a
few colorful curses and the oft-used “malakas” – a
sort of Greek catch-all that’s compared to the use of
“wanker” across the pond. Luckily, like when watching
a telenovela, you rarely need to understand all the
words to follow along and join in.
And when I can’t quite figure it out? At least I get
to be sincere and punny when I say, “It’s all Greek to
me.”
Anthony is a storyteller, casual social
anthropologist and man-about-town. He recently
moved to Chicago after graduating from the
University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in
Journalism and currently lives in Boystown. If you
would like to contact Anthony his email is
anthonymmorgano@gmail.com
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April 19, 2016
GRAB Magazine
41
TRANSGENDER
GRAB HOLLY
Caitlyn Has Been Found! – Part 2
By Holly Maholm
I was sitting in a booth at Donut
Time, and with me were Sin-Dee
and Alexandra – two transgender
prostitutes – and Chester, their
pimp. Seeing some activity outside,
we looked and saw a new black
Escalade – still wet from the car
wash around the corner – pull up in
front. The passenger door opened
and out stepped Caitlyn! She
hastily folded some bills and
stashed them in her bra, then came
inside. Seeing her friends, she
walked up and slipped into the
booth with us.
She took one look at me and
appeared to realize, “The jig is up!”
But then before admitting who she
was, she demanded the same
coffee and donuts her friends were
enjoying. Taking her first bite of a
donut, Caitlyn looked over at
Chester to see if he would have any
objection to her answering my
questions, but Chester was too
deeply engrossed in Candy Crush
to give a shit. Hence I started my
interrogation.
Caitlyn and I spoke for nearly an
hour, and here is what she revealed.
When she was left alone and
friendless at Donut Time that first
day, she was confused and
disoriented. Soon she was
befriended by Sin-Dee and
Alexandra, who helped her get
established. At first, the only way
Caitlyn could support herself was to
sell off all the designer clothing,
handbags and jewelry she had with
her in her bags. This she did, and
(she emphasized) she will be
forever grateful to Diane von
Furstenberg for helping her through
this rough patch in her life.
But in time that money ran out,
and she had to get a job, which she
did, as a dishwasher and waitress
at Burrito Heaven. It was there, she
said, she began to “remember who
she used to be.”
First, she found so much simple
satisfaction in those lowly jobs of
washing dishes and cleaning
tables. Because of her, the cooks
42
GRAB Magazine
had clean dishes on
which to serve the meals
they cooked, and the
patrons had clean tables
at which to sit. For a
person who had spent
years feeding that
insatiable “Social Media”
beast (which gives to no
one any milk or hides or
meat), it was refreshing to
provide an honest
“service” to others.
Then, she saw that most of the
workers at Burrito Heaven were
living lives as much “in secret” as
she did during those years she
called herself “Bruce.” They had to
hide the truth of their legal status,
often using fake names and
fictional biographies. They lived in
fear of exposure – something the
old Bruce understood all too well.
Then she saw that some of the
workers lived a “double-secret” life.
Some of them were gay and they
had to keep that secret even from
those with whom they shared the
secret of their citizenship. Imagine!
To carry the weight of so much
falsity, not who you claim to be nor
whom they think you love. It was
painful, Caitlyn said, to be “honest
and authentic” in the work she did,
but to see so many of her fellowworkers living secret lives.
After a month or so, Caitlyn
went on, Chester took her under his
wing, and she began to see even
more “secrets” surrounding her.
Here were Sin-Dee and Alexandra,
who no longer even tried to use
their family names. (As what’s the
use when your family has disowned
you?) And their first names are but
“street names” adopted to shield
them from the cruel and unforgiving
“street,” each living hand-to-mouth
without a past, alone, outcast and
shunned – not “secret” because of
any fault of their own. Their story is
too well known to all. The world will
not pause to hear it – or hearing it,
turning away in silence.
Finally, she revealed that –
April 19, 2016
plying her trade for several months
under Chester’s benevolent
tutelage – she had learned of yet
another group of souls who live
their truth in shadow. It is those
men who seek her out for her
unique “attractions.” They, too, are
ever vigilant to hide their faces from
the world.
How could they bear the shame
if family, spouse or friends were to
hear the truth of who-they-love?
That most unspeakable of all erotic
fascinations, of which Caitlyn
Jenner – newest member of the
Kardashian Posse – is the most
notorious and (if truth be told) the
most voluptuous example.
The interview was ended. Snow
White got up and went outside to
meet one of her admirers, who had
pulled up in front. I was left alone
with Chester, who told me that – in
his professional opinion – the new
girl was beginning to fit in real well
with Sin-Dee and Alexandra and the
other girls who hung out at Donut
Time.
“Sometimes,” he said, “the only
way to find out ‘how the other half
lives’ is to get down and dirty – and
share the life they lead.”
Holly Maholm is a transgender
woman living in Cleveland, Ohio.
She is the author of a recentlypublished book Brave in Ribbons
(November, 2015) which features
a transgender woman who faces
hardship in her life. Other articles
by Holly can be found at
www.HollyMaholm.com. Activity’. He is a Chicago-based
video editor, graphic designer,
writer and performer.
http://bryandowling.com/
BEAR ALL Saturday,
April 23rd at Touche
EVENTS
Celebrities Advocate
National Dining Out For Life
Fundraiser on April 28
those of us who are HIV Negative,
we need to do more. Dining Out For
Life is a beautifully orchestrated
and simple fundraiser in which to to
take part.“
For more information on your
area’s event, visit
www.diningoutforlife.com.
LGBT Hall of Fame
Celebrity Bowl May 14
BEAR ALL is back! It's time
once again for sensuous men
singing steamy, sweaty songs! On
Saturday, April 23rd at 10pm at
Touche (6412 N Clark St. Chicago)
Bear All brings to the stage, The
Pleasure Centers, Mister E
Machine, Ben Walter, and Scott
Free! It's all hosted by comedian
Bryan Dowling. The Pleasure Centers are a
Chicago-based power-pop band
that only wants to make you smile.
According to their Facebook
bio, they are "incredibly pleasant
and listenable". Band members
include Pete Snyder, Mark Johnson
& John Gramila.
http://thepleasurecenters.com/
Mister E Machine is an indie
band from Chicago that combines
acoustic rock with indie/pop
elements to create a layered
rock sound. A key element of the
sound is its textured vocal
harmonies and personal lyrics that
delve into the emotional,
mental, and spiritual journeys of the
human experience. Band
members include Manny Capozzi,
Chuck Harling, Perry Simmons,
Melissa Kempfer-Ciangiola. Mister
E. Machine is an indie band with a
Chicago rainbow twist.
http://themistere.com/index.html
Ben Walter discovered his
passion for music at an early age,
Ben began singing as a child and
has never stopped. With many
years of experience performing at
various events and clubs, he
delivers a show that can not be
missed. His blend of piano, pop,
rock and jazzy blues will catch your
ear, but it is his honest, emotion
filled words that will make you a lifelong fan.
http://www.thebenwalter.com/
Scott Free sometimes
humorous, sometimes angry,
always touching songs of queer life
have gained him acclaim in both
gay and straight media across the
country In 2010, he was inducted
into the City of Chicago Gay &
Lesbian Hall of Fame. He has twice
been named OUTMusician of the
Year by the OUTMusic Awards - in
2005 and 2009.
http://www.scottfree.net
Bryan Dowling was host of the
Bijou Dance Review from 20082014, and was co-writer, editor, and
star of the film ‘Bearanormal
44
GRAB Magazine
Though there have been many
strides made towards ending the
HIV/AIDS epidemic, such as the
recent breakthrough of scientists
using gene editing to remove HIV
from the genome of T-cells, there is
still much work to be done with over
1.2 million in the United States
living with the disease.
It only takes a meal with family
or friends to help during Dining Out
For Life® hosted by Subaru®, a
delicious event held on Thursday,
April 28th. The annual event is
magnificent in its simplicity: Dine at
one of the 3,000 participating
restaurants in nearly 60 cities
across North America and that
restaurant will donate a generous
portion of the day’s proceeds to
fund HIV/AIDS care, prevention,
education, testing, counseling and
other essential services in their city.
In total, Dining Out For Life AIDS
service organizations assist over
350,000 clients. Celebrities recognize the clout
and importance of Dining Out For
Life not only in raising funds, but
also increasing awareness through
mealtime conversation.
Spokespeople include Ted Allen,
host of Food Network’s Chopped,
actor Pam Grier (Foxy
Brown, Jackie Brown),
designer Mondo Guerra, winner
of Lifetime’s Project Runway AllStars, and chef Daisy Martinez from
Food Network’s Viva Daisy!
“I love working with (Dining Out
For Life) because it’s just such a
cool, very low overhead operation
that raises more than $4 million for
American HIV and AIDS service
organizations in a single day…It
also helps restaurants and chefs
get new people coming in to try
what they’re doing. It just seems
like such a win-win-win for
everybody,” says Ted Allen, who
has served as a spokesperson
since 2008.
According to actor and advocate
Pam Grier, a passionate spokesperson for six years: “Just because
HIV and AIDS are not front-page
news, we need to acknowledge that
the epidemic is not yet over. For
April 19, 2016
A major benefit for the Chicago
LGBT Hall of Fame has been
renamed in honor of the event’s
founder, who died last year. The
2016 Dick Uyvari Memorial
Celebrity Bowl will be Saturday,
May 14, at Waveland Bowl, 3700 N.
Western Ave.
The annual benefit is sponsored
by the Friends of the Chicago
LGBT Hall of Fame, a nonprofit that
raises funds for the Hall of Fame
itself, the first LGBT Hall of Fame
launched by a city in the world.
“We are excited to honor the
legacy of Dick Uyvari,” said event
co-chairs Kathy Caldwell and
Darrick Johnson. “Dick helped
raise hundreds of thousands of
dollars for various charities over the
years, including for AIDS groups,
Gay Games VII in 2006, and most
recently the Hall of Fame. Dick and
his late partner Joe La Pat are both
inductees into the Hall of Fame for
their commitment to the LGBT
community.”
People can support the event
by either bowling and raising
pledges from friends, or they can
donate to a bowler or the event
itself. For information contact
inquiry@glhalloffame.org or call
773-459-8337.
The free event starts with
registration at 10 a.m. May 14,
followed by bowling at 11 a.m., and
wrap-up at noon.
Donations can be sent to
Friends of the Chicago LGBT Hall
of Fame, 3712 N. Broadway, #637,
Chicago, IL 60613-4235. The
organization is a 501-c-3 nonprofit.
Online donations can be made
through Paypal. Those sponsoring
a bowler can indicate their name on
the memo line of the check, or in
the additional information link on
Paypal: http://tinyurl.com/
mwow4kc .
In addition to Caldwell and
Johnson, event organizers include
Israel Wright, Jr., Gary Chichester,
Mary Morten, Suzanne Arnold,
Tracy Baim, Megan Carney and
Vincent Pagan.
April 19, 2016
GRAB Magazine
45
THEATER
6th Annual CHICAGO ONEMINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL
May 3 & 4, at The Den
Theatre The Chicago One-Minute Play
Festival (#1MPF) returns with a
twist: the sixth annual event will
About Face Theatre
Presents
THE SECRETARIES
May 6 – June 12, 2016 at
Theater Wit
The Hypocrites Announces
20th Anniversary Season
celebrate the works of all women
and women-identified playwrights
and directors. The marathon
evening of one-minute plays by
more than 70 of Chicago’s
established and emerging
playwrights and directors will
play two nights only, Tuesday, May
3 and Wednesday, May 4,
2016 at The Den Theatre, 1333 N.
Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago’s
Wicker Park neighborhood.
Directors include Jo Cattell, Jessica Fisch, Patrice Foster, Sarah Gitenstein, Chika Ike, Ana Martinez, Charlie McGrath, Diana Raiselis, Alyssa Vera
Ramos, Lexi Saunders and Anna Trachtman.
“I'm thrilled to continue our
partnership with The Den Theatre
About Face Theatre continues
its 20th Anniversary Season with
the Chicago premiere of the dark
comedy The Secretaries by The
Five Lesbian Brothers aka Maureen Angelos, Babs
Davy, Dominique Dibbell, Peg
Healey and Tony® Award
winner Lisa Kron (Fun Home).
Directed by Bonnie Metzgar, The
Secretaries will play May 6 – June
12, 2016 at Theater Wit, 1229 W.
Belmont Ave. in Chicago.
Patty Johnson lands the job of
her dreams at the Cooney Lumber
Mill in Big Bone, Oregon. But it’s a
comic nightmare when she
discovers – amidst slim fast
shakes, celibacy pacts and hotel
you’ve never seen her before
in Andra Velis Simon’s musical
adaptation Cinderella At The
Theater of Potatoes, based on the
opera Cendrillon and other
compositions by Pauline ViardotGarcía and directed by Artistic
Director Sean Graney. In
signature Hypocrites’ style, the
performers act as their own
orchestra in this musical-play
perfect for the entire family!
Next winter, director Marti
Lyons helms a stirring new
production of Margaret Edson’s
Pulitzer Prize-winning drama WIT,
one woman’s unique and
transformative battle with terminal
cancer. This Hypocrites’ production
pays homage to the many recent
losses in the Chicago theater
community.
In the spring, Geoff
Button directs the sweeping
musical epic The House of Martin
Guerre by Leslie Arden and Anna
Theresa Cascio. Inspired by the
famous 16th century French court
case about Martin Guerre and his
wife Betrande, the musical drama
returns home two decades after its
triumphant world premiere at
Chicago’s Goodman Theatre.
The Hypocrites’ 20th Anniversary Season concludes
The Hypocrites has
announced its 20th Anniversary
Season, featuring five dynamic
productions, including a world
premiere musical adaptation and
two Chicago premieres. The
company is also thrilled to launch a
new play development initiative,
with its first-ever new play
commissions. The 2016-17 season kicks off
this fall with the Chicago premiere
of You On The Moors Now, Jaclyn
Backhaus’ comical mash-up of
mythology and 19th century literary
heroines, directed by Devon de
Mayo.
Just in time for the holidays, a
fresh new spin on a fairy tale
classic! Experience our heroine as
46
GRAB Magazine
April 19, 2016
and embark on a new challenge in
this amazing community,”
comments #1MPF Producing
Artistic Director Dominic D’Andrea.
“We've had six amazing years
working with the Chicago theatre
community at-large and being able
to change things up and reframe
the Festival as a gathering of
women identified artists and
women's voices seems like an
opportunity that is needed – and it
feels very right. Chicago has the
most amazing cohort of women
working in the American theatre
and it's exciting to gather them in a
forum like the One-MInute Play
Festival,” adds D’Andrea.
Tickets are currently available
at brownpapertickets.com.
rendezvous (with Magic Fingers, of
course!) – that her secretarial pool
are chainsaw-wielding lumberjack
killers! Equal parts humor, horror
and satire, The Secretaries is Twin
Peaks meets The Stepford
Wives in a smart, campy (and
bloody!) comedy.
The Secretaries features AFT
Artistic Associate Kelli Simpkins with Erin Barlow, Meghan
Reardon, Sadieh Rifai and Lauren Sivak.
Tickets are currently
available at www.aboutfacetheatr
e.org, by calling 773-975-8150 or
in person at Theater Wit Box
Office. with the Chicago premiere of Las
Meninas, the beautiful, rarely
performed memory play by Pulitzer
Prize-winner Lynn Nottage. Jess
McCleod directs this true story of
an illicit affair between Queen
Marie-Theres, wife of King Louis
XIV, and an unlikely love interest
that scandalized the French court.
The Hypocrites’ 20th Anniversary Season will be
presented at The Den Theatre’s
Heath Main Stage, 1329 N.
Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago’s
Wicker Park neighborhood, with
the exception of The House of
Martin Guerre, which will be
staged at Stage 773, 1225 W.
Belmont Ave.
Season subscription packages
for all five 20th Anniversary
productions are currently on sale
at www.the-hypocrites.com.
Single tickets are also available for
all productions, with the exception
of The House of Martin Guerre,
which will go on sale Sunday, May
1, 2016.
Check us out online
www.GRABChicago.com
and “Like” us
on Facebook
NEWS
Design Industry Leader Mike
Moore Calls for an
"Intelligent Boycott" of the
High Point Furniture Market
Due to Passage of HB2,
North Carolina's New AntiLGBT Law
but cut your trip short. Race
through, take pics of new products
and new exhibitors. Go home.
Place orders."
When asked about his own
business, which is based in North
Carolina, and about his personal
intentions, Moore stated, "I'm going
to market. One day instead of
three. I've got four hotels on our
project boards at the moment, so I'll
be the guy running the hallways.
Regarding my business? The
Governor seems unaware that I live
here - as do many - by choice, not
by necessity. If McCrory's, and his
lawmakers', intent is to make us
want to move our business and
home out of N.C., they're doing a
great job."
Point Foundation LGBTQ
Scholars Answer the Call to
Become Community
Leaders Thanks to the
Support of the Verizon
Foundation
PRNewswire / -- Backlash
against North Carolina continues to
grow in the wake of passage of
HB2, the state's controversial new
law preventing municipalities from
enacting LGBT protections in public
services and in the workplace.
Industry powerhouse Mike
Moore called for an "Intelligent
Boycott" of the High Point Furniture
Market, due to open on April 16th.
Moore, the former president of
BDDW and a former director of
Pottery Barn, has a client roster
that includes Chanel, Pratesi
Linens, Hermes, and the W,
Kimpton, and Four Seasons hotel
groups.
"Republican Governor McCrory
and his legislators have, quite
cleverly, forced the home
furnishings industry into an
impossible situation," stated Moore.
"Our dilemma is this: how can we
send Raleigh a thunderous
message of disapproval without
harming our friends and colleagues
in the process?"
"How? Stay home, buy more.
Invest the travel savings into your
inventory and vendors," Moore
continued. "Take your business
away from North Carolina, not from
your vendors. I've found politicians
react quickly when their money
dries up."
In an economic impact study,
conducted by Duke University in
2013, the High Point Market is
considered North Carolina's largest
annual economic event. With
impact of $5.38 billion, the High
Point Market generates over
600,000 visitor days and is
responsible for 37,000 jobs in the
state of North Carolina.
Moore offered another form of
intelligent boycott, "go to market,
48
GRAB Magazine
PRNewswire/ -- Point
Foundation (Point), the nation's
largest scholarship-granting
organization for lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender and queer
(LGBTQ) students of merit, is
committed to helping young people
acquire leadership skills. Thanks to
the generosity of the Verizon
Foundation, Point is able to bring
its 84 current scholars and many of
its alumni together for leadership
training events in 2016.
Mario Acosta-Velez, Director
of state government affairs in DC
and National President of GLOBE
(Verizon's LGBT employee
resource group), said: "At Verizon,
we are dedicated to connecting
people to what matters most to
them, so we are honored to be able
to provide Point Scholars the
opportunity to connect in-person to
learn and exchange ideas as they
prepare to be the next generation
of LGBTQ leaders who will bring
their talents to making our
communities a better place for all." April 19, 2016
"We consistently hear from our
scholars and alumni how much
they benefit from opportunities to
gather in-person during our
leadership programs," said Jorge
Valencia, Executive Director and
Chief Executive Officer of Point
Foundation. "Learning together in
the company of your peers is a
powerful experience, and everyone
at Point is incredibly appreciative of
how Verizon's support makes this
possible for our LGBTQ scholars
and alumni."
Throughout the year Point holds
Leadership Education and Affinities
Development (LEAD) consortiums
around the country. Point Scholars
and Alumni join board members
and mentors from related
professional and academic fields
for skills-building and professional
development workshops. The most
recent LEAD, generously
sponsored by Verizon, was held
January 2016 and focused on
Health and Medicine, with sessions
about LGBTQ health care, HIV
prevention, and health care policy.
The next LEAD will be in
Washington D.C., July 20 – 21,
focusing on policy and
law. Immediately following is Point's
National Leadership Conference
(NLC), which brings together Point
Scholars and many Point Alumni for
three days of workshops, panel
discussions and addresses by
notable LGBTQ and allied elected
officials, authors, business leaders,
and artists. Conference topics
include academic preparation,
personal achievement, community
service, strategic activism, and
LGBTQ and civil rights history.
Thanks in large part to the support
of Verizon, Point will convene its
2016 NLC in Washington, D.C.,
July 21 – 24.
About Verizon: Verizon
Communications Inc. employs a
diverse workforce of 177,700 and
generated nearly $132 billion in
2015 revenues. Verizon operates
America's most reliable wireless
network, with more than 112 million
retail connections nationwide.
Headquartered in New York, the
company also provides
communications and entertainment
services over America's most
advanced fiber-optic network, and
delivers integrated business
solutions to customers worldwide.
About Point Foundation: Point
Foundation empowers promising
LGBTQ students to achieve their
full academic and leadership
potential – despite the obstacles
often put before them – to make a
significant impact on society. Point
Foundation promotes change
through scholarship funding,
mentorship, leadership
development, and community
service training.
www.pointfoundation.org MUSIC
Tegan and Sara New Album
“LOVE YOU TO DEATH”
Now Available for Pre-Order
In anticipation of their forthcoming album Love You to Death,
Tegan and Sara have launched
their album pre-order and released
debut single "Boyfriend."
"Boyfriend" and brand-new
track "U-turn" are available for sale
and streaming now, and Love You
to Death is available for pre-order
Jennifer Nettles sets May 13
Release Date for
“PLAYING WITH FIRE”
Grammy Award-winning Country
superstar Jennifer Nettles has
Cassius Announce New
ALbum IBIFORNIA
Out June 24th
Cassius have confirmed details
of their first album in ten years,
Ibifornia, which will be released on
June 24th via Interscope / Polydor
Records. Two new songs debuting
today - "Go Up" (featuring Cat
Power & Pharrell Williams) and
"The Missing" (featuring Ryan
Tedder & Jaw) - are available
immediately when pre-ordering the
album, alongside the full-length
version of their recent surprise
50
GRAB Magazine
via all digital service providers.
Fans who pre-order Love You to
Death in advance of its June 3rd
release will instantly receive
"Boyfriend" and "U-turn."
It has already received rave
reviews from fans and press alike.
Vulture exclaims "Are there two
greater pop songwriters walking
this Earth than Tegan & Sara Quin?
Not many. And oh baby, they're
finally back with more synth-pop
perfection." SPIN calls the track a
"swirling, lushly synthesized
confection (handclaps and a f**king
killer chorus included),"and Rolling
Stone proclaims "The synths beam
and blare over thundering
percussion, while Sara Quin belts
the song's charmingly cheeky
and lovestruck hook." Stereogum
declares "['Boyfriend'] continues
the Canadian duo's slide into
synth-pop glory that they started
with 2013's Heartthrob."
Tegan and Sara have been
featured by Buzzfeed in a
comprehensive document of the
duo's journey over their 17-year
career, from their early days to
indie rock success, signing to a
major label and performing at the
Academy Awards, right up to
recording Love You to Death. In the
unprecedented music profile,
Tegan discloses that the album is
about "how debilitating and
transformative" relationships can
be, including those Tegan and Sara
have with each other. The album is
a product of their strengthened
bond and of being more
comfortable with who they truly are,
and Buzzfeed identifies it as their
"strongest, catchiest record to
date."
It is the follow up to Tegan and
Sara's breakthrough 2013 album
Heartthrob, was recorded in Los
Angeles with producer Greg
Kurstin (Adele, Sia, Beck) and
features 10 new tracks.
Pre-order Love You to Death
http://teganandsara.com
announced her highly-anticipated
second solo studio album Playing
With Fire will be released May
13 on Big Machine Records.
"I am so proud of this record,"
expressed Nettles. "I can't wait to
share it with my fans and hear their
reactions. It is a ton of sass and
emotion and fun." Produced by Dann Huff (Keith
Urban, Taylor Swift, Steven Tyler),
the album was recorded in
Nashville. The multi-talented
singer/songwriter collaborated with
Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally,
Jessie Jo Dillon and Lori
McKenna on each of the album's
11 tracks.
Nettles premiered the album's
lead single "Unlove You" last fall on
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy
Fallon. The single is currently
ascending the Country radio charts.
Fans and critics alike have praised
the song, with Rolling Stone calling
it a "smoldering tune" and Taste Of
Country hailing it a "soaring ballad"
and a "reminder of just how
talented of a vocalist [Nettles] truly
is." Watch the video here: https://
youtu.be/wtj-YhjIrHQ
Playing With Fire comes on the
heels of a busy year's end which
saw Nettles embark on her
headline Playing With Fire Tour,
which hit 20+ cities with openers
Brandy Clark and Ryan Kinder.
For tour dates and the latest
updates, visit
www.JenniferNettles.com.
track, "Action" featuring Mike D;
which premiered as Annie Mac's
Hottest Record in the World on
Radio 1.
It's important to start with the
title, because that's what Cassius
did. Before Zdar and Boombass
began working in earnest on their
latest album, they decided it would
be called "Ibifornia." A portmanteau
of Ibiza and California, Ibifornia is
an imaginary utopia, which they
say is, "inside every one of us."
Once they had dreamed up a
location, they could set about
giving it a soundtrack. The result is
a panoramic extravaganza of disco,
funk, house, soul, afrobeat, synthpop, psychedelia, hip-hop and
gospel. Though it's more a feeling,
rather than a specific sound generous, optimistic, and emotional
- Ibifornia is also the culmination of
a lifetime of ideas.
Cassius' story thus far is
already the stuff of dance music
mythology. They emerged amidst
Paris' defining French Touch
movement, where the likes of
"Feeling For You," "1999" and "The
Sound of Violence" - alongside
friends such as Daft Punk - helped
shape the future of electronic
music. It was an intimate scene
which always proved conducive to
collaboration, and soon provided
the band with distractions on a
global scale: Zdar has become a
Grammy-award winning producer
and mixer for his work on seminal
albums from Phoenix, Kindness,
Bloc Party, Chromeo, and Ibifornia
collaborators Cat Power, Beastie
Boys and Pharrell Williams. Yet
as the influence of French house
was felt further still in recent years Kanye West and Jay Z even
sampled the band on their Watch
The Throne project - it always
came back to the dance-floor, to
club-culture, and to Cassius: the
long-standing friendship between
Zdar and Boombass who
continued to write, perform and
bide their time in assembling this
stunning new record.
Visit https://soundcloud.com/
cassiusofficial April 19, 2016
Photos by
Bear Lens
Photography
52
GRAB Magazine
April 19, 2016
GRAB BRUNO
PORN
Porn Star
Bruno Bernal
By Tom Olah
Tom Olah: How did you first get
into porn?
Bruno Bernal: I never wanted to be
in porn. I was always very shy to
show how naughty and how rough I
like sex. But a little while ago, I was
hanging out with another porn star
in London and he convinced me to
try. I used to only top with him and
my first scene I was top as well, but
I guess my ass got more attention.
That’s fine with me. Now 99 percent
of my scenes, I bottom [laughs].
TO: How did you pick your porn
name?
BB: My real name is Israeli and not
common or
easy to
pronounce, so
I decide to pick
something
easy that
sounds
Brazilian
(Bruno), and I
choose
(Bernal)
because I like
the actor Gael
Garcia Bernal.
TO: Do you
watch your
own porn?
BB: No, I don’t
watch my own
porn, and I don’t
watch much
other gay porn
either. I would
say about 70
percent of the
time I spend
watching straight
porn or close my
eyes and use my
imagination to
turn myself on.
TO: You have one
of the most
amazing asses in
porn. Does it take
a lot of upkeep?
BB: It’s funny,
because when
people talk about
my body or
especially about my ass, I can’t see
it. The only thing I do is work out in
the gym.
TO: With that ass, I have to ask,
does every man you meet want a
taste?
BB: [Laughs] Almost, but I’m an
average guy and not everyone
thinks that I’m an attractive man
with a big ass.
TO: Tacky question: Do you enjoy a
good rim job?
BB: Kind of. Not exactly the rim
job, but it turns me on seeing how
much the guy likes my hole.
TO: What do you think the biggest
misconception people have about
porn?
BB: I think that they cannot have
the same kinda of sex that models
have in front of the camera.
Everybody can have a hot time.
April 19, 2016
GRAB Magazine
53
GRAB A CAR
GRAB A HAIRCUT
CHICAGO MALE SALON
773-281-6005 - 3418 N. Halsted
AVIS/BUDGET
(Car, Mini Van & SUV Rentals)
773-528-6400 - 3721 N. Broadway
FLASHES HAIR DESIGN
773-472-3355 - 3740 N. Broadway
THE MENZ ROOM BARBER
SALON 773-880-7350
3437 N. Sheffield
VANITE SALON
773-661-9135 - 3161 N. Halsted
GRAB A CART
BEATNIX • 773-281-3214
3400 N. Halsted
BORDERLINE MUSIC •
773-728-6582 - 5351 N. Clark
GRAB HELP
CUPIDS TREASURES/
LEATHER SPORT • 773-348-3884
4923 N. Clark
AIDS FOUNDATION 200 W. Jackson Blvd #2100 312-922-2322
PLEASURE CHEST •
3023 N. Broadway - 773-880-9280
3436 N. Lincoln Ave - 773-525-7151
AIDS HOTLINE (ILLINOIS) 800-AID-AIDS (800-
UNABRIDGED BOOKSTORE •
3251 N. Broadway - 773-883-9119
ANDERSONVILLE CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE - 773-728-2995
ASIANS/FRIENDS OF CHICAGO 312-409-1573
GRAB CLOTHES
BOYSTOWN T’ & COLLECTIBLES •
773-929-0370 - 3453 N. Halsted
BROWN ELEPHANT - SHOPS •
CHICAGO COMMISSION ON
HUMAN RELATIONS 312-744-4111
CHICAGO HOUSE
1925 N. Clybourn - 773-248-5200
CRAM FASHION • 773-477-1737
3331 N. Broadway
CHICAGO WOMEN’S AIDS
PROJECTNorth Office: 6363 N. Broadway 773-262-5566
South Office: 2317 E 71st St.
773-955-8709
EGOIST UNDERWEAR •
773-281-5121 - 3526 N. Halsted
FK - FULL KIT GEAR •
773-657-8000 - 5021 N. Clark
CITY OF CHICAGO DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE HOTLINE 877-863-6338
LEATHER 6410 •
773-508-0900 - 6410 N. Clark
ZEGLIO - CUSTOM CLOTHIERS •
773-525-6199 - 3341 N. Broadway
EYE MECHANIX OPTOMETRY
RANDALL RICKETTS, OD
773-857-1260
1953 N. Clybourn Ave
NORTHSTAR HEALTHCARE
773-296-2400 - 2835 N. Sheffield
TOM KLARQUIST, MD
AMG PROGRESSIVE MEDICAL
GROUP • 773-296-5090
3000 N. Halsted #509
OMEED MEMAR, MD
DERMATOLOGIST
312-230-0180 - 50 E. Washington
TRIAD HEALTH PRACTICE
773-296-8400
3000 N. Halsted St, # 711
54
GRAB Magazine
CENTER ON HALSTED
3653 N. Halsted - 773-472-6469
CHICAGO ANTI-BASHING
NETWORK - 888-471-0874
Andersonville - 5404 N. Clark
773-271-9382
Lakeview - 3020 N. Lincoln Ave
773-549-5943
Oak Park - 217 Harrison Street
708-445-0612
GRAB A DOCTOR
BROADWAY YOUTH CENTER 773-388-1600
CONGREGATION Or CHADASH 773-271-2148
DIGNITY CHICAGO -312-458-9438
EDGE ALLIANCE - 773-935-4663
EQUALITY ILLINOIS 773-477-7173
GL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 773-303-0167
GLSEN - 312-409-1835
HOWARD BROWN HEALTH
CENTER - 773-388-1600
HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN 312-252-0012
LAKEVIEW EAST CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE - 773-348-8608
LAMBA LEGAL - 312-663-4413
LESBIAN COMMUNITY CANCER
PROJECT (LCCP) 773-561-4662
NEW TOWN ALANO CLUB
773-529-0321
April 19, 2016
GRAB HELP
OAK PARK AREA LESBIAN AND
GAY ASSOCIATION • Oak Park, IL
708-557-3003
PARENTS, FAMILIES & FRIENDS
OF GAYS & LESBIANS (PFLAG) 773-472-3079
PRIDE CHICAGO (Pride Parade
Organizers) - 773-348-8243
RAINBOW SASH MOVEMENT
JMurray@RCN.COM
ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
3857 N. Kostner - 773-725-9026
TEST POSITIVE AWARE
NETWORK (TPAN) •
5050 N. Broadway - 773-989-9400
UNITY LUTHERN CHICAGO
1212 W. Balmoral - 773-878-4747
VITAL BRIDGES
5543 N Broadway • 773-271-5110
TO GET YOUR ORGANIZATION
LISTED HERE CONTACT US
TODAY AT 773-857-2262 OR EMAIL
GRABMAGAZINE@AOL.COM
GRAB A LAWYER
PETER S. CLEARY - 708-361-6900
Attorney at Law, D.U.I.• Criminal
ROGER V. MCCAFFREY-BOSS
312-263-8800 - 33 N. Dearborn
Street #800
ERICKSON & OPPENHEIMER
773-935-3130 - 217 N. Jefferson
GRAB A MOP
CHESTNUT ORGANIZING &
CLEANING SERVICE 312-332-5575
FROGS ON STARS CLEANING
SERVICE - 773-271-3764
GRAB A VIDEO
BANANA VIDEO - 773-561-8322
4923 N. Clark
SPECIALTY VIDEO - 773-878-3434
5307 N. Clark
FIND
GRAB
MAGAZINE
ONLINE AT
WWW.GRABCHICAGO.COM
WWW.GRABCHICAGO.COM
WWW.GRABCHICAGO.COM
Just pick a good fucker and choose a nice place. Get
out of your comfort zone. Go to an alley, to the car or
even in bed, but bring some toys and break the
routine.
TO: Has working in porn impacted your sex life in your
private life?
BB: Not exactly, but sometimes guys watch my
scenes and expect to have sex with Bruno Bernal. But
so far, I can say that the sex in my private life is even
more intense and hot. At the end, guys forget about
Bruno Bernal and become more focused on the real
me.
TO: What is the best part of working in porn?
BB: In this case, porn gives me fans and followers and
has made my voice louder. I can share information
about anything, and people will “pay attention.”
TO: With whom do you still want to work?
BB: I would like to work with anyone who wants to
work with me, with any humble model that is attitudefree. I don’t pick my co-workers because I’m not
creating a scene for myself. I do what I do for who is
consuming my porn material. Also I have a contract
with Falcon and that means I work for them and not
the other way around. P.S. Just never ask me with
whom I would never ever work.
TO: What movies can we look forward to be seeing you
in this year?
BB: There are few great ones on the way, and almost
every month, there are new scenes going live. Raging
Stallion’s “Drive Shaft” is my next DVD that’s coming
out. I’m a fan of all my scenes, and all of them have
some special details.
TO: Best way to keep up with all things Bruno Bernal?
BB: @BrunoBernalXXX (Twitter) and @Bernal.Freud
(Instagram).
April 19, 2016
GRAB Magazine
55
GRAB A DRINK
GRAB A DRINK
@MOSPHERE • 773-784-1100
38 SCARLET • 773-348-1053
16 5355 N. Clark
5 2ND STORY BAR • 312-923-9536
6
26
15
24
47
20
27
49
19
67
51
10
31
8
29
44
2
66
48
13
41
63
35
58
157 E. Ohio
BATON SHOW LOUNGE
312-644-5269 • 436 N. Clark
BERLIN • 773-348-4975
954 W. Belmont
BIG CHICKS • 773-728-5511
5024 N. Sheridan
BOBBY LOVES • 773-525-1200
3729 N. Halsted
BRIANS SPEAKEASY
312-464-1400 • 440 N. State St.
CELL BLOCK • 773-665-8064
3702 N. Halsted
CHARLIES • 773-871-8887
3726 N. Broadway
CLOSET • 773-477-8533
3325 N. Broadway
CREW BAR • 773-784-CREW
4804 N. Broadway
ELIXIR ANDERSONVILLE
773-975-9244 1509 W. Balmoral
ELIXIR LOUNGE 773-975-9244
3452 N. Halsted
GRANVILLE ANVIL
773-973-0006 • 1137 W. Granville
HYDRATE • 773-975-9244
3458 N. Halsted
JACKHAMMER • 773-743-5772
6406 N. Clark
L.J’s (Little Jims) • 773-871-6116
3501 N. Halsted
LUCKY HORSESHOE
773-404-3169 • 3169 N. Halsted
MANHANDLER • 773-871-3339
1948 N. Halsted
MANHOLE • 872-206-2052
3210 N. Halsted
MARTYS MARTINI BAR •
773-561-6425 • 1511 W Balmoral
MARYS ATTIC •
773-784-6969 5400 N. Clark
MINI-BAR • 773-871-6227
3341 N. Halsted
PROGRESS • 773-697-9268
3359 N. Halsted
REPLAY • 773-975-9244
3439 N. Halsted
ROGERS PARK SOCIAL
6920 N. Glenwood
• 773-281-3355
34 ROSCOES
3356 N. Halsted
GRAB Magazine
39 SIDETRACK • 773-477-9189
3349 N. Halsted
52 SOFO Tap • 773-784-7636
4923 N. Clark
12 THE CALL • 773-334-2525
1547 W. Bryn Mawr
23 THE NORTH END •
773-477-7999 • 3733 N. Halsted
7 TOUCHE • 773-465-7400
6412 N. Clark
62 TWISTED VINE • 773-388-0952
3530 N. Halsted
GRAB A BITE
21 F.O’MAHONY’S • 773-549-0226
3701 N. Broadway
Coming soon!!!!
32 Lark
MARY’S
14 HAMBURGER
773-784-6969 • 5400 N. Clark
55 HORIZON CAFE
773-883-1565
3805 N. Broadway
KIT KAT LOUNGE & SUPPER
22 CLUB • 773-525-1111
3700 N. Halsted
Open Daily 5:30pm-2am
36 NOOKIES • 773-248-9888
3334 N. Halsted
67
65
43
25
9
BEST WESTERN PLUS
33 HAWTHORNE 773-244-3434
3434 N Broadway St
GRAB A TOWEL
53 BANANA VIDEO 773-561-8322
4923 N. Clark
17 MANSCOUNTRY BATHHOUSE
773-878-2069 • 5017 N. Clark
RAM BOOKSTORE &
28 ARCADE 773-525-9528
3511 N. Halsted
40 STEAMWORKS BATHHOUSE
773-929-6080 • 3246 N. Halsted
SUBURB BARS
BOXERS N’ BRIEFS •
55 Four Corners Ln
618-332-6141 (Centreville, IL)
CLUB KRAVE •
13126 WESTERN AVE
708-597-8379 (Blue Island, IL)
MANEUVERS •
118 E. JEFFERSON ST.
815-727-7069 (Joliet, IL)
PHOENIX •
1932 E. HIGGINS ROAD
847-258-3087 (Elk Grove, IL)
THE OFFICE •
513 E. State Street
815-965-0344 (Rockford, IL)
PICK UP GRAB IN
OTHER CITIES
CALIFORNIA
Street Bar - 760-320-1266
224 E. Arenas Road, Palm Springs
INDIANA
Gregs Indy- 317-638-8138
231 W 16th St, Indianapolis (Bar)
Talbott Street 317-931-1343
REPLAY ANDERSONVILLE
2145 N. Talbott St, Indianapolis (Dance)
773-654-1369 • 5358 N. Clark
MICHIGAN
REVIVAL SOCIAL CLUB
773-293-6435 • 1133 W. Granville
Dunes Resort - 269-857-1401
333 Blue Star Highway, Douglas
WOOD • 773-935-9663
FIVE 15 - 248-515-2551
3335 N. Halsted
515 S. Washington, Royal Oak (Bar)
MISSOURI (ST LOUIS)
ClubSt. Louis - 314-533-3666
2625 Samuel Shepard Dr (Bathhouse)
Erney’s 32 - 314-652-7195
4200 Manchester Ave (Bar)
CENTER ON HALSTED
Rehab Bar & Grill - 314-652-3700
3656 N Halsted • 773-472-6469
4054 Choteau Ave (Bar)
GERBER/HART LIBRARY
WASHINGTON DC
AND ARCHIVES •
DIK Bar - 202-328-0100
6500 N. Clark 773-381-8030
1637 17th Street NW
LEATHER ARCHIVES &
MUSEUM • 6418 N. Greenview Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse 773-761-9200
202-232-0395 1609 17th Street NW
CULTURE
11
GRAB MAGAZINE• 773-857-2262
Call to Place your ad Today!!
56
3320 N. Halsted
• 773-528-3253
1 SCOT’S
1829 W. Montrose
• 872-206-2052
66 SEVEN
3206 N. Halsted
ON CLARK •
45 SHAKERS
773-327-5969 3160 N. Clark
GRAB SLEEP
April 19, 2016
GRAB CLASSIFIEDS
APT FOR RENT
EDGEWATER COMMUTER
ADVANTAGE Walk to beach,bus,red
line and shops.Awesome living room.
Big kitchen with pantry. $1500 with
heat.Plus new floors,sink,stove.And
video intercom,laundry and patio
Interested? Call 773-275-3216.
CLEANING SERVICES
CHESTNUT ORGANIZING &
CLEANING SERVICE 312-332-5575. We are a home and
office cleaning service. But more
importantly, we are an organizing/
cleaning service for people who
need that service. Often, cleaning
services don’t organize and
organizing services don’t clean, but
we can do both at the same time!
Please visit us for more information
and “before” and “after” photos.
www.ChestnutCleaning.com
and call today 312-332-5575.
STARK NAKED MALE Housecleaner 45 year old white male, full
head of straight brown hair, blue
eyes, weight proportionate to height,
completely smooth in the genital/
anal area due to the hair having been
permanently laser removed. I will do
a very thorough job for you, and give
those floors, area rugs and runners
lots of TLC down on my hands and
knees. Call me at 708-280-8022
CONTRACTOR
ALL INTERIOR & Exterior home
remodeling & handyman service.
Bathrooms, kitchens, basements,
siding, roofing, gutters, painting,
drywall, tuckpointing, brick
work ,framing plumbing , electric
Etc. Call Sean 773-908-9054 or
SeansConstruction@gmail.com
CONTRACTOR
BODYWORK
GREAT CHICAGO
CARPENTRY offers you custom
finish carpentry, all trim and
millwork install ations, expert door
replacement and installations. Let
me create your custom cabinets
and built-ins to maximize your
storage space. My customers are
people like you who enjoy
the satisfaction of real wood
craftsmanship in their homes
Check out my facebook page !!
https://www.facebook.com/GreatChicago-Carpentry-56897498233/
timeline Call Mitch at
773-350-3850.
I DON’T SKIMP ON the body
work - I provide a full hour of
deep tissue rubdown $55. Mature
Clients most welcome - Western
and Devon location. Free painting
w/visit.Dave 312-391-8087.
HELP WANTED
MASSAGE THERAPY IN
PALATINE I have 25 years
experience in the industry. $60
per hour. Call 847-202-3234 or
Cell: 630-542-8657 for an appt. MALE DANCERS WANTED;
The Lucky Horseshoe Lounge 3169
N. Halsted. Open Auditions every
Tuesday at 7pm. 21+ I.D. Required.
START YOUR FASHION
CAREER HERE Join Chicago’s
Premier Men’s Boutique: Cram
Fashion is accepting applications for
energetic, determined, and
fashionable candidates to join their
team. Candidates should have an
eye for fashion and knowledge of
current trends and must have
weekend, evening, and some holiday
availability. A minimum of 2 years
retail/customer service experience
or coursework in the retail
management/fashion business fields
are preferred. Full/Part Time
positions available (please specify
Full/Part Time in your cover letter)
and growth opportunities available
within the company. Please e-mail
your cover letter and resume to
crammanager@gmail.com
STEAMWORKS - Come work at
the hottest club in town.
Steamworks is accepting
applications for all positions and
shifts. Stop by and fill out an
application at 3246 N. Halsted.
PIANO/VOICE LESSONS
PIANO OR VOICE LESSONS in my neighborhood studio or your
home offered by young, gay
professional with Master's from
Manhattan School of Music. Call
Jonathan, 646-418-4043.
jcorn29@hotmail.com
Place your ad in this section for
as little as $15 an Issue call
today
773-857-2262.
58
GRAB Magazine
April 19, 2016
GRAB A MAN
FREE MUTUAL MASSAGES
With mature white man. Must
host. Days-north Bill
773-761-5454.
MASSAGE
SPRING SPECIAL: 2 hour
massage Head to toe in Rogers
Pk. Deep Tissue/Reflexology,
reserved parking. $70, thats right!
Please call Brian 847- EDUCARE. Gratuities accepted and
appreciated.
GRAB A MASSAGE: Improve
your mind, body & soul with a
45 minute Swedish Massage for
$45. Relax & unwind with the
sounds and aromas of the East
by a Licensed Massage Therapist
LMT, NCTMB, AMTA
Member. Flashes Hair &
Bodywork, 3740 N. Broadway
773-472-3355. Appointments
please.