Hi, gay people. I am back, back, back, back, back again! This past week I partied hard with Amanda LePore at BUMP. n’ THAT!, celebrated my girl, Fantasy Banks, at Queen!, and surrounded myself with friends. May is a busy, busy month, with it being AAPI Month and International Men of Leather (IML) time. I’m curating a list of events, drag shows, and parties that I’ll be at as a performer or patron, called “Meli’s Picks.” As a GayDo312 subscriber, it’ll be easier for us to meet and connect. To start, here’s a link to “Meli’s May Picks” for all things fantastic in May. I hope to see you out and about. Don’t be afraid to say hi!

Now, back to the newsletter, because there’s some lovely stuff coming atcha, so gear up, my darlings!

Make sure you enter our giveaway to Water For Elephants as it prepares to cross the Broadway Chicago stage June 23rd to July 5th! The best selling novel comes to “thrilling, dazzling” life as a musical, and you won’t want to miss it! Go ahead and enter our giveaway for a chance to win two free tickets.

JUST ANNOUNCED

• This Saturday, May 16th, join the cast of Draglicious to celebrate Janet Jackson’s birthday with a special Janet edition of the beloved drag revue at Hydrate Nightclub! RSVP and buy tickets right here.

• RuPaul Drag Race season 18’s top four hit the road with the Kitty Kat Ball! Don’t miss the Chicago stop at Metro on May 30th, for a lineup of Drag Race girls and local icons and a fierce night of drag! Tickets on sale here.

• Dorothy Pop!: Y2K is coming to the iconic lesbian venue this Saturday, May 16th. Celebrate pop music and Y2K the sapphic way, and buy tickets now!

• Epiphany Center of the Arts brings Club Guache to its one-of-a-kind venue and dancehalls. Three DJs will take over “The Sanctuary” for an unforgettable night of dancing. Be sure to check it out and buy a ticket.

• VeryPride! brings its fourth annual celebration to Outset June 19th! Glitter! Chaos! Unity! The spectacle will be taken to new heights! Prepare for a pride party so euphoric and fabulous, you’ll be dancing forever! Snatch your tickets here!

ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER (AAPI) HERITAGE MONTH EVENTS

May is AAPI Month! And lucky for you we have a supreme list of all the things you need to know about celebrating this year. Diversity is one of the most beautiful parts of Chicago, and the Asian communities in this city are some of the most beautiful in the whole city. We live in such a complicated time for anyone that is marginalized, and I think it is super important that we support and patron events made by Asian people, restaurants ran by Asian people, and anything else we can do to uplift other people and communities. Check out this list to find the best events in the city and peek at the special list of restaurants!

• FRI 05.15 - ASIAN PERSUASION VARIETY SHOW at THE NEWPORT THEATER

• SAT 05.16 - MATCHA FEST CHICAGO at SEATGEEK STADIUM

• TUE 05.19 - PAPER LANTERN CRAFTING at FOUNTAINDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY

• THU 05.21 - TASTING & FUNDARAISER: SAKE & SOOL at EASY DOES IT

• SAT 05.30 - DIM SUM & DRAG: AVATAR THE LAST BRUNCH BENDER at FURAMA (WIN)

THIS WEEKEND

LOCALS ONLY

• At smartbar this week, join in on the fun for Disco Queen! The annual disco celebration will be rounded out with Dragula star, Jay Kay! Get your bell bottoms, your sequin, and get your tickets to “Queen!” out!  

• It’s important time for sapphic film lovers, because Sapphopalooza is back at The Music Box Theater. Celebrate lesbians, sapphics, and dykes across film from now until May 31st. Find showings and more here.

• Check out Center on Halsted! Center on Halsted is the Midwest’s largest community center dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community. You’ll find activities like sports, game nights, and support groups. And you can find it all right here!

• Resident, Alex Jenny, brings her hit party, The Hot B!t#@ Party back to the perfect dance floor of smartbar this Friday, May 15th for a sickening installment. Don’t miss the chance to dance with a sea of hotties and grab your tix!

WIN STUFF

FEATURED