Mint Male Magazine

Vital Bridges' mission is to help people throughout metropolitan Chicago impacted by HIV and AIDS to improve their health and build self-sufficiency by providing food, nutrition, housing, case management and prevention services. Today, the organization serves nearly 2,000 people impacted by the epidemic annually. Since our founding in 1988, Vital Bridges has provided more than 10 million meals, 600,000 nights of shelter and 250,000 hours of counseling to over 10,000 clients.

K Dock Team?is hosting this fabulous white attire party at the Crimson Lounge at 333 N. Dearborn on Saturday, July 24th?from 10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Please note to bring non-perishable food items.

- When you spend $20 at the bar, valet will be $10 (Valet ticket must be stamped)
- Free Conjure Cognac specialty drinks from 10p-11p
- If interested in securing a table at the event, send an email tocrimsoninwhite@hotmail.com.

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Vital Bridges

Mint Male June 2010 Cover Party!!!

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Some of the Chicagoans that brought you Outdanced, are presenting 'Reunion' featuring L.A. Based band Nite ?Jewel, for a Chicago debut performance. Ramona Gonzalez is the voice and creator behind this independent pop-dance transcended sound that is Nite Jewel. Trying to categorize NJ ?is nearly impossible, the sound hits notes of the past and but remains future forward, with some funk, disco and vocals that are entrancing and electric. Noted as a breaking artist by Rolling Stone and also the "Queen of lo-fi" by the L.A. times Nite Jewel is must see this Tuesday, May 11th. Also performing live at 'Reunion' is CHANDELIERS, a Chicago band that gives out electronic music with synthetic beats, and a taste of rock. Putting these two bands together is a genius combo for 'Reunion' at the Funky Buddha.

So come out to Funky buddha at 728 W. Grand Ave and check out Nite Jewel and CHANDELIERS. There is free Colt 45 from 9pm to 11pm compliments of Vice magazine. Reunion will also be featuring DJ sets by Jordan Z, Beau Wanzer, Night Moves DJ, Teen Witch and Baby Bamboo. Lastly its hosted by Rene Romero, Stardust

(click above for facebook invite ^)

Bret Grafton local photographer is showing off a collection of sexy tattooed men. So come out to Hydrate next Saturday. A ten dollar donation to charity gets you a hosted bar from 9 to 1030pm. That mean FREE COCKTAILS for all you varsity boozers. So come for the art, stay for the free drinks, and flirt with some bears.

(click above for facebook invite ^)

Come out and check out this causal to formal array of the clothing styled by His Stuff. Besides some great styled outfits Chicago Tap and DJ Oscar will be attendance. The door is $10 with a free drink and the first 50 guests receive a gift bag. So come out Mary's Attic for fashion, music, good drinks and even some tap.

Interview: By Joey Grant + Josh Shores

1.) What is this years IML theme?

2010-A Leather Odyssey. They are incorporating imagery and ideas from the 1960's, 70's and 80's as well as kitschy sci-fi movies and television shows like "Buck Rogers", "Barbarella", "Flash Gordon" and the original "Star Trek".

2.) What has your role played in past IML years and how long have you been involved in it?

"My 12 year bromance with International Mr. Leather has been anything but bad. The more intimate events from a decade ago have grown into extravagant events at spectacular Chicago venues like Excalibur and House of Blues. I think our production work has help transform these events into bigger and better parties for the IML audience year after year. I came into the dance floor and club scene as promoter, producer, DJ and performer in 1997, and have been fortunate enough to work across the U.S. and Canada. In my 7 years as a featured DJ for IML, I feel I have developed a synergy of tribal, house, anthems, vocals and classics that keep everyone 's hands in the air and the dance floor packed. Working with IML and the leather community has opened many a dance floor opportunity for me. I will be at the helm as producer/DJ for IML 's House Of Blues "Victory Party" on Sunday, May 30 and have designed an amazing "Black and Blue Ball" closing party on Monday, May 31 with the brilliant pairing of Chicago 's red hot DJ Phil DaBeatz and Grammy nominated NYC DJ/Producer Sin Morera to bring the local and international leather audience to an explosive ending celebrating the last of Chicago 's massive gay dance events and IML 's 32nd year.

As a party producer and DJ- IML has the best two nights in Chicago club land every year. The leather community is superb at creating an electricity about themselves and I feed off that excitement every year. I have amazing people around me that team up to help make the two parties sexy, fun and a little dirty. Budgets have been tight for everyone the last few years, so the challenge is to make the sound and energy over the top. This year, we will have some pretty twisted visuals and funked up production work to coincide with the "SPACE ODYSSEY" theme IML has adopted for their 32nd Anniversary. Also, it's an opportunity to DJ for an international audience which is both daunting and invigorating".

3.) Were you always involved within the leather community or did IML introduce you to it?

"I think back in my early days I was a little intimidated by the whole concept of the leather community, but after my first full fledged event for a leather audience, I was hooked! IML definitely introduced me to a phenomenal group of people in our LGBT community that welcomes everyone.

4.) Where does the persona Circuit Mom come from?

"Circuit MOM started as a nickname on a dance floor in Atlanta in 1996 because of my nurturing nature. It evolved into a stage persona after being in a staff drag show at a bar I worked in. I have a theatrical background, but really wanted to do some aggressive and creative shows for the dance floor crowd because you are not limited to a script or the same old music time after time. I did my fair share of bar drag appearances, but had always envisioned big productions and effects for larger audiences. Luckily, with hard work and amazingly creative people around me, I have been able to live my dream for many years. Circuit MOM encompasses many, many people-it's not just one person, rather a creative family".

5.) What is your favorite IML memory? "There are a couple, actually. The first year I DJ'd "The Black And Blue Ball" closing event at Excalibur, I was so nervous that about 30 minutes into my set, I "tossed my cookies" up in the trash can in the DJ booth. Not that anyone saw me, but it was still pretty embarrassing and funny at the same time. But, my top favorite memory of IML would be my last song I chose to play in 2006. I always try to choose a different track every year that will leave people with a great, shining, very personal final moment to the weekend. On U2's "Rattle and Hum" album from 1988, they have a live concert version of "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" complete gospel choir doing the backup vocals. It's both haunting and uplifting at the same time. We still had a packed dance floor and I started the track and we raised the lights slightly to let everyone know the event was over. Not one person left the dance floor. It was like they were absorbing every lyric and I just stood there in the booth and watched everyone breathe in life. The audience cheered for the song at the end and moved me to tears. I will never forget that moment and the power that music can have on the world."