Talent Show! Calling all Singers, Dancers, Circus Acts, Stunts, Talented, Shocking, Funny Performers of all kinds!

For over 3 years now we at Rockit Ranch have shared our platform with up-and-coming talent of all kinds in Chicago, showcasing them right here on aChicagoThing.com, to give our city’s potential future entertainers a celebratory & supportive boost toward a quicker & more successful entry into the Art, Culture & Entertainment industry in our city & beyond!

After many requests from both performers & our viewers, we are now going to give select entries of found talent more than just an internet introduction to our friends, fans & followers, but actually give them the light, mic & a LIVE shot at entertaining an extremely talented crowd we will bring together of the most influential, energetic, creative, artistic & fun movers and shakers in Chicago! If you know ANYONE that you think has great talent (and/or if you just want to join me at the party), connect with me ASAP on http://www.facebook.com/BillyDec  or http://www.twitter.com/BillyDec!

It all goes down Friday, July 20th at 11p at The Underground (56 W. Illinois). The acts selected (21 & over only) will appear random & raw through out the party – and those who blow away the crowd will reach a large volume of exposure from influentials in the room & beyond (through social media & more)!Thanks for joining us in contributing support for our future talent! And spread the word!

Tags: Art, Auditions, billy dec, chicago, Circus Acts, culture, Dancers, entertainment, events, July 20, rockit ranch, showcase, Singers, Stunts, summer, Talent Show, the underground, up and coming talent

Chicago’s 43rd Annual Gay Pride Parade and More Fests and Fetes

Wigs, gaudy makeup, beads, crazy costumes and…don’t forget the rainbows. Chicago’s 43rd annual Gay Pride Parade is this Sunday at 12 pm!

Show your support for our city’s vibrant LGBT community by lining the streets for one of the most popular parades in the city (and country!). It’s always a crazy event with people cheering the procession and enjoying the show, culture, and reveling in our city’s dazzling diversity!

You know the routine by now- on Friday and Saturday thousands will gather along Halsted for the two day festival and then the weekend culminates with the world-famous Gay Pride Parade which brings out around 750,000 people!

Watch out! The parade is shaking things up this year with a new route that starts at Montrose Avenue and Broadway in Uptown and ends near the intersection of Diversey Parkway and Sheridan Road in Lincoln Park.

The parade will feature 200 entries including floats, decorated vehicles, performance groups, a marching band and walking contingents. The parade is flamboyant and expressive- everyone’s just there to cut loose, celebrate, and have a crazy-good time.

Whoever you are, this event is a chance to celebrate your own freedoms- it’s something all Americans can be proud of!

When the parade ends, that doesn’t mean the festivities will! Head to Boystown or Andersonville (actually anywhere near the parade you’ll find a house-party or bar) and play into the wee hours of the night!

Some of the Best Fetes and Fests for the Weekend:

Back Lot Bash

An outdoor live music and entertainment festival, highly anticipated for lesbians around the country

Berlin Nightclub

This bar is a must-see during Pride weekend. Friday features a live performance by Shuteye, Saturday hosts DJ Chester, Sunday is ‘90s night!

Minibar Brunch

Have brunch and drinks at Minibar on Halsted with prime viewing for the Pride Parade.

Charlie’s Chicago

Great for an after after-party. Weekend events include Cool Country on Saturday and Hot Dance Party on Sunday, drink specials available all weekend.

Roscoe’s Tavern

You can find live band karaoke, wet boxer contests, drag races, and Male Call on Sunday- perfect venue for Pride activities.

By: Lauren Neuschel

Tags: andersonville, Back Lot Bash, bars, Berlin Nightclub, bisexual, Boystown, Charlie’s Chicago, chicago, Chicago Pride Calendar, community, culture, Diversey Parkway, diversity, DJ Chester, events, festivals, floats, gay, Gay Pride Parade, Halsted, lesbian, LGBT, lincoln park, marching band, Minibar Brunch, parade, pride, Roscoe’s Tavern, route, Sheridan Road, transgender, uptown, Weekend, ‘90s

Loul Deng Foundation : “Game and Give”

Hi aChicagoThing readers! Lesley De Leon, from Billy Dec’s office here. I’d like to take this opportunity to share a very cool event : How cool is it that The Bulls are currently in first place? And speaking of the Bulls, how would you like to try your hand at an Xbox tournament with some of the Bulls players? Loul Deng is hosting “Game and Give” Charity Xbox tournament on Sunday April 3rd, at Joy of the Game in Deerfield from 12-4pm. Come out and show your video game skills in the FIFA Soccer 2011 or NBA 2K11, all for a good cause.

Even if you’re not a video game player, there are plenty of other fun activities with interactive games, music by DJ Sye Young, local restaurant fare, a silent auction, an appearance by Benny the Bull, special musical guest, and photo opportunities with Luol Deng and his teammates. It will be a great day for Bulls fans and video game lovers of all ages! For more information – http://luoldengfoundation.eventbrite.com/

The Loul Deng Foundation strives to provide hope to all the refugee’s returning to Southern Sudan through education and sports/recreation. Each year the Luol Deng Foundation hosts many great events to give back to children in the Chicago area, but the main goal for the future is to build 5 schools and 10 sport courts in Luol’s native country, Sudan Africa.  He is passionate about giving back to the boys and girls of Sudan.  Learn more at http://theluoldengfoundation.org/

Tags: auction, basketball, benny the bull, billy dec, bulls, charity, chicago, chicago bulls, dj, dj sye young, events, FIFA Soccer 2011, gamers, give and get, joy of the game, luol deng, NBA 2K11, sports, sudan, the luol deng foundation, video games, xbox