Find intersectional, LGBTQ affirming and progressive events of all kinds in the The Real Mainstream Northern Illinois and Chicagoland Events Calendar. Events are color-coded:
March–April 2024
March 2 (1 event)
9:00 pm • Queeraoke • Crystal Lake–
March 2Drinks food and singing all the hits. Emceed by Hayleigh.
March 3 (1 event)
4:00 pm • Writers Open Mic • Online–
March 3Gather with Iowa City Poetry to share five minutes of your work with "an appreciative online audience."
OnlineMarch 5 (1 event)
7:00 pm • Outspoken LGBTQ+ Storytelling • Chicago
March 5Celebrate "uniquely personal stories from a cross-section of the LGBTQ+ community" through this monthly event. Free admission; 21+ only. Explore being a storyteller here.
March 6 (1 event)
8:00 pm • WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH PUB TRIVIA Wilmette IL–
March 6The LWV of Wilmette hosts this "friendraiser" in honor of Women's History Month. Stewpendous Productions will lead the gaming. You can sign on here for $5 each as a a solo player, or with teams of four to six people. Admission fees go toward the League of Women Voters Education Fund, established in 1957 to helps educate voter through forums and more.March 8 (1 event)
7:00 pm • PLANT & POUR FOR WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH Utica IL–
March 8Join Petals by Peyton, owner of Petals on Wheels, for a night of creativity, horticulture and "appreciation of women's achievements." Admission is $60 and includes the course, supplies and two wine pours. Space is limited; register here.#womenshistorymonthMarch 12 (1 event)
7:00 pm • Fetish, Erotic and Kink Figure Drawing • Chicago, Ill. and online–
March 12Studio drawing class featuring professional models, available in person or online. Classes are $10; pre-register here. With questions, email online@leatherarchives.org.
OnlineMarch 16 (1 event)
3:00 pm • LESBIAN BAR HOP Chicago IL–
March 16Visit three of Chicago's most popular spots -- Farraguts, Atmosphere and Nobody's Darling -- for St. Patrick's Day. Text 312-446-0256 to find the group and get your Pride sticker.March 17 (1 event)
4:00 pm • Celebrate Women's History Month: Gina 2 Nina Simone • Chicago–
March 17Regina Peters, a veteran of the stage and a vocalist with Christ Universal Temple, performs selections from the amazing Nina Simone, known as the High Priestess of Soul, in honor of Women's History Month.
#womenshistorymonth
March 23 (1 event)
8:00 pm • Roller Derby: Retro Rumblers versus Comic Book Crushers • Homewood–
March 23Take in a bout featuring two of Homewood's classic, theatrical roller derby teams, members of the Chicago Knockouts Roller Derby. Tickets are $15 to $25; get yours here.
March 28 (1 event)
5:30 pm • Galena LitFest: Abnormal Psychology in Fiction • Galena and Online–
March 28Steven J. Kolbe wrote the Ezra James mystery series and is a graduate of Kansas State University. He'll talk about techniques for writing abnormal psychology in fiction, and in particular mystery and suspense. will present a writers workshop featuring techniques for writing abnormal psychology in fiction, particularly mystery and suspense."As a writer with bipolar who writes about characters with mental health struggles, I will detail some effective strategies that writers can use to accurately portray characters with mental health diagnoses–and why this matters." You can attend in person or by zoom; register by calling 815-777-0200 or emailing distlerl@galenalibrary.org. This event is part of Galena LitFest, organized and funded by the Galena Public Library.OnlineMarch 29 (1 event)
6:00 pm • Gear Night & The Museum • Chicago–
March 29Show off your gear (or you're also welcome to attend in street clothes), and meet other kinksters! Last Friday of each month, featuring music, food and drinks. Free admission. Adults only.
March 30 (1 event)
2:00 pm • Transgender Day of Visibility • Grayslake–
March 30This family-friendly celebration features story-telling, live music and more.
April 2 (1 event)
7:00 pm • Outspoken LGBTQ+ Storytelling • Chicago
April 2Celebrate "uniquely personal stories from a cross-section of the LGBTQ+ community" through this monthly event. Free admission; 21+ only. Explore being a storyteller here.
April 4 (1 event)
11:30 am • International Trans Day of Visibility Community Wellness Fair • Chicago–
April 4Gather for resources and a workshop on psychedelics and queer identity formation, with Sana Healing Collective, Canna Equity IL Coalition and The Village Project Collective. Masks are required at this free event.
Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service CenterApril 6 (2 events)
5:30 pm • 2nd Annual Ron Raglin Gamechangers Scholarship Dinner • Elgin–
April 6Arnie Duncan, former U.S. Secretary of Education under former President Barack Obama, is the keynote speaker at this annual event that honors the late Ron Raglin, a former assistant superintendent who also taught for 35 years. Duncan is also founder of Create Real Economic Destiny (CRED), a non-profit aimed at reducing gun violence. The evening features appetizers, a raffle, dinner and the keynote speech. Tickets are $50 and available at Zelle a 773-882-9173.The Heritage Ballroom9:00 pm • Queeraoke • Crystal Lake–
April 6Drinks food and singing all the hits. Emceed by Hayleigh.
April 7 (1 event)
4:00 pm • Writers Open Mic • Online–
April 7Gather with Iowa City Poetry to share five minutes of your work with "an appreciative online audience."
OnlineApril 9 (1 event)
7:00 pm • Fetish, Erotic and Kink Figure Drawing • Chicago, Ill. and online–
April 9Studio drawing class featuring professional models, available in person or online. Classes are $10; pre-register here. With questions, email online@leatherarchives.org.
OnlineApril 14 (1 event)
5:00 pm • Puff Puff Pageant • Chicago–
April 14Spjork Cutlery hosts this THC-friendly inclusive pageant. Tickets are $10 with pre-purchase here, or $15 at the door.
April 19 (1 event)
8:00 pm • Da 4/20 Infused Fog Party • Gurnee–
April 19Enjoy entertainment with infused drinks and food.
#420
Delany SquareApril 20 (1 event)
1:30 pm • Wilde Cabaret Sings "Living the High Life" • Chicago–
April 20"Whether you're high on life or something else, come on out on 4/20 and share it with us!" Lakeside Pride enjoys an afternoon of 4/20-themed cabaret.
#420
April 26 (1 event)
6:00 pm • Gear Night & The Museum • Chicago–
April 26Show off your gear (or you're also welcome to attend in street clothes), and meet other kinksters! Last Friday of each month, featuring music, food and drinks. Free admission. Adults only.