Hilary Rawk

Chicago has been celebrating Pride all of June with plays, exhibitions, tours and parties—leading up to the 38th Annual Chicago Pride Parade in Lakeview on Sunday, June 24. Here are four key players in Chicago’s nightclub scene talking about our city’s gay community and nightlife.

Jo-Jo Baby, JoJo’s Closet & Boom Boom Room

Jo-Jo Baby is a stylist, costume designer, nightclub host and doll maker who has styled the likes of Dennis Rodman and the stars of the film "Party Monster."

Jo-Jo, who started out working at Shelter when he was just 13, loved music from a young age and convinced his mother to take him to see Boy George and the Culture Club when he was 11. Jo-Jo explains, "I got all dressed up in drag at the age of 11, and my mother made me take it all off. Then we got there and she saw that everyone was dressed up and said ‘I’m so sorry, baby…I didn’t know.’ And I was sitting there in my church clothes."

Growing up, he wanted to be a priest and studied to become one. Jo-Jo says, "I wanted to change the church and make it younger, [with] better music, puppets and stuff. I was thinking then about what the ‘Blue Man Group’ is doing now. The priests that I was being taught by said I was too theatrical and should go into show business…They missed out on a good thing—I would have been a great priest and would have given my life to the Lord, but now I’m just a freak at a door called Boom Boom."

According to Jo-Jo, Boom Boom Room is "the longest-running gay and industry night in the world. We have had many stars come and grace us with performances through the years, too. That is how I met Dennis Rodman and started doing his hair."

Jo-Jo says the gay community influences the Chicago scene by showing "a sense of freedom, to not be afraid to be a child at heart." He says he has "always tried to give back what I had as a child growing up in clubs and to show that Chicago has an edgier side just like New York. They say America is split down the middle, and all the fruits and nuts roll to the sides. I think some get trapped in the creases."

Scott Cramer, Avant Trill

Scott Cramer is a local publicist, talent buyer, promoter and DJ. He currently hosts the popular Outdanced Tuesday nights at Funky Buddha and Teen Spirit Friday nights at Debonair.

When it comes to nightlife, Scott likes to keep an open mind. "I don't care for segregated environments, I need variety in my life," he says. "That is why I choose to promote to a mixed crowd, and mainly do events outside of Chicago's deemed ‘homosexual’ areas, bars, clubs."

Scott likes being involved in the club scene because of the "crazy people [he] continues to meet." He has had some great times with celebrities like Lady Miss Kier from Deee-Lite.

Last time Kier was in town, Scott explains, "We went to the Peaches show at Berlin, [Funky Buddha Lounge] and then to Chances Dances when it was still at the Big Horse. It was hot, dirty and sweaty, but as we danced and mingled, we became way too hot. So we went into the back, where there was a walk-in cooler. We hung out in there for a while, did a lil’ photo shoot. Kier loved the can of mushrooms, and then she found some beers…well, that was a mistake. The owners came in shortly after we helped ourselves to some Red Stripes, and we offered to pay as we were just coolin’ off and havin’ a brew, but they singled out Kier—grabbed her arm and said, ‘You’re out!’ Kier had this amazing smile on her face as she was shuffled out the door, although it was more of a flutter. And as she bounced away, she giggled, saying, ‘Im getting kicked out! Hehehe.’"

Cramer explains that the gay community is in a "time right now…some of us younger, open-minded people are coming up. [It’s] not all about Top 40s, drag queens and half-naked men dancing on a stage…I think there is a younger crowd emerging who doesn’t care for all of this."

Justin Boltz, Boi, Nightspots & Chicagopride.com

Justin Boltz is a writer for the gay-friendly publications Boi, Nightspots and Chicagopride.com. He got his start when he "submitted an article to Stacy Bridges at Gay Chicago Magazine, who took it and offered me a column gig right there. I've always wanted to be an entertainer, never just an artist or a writer… I figured this would be my outlet."

Justin says the Chicago nightlife is great because "everyone has their own successful little niche. Boystown [is] a bit trashier, a lot flashier—I mean there's a whole street that's constantly changing and molding. Downtown’s a little more luxurious. The gays downtown aren’t looking for the same thing. It's a different style...the music’s different—the people are more industry, they don't like the GAY GAY GAY in-your-face style I guess. I think the gay community is a lot about money—making it and spending it. I think I try to entertain, to make people live or think a different way, [but] I'm not saving the world—just putting myself out there. It’s a little over the top, a little sex drive. But, I mean, it’s all in fun. I try not to take myself too seriously."

This week, Justin says, "I’m going to represent ChicagoPride.com as much as I can. They've done a lot for me, so I’ll be on their float and showing up at all their sponsored parties. Andrew Christian, who designs swimwear and underwear, is sponsoring the float, so there's going to be a lot of us guys in not much more than that."

Justin explains that Pride week is "a rite of passage for a lot of people of all ages. It's recognizing some great people you have in your life and celebrating that...to excess."

DJ Greg Haus , Berlin

DJing professionally for fifteen years, Greg Haus has been the resident at the popular Berlin nightclub for ten years. He has also played guest spots at Smart Bar, Debonair Social Club, Neo and Funky Buddha Lounge, and is also involved in side projects that include producing remixes, videos and designing Web sites.

Haus loves being a DJ because he is able to feed off the energy of the crowd and offer the chance to discover new music. He explains that "nightclubs can be like therapy for people, and dancing is an excellent way to get out aggression, frustration or stress. It’s always worked for me, and I guess part of why I got into DJing was so that I could play what I’d want to dance to. Another thing that appeals to me about the job is having the opportunity to expose people to new music that I respect and admire. I like to give exposure to artists that most people can’t hear on American terrestrial radio or MTV. I’m not completely anti-pop music, but I tend to gravitate towards sounds that are a bit edgier, quirky or unusual."

Though he is not ashamed of his orientation, being gay is not something he focuses on. He explains, "I don’t think my sexuality defines me as a DJ, artist or person. Ideally, I’d like people of all genders, races and sexual orientations to feel comfortable when they come to see me play. I don’t consciously try to merge communities, but it seems like people who share my personal cultural sensibilities are happy to intermix. I’m equally comfortable in a straight club or a gay club—so If I can lead by example by making sexuality a non-issue that’s a good thing. For me, it’s all about the music."

DJ Greg Haus spins at Berlin, 954 West Belmont, on June 24; "Boom Boom Room," with host Jo-Jo Baby, at Green Dolphin Street, June 25; Pier Novikov spins with Peaches and many others at "Outdanced" at Funky Buddha Lounge, 728 West Grand, (312)666-1695, on June 26.

(2007-06-22)

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