By Sukie de la Croix

This week in...

1976 In Roger Chaffin’s Chicago Disco column in Gay Life he picks his Top 10 hits: 1) “More, More, More” by Andrea True Connection; 2) “Mighty High” by Mighty Clouds of Joy; 3) “Street Talk” by BCG; 4) “Turn The Beat Around” by Vicki Sue Robinson; 5) “Heart Be Still” by Carl Graves; 6) “He’s A Friend” by Eddie Kendricks; 7) “Love Hangover” by Diana Ross; 8) “Let’s Groove” by Archie Bell and the Drells; 9) “That’s Where the Happy People Go” by the Trammps; and 10) “Strangers in the Night” by Bette Midler.

New Jamie’s bar reopens at 1447 N. Wells and advertises itself as follows: “Jamie’s customers are the good, the bad, the ugly … and the beautiful.”

Chicago’s gay community is shocked by the death of James Vasconcellos (aka Jim McBride) who was murdered after spending the evening at Mike’s Terrace Lounge, 1137 W. Granville. He was found shot to death after meeting a young man named David Pratt (aka David Jones) and registering at the Leland Hotel, 1207 W. Leland, around 3.30 a.m. The body of Vasconcellos was found at 6 a.m. shot in the stomach. Pratt was apprehended three hours later.

1977 A gay rights conference is held at Illinois State University in Normal. The theme of the conference is “Human Rights for Gay People: An Idea Whose Time Has Come.” The conference is hosted by Gay People’s Alliance of Normal and is held in Room 112, Fairfield Lounge, at the university.

1980 Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, Coconuts, 5320 N. Sheridan, hosts a “To Hell With Corned Beef” party with African lobster tail, petite filet and other delicious culinary offerings; however, corned beef and green beer is on the menu at lesbian bar the Lady Bug, 3445 N. Halsted St., and at the Hideaway, 905 W. Belmont. Dago Rose wears green.

1996 “Coming Out, Coming Home,” a play featuring monologues and dialogues representing gay life in the context of Christian life, is performed at Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church.

Gay groups meeting this week include the West Suburban Gay Association dinner night at Bennigan’s in Schaumburg; the Lesbian & Gay Bar Association cocktail party at the John Marshall Law School, 315 S. Plymouth Ct; the Oak Park Area Lesbian & Gay Association Community Forum discusses “Needs and Responses to Gay and Lesbian Youth” at the Oak Park Main Library; Asians & Friends are on a movie outing to see “Shanghai Triad” at the Music Box Theater; and Queer Nation Chicago marches in the St. Patrick’s Day parade.

2002 “Malone is the kind of singer and songwriter who can jolly things into overdrive,” writes the New York Times. Michelle Malone performs at Temptations, 10235 W. Grand Ave., Franklin Park.

“Divas and Tramps III,” a benefit for Gerber/Hart Library, is held at Gentry, 440 N. State St. Entertainment includes Jeremy Rill, Kerry Kincanon and Jeff Roscoe.

Thanks to the Gerber/Hart Library at 1127 W. Granville for the use of their collection and archives.