By Sukie de la Croix

this week in...

1977 Popular gay nightlife spots include the River’s Edge restaurant and bar, 325 N. Wells, opposite the Merchandise Mart, with outside seating by the river; the Medinah Lounge at Clark and Fullerton, for dinner and cocktails; the Chakiris Club, 5820 N. Broadway, a Latin American disco and cocktail lounge.

This week sees the grand opening of the New Flight, 420 N. Clark St. There are door prizes with a grand prize of a round trip to Las Vegas. Why the “Opening” is anybody’s guess because the bar was certainly in existence in June 1976. The New Flight was co-owned by Howard Goodman, his sister Harriet Freeman and brother Bob. Howard Goodman died October 1980.

1979 The Top 5 Chicago dance tunes from DJ Peter Lewicki at Alfie’s, 900 N. Rush St., are 1) “Here Come That Sound” by Love Deluxe; 2) “I’ve Got The Next Dance” by Denise Williams; 3) “Good Times” by Chic; 4) “This Time Baby” by Jackie Moore; and 5) “You Can Get Over/Put Your Body” by Stephanie Mills.

“Chicago’s Largest Gay Tupperware Party” takes place in the garden at 1339 W. Webster—bring your own hot dogs.

1980 The “wonderfully wacky Wacker Drive” performs at Marge Summitt’s His ‘n’ Hers, 944 W. Addison. Wacker Drive is a local gay singing trio comprised of Vivian Davis, John Salewski and Skip Hartstirn. When His ‘n’ Hers opened at the Addison location—there were three incarnations in all—its appeal was described by one paper: “ … it is due to the fact that food is served, from tamales, char-boiled hamburgers served with cottage-fried potatoes, to fish sandwiches. Old-timey advertisements with classic looking ladies adorn the walls, along with camp posters from old movies, and a large W.C. Fields drawing commands the space at the end of the bar.”

Dugan’s Bistro, 420 N. Dearborn, is packed for Martha Wash and Izora Armstead, better known as Two Tons of Fun. They sing four songs from their latest album.

1983 A few popular gay bars that are sadly missed today are Christopher Street, 3458 N. Halsted; Piggen’s Pub, 674 W. Diversey; Kitty’s Korner, 2959 W. Irving Park; Rialto Tap, 14 W. Van Buren; Swan Club, 3720 N. Clark; and Loading Dock, 3702 N. Halsted.

1988 “Chicago ’88 Roundup,” the third annual gathering of gay men and lesbians in Alcoholics Anonymous, is held at the Bismarck Hotel, 171 W. Randolph.

Paris Dance, 1122 W. Montrose, hosts a “Women of Color Dance” with Black lesbian comic Marlen and guest DJ Sylvia.

1996 David Mixner signs his book “Stranger Among Friends” at Unabridged Bookstore. Mixner was a close friend and advisor to President Bill Clinton until he was arrested for protesting the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy on the 1993 March on Washington. Newsweek magazine describes him as “the most powerful gay man in America.”

2002 Cher performs on her “Living Proof Farewell Tour” with special guest Cyndi Lauper at the United Center.

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