Of course I still ride my bike in the snow!

Chicago has gotten our first snow fall and personally I love it! I’m basically a Christmas baby (20th!), so I love the snow. Snow ball fights, forts, angels, wrestling, sledding, broom ball and sex. OK! I did all except the last one but maybe one day! Even if you hate snow, there are tons of things to do in Chicago to keep you warm and dry!

Thursday

• Gerber/Hart’s annual Holidaze Book Sale from Fri, Dec 4 until Wed, Dec 23 with a great selection of over 50 categories of books, including LGBT and non-LGBT, gift books, and ribbon-wrapped gift sets. Also, movies and music in a variety of formats. Gerber/Hart Library, 1127 W Granville Ave, Free, 6pm.
• Vaudezilla Presents “Here We Come A-Tasseling: Bartop Burlesque Show” This Thursday, Next Thursday, Every Thursday! Make no mistake: when it comes to free burlesque in Chicago, no one can bring it better than Vaudezilla. So come on back to Wrigleyville and join as they remind everyone why Blue Bayou is the hottest spot in the Windy City on a Thursday night. Blue Bayou Bar & Grill, 3734 N Southport Av, Free, 10pm.
• Bring your agenda book to this Speed Dating for Gay Men, co-sponsored by Out Alumni Chicago, the Chicagoland Gay and Lesbian Singles Meetup, and the Chicago Professionals Meetup. Rounds will continue until everyone has had a chance to meet. $12 at door, $10 in advance. A cash bar will open at 6:45 p.m. Purchase tickets online or by phone. Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted, $12, 6:45pm.
• A queer-focused, straight friendly open mic reading, featuring special readings from DeDe Deylnn and Graeme Schellenberger at Prose, Poetry and Pints. Hosted by Tavern Boy Craig Rathwell and author Drew Ferguson. Sign-up for open mic 7:30 pm. Readings 8 pm. Wild Pug, 4810 N. Broadway Ave, Free, 7:30pm.
• Hell in a Handbag Productions is proud to remount David Cerdas parody of the classic childrens television special ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’. Book and Lyrics by David Cerda, Handbag ensemble member Derek Czaplewski is directing this year. Mary’s Attic, 5400 N Clark, $10- $15, 7:30pm.
• Shanna Shrum bares the souls of six incredibly different women in her hilarious one woman show, Skinny Dipping. Skinny Dipping combines improv, audience participation and a dash of cabaret to create a solo show unlike any other. It is an outrageous, hilarious and heartfelt piece of theatre that explores what can happen when we break through, strip down and jump into the pool of acceptance. Davenport’s Piano Bar and Cabaret, 1383 N Milwaukee Ave, $14, 8pm.

Friday

• Be dazzled by a spectacular display of the sights and songs of the holidays from the 150 voices of Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus’s Christmas Follies. Dec. 11 & 12. Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N Southport Ave, $25 and $35, 8pm.
• High Voltage Burlesques Presntes the Holiday Show Burlesque at the Mette featuring Salome Slaughter, Sauda Namir, Cruel Valentine, Red Hot Annie, Ms. Bea Haven, Backdoor Aly, Plucky Rosenthal, Natasha Minsk, Violet Vogue, and Cora Decor. The Wilmette, 1122 Central Ave, Wilmette IL, $18, 9:45pm.
• Center on Halsted in partnership with More For Gay Men presents a monthly evening of great movie viewing, camaraderie and conversation. Experience a different way to talk about the movies. “Dirty Laundry” stars Loretta Devine and Rockmond Dunbar in the story of a gay man returning home to Georgia to face his family, and the news that he has a 10-year-old son. Admission includes facilitated discussion and light refreshments. Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted, $7, 6:30pm.
• The Chicago Dragons, the Midwest’s first gay rugby team, will guest bartend to raise money for next year’s season. Come out and buy a drink from your favorite Dragon! North End, 3733 N Halsted St, Free, 9pm.
• Studio BE, ‘Chicago’s newest children’s theatre company, to begin with controversial work Rent: School Edition. The school edition remains largely unchanged from the Broadway original and will be performed entirely by students ages 11-19. Some language has been muted and the sexually explicit song “Contact” has been removed, but themes involving homosexuality, promiscuity, drug addiction and HIV/AIDS remain central to the piece. Studio BE, 3110 N. Sheffield, $13, 7pm.
• Photography exhibit “I am… Living Positive”, by artist John Cotter opening in the 3rd floor art gallery. The exhibit is also a part of World AIDS Day 2009. The show will run through January 13, 2010. Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted, $5, 6:30 pm.
• Rooted in the work created during her participation in Links Hall’s 2008 Charged Bodies Mentorship Program, Rebecca Kling presents Trans Form, an evening of solo performance exploring her life as a transgender woman in Chicago. This multimedia piece – composed of storytelling, video, movement, playful skips and jumps, enlightening self-discovery, accusatory glances, awkward pauses, and more – is perfect for anybody who thinks they have gender all figured out, and for the rest of us who don’t. Links Hall, 3445 N Sheffield Ave, $15, 8pm.

Saturday

• Tying Up Loose Ends is a glimpse into life and everything that comprises the end of it: sadness and grief as well as love and joy. Through human and heartfelt stories we are given access to death being a celebration and completion of life. Derived from Catherine’s 30 years in the nursing community, Tying Up Loose Ends is meant to honor not only her patients, but the thousands of caregivers who inspire her with their dedication. Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, 777 N. Green Street, $25 , 8pm.
• Vaudezilla has that time-honored elixir for all the stress-inducing things that come along at this time of year: a healthy dose of burlesque! Come and join at Exit as they present “The Absolut Holidaze Show,” hosted by Vaudezilla’s very own Wham Bam Pam and Maria May I. They have TWO different sets of holiday-inspired burlesque acts (11pm and 2am), and all night long, you can enjoy $3 Absolut drink specials and Vaudezilla’s trademark swag bags. Exit Chicago, 1315 W North Av, Free, 11pm & 2am.
  
  
• Rootin’ tootin’ retellin’ of your old favorite western musical Oklahoma. Lady Aunt Eller hosts this tale of gay love triangles in the pioneer days in Oklahomo. Full of flair and with a hint of winter, the range like you’ve never seen it before. $20 tickets include two free drinks! Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted, $20, 7pm.
• Browse crafts and gifts created by more than 100 local and national artists at the 11th annual Bucktown Holiday Art Show, billed as Chicago’s largest, continuously running event of its kind. Items include watercolors, photography, jewelry and more. Includes a silent auction. Bucktown/Wicker Park, 2200 N. Oakley Ave., $2, Noon.