CURRENT PROJECTS
A PLACE FOR US:
LGBTQ LIFE AT THE BELMONT ROCKS.
The Belmont Rocks played an undeniably important part in our community’s history and in the lives of many LGBTQ Chicagoans. “The Rocks” were a place to call our own – a place of celebrations and partying, of social and sexual encounters, a place of artwork, memorials, cookouts, unions, and so much more. A place to do nothing or do everything. The meaning and importance of that iconic strip of land needs to be chronicled and preserved.
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I am currently in the process of compiling a book to help safeguard the memory of The Rocks for future generations. I am seeking pictures as well as short essays, personal recollections, and anecdotes of up to 500 words about LGBTQ life at the Belmont Rocks.
If The Rocks were an meaningful part of your life, please consider contributing anything which captures what The Belmont Rocks meant to you. With your help we can let future generations of LGBTQ Chicagoans know the significant role this gathering place played in our history. Preserving our past is our responsibility.
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Send submissions to OwenKeehnen@yahoo.com. Please put The Rocks on the subject line.
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Check out the
A PLACE FOR US:
LGBTQ LIFE AT THE BELMONT ROCKS
page on Facebook!
WANDA, ROBY, TILLIE, LISA, LESLIE , and MOTHER CAROL:
A CHICAGO DRAG HISTORY REVUE!
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Help preserve Chicago LGBTQ History.
I need your help once again. I am working on a project about the lives of Wanda Lust, Roby Landers, Lisa Eaton, Leslie Rejeanne, Mother Carol, and Tillie the Dirty Old Lady.
Did you see Wanda at Man's Country, the Baton, or Sparrows? Did you know her off stage or see her when she first started performing in Indiana?
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Did you see Roby at Sparrows, The Chesterfield, or The House of Landers? Did you know Roby or see her in San Francisco during her time there?
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Did you see Lisa at La Cage, The House of Landers, or Club Victoria?
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Were you a fan of Leslie's from Togetherness or the Baton? Did you see any of her many guest appearances around town?
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Did you go to any of Mother Carol's four Chicago bars including her final and iconic place, Carol's Speakeasy?
Did you have cocktails with Tillie and hear her stories? Did you see her act as Sophie Tucker or Mae West at any of the many venues she played like the Blue Dahlia and the Chesterfield?
If you answered yes to any of the above, I'd love to chat. OwenKeehnen@yahoo.com
TELL ME ABOUT IT 2
