Start your Pride Month
with ROTC Chicago and Hydrate

ROTC Chicago and Hydrate team up for the Third Annual Armed and Fabulous fundraiser
Dateline: Boystown/ East Lakeview

On June 6th The Men of ROTC Chicago (rotcchicago.org) will return to Hydrate to hold their annual fundraiser, Armed and Fabulous. Hydrate will open its doors at 8:00 for the event, featuring an open bar until 9:30; with the show beginning at 8:30 with guest MC Teri Yaki. Tickets can be purchased for $20 from an ROTC member or at the door for $25. This year’s theme is Dames Behind Bars.

The annual fundraiser was the brainchild of Doug Roeske, a marching member since 2003. Once a year, he and other ROTC members put down their rifles and pick up eyeliner pencils to showcase their skills in the art of female impersonation. “It is great to bring our friends and extended family together for one night to kick our heels up and raise money so we can keep performing,” Roeske said. This event not only helps the group raise funds for performance and travel expenses, but it also brings the members together to build the camaraderie and brotherhood that is so much a part of the organization. Interim Director Michael Vaughn said, “We always look forward to working with Hydrate’s Sean Kotwa (manager) and Mark Liberson (owner).” It is a great to have the Boystown business community support our nonprofit group. They are a class act.”

This year the group will continue to travel the region to perform their new routine to the smash hit song “Lady Marmalade,” featured in the movie Moulin Rouge. Their first performance will be at the Indianapolis Pride Festival on June 13th and locally at Andersonville’s Midsommarfest on June 14th.

Since its inception in 1994, in addition to local and regional performances, the group has traveled to Vancouver, San Diego, Dallas, and other locations across America to represent Chicago in various Pride events. ROTC was asked to produce the Color Guard and Cheer Leading exhibition for the 2006 Gay Games in Millennium Park, as well as parts of the opening and closing ceremonies.

ROTC Chicago is an all male volunteer visual performance ensemble representing the GLBT community. Their members are charged with learning unique rifle performance skills, while being positive gay role models and fulfilling other volunteer opportunities as united brothers.