DJ Mark Picchiotti's Chicago

Presented by Las Vegas

Name:  Mark Picchiotti
Age:  46
Profession: DJ/ Producer/ Remixer/ Label Owner (Blueplate Global Records)
City:  Chicago
Relationship Status: Partnered
Sexuality: Yes

Mark Picchiotti is the official DJ for the RuPaul’s Drag Race Winners Tour/ ABSOLUT®  “Real Fruit” Tour. Chicago-based Picchiotti’s been a star DJ, remixer and producer for over 20 years. He’s spun at the world's most respected international clubs (Crobar, Ministry Of Sound, Pacha), remixed all the top girls (Beyonce, Solange, Mariah, Madonna) and boys (Enrique, Pet Shop, The Killers, AC/DC), produced and co-wrote tracks for two Kylie albums(Fever, Light Years) and released a number of hit solo productions, including his latest (out two weeks ago) “I Believe (2009 Remixes)” by The Absolute featuring Suzanne Palmer.

What are some of the things you love most about your city/town?

Where do I begin?!  There are tons of parks, every cuisine imaginable, entertainment, award-winning, first run theater, internationally recognized museums and there is every level of shopping known to mankind.  It’s dog-friendly, amazingly clean and the stunning cityscape runs the gamut of architectural design of the past 200 years.   There are plenty of historic landmarks and you’ll always feel welcome, as the multi-cultural, friendly people who live here are willing to give you the time of day. And most important for me it’s extremely livable. 

We have a zoo right in the heart of the city, you can be looking at a family of polar bears or a pride of lions and shift your gaze slightly up and suddenly you see the skyline Chicago is famous for. So close you can almost touch it.

It’s one of the few cities with a waterfront, beaches and a bike path that runs parallel to it for miles and miles (over 70).

What are some of your least favorite things about it?

Traffic and local government.  You might have heard about Illinois and it’s politics…

What gym do you like most? Why?

My gym, Fitness Formula Club.  It’s right in the heart of Boystown, They have great state of the art equipment that is always being updated,  a large selection of classes to choose from, a domestic partner membership discount and  most important for me,  they have attached, heated indoor parking that is free for 2 hours.

What are some great restaurants for a night out with gay friends there?

Wilde, Ole Ole and Charlie’s Alehouse (Andersonville location).

What are some great restaurants for a romantic gay date? What about these restaurants appeals to you?

LaDonna:  It has an authentic Italian ambiance and the service is outstanding.  So is the food.

Jack’s: The tables are large, it’s centrally located, the lighting is appropriate for a date and the menu is not full of extreme cuisine.  It’s all American.

What are your favorite gay bars and/or dance clubs? What do you like about them?

Berlin: It’s a video/dance bar that attracts everyone from club kids, to guppies to goth-lovers, but most importantly the music is eclectic and they play a great diverse selection of dance music.

Sidetrack: Chicago’s most popular S&M (standing and modeling) bar.  It has become the mini mall of gay bars with five separate expansions over the last twenty years.  And it appeals to all ages.  It’s the best place to try out a new pick up line.  And it might even work!

What are your favorite gay parties or events, if any? What is the crowd or scene like at those places?

Nitro at Circuit.  The last Saturday of every month they bring in a big name DJ. The place gets packed with circuit boys, club kids and your everyday gay man.  Typical Chicago.

Where is the best public place for a gay person to make out?

Hollywood Beach, the “unofficial” official gay beach.

What is the gay community like in your city? Do you consider yourself to be part of any particular "scene"?

It’s large and diverse.   Recently the city funded and completed construction on the first dedicated LBGT community center called The Center On Halsted, which provides various services and programs to the LBGT community.  There are two different gay neighborhoods: Lakeview (affectionately known as Boystown) and Andersonville.  Most of the gay bars and dance clubs are in Lakeview and most of the gay restaurants are in Andersonville.  Andersonville is also home to the majority of the leather bars including the infamous Eagle.

I consider myself part of the established club scene in that I’ve held residencies as most every significant club in Chicago, gay and straight.

Are you involved with any LGBT community organizations there? Which ones? What do you like about those groups?

Yes, The human rights campaign fund. By definition they are concerned with the rights of all humans but with a focus on our community.

Does your town have a LGBT pride celebration? Do you usually attend? What are the highlights for you? What do you like least about it?

Yes 20+ years and running strong.  Over 350,000 people attending the 2008 event.  I do attend but am often in the parade Djing on a float.  In 2008 I did the Diet Pepsi float.  Other than the torrential rains, I had a blast. The highlight of the parade for me is the Altoids float.  It’s always chocked full of hot men in Speedos.

What I like least is when the parade is over, the celebration is over: There are very rarely any after parties.

Do you have a particular fashion style? Where do you shop for clothes?

When I’m working in the studio it’s jeans and t-shirts, but when I’m out it’s a slick European tailored look.  I shop everywhere from Old Navy to Barney’s New York, Prada, Gucci and my favorite Jil Sander.

Where do you go for other forms of entertainment -- live theater, concerts, movies, art exhibits? Are there any local gay performance groups, bands, or artists that you're a fan of?

Live theater: Live Bait theater and Bailiwick theater.
Concerts: House of Blues, Cabaret Metro
Movies: I tend to leave the city and head to the Century theaters in the neighboring city of Evanston, they have free parking and BIG comfortable seats.

If you had gay friends visiting from out of town for the first time, what are some "musts" that you'd recommend they see or do?

I’d take anyone, straight or gay to the Breakfast Club  in the industrial section of the city for a great breakfast, then on to Lincoln Park Zoo, Michigan Avenue for the shopping,  and Roy’s for Dinner.  And late night clubbing at Berlin.

What city (or cities) in America would you most like to visit next, and why? Are there any specific spots there (theaters, nightclubs, historic sites, etc.) that you'd really like to see?

Well, because of my Djing I’ve already been to many of the big cities so now I’d like to see more of “untouched” America, I’ve never been to the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone Park and I would just love to go white water rafting down the Colorado river.

For more info on Mark Picchiotti and the Absolut "Real Fruit Tour," visit www.markpicchiotti.com where you can download his FREE 22-minute, gym-friendly mega mix, featuring remixes of The Killers, Solange, Kylie, Beyonce and AC/DC and pick up Mark’s latest production,  the 2009 remixes of "I Believe" by The Absolute featuring Suzanne Palmer.

(Images courtesy of Mark Picchiotti, Penetration, Inc.)