Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • Page 33-14

By Kathie Bergquist Unless you have been living in a cave for the past few months, then you know that the 7th Quadrennial International Gay Games kicks off in Chicago this weekend. Nearly 12,000 athletes from 70 countries and tens of thousands of spectators are expected to descend on Chicago to participate in the weeklong event. With more than 30 different sports being played in five throughout the city and suburbs, the choices of where, when and what can be a little staggering. Here are a few events that you want to miss. Flag football One to watch: The home team, The Chicago Flames.

Why: Triumphing over Atlanta in last Gay Bowl, held in San Diego, the Chicago Flames, considered by many to be one of the best in the league, will be defending their title at this Games. When and where: Football games will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, at 1130 Midway Plaisance, in the South Sports Village (Hyde Park). How much: Free Basketball One to watch: Conscious Soden, Team Chicago: Pow-Wow Why: HIV activist, author, clothing-line creator, Oxygen channel TV personality, friend of Queen Latifah and fierce b-baller, Soden will venture from her hometown of Miami Beach to join the Team Chicago: Pow-Wow basketball team.

When and where: From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Friday at Physical Education Building at 901 W. Roosevelt Rd. in the University Sports Village.

How much: Free; finals cost $10. Power lifting One to watch: Chris Morgan Why: This UK native is a two-time Gay Games medal winner and one of the top- ranked power lifters in the world. Morgan will go on to compete in the world power lifting championships later this year. When and where: From 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday at McGaw Memorial Ryan Arena at 2701 Ashland St. in Evanston, in the North Sports Village. How much: Tickets are $10. Figure skating One to watch: Victoria Stagg Elliott Why: Local triathlete Stagg Elliott once swam across the Mekong river in Vietnam. She holds a gold medal in figure skating in the class from the Sydney Gay Games in 2002.

This year competing in the step-up class. When and where: From 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday at McFetridge Sports Center at 3843 N. California, part of the Lakefront Sports Village.

How much: Figure skating passes are $15. Volleyball One to watch: Team Defiance Why: Openly gay ex-NFL tackle Esera Tuaolo will be lending his considerable bulk to Team Defiance efforts in the Games. When and where: From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Friday at Navy Pier, part of The Hub Sports Village.

How much: Free until finals, which are $10. 5K road race One to watch: Peg Grey Why: A 61-year old athletic pioneer and cancer survivor, Grey has participated in every Gay Games competition since 1986. also a Chicago Gay and Lesbian hall- of-famer, local gay sports legend and co- chair of Team Chicago, and has served as a board member on the International Federation of Gay Games. When and where: From 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Wednesday on the lakefront path, starting at Soldier Field, 1410 South Museum Campus, in The Hub Sports Village. How much: Free KATHIE BERGQUIST IS A METROMIX SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR. Workers prepare for the Opening Ceremony for Gay Games at Soldier Field on Thursday. E. JASON PHOTO Street closures The southbound lanes of Museum Campus drive will be closed from 6:30 p.m.

to midnight Saturday for Opening Ceremonies. A concert that night at Northerly Island could complicate traffic, so the OEMC is asking concertgoers to use McFetridge Drive, and Gay Games attendees should use 18th Street to get to the parking lot. Northbound and southbound inner lanes of Lake Shore Drive will be closed between Randolph Street and Foster Avenue from 5 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Sunday for the Triathlon.

Inner Roadway of Sherman Park will be closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday for cycling criterium. Parts of Fort Dearborn Drive, 18th Street and Museum Campus Drive will be closed when the marathon starts at 6 a.m. July 22.

Waveland Avenue will be closed between Seminary and Sheffield Avenues, and Sheffield will be closed between Waveland and Addison Street from noon to 6 p.m. July 22 for Closing Ceremonies. SOURCE: GAY GAMES VICE CHAIRMAN KEVIN BOYER AND OEMC SPOKESMAN KEVIN SMITH GETTING TICKETS While most sporting and cultural events are free to spectators, you have to buy tickets for some events, including Opening and Closing Ceremonies at Soldier Field and Wrigley Field, respectively. All tickets can be purchased at www.gay gameschicago.org. Event tickets, though not ceremony tickets, also will be available for purchase at will call at the Chicago Hilton, 720 S.

Michigan from noon to 8 p.m. Friday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. From Sunday on, event tickets will go on sale at event venues one hour prior to the start of the event.

Throughout the Games you can also visit the following HotTix locations to buy tickets in person for all events and Opening Ceremonies, but not Closing Ceremonies: 72 E. Randolph St. (in the Chicago Tourism Center) 163 E. Pearson St. (in the Water Works Visitor Center) 9501 Skokie Blvd.

(in the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie) The HotTix locations are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The two Chicago offices also are open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday. TRAFFIC Gay Games: Ones to Watch The Gay Games are expected to have a minimal impact on traffic, said Andrew Velasquez, executive director of the Office of Emergency Management and Communications. The largest Opening and Closing have the same traffic management plans used during Bears and Cubs games, he said. GAY GAMES VII REDEYEFRIDAY 14.