Beaches, Bars, Socials, Events and More!
Gay LGBTQ Diversity Night at Six Flags September 12th, 2020
OUT IN THE PARK will return for it’s ninth year, on September 12th, 2020!
Six Flags were given the green light to open their waterparks (Hurricane Harbor Gurnee & Rockford) last week and have begun hiring staff for the opening of the main park, which will happen in the coming weeks.
The Six Flags Re-Opening Plan was developed in coordination with expert epidemiologists and is designed to protect Six Flags guests and Team Members from potential exposure to COVID-19. Learn about their safety protocols HERE .
$45 advance Tickets are on sale now via smartphone or with a PC and printer. Details here.
Parking is FREE.
Season Passes are not accepted.
The private night event is 8pm – 12am. Only 5000 tickets will be sold.
The park will be open to the general public that day 11am-7pm. You may enter the park during the day if you wish to enjoy the park with the general public.
Round trip Bus tickets will be available – details soon.
Gay Bars forced to Stop Indoor Drinking
GAY BARS forced to close down, again.
Indoor bar service has officially shut down for a second time in Chicago as several heightened restrictions took effect Friday following weeks of reopening progress during the coronavirus pandemic.
Devastating news for many businesses 🙁
Circuit Mom Pride Extravaganza June 19th
We hope you have been spending these last few weeks supporting your Black friends and family through protests, petitions, conversations with friends, family, and elected officials, and donations to various causes as we continue to fight for racial equity and equality in this nation. This fight is by no means over, but we have to remember this is a marathon and not a sprint, so it is important to take moments for ourselves.
As a way to facilitate a break (if it feels appropriate to you) we are bringing you a PRIDE edition of our long awaited virtual show celebrating the intersectionality of BIPOC and the LGBTQ+ community from 7-11pm Central Time on Friday June 19th, 2020. Which happens to be the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth, the day Major General Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, Texas with the news that the slaves were free.
This virtual show is filled with some of Chicago’s best talent such as Black Girl Magic’s The Vixen, Dida Ritz, Lucy Stoole, Sasha Love, Bambi-Banks Coulee, and Miss Toto, Ballroom star the Legendary Myah Lanvin, rapper KC Ortiz, pole dancer Ang Hell, Sheeza Woman, Aunty Chan, Joffrey ballet dancer and heels choreographer Fernando Duarte, Trans Chicago’s Valeria Mendez, Ginger Valdez, and Andrea Magia Mendez, Catfight lead singer Molly Callinan, The Baton’s Joan Jullian and Jacky Ireta Couture, DJ Ale Maes, Grammy nominated DJ and Producer Ralphi Rosario, and of course the one and only CircuitMOM.
This online event will be streamed across Twitch, circuitmom.com, and Facebook Live, and in an effort to keep progress moving forward will benefit Black Lives Matter and Trans Chicago from the Puerto Rican Cultural Center. Prepare to pull out your phones and tip these performers down. We appreciate anything and everything you are able to give.
Master Class in Cooking with Chef Tong
Chicago’s Chef Tong is now offering something pretty cool! NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE!
Private Virtual Cooking Classes from My Private Chef
I love to attend Chef Tong’s cooking classes when he holds them in Chicago. But now with technology, you can cook alongside this world-renowned, international chef during a private, one-on-one video session!
Cooking is such a satisfying way of getting creative at home. Now, with a personalized class from My Private Chef, you get to expand your skills, or try new foods, or prepare old favorites. How about introducing a young family member to the world of cooking?
Here’s how it works: Chef Christopher Tong will work with you to create your menu, provide an ingredients list, recipes and a demonstration based on your selection. You set up a date and time via video conference. Chef Chris will lead you step by step to perfection.
Cooking at home has never been so fun!
For more details, contact Event Services at 773.370.8131
Become a Facebook Fan: www.facebook.com/ChefChrisTong
Grabby Awards Show Streaming LIVE This Year May 30th
The annual GRABBYS Award Show, highlighting top talent and performances in the gay erotic film industry, will take place on Saturday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m. CDT.
This annual event is usually held in Chicago each Spring, to sold-out audiences. Due to current state and local restrictions related to COVID-19, the event will be live-streamed. The event is expected to reach thousands of more fans this year around the world!
“Despite the unfortunate situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, the show must go on — safely,” said show producer Stacy Bridges. “We’re excited the GRABBYS is the first gay erotic award show to be live-streamed, providing more fans the opportunity to join the celebration for FREE! And unlike our live-stage productions, the show this year will feature adult- material, such as X-rated film clips for ‘Best Movie’ nominees!”
Chi Chi LaRue and Honey West
will return for the 21st year as virtual hostesses; Chi Chi LaRue from Minneapolis and Honey West in Chicago.
The show is expected to be approximately 90 minutes.
GayVN Stars is the presenting sponsor. “We are thrilled to be working with our friends at the GRABBYS to stream their highly anticipated ceremony live on our GayVN Stars platform,” said AVN Media Network CEO Tony Rios. “We’re looking forward to seeing all the fans of adult entertainment worldwide come together online for this special interactive broadcast event.”
The nominees this year include;
850Bdt, Aumphreak4, BillySantoroXXX, CadeMaddoxxx,
CodyGunzXXX, CutlerX, DillonAndersonX, DirkCaber, DreGilcrest, Hattrickz91, HossKado, HungerFF, King111_, LeoGiamani3, LevyFoxxXXX, Maxadonisxxx, MichaelLucasNYC, MinoFlexXX, PoppersGod, RCandDigger, RafaelMovies, RayDexterXXX, RealMenFullBush, RhyheimShabazz, RoccoSteeleNYC, RopeTrainKeep, SeanHardingXXX, SeanZevran, TheGrayMerchant, TripleXTransMan, TylerHillXXX, TylerSaintReal, Zackybro101, adamrussoxxx, atxpapi, cagedjock, deepfillernyc,
devinfrancoxxx, eagerbttmxxx, edjidasilvaxx, grgisthewerd, griffinbarrowsx, iammisterbolden, itskravemelanin, jackmackenroth, loganstevensxxx, maxkonnorxxx, nickcapra, phatrabbitkill2, and rastadikk.
Additional sponsors include GRAB Magazine, Swiss Navy Lube, Justfor.fans and Steamworks Baths Chicago. (New issues of GRAB MAGAZINE are available online for free, every other week!)
For more information and updates, visit www.GrabbyAwards.com.
Chicago Gay PrideFest June 20-21
Chicago Pride Fest is BACK ON for June 20-21!
It was previously announced that Pride Fest, the Pride Parade and Market Days were being canceled or rescheduled, due to the Covid 19 restrictions and limitations.
This morning it was announced that plans are underway to put together a 2 night virtual celebration of Pride Fest streaming for Free to Chicago and the world!
Chicago Pride Fest Goes Virtual
Chicago Pride Fest will mark its 20th year with a virtual festival format. On June 20-21, the Northalsted Business Alliance brings Boystown to the world with a streaming Chicago Pride Fest celebrating the love, life and diversity of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community. Running from 7 pm to 9 pm both nights, the streaming Twitch event will feature a full line-up with entertainment, activism, greetings and more.
Virtual gate donations will benefit Boystown community programming, the Center on Halsted and Howard Brown Health.
Northalsted President Ramesh Ariyanayakam acknowledges how different things will look this year. “Right now our focus is all about planning a Pride celebration for the digital ages. We know this virtual festival will bring much needed connection and hope to our community and beyond and are thrilled to produce this event.”
More details at pridefestchicago . A full programming line-up will be available in June .
Cinco De Mayo and Mothers Days Carry Out Specials
Awesome CINCO DE MAYO and MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH
Carry out options!
You can still celebrate Cinco De Mayo & Mathers Day in Chicago, with food and drink from your favorite local Mexican restaurant!
Drink and Food specials
#SupportLocal
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Mothers Day Carry out!
Chicago Pride Fest and Gay Pride Parade Canceled
As we navigate through these unprecedented times, the Northalsted Business Alliance announces the postponement of Chicago Pride Fest 🏳️🌈 originally scheduled for June 20-21. It is our hope to reschedule this Pride celebration for Labor Day weekend, September 5-6, 2020.
Andersonville Midsommerfest – The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce will postpone Andersonville Midsommarfest originally scheduled for June 12-14, 2020 to the weekend of August 21-23, 2020. This decision was made with careful consideration in light of the current restriction of large gatherings needed to bend the curve and stop the spread of the COVID19 virus.
Pride in the Park Chicago has been rescheduled until June 26th and 27th, 2021.
Gay Pride Parade – Letter from Chicago Pride Parade 2020….
“We are sad to announce that the annual Pride Parade will not take place this year on June 28. We announce this postponement in the hope that conditions will allow the parade to take place later this summer or early fall.
We have always felt that safety is the first priority for our participants in the parade; the hundreds of thousands of spectators; as well as all the city agencies and independent contractors that work so hard to make the parade a success every year.
We hope that there will be a possibility to re-schedule. However, If that is not possible, we know that the Pride Parade will be back in 2021 and for years to come.”
At this time Heatwave 2020 is still scheduled for July 18, 2020
Northalsted Market Days is still scheduled for August 8 & 9, 2020
Out in the Park @ Six Flags September 12th, 2020
Wing it with Wendy Sitti Chicago’s Hilarious Socialite
SHE IS thee Chicago Socialite and a woman of the world!
Laughter is best medicine and Wendy Sitti knows how to serve it up!
It’s true: laughter is strong medicine. It draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress.
Wonderful, witty, wild and wacky, EVERYONE loves Wendy! With her infectious laugh and her wacky ways she will have you forget your troubles in a few short minutes.
Wing it with Wendy! Wendy Sitti now has a channel and a show! “I will have episodes of DIY Do it Yourself Shows, of various domestication from cooking, gardening, home improvement, travel to unique places and landmarks, in Drag Queen style. We will also have guest appearances by celebrities and film episodes from exotic places around the world to also my home!”
Truly entertaining! – BestGayChicago.com
We hope this channel will entertain you and teach you a new trick or two! At press time, 3 episodes are out now!
“I was born in Warsaw, Poland. The apple of my parents eye! I was raised on a farm and later went to work in my dads sausage factory. That is where I met Stanley in high school and where we went to prom. He was nice but I knew I needed something bigger, it must of been from being around all of that sausage. I wanted to go to America.” Wendy tells us.
“After saving enough money, I flew to Chicago and realized I had no place to stay. I called my cousin Rich and moved in with him.”
“I know America is the land of opportunity and I was excited to make it big. I dyed my hair black to fit in and have a different look. But then some woman, Mrs. Richfield told me I was moving in on her scene. I went back to my natural color and started doing all kinds of odd jobs. Cleaning rooms at a hotel on Halsted called Steamworks, to cleaning the rooms at the Elysium Hotel in Mykonos. I kind of became a big thing and I’m not talking about my boobs!”
“I enjoy fashion, drinking, socializing and hanging out with nice people. If you want your event to Pop, like my cherry then invite me!”
also Wendy on Instagram
and her website
Three Course Amazing Valentine Dinner in Boystown
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Treat your date to an intimate, candlelit dinner at El Mariachi Restaurant! We will be offering a special $40 Prix Fixe Valentine’s menu which will be available ALL WEEKEND from Friday 2/14 to Sunday 2/16
Our regular menu will also be available. But the Prix Fixe offers some amazing and unique specialties!
Click Here To Reserve Today! Space is limited!
Chicago Restaurant Weeks 2020
The weather outside might be frightful – but IT’S RESTAURANT WEEK!!
This year marks the 13th annual Chicago Restaurant Week, bringing discounted dining to Chicagoans from more than 400 restaurants in the city and suburbs. From January 24 to February 9 (that’s actually two weeks) stop by participating restaurants for a pre-fixe multicourse meal. It’s a great time to check out that restaurant you’ve been meaning to try or go to your favorite spot at a discount.
For $24, you’ll brunch or lunch, and for $36 and/or $48 you’ll score dinner (beverages, tax, and gratuity are extra). No one has the time to sift through the list of menus especially with more restaurants than ever participating this year. That’s where we come in. These are the best Chicago Restaurant Week deals.
IN LAKEVIEW – OUR TOP PICK!
Start Chicago Restaurant Week Right! For just $36, you can enjoy a 3-course dinner with many amazing modern Mexican features! Check out our menus and click on the link below to make a reservation! We hope to see you soon amigos!
El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill!
3906 N. Broadway | Chicago | 773.549.2932
El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill will be offering a mouth watering 3 course prix fixe menu with many modern Mexican features!
Click Here To Reserve for El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill
Check out these menus!
BEST Mariachi Band Comes to Chicagoland Feb 8th
Award-winning Mariachi ensemble to perform at Moraine Valley
Mariachi Herencia De México will perform its award-winning traditional Mexican music on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the Dorothy Menker Theater at Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills.
Tickets are $30, $25 for seniors, and free for children and students with ID. Those who qualify for free admission must acquire a ticket to reserve a seat.
This ensemble of students from Chicago’s immigrant barrios started in 2014 as a music education program for Chicago Public school students. The group has earned a Latin Grammy nomination in the Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album category, and its latest album, “Herencia de la Tierra Mia,” debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Latin Album sales chart.
Mariachi Herencia de México has performed alongside major artists, Lila Downs, Aida Cuevas, Los Lobos, Pedro Fernández, as well as some of the most respected mariachi groups from both sides of the border, including Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, Los Camperos, Sol de Mexico, Cobre, and the all-female group Reyna de Los Angeles.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Fine and Performing Arts Center Box Office at (708) 974-5500 or visit morainevalley.edu/fpac.
Boystown Winter Fun Feb 8th and 9th
FEB 8th! The Boystown Soup & Sip is a fun afternoon of sampling hot soup, cold beer, small bites, whiskey & more at 20+ locations!
Soup & Small Bites:
D.S. Tequila Company – Drew’s on Halsted – El Mariachi Tequila Bar – Elevate Coffee Company – Fajita Factory – #ForeverYogurt – Lark – Roscoe’s Tavern – The Chicago Diner – Wood Chicago – Whole Foods Market
Beverage Sampling:
Bacardi – Casamigos – CH Distillery – Crystal Head Vodka – DryHop Brewers – EFFEN Vodka – Fireball Whisky – Goose Island – Jameson Irish Whiskey – Maker’s Mark – Short Fuse Brewing Company – Sierra Nevada – Skrewball Whiskey – Virtue Cider
Locations:
Ahf Pharmacy/Out Of The Closet Thrift Store – CBD Kratom Chicago – Chicago Male Salon & Spa – Cram Fashion – Crosstown Fitness – Northside – Double Trip Press – FFC Boystown – Kozy’s Cyclery: Lakeview – Men’s Room Chicago – Sidetrack The Video Bar – Strong Hands Studio &Personal Training – Two Hearted Queen – Universal Wellness Source – Zea Salon
Also featuring Lakeside Pride Cabaret performing at Sidetrack and Pride Arts Center ticket giveaway
ADVANCE TICKETS $20 – soupandsip.com
FEB 9th – Join us for Boystown Ice Follies at Gallagher Way, an outdoor skate party & drag show!
It’s a Sunday Funday of skating hilarity, live DJ, hot drinks, cold beer/cocktails & drag entertainment. Featuring ice queen Denali @Denali Foxx, DJ @CircuitMOM & host Alexis Bevels.
Presented by Boystown & Circuitmom Productions
Part of Chill Out Weekend with Boystown Soup & Sip!
Boystown Ice Follies at Gallagher Way Chicago
3637 N Clark next to Wrigley Field
Sunday February 9, 2-5pm
Admission $12 at the door
Includes skate fee & 1/2 price skates
icefollieschicago.com
Then ride a special Boystown trolley to The North End for the Ice Follies After Party featuring drink specials & giveaways by Egoist Underwear & Pride Arts Center, and hosts Denali Foxx & Alexis Bevels.
The North End Ice Follies After Party
Sunday February 9, 4-7pm
3733 N Halsted St
New Years Eve and New Years Day Restaurant Pick!
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AIDS Garden Chicago Gets 30′ Haring Sculpture
AIDS GARDEN CHICAGO TO UNVEIL SIGNATURE 30-FOOT KEITH HARING SCULPTURE, SELF-PORTRAIT, THIS FALL, COMPLETING FIRST PHASE OF NEW PUBLIC LAKEFRONT GARDEN
In partnership with the Chicago Parks Foundation, the new AIDS Garden Chicago will memorialize the early days of Chicago’s HIV epidemic & honor those who continue to fight against the disease
The Chicago Parks Foundation today announced that the first phase of the new AIDS Garden Chicago will be complete this Fall with the unveiling of a specially-commissioned 30-foot-high sculpture, Self-Portrait, by iconic HIV/AIDS activist and artist, the late Keith Haring. (Precise installation date to be announced.) AIDS Garden Chicago will be the city’s first public monument to memorialize the early days of Chicago’s HIV epidemic and to honor those who continue to fight against the disease today. As previously released, the new 2.5-acre public lakefront garden will be located along Lake Michigan just south of Belmont Harbor, at the original location of the ‘Belmont Rocks,’ a space where the local gay community gathered between the 1960s and 1990s.
“The fight against HIV/AIDS represents more than a health epidemic: it symbolizes a time in our history when the LGBTQ+ and ally communities came together in the face of tragedy,” said Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “We lost countless neighbors and friends and relatives over the years, but we have made significant strides in combatting the virus. What was one of the darkest moments of the 20th century has given way to a blooming garden of hope and love; this new AIDS Garden Chicago will serve as a permanent reminder of how far we have come and as a way to honor those who continue the work of getting to zero new HIV infections.”
“The Chicago Parks Foundation is so honored to be a part of this historic and legacy project for the city and all the communities and individuals who have been affected and still are living with HIV/AIDS. We are far from eradicating the disease, but this garden and iconic Keith Haring sculpture will serve as a beacon of hope and unity for all. This is truly a park with a purpose and a message,” said Chicago Parks Foundation Executive Director Willa Lang.
“We have worked closely with some of our longtime community leaders, held meetings with various community groups and are now excited to start phase one of this overdue project,” said Alderman Tom Tunney (44). “Self-Portrait’s new home at AIDS Garden Chicago, in the 44th Ward, is a small but powerful way to continue talking about the epidemic as we fight to bring both HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths to zero.”
Bold, bright green and nearly three stories high, Self-Portrait will be the largest iteration of this popular sculpture that has ever been fabricated, and the Chicago Parks Foundation expects it to be the Garden’s signature anchor and gathering point. Working with the Chicago Park District and designed by landscape architects Design Workshop, AIDS Garden Chicago is set to be complete in 2020 and will include unique areas designed for reflection, education, honor, and pride. Visitors will be guided with markers and milestones through a variety of intimate and collective garden spaces to be coordinated and maintained by community gardeners still in formation. This park garden will provide a sensory nature experience; the most notable being a memorable grove of Gingko trees and a perennial garden of natural plantings at the entrance. A serpentine path will be the site for future temporary art installations organized by community partners.
Self-Portrait is provided to AIDS Garden Chicago through a generous gift from the Keith Haring Foundation with personal financial support from Alderman Tom Tunney that was matched by the Alphawood Foundation Chicago. Rosenthal Fine Art, which facilitated the conversation with the Haring Foundation, was established here in 1986 and has most recently been dedicated to making art more accessible to the public through partnerships with private developers and city agencies.
Keith Haring (1958-1990) generously contributed his talents and resources to numerous causes. In 1989, Haring established a foundation to ensure that his philanthropic legacy would continue indefinitely. The Keith Haring Foundation supports arts and educational institutions by funding exhibitions, educational programs, and publications that serve to contextualize and illuminate the artist’s work and philosophy.
Alderman Tom Tunney and the Chicago Parks Foundation thank all the valuable partners still in formation and continuing to grow, including the Keith Haring Foundation, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Alphawood Foundation Chicago, Center on Halsted, Friends of the Parks, Howard Brown Health, and Legacy Project. The Chicago Parks Foundation welcomes additional financial partners to help bring the project to completion.
The Chicago Parks Foundation, the charitable partner to the Chicago Park District, was established in 2013 as a nonprofit to operate in a private-public partnership in support of Chicago’s parks, independent and collaborative in spirit. The Foundation facilitates over $2.3 million in grants annually that support Chicago parks and park programs. More information can be found at https://www.chicagoparksfoundation.org/
More information on AIDS Garden Chicago can be found at AIDSgardenchicago.org.
World of Chocolate Returns Dec. 5th
World of Chocolate is Chicago’s premier World AIDS Day event supporting the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s efforts to mobilize communities, creating equity and justice for people living with and vulnerable to HIV and related chronic diseases.
World of Chocolate celebrates the imagination and ingenuity of our renowned chefs from across Chicago!
THURSDAY, DEC. 5, 2019, 6 – 9 P.M.
AT REVEL FULTON MARKET
Enter at 1215 W. Fulton Market (Fulton and Racine).
The closest CTA L stop is located at Morgan on the Pink/Green Lines.
Complimentary coat check is provided.
Tickets purchased before Dec. 3 will be held Will Call. Check in with your name or your ticket purchaser’s name. After Dec. 3, General Admission & VIP tickets are available at the door for $150 and $250 respectively.
Parking: We recommend using public transportation or taxis. Street parking is available in the neighborhood — check parking signs and pay boxes for information.
Dress to impress! Your favorite holiday cocktail attire/business casual is perfect for the evening.
VOTE for People’s Choice! During check in, you’ll receive a red marble to vote for your favorite chocolatier. The event is bigger and better than ever, so plan your night accordingly by perusing our chefs and menu for the evening.
At 8:30 p.m., we’ll have a special performance to announce the judges’ picks for Best Sweet, Best Savory, Best Libation, Best Small Business, Best Large Business and Best Sculpture.
Knock yourself out! Punch Board and Luxury Raffle prizes will be announced Monday, Nov. 11.
Share the fun! Help us get the buzz going on Facebook and Instagram by using #AFChocolate
VIEW PHOTOS FROM 2018.
Drag Queen Christmas Dec 2nd at VIC
A Drag Queen Christmas
returns to Chicago
Dec 2nd at the VIC Theatre!
(In 34 cities total!)
The Naughty Tour now in it’s 5th year.
Get tickets plus meet & greet at https://www.DragFans.com
The national tour is presented
exclusively by Murray & Peter!
Art of Healthy Cooking with Chef Tong Oct. 26th
Chef Christopher Tong of the upscale Chicago-based private gourmet dining service, My Private Chef returns to Bloomingdale’s for a Healthy Cooking demonstration during the Wellness Event. He will give tips about ingredients and serving. And, everyone gets to have a taste!
Chef Chris will serve some of his favorite recipes:
-Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Cumin and Curry
-Baked Salmon with Fennel, Bell Peppers, Kalamata Olives, Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
-Crustless Apple Pie, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
The demonstration will take place on Saturday, October 26, 2019 from 2-4 p.m. at the Bloomingdale’s Home & Furniture Store at Medinah Temple, 600 N. Wabash Avenue,Chicago. Culinary Kitchen on 1. Come early because the seats fill up fast.
For more information about My Private Chef, contact Event Services at 773.370.8131
or visit our web site: www.myprivatechef.net
Chicago Halloween Week Events
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THURSDAY, OCT 31 HALLOWEEN PARADE!
One of the 10 Best Halloweens in the US by Fodor’s Travel Guide
Redfin’s #3 Best City for Halloween
Haunted Halsted Halloween
Parade & Costume Contest
$4,000 in Cash Prizes – After Party
Join us for the 23rd annual Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade & Costume Contest plus Awards & After Party, October 31, 7:30pm. $4,000 in cash prizes. Free to watch or participate, all ages. Starts at Halsted & Belmont and goes north to Halsted & Brompton.
7 Categories, Free to participate:
Scary | Drag | Creative | Youth | Cosplay | Group <10 | Large Group 10+
$500 Cash Prize in each category
Large Group Category = $1,000 Prize
Register for Parade & Costume Contest NOW
Aids Run Walk Chicago October 5th 2019
“Live True. Be You” at the 2019 AIDS Run & Walk Chicago
On Saturday, Oct. 5, advocates from across Chicago and beyond will gather to support those living with and vulnerable to HIV at the 2019 AIDS Run & Walk Chicago. Held at Soldier Field, the 18th annual event encourages participants to live true as they raise vital awareness and funds for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) and 27 CommunityDirect partners. The proceeds benefit programs and services improving the lives of those affected by HIV and AIDS and other chronic conditions.
The event attracts thousands of participants annually, who gather at one of Chicago’s most iconic locations for the 5K walk and 5K and 10K runs. Participants travel a scenic route along Lake Michigan and finish at Soldier Field. This vibrant event will mobilize the community under the theme “Live true. Be you.”
“The theme this year continues to be “Live True. Be You”, as living each day authentically is a crucial part of embracing who we are as a community and showing how we can make a difference for people living with and vulnerable to HIV and AIDS,” said Dustin Erikstrup, AFC’s Senior Manager of Special Events. “It is important to live true and openly each day in this unpredictable climate. AIDS Run & Walk Chicago provides this safe space where people can express themselves.”
In addition to AFC, 27 community organizations serving Chicago’s HIV and AIDS population are also beneficiaries of the funds raised at AIDS Run & Walk Chicago as part of the CommunityDirect program. Participating CommunityDirect organizations kick off the event’s fundraising efforts by registering their own team for the 5K walk, 5K or 10K runs. Many of this year’s community partners have been involved in the event for years, providing opportunities for other organizations to participate and support its fundraising efforts.
AFC recently joined forces with the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Chicago Department of Public Health, and other statewide partners to launch Getting to Zero Illinois. This is a state-wide initiative to end the HIV epidemic in Illinois by 2030 with the help of community-based organizations, health care providers, local government agencies and local members of Illinois’ HIV community. The initiative focuses on increasing the current rates of PrEP (a daily prevention pill that is up to 99 percent effective when taken consistently and correctly) and other HIV treatments to attain fewer than 100 new HIV cases per year.
In Illinois, an estimated 45,000 people live with HIV or AIDS. AFC, along with community organizations and other partners, are working tirelessly to get this number down to zero through their advocacy and fundraising efforts. The AIDS Run & Walk Chicago provides the ideal opportunity to raise money and awareness for and the groups and individuals who are working to combat the epidemic in Illinois.
Since its establishment in 2001, the AIDS Run & Walk Chicago has raised more than $6 million to battle the epidemic. For more information or to participate, visit aidsrunwalk.org or call 312-334-0946.
2019 CommunityDirect Partners
Michael Reese Care Program at Mercy
Chicago Recovery Alliance
Lurie SID
The Night Ministry
Agape Missions
Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago
Center on Halsted
Chicago House and Social Service Agency
AMITA Health Housing & Health Alliance
Legal Beagles (Legal Council for Health Justice)
Season of Concern
Open Door
Howard Brown
Sinai/Holy Cross Strolling Bones
SWOP – Chicago (Sex Workers Outreach Project)
CCHE (Chicago Center for HIV Elimination
Pride Action Tank
Men and Women in Prison Ministries
Catholic Charities
Mother and Child Alliance
Team CCHIP (Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center)
DANCE FOR LIFE CHICAGO
Erie Family Health Centers
Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus
Team Loyola
New Ages Services Corporation
Team HAI (Heartland Alliance International)
About AFC
About the AIDS Foundation of Chicago: AFC mobilizes communities to create equity and justice for people living with and vulnerable to HIV or chronic conditions. AFC aspires to create a world in which people living with HIV or chronic conditions will thrive, and there will be no new HIV cases. More at: aidschicago.org.
Experience Barefoot Walking!
