Guests groove at Black Pride event
On July 4, Always Gentlemen Productions presented Caliente at The Conservatory Lofts, 2958 W. Carroll St.its third Black Pride Celebration in as many years.
The event featured greeters in a refashioned service elevator that whisked guests from the street to the party. The party included custom jewelry by Burdon, a wide open loft space and dance floor, and a non-stop soundtrack of "old-school" rhythm as well as rock remixed with a disco beat by DJ Mel. As guests listened to Hall and Oates, Rufus and Diana Ross, fireworks could be viewed through the multiple windows in three directions.
The event, billed as an "Event for Mature Men," was part of the Black Pride celebrations that generally take place each summer.
Photos and text by Vern Hester
Kenya Moore stirs up Black Pride event
July 4 was not only full of fireworks outside but Black Pride was being celebrated inside Metro Chicago, 3730 N. Clark St., with a light show, DJs and some reality-show realness at Metro on Clark Street. A late-night party was held by the team that makes Urbano night popular at Circuit Nightclub.
The South Side Help Center encouraged the community to test for HIV for free entry to the event. Flava Works dancers gyrated to the sounds of DJ Unknown from New York City and DJ Yeezy from Detroit. Host Mz. Ruff N' Stuff worked the Bootsy Collins shoes, announcing that Real Housewife from Atlanta Kenya Moore would soon be arriving.
With a sweeping blue skirt, the Celebrity Apprentice cast member twirled to her viral song "Gone with the Wind Fabulous." She then asked front-row followers to join her onstage for a dance-off.
Attendees danced until the early morning hours of July 5.
Look for an upcoming private backstage interview with Kenya Moore in an upcoming issue of Windy City Times.
Photos and text by Jerry Nunn