The Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce has downsized its large-scale Labor Day Expo at Navy Pier, canceling all but the Wigstock Chicago show.
Alive With Pride ( AWP ) had been billed as the largest event of its kind to be held at a downtown location. Organizers had hoped to draw 25,000 people from around the country for three days of events, including an indoor marketplace at the Pier, a comedy festival, a lake cruise, Wigstock Chicago and a display of Midwest panels from the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. Labor Day weekend is Friday, Aug. 31, to Sunday, Sept. 2.
As of last week, most of those plans had been scrapped.
"We are scaling back our plans so that we can achieve the greatest returns on our investment of time, money and resources," said Ted Lally, president of the Chamber board of directors, in a release. "With our limited staff and financial resources we've seen the need to produce only the most successful of our planned projects and the event best received from the community."
The marketplace, cruise and comedy jam have been cut, though the Chamber still plans to help the NAMES Project sponsor the Quilt display at Navy Pier, Lally said.
Despite the Chamber's pledge of support, NAMES Project/Chicago Executive Director Modesto "Tico" Valle is disappointed about the short notice he received that the event isn't going to happen. He said Chamber representatives approached him about the Quilt display a year ago and offered to pay for the exhibit space at Navy Pier.
Now, three months before Labor Day, he's left trying to find a way to pay for all of the expenses related to the display, including the cost of shipping the panels and contacting panelmakers. Had he known about AWP's financial problems, the NAMES Project could have helped to raise money, he said.
"I thought it was very disrespectful to us and to the panelmakers," he said. "I'm very upset about the whole thing." He said several Chamber members have offered their help in fundraising, and "we're going to move forward. We have to."
Wigstock Chicago is a Midwest version of the popular New York City drag festival. Chamber organizers will bring Wigstock founder Lady Bunny to the city, as well as Lady Chablis and Israel's Dana International, who will make her U.S. debut. About 20 other drag kings and divas are slated, including Honey West.
Leading up to Wigstock, the Chamber will sponsor several promotion parties and Wigs on Parade, a fundraising exhibit inspired by Cows on Parade.
Wigstock is Aug. 31, at the Chicago Theatre. Tickets will be available starting June 15 through TicketMaster, with group rates available through the Chamber's office and neighborhood outlets. Ticket prices range from $15-$75.
For more information, call ( 773 ) 871-4190 or visit www.glchamber.org .
