Going on its eighth year of risqué parties, including the steamy annual Black Bra event, production company Chix Mix has changed hands.
Chix Mix Productions is now under new ownership. Versage Productions owners Jackie Hoffman and Kate Versage officially took the reigns after this February's annual Black Bra Party. The women also hope to spice it up by providing new and exciting events that appeal to many different women, and take Chix Mix Productions to a level it's never seen before.
'We want to mix it up,' Hoffman said.
Kathleen Ulm, marketing director for Windy City Media Group, and Julie Mosier co-founded Chix Mix in 2001. The mission was to bring a circuit club-type scene to Chicago women. The company's most popular event, the annual Black Bra Party, began at the nightclub DRINK in 2001. Over the years, Chix Mix stepped outside of Chicago, taking Black Bra and other parties on the road. Since the beginning, Chix Mix Productions has worked with the LGBT community's nonprofits, giving back to the community in more ways than one. Currently, in addition to other hot events, Chix Mix can be found the third Friday of every month at Circuit Nightclub.
Ulm, who stayed with Chix Mix until the recent change in ownership, created Chix Mix because she saw a need that wasn't being met. Although the scene has improved and women have more options, Ulm said there is still a need for women's dance spaces.
But the party promoter felt it was time for a change. Ulm told Windy City Times that she wanted to pass the torch on to someone else, and both Hoffman and Versage are passionate about Chix Mix and the community.
'I'm ready to move on,' Ulm said. After recognizing that there really isn't a one-stop shop where women can find out where all the women's parties and events are in Chicago and the Illinois and Indiana suburbs, Ulm created the e-mail-based Chick List Chicago.
Ulm feels the new owners can bring 'freshness' to Chix Mix. 'I think Chix Mix could become more than it is,' Ulm said. 'They can breathe new life into it.'
Versage has been with Chix Mix for the entire eight years of its existence. Versage is also known as DJ Dragonfire, a popular Chicago DJ. Versage also does drag performance under the name Sabastian Cock. A former member of the Chicago Kings, she now leads The Chicago Boi and Gurl Toiz.
Hoffman has been doing events since 1990. In addition to her hard work on Versage Production, Hoffman has managed numerous bars, including the now defunct Temptations.
Versage Productions is focused on the LGBT community, and throws women-based parties, benefits and inclusive events, including drag king shows and dance parties with female DJs and performers.
With Hoffman's background in business and management and Versage's background in music and performance, the duo thinks it can bring a creative and balanced blend of business and pleasure to Chix Mix Productions.
The two women are not only business partners, but also life partners.
Hoffman and Versage reassured Windy City Times that their main focus is still on the community. They will continue to work with nonprofits, and both are very focused on advocating for youth, and want to continue to work on providing LGBT youth places to go and events to look forward to.
'The kids don't have anywhere to go!' Versage said. 'The same goes for lesbians, too. … Women like to have a place to call their own, too.'
The partners are thrilled about their goals for Chix Mix, staying up late brainstorming and planning and busy with multiple meetings all over town. In addition to continuing the monthly event at Circuit, they have other parties in the works, including outdoor events for women. They envision Chix Mix providing multiple annual events—including several non-bar events—and bringing in musicians and performers from far and wide.
'We just want to see something different,' Hoffman said.
If anything, they just want women to have more options, have fun and feel sexy, and are confident their 'new and re-inventive' approach will give women what they want and need. 'Girl Bar is a girl night. Chix Mix is a girl night—that's two nights a month,' said Hoffman, who is frustrated that there is still so little for women to do, although the scene is changing.
They envision Chix Mix as providing super sexy and fun events for women of all walks of life—suburbanites, those new to the bar scene, sophisticates and more. They are planning VIP areas and other perks so patrons can feel special, too.
The new Chix Mix team already has several events planned, including a Spring Break-themed party at Circuit Fri., March 21. Featured at the event will be a wet T-shirt shower contest, all-new dancers and an all-new staff exclusive to Chix Mix.
They are also bringing the official Black Bra Party, as well as another event, to Detroit at the end of March.
'You have to remember it's for the audience,' Hoffman said. 'They want variety. They want options. They want current. That's where we are headed.'
Both women are also dedicated to bridging gaps within the community. 'There is no G, L, B or T—it's all,' Hoffman said. 'We have to synch up, work together. There is no room to burn bridges. This is all our home, and we all have to be part of it.'
Hoffman and Versage said they both have a tremendous amount of respect for Ulm and all she did, including all the ways Chix Mix gave back to the community.
'Kathleen made a difference here,' Hoffman said.
'I personally appreciate the support from the women's community over the years … and I hope they continue to support it,' Ulm said.
See www.chixmixproductions.com . E-mail ChickListChicago@aol.com to receive weekly e-mails that contain information on local women's events; see www.myspace.com/chicklistchicago.
