A rousing night of queer women comedy kicked off Howard Brown Health's "Lost & Found: An exhibit exploring Chicago's dyke spaces of the 70s and 80s" on National Coming Out Day, Oct.11, at Reunion Chicago, 2557 W. North Ave., in Humboldt Park.
The exhibit runs through Oct. 28 and features items from Gerber/Hart Library and Archives and the Windy City Times and Tracy Baim archives.
Guests noshed on eats from Black lesbian-owned Taylor's Tacos and drinks courtesy of a pop-up dyke bar ahead of remarks by exhibit producer Kristen Kaza ( event curator Ruby Western and Howard Brown Health's Liz Weck were also in attendance ).
Kaza previewed the exhibit's upcoming events and explained that all of the bar proceeds would go toward the Maria Fund to support Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. She also noted that the sound was provided by DJ Selah Say! and Free Write Sound &Vision, a subsidiary of Free Write Arts & Literacy.
Ashley Tribble served as the evening's emcee. Poignant, moving and hilarious coming-out stories were the focus of each of the performers—Tribble, Molly Brennan, Carly Ballerini, Molly Kearney, Tamale Sepp, Shannon Noll, Morgan McNaught, Bindu Poroori and Ashley Ray-Harris.
Also on hand were Andy Bellamo, Lisa Ivy and Lilly Rascal ( Nasty Bois ) who performed a drag king performance to Janet Jackson's "Nasty Boy."
Kaza, Western and Weck said they were heartened by the intergenerationality of the attendees. They noted that seeing folks across age, experience and identity enjoying the exhibit and laughing together at the queer comedy show was absolutely glorious.
Upcoming events include guided tours Saturday, Oct. 21, a panel discussion on 1970s and 1980s dyke spaces on Monday, Oct. 23, and a closing night Slo 'Mo Party Saturday, Oct. 28.
For more information, see howardbrown.org/event/lost-and-found-dyke-bar-chi/and www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Exhibit-explores-citys-dyke-nightspots/60607.html .
