Holding on to your hat may not be so easy if the Kinsey Sicks have you bowling over with laughter. But the comedy and music revue act may do just that at an upcoming brunch.
On Sunday, April 7, the Howard Brown Health Center (HBHC) will be hosting a "Mad Hatter's Brunch." The event is a fundraiser to benefit the Broadway Youth Center (BYC), a social services program for youth in the Boystown area. The brunch will be held at ZED451 restaurant, 739 N. Clark St., 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
According to an HBHC press release, "This festive afternoon will bring Chicagoans together to sport their zany and outrageous hats and to enjoy delectable specialty dishes from a rich buffet—all to raise funds to support the work and programs of the Broadway Youth Center."
The Kinsey Sicks, the live entertainment for the event, will be opting out of any headwear, which isn't required.
"The problem is our height of hair," performer Winnie told the Windy City Times. "Last time we tried adding hats on top, we got too close to the lighting and caught fire."
The Sicks are known for their stinging wit, as many of their YouTube parody music videos can attest to.
"All four Kinseys were deeply disappointed at losing the run for the papacy," Winnie said. "But we're a bit appeased now that we've picked up all of Michelle Shocked's cancelled gigs."
Winnie said attendees could expect four-part a cappella harmonies, "and dresses far more attractive than their wearers."
"The wonderful staff at Howard Brown are all dear friends," she added. "And we'd do anything for friends with benefits. Even perform midday on a Sunday, when we could be sleeping off our hangovers. Oh, and it's a really good cause too."
BYC aims to offer young people a safe, positive social outlet, by providing youth access to basic needs such as meals, showers and clothing, on-site medical services, HIV/STD testing and treatment, educational services, counseling, case management, and youth leadership opportunities.
BYC announced last year that it would be moving its program's operation base, temporarily housing it at the Broadway United Methodist Church, with other services being provided at its Lakeview office. The relocation is scheduled to end in April.
HBHC Senior Director of Communications Alonzo Brown told Windy City Times there are currently no updates on the permanent space, but that services at BYC will continue to expand based off the needs of the youth who visit it's center.
According to Brown, BYC was designated as the Northside Regional Coordinator for the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services Homeless Youth Engagement program, which will provide BYC with more resources and services and allow BYC to link youth to a greater access of health services.
"The funds from this event will assist in our efforts to continue to provide much-needed health and wellness services for more than 2,900 LGBT youth who currently receive our services annually," he told Windy City Times.
Brown said the center is always is need of donations such as food items, hygiene products and clothing, as well as volunteering.
The Sicks recently premiered their 20th anniversary show, "America's Next Top Bachelor Housewife Celebrity Hoarder Makeover Star Gone Wild," which they'll be bringing to Chicago in August.
"But that is not a substitute for coming to the HBHC Mad Hatter event on April 7," Winnie Said. "In fact, anyone who skips the HBHC event and then shows up at our show in August, we be singled out from the audience and identified as a callous, selfish person who doesn't believe in health care."
In 2012, BYC conducted 1,207 HIV testing and counseling sessions, and 1,380 youth were provided walk-in clinical services through a record-breaking 2,075 medical visits, among other services, according to the press release.
The BYC also provides homeless resource advocacy sessions as well as GED tutoring and testing.
"We are thankful for those who have contributed to this event," said Lara Brooks, director, Broadway Youth Center. "The capital raised will assist in our endeavors to continue to provide much-needed health and wellness services to at-risk LGBT youth regardless of their ability to pay."
Mad Hatter's Brunch sponsors include Walgreens, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, MillerCoors, Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Orbitz. Windy City Times is a media sponsor for the event.
Tickets to the event can be purchased online at www.howardbrown.org/madhatter. More details about donations and volunteers can be found at www.howardbrown.org/byc.
