The third annual Over the Rainbow ( OTR ) fundraiser was the biggest, most successful of all, drawing more than 400 people and generating about $15,000 for Gilda's Club Chicago, which supports families and friends impacted by cancer.
"I couldn't be happier with this year's event," said event organizer Jimmy Kays. "The entertainment was amazing, [as well as the] support from local businesses that donated to the silent auction. And this event would be nothing without all the amazing people willing to come out and support a great cause."
Over the Rainbow 3 was held Nov. 13 at Lakeview nightspot Sidetrack, and the event surpassed last year's fundraising total by more than $1,700. The inaugural Over the Rainbow event raised just more than $10,000 for charity.
The 2011 OTR drew close to 200 attendees, while last year's event drew about 300.
"I think the highlight of each event is just being able to get all of my favorite entertainers on the same stage in one night," said Kays, 38, who lives in Wrigleyville and is the night manager at Sidetrack. "I have a list of dream performers and I've got my goals set pretty high for future events.
"One of my favorite moments each year is when all of my entertainers get together on the stage at the end of the show and sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
The event featured local performers Sami Grisafe, Stephen Leonard, Tajma Hall, Sharriese Hamilton, Chadwick Stadt and Kelly Lauren. In addition, Matt Alber ( based on the West Coast ) performed.
There were 68 silent auction packages this year, including a handmade fountain, made by Sidetrack bartender Norbert White, which sold for $350; and Brian Patterson, a stylist at Robert Jeffrey, donated a year of free haircuts that went for $550.
"Anyone who has attended an Over the Rainbow already knows that I don't do so well with public speaking," Kays admitted. "Each year, when I get up on stage and greet the audience, I swear I'm having a panic attack. I always manage to hold it together, but whenever I talk about Gio in my speech, I can hear my voice start to quiver."
Kays started OTR in honor of former Chicago resident Gio Cosentino, who died Aug. 21, 2011, from colon cancer.
"Seeing all of my friends, and complete strangers, come together to raise money for something I devote my entire year to plan," that is Kays' personal highlight of the event. "I know a lot of these people didn't know Gio, and don't even know me, but cancer has somehow affected every one of us."
As for Cosentino, Kays said, "I think Gio would be very proud of all the good that he's doing in the world. Organizing Over the Rainbow each year is a lot of hard work, but it's also very fulfilling to know that everything I do is helping someone else dealing with cancer and it's helping to keep his legacy alive."
