|
|
Second Glance Productions hosts LGBTQupid Soiree
by Vern Hester 2024-02-16
|
|
This article shared 12564 times since Fri Feb 16, 2024
|
|
In celebration of Valentine's Day, Chicago-based film and media production company Second Glance Productions hosted The LBGTQupid Soiree. The event, which was focused on spinning attitudes on this particular day, was presented at The iO Theater on Feb. 14 and featured interactive games; a speed dating marathon; a raffle; improvisational performances; a DJ; a photo booth; onsite HIV/STI testing; a midnight masquerade after party; and previews of the upcoming queer dating docuseries, It's Not You, It's Me.
The event offered the challenge of several events taking place simultaneously, and focused on romantic love for all sexualities while creating a safe space for people to mingle and meet. There was also a strong resource element to the soiree with health, wellness, self-care, financial and film and media organizations represented.
In a press release for the event Second Glance Productions founder Anthony Williams said, "The mission of the LGBTQupid Soiree is to provide a place for singles to feel loved on Valentine's Day. During Black History Month, Second Glance Productions honors its African American LGBTQ population, as studies show an influx of hate crimes and murders of that particular population. The event is also reflective of the need for community resources and builds HIV/STI testing only one week after National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on February 7."
Williams later said in the same press release, "Love is love and we're sprinkling some fun in the love potion this Valentine's Day."
Among the night's festivities, the two improvisational performances which took place in the Fremont Theater were packed as Los Angeles comics Oscar Montoya and life partners Kendahl Landreth and Jordan Myrick of The Dating Gayme partnered with local improv artists to skewer speed dating (they offered a "gay version" and a "lesbian version") with volunteers from the audience. Also packed was "The Confessional Unload Room" which featured taped interviews answering questions on love and red flags. While these events were going on hostess Sapphire Feliciano led multiple individuals through the speed dating segment which was ongoing for the four hours of the soiree.
Sponsers of The LGBTQupid Soiree included Impulse Chicago, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, ViiV Healthcare, Vee L. Harrison Communications, Howard Brown Health, Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus, Black Alphabet Films, the Task Force, Creative Cypher, the Health and Wellness Circle, Davis Theater Chicago, Sojourn Restaurant, S.C. Event Management Group and U.S. Poker & Casino Parties. Custom-made Valentine's Day treats were provided by Amazcakes. |
|
|
|
This article shared 12564 times since Fri Feb 16, 2024
|
ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE |
---|
|
| | SHOWBIZ 'Priscilla,' Tony nods, Oscars, Ncuti Gatwa, Jonathan Bailey, GLAAD event 2024-04-26 Stephan Elliottwho directed the cult classic The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desertsaid a sequel "is happening" and that the original movie's stars (Terence Stamp, Guy Pearce and Hugo Weaving) are back "on board" 30 ...
|
| | WORLD Queer-friendly spots, religion items, Argentine protests, Iraqi bill 2024-04-26 Following a travel warning issued for LGBTQ+ tourists in Greece, euronews published a list of the European spots that are most welcoming to queer people. Even though same-sex marriage was recently legalized in Greece, the British ...
|
| | THEATER 'Mamma Mia!' returns to Chicago with 'Daddyhunt' star Jim Newman 2024-04-24 "Who's your daddy?" That's the key plot question driving the global hit Mamma Mia! The global smash jukebox musical famously features the song hits of Swedish pop group ABBA, and it returns for a three-week run ...
|
| | Local queer opera composer premiering her first show, a coming-of-age tale with LGBTQ+ themes 2024-04-23 A Lake View woman is debuting her first opera as a composer, a coming-of-age story with LGBTQ+ themes. Gillian Rae Perry, a fellow with the Chicago Opera Theater's Vanguard program for emerging artists, composed The Weight ...
|
| | The importance of becoming Ernest: Out actor Christopher Sieber dishes about the Death Becomes Her musical 2024-04-20 Out and proud actor Christopher Sieber is part of the team bringing Death Becomes Her to life as a stage musical in the Windy City this spring. Sieber plays Ernest Menville, who was originally portrayed by ...
|
| | SHOWBIZ Celine Dion, 'The People's Joker,' Billy Porter, Patti LuPone, 'Strange Way' 2024-04-19 I Am: Celine Dion will stream on Prime Video starting June 25, according to a press release. The film is described as follows: "Directed by Academy Award nominee Irene Taylor, I Am: Celine Dion gives us ...
|
| | Kokandy Productions now accepting submissions for Chicago Musical Theater Fest returning Aug. 8-11 2024-04-18 --From a press release - CHICAGO (April 18, 2024) — Kokandy Productions is pleased to open submissions for the 2024 Chicago Musical Theatre Festival, returning this summer following a four-year hiatus. Kokandy is thrilled to ...
|
| | THEATER Blue in the Right Way's 'Women Beware Women' offers feminist, trans take on a troubling Jacobean tragedy 2024-04-18 "Problematic" is a great go-to adjective to describe Women Beware Women. This 1621 Jacobean tragedy is by English playwright Thomas Middleton, who is probably best remembered as a collaborator with William Shakespeare on their pessimistic tragedy ...
|
| | Hubbard Street Dance Chicago announces programs for May 17-19 season finale 2024-04-17 --From a press release - CHICAGO — Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) announced program selections for Spring Series: Of Joy, the final installment of Season 46, Abundance. The engagement will include four unique works, once ...
|
| | LGBTQ+ film fest Queer Expression to feature Alexandra Billings in 'Queen Tut' 2024-04-12 --From a press release - CHICAGO — Pride Film Fest celebrates its second decade with a new name—QUEER EXPRESSION—and has announced its slate of LGBTQ+-themed feature, mid-length and short films for in-person and virtual events in April and May. QUEER EXPRESSI ...
|
| | SHOWBIZ Jerrod Carmichael, '9-1-1' actor, Kayne the Lovechild, STARZ shows, Cynthia Erivo 2024-04-12 Gay comedian/filmmaker Jerrod Carmichael criticized Dave Chappelle, opening up about the pair's ongoing feud and calling out Chappelle's opinions on the LGBTQ+ community, PinkNews noted, citing an Esquire article. Carmichael ...
|
| | Open Space Arts's COCK offers a complex but compelling take on relationships 2024-04-08 By Brian Kirst - Premiering in 2009, Mike Bartlett's COCK was a comic revelation, exploring notions about fluidity and sexual labelling long before they became commonplace discussions. Granted, conversations about these issues will always ...
|
| | Jeff Awards launches submission period for Impact Awards 2024-04-06 The Jeff Awards announced the opening period for applications submissions for its 2024 honors to help inspire early career artists of color in the Greater Chicagoland area. Two recipients will be selected for awards of $10,000 ...
|
| | SHOWBIZ Outfest, Chita Rivera, figure skaters, letter, playwright dies 2024-04-05 For more than four decades, Outfest has been telling LGBTQ+ stories through the thousands of films screened during its annual Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival—but that event may have a different look this year because ...
|
| | SHOWBIZ Dionne Warwick, OUTshine, Ariana DeBose, 'Showgirls,' 'Harlem' 2024-03-29 Video below - Iconic singer Dionne Warwick was honored for her decades-long advocacy work for people living with HIV/AIDS at a star-studded amfAR fundraising gala in Palm Beach, per the Palm Beach Daily News. Warwick received the "Award of ...
| |
|
|