Chicago Fashion Fest Aug. 29-30 in Wicker Park
Chicago Fashion Fest is returning to Wicker Park for a seventh consecutive year Aug. 29-30.
The event will feature local designers, retail and couture runway shows under the stars. The weekend celebration of local fashion talent also features summer street-fest fun, including local food vendors, a Shopper's Row, family and pet activities, a VIP Fashion Suite & Sangria Lounge, and live music programmed by Wicker Park's own Subterranean nightspot.
A new element this year is the "IT GIRL" runway competition presented by Jaslene Gonzalez, winner of America's Next Top Model.
See ChicagoFashionFest.com .
Ground-breaking at Lakeview Pantry Aug. 6
There will be a ground-breaking and brief reception to start construction at Lakeview Pantry's new home at 3945 N. Sheridan Rd.
Those expected to attend include 46th Ward Ald. James Cappleman; the Lakeview Pantry executive director; and the Lakeview Pantry Capital Campaign committee and donors, volunteers and clients. Events are slated to begin at 8:30 a.m.
After renting space in Lake View for more than four decades, Lakeview Pantry launched a capital campaign in 2012 to raise more than $3 million to fund the acquisition and build-out of its first permanent home. With 86 percent of this fundraising goal reached, this celebration and reception will recognize community members who have made this new building possible.
See LakeviewPantry.org .
Grunt dating app to be redesigned for watch
The people behind gay-dating app Grunt plan to capitalize on the new Apple Watch toward the end of this year as part of a plan to "reshape the dating landscape for men," according to a statement.
"I couldn't stand all the junk apps out there, that didn't care how the user experienced meeting and dating other guys on their app" said Grunt co-founder Mike Mendoza in a statement. "I am the frustrated consumer, I am the guy that didn't just want a random hookup, but a meaningful interaction with other users."
Mendoza and some others have completely redesigned Grunt for the iPhone and plan to introduce a new, straightforward, simple design for the Apple Watch.
Visit www.gruntapp.com .
Disability culture event Aug. 7
Access Living and Bodies of Work will present "Disability Culture Performance: Poetry and Prose Dedicated to the Memory of Pennie Brinson" on Friday, Aug. 7, 6:30-8 p.m., on the fourth floor of Access Living, 115 W. Chicago Ave.
Brinson was a writer and performance artist. She was Access Living's first artist-in-residence ( 2008-2010 ). At Access Living she wrote, directed, produced and starred in a 45-minute stage production titled, "The Pennie Brinson Show" as well as facilitating a weekly writing group.
This is a wheelchair-accessible space. Attendees are asked to refrain from wearing scented products. For questions and other information, contact Jim Charlton at jcharlton@accessliving.org .
Full calendar of events at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/chicago/events/upcoming.php .