For over a decade, Chicago social-justice and human-rights nonprofit Affinity's Burning Bowl event has kicked off a new year with attendees bringing past and future together in empowering affirmation on a deeply individual level. This year's event sees a move toward a new focus. former Executive Director Kim Hunt will speak. A reception will follow. The event will be held 1:00pm - 3:00p.m. at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 5700 W. Midway Park, Chicago. Questions to 773-324-0377.

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Sam Kirk show Jan. 8 at Center

Artist Sam Kirk will have a reception for her "Surviving the Times" exhibition on Friday, Jan. 8, 6-9 p.m., at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St.

The exhibition will run through Feb. 24, according to her website, IAmSamKirk.com. The website also states that the works aim "to drive awareness and action around the issues of sex trafficking and survival sex [a]ffecting youth in the LGBTQ community." A portion of the sales profit from all sales will benefit the center's youth program.

Auto show has new website, app

The Chicago Auto Show has an all-new website and will launch an accompanying smartphone app in January designed to enhance the attendee experience and bring the nation's largest auto show to life across the globe.

The 2016 version of ChicagoAutoShow.com will have, among other things, historical videos and social-media integration that is purportedly smoother than in years past.

The website's "Vehicles on Display" section adds real-time inventory from Chicagoland's new-car dealers, provided by DriveChicago.com. This allows site visitors to sift through more than 40,000 new cars directly on ChicagoAutoShow.com as they are browsing their favorite vehicles.

The show's updated app is designed to be a digital companion for the attendee, allowing them to request more information and get instant updates on the daily schedule, among other things.

The 2016 public show will be Feb. 13-21, 2016, at McCormick Place.

Travel/adventure show Jan. 23-24

The 2016 Chicago Travel & Adventure Show returns to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Rd, Rosemont, on Jan. 23-24.

The line-up of featured speakers on the 1,000 seat Travel & Adventure Theater stage includes European travel authority Rick Steves, host of PBS' Rick Steves' Europe; CBS travel editor Peter Greenberg; Frommer's Guide editor Pauline Frommer; family travel expert and TV host Colleen Kelly; travel deals expert Johnny Jet; and travel author Allan Karl.

Returning to the show is the popular Taste of Travel Stage, where noted chefs including Table Fifty-Two's Art Smith, Big Hatt Gourmet's Craig Bell and many others will offer cooking demonstrations and delectable samples of global cuisine.

There will also be hundreds of booths offering information and special discounts on U.S. and international destinations.

For more information and for tickets ( $16-$25 ), visit travelshows.com/shows/chicago.

'Cabaret' casting announced

As part of Roundabout Theatre Company's 50th-anniversary season, Broadway in Chicago and Roundabout Theatre Company have announced casting for the national tour of Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall's Tony-winning Cabaret.

Randy Harrison—best known for his portrayal of Justin in the Showtime drama Queer as Folk—will step into the role of the Emcee while Andrea Goss, a veteran of Roundabout's Cabaret on Broadway, will return to the role of Sally Bowles.

Joining them are Shannon Cochran ( August: Osage County ) as Fraulein Schneider, Alison Ewing ( Cabaret/Broadway, ) as Fraulein Kost, Mark Nelson ( Picasso at the Lapin Agile ) as Herr Schultz, Ned Noyes ( You Can't Take It With You ) as Ernst Ludwig and Lee Aaron Rosen ( The Normal Heart ) as Clifford Bradshaw.

Cabaret will run at Broadway in Chicago's newly named The PrivateBank Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St., during Feb. 9-21. Tickets are $25-$98; call 800-775-2000, visit Ticketmaster.com or stop by the box office.

Windy City Times full calendar of events at the link: Article Link Here .

Monthly gatherings for LGBTQ APIs

Christ Church of Chicago (Tri-C) and Invisible to Invincible: Asian Pacific Islander Pride of Chicago (i2i) are sponsoring a monthly gathering for LGBTQ Asian and Pacific Islanders (API) as well as their family members.

The meetings take place on the fourth Sunday of each month, 3-5 pm., at Tri-C, 6047 N. Rockwell Ave.

The sponsors said they would like to "create a space where people can share stories, information and resources, discuss [as well as] provide support to one another."

Email Chicagoi2i@yahoo.com or pastor@christchurchchicago.net .

Dancemakers wants proposals

Chicago Dancemakers Forum (CDF) has announced its annual call for proposals for its Lab Artist Awards in 2016.

Through $15,000 cash awards complemented by a full year of mentorship and professional development, CDF supports choreographers as they explore and develop new work.

Visit chicagodancemakers.submittable.com to access and submit the online form.

Windy City Times full calendar of events at the link: Article Link Here .