Join the Links Hall Board of Directors for a night of wild artistry and audacious community, as we celebrate 44 years of nurturing independent artists in Chicago.
featuring:
dance, music, and cabaret performances
wine, beer, and delectable nosh by some of the city’s favorite small businesses
silent auction, including original artwork, health & wellness packages, sailing tours, and more
paddle raise to support artist programs
try your hand at edible art by making your own sugar painting
and more!
The cocktail party affair will take over the Golden Triangle’s striking 10,000 square foot showroom gallery, featured in Modern Luxury Interiors’ Chicago: Best of Design 2022. The vast yet cozy showroom is filled with unique Asian & European antiques, rare furnishings, and custom design pieces–all displayed in curated vignettes that inspire and delight. Please DO sit on the furniture!
SCHEDULE
6:00 PM | Cocktail Hour & Silent Auction begins
6:45 PM | Greetings, Performances, Paddle Raise
7:30 PM | Edible Art-Making, Party with the artists.
TICKETS
$100 per person.
From left to right: Vivian Dejour (host), Jameson Jarvis Ralphonzo (host), Nejla Yatkin (performer), Phaedra Darwish (performer), Irene Hsiao (performer), Cristal Sabbagh (performer), Olula Negre (performer), Bazuka Joe (performer)
MEET YOUR HOSTS
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Vivian Dejour has been in existence since the dawn of time but has been a staple in the Chicago drag community for the past 9 years. She is a former Miss Gay Illinois USofA and has performed across the country including at the Austin International Drag Festival as a Headliner. Vivian is a glamorous diva with a sense of humor. She will make you laugh, cry, scared and laugh again in under 3 ½ minutes. She will laugh with you, at you and, on occasion, at herself! Above all she is an energetic and creative artist and her performances stem from her need to entertain a crowd by evoking emotion through performance. She can be seen regularly hosting Xtreme Bar Bingo (3441 N. Halsted) on Thursdays evenings, a Diva Brunches at Lark Chicago on Saturdays, and on Sundays she’s saving souls one mimosa at a time at the Lips Chicago Dragalicious Gospel Brunch (2229 S. Michigan Ave.)! Get ready to have a good time with the self proclaimed Brown Clown of the Midwest, Vivian Dejour!
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Jameson Jarvis Ralphonzo is an energetic orange monster, who is very excited to be back for his severalth time raising funds for Links Hall, where Jameson has been hosting Nasty Brutish and Short for over 10 years. Jameson has also hosted fundraising events for BDAI and Roycemore School, in addition to a slew of his own interview and variety shows with the Noah Ginex Puppet Company. When not hosting things, Jameson is a proud if beleaguered uncle to a 3 1/2 year old monster, and hopes his sister comes back from the circus soon. www.noahginex.com
PERFORMANCES BY
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Described by The New York Times as "a magician, telling tales and creating worlds," and "a fierce and supple performer," choreographer Nejla Yatkin travels around the globe inspiring empathic connection between people and their environments. She creates solos, choreographs ensemble dances for stages and sites, collaborates on plays and film/video projects, and educates young artists. More see at www.ny2dance.com
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Phaedra Darwish has been performing as well as teaching workshops and classes in Chicago and throughout the US for the past 14 years. As an Arab-American, she also produces and takes part in cultural events, citywide festivals, and community fundraisers as a way to share her heritage with others.
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Irene Hsiao creates dances with visual art in museums and public spaces, a practice that includes interaction with visual artworks and experimental engagement with artists, institutions, and the public.
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Cristal Sabbagh’s performance practice, rooted in improvisation and Butoh, walks a line between the everyday, the divine, the personal, and the political. In embodying in her art transformational memories while simultaneously celebrating pop culture and the experimental, she challenges power structures and awakens viewers’ senses.
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Olula Negre is a cellist, improviser, composer, experimental sound artist, activist and visual artist whose work is rooted in their Black American and Latinx heritage, Afrofuturism, and queerness.
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Bazuka Joe is one-third of the Burlesque Hall of Fame trio The Stage Door Johnnies. He's been performing professionally in the dance, cabaret, and burlesque world for over two decades and has a long (and nearly co-dependent!) relationship with Links Hall since he moved to Chicago in 2002. He performs and teaches all over the world and he's especially excited to contribute to wild, wonderful world of Links Hall to this day!
MORE DETAILS
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It’s a party! Please wear whatever makes you feel fabulous.
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The event space is one level once inside the showroom, with an accessible restroom. The main entrance/lobby can be accessed by ramp or a single step. If you or someone in your party needs accommodations or has accessibility concerns, please contact Katie Collins at katie@linkshall.org.
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The Golden Triangle is located at 2035 W Grand Ave, just West of Damen Avenue and about 4 miles NW of The Loop.
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Free parking is available on Grand Ave, on both the north and south sides of the street.
Rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft are also encouraged.
The Golden Triangle is easily accessible from the #65 Grand bus or the #50 Damen bus. It can also be accessed from the Harlem/Lake Green Line stop, plus a 1 mile walk.
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From the north, take I-94 East to the Division Avenue exit. Turn right to go west on Division, then turn left to go south on Ashland, then turn right to go west on Augusta, then turn left to go south on Damen then turn right to go west on Grand. The Golden Triangle will be on the south side of the street to your left.
From the west, take I-290 East to the Damen Avenue exit. Turn left to go north on Damen, then turn left on Grand Avenue. The Golden Triangle will be on the south side of the street to your left.
From the south, take I-94 West to I-290 West to the Damen Avenue exit. Turn right to go north on Damen, then turn left on Grand Avenue. The Golden Triangle will be on the south side of the street to your left.
Links Soirée Committee
Amy Chavasse, Katie Collins, Ross Jordan, Maggie Kast, Trevor Martin, Stephanie Pacheco, Tina Post, Doreen Sayegh, Michael Tokoph, Patrick Zakem