Love is LoveFest IV presented by Ritual Rhythms Chicago

We are thrilled to bring our annual February extravaganza to the illustrious Newport Theater this year! Featuring the sweet tones of singer and guitarist Cry Queen, bellydance by the Queer Heretic, and burlesque and cabaret acts by Sunshine Lombre, Schmoo, Emerald Ivy, and Sirène De Paradis, Love is Lovefest is a celebration of Love in all its forms and manifestations. Love is Beautiful. Love is Heartbreaking. Love is Messy. Love is Complicated. Love is Real. Love is Love.

Show is at 9:30-11 with a brief intermission. General admission tickets are $25, with VIP tickets $40. VIP receives preferred seating and gift bag.

More info at https://ritualrhythmschicago.com/love-is-lovefest-iv/

PERFORMERS

Cry Queen is an Appalachian indie-pop project from Asheville-born and Chicago-based musical artist Kathryn O’Shea. Known for her unmistakable voice and poignant confessional songs, Cry Queen got her name from her uncanny ability to lead listeners into an unexpected state of raw catharsis. By fusing her powerful signature vocal melodies with minimalistic electric finger picking, Cry Queen creates a distinctive sound as rich with ear worms as it is with emotion.

The Queer Heretic is a spirit of change and transformation, and danice is his ritual. Kevin dances and teaches under this name as a reminder to himself and others that our flesh is a vehicle for our spirit. To dance is to move the ceaseless rhythm of life.

Chicago native Sunshine Lombre is a dancer & poet who specializes in expressing sensuality & emotional authenticity through her words & movements. Sunshine performs poetry and choreography while also curating seasonal artist showcases based around Black heritage. Sunshine strives to share her passion for Spoken Word and choreography while empowering Black communities worldwide through teaching creative writing classes through “Poetry for Personal Power”, the Chicago Public Library system, Hyde Park Art Center & other Arts Organizations. She’s been an opening act for Twista and has released debut poetry album “Fading Away.”

Sirène De Paradis (Diane Berrios) is a global fusion elemental dancer, musician, singer, pyro performer and movement specialist from Chicago, Illinois. For over 20 years, her passion stemming from her Afro-Latina (Puerto Rico) dance roots have paved a unique path of dance and education from her travels throughout the Caribbean, North, Central and South America. Her cultural depiction of the performing arts, dance workshops and costumes that she also designs has been showcased through her label, Global Beauty Dance.

Some of Sirène’s highlighted performances include: The Chosen Few House Picnic, Chicago Daybreaker, Envision Festival, Sundays on State Street Festival, Chicago Brazilian Carnival (Queen of Samba 2004), Burning Man, Winter Music Conference, Artopia, Trinidad Caribbean Carnival and NBC’s Last Call with Carson Daly Show.

Emerald is a burlesque dancer, pole dancer, fire spinner, and cat mom. She is a resident performer at The Drifter and Untitled, and she is making her Burlesque festival debut in Richmond Virginia in April. Emerald loves all love, but she has an extra sweet spot for the love built between friends. Her performances are dedicated to the love and intimacy she has built between friends old and new.

Schmoo is a classically trained movement theater artist, a fierce queer poet and a problem for the status quo. They’ve toured the country for decades doing improv, comedy, puppetry, burlesque, kiting, vocals, mermaidery and circus arts. Just as important as being a goof, social activism is their passion.

Host or Publisher The Newport Theater