The Sweetest Gift: A Farewell Reunion

Schedule

Thu Nov 11 2021 at 06:00 pm to Sat Nov 20 2021 at 10:00 pm

Location

Reunion Chicago | Chicago, IL

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Join us at Reunion Chicago one last time to celebrate 5+ years of community building and space-making at The Sweetest Gift, November 11-20.
About this Event

After nearly six years of providing space for Chicago’s LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities to build, share, and explore, beloved project incubator & event space Reunion Chicago is taking a final bow. Co-Founders Elijah McKinnon and Kristen Kaza invite you to join in commemorating its legacy at “The Sweetest Gift: A Farewell to Reunion Chicago,” opening Thursday, November 11 and running through November 20. This closing exhibition, co-curated by AMFM, will feature photos, art and ephemera from over the years. Additionally, some of Reunion’s "greatest hits" events like Queer Comedy and Queer Care Day will make a return, among other moments of gratitude and wonder. All programs and gallery hours will be ticketed and follow COVID-19 safety protocols located.


https://vimeo.com/623956248
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This is not Goodbye. This is not a Departure.

We hope to see you at Reunion one last time as we come together to give our thanks to a place and concept that has impacted thousands of Chicagoans during it's time on this rock. We call this a farewell and not a goodbye because in the spirit of sunsets, transitions should be celebrated. We are massively proud of what we've given over the years, and what the community has given back. This exchange between us has truly been the sweetest gift.


Submit Your Moments of Wonder + Connection

With over 1000+ events hosted in the Reunion space, it would be impossible for us to capture every moment of joy and community that we have been witness to. And so we call on you - our Reunion fam - to send your photos, videos, voice notes and other memories. We will create a digital offering in the exhibition to share your submissions. This form will remain open from November 20, 2021.


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COVID-19 Wellness & Protection Plans to Consider: All tickets must be bought individually. If you are coming with friends or loved ones please have each person purchase separately. This will allow us to keep a record for COVID-19 capacity and safety requirements, as well as send email to all attendees for contact tracing and release forms. All attenedes will be asked to show proof of vaccination or a negative test within the past 72 hours and to keep mask on when not activley eating or drinking.


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11/11 - You’re Welcome w/ Kamilah Rashied
Opening Reception + LIVE talkshow

It’s a family affair! Join us for the official kickoff of The Sweetest Gift: A Farewell Reunion and be the first to view the exhibit before Chicago’s beloved project incubator and sliding-scale venue closes its doors for the final time.

Hosted by Co-Founders Elijah McKinnon and Kristen Kaza, this night will feature various surprises and moments of wonder from the Reunion fam, culminating with talk-show styled conversation moderated by longtime Reunion supporter, fam, and art administrator Kamilah Rashied. Arrive early to explore the exhbit and catch some moments of wonder from Empress Darling Shear and Shaun J. Wright.

The exhibit opens at 6pm with the LIVE talkshow starting promptly at 8:00pm.


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11/12 - Slo ‘Mo presents: Queer Comedy hosted by Tribble [SOLD OUT]

Started at Reunion now we here! What began as a one-off show turned into an ongoing platform for dozens of queer comics to develop their talents in a safe and celebratory environment.. Longtime host Tribble returns from LA for onec final showcase of the city’s brilliant and hilarious LGBTQ+ talents. The event kicks off with an open mic session followed by an all-star lineup of funny fam from Chicago and beyond.

Doors open at 8pm with show starting promptly at 8:30pm.

VIVIAN SILLE // GWEN LA ROKA // ANA;ISHA SANTINI // THE QUEENY BITCH // JACKIE LINN // KB MARIOON // CARLY BALLERINI // MEGAN BRENNAN // ESTEPHANY GUZMAN // SELAH SAY


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11/14 - Queer Care Day hosted by The Blaq Agenda

Queer Care is and always be a radical act. Initially piloted with Howard Brown Health, QCD has since become an essential initiative that both highlights wellness and artistic entrepreneurs, as well as provides an opportunity for our community to develop healthy work-life balance and practices. The special iteration of Queer Care Day will kick off with Reunion fam Karla Huffman, followed by a day-long fair featuring free wellness care and workshops from queer artists, entreprenuers and wellness practitioners.

Yoga at 11am // Market @1pm


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11/19 - You’re Welcome w/ Jen De Los Reyes
Closing Reception + Ritual

Twirl through your favorite venue and project incubator for one last hurrah for our culminating event. Join us for a ritual where we honor the ancestors that have guided us on this journey and a closing benediction and conversation between Elijah McKinnon and Kristen Kaza, facilitated by longtime fam, friend, educator and activist Jen De Los Reyes. Arrive early to catch a special ritual lead by Tune in with Tristen and nourshing bites curated by Chef Lisa Shaw.

The exhibit opens at 7pm with ritual + benediction beginning promptly at 7:30pm.


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ABOUT REUION CHICAGO IN 2016, CULTURAL PRODUCERS KRISTEN KAZA AND ELIJAH MCKINNON

assumed management of the space formerly known as Rational Park, once a workspace co-op comprised of a rotation of cisgender, white straight men, and lay the groundwork to flip the script, making a home for LGBTQ, people of color and women & non-binary people to create freely. After trying their best to work at various co-working communities and spaces around the city, they became increasingly disappointed with the lack of workspace environments and accessible venues and imagined a more intersectional and collaborative space with “Reunion.”

Named for its intentions of being a welcoming space that engenders feelings of home and belonging, Reunion has become one of the only and most essential spaces in Chicago centering LGBTQ, people of color, and women, femme and non-binary people. Over the course of four years, Reunion has welcomed over 300 artists, organizations, groups, institutions and brands through its doors, producing over 500 events that would otherwise have trouble finding a space that could meet its budgetary, community and creative needs. In an effort to truly enact its mission of economic accessibility, Reunion has operated on a sliding scale model. Funding has come in three forms: One-off rentals (fundraisers, markets, talks, workshops, art shows, etc.); residencies (repeated events or workspace arrangements in an ongoing fashion); and grants and public fundraisers — with Elijah and Kristen donating their times as Development Director and Program Director, respectfully. .

Reunion has also hosted hundreds of community-driven events over the years, in particular, those centering women, femme & non-binary, LGBTQ+ and people of color, welcoming organizations such as Chicago Women’s Health Center, Howard Brown Health, AIDS Foundation Chicago, The Hoodosie, Let us Breathe Collective, Youth Empowerment Performance Project, About Face Theatre, OTV - Open Television, SAIC, Chicago Period Project and many more. As the world around us continues to change daily due to COVID-19, Reunion has been able to respond with offering over a dozen online programs that provide a space for our community to share skills and resources.


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SUBMIT YOUR MOMENTS OF WONDER

Siblings, lovers and friends from near and far, we invite you to relish in the sweetest gift by sharing your memories of Reunion that have sparked joy and created moments of connection via photos, videos and voice notes.

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Where is it happening?

Reunion Chicago, 2557 W North Ave., Chicago, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 0.00 to USD 25.00

Reunion Chicago

Host or Publisher Reunion Chicago

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