Mon. June 18, 2018
Anthony DiFiore and the team at Neverland Events is going full speed in preparation for the annual Chicago Pride Parade – with two, lengthy, sexy events on Saturday, June 23.
The second outdoor Water Fixture Party (think, pool party) will be held at Deuce's and The Diamond Club (3505 N. Clark St.) in Wrigleyville from 12noon – 8 p.m.
The "Astrology" dance party will be held at Metro Chicago (3730 N. Clark St.) also in Wrigleyville, from 11p.m – 5 a.m.
The Pride Parade steps off at 12noon on Sunday, June 24.
"I didn't want to compete with or disrupt the parade because that would feel sacrilegious. I also didn't want to (hold an event) on Friday since a lot of people still have to work or are traveling (to Chicago) that night. So instead we're going balls to the wall on Saturday," said Anthony DiFiore, the founder and president of Neverland Events and Artist Management. "I tell myself, 'I'm getting too old for this,' but the moment it starts, I'm on cloud-nine, and when the lights come on at Neverland Astrology I'll be like, 'Where'd the time go and what's next?'"
Three years ago, Neverland had the same format – two events on the day before the Pride Parade.
"I'm beyond excited about the pool party ... Chicago needs a great, high-energy pool party," DiFiore said. "When we threw one a few years ago at the same venue, Neverland was a lot smaller. We've grown so much and our audience has grown so much, (so) I really think we're going to pack it in. Plus, the venue has gotten a major (renovation) in the past few years, and they even have some cabanas with private outdoor hot tubs.
"When we threw this pool party a few years ago, we went too hard with the music. This year, it'll be more like the music at Queen/Smartbar. The legendary DJ Psycho-Bitch is spinning alongside Neverland resident DJ Alex Cabot. It'll be high-energy, but more classic house."
DJ Psycho-Bitch is a Chicago house music legend, DiFiore said. "Back when Crobar was lit and 1,000 gay guys would go out dancing every weekend, she was one of the musicians that kept the energy going. What makes our Water Fixture pool party so special is that we're playing a legendary DJ, Psycho-Bitch, with a legend-in-the-making, Alex Cabot."
DiFiore said the Water Fixture Party does not have a theme, though pool attire is expected, including inflatables. About 600 are expected to attend.
The "Astrology" dance party encourages attendees to "come as your sign," DiFiore said. "Anyone can pull that off in any number of ways: in your swag, your costume, your t-shirt/tank, on a hat ... there are endless options.
"It's going to be really cool to see how people interpret the theme."
This year's Astrology dance party marks the sixth year that Neverland has produced a major, must-attend pre-parade event.
About 1,000 are expected.
DJ Isaac Escalante, who has also been spinning Neverland parties for six years, will be headlining.
Tickets to Neverland "Astrology" are available at www.NeverlandPride.com or at the Men's Room (3420 N. Halsted St.) where you can get 10 percent off any leather gear with the purchase of a ticket.
Tickets to the pool party are available at: www.WaterFixtureParty.com.
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