Sidetrack OUTspoken featured storytellers for June 6
Mon. June 5, 2023 1:05 PM by GoPride.com News Staff
outspoken at sidetrack
photo credit // provided
Chicago's monthly evening of LGBTQ storytelling – known as OUTspoken - returns Tuesday, June 6 with an exciting line-up of featured storytellers for Pride month.
"The key is, we all have full, rich lives," curator David Fink told GoPride.com. "Talking about significant moments connects us. Although we may outwardly have little in common, as humans we all have a lot in common. Personal, true stories help remind us of these commonalities.”
Six storytellers will take their turn with the microphone as Sidetrack transforms its Main and Cherry Bars into a story-telling hall with chairs for seating.
OUTspoken takes place the first Tuesday of every month at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted, and is hosted by Kim Hunt and Sidetrack owner Art Johnston.
There is no charge to attend, but audience members must be 21 with ID. Proof of vaccination and masks are also required.
Doors open at 6 p.m., and stories begin at 7 p.m.
Meet the June storytellers:
Sonal Aggarwal is a comedian and actor based in Chicago. Her one woman show The Alchemy of Bliss played for a sold out weekend at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theater. You can see her on Netflix’s Easy as well as the short film A Period Piece which debuted at SXSW in 2020. She is a regular host of the Moth, performs regularly at the Laugh Factory & The Lincoln Loge, where she also teaches. She also performs comedy in Spanish and is a semi-retired fire dancer. Follow her @sonalmedia on all the social medias.
Jax West is an activist who fights for everyone's rights. She has organized many events, protests and marches since the man from Florida took office and started destroying out country. Jax is an ally who is on the leadership team of not one but TWO Pride organizations, Naper Pride and Plainfield Pride.
Adam Motz is a dad, husband, attorney, author, and musician. He just released his first children's book, You Come from Love, which he wrote for his twin daughters, Reve and Sky. He is the music director at Gilead Chicago – a queer, storytelling, bar church that sings pop songs. You can find him and his family all over TikTok and social media @2dads2twins.
Aaron Salamonson is originally from Australia and has lived in Chicago for the last 14 years. He works as a software engineer, and outside of work serves as President of the ACLU's Next Generation Society.
Josh Friedberg is an author and TEDx speaker whose passion for music supersedes all else in his life. His work is featured in 2 books, over 60 articles, and many blogs. You can follow him at his Substack, Spectrum Sounds.
Jeremy Owens is the producer and host of You're Being Ridiculous. His solo show BIG GAY NIGHTMARE premieres at Steppenwolf July 6, 7 and 8 this summer.
Related: Celebrate Pride month in Chicago by adding these events to your social calendar
"The key is, we all have full, rich lives," curator David Fink told GoPride.com. "Talking about significant moments connects us. Although we may outwardly have little in common, as humans we all have a lot in common. Personal, true stories help remind us of these commonalities.”
Six storytellers will take their turn with the microphone as Sidetrack transforms its Main and Cherry Bars into a story-telling hall with chairs for seating.
OUTspoken takes place the first Tuesday of every month at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted, and is hosted by Kim Hunt and Sidetrack owner Art Johnston.
There is no charge to attend, but audience members must be 21 with ID. Proof of vaccination and masks are also required.
Doors open at 6 p.m., and stories begin at 7 p.m.
Meet the June storytellers:
Sonal Aggarwal is a comedian and actor based in Chicago. Her one woman show The Alchemy of Bliss played for a sold out weekend at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theater. You can see her on Netflix’s Easy as well as the short film A Period Piece which debuted at SXSW in 2020. She is a regular host of the Moth, performs regularly at the Laugh Factory & The Lincoln Loge, where she also teaches. She also performs comedy in Spanish and is a semi-retired fire dancer. Follow her @sonalmedia on all the social medias.
Jax West is an activist who fights for everyone's rights. She has organized many events, protests and marches since the man from Florida took office and started destroying out country. Jax is an ally who is on the leadership team of not one but TWO Pride organizations, Naper Pride and Plainfield Pride.
Adam Motz is a dad, husband, attorney, author, and musician. He just released his first children's book, You Come from Love, which he wrote for his twin daughters, Reve and Sky. He is the music director at Gilead Chicago – a queer, storytelling, bar church that sings pop songs. You can find him and his family all over TikTok and social media @2dads2twins.
Aaron Salamonson is originally from Australia and has lived in Chicago for the last 14 years. He works as a software engineer, and outside of work serves as President of the ACLU's Next Generation Society.
Josh Friedberg is an author and TEDx speaker whose passion for music supersedes all else in his life. His work is featured in 2 books, over 60 articles, and many blogs. You can follow him at his Substack, Spectrum Sounds.
Jeremy Owens is the producer and host of You're Being Ridiculous. His solo show BIG GAY NIGHTMARE premieres at Steppenwolf July 6, 7 and 8 this summer.
Related: Celebrate Pride month in Chicago by adding these events to your social calendar