The Kinsey Sicks headline HBHC's Mad Hatter's Brunch, Sun., April 7
Thu. March 28, 2013 10:17 AM by Anthony Morgano
Chicago, IL -
Sun., April 7, join Howard Brown Health Center (HBHC) for its inaugural Mad Hatter's Brunch event, a festive fundraiser that invites Chicagoans to don their zaniest and most outrageous hat to benefit programs and services for the Broadway Youth Center (BYC).
Brunch is being held at the upscale ZED451, located in River North at 739 N. Clark St., between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The event includes a delectable spread of food, the chance to meet and mingle with some of the folks who are instrumental to the success of the BYC and raffle prizes provided by Orbitz, The Drake Hotel, Nellcote Restaurant, Goorin Bros Hat Shop and more.
Attendees will also be treated to entertainment by The Kinsey Sicks, who bill themselves as "America's Favorite Dragapella Beautyshop Quartetet."
"The original four of us were friends and fellow activists who decided to go to a Bette Midler concert dressed as the Andrews Sisters," Irwin Keller, alter-ego Winnie, told ChicagoPride.com, explaining how it all began. "There we were promptly and ill-advisedly offered a gig singing in costume! The novel thought of singing in drag caused us to invent the Kinsey Sicks that very night. "
In the 20 years since that night, the gals of The Kinsey Sicks have brought their unique drag singing act to venues across the Unites States, Canada and Mexico and been profiled in the national media, including "20/20", CBS's "The Early Show," the New York Times and Billboard Magazine. Anyone who's never seen The Kinsey Sicks can expect four lovable characters, glorious acapella harmonies and biting lyrical satire, a glimpse of which can be viewed at www.youtube.com/kinseysicks.
"We defy people's expectations, with both the intricacy and intelligence of our lyrics, and with our a cappella singing," said Chicago-native Keller. "I think people imagine that our music will be only passable, and are surprised when they realize that it is concert quality."
The cause is truly a worthy one. The Broadway Youth Center is a nationally-recognized program that has been providing comprehensive health and wellness care and social services to predominantly LGBT youth since 2004. This includes providing access to basic needs such as meals, showers and clothing, on-site medical services, HIV/STD testing and treatment, educational services, counseling and youth leadership opportunities, among many more.
In 2012 alone 2,923 youth were provided single or multiple services and 1,380 youth were provided walk-in clinical services through a record-breaking 2,075 medical visits. In addition to the many programs and services it provides, the BYC offers at-risk LGBT youth a safe space, which is something they direly need.
"BYC is the only collaborative homeless youth organization in Chicago, which specifically focuses on the needs of underserved LGBTQ youth," HBHC Communications Consultant David Dodd told ChicagoPride.com. "For thousands of youth, BYC is the main resource in their survival and helps them transition into living healthy and stable lives. Here are at BYC we really aim to empower young people to make changes in their lives and in the lives of the community."
Mad Hatter's Brunch sponsors include Walgreens, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, MillerCoors, Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Orbitz. Media sponsors include Windy City Times, ChicagoPride.com and Grab Magazine. Tickets for the Mad Hatter's Brunch are available for $250 VIP or $175 general admission and are be purchased online: www.howardbrown.org/madhatter or by phone: 773-572-5117. Hats are encouraged, but not required to attend.
For more information on The Kinsey Sicks, check out their website www.kinseysicks.com.
Brunch is being held at the upscale ZED451, located in River North at 739 N. Clark St., between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The event includes a delectable spread of food, the chance to meet and mingle with some of the folks who are instrumental to the success of the BYC and raffle prizes provided by Orbitz, The Drake Hotel, Nellcote Restaurant, Goorin Bros Hat Shop and more.
Attendees will also be treated to entertainment by The Kinsey Sicks, who bill themselves as "America's Favorite Dragapella Beautyshop Quartetet."
"The original four of us were friends and fellow activists who decided to go to a Bette Midler concert dressed as the Andrews Sisters," Irwin Keller, alter-ego Winnie, told ChicagoPride.com, explaining how it all began. "There we were promptly and ill-advisedly offered a gig singing in costume! The novel thought of singing in drag caused us to invent the Kinsey Sicks that very night. "
In the 20 years since that night, the gals of The Kinsey Sicks have brought their unique drag singing act to venues across the Unites States, Canada and Mexico and been profiled in the national media, including "20/20", CBS's "The Early Show," the New York Times and Billboard Magazine. Anyone who's never seen The Kinsey Sicks can expect four lovable characters, glorious acapella harmonies and biting lyrical satire, a glimpse of which can be viewed at www.youtube.com/kinseysicks.
"We defy people's expectations, with both the intricacy and intelligence of our lyrics, and with our a cappella singing," said Chicago-native Keller. "I think people imagine that our music will be only passable, and are surprised when they realize that it is concert quality."
The cause is truly a worthy one. The Broadway Youth Center is a nationally-recognized program that has been providing comprehensive health and wellness care and social services to predominantly LGBT youth since 2004. This includes providing access to basic needs such as meals, showers and clothing, on-site medical services, HIV/STD testing and treatment, educational services, counseling and youth leadership opportunities, among many more.
In 2012 alone 2,923 youth were provided single or multiple services and 1,380 youth were provided walk-in clinical services through a record-breaking 2,075 medical visits. In addition to the many programs and services it provides, the BYC offers at-risk LGBT youth a safe space, which is something they direly need.
"BYC is the only collaborative homeless youth organization in Chicago, which specifically focuses on the needs of underserved LGBTQ youth," HBHC Communications Consultant David Dodd told ChicagoPride.com. "For thousands of youth, BYC is the main resource in their survival and helps them transition into living healthy and stable lives. Here are at BYC we really aim to empower young people to make changes in their lives and in the lives of the community."
Mad Hatter's Brunch sponsors include Walgreens, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, MillerCoors, Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Orbitz. Media sponsors include Windy City Times, ChicagoPride.com and Grab Magazine. Tickets for the Mad Hatter's Brunch are available for $250 VIP or $175 general admission and are be purchased online: www.howardbrown.org/madhatter or by phone: 773-572-5117. Hats are encouraged, but not required to attend.
For more information on The Kinsey Sicks, check out their website www.kinseysicks.com.