Chicago Takes Off to Debut February 10th
Sun. January 28, 2007 12:00 AM
Modeled on New York’s Broadway Bares, Event Proceeds Benefit Test Positive Aware Network’s AIDS Education and Prevention Programming
Chicago, IL -
Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) announced that it will stage the
world premiere of CHICAGO TAKES OFF, a first-time benefit which promises to expose the finest assets of Chicago's professional dance and performing arts community, February 10, 2007 at Park West, located at 322 W. Armitage.
Produced and directed by Dance for Life founders Keith Elliott and Todd Kiech, CHICAGO TAKES OFF will feature approximately 25 Chicago-based performers, both female and male, who will donate their time and many "talents" to create this sexy celebration of life. Inspired by the popular annual Broadway Bares (a benefit that sponsors Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS), CHICAGO TAKES OFF is a Burlesque revue-style performance, that will elevate the "strip-tease" to an art form.
"To paraphrase All About Eve, Chicagoans should get ready to fasten their seat belts –it's going to be a bumpy and grindy night," said Elliot. "CHICAGO TAKES OFF is a classy but fun and very sexy burlesque that will take its audience on the fantasy flight of their lives. We think this will be a perfect way to celebrate Valentine's Day!"
"We could think of no way as fun or entertaining to raise much-needed funding for HIV/AIDS programming at TPAN," said Rick Bejlovec, TPAN's executive director. "We hope to establish a new Valentine's weekend tradition in Chicago; an exciting new production that will be enjoyed by straight and GLBT audiences alike."
CHICAGO TAKES OFF also will feature innovative and fun ways to raise funds for HIV/AIDS education. Following the formal performance, the "rotation" section will allow audience members an opportunity to show their appreciation to the performers by slipping gratuities bills in their g-strings. Another fun way to support CHICAGO TAKES OFF is to participate in the online "strip-a-thon" where donors can sponsor their favorite dancer.
At press time, the current sponsors supporting the efforts of CHICAGO TAKES OFF include: Hamburger Mary's, X/O, Hydrate Chicago, J & L Catering, BoystownChicago.com, Equinox Fitness, ChicagoPride.com, Gay Chicago Magazine, and the Paterno Group.
CHICAGO TAKES OFF is scheduled for Saturday, February 10, 2007 at the
Park West, 322 W. Armitage in Chicago. Benefit tickets range in price from $50 to $300.
Tickets are on sale now. For more information or to purchase tickets now, visit www.tpan.com or call 773-989-9400 or email events@tpan.com.
Photo: Over 70 people joined Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) on December 5th, 2006 at Hamburger Mary's Attic in Andersonville for the kick-off of its newest fundraising event, Chicago Takes Off.
Photo courtesy of Kathleen Fitzgerald
Related: CTO Kick-off Photos from Mary's Attic (12/5) | CTO Kick-off photos from Hydrate (1/9)
world premiere of CHICAGO TAKES OFF, a first-time benefit which promises to expose the finest assets of Chicago's professional dance and performing arts community, February 10, 2007 at Park West, located at 322 W. Armitage.
Produced and directed by Dance for Life founders Keith Elliott and Todd Kiech, CHICAGO TAKES OFF will feature approximately 25 Chicago-based performers, both female and male, who will donate their time and many "talents" to create this sexy celebration of life. Inspired by the popular annual Broadway Bares (a benefit that sponsors Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS), CHICAGO TAKES OFF is a Burlesque revue-style performance, that will elevate the "strip-tease" to an art form.
"To paraphrase All About Eve, Chicagoans should get ready to fasten their seat belts –it's going to be a bumpy and grindy night," said Elliot. "CHICAGO TAKES OFF is a classy but fun and very sexy burlesque that will take its audience on the fantasy flight of their lives. We think this will be a perfect way to celebrate Valentine's Day!"
"We could think of no way as fun or entertaining to raise much-needed funding for HIV/AIDS programming at TPAN," said Rick Bejlovec, TPAN's executive director. "We hope to establish a new Valentine's weekend tradition in Chicago; an exciting new production that will be enjoyed by straight and GLBT audiences alike."
CHICAGO TAKES OFF also will feature innovative and fun ways to raise funds for HIV/AIDS education. Following the formal performance, the "rotation" section will allow audience members an opportunity to show their appreciation to the performers by slipping gratuities bills in their g-strings. Another fun way to support CHICAGO TAKES OFF is to participate in the online "strip-a-thon" where donors can sponsor their favorite dancer.
At press time, the current sponsors supporting the efforts of CHICAGO TAKES OFF include: Hamburger Mary's, X/O, Hydrate Chicago, J & L Catering, BoystownChicago.com, Equinox Fitness, ChicagoPride.com, Gay Chicago Magazine, and the Paterno Group.
CHICAGO TAKES OFF is scheduled for Saturday, February 10, 2007 at the
Park West, 322 W. Armitage in Chicago. Benefit tickets range in price from $50 to $300.
Tickets are on sale now. For more information or to purchase tickets now, visit www.tpan.com or call 773-989-9400 or email events@tpan.com.
Photo: Over 70 people joined Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) on December 5th, 2006 at Hamburger Mary's Attic in Andersonville for the kick-off of its newest fundraising event, Chicago Takes Off.
Photo courtesy of Kathleen Fitzgerald
Related: CTO Kick-off Photos from Mary's Attic (12/5) | CTO Kick-off photos from Hydrate (1/9)