Summer Olympics party promises a night of Greek gods and sexy sportstars
Chicago, IL -
Neverland, Chicago's own new series of high-concept theme dance parties, is movin' on up to their biggest venue ever, the Metro Chicago, where they will be putting on two over-the-top events for special occasions. The first party, "Summer Olympics," is celebrating Pride on the eve of the Parade, Saturday June 28th, and promises to be a night to remember in what Co-Founder and Creative Director Anthony DiFiore says will be "the biggest Chicago Pride weekend in recent history."
"This is our first major Neverland at a big concert venue, so we chose a fun theme for summer that everyone can get into," he said of their choice for 'Summer Olympics.' "Dressing up in sports gear or Olympics gear can be sexy, or can be creative and intriguing if people go the route of a sport like fencing. Those who want to be creative can come up with something sickening, and even those who don't like to dress up in costumes can easily throw on a sports jersey and feel comfortable."
Neverland's party process involves a fierce, high fashion-inspired photoshoot that explores and expresses the coming soiree's theme -- so, to keep up with the growth in space and entertainment (more on that to come), "Summer Olympics" will also include two photoshoots instead of one. Neverland photographer Maurico Zapata is creating an Ancient Grecian Olympics photoshoot, while a separate shoot will feature some of their drag queen hosts and performers in modern Olympic sports-inspired costumes.
In addition to the looks from Neverland's house designers Raul Redaggio and Damian Martin, they've brought in Chicago's own Ramsey Prince (of J Prince Studio) to host and to create some looks for the gogo dancers.
"We're also welcoming two new hosts, Mateo Brejnak and Ruby Dee," DiFiore said. "Both have a really unique aesthetic... We choose our hosts based on their aesthetic, so that we can have walking art at every Neverland. This is one of our strongest hosting lineups ever and I can't wait to see what they come up with!"
Kim Chi, Trannika Rex, Sissy Spastik and Trixie Mattel join the newbies on the hosting roster. "Summer Olympics" also features not one, but two headlining DJs spinning together. Alex Acosta returns to Neverland after spinning at last year's Market Days party. He is joined by Ivan Gomez, a DJ all the way from Spain making his debut in Chicago. Late-night performances will feature three of Neverland's superstars: Gia Gunn, Aurora Sexton and Shea Coulee.
DiFiore is possibly most excited for the latest stage installation, their biggest to date, created by Reed Redding,
"Martin [DiFiore's boyfriend, Founder and Head of Production] and I are big-time theatre heads, and we've been waiting for two years for a stage the size of the one at Metro -- there's so much drama and excitement you can create on a big stage," DiFiore said. "Aside from the music, the performers, the costumes and the walking art, the stage installation alone is worth the admission price, and will bring this party up to the level of major gay dance parties around the country."
"Pride weekend is the same in San Francisco, Toronto, and New York, so we have lots of competition and we want to give Chicagoans a reason to stay here!" he continued.
DiFiore predicts Chicago Pride Parade Weekend to be the biggest in recent history. On Friday, Hydrate brings world-class DJs The Freemasons to spin (many of the house music tracks you'll hear are actually produced by Ivan Gomez, the DJ Neverland is bringing in from Spain) and Neverland's "Summer Olympics" will bring the heat on Saturday. After Sunday's 44th Annual Pride Parade, Circuit MOM's new event "Love Revolution" is taking over at the Chicago History Museum. The mixed indoor/outdoor event will feature international DJ Joe Gauthreaux at a first-time premiere post-Parade party to end all parties. (Check back to ChicagoPride.com for more details on Love Revolution soon.)
"Since I've moved to Chicago I've never seen this much big, creative entertainment stacked into Pride weekend," DiFiore said. "I'm very excited for our city!"
"Summer Olympics" is also a fundraiser for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, with a whopping 10% of all ticket revenue being donated to the local non-profit.
Tickets are being sold in two tiers. VIP tickets, which grant holders access to an exclusive private balcony space on the second floor, fruit trays and express entry, are available online for $30 presale -- that price will jump to $50 after June 21st and then $60 at the door. General Admission tickets can also be purchased online for $20 pre-sale, $30 after June 21st or for $40 at the door. Hard-copy tickets will be available at XO Studio (3428 N Broadway) in Boystown and at Pridefest at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago's booth. There are only 100 advance hard-copy tickets available. For more information, check out Neverland's Facebook event.
ChicagoPride.com is excited to break the news that Chicago's very own party series signed a contract with BPM, currently the largest gay nightclub in NYC, to produce four Neverland parties a year at their amazing space in Hell's Kitchen. On June 26th, Kim Chi, DiFiore and Martin are also hosting a NYC Pride event at a popular weekly Thursday dance party at Station Nightclub. It's so fantastic to see a fantastic Chicago-based endeavor competing and succeeding on the national stage -- congrats, everyone!
Editor's note: ChicagoPride.com, part of the GoPride Network, is a proud media sponsor of Neverland's "Summer Olympics" party at Metro Chicago on Saturday, June 28.
"This is our first major Neverland at a big concert venue, so we chose a fun theme for summer that everyone can get into," he said of their choice for 'Summer Olympics.' "Dressing up in sports gear or Olympics gear can be sexy, or can be creative and intriguing if people go the route of a sport like fencing. Those who want to be creative can come up with something sickening, and even those who don't like to dress up in costumes can easily throw on a sports jersey and feel comfortable."
Neverland's party process involves a fierce, high fashion-inspired photoshoot that explores and expresses the coming soiree's theme -- so, to keep up with the growth in space and entertainment (more on that to come), "Summer Olympics" will also include two photoshoots instead of one. Neverland photographer Maurico Zapata is creating an Ancient Grecian Olympics photoshoot, while a separate shoot will feature some of their drag queen hosts and performers in modern Olympic sports-inspired costumes.
In addition to the looks from Neverland's house designers Raul Redaggio and Damian Martin, they've brought in Chicago's own Ramsey Prince (of J Prince Studio) to host and to create some looks for the gogo dancers.
"We're also welcoming two new hosts, Mateo Brejnak and Ruby Dee," DiFiore said. "Both have a really unique aesthetic... We choose our hosts based on their aesthetic, so that we can have walking art at every Neverland. This is one of our strongest hosting lineups ever and I can't wait to see what they come up with!"
Kim Chi, Trannika Rex, Sissy Spastik and Trixie Mattel join the newbies on the hosting roster. "Summer Olympics" also features not one, but two headlining DJs spinning together. Alex Acosta returns to Neverland after spinning at last year's Market Days party. He is joined by Ivan Gomez, a DJ all the way from Spain making his debut in Chicago. Late-night performances will feature three of Neverland's superstars: Gia Gunn, Aurora Sexton and Shea Coulee.
DiFiore is possibly most excited for the latest stage installation, their biggest to date, created by Reed Redding,
"Martin [DiFiore's boyfriend, Founder and Head of Production] and I are big-time theatre heads, and we've been waiting for two years for a stage the size of the one at Metro -- there's so much drama and excitement you can create on a big stage," DiFiore said. "Aside from the music, the performers, the costumes and the walking art, the stage installation alone is worth the admission price, and will bring this party up to the level of major gay dance parties around the country."
"Pride weekend is the same in San Francisco, Toronto, and New York, so we have lots of competition and we want to give Chicagoans a reason to stay here!" he continued.
DiFiore predicts Chicago Pride Parade Weekend to be the biggest in recent history. On Friday, Hydrate brings world-class DJs The Freemasons to spin (many of the house music tracks you'll hear are actually produced by Ivan Gomez, the DJ Neverland is bringing in from Spain) and Neverland's "Summer Olympics" will bring the heat on Saturday. After Sunday's 44th Annual Pride Parade, Circuit MOM's new event "Love Revolution" is taking over at the Chicago History Museum. The mixed indoor/outdoor event will feature international DJ Joe Gauthreaux at a first-time premiere post-Parade party to end all parties. (Check back to ChicagoPride.com for more details on Love Revolution soon.)
"Since I've moved to Chicago I've never seen this much big, creative entertainment stacked into Pride weekend," DiFiore said. "I'm very excited for our city!"
"Summer Olympics" is also a fundraiser for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, with a whopping 10% of all ticket revenue being donated to the local non-profit.
Tickets are being sold in two tiers. VIP tickets, which grant holders access to an exclusive private balcony space on the second floor, fruit trays and express entry, are available online for $30 presale -- that price will jump to $50 after June 21st and then $60 at the door. General Admission tickets can also be purchased online for $20 pre-sale, $30 after June 21st or for $40 at the door. Hard-copy tickets will be available at XO Studio (3428 N Broadway) in Boystown and at Pridefest at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago's booth. There are only 100 advance hard-copy tickets available. For more information, check out Neverland's Facebook event.
ChicagoPride.com is excited to break the news that Chicago's very own party series signed a contract with BPM, currently the largest gay nightclub in NYC, to produce four Neverland parties a year at their amazing space in Hell's Kitchen. On June 26th, Kim Chi, DiFiore and Martin are also hosting a NYC Pride event at a popular weekly Thursday dance party at Station Nightclub. It's so fantastic to see a fantastic Chicago-based endeavor competing and succeeding on the national stage -- congrats, everyone!
Editor's note: ChicagoPride.com, part of the GoPride Network, is a proud media sponsor of Neverland's "Summer Olympics" party at Metro Chicago on Saturday, June 28.
