Neverland brings annual Purity Ball Party to former Crobar space
Thu. December 11, 2014 11:13 AM by Anthony Morgano
Chicago’s high-concept dance party series to blow the roof off Chicago’s former gay dance mecca
Chicago, IL -
Neverland, Chicago's popular series of extravagant themed dance parties, is back for their annual Purity Ball holiday bash Friday, December 19. Neverland's crew is especially excited to be bringing their favorite "dance party as art" to Nikki Nightclub, the former space of Crobar, Chicago's gay dance mecca of years passed.
"Everyone on our team looks forward to this Neverland more than any other, because it's what party that first put us on the map, and it's not tied to a big holiday weekend, so we can get crazy and we don't have all the pressure of Pride and Market Days when there's a million things going on," Anthony DiFiore, Neverland's co-founder and creative director, told ChicagoPride.com. "The Purity Ball has religious overtones, but it's also pure and white, so we can get to do everything from giant angel wings to sexy nuns to wild sacrilegious debauchery. And people come dressed up!"
Neverland's first Purity Ball was thrown back in December of 2012. DiFiore and his boyfriend Damian Martin premiered Neverland with two Club Kids revival parties that summer that were hits, but after their Halloween shindig didn't do as well the duo started looking in a new direction. DiFiore discovered purity balls, the Christian parties during which girls pledge their virginities to their dad, and threw his previous "no themes" rule out the window, marking a turning point in the history of Neverland.
This will be Neverland's third Purity Ball to date and partygoers can be assured that it will be even bigger and better than those in the past. All Neverland events are inspired by a photoshoot and this year's Purity Ball already has two, with DiFiore saying they will likely do a third before next Saturday. As is tradition, Purity Ball serves as a time to introduce a new photographer's face on the Neverland crew, with this shoot being Adam Ouahmane's chance to shine.
The first shoot took place at a Bucktown mansion and features antique white furniture and models in giant horse headdresses. Project Runway contestant also made a gown just for Kim Chi.
"We squeezed the photoshoot in during a corporate event!" Difiore laughed. "The location and furniture were just too good to pass up, so while half our crew were running around like maniacs setting up, the rest were running around in underwear and shifting the photographer's lights from room to room."
"We also did a second shoot with the stunning NYC gogo dancer Vinny Vega when he came into town for GayGlow," he added. "We're posting those this week! He's seriously one of the hottest guys on the planet."
DiFiore and the rest of the Neverland crew are thrilled throwing the first major dance party in the legendary Crobar space in years. The awesome two-story space and amazing sound system have everyone excited to show Chicago what they can do. Per usual, partygoers can expect stellar sound, a eye-catching light show and fabulous costumes parading throughout the venue. DiFiore also teases a new feature at this year's Purity Ball: get ready for live animals.
"Oh my God, we're like little crazy kids with a big budget," DiFiore said. "We're doing a total transformation of Crobar/Nikki's lighting system, so not only will people get that same powerful sound system they're used to from the old Crobar days, but they'll see the space in our reimagined eyes. Not just that, but walking art everywhere! We've assembled this massive team of creative minds who are all coming together under the banner of a theme they're in love with. The results will be beautiful."
Headlining DJ Alain Jackinsky is returning after spinning for last year's Purity Ball. The international sensation has spun some truly major parties everywhere from New York City, Miami and LA to Brazil and Spain. All the way from Puerto Rico, the fabulous Queen Bee Ho, who blew everyone's minds at Miss Continental, is making her Neverland premiere where she will perform alongside Neverland's own Shea Coulee. Kim Chi, Trixie Mattel and Pearl, who returns from New York for her third Purity Ball, will be the hostesses with the mostesses and you can always bet there will be some beautiful muscle men ready to blow the roof off Crobar.
So, get ready to revirginize for the new year and wipe your slate clean of all those regrettable activities from 2014. Per usual, Neverland's monthly Drag Carnage will open the event from 10 p.m. until 11 p.m., featuring Queen Bee Ho and the return of Pearl alongside Trixie Mattel, Eddie Couture, Shea Coulee, Valentine and Kahmora Hall. Jackinsky takes the stage at 11:15 p.m., with the Purity Ball itself raging at Nikki/Crobar, 1543 N Kingsbury, until it closes at 3 a.m. Tickets are available at Egoist Underwear, 3526 N Halsted, in Boystown or online at showclix.com/event/purityball2014.
For more information and to see pictures from last year's Purity Ball, check out the event's Facebook page.
"Everyone on our team looks forward to this Neverland more than any other, because it's what party that first put us on the map, and it's not tied to a big holiday weekend, so we can get crazy and we don't have all the pressure of Pride and Market Days when there's a million things going on," Anthony DiFiore, Neverland's co-founder and creative director, told ChicagoPride.com. "The Purity Ball has religious overtones, but it's also pure and white, so we can get to do everything from giant angel wings to sexy nuns to wild sacrilegious debauchery. And people come dressed up!"
Neverland's first Purity Ball was thrown back in December of 2012. DiFiore and his boyfriend Damian Martin premiered Neverland with two Club Kids revival parties that summer that were hits, but after their Halloween shindig didn't do as well the duo started looking in a new direction. DiFiore discovered purity balls, the Christian parties during which girls pledge their virginities to their dad, and threw his previous "no themes" rule out the window, marking a turning point in the history of Neverland.
This will be Neverland's third Purity Ball to date and partygoers can be assured that it will be even bigger and better than those in the past. All Neverland events are inspired by a photoshoot and this year's Purity Ball already has two, with DiFiore saying they will likely do a third before next Saturday. As is tradition, Purity Ball serves as a time to introduce a new photographer's face on the Neverland crew, with this shoot being Adam Ouahmane's chance to shine.
The first shoot took place at a Bucktown mansion and features antique white furniture and models in giant horse headdresses. Project Runway contestant also made a gown just for Kim Chi.
"We squeezed the photoshoot in during a corporate event!" Difiore laughed. "The location and furniture were just too good to pass up, so while half our crew were running around like maniacs setting up, the rest were running around in underwear and shifting the photographer's lights from room to room."
"We also did a second shoot with the stunning NYC gogo dancer Vinny Vega when he came into town for GayGlow," he added. "We're posting those this week! He's seriously one of the hottest guys on the planet."
DiFiore and the rest of the Neverland crew are thrilled throwing the first major dance party in the legendary Crobar space in years. The awesome two-story space and amazing sound system have everyone excited to show Chicago what they can do. Per usual, partygoers can expect stellar sound, a eye-catching light show and fabulous costumes parading throughout the venue. DiFiore also teases a new feature at this year's Purity Ball: get ready for live animals.
"Oh my God, we're like little crazy kids with a big budget," DiFiore said. "We're doing a total transformation of Crobar/Nikki's lighting system, so not only will people get that same powerful sound system they're used to from the old Crobar days, but they'll see the space in our reimagined eyes. Not just that, but walking art everywhere! We've assembled this massive team of creative minds who are all coming together under the banner of a theme they're in love with. The results will be beautiful."
Headlining DJ Alain Jackinsky is returning after spinning for last year's Purity Ball. The international sensation has spun some truly major parties everywhere from New York City, Miami and LA to Brazil and Spain. All the way from Puerto Rico, the fabulous Queen Bee Ho, who blew everyone's minds at Miss Continental, is making her Neverland premiere where she will perform alongside Neverland's own Shea Coulee. Kim Chi, Trixie Mattel and Pearl, who returns from New York for her third Purity Ball, will be the hostesses with the mostesses and you can always bet there will be some beautiful muscle men ready to blow the roof off Crobar.
So, get ready to revirginize for the new year and wipe your slate clean of all those regrettable activities from 2014. Per usual, Neverland's monthly Drag Carnage will open the event from 10 p.m. until 11 p.m., featuring Queen Bee Ho and the return of Pearl alongside Trixie Mattel, Eddie Couture, Shea Coulee, Valentine and Kahmora Hall. Jackinsky takes the stage at 11:15 p.m., with the Purity Ball itself raging at Nikki/Crobar, 1543 N Kingsbury, until it closes at 3 a.m. Tickets are available at Egoist Underwear, 3526 N Halsted, in Boystown or online at showclix.com/event/purityball2014.
For more information and to see pictures from last year's Purity Ball, check out the event's Facebook page.