chicago takes off, 2009
photo credit // feastoffun.com
BAR-LESQUE – “CHICAGO’S SEXIEST” BACK FOR ROUND 2
Chicago, IL -
Co-chairs Adam Colangelo, Kyle Heath, Dan Paterno, and Paul Trout will be hosting the 4th annual burlesque event, Chicago Takes Off, "TV LAND: Outside the Box." A production of Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN), Chicago's longest standing peer-led, HIV/AIDS services organization, this year's event will again be expanded to two shows, 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., at the Park West, located at 322 W. Armitage, Chicago.
This year's theme, "TV Land: Outside The Box," adds a naughty twist to spoof the favorite TV shows that we all remember and love from the past, including "I Love Lucy," "The Addams Family," and "Gilligan's Island."
"The crowd will LOVE this year's theme and the production behind each number," said producer Keith Elliott. "Todd Kiech and I make a great choreography and production team, making this show a spectacular and successful event in many ways."
Elliott also confirmed that award-winning burlesque performer Michelle L'Amour will be back! She will entertain more than 1,400 audience members, along with Gravity Plays Favorites, Frenchie Kiss, Patrick Russo, Miss Foozie, and dozens more. He added that more than 130 volunteer performers and technical crew members, plus 25 committee members will dedicate their time to produce event.
To date, Chicago Takes Off has raised more than $300,000 for TPAN, making it the second largest fundraiser for the HIV/AIDS organization.
"The buzz from last year's event should help in raising $100,000 or more," said Rhett Lindsay, TPAN's Associate Director of Special Events. "Everyone is conscious of the economy, and the producers and committee have been more diligent than ever in helping us meet our fundraising goals, while keeping the event one of the most entertaining and with tickets at a very affordable price."
A kickoff and table captain event will take place on Sunday, January 17 from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Scarlet Bar, 3320 N. Halsted. For more information about becoming a table captain, please call Rhett Lindsay at (773) 989-9400 ext. 233 or e-mail, r.lindsay@tpan.com. Only table purchases are available at the kickoff event.
Individual tickets go on sale Monday, January 18.
Tickets for Chicago Takes Off range from $50 to $300. Executive Producers ($300/ticket purchases) receive premiere seating, drink tickets, and baskets or trays of chocolates and other fine delicacies. Additional information about Chicago Takes Off, ticket levels and pricing, and seating charts are available online at www.chicagotakesoff.org.
Sponsors for Chicago Takes Off include: Broadway Costumes, Frost Lighting, MAC Cosmetics, GayOrbitz.com, Park West, The Paterno Group, and Steamworks; and Media Sponsors: Boi Magazine, ChicagoPride.com, Comcast, Gay Chicago Magazine, Grab Magazine, MTMChicago.com, Nightspots, Positively Aware Magazine, and Windy City Media Group.
View Chicago Takes Off photos from 2009:
Gallery One | Gallery Two
Bar-lesque is Back!
Co-chairs and organizers of Chicago Takes Off continue the local element in this year's event, featuring Chicago's sexiest bartenders and bar staff, in an online strip-a-thon known as "Bar-lesque."
In 2009, its first year, Bar-lesque raised more than $25,000 for TPAN, with two leading money makers--Tim Applegate from Jackhammer and Rick Nyman from The Glenwood. At press time, approximately 15 participants from various GLBT-friendly bars have signed up to take it off, online. As participants raise more money online or collected in bars, the more you'll "see" of them on the Chicago Takes Off Web site. The online event will take place from February 1 until February 28, and the winner will be announced at Chicago Takes Off on March 6. To find out who these sexy bartenders are and help them out of their clothes by donating, visit www.chicagotakesoff.org.
This year's theme, "TV Land: Outside The Box," adds a naughty twist to spoof the favorite TV shows that we all remember and love from the past, including "I Love Lucy," "The Addams Family," and "Gilligan's Island."
"The crowd will LOVE this year's theme and the production behind each number," said producer Keith Elliott. "Todd Kiech and I make a great choreography and production team, making this show a spectacular and successful event in many ways."
Elliott also confirmed that award-winning burlesque performer Michelle L'Amour will be back! She will entertain more than 1,400 audience members, along with Gravity Plays Favorites, Frenchie Kiss, Patrick Russo, Miss Foozie, and dozens more. He added that more than 130 volunteer performers and technical crew members, plus 25 committee members will dedicate their time to produce event.
To date, Chicago Takes Off has raised more than $300,000 for TPAN, making it the second largest fundraiser for the HIV/AIDS organization.
"The buzz from last year's event should help in raising $100,000 or more," said Rhett Lindsay, TPAN's Associate Director of Special Events. "Everyone is conscious of the economy, and the producers and committee have been more diligent than ever in helping us meet our fundraising goals, while keeping the event one of the most entertaining and with tickets at a very affordable price."
A kickoff and table captain event will take place on Sunday, January 17 from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Scarlet Bar, 3320 N. Halsted. For more information about becoming a table captain, please call Rhett Lindsay at (773) 989-9400 ext. 233 or e-mail, r.lindsay@tpan.com. Only table purchases are available at the kickoff event.
Individual tickets go on sale Monday, January 18.
Tickets for Chicago Takes Off range from $50 to $300. Executive Producers ($300/ticket purchases) receive premiere seating, drink tickets, and baskets or trays of chocolates and other fine delicacies. Additional information about Chicago Takes Off, ticket levels and pricing, and seating charts are available online at www.chicagotakesoff.org.
Sponsors for Chicago Takes Off include: Broadway Costumes, Frost Lighting, MAC Cosmetics, GayOrbitz.com, Park West, The Paterno Group, and Steamworks; and Media Sponsors: Boi Magazine, ChicagoPride.com, Comcast, Gay Chicago Magazine, Grab Magazine, MTMChicago.com, Nightspots, Positively Aware Magazine, and Windy City Media Group.
View Chicago Takes Off photos from 2009:
Gallery One | Gallery Two
Bar-lesque is Back!
Co-chairs and organizers of Chicago Takes Off continue the local element in this year's event, featuring Chicago's sexiest bartenders and bar staff, in an online strip-a-thon known as "Bar-lesque."
In 2009, its first year, Bar-lesque raised more than $25,000 for TPAN, with two leading money makers--Tim Applegate from Jackhammer and Rick Nyman from The Glenwood. At press time, approximately 15 participants from various GLBT-friendly bars have signed up to take it off, online. As participants raise more money online or collected in bars, the more you'll "see" of them on the Chicago Takes Off Web site. The online event will take place from February 1 until February 28, and the winner will be announced at Chicago Takes Off on March 6. To find out who these sexy bartenders are and help them out of their clothes by donating, visit www.chicagotakesoff.org.
