For over 3 years we’ve been holding it down as one of the very few DIY spaces in Chicago prioritized exclusively for women, femmes and non-binary fam, LGBTQ+ folx and communities of color.

We’ve witnessed progress, heartache, fear, love, outrage, joy — but most importantly, family. This little (big) place located on the corner of North and Rockwell began as a small dream but has blossomed into a platform that we could have never imagined. Our community has put a lot of blood, sweat into making Reunion a thriving ecosystem and for that, we say THANK YOU + YOU’RE WELCOME!

Musical Practitioners:
Messy Miss Demeanor Elliot (aka Eli Micky)
Shaun J. Wright
The Wife of Wrath (aka Petty Crocker)
Mister Wallace

Moments of Wonder:
Saki Nosaki
Eric Dontè
Darling Squire
Saya Naomi
+++ more ♥

Reunion Family History:
In 2016, Cultural Producers Kristen Kaza and Elijah McKinnon assumed management of the space formerly known as Rational Park, once a workspace co-op home to a rotation of cisgender, white straight men, and lay the groundwork to flip the script, making a home for LGBTQ, people of color and women & nonbinary people to make work. After trying their best to work at various coworking communities and spaces around the city, they became increasingly disappointed with the lack of diversity, intention and social landscape of workspace environments, and imagined a more intersectional and collaborative space with “Reunion.”

Named for its intentions of being a welcoming space that engenders feelings of home and belonging, Reunion has become one of the only and most essential spaces in Chicago centering LGBTQ, people of color, and women, femme and nonbinary people. Over the course of three years, Reunion has welcomed over 100 organizations, groups, institutions and brands through its doors, producing over 500 events that would otherwise have trouble finding a space that could meet its budgetary, community and creative needs. In an effort to truly enact its mission of economic accessibility, Reunion operates on a sliding scale pricing model for rentals and residencies. Remarkably, this structure has sustained the overheard for over three years in the black. Reunion has yet to accept any support from public funding or community fundraising, therefore has successfully kept its doors open self sufficiently.

As we enter our fourth year, we’re throwing our first community fundraising initiative to help us keep our doors open and accessible to our family. Not only are we committing to a two-year lease, the longest least we’ve signed to date, we have also become fiscally sponsored in an attempt to accept larger donations and begin applying for public funding opportunities. Like many spaces in the city, we are facing a rental increase come July that will make it difficult to maintain our sliding scale rates so we are turning toward our community to help us continue our mission. The Family Reunion Fundraiser kicks off at YOU’RE WELCOME, on June 1 at Reunion and will run throughout the entire month of June. You can support by attending one or all of the events taking place during our Pride & Power series or by making a tax-deductible donation online. All proceeds go towards space improvements, accessibility enhancements and low-rental costs for our community.

Pride & Power 2019: YOU’RE WELCOME
Reunion returns with its 3rd annual Pride & Power programming, a 10-part event series during the month of June that centers wellness & community connection and showcases LGBTQ+ creatives & entrepreneurs. We believe in investing in a queer economy! Reunion’s mission is to mobilize and empower: By supporting our programs, you make it possible for us to keep the doors open to our women/femmes, LGBTQ+, POC prioritized space at a sliding scale. Every contribution is valued and makes an impact. Check out the full list of programs at www.reunionchicago.com.
6/1 – You’re Welcome: A Family Fundraiser for Reunion
6/15 – QUEER Karaoke: A Diva Moment
6/16 – QUEER CARE DAY: Because You’re Worth It
6/27 – Queer Comedy with Tribble: Lgbtq+ Legacies

About Reunion Chicago:
REUNION is an art gallery, event space and project incubator located in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood. Event/cultural producer Kristen Kaza and brand strategist/ cultural producer Elijah McKinnon assumed management of the space in 2016, with a mission to provide a collaborative and grounding environment for queer, people of color and femme-identified individuals in creative roles.

About Reunion Chicago Accessibility Information:
COMMON SPACES AND RESTROOMS
*Reunion is a storefront studio with wheelchair accessible common spaces. Our bathroom can accommodate a wheelchair however lacks hand grips.*
For more information contact wearethereunion@gmail.com

Official Website

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Tags: Chicago, Darling Squire, Eli Micky, Eric Dontè, Messy Miss Demeanor Elliot, Mister Wallace, Petty Crocker, Reunion Chicago, Saki Nosaki, Saya Naomi, Shaun J. Wright, The Wife of Wrath, West Town, You're Welcome: PRIDE Kickoff Party