THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED



According to Michael Hobbes’ 2017 Huffington Post article, Together Alone: Why Didn't Gay Rights Cure Gay Loneliness, gay and bi men are experiencing loneliness at an alarming rate. This can partially be attributed to the stress endured from being in a minority community while looking for belonging. Thisworkshop provides time and space for gay and bi men interested in bringing loneliness out of the shadows and examining its various shades. It will use fun interactive theatre games, writing exercises, and other participatory activities to unpack the ways minority stress contribute to loneliness, and to imagine what the opposite of loneliness could look like. Suitable for anyone who identifies as a gay or bi man who is currently feeling or has ever felt lonely. 

Research and Background

Abu Ansari has been an artistic associate with Voice of the City since 1999 and recently served on its board of directors as vice president of making art. He is currently pursuing an MA in applied theatre at London’s Goldsmiths University. Abu began researching loneliness to gain perspective on his own struggle to find belonging following a succession of loss, grief, and a move to a new country.

 For his dissertation, which will be completed at the end of August, Abu is researching how participatory arts can be employed as an intervention for loneliness in gay/bi men. Research shows that minority stress, or the anxiety experienced on a day-to-day basis by people within a stigmatized minority group, can be an indicator for loneliness.  Gay/bi men are specifically at risk, as the judgement, alienation, and expectations for masculine perfection imposed by a heteronormative society often get reinforced by other queer men.

Voice of the City invites you to our 2nd Annual Fundraising event on April 27th!

Join us for an evening of divine cocktails, music, performances by our outstanding VOTC artist partners, light fare & delightful company.

Your contribution supports Voice of the City's work as a beloved embedded arts organization that builds community through making art and teaching art. 

Dress to impress cabaret style

Raffles, prizes and more!

B.Y.O.V (Bring Your Own Vinyl)-did we want to keep this? The festivities begin at 7 PM in our studio, 3429 West Diversey Avenue Chicago

Tickets online HERE.

All ticket levels include edible delights and captivating performances. Choose your level:

Enduring Classic - $75 (1 VIP - Red Carpet ticket level) Entry includes Champagne toast with VOTC board at 6:30PM, Event Gift Bag & 2 Divine Cocktails

Singable Showtune - $35 (1 General Entry ticket level) Sale begins March 30th

Delightful Ditty - $25 (1 Early Bird ticket level) Sale ends March 29th

I cannot cocktail cabaret with you, but I would LOVE to contribute to Voice of the City!

For our 10th anniversary, The Plagiarists are delighted to partner with Voice of the City to host New York Times bestselling author and MacArthur fellow Jonathan Lethem for a discussion about “The Ecstasy of Influence.” Ten years ago, Lethem’s essay on cultural ownership and artistic inspiration inspired us to form The Plagiarists, and it continues to guide all the work we produce. Come and find out how great artists are great thieves, where ideas come from, and most important of all, where they should go.

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SWITCH is excited to hold space to imagine partner dancing beyond the strong gender binaries that have shaped its practices. This workshop will be focussed on those who teach partner dancing, to deconstruct the traditions. Through leading and following, with less stress on defined roles, we can come to a new experience of partner dancing.

Workshop led by Celia Calder

Get your tickets here.