Our Anniversary Ball 2010

Angel and Bob--25 years

Their first drive together was in a Chrysler Cordova with "fine Corinthian leather" and during their first dinner together had a discussion about one being a dancer and the other being an opera singer. Six cats later, the two are busy cleaning up hairballs and litter, wondering who's really in charge.

Joel and Craig -- 12 years

Who knew a rose and a veggie steamer would be all that was needed to win your future partner's heart? Joel and Craig--12 years later--look back at their first few dinners together with fondness and at the same time, celebrate the 37th year of the Joel Hall Dancers, one of the country's premiere dance-concert companies and training centers.

Arlene and Ruben--20 years

Whether it's her newfound passion for reflexology or his decision to pick up the guitar and teach himself how to play, Arlene and Ruben have figured out that allowing each other to be who they want to be is a secret to their 20 years of togetherness. Along with their daughter Crystal, the family enjoys artful lives that include music, dance and graphic design.

John and Bill--12 years

Are you a Curly fan? Bill isn't. He's a Shemp man all the way. But one indication that Bill and John were meant to be together was an obscure Three Stooges reference. After meeting at Cocktails on Halsted Street, John and Bill, having just met, were making their way to another bar when they saw a pipe coming out of the wall of a bank building. "That's a hunk of pipe," John said. For Bill a bell rang, as John had just uttered an obscure Shemp line--not Curly--but Shemp. "That was a big indicator for me," Bill says, to which John adds that "a mutual sense of humor" is a big sign.

Carl and Patrick--2 years

Having honeymooned in Hawaii, Carl and Patrick legally tied the knot in the frenzy that was San Francisco just as California was about to strike down its same-sex marriage law. But legal has nothing to do with their bond as lifelong partners. The two have their eyes set on starting a family through adoption and eagerly await what their future brings.

Lora and Simone--5 years

Though they met casually before being co-workers, the time together during the day eventually grew into what is now a five-year companionship. From their love a family ignited, starting with a dog and a cat but eventually encompassing the birth of their daughter who is already a year-and-a-half. The growing family looks forward to their happy future together.

Asians and Friends Chicago--25 Years

The anniversary of GLBT and straight couples is not the only celebration going on for May 7, as Asians and Friends Chicago will also join the festivities to celebrate its 25th anniversary year. The group engages in social events for gay men of Asian decent as well as those interested in Asian cultures. It most recently held its annual Chinese New Year's dinner and holds dim sum and mahjong gatherings on a monthly basis.

Angela and Tom -- 25 years

Though the particulars of their first meeting at Beaumont's on Halsted are areas of contention, the truth of 25 years and two children later is a happy tug of war for Angel and Tom. She remembers both of them were with a group of friends and she "called dibs" on Tom. He remembers the mutual attraction and how early into the relationship he really felt that marriage was in the cards.

Bill and Chen - 31 years

From their first meeting at a North Clark Street pub called Cheeks in 1979, the two eventually became an item. Chen's invitation to dinner at his place for their first official date charmed Bill and lead to their lives as a couple.

Bill and Chen are also helping Asians and Friends Chicago celebrate its 25th year, with its long history of offering a social and cultural respite as well as serving as a gateway for immigrants, college students and newcomers to the city's GLBT community.

Pre-Ball Event Kicks Off Anniversary Ball Fun!

Welcome to Our Anniversary Ball, an all-inclusive celebration of unions and long-time relationships. The event itself is May 7, 2010 at Hotel Allegro, 171 W. Randolph in Chicago. Ticket information and other details follow in the entries below.

Last Friday, event organizers kicked off the official ticket-sale period with a Pre-Ball event at The Call bar in Chicago. Here are some photos:

Pre-Ball Event This Friday! (March 12)

Pre-Ball at The Call bar, this Friday, March 12 at 7 p.m., 1547 W. Bryn Mawr in Chicago. It's free! Come get your questions answered, purchase tickets and see a live, preview performance of the May 7 Anniversary Ball entertainment.

Our Anniversary GLBT & S Ball

Welcome to Our Anniversary Ball, an unique, all-inclusive celebration of relationships for gay, lesbian, bi, transgendered and straight unions.

When: Friday, May 7, 2010
Where: Hotel Allegro, 171 W. Randolph in Chicago
Time: 6:30 p.m., premiere package; 8:30 p.m., show-only

Cost: Premiere Package--$100/seat; $1,000/table

Pre-Sale Payment

For those who want to pay for single seats or tables of 10, we have two payment options.

1) Mail a check made payable to School Street Arts Movement to:

School Street Arts Movement
Joel Hall Dance Center
5965 North Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois 60660

attn. A. Abcede

$100 per single seat; $1,000 per table of 10

2) PayPal "Donate" button on http://ouranniversarychicago.blogspot.com

We have a preliminary set-up prior to our March 12 Pre-Ball at the Call promotional event. Pay $104 for a single seat and $1,020 for a table--this adds a convenience fee. We are working to better formalize those PayPal options and will update the process prior to March 12, but in the meantime, feel free to use the preliminary payment option.

Pre-Ball at The Call Promotional Image

We have this jpg for you to spread the word about our Pre-Ball event, set for March 12 at The Call bar, 1547 W. Bryn Mawr in Chicago. It'll start at 7 p.m. with an organizational meeting. The goal is to answer questions, sell tickets and have a preview of the entertainment at 8:30 p.m. Hope you can come.

Right to Marriage Gathering

Chicago's chapter of Lambda Legal had its 9th annual Right to Marriage gathering at the Mexican Museum of Art on the city's near South Side. About 300 attendees were present and About Face Theater did a snippet from their play about GLBT marriage called "Let Them Eat Cake."

Members of School Street's "Our Anniversary Ball" committee attended to pass out flyers. There was a lot of interest from attendees.

Anniversary Ball Meeting Last Week

Couples committed to the May 7 "Our Anniversary Ball" met last week at the Hotel Allegro to ask questions, organize and view the foyer and grand ballroom facilities. Here's some of what they saw.

Meeting This Wednesday (2/10)!

We're having our first organizational meeting this Wednesday (Feb. 10) at 6:30 p.m. at the Hotel Allegro, 171 W. Randolph in Chicago. Feel free to drop in. We'll be in the Cinema Room on the third floor. If you like, ask the front desk directions. We'll be inquiring about the hotel services, handling organizational tasks, previewing the grand ballroom and then going to the bar downstairs for a cocktail. Suzanne is our host and hotel representative and Angel is your lead organizer from School Street Arts Movement. See you there!

Couples Count

We're starting to count off the number of tables we need to make the event a success. Twenty-five tables is our goal, and to make minimum hotel costs we need to sell five. The reason we decided to go with the event on May 7 is that we achieved that number. We are now up to 7 tables sold, which covers our advertising costs. While we may have to incur more expenses down the road, they will be minimal. As we identify more couples, the fundraising will truly begin.

Event Date Set: May 7, 2010

Based on the couples who have committed to the event, we are targeting Friday, May 7, 2010 as the date. Please mark your calendars and plan accordingly.

Save-the-date e-cards will be available shortly. Stay tuned!

Welcome to Our Anniversary Ball - Chicago 2010

Welcome and thank you for visiting Our Anniversary Ball - Chicago, an inclusive, fun and affordable opportunity for people in gay, lesbian, straight and transgendered relationships to celebrate their unions.

We have several pieces in place, inclusive of the venue, approximate time and initial cost structure.

Where: Hotel Allegro, 171 W. Randolph in Chicago
When: A Friday in May 2010, with the exact date to be determined.

We want to direct your attention to our first organizational meeting, set for Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the venue, Hotel Allegro, 171 West Randolph in Chicago. Please RSVP to our lead coordinator, Angel Abcede at AngelChgo@aol.com or (773) 459-6775.

Price will be $125 per person, however, there will be a presale premiere package of $1,000 ($100/person) for a table of 10 which includes two-hour appetizer service, beer and wine, and a live musical performance.

The event will benefit School Street Arts Movement (www.schoolstreetarts.org), an AIDS-awareness not-for-profit that has conducted performances, workshops and apprenticeships with Chicago-area youth since 1990.