Dance parties


For its founders, Party Noire—a monthly gathering of black millennials and their allies—was a necessity. “We didn’t have a reference,” says co-organizer Nickecia Alder. “There wasn’t [a party] that was curated by black women that was providing a space for black DJs.” Since launching the day party in 2015, Adler and co-organizers Lauren Ash and Rae Chardonnay Taylor quickly established a community of regular attendees, who arrive at the Promontory ready to dance, connect with their peers or play board games. “We’re always centered on black joy,” says Ash, noting that Party Noire has proved to be a “very powerful, very affirming and very healing” place during difficult times for Chicago’s black community. à 5311 S Lake Park Ave (312-801-2100, thepartynoire.com). Mar 19, Apr 15 and May 28 2–8pm; $10–$15.


Chicago nightclub the Warehouse was famously the birthplace of house music in the ’70s, and today, the weekly Queen! party at Smart Bar carries that torch, both for the genre and the inclusivity it embraces. Each week, resident DJs Michael Serafini, Derrick Carter and Garrett David spin records and curate a lineup of guest DJs (including artists like late house- music legend Frankie Knuckles) while hosts Lucy Stoole and Jojo Baby prowl through the crowd. Attendees can fill the dance floor or make new friends at the bar as the comforting pulse of bass drums and the haze of fog machines fills the subterranean club. “Queen! comes from the old-school mentality that it’s about the party,” explains Serafini. “From the DJ to the people who come to just let go on the dance floor—it’s about everybody.” à 3730 N Clark St (773-549-4140, smartbarchicago .com). Sun at 10pm; $10.


Time Out Chicago March 8–June 6, 2017 32


PHOTOGRAPHS (FROM TOP): RJ ELDRIDGE; ERIK COMMER


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84