REUNION is a project incubation space provided on a sliding scale to work that centers women, poc, and lgbtq identities & stories. REUNION is an art gallery, event space and co-working studio located in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood.
Cultural producers Kristen Kaza and Elijah McKinnon founded the space with a mission to provide a collaborative and grounding environment for women/femmes, LGBTQ people and people of color. If you are interested in renting desk space in the coworking room or event space in the gallery, please contact: [email protected] or visit reunionchicago.com for details. Follow our adventures on Insta
Cultural producers Kristen Kaza and Elijah McKinnon founded the space with a mission to provide a collaborative and grounding environment for women/femmes, LGBTQ people and people of color. If you are interested in renting desk space in the coworking room or event space in the gallery, please contact: [email protected] or visit reunionchicago.com for details. Follow our adventures on Insta
Operating as usual
Our twirl into this sunset wouldn’t be complete without @tune.in.with.tristen, the official godmutha of @reunionchi who has poured some care and love into @reunionchi over the years. Come on out and enjoy our final moment of wonder in 2557 North Ave. Arrive early for a special ritual to bring the sweetest gift to a close. See you at 7pm.
We are so incredibly honored to welcome @cheflisashaw back into @reunionchi for our closing reception and ritual. Over the years, she has brought so delicious nourishment to key programs and we’re elated to indulge in some delectable bites this evening. We have plenty of space! Arrive early and please wear all black or dark colors to harness the energy of the partial lunar eclipse.
🖤🖤🖤
Doors @7pm
Ritual @7:30pm
Sunset Ceremony + Benediction @8pm
Photos by
Y'all have showed up and showed out over the past week. Thank you so much for holding this transition with such grace and ease. We truly appreciate the support and presence you have gifted us over the years. Tomorrow is our official closing reception and ritual. In honor of higher vibrations and sunsetting we have our longtime fam, friend, educator and activist @jendelosreyes stepping in to facilitate our closing benediction. And naturally, we couldn't bring this beautiful tour to a close without an intentional ritual lead by the Godmutha of Reunion, @tune.in.with.tristen / @addicted2blak.
Thanks to some generous donations we have plenty of space so feel free to slide. Don't forget to bring your appetite because we have an intentionally curated spread of nourishing bites from @cheflisashaw. See you soon. Also, we strongly encourage attendees to wear black or dark colored clothing to harvest the powerful energy of the partial lunar eclipse.
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" Reunion Chicago was founded by Kristen Kaza and Elijah McKinnon as a coworking space and incubator centering LGBTQ+ and BIPOC creatives in Chicago. After a remarkable six-year run, the two are closing the space"
Thanks Chicago Reader and Red Bull!
Reunion was founded by Kristen Kaza and Elijah McKinnon as a coworking space and incubator centering LGBTQ+ and BIPOC creatives in Chicago. After a remarkable six-year run, the two are closing the space, but not before celebrating the beauty and accomplishments of the space and its community.
q***r care day is today. Pull up to @reunionchi one final time to indulge in the power of collective care.
Doors at 11am
Yoga at 11:30am
Market + Services at 1pm
@loganparlorhair
@thegigijiggles
@mycallakeemriley
@feltonkizer
@elijaa_
@karlaproduces
@pettybutterinc
@iamkiam
@booknerdspells
@drinkmondaycoffee
Couldn’t bring this farewell tour to a close without bringing out our fave yoga bae @karlaproduces to lead us in a restorative + meditative session on the mat — all set to the sounds of @elijaa_!
We got plenty of mats left so bring your body and your intentions to @reunionchi tomorrow for Q***r Care Day.
Doors at 11am
Yoga at 11:30am
Market + Services from 1-3pm
See you at reunion! Grab a ticket to support or closing cost online or just pull with some higher vibrations to celebrate this beautiful sunset!
She is a friend of my mind.
As Toni Morrison often exclaimed, It’s a true blessing, the bond that is shared between femmes. We are so grateful to our friend and mentor Kamilah Rashied (@shesgotta)for giving us such tremendous care and counsel over the years, and guiding our conversation during last night’s tender opening event. If you missed the discussion but want to get into the real deal granular of what six years of Reunion was like from our experience, we encourage you to join us next week for our closing ceremonies on November 19 facilitated by our other fairy femme mother Jen Delos Reyes (@jendelosreyes).
Tonight’s Q***r Comedy is ALL the way sold out and there won't be a guest list or door sales, but we encourage you to prioritize your wellness and join us for Q***r Care Day on Sunday, November 14. @karlaproduces (Trap Yoga, Lululemon, Yogma) returns to lead an intimate and restorative session on the mat set to your favorite slo jams by Messy Miss Demeanor, followed by a variety of q***r vendors, including nail art by Gigi Lira, Trim Ups by Logan Square Hair Salon, Portraits by Felton Kizer and more. Yoga is limited to prioritize social distancing, so advance purchase is strongly recommended. We’ve also announced visiting hours for the exhibit, for those of you who cannot attend any of the programs.
Thanks to many generous donations we can accommodate discounted tickets to Q***r Care Day (11/14) and You're Welcome Closing Reception + Ritual (!1/19). Use the promo code: WEAREFAMILY at check out.
We look forward to laughing, crying and sweating it out with you.
🍭🎁🌈
Photos by @cosmic_ghost
11-11 is a divine summoning.
In numerology, it represents intuition, creativity, genius, refinement, and fulfillment: A signifier of Something Special. It is by design that our sweet farewell falls on such a symbolic day.
We’ve spent the week installing our closing exhibition with Ciera of AMFM, and it’s definitely giving legacy. It truly is breathtaking the number of LGBTQ+ & BIPOC centered projects and dreams that bloomed in this space. We are immensely grateful to every person who’s given their energy overtime to this experiment of ours. We can’t wait for you to experience it.
Today’s opening event “You’re Welcome” features some very special players in Reunion’s timeline, including longtime friendtor of ours Kamilah Rashied (@shesgotta) serving “talk show host” for the evening, Shaun J Wright(@shaunjwright), who DJ’d our 2019 edition of “You’re Welcome” offering the sonic experience and of course, the inimitable Darling Shear (@empressdarlingshear) giving one final twirl after countless performances over the years. As always, it’s a family affair!
Our intention is to offer experiences that are both intimate in attendance and energy to keep things intentional and COVID conscious. See you at 2557 North for one final twirl into one of the most glorious sunsets.
Looking at these tickets disappear for The Sweetest Gift like…... 👀👀👀
We’re so excited to welcome you tomorrow for the opening reception and LIVE talkshow w/ @shesgotta and @elijaa_ + @kristenkaza. Doors to the exhibit open at 6p and the talkshow begins promptly at 8pm.
Some thangs are sold out. Some thangs have plenty of space. Get in where you fit in, fam.
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Ask us about our skincare routines. ✨
Femmes showing up for each other is a revelation. We spent Saturday in honest, courageous conversation with two of our “friendtors” @shesgotta & @jendelosreyes , who will serve as our ceremonial facilitator bookends of The Sweetest Gift, opening Thursday. We joked about them domming the conversations so we could, refreshingly, trust and follow someone else’s lead. If we are being honest, running a sliding scale DIY q***r space has often been draining and the incessant management of planning sometimes get in the way of us being present in our full humanity. If you’re here to get into the real 🍵 on what this process has been like in its full spectrum, we recommend joining us at You’re Welcome on 11/11 or 11/19 when we will have those brave conversations.
Tickets are very limited and profits will go toward our closing costs and we are grateful for the support. If you feel compelled to share space but need financial assistance, email [email protected]
We’re exactly one week away from opening our doors to @reunionchi for a good ole fashioned celebration. Prepare to be immersed in joy and wrapped with love as we take up space in a home that has had many shapes over the years.
🍭🎁🌈
The Sweetest Gift: A Farewell Reunion (11/11-11-20)
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After nearly six years of providing space for Chicago’s LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities to build, share, and explore, beloved project incubator & event space Reunion Chicago is taking a final bow. Co-Founders Elijah McKinnon and Kristen Kaza invite you to join in commemorating its legacy at “The Sweetest Gift: A Farewell to Reunion Chicago,” opening Thursday, November 11 and running through November 20. This closing exhibition, co-curated by AMFM, will feature photos, art and ephemera from over the years. Additionally, some of Reunion’s "greatest hits" events like Q***r Comedy and Q***r Care Day will make a return, among other moments of gratitude and wonder. All programs and gallery hours will be ticketed and follow COVID-19 safety protocols that will be announced on November 1, 2021.
TFW the tickets are moving faster than your run to dance floor when the DJ drops tour fave jam.
Don’t sleep on copping your tickets to #thesweetestgift beloveds.
Drop the track that always get you running, sliding, rolling, or twerking over to the dancefloor when you hear the beat drop 🎶
👇🏻👇🏼👇🏽👇🏾👇🏿
🚨THIS IS NOT A DRILL🚨
Tickets are officially on sale for “The Sweetest Gift: A Farewell Reunion” Closing Exhibition and Programs opening November 11.
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11/11 - “you’re welcome: opening reception” w/ @shesgotta @empressdarlingshear @shaunjwright @kristenkaza @elijaa_
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11/12 - “Q***r Comedy Night” w/ @tribbzthecool @selahsay @slomoparty
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11/14 - “Q***r Care Day” w/ @karlaproduces @theblaqagenda and more!
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11/19 - “you’re welcome: closing reception” w/ @jendelosreyes @tune.in.with.tristen / @addicted2blak @kristenkaza @elijaa_
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All events are ticketed, and funds will support closing costs. There will be NO guest-list or door sales available for these programs. For those in need of financial assistance please email [email protected].
We do expect all events to sell out and it’s really important to us that the community who were so integral to Reunion’s growth and legacy get a chance to be a part of this, so to that end, we strongly recommend advance purchase + evaluating how much space you take up. As always, we will be prioritizing each program for LGBTQ+ & BIPOC, women and gender expansive fam.
We can’t wait to celebrate all that we have endured + manifested over the past six years.
🌈🎁🍭
Tickets and more details at reunionchicago.com.
#thesweetestgift is amplified by @weareotv @slomoparty @redbull @prep4love @aidsfoundationchicago
🚨INCOMING STUNTS🚨
It wouldn’t be a family affair without some of @reunionchi’s day ones sliding through to celebrate this glorious occasion. We’re elated to share that @shesgotta and @jendelosreyes will be facilitating a coversation between @elijaa_ and @kristenkaza at both the opening + closing reception of #thesweetestgift, respectfully.
Kamilah Rashied (11/11) and Jen De Los Reyes (11/19) have taught us so much about public engagement, collective power and sustainable artistic practices. In addition to empowering Chicago’s rich, cultural and artistic landscape they have also provided an incredible amount of nourishment to @reunionchi, often providing us with a platform to process and share our methods + models with their students, peers and comrades. We salute them for all that they do in and outside of thee academy. The world is a much brighter place with them in our orbit which is why we couldn’t image another pair opening + closing this farewell extravaganza.
Prepare for stunts, gems and moment of wonder on 11/11 and 11/19.
Tix on sale Nov 1. Get into this final gig, fam!
🍭🎁🌈
11/11: You’re Welcome: Opening Reception + Talkback w/ Elijah McKinnon & Kristen Kaza facilitated by @shesgotta
11/19: You’re Welcome: Closing Reception + Talkback w/ Elijah McKinnon & Kristen Kaza facilitated by @jendelosreyes
Last call on submissions to #thesweeteestgift closing exhibit. We received so many beautiful moments of wonder, care and joy. This space couldn’t have weathered the past six years without your commitment to taking up space, sharing your gifts and let’s be honest turrrrrning all the way UP & OUT for our beautiful community.
We did it, Chicago!
Drop those memories at reunionchicago.com
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So many smiles, laughs, and a couple tender tears from all the outpouring of support and memories we’ve received with the announcement of our sweet farewell. 🍭 🎁 🌈 Revisiting many incredible moments over the years has been such a gift. Please keep them coming! We are taking submissions of your photos, memories and memorabilia to be included in The Sweetest Gift: A Farewell Reunion Nov 11-20. It’s really important to us and the legacy of this space that we showcase the breathtaking array of work and experiences that took root amidst these walls.
The link in bio has the form, and our announcement as thoughtfully shared by our friends at @blockclubchi .
Cue up SZA, we can’t wait to see you in “Sweet November.” 🍭 ❤️
Photo by @pauloctavious
Custom lettering by @astratesh
Happy #NationalComingOutDay (today and every single day) – let’s celebrate ourselves and our communities for the consistent resilience we must cultivate to live in our TRUTHS. Whether you are fully out or straddling the in between, we see you and we honor your ability to create space for a world that can hold us all.
FAM!! On this day (and month of LGBTQ+ history) we call on you to share your fondest memories that have taken place over the past six years @reunionchi. We couldn’t build this community without YOU and we definitely couldn’t curate “the sweetest gift” farewell exhibition without celebrating all of the JOY and MOMENTS OF WONDER that has filled our walls.
Consider sharing a memory in the form of a video, photo or voice memo and we’ll make sure to find its way into the digital offering we are curating at the closing exhibit opening 11/11.
🍭🎁🌈
#thesweetestgift #farewellreunion
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤍🤎
"We're calling this a farewell and not a goodbye because we believe transitions are meant to be celebrated and we're really proud of what we've given and what the community has given back," one founder said.
Y’all! We’re just over a week away from the return of READS 🙌🏾💕📚
This has been an incredibly difficult week, month, lifetime, and we want to express our love and support for all of our Black and Brown fam - now and always. As the title of our May selection says, freedom is a constant struggle, and we hope you take some time to share space with us as we imagine new futures in which we can all thrive together.
Today we spotlight our radiant duo guiding us through next week’s conversation - @mycallakeemriley & @waladshami. If you haven’t yet signed up, head over to our bio for the rsvp! And we still have a few copies to distribute, hit us up if you are in Chicago and would like one!
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Mycall Akeem Riley (he+him) is a liberatory inclined educator, style whisperer, a q***r Black body striving to live unapologetically. Mycall’s work spans closets and classroom and is rooted in black feminist pedagogies of the past, present, and future. In his spare time Mycall enjoys book clubs, thrifting, and working to dismantle the hegemony.
Samer Owaida is a grassroots organizer born in Palestine and raised in Chicago. Samer has produced qualitative and quantitative reports on several key issues taking place in the West Bank. Samer has also worked closely with the Arab community as a Case Manager. Today, Samer works as a Case Manager at Chicago house, working closely to help individuals with chronic homelessness and a HIV+ status to find and maintain housing. Samer is also a Research Assistant at University of Illinois at UIC conducting research on the relationship between HIV knowledge and immigration among q***r Arab men.
The books have arrived 🙌🏾📚🙌🏾 Sign up now for your copy - as always BIPOC & LGBTQ+ fam get first pick.
Because as the Combahee River Collective write in their statement, “If Black women were free, it would mean that everyone else would have to be free since our freedom would necessitate the destruction of all the systems of oppression.”
Join us on March 6, link in bio!
2557 W. North Ave
Chicago, IL
60647
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We're so grateful for all of the love and support that has poured in over the past month. Reunion wouldn't be possible without your continued belief and trust. We're 25% away from reaching our $10K goal. PRIDE may be over but Reunion's doors are open and consistently celebrating LGBTQIA fam 365 days a year. If you had a great time this past weekend and want to lend some allyship to a cause that directly impacts the LGBTQ+ commuity, consider dropping a coin or two: https://www.gofundme.com/reunionchi Enjoy this lil video of us chatting about what keeps us going!
WOOOHOO WE BROKE $6,000! Thank you for your continued support. You are an integral part of our foundation. Investing in alternative ecosystems powered by LGBTQ+ & communities of color is a radical act. Let's keep that same energy! We're so close to our $10,000 goal! DONATE at www.gofundme.com/reunionchi
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 q***r, people of color and femme-identified individuals in creative roles.
If you are interested in renting, building or dreaming at Reunion, please contact: [email protected] or visit reunionchicago.com for details.
Follow our adventures on Instagram at @reunionchi or visit us at 2557 W. North Avenue by appointment. REUNION does NOT keep regular business hours; appointments must be scheduled via email.
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