by Jennifer Wilson What: DJs, dancing, information, art, films, circus fun Where: Turner Hall, 1034 N. 4th St. When: Saturday, October 25, 9 PM to 1 AM Cost: $12 advance from the Center; $15 at the door Contact: Kurt Dyer, Project Q, 223-3220 or kurt@projectq.org, Milwaukee LGBT Community Center, 315 W. Court St, Ste 101
Project Q, a youth program of the Milwaukee LGBT Center, is hosting the first ever “HomoComing: A Queer Halloween Homecoming” on Saturday, October 25, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Turner Hall. Sponsored in part by the UWM LGBT Resource Center, the dance is youth-oriented but is open to people of all ages. The youth planning this extravaganza hope many people will come to have a fun time, enjoy great entertainment, and get to know the Project Q community. Turner Hall will be decorated with a Halloween theme and cash prizes will be awarded for the best costumes, but Halloween attire is not required. Faded jeans and glittery evening gowns are equally welcome. The HomoComing Planning Committee, led by Project Q program manager Kurt Dyer and comprised of Project Q youth, are working hard to create what they consider to be a one-of-a-kind event that will leave people talking and watching for it again next year. Dyer says, “It’s pretty exciting! To our knowledge, no one has ever done a queer Halloween Homecoming before, so it’s a first in many regards.” It takes several subcommittees to coordinate an event of this scale, from organizing volunteers to providing local information on lodging, parking, and restaurants for out-of-town attendees. The event is being promoted not only in Milwaukee but across Wisconsin and beyond to Minneapolis, Indiana, Chicago, and Michigan. A special offer is available to GSAs (Gay-Straight Alliances) interested in selling tickets as a fundraiser. In addition to dancing to music spun by a DJ, the events subcommittee is planning to have a mix of other engaging activities. There will be an area reserved for informational tables sponsored by organizations interested in reaching out to LGBT youth. Other ideas include having artwork on display and a potential film screening from the UWM LGBT Film Festival program (see page 25 for details of the festival). Dyer has also been in touch with a queer circus based in New York called Circus Amok. “We’re hoping that it’s a really original event. We want people to say ‘Nobody’s ever done that in Milwaukee before — that was really cool!'” says Dyer. The Planning Committee has already received high levels of community support from area businesses and organizations. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities still available, such as helping with ticket collections and sales at the door, decorating Turner Hall on the day of the event, or simply being there to ensure that everyone has a good time. Businesses can support the event by buying tickets for their employees, displaying promotional posters, or donating Halloween decorations or food and beverages. Anyone interested in volunteering, sponsoring an informational outreach table or making donations can contact Dyer. Riverwest Currents – Volume 2 – Issue 10 – October 2003
by Jennifer Wilson