Every day more than 1,000 visitors, participants and clients walk through the doors of Center on Halsted. Come and experience the richness of our recreational, theatre, gallery exhibits and cultural programs. Take a class in our Computer Technology Center or use the free wi-fi throughout the building while seated in one of our many living rooms spaces. Come, be a part of Center on Halsted.
Center on Halsted opened its doors April 30, 2007, and has become Chicago's premier lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) destination. Once inside, you'll find an entertainment venue, an organic grocery store, a café, more than a dozen community service partners, a technology center, a gymnasium, a theatre and a number of other unique gathering spaces to house our programs and services to the community.
Center on Halsted and Sara Lee Foundation Planting Day
Volunteers from The Sara Lee Foundation, lead sponsor for the Access to Nutrition Program, and the Center's Executive Director Modesto Tico Valle spend a Sunday morning planting seasonal flowers in front of the Center.
Center on Halsted National HIV Testing Day Seminar
The Center hosted a National HIV Testing Day Seminar on June 24 where Reverend Ivan Riley a Chicago Pastor spoke of his personal journey with HIV. Pictured left to right are Jill Dispenza Director of HIV at the Center, Reverend Ivan Riley and Modesto Tico Valle Center on Halsted's Executive Director.
Illinois Bar Foundation awards grant to Center on Halsted
Illinois Bar Foundation Grants Committee Member Tony Romanucci presents a $5,000 grant to Modesto Tico Valle Executive Director at Center on Halsted, to support the posting of legal education workshops podcasts and relevant handouts on the Center's website.
If you like the work being done at Center on Halsted, tell the world! You have an exciting opportunity to help the Center make even more of a difference within the LGBTQ community. Great Nonprofits is conducting a contest to find the top-rated LGBTQ nonprofits around the country. Please help by clicking here and filling out the brief questionnaire (www.greatnonprofits.org/pride).
Join the Center on Halsted Team! You can support the Center's efforts by either making a donation to the Center's team or by joining the team! Your support will help the Center to continue to provide Rapid HIV Testing, HIV Prevention Programs, HIV Support Groups and the HIV/AIDS & STD Hotline to our community. Your participation and generosity really makes a difference in supporting HIV/AIDS services.
SEX 101 & THE G-SPOT AT MARY'S ATTIC FOR WOMEN ON WEDNESDAYS
Wednesday, July 1 7pm - 9pm
Mary's Attic
Women on Wednesdays just got a whole lot sexier and a whole lot funnier on Wednesday July 1, 2009 when Center on Halsted joins with its July partners; Tulip and Mary's Attic. This month, please join us at a new location, Mary's Attic located at 5400 N. Clark, for "Sex 101 & the G-Spot."
Tickets are: $10 to support community and cultural events at the Center.
For details and to RSVP, please contact Tom Ballentine, Director of Community and Cultural Programs at culture@centeronhalsted.org or call 773.661.0673.
Center on Halsted celebrates Chicago Windy City Black Pride 2009 with TWO extraordinary events
Thursday, July 2 Beginning at 5:30PM
"How Do I Dance?" celebrating Black Pride Week
5:30PM - 7:30PM, (Billie Jean King Gymnasium, Center on Halsted)
Center on Halsted proudly sponsors "How Do I Dance - so you think you can serve? The Battle of the Best Dancers". Competitors will hit the dance floor, with three types of dances ("J Sette", "Vogue" & "Hip-Hop") with prizes awarded at the end of the event. Tickets: $15 at door (free to all COH Youth members with valid I.D.); Contestant entry fee: $25 per team.
"How Do I Look?" - a FREE film screening, celebrating Black Pride Week
8PM - 10PM, Hoover Leppen Theatre, Center on Halsted)
Chicago Windy City Black Pride 2009 proudly presents "How Do I Look?", a documentary featuring the New York City Ball Scene. Very special guest, Wolfgang Busch (Director, Producer and Videographer).
SEX 101 & THE MYSTERIOUS MALE G-SPOT AT CELLBLOCK FOR MEN ON MONDAYS
Monday, July 6 7pm - 9pm
Cell Block
Men on Mondays just got a whole lot sexier and a whole lot funnier on Monday July 6, 2009 when Center on Halsted joins with its July partners; Tulip and Cell Block. This month, please join us at a new location, Cell Block, located at 3701 N. Halsted, for "Sex 101 & the Mysterious Male G-Spot." Cash bar available, including "Men on Mondays" discounted drink specials.
Tickets are: $10 to support community and cultural events at the Center.
For details and to RSVP, please contact Tom Ballentine, Director of Community and Cultural Programs at culture@centeronhalsted.org or call 773.661.0673.
Rooftop Hip-Hop - Appropriate for all ages and dance levels. Classes begin July 11: 11AM - 12PM, Saturdays (weekly). Ballroom for Beginners - Come by yourself or bring a partner. Classes begin July 7: 10AM - 11AM Tuesdays (weekly) and 7PM - 8PM Sundays (weekly). Pilates - Appropriate for all ages and levels. Classes begin July 7: 2PM - 3PM Tuesdays (weekly) and 6:30PM - 7:30PM Fridays (weekly).
Queer Spirit Chicago Drop-In Guided Meditation - Each week will focus on a new topic or concept. Attend any or all sessions.
Classes are currently available 11AM - 11:45AM, Mondays (weekly) & 6PM - 7:15PM, Tuesdays (weekly) (ongoing)
Fee for all classes: $10 ($5 for Seniors/Youth with valid I.D.). Due to popularity & limited space, RSVP's are strongly encouraged please contact Cathy Jones; Health/Wellness Coordinator, at cjones@centeronhalsted.org or call 773.472.6469 X 265.
Chicago's own Dan Crowley ("Uncle Dan" comic strip; Comedy Central's "TV Funhouse") now shares his famous cartooning technique! This 4-week session will show you how to combine your artistic side & journaling to create four-panel cartoons that express your life in a fun, new way!
On four Wednesdays in July the Rooftop Garden will be transformed into a fully functioning restaurant staffed solely by talented aspiring chefs ranging from 14 - 21 years old from the What's Cookin? After School Matters program.
July 8th Paella Party
July 15th Lovely Louisiana
July 22nd Taste of South East Asia
July 29th California Dreams
Time: 6PM sharp - 8PM (only one seating)
Price: $20.00 per person to support the programs at Center on Halsted
BYOB
Pre-paid reservations only accepted now click here.
Reservations accepted until to 5PM the Monday preceding the dinner of your choice.
Come alone; bring friends as all guests will be seated at one communal table.
Generously supported by Whole Foods Market on Halsted
CENTER ON HALSTED HOSTS TWO ART SHOWS OPENING JULY 10, 2009
Opening Reception Friday, July 10 6:30pm - 9pm
Center on Halsted will hold two art gallery exhibits simultaneously in the art galleries at Center on Halsted. The shows will run until August 23, 2009.
The Center's 2nd floor gallery will feature the works of artist David Simpson in a show entitled Where do Gay People Come From?
The Center's 3rd floor gallery will feature the works of artist Likalee in a show entitled Likalee's Bionic Heart.
Complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be generously provided by Joey's Brickhouse (www.enterthechef.com). A cash bar will be available. $5 suggested donation (at the door) to support future cultural programming at Center on Halsted. The donation will allow access to both the 2nd and 3rd Floor Gallery openings.
For more information contact Tom Ballentine, Director of Community & Cultural Affairs at culture@centeronhalsted.orgor call 773.661.0763.
Center on Halsted will partner with Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies, Chicago's Jewish educational and cultural center, for an author reading and discussion of Light Fell by Evan Fallenberg who will talk about his experience of religion, literature, and sexuality in Israel and how this has impacted his writing. A book signing will follow.
Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 2PM at Spertus. Tickets are $10. To purchase tickets, please call Spertus at 312.322.1773 or visit www.spertus.edu. Spertus is located at 610 S. Michigan Avenue.
Olivia and Center on Halsted Presents
"An evening with Olivia Travel
& the Comedy of Vickie Shaw"
Monday, August 3 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Join us for an evening of fun information about the Olivia trips, and the insanely funny comedy of Vickie Shaw.
Whether you've traveled with Olivia before or not we encourage you to come and bring your friends! By attending, you will be entered to win a "2 for 1 Off Regular Pricing" on Olivia's upcoming Halloween Cruise October 25 - November 1, 2009, departing from Tampa, Florida and other fun prizes that will be drawn that evening!
$20 suggested donation to Center on Halsted.
Limited admission.
We are now taking reservations for our meeting rooms, theatre, gym and other spaces available in our new building. Please see the following documents to see how we can help you.
Visit our Community Partners Page to learn about who is sharing our home! Partners include The Association of Latino Men for Action (ALMA), Amigas Latinas, The Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, GayCo Productions, The NAMES Project Chicago Chapter, Northalsted Area Merchants Association (NAMA), Windy City Athletic Association, Windy City Performing Arts, Windy City Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf, achurch4me? Metropolitan Community Church.
