Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association
Since its inception in 1989, OPALGA has become one of the largest community based, multipurpose lesbian and gay membership organizations in Illinois.
“Twelfth Night” Gala Approaches
As the unrelenting winter of 2007–2008 continues, everyone seems to be suffering from the same problems—colds, flu, and bronchial infections abound, the sun hasn’t been seen for days at a time, and each and every one of us is absolutely ready for spring to get here. At OPALGA, the anticipation is even keener because spring promises more than just better weather—here comes “Twelfth Night,” OPALGA’s sure cure for the winter blahs. To be held this year on Saturday, April 5, our biggest party of the year has lots in store for its guests.
Shakespeare began his play with the classic line “If music be the food of love, play on.” Led by Co-Chairs J. Lee Latham and Rick Whitehead, the Gala Planning Committee has clearly adopted the motto and warmed to the task at hand. From an entertainment point of view, The Weird Sisters and our fantastic DJ will combine to make the evening a memorable one. From the moment you enter the Hyatt Lodge at Oak Brook amidst the beautiful McDonald’s campus, it will be readily apparent that this is going to be a spectacular event. Every aspect of the evening is being planned with an eye to making the night the best Gala yet. And, best yet, if guests don’t want to drive after the party, the Hyatt has made a block of rooms available for Gala guests at only $111 each.
So, whether it is the dining and dancing or the bidding on the various auction prizes at both the live and silent auctions that is your favorite part of the Gala, this year’s party will be a major mood-enhancer. The best part, however, is knowing that the Gala is so much more than just a great party. The Gala is our organization’s most significant fundraising event of the year, and it is so crucial to OPALGA that it represents about 40% of our entire annual operating budget. In addition to having a great time, guests at the Gala know that their support and participation help to make possible many of the programs that support our mission. A great party? Absolutely. But, with a ticket price of only $150, OPALGA’s Gala represents one of the best values around for the entertainment dollar. If you haven’t yet made your reservation, contact Jan at The OPALGA Center (708-848-0273) right away. Attendance at this year’s event is strictly limited to 350 due to the restrictions of the ballroom, so don’t be left out. Get out those boogie shoes and let’s party!
March Book Club Returns to the Twenty-First Century
The book club members had a good time and were in good company for the February 17 discussion of William Shakespeare’s comedy of mistaken identity, Twelfth Night. We were pleased to welcome back some former members, and we certainly hope that they’ll return—and bring their friends.
This month, we return to the twenty-first century—thank goodness—that Shakespearean language was quite a chore!
The following selections were decided on through July, 2008:
March 16 Pomegranate Soup by Marsha Mehran
Three sisters escape the Iranian revolution and open a café in a small Irish village.
April 20 Three Junes by Julia Glass
The tale of several central and connected characters during three separate Junes spanning 10 years.
May 18 A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
A powerful, harrowing depiction of Afghanistan, where women are agonizingly dependent on fathers, husbands, and especially sons, the bearing of male children being their sole path to social status.
June 15 Annie Freeman’s Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish
A tale that tracks five strangers who become soul mates over the course of a funeral, posthumously organized by their mutual friend Annie, who died from ovarian cancer at age 56.
July 20 The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
A hauntingly beautiful novel about two characters whose lives are woven together in such complex ways that even after the last page is turned, the reader is left to wonder what really happened.
The book club meets every third Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The OPALGA Center, 947 Garfield, Oak Park, unless otherwise specified. All books are available through www.amazon.com. In addition, copies can be requested from the Oak Park Public Library (834 Lake St., Oak Park) or ordered from The Book Table (1045 Lake St., Oak Park). Remember, OPALGA receives a charitable donation from The Book Table for each book purchased there (regardless of whether it is a book club selection). Please let them know that you are purchasing your book as a member of OPALGA.
Women’s Mix and Mingle Potluck
On Sunday, March 30, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., please join us for a Women’s Mix and Mingle Potluck. This is a great opportunity for the women of OPALGA to enjoy a casual afternoon get-together to reconnect with old friends and to meet some new ones. This event will be hosted by Bobbi Allen, 721 Ontario St., #212, Oak Park, IL 60302. If you have any questions or need directions, please contact Bobbi at 708-524-3350. Note that this is an adults-only event, so we request that you leave your children at home. We look forward to seeing you there!
Around The OPALGA Center
OPALGA Hosts LCCP Focus Group
On Thursday, January 17, OPALGA hosted a focus group for the Lesbian Community Care Project (LCCP), a program of Howard Brown Health Center in Chicago, to help that organization create an upcoming campaign focusing on lesbian health. The 17 women who participated comprised a racially diverse group ranging in age from 20 to 70 years! Topics ran the gamut from breast and cervical cancer to sexual practice, health, and general wellness. The group could have talked all night, and it became clear that we need to engage in more intergenerational dialogue and to talk more about women’s health and sex! Look for upcoming programming to meet this need, and if you have any programming ideas, please call The OPALGA Center to let us know so that we can work these programs into our 2008 calendar. To hear more about the focus group, or to discuss ideas for women’s programming, please contact Susan Abbott at The OPALGA Center by phone (708-386-3463) or e-mail (prism@opalga.org).
New Services in 2008
OPALGA has once again received funding from the Illinois Department of Public Health to provide education in HIV/STD prevention, but a new addition this year is the ability to provide FREE, ANONYMOUS HIV testing both on site at The OPALGA Center and in the community. If you would like to make an appointment to be tested or to meet one-on-one with our trained test counselors to assess your risk, please contact Susan Abbott at The OPALGA Center by phone (confidential voice mail at 708-386-3463) or e-mail (prism@opalga.org).
OPALGA has learned that two HIV+ support programs in West Suburban Cook County are no longer in operation. We are interested in starting a peer-supportive group for HIV+ individuals. If you are interested in participating, please contact Susan Abbott at The OPALGA Center by phone (708-386-3463) or e-mail (prism@opalga.org).
Amigos Latinos Apoyando Siempre (ALAS) is now meeting EVERY Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. at The OPALGA Center. ALAS is for gay-bi-trans-identified Latino males of age 18 and over. For more information, please contact Hector Salgado at alas@opalga.org.
We Need You!
OPALGA is forming a planning group to provide more programming and educational opportunities for communities of color. If you are interested in being involved with this group, please contact Lisa Pearson at 630-399-2116.
We are looking for HIV+ speakers to share their stories with our HIV prevention groups Spectrum and ALAS. If you are interested in speaking, please contact Susan Abbott at The OPALGA Center by phone (708-386-3463) or e-mail (prism@opalga.org).
Women Like Me Will Not Meet in March
Women Like Me, which normally meets on the fourth Sunday of every month, will not meet on March 23 due to the observance of Easter Sunday. Women Like Me is a supportive community group for women who are lesbian, bisexual, or questioning, or who are coming out later in life. Look for the regular meeting to resume at The OPALGA Center on April 27.
“Twefth Night” Gala 2008
Chicago’s winter may have plunged the city into the midst of a deep freeze, but planning for OPALGA’s upcoming “Twelfth Night” Gala continues to be red hot.
Returning this year to amuse and entertain the guests are The Weird Sisters, three singers (two females and one male) who combine their talents in a lively and topical manner that is quite unique. Backed by two first-rate musicians, The Weird Sisters always deliver. “I am really pleased that The Weird Sisters are returning,” said Gala Co-Chair Lee Latham. “They were well received in the past, and I am looking forward to hearing them again.”
Guests at this year’s Gala will have their choice of four menu options—beef, chicken, salmon, or vegetarian. This is somewhat unusual for an event of this size. “Our hope is to offer an entree item that will please everyone’s palate,” added Gala Co-Chair Rick Whitehead. “The quality of food at the tasting was excellent, and I really appreciate the Hyatt working with us to provide this type of variety among the entrees.”
As much as the Gala Planning Committee has already accomplished, the group still needs your help. Sponsors are always needed because those funds go directly toward covering the expenses of the evening. Program Book ads are also critical because they bring in additional revenue while also providing good exposure for a business or an individual looking to advertise. Anyone who knows of any potential sponsors or advertisers should contact Jan at The OPALGA Center at 708-848-0273.
Finally, there can never be too many auction and raffle prizes for a successful Gala. The Planning Committee always needs a huge selection in order to create a diverse array of prize packages for the evening. New this year is an emphasis on personal service or unique prize offerings such as the preparation and serving of a gourmet meal, baked goods, a private gardening consultation, etc. If any OPALGA member with a unique talent or service wants to make a donation, again, please call Jan.
“Twelfth Night” takes place on Saturday, April 5, 2008, at The Hyatt Lodge at McDonald’s Campus in Oak Brook. Tickets are $150 each, but if you take advantage of the 10% “early bird” discount and purchase your tickets by March 7, they are only $135. Call Jan at 708-848-0273 for additional information on tickets or any other aspect of the Gala.
Steppenwolf Theatre to Host OPALGA Benefit
On Friday, February 1, 2008, Chicago’s world-famous Steppenwolf Theatre is hosting an event to benefit OPALGA. Members and their guests will arrive at Steppenwolf at 6:00 p.m. for a private reception with appetizers and cocktails. At 7:30 p.m., they will be treated to a performance of the world premiere play “Good Boys and True,” in which the excesses of privilege are exposed in a prep school sex scandal. After the show, David New, Associate Artistic Director of Steppenwolf, will lead a post-performance discussion of the play, a very popular Steppenwolf tradition. Tickets for the benefit are $55 per person, which includes entrance to the pre-show reception (two drinks are included), the performance, and a donation to OPALGA.
OPALGA Co-Chair Mike Cochran got the idea for the benefit while talking with David, a friend of his. “As a subscriber to Steppenwolf, Rick and I have enjoyed many outstanding nights watching this acclaimed company perform. After seeing “August: Osage County” (twice), I was blown away by the production—quite possibly the most amazing play I have ever seen performed. We were talking about this season, and David suggested a benefit, which seemed to be a perfect fit for our members; this is the quality of production that they would appreciate and embrace.”
Steppenwolf had already achieved national recognition for the strength of its ensemble and the quality of its productions, but “August: Osage County” has recently thrust the national spotlight on the theatre in a very big way. Currently playing on Broadway to rave reviews and strong ticket sales, this play has again demonstrated the strength and vitality of Chicago theatre.
“This year’s theme at Steppenwolf is ‘What Does It Mean to Be an American,’” added Cochran. “We all knew the kind of student this play deals with: brilliant, athletic, popular, and charming. But when a videotape is discovered and the scandal takes unexpected turns, the student’s mother must deal with fact, fiction, and family. I am really looking forward to a great evening of theatre with good friends.”
In order to attend the February 1 performance, members should call Steppenwolf directly at 312-335-1650 and be sure to mention code 3815 when ordering. OPALGA members are urged to order tickets right away. Although 100 tickets have been set aside, members of the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce are also being invited to attend.
“This will be an exciting evening, but seating is obviously quite limited,” Cochran concluded. “I would like as many of our members as possible to be able to attend, so I encourage everyone to call and get their seats right away. This promises to be a great event, and I appreciate Steppenwolf making it possible for OPALGA to benefit from it.”
Anyone needing additional information should call Jan at The OPALGA Center at 708-848-0273.
BUNGALO and OPALGA to Co-Host Post-Holiday Brunch
BUNGALO and OPALGA invite you to the “Aren’t You Glad the Holidays Are Over” Brunch, which will be held on Sunday, January 27, 2008, at Trattoria 225 (225 Harrison St., Oak Park) from 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Celebrate the end of the holiday season by relaxing with friends over a delicious brunch, which will include pastries, oatmeal, breakfast meats, oven-roasted potatoes, salad, pizza, roasted pepper and goat cheese strata, manicotti, and an omelette station. Coffee, juice, and soft drinks will also be included, and there will be a cash bar for stronger beverages.
Tickets are $25 per person and are available in advance by calling The OPALGA Center (708-848-0273) or at the door. We hope to see many of you there!
“Twelfth Night” Gala Planning Continues
With the busy holiday season behind them, members of the 2008 Gala Planning Committee are now returning their attention to an enormous undertaking—accomplishing all of the tasks necessary to ensure that the 2008 Gala, “Twelfth Night,” is in fact the best Gala yet.
The Planning Committee first needed to secure a date and place for the event, which was not an easy task because of the large number of competing events on everyone’s calendars. The committee stepped up to the plate and hit a home run right away, securing the Hyatt Lodge on the McDonald’s campus in Oak Brook for the evening of Saturday, April 5, 2008. Having established those two key parameters, the committee is now working on all of the other details necessary to put on this tremendous event. Wanting to see exactly what they were dealing with, the planning committee held its December meeting at the Hyatt so that all members could inspect the space and offer suggestions for the night.
Gala Co-Chairs J. Lee Latham and Rick Whitehead could not be more pleased with the progress to date. “This year’s Gala should be exceptional,” said Latham, “and I can’t wait to see the faces of our guests when they walk into the Gala. They will be amazed because the location is lovely.” This sentiment was echoed strongly by Whitehead, who added, “We have an exceptional committee this year. A dozen people showed up in Oak Brook, which gives us a lot of different perspectives and energies for planning the event. Suggestions were bouncing around the meeting, which is what you need to put on a great Gala.”
With the dog days of winter now surrounding us, if you want to look ahead to warmer times, why not join the Gala Planning Committee? Call Jan at The OPALGA Center at 708-848-0273 for planning meeting times and for more information. See you on April 5 at the Gala!
Book Club Announces First Four Titles for 2008
Book club members have decided upon their first four selections for 2008:
• January 20—Blood Sisters by Mary Jacobsen, a novel of the generosity of spirit and friendship that goes beyond sexuality.
• February 17—In keeping with the recently announced theme for the 12th Annual Gala (“Twelfth Night”
, the book club has decided to read Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, in which Duchess Olivia falls in love with Viola, who has disguised herself as a boy to find her missing twin brother. Festive songs and holiday spirit figure into the mood of this comic Shakespearean play of mistaken identity.
• March 16—Pomegranate Soup by Marsha Mehran, in which the three Aminpour sisters escape the Iranian Revolution and make their way to an Irish village where they open a small café.
• April 20—Three Junes by Julia Glass, which tells the tale of several central characters during three separate Junes spanning 10 years. Paul, a newly widowed father of three grown sons on a group tour of the Greek islands; Fenno, his eldest son, a gay man in New York City; and Fern, an artist and book designer whom Paul met on his trip to Greece several years earlier, now a young widow, pregnant, and also living in New York City.
The book club meets every third Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The OPALGA Center, 947 Garfield, Oak Park, unless otherwise specified. All books are available through http://www.amazon.com. In addition, copies will be available at the Oak Park Public Library (834 Lake St., Oak Park) as well as at The Book Table (1045 Lake St.), when possible. Remember, OPALGA receives a charitable donation from The Book Table for each book purchased there (regardless of whether it is a book club selection). Please let them know that you are purchasing your book as a member of OPALGA.
Latino Men’s Retreat a Great Success!
On Friday, November 16, OPALGA, in conjunction with Project VIDA in Chicago, took 17 young men between the ages of 18–24 to Watervliet, Michigan, for a three-day retreat with no cell phones, no iPods, and no contact with home. Over three days, the rigorous itinerary included structured activities such as creating their own life maps, writing a letter to themselves describing their most challenging life event, sharing it and burning it, exercise, group dining, and one-on-one counseling sessions for those who requested them.
According to Hector Salgado, OPALGA’s Latino men’s group coordinator and planner of this event, it was powerful to take these young men out of the clubs, where they are always trying to compete with one another, and bring them to a place where they really began to understand each other as people. Hector said that recurring themes included working through challenges with family, culture, and coming out and a need to let go of internalized anger. Hector felt that through this weekend, the young men were able to let go of a lot of self-imposed pressure and to learn to have more genuine relationships with each other. Evaluations completed by the attendees were overwhelmingly positive—comments included a desire to have another retreat that was longer but to improve the cooking!
We will give Hector some time to recover from this three-day event, but we would like to make this an annual event. We would like to thank the hard work and dedication of Hector Salgado, who hatched this plan earlier this year—his diligence paid off—and Celso Cardenas, our former ALAS coordinator, who volunteered his time for this event. Thanks to Carlos Samaniego and Project VIDA for their participation and fundraising and to Dr. Gary Harper from DePaul University. Also, a big thank-you to our donors for this event—Jan Grillos, Lori Hannigan, Ray Johnson, Donald Woolf, and JoAnn Ziebarth. All OPALGA members help to support multiple programs such as this. Your contributions and continued support of the organization make programs like this possible, and we thank you for contributing to the success of this event.
