Hello COVID-cautious cuties,

My name is Anna, and I'm the founder of Parallel Play Chicago. This year we launched Dilly Dally: a mask-required quarterly mixer series for COVID-cautious queers (and allies). Each mixer is a little different, with activities ranging from karaoke, bingo, variety shows, beach meet-ups, open mics, clothing swaps, and even "speed friend-ing." Given the ongoing need for safe spaces, especially during these very isolating times for the COVID-cautious, we have designed the Dilly Dally event series to foster connection and build networks of care within our community.

Our mission: Parallel Play aims to foster community among COVID-cautious people in Chicago by creating safe, accessible, and creative spaces. Our intentional community works to center the liberation of LGBTQIA+, immunocompromised or disabled individuals, and BIPOC through mutual aid, supply drives, and collaborative arts partnerships. 

Thanks so much for your interest in joining the Parallel Play community! Below is information on our upcoming mask-required or virtual events. If you’d like to get involved or volunteer, please fill out this Google Form: bit.ly/dillydallyvolunteers

Upcoming Events Schedule:

1. Dragalicious Dilly Dally - Saturday, August 31, 4-8 pm at El Paseo Community Garden (wheelchair accessible) in Pilsen, Co-hosted by Artistic Alphabet Mafia: A queer, food-centric outdoor event with drag performances, a plant swap, karaoke, collaborative crafting projects with Chicago Mushroom Club, food and art vendors, and many quieter, sensory-friendly garden spaces to explore. Pay-what-you-can $0 - $30 tickets: dillydally3.eventbrite.com (SOLD OUT)
   
   

2. Beach Babe Dilly Dally - Thursday, September 12th, 5-9 pm @ Montrose Beach & Grove 16 at Montrose Harbor, Co-hosted by They Beach: A free, accessible queer beach meet-up event with an open mic, poetry and musical performances, country line dancing lessons, and dance party by DJ Dickey Black at dusk. FREE with a $10 suggested donation - Get your tickets now: dillydally4.eventbrite.com
   
   

3. Virtual Dilly Dally - Parallel Playdate on Discord! Details TBD, SAVE THE DATE: Friday, September 27th, 7-10 pm - virtual
   
   We are brainstorming ideas for our virtual event that is tentatively scheduled for the evening of Friday, September 27th. The vision is to continue building our Discord community over the next several months and "debut" it at the virtual event, which will feature some "parallel play" via activities in concurrent discord rooms. Attendees will choose what they'd like to join (watching a performance, crocheting, step-by-step group crafting, cooking classes, RPG games, dance party etc). If you are interested in helping facilitate/plan this virtual event, please reach out via our contact form or DM.
   
   Click here to join our Discord!
   
   

4. Dilly Dally: Halloween Dance Party, Craft Fair & Variety Show - Saturday, October 26th at Haymarket House in Uptown
   
   This Dilly Dally is co-hosted by Artistic Alphabet Mafia and Kababayan Collective. It will a feature a costume contest, crafting, a DIY Halloween Haunted House created by Artistic Alphabet Mafia, and a variety show curated by Kababayan Collective in celebration of Filipino American History Month.
   

5. Parallel Play's Inaugural Annual Organizational Meeting - SAVE THE DATE! Tentatively Sunday, November 10th @ 4 pm: Virtual event for our community to finalize changes to our (currently very basic) by-laws. We will be formalizing our full board of directors and creating organization structures (which include a membership tier for volunteers with voting rights to govern the board of directors) over the course of the next couple of months. This will be our time to formally vote on these changes and celebrate our community and its accomplishments.
   
   
   With love,

   Anna De Ocampo Kain (she/they)
   Parallel Play Chicago
   Founder & Executive Director