Nine-time Grammy-nominated Meshell Ndegeocello is making a special trip to Chicago this February to spin records at one of the Midwest’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) events of the year. Ndegeocello will command the DJ booth, along with world-renowned DJ Jahi Sundance, at the Lesbian Cancer Community Project’s 13th Coming Out Against Cancer Ball (COAC). Nationally syndicated radio host Gretchen Helfrich (WBEZ’s ‘Odyssey’) will serve as honorary chair of this year’s event, which is expected to draw a record turnout of nearly 2,500 guests. COAC takes place on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2004 from 8 p.m.-midnight (VIP reception begins at 6:30 p.m.) at the South Shore Cultural Center (7059 South Shore Drive).
Ndegeocello (pronounced ‘N-day-gay-o-chello’) and Sundance are scheduled to DJ the event starting at 9 p.m. Recently, Ndegeocello released her fifth album, Comfort Woman. A socially conscious artist, Ndegeocello—whose name means ‘free like a bird’ in Swahili—constantly pushes boundaries with her sophisticated mix of sweet, raucous, and deeply personal rock, jazz, funk and soul. Sundance, who is Ndegeocello’s official DJ on her Maverick/ Warner Bros. recordings, has created sets at some of the world’s top performance venues, including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. He is also a full time professor at Scratch, the first DJ school, located in NYC.
‘This event just keeps getting bigger and better every year, and 2004 will be no different,’ said Jessica Halem, executive director of the Lesbian Community Cancer Project. ‘We’re thrilled that the amazingly talented Meshell Ndegeocello and DJ Jahi Sundance are able to help LCCP raise desperately needed funds for our programs. And we’re equally excited to welcome WBEZ’s Gretchen Helfrich as our honorary chair.’
Features include:
— A VIP reception in the Solarium overlooking Lake Michigan, where guests will enjoy complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres (catered by George Jewel Catering)
— A silent auction featuring celebrity merchandise, getaways, artwork, restaurant and theatre packages, and much more.
— A VIP reception presentation of the 2004 COAC Awards honoring U. of Chicago professor of history and author of Gay New York, George Chauncey, Ph.D., Subaru of America, and longtime LCCP volunteers Gayle Birdsong and Mary Torres.
Tix online at www.lccp.org or Call (773) 561-4662.