Getting down and ‘Dirty’
Former Windy City Times ’30 Under 30′ honoree Simon Strikeback celebrated his 30th birthday Nov. 28 with a show at Jackhammer, 6406 N. Clark. Headlined by Strikeback’s band, Actor Slash Model, ‘Dirty Thirty’ was a fundraiser for the film Me Neither, which highlights the art and experiences of trans and gender variant musicians. Actor Slash Model was supported by queer musical acts Congress of Starlings, Brother Truck, and Division & Honore. A dance party with DJ SKY followed the live music.
The feature-length documentary Me Neither is filmed and directed by Strikeback and bandmate Madsen Minax (also a former ’30 Under 30′ honoree), and will feature interviews and performances from trans musicians across the country. The money raised at the benefit will fund a final round of interviews later this month with artists in California. From there, according to Strikeback, the film goes into post-production and is expected to be released at the end of summer 2009. Text and photo of Strikeback (left) and Minax by Samuel Worley