TPAN's retro 'Affair'

Clothing ranged from business casual to the bold and colorful at Test Positive Aware Network’s (TPAN’s) Aware Affair. The “Totally ’80s Ultra Lounge” gala was held Sept. 11 at the Ravenswood Billboard Factory.

Guests received colorful plastic bracelets at the door before being ushered through a “time-warp tunnel” and into the party, where neon lights spun alongside Michael Jackson hits. Food was as eccentric as the theme; guests ate hot dogs, mashed potatoes, meat loaf and egg rolls from carry-out boxes.

The night featured performances from Scott Alan Jones, Inaside Dance and MidTangent Productions. TPAN honored Condon McGlothlen, Greg O’Neill, Ken Miller, Keith Elliott, and Todd Kiech for their contributions. NBC Chicago’s Lee Ann Trotter and Alex Perez—the latter a Windy City Times 30 Under 30 honoree—presented the awards.

Scott Silverman co-chaired the event alongside Todd Armbruster, Toby Eveland, Robert T. Cichocki. Silverman said that money raised would help TPAN continue to do work in HIV prevention, education, counseling, and substance abuse. “It’s an inclusive organization that’s been around a long time,” Silverman said. “It really is an organization that matters.”