A Kinky, Witchy, LGBTQ-Friendly Dance Party Is Coming To The Whistler

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 9, 2016 4:30PM

Lorena Cupcake and Sophie Bee are the Switches Of Eastwick, photo by Kerri Hacker of Chicago Singles Club

The Switches Of Eastwick are starting a new monthly residency at The Whistler tonight, and it sounds like a party we want to go to.

According to the Switches, "Each monthly ritual will feature a new music genre and space transformation based on themes of power and submission concocted by your queer witch hosts Sophie Bee and Lorena Cupcake. Leather, crystals, and Stevie Nicks ass capes are encouraged."

You had us at ass capes.

We reached out to Cupcake (who uses they/them pronouns) and asked how the night originated. They told us, "I made a joke on Twitter about what a good name it would be for a club night. A switch is someone who isn't a a dyed-in-the-wool top or bottom [in a BDSM-context]; it's someone who can fluidly move between being dominant and submissive. It's also an instrument for physical punishment. I thought it was the perfect name for a club night influenced by BDSM and the occult."

Cupcake decided to team up with The Whistler since it was "a venue that I know will support me in making it a fun safe place for people to get dressed up in a way that pushes boundaries, let their guard down after a few cocktails, and not have to worry about being groped by some bro and being blown off if they try to address it with staff."

Tonight's festivities feature DJs Jarvi and SOLD, so expect a mixed soundtrack since both artists wield a broad musical pallet. You have equal chances of getting down to some hardcore techno, old school disco, or beatific balearic beats. You'll have to show up to find out.

What kind of crowds are the Switches hoping to see in attendance? Cupcake told us, "I don't want people to stay away because they don't identify as queer. That being said, we are setting an intention for this to be a space that celebrates transgender people first and foremost, and there will definitely be a lot of representation from gay, lesbian, and bisexual people."

So, basically, as long as you're willing to have a good time, you're welcome to show up and dance your ass off. The same goes for future events:

"We're planning to change the visual theme and music genre every month," Cupcake said. "Two ideas we currently have are to do a live rope bondage demonstration on stage, and to throw a Drake-themed night called 'Topping from the Bottom Now We're Here.'"

Here's a recent disco mix from SOLD to get you in the mood to dance in the moonlight tonight. The party kicks off at 9:30 p.m., there is no cover but you gotta be over 21 to attend. The Whistler is located at 2421 N. Milwaukee Ave.