Asians and Friends Chicago (AFC), a social group for LGBTQ Asians, allies and those interested in Asian cultures, will host a celebration of country music and dance with a saloon-themed fundraiser they’re calling, “Burlesque in the West.” The theme reflects the Lunar New Year zodiac sign of the horse and will raise funds for the group’s Pride Parade efforts.
They will host the annual function on Sat., April 18, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the Holiday Club, 4000 N. Sheridan Road, for the last time at that location since it is scheduled to close at the end of April. In addition to D.J. Aaron Sager spinning country hits, AFC members will entertain guests with Western-themed musical numbers.
“We were inspired to continue celebrating the Year of the Horse, which we started to do at our Lunar New Year dinner earlier this year,” said John McInteer, president of the Board of Directors for AFC. “And like the Pride Parade itself, it’s another opportunity for our members to come together and express our creativity and passion as people from the LGBTQ community.”
Tickets are available for a $20/person donation at http://afchicago.org. (Our website will be accepting payments soon, so please keep checking back.)
The event, which will bring together members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and
queer (LGBTQ) community and allies, will help AFC cover costs for float rental, material costs and parade fees.
“For AFC and many other nonprofits, Pride is a great opportunity for us to affirm who we are as a community,” McInteer said. “For us, that means not only supporting LGBTQ individuals but those with roots in the Philippines, China, Korea, Laos, Thailand and Hawaii, who often feel lost as minorities within a minority. But participating in Pride every year comes at a price. We hope to defray that cost with this annual gathering.”
Historically, AFC has supported the Pride Parade since its inception, McInteer said. “Many of the founding members of our organization marched in that first parade here in Chicago. And while many of them have passed, they talked about the risks they took with their livelihoods to push back against prejudice.”
The fundraiser will also feature a raffle, with prize donations from Atmosphere Bar, Campit Outdoor Resorts, Lucky Horseshoe, Max’s Place, Men’s Room Chicago, The North End, Sidetrack and Touche Chicago.
Since its founding in 1984, AFC has served the LGBTQ+ Asian community and its allies by
offering members social opportunities to celebrate Asian cultures and meet people of similar
backgrounds and interests. AFC is a proud 2010-2011 inductee into the Chicago Gay and
Lesbian Hall of Fame, a two-time winner for Best Organization in the Chicago Gay Pride Parade,
hosts of IFCON 2016 Chicago and recipients of Chapter of the Year 2022 from the International
Friendship Association.
