Twelve years!

Side Street Turns 12

Includes a free drink ticket and a raffle entry—thanks to our fabulous friends at Martini Room!

Join Side Street Studio Arts at Martini Room for a one-night-only celebration of creativity, community, and chaos—in the best way possible.

We’re turning 12, and instead of throwing a traditional birthday party (yawn), we’re bringing you a Maker’s Dozen: a deliciously curated lineup of art, performance, and unexpected moments. Think bellydance meets burlesque, watercolor meets embroidery, and poetry that materializes on the spot—because that’s how we do it.

 Here’s a taste of what’s in store:

 Dawn Xiana Moon sings in English and Mandarin, then transforms into a late-night bellydancer with a nerd-tastic twist.

 Jean Wildest, fresh off a Chicago Cultural Center residency, gives us improvisational dance and a delightfully scandalous gaymer burlesque routine.

 Cruel Valentine builds a piece in real-time with the audience—starting small and growing into full-stage performance art.

 Camille León invites you to co-create a mini-watercolor, which she’ll enhance with embroidery magic (a sample will be on display!). Instant poetry, created before your eyes and just for you.

 MsPixy and her sloshy sidekick Giant Martini host the night’s antics with flair, maybe even tossing in a performance or two of their own.

And yes—this is a fundraiser, but trust us, it won’t feel like one. It’s art, performance, collaboration, and celebration all stirred together in a very large, very fancy glass.

Dress to express, bring your dollar bills (for art, for tipping, for love), and let’s toast to 12 weird, wild, wonderful years.