Oct. 04--Cinespace Chicago Film Studios wants its Galaween party to pick up where Richard and Maggie Daley's Halloween Ball left off.
The inaugural Galaween will take place Oct. 31 at Cinespace -- which is where Fox's "Empire" and NBC's "Chicago Fire," "Chicago P.D." and "Chicago Med" film -- and benefits the Near West Side studio's CineCares Foundation. Cinespace president Alex Pissios hopes to turn Galaween into one of the city's top Halloween parties, not unlike the one the former Mayor and his late wife used to co-chair at the Chicago Cultural Center.
"(The Daleys) used to do a great charity event on Halloween for the Chicago Cultural Center and I want to take the torch and do the same thing," Pissios said. "We're going to have actors. ('Empire' star) Terrence Howard confirmed he's going to be there. And there's going to be some sports figures there. We're giving the Legacy Award to Joakim Noah."
The Bulls star is scheduled to be honored at the event for his work in the community, particularly in the fight against violence. Pissios said CineCares raises money for anti-violence campaigns and scholarships for students interested in pursuing the arts.
Galaween is one of many new ideas Pissios has for the nearly 52-acre Cinespace. He's also interested in developing a studio film tour once the gives him the greenlight to build a fence around the property and wants to bring concerts to the space. The studio hosted the CineFest Backlot Block Party in August, which included a performance by Bret Michaels.
"It was the first time we did it and the weather did not help us," Pissios said of CineFest. "But we'll do it every year. I'll be going to South By Southwest because I want to see how they do things there. I want to do something in the Midwest. I've got a lot ideas for the future here. Once this gets closed off, we can do some fun stuff."
Galaween
When: 7 p.m. October 31
Where: Cinespace; 2621 West 15th Place
Tickets: $150 for general admission and $250 for VIP; galaween.bpt.me
