Chicago

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 72 business hours before the start of the event. 

The Little Village Chamber of Commerce announces a new date and theme for the 2023 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade. The annual parade will kick-off at noon on Mexican Independence Day, Saturday, September 16, 2023. This will be the first time the Little Village Chamber of Commerce celebrates the annual parade on a Saturday and on the actual date of Mexican Independence Day which is celebrated each year on – September 16.

The parade’s theme “Tu Mexico, Tu Chicago” will focus on Mexican identity and culture with an emphasis on representing each state in Mexico. Parade participants and floats will represent the different states in Mexico, showcasing the many Mexican traditions and culture that reside not just in Little Village but all over the city of Chicago and beyond.

“We are looking forward to celebrating such an important event with the community for the first time on Mexican Independence Day , September 16th”, said Blanca Soto, Chief Operating Officer, Little Village Chamber of Commerce. “Safety, like every year, remains our highest priority and we plan to deliver a safe and fun parade for our residents and visitors to enjoy. We also invite everyone to stay after the parade to shop and dine locally at the many shops and restaurants along the 26th street corridor to fully experience all our community has to offer.”

The parade will continue its tradition by kicking-off from the historic Little Village Arch located on 26th street and Albany Avenue and proceed down 26th street to Kostner Avenue. The 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade is considered one of the largest parades in the Midwest and brings together over 400,000 participants, residents, and visitors along the two-and half-mile business corridor. The parade features brightly colored floats, mariachi bands, and folkloric dancing. The parade is attended and enjoyed by residents, elected officials, community leaders, local businesses, entertainers, artisans, and artists.

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP. 

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru Oct. 31, 2023, or in compliance with the May 2023 dues relief extension). No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 48 business hours before the start of the event. 

Labor Day Parades in America date back more than a century, even before Labor Day was declared a federal holiday in 1884. Chicago has a long and storied history of Labor Day parades that pre-dates the establishment of the Chicago Federation of Labor.

​Official records vary, but one can be certain that Chicago’s first Labor Day Parade took place in the 1880s. Labor Day parades in Chicago before the turn of the 20th century regularly involved upwards of 30,000 working men and women and drew thousands more onlookers. Roughly 75,000 workers turned out to march in the 1903 parade.

Over the years Labor Day parades in Chicago have come and gone, as public interest has waxed and waned.

The tradition was revived by former 10th Ward Alderwoman Susan Sadlowski Garza in September 2015 with the support of local businesses, unions, and community members. The new parade ran down Ewing Avenue on the Southeast Side and was followed by Eddie Fest, featuring live music, food and fun for the whole family. Eddie Fest was named after Sadlowski Garza’s father, the legendary United Steelworkers activist Edward ‘Oilcan’ Sadlowski.

The 2023 Chicago Labor Day Parade and Eddie Fest is moving from the East Side, but not far! After Sadlowski Garza’s retirement in 2023, the parade and festival will move to the Pullman Historic District, which has been developing and highlighting its ties to the Chicago labor movement and labor history over the past few years.

​Labor Day is an American holiday that celebrates and honors the contributions of working-class people. Organized and run by the Chicago Federation of Labor, the parade seeks to celebrate union pride, solidarity, and community togetherness. We look forward to hosting another successful event that families can enjoy for years to come.

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP. 

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru Oct. 31, 2023, or in compliance with the May 2023 dues relief extension). No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 48 business hours before the start of the event. 

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then our message of strength and unity will be loud and proud as we gather as a SAG-AFTRA community for a photo in front of a Chicago icon - The Picasso sculpture at Daley Plaza!

Come and see the familiar faces of your fellow SAG-AFTRA members and meet some new ones!  

Please wear your SAG-AFTRA t-shirt! At this time we do not have enough shirts for everyone, so please wear the one you have.  If you do not yet have a t-shirt, please bring your SAG-AFTRA member ID card or digital card in the member app to receive one.  

When you arrive, sign in with designated SAG-AFTRA staff under the Picasso.

Be sure to show your support on social media with #SAGAFTRAstrong, #SAGAFTRAstrike!

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP. 

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru Oct. 31, 2023, or in compliance with the May 2023 dues relief extension). No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

Welcome to the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local! This Member 101 meeting is a must for new members, and a great refresher for the seasoned veteran actor!  

This is a valuable meeting to learn everything you need to know about SAG-AFTRA and all that we have to offer.  

Learn new things and get answers to any questions you have about SAG-AFTRA.

The meeting will be held in person at the KRC - 1 E. Erie, Suite 660, lunch will be served.

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP. 

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local members in good standing (paid thru Oct. 31, 2023, or in compliance with the May 2023 Dues Relief Extension). No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 72 business hours before the start of the event. 

The SAG-AFTRA Blood Drive is back!  We will be hosting a Blood Drive on Monday, September 11, 2023 from noon - 5:30 pm.  This is an amazing opportunity to save some lives, while hanging in the KRC with your fellow SAG-AFTRA members and friends.

If you are interested in donating, please visit the Vitalant website here to select an appointment time.  To reserve your time slot, you can either login to your Vitalant account or create an account through the website.

If you are unable to make a reservation through the website, please feel free to reach out to Kathy.Byrne@sagaftra.org or 312-867-5508. 

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

After almost 3 years of pandemic beards & buns, actors may not look (or feel!) like their old headshot anymore. And yet, those old professional photos are doing the work of helping you secure your next audition or booking. Perhaps it's time to let the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Conservatory help make sure your headshot is working for you!

Join us on Monday, August 21, from 6-8pm as we discuss the art of the headshot: what works, what doesn't, and what you can do to end up with one you love! Join us as we talk candidly with Bob Schroeder of Grossman & Jack Talent and Charleston Owensby of Stewart Talent as they discuss what makes a headshot pop or flop and what your agents need most from you! We'll then be joined by a few headshot photographers that will share their perspectives from behind the lens as they give some tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your next headshot session. 

Get ready to make your next headshot session hit the mark - RSVP today!

(Please note: this event is reccommended as a pre-shoot preparation conversation for those separately registered for the 1-look headshot event on Saturday, August 26th. Separate event registrations are required for each event.)

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP. 

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru Oct. 31, 2023, or in compliance with the May 2023 dues relief extension). No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 48 business hours before the start of the event. 

Please join your Chicago Local brothers and sisters in solidarity as we walk from Wrigley Square at Millennium Park to rally at Buckingham Fountain!  We are walking for our rights, for our livelihoods, and for our futures! 

WALK and check-in starts at 201 E. Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601, NE Corner of Millennium Park in Wrigley Square at noon.

RALLY and program at Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park will begin around 1:30 pm.

SAG-AFTRA Members - PLEASE wear your SAG-AFTRA t-shirt, we have a small supply to distribute to those who do not already have a shirt. Don’t forget your hat, sunscreen and water bottle!

If you have mobility concerns, please feel free to meet directly at Buckingham Fountain.

If you are able to join us, please RSVP below.

Visit sagaftrastrike.org to find detailed information, updates, and helpful FAQs. Be sure to join the conversation on social media using #SAGAFTRAstrong, #SAGAFTRAstrike and #Power2Performers.

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP. 

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 48 business hours before the start of the event. 

Please join the NextGen Committee for Game Night in the KRC the 3rd Tuesday of every month!

We are building community while playing some games!  The games vary each month - could be a Cornhole Tournament, Taboo, Pictionary, Trival Pursuit, you name it - we have it!

Union members are welcome to bring friends, the more the merrier.

Bring a snack to share, and join in on the fun!

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP. 

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru Oct. 31, 2023, or in compliance with the May 2023 dues relief extension). No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 48 business hours before the start of the event. 

Time to update your headshot? The local conservatory has you covered. The following photographers will be participating in this year’s headshot event. Each appointment is $135 for a 30-minute one-shot session, resulting in one final retouched headshot. Any additional looks you wish to purchase can be discussed with the photographer. Each headshot session will take place at the photographer’s studio

Most photographers have a makeup artist for $50 per session. Use of the professional makeup artist is encouraged, if available. Once you make your appointment, you will need to make payment to confirm your reservation.

To schedule an appointment, please email jess.jones@sagaftra.org with the name of photographer and approximate time you would like to schedule your appointment.

Joel Maisonet, Maisonet Photography 
(FULL/BOOKED -  waitlist only)
joelmaisonet.com
2150 S. Canalport, #3C-19
Chicago, IL 

Joel Maisonet is a Chicago-based headshot and commercial portrait photographer. Leveraging his background as an actor and dancer, Joel is known for coaching his clients to natural, engaging expressions. 

HMU: Davenda Thompson, Paint Gal Studio
 

Joe Mazza, Brave Lux Inc.  
(FULL/BOOKED -- waitlist only)
bravelux.com
1770 W. Berteau, Unit 404
Chicago, IL 

Joe Mazza is an award-winning portrait, advertising, theater, and editorial photographer based in Chicago. Over the past 30 years, he's worked as an artist in many media– playwrighting, puppetry, film, radio, and as an actor– all of which inform how he creates with a camera.

HMU: (TBD)
 

Elizabeth Stenholt 
(Saturday, 8/26  - 11am-5:30pm)
Home Studio - Located near Northeastern University in North Park
https://lizlens.myportfolio.com/headshots-1

Elizabeth Stenholt likes to work and chat with clients to achieve their headshot goals and needs. She likes to help performers look and feel their best and be the ultimate cheerleader behind the lens!

HMU: No HMU Artist provided, please bring your kit & come with hair & make-up ready (like you would for auditions.)

(Please note: The SAG-AFTRA Conservatory is separately offering a pre-shoot headshot conservatory presentation on August 21st from 6-8pm, which is recommended and encouraged for those attending the 1-look headshot event on Saturday, August 26th. Separate event registrations are required for each event.)