Every night at 8 p.m., you can catch people in the South Loop partying like it’s… two weeks ago.
While the coronavirus closed clubs weeks ago, the party hasn’t stop. Residents in the South Loop have been throwing balcony parties every night lately not only to have fun, but to send a message to essential workers “we appreciate you!” If that isn’t a good reason to party, we don’t know what is.
The balcony singing and parties started as a trend in Europe, with many areas leading city-wide sing-a-longs or clapping to thank healthcare professionals and other essential workers. The fun traveled to New York City, Miami, Oak Park, the first to shelter-in-place in IL, and has now landed in Chicago. They even have their own hashtag: #SolidarityAt8.
The nightly parties started last week as a way to stand in solidarity with healthcare professionals fighting on the frontlines of the pandemic. A number of Facebook pages popped up with city-wide singalong events and balcony parties. Last weekend, Chicagoans sung Bon Jovi hit, “Livin’ On A Prayer,” and then later that week, Queen’s “We Are The Champions” and “We Will Rock You” were belted from rooftops and balconies.
Now, the South Loop has kicked things up a notch with nightly balcony parties and glittering light shows. At 8 p.m. residents turn their speakers up to the max, sometimes with an agreed-upon song, and flash their lights on and off. Last night a popular song was “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge. All of this is in solidarity with healthcare professionals, grocery employees, and other essential workers.
🎶We Are Family 🎶 #ChicagoUniteAtNight #solidarityat8 #Chicago pic.twitter.com/0jWrTk8Ddy
— Brian Kachinsky (@bkachinsky) April 1, 2020
If you live in the South Loop, or another neighborhood with sing-a-longs/balcony parties, raising the roof is a fun way to show you care. Is your community throwing a party? Share your videos with us on social media with the hashtags #SolidarityAt8 and #mysecretchicago.
You can also join in with Fever’s virtual house party this Sat, April 4, which is taking place all over the nation!
Feature photo: @loryn0127