The Whistler, Slo ‘Mo’s first home, in 2019 by Erik Michael Kommer
About
Slo ‘Mo began when founder and event producer Kristen Kaza longed for a space with a sensual vibe for queer women & friends to connect.
Thus, Slo ‘Mo: Slow Jams for Queer Fam was born in 2011 at famed cocktail bar The Whister, when founding resident DJ Tess (2011-2016) would spin vinyl all night, and establish Slo ‘Mo’s iconic sound that endures today, lifting up R&B, funk, house & disco from the 70s to now.
Slo ‘Mo at the Whistler continued every third Thursday from 2011 until the pandemic in 2020, featuring hundreds of rotating DJs including resident DJs Audio Jack (2015-2020) and VITIGRRL (2020-present) carrying the sonic mission. In 2018, Slo ‘Mo launched the daytime spin off Old Gold, featuring all-vinyl sets and an intergenerational mission by centering attendees and DJs over 30 and music from the 1970s-90s. Old Gold has held residencies at the Ace Hotel, Guild Row and Dorian’s, and at the end of 2024 popped up at the Salt She'd’s rooftop bar Three Top Lounge. Old Gold’s resident selectors are The Good Girls: Lori Branch, Lady D and Slo ‘Mo’s VITIGRRL.
Attendees at Old Gold at Guild Row 2024 by Jacyln Rivas
Jules performs at the Queer Fam Pride Jam at Millennium Park, 2024
In addition to the parties, Slo ‘Mo has produced over 200 events in its 13+ year tenure.
With a focus on live music and performance, Slo ‘Mo has produced numerous shows at venues across Chicago. Slo ‘Mo made a return to public programming in 2021 with the history making “Divas Through the Decades” at Millennium Park, an 18-piece band performance of over 25 women-powered classics from the 70s to today. Other memorable events have included the LGBTQ+ family festival, The Queer Fam Pride Jam, their long-running Queer Comedy Night, Slow Jams Yoga, Slomotel NYE, the exhibition Lost & Found: Exploring Dyke Spaces of the 70s & 80s, and many more
As its impact on Chicago has grown, Slo ‘Mo has worked in collaboration with collectives, institutions and brands including the The City of Chicago, Millennium Park, Howard Brown Health, HBO, Navy Pier, Nike, Museum of Contemporary Art, Steppenwolf Theater, Reunion Chicago, OTV, Metro/SmartBar, Sleeping Village, The Promontory, Thalia Hall, the Chicago Reader, AMFM, Soho House and many more.
It has been the recipient of numerous awards including being voted “Best LGBTQ Dance Party” in the Chicago Reader Best of Chicago poll for its inclusive and intergenerational appeal.
Madame Gandhi performs at a Slo ‘Mo Pitchfork Music Fest after party at the Ace Hotel, 2017.
Slo ‘Mo at Sleeping Village residents Angelica Grace, Godmutha Tristen, Darling Shear, VITIGRRL, Party Mom Kristen & Icey Bby by Erik Michael Kommer
Slo ‘Mo has endured for over 13 years, through a pandemic and numerous hurdles in the nightlife industry, as a queer women & femme centered and prioritized space & sound.
All Slo ‘Mo events feature and employ majority women and gender expansive, LGBTQ+ & BIPOC artists, vendors and small businesses. Slo ‘Mo approaches space making through a lens of care and compassion, always working to grow as a place where folks across the community spectrum can feel celebrated and seen.