Limited Run of Outdoor Film Screenings
Hello supporters, friends, and neighbors of Comfort Station,
It's been a while. We hope (some of you) can (safely) join us for a special run of movie nights on our lawn
When the pandemic necessitated we shut down our space in March, we anticipated we would remain in hibernation until it was safe for us to return to the in-real-life, intimate programming that has marked our ten years of operating in Logan Square. Needless to say, much has changed since then.
In the wake of George Floyd's killing and the ensuing movement of protests (as well as the deepening of the effects of the pandemic on communities in Chicago), our volunteer staff felt compelled to rethink how both our space and capacity could be put in service of needs arising from the present moment. In the last two months you may have seen us operating donation drives and mutual aid support, thanks to the efforts of some key volunteers connecting with organizations like Logan Square Mutual Aid and others (if you haven't yet supported LSMA's efforts, you should!). We will continue to operate such drives and seek out new partners for whom our building and location provide a convenient resource for their important work. Please feel free to reach out to us if you'd like to connect us with someone or propose an action.
While we remain cautious about the possibility of us returning to any remotely "normal" mode of programming anytime soon, we also recognize that updated data shows that outdoor transmission is extremely low--especially with ample safety precautions. We have also been heartened to hear from some of you expressing that you miss our summer outdoor screenings, so with all of this in mind we're pleased to announce that our Comfort Film team has prepared a limited run of four socially distant outdoor screenings, weekly starting this Wednesday August 19th.
Our programmers felt it most appropriate to create a playful respite from the pressures and anxieties that many of us are dealing with on multiple levels, and as you can see below the films chosen lean heavily in that direction! It is our hope that such respites act not as a distraction from the realities around us and the urgency of action that those realities require, rather, that they create space for rest and recharging that can make us more ready to reflect on these realities and take action. We encourage you to enjoy these movies with us, safely, and feel emboldened to keep up what you are doing to support Black lives and help communities impacted most by COVID!
We miss you. We're thinking of you. We are hopeful that this is not just a weird time to survive, but an opportunity to build something better, for everyone.
August 19th, 8pm
The Pink Egg (2017)
Directed by Jim Trainor
Co-presented with the Chicago Underground Film Festival
August 26th, 8pm
Big Eat Meater (1982)
Directed by Chris Windsor
September 2nd, 8pm
To be announced...
September 9th, 8pm
Crime Wave (1985)
Directed by John Paizs
All screenings will operate with strict guidelines, enforced by Comfort Station staff, including:
COVID-19 Public Safety Guidelines
To best protect our staff, volunteers, and the public, we are following mandates from the City of Chicago and models from peer organizations including the Chicago Park District’s “Movies in the Park” series.
The following measures will be required by any person in the area and monitored by attending staff/volunteers:
If you are sick, please stay home. Symptoms that should encourage you to stay home include fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, body aches/chills, diarrhea, and loss of smell. If you have had recent (within 2 weeks) exposure to someone with confirmed COVID-19, you should also stay home, even if you have no symptoms.
All persons must wear a mask/face covering (covering both the nose and mouth) in order to enter the viewing area.
Maintain social distancing (at least 6 feet) between individuals not within your household or otherwise identified group.
Groups may be comprised of no more than 6 individuals.
Comfort Station will outline recommended areas respecting social distancing guidelines for each group of viewers with clearly visible markers.
If it is noted that individual groups are violating social distancing guidelines, (i.e. combining to form groups larger than 6 individuals), those parties may be asked to leave.
Please note that Comfort Station will enforce a total maximum capacity of 30 individuals for any film screening event.
The restroom inside Comfort Station will be available for use during the program. Staff will be disinfecting it at regular intervals.
While enjoying the program, please self monitor, be aware of your surroundings, be courteous, and be responsible.
Please bring hand sanitizer and use it frequently. Comfort Station will also have hand sanitizer available.
When the film is over, please be conscientious when leaving the premises, make sure your mask is on, and take care to maintain social distancing from other groups.
Thank you keeping our neighbors and community safe.