A night of female-centered anime and support for women comes to Logan Theatre (2646 N. Milwaukee Ave.) this Saturday, Dec. 3, at Magical Girl Moment. Hosted by the Chicago Japanese Arts Foundation, the night features two girl-powered anime films, with guests’ donations going to the Chicago Abortion Fund.
The event starts at 6 p.m., with a foundational Japanese anime, 1993’s “Sailor Moon R the Movie: Promise of the Rose,” screening at 7 p.m. The double-feature closes out at 10 p.m. with 1999’s “Revolutionary Girl Utena: Adolescence Apocalypse.”
Organizers chose these two films as influential examples of “magical girl” anime. That genre of Japanese anime features “the trope of a group of girls with magical powers … focused on these girls working together” said Saira Chambers, director of the affiliated Japanese Culture Center.
“There’s no way not to screen ‘Sailor Moon’ at a magical girl anime event,” Chambers said. The other film is “a really unique anime” that reverses some familiar gender stereotypes. The heroine is “in love with a princess, and the princess is also in love with her. So she takes on this very masculine role where she’s fighting for this princess,” Chambers said. “It’s a really cool standout in the genre.”
Find tickets to Magical Girl Moment here.
Celebrating Women And Femininity
The event also aims to offer support and appreciation of women and girls beyond the screen, calling itself a night in “celebration of women supporting women.” The Japanese Arts Foundation hosts quarterly film screenings at Logan Theatre, but “this one’s really unique,” Chambers said. “Normally, when we host events at Logan Theatre, we’re doing fundraisers for our own nonprofit,” but the organization is directing all donations to the Chicago Abortion Fund this time.
“This event really just celebrates women and femininity in any package it comes in,” Chambers added.
The foundation encourages guests to donate directly to the Chicago Abortion Fund, noting that they cannot accept cash. Organizers kept ticket prices low to encourage donations to the fund, Chambers said.
You also can donate to the Chicago Abortion Fund, which will also have representation at the event, here.
Drag, Highballs And More
Magical Girl Moment guests will also enjoy a magical girl-themed drag show, along with a cosplay contest (with prizes) and a photobooth. Catch the drag show at around 9 p.m.
The $30 ticket additionally covers unlimited whiskey highballs from event partner Beam Suntory, which will also be slinging themed cocktails. DJ Van Paugam will keep the anime party atmosphere going with a “Future Funk” set.
Attendees will go home the anime-inspired event poster, as well as artwork from two Japanese Arts Foundation board members, which come with the tickets.
Guests who show a donation of at least $10 to the Chicago Abortion Fund can snag extra posters.
Photo: Michael Dhar
Inspiring Hope
The foundation had wanted to host a night in support and celebration of women for some time, Chambers said. The recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade only added urgency to that goal.
“In these cultural events, we don’t often get to talk about women and what it means to be women in these fun and unique ways,” Chambers said. “And I think that being able to have the abortion fund there [is important] … to help people understand how we can actually support women in our own community, not just in the fun way but in a very real way.”
Organizers hope that the event helps inspire guests to see the positive changes they can make. “It’s really import to give people hope and something positive to do,” she said, “especially in this giving season, where maybe people feel they have a little extra to give.”
Logan Theatre Hosts Holiday Double-Feature
The Japanese Arts Foundation is a cultural nonprofit that hosts events and educational opportunities in support of Japanese arts in Chicago. Past events have included a Japanese horror film fest at Logan Theatre in July and a kimono exhibition at the Japanese Culture Center in Lakeview.
The group appreciates the chance to host events at Logan Theatre, said Chambers. “I’m a Logan Square resident, too, so I’m a little biased,” she said.
Logan Theatre’s upcoming special events include a holiday matinee double-feature of “Peanuts” and “Rugrats” flicks on Saturday, starting at 11:30 a.m. The 2003 holiday classic “Elf” screens late night, starting Saturday. Those events coincide with the launch of this year’s Holiday on the Square event, with deals from local businesses for gift-giving season.
You can get tickets for the $30 Magical Girl Moment event here. The event is for ages 21+.
Featured photo: Chicago Japanese Arts Foundation
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