6 PM · Chapter 1
Cocktail hour
Mariachi Sirenas, the museum terrace, and the first arrivals.
110 photos
That's a wrap · Annual Gala 2026
Gracias, comunidad
Friday, September 25, 2026 · Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
September 25, 2026 · MCA Chicago
Thank you
To everyone who filled the MCA on Friday night: thank you. You came in black tie on the same day we taught our last classes at 949 W 16th Street, and you turned a goodbye to our first studio into a celebration of what comes next.
Thank you to our sponsors and partners, to the businesses that donated auction packages, to the designers who walked the fourth floor, to Mariachi Sirenas and DJ Mateo, to our MCs Alo and Cynthia, to our honorees and featured voices, and to the volunteers who ran the door, the paddles, and the room. And to everyone who raised a paddle: in ten minutes you funded scholarships for the next teachers.
What we raised is already at work. It keeps classes accessible and teacher training on full scholarship while we build a permanent home of our own in Pilsen, opening early 2027.
Gracias por acompañarnos. Esta comunidad es nuestro hogar.
Con amor, The Latina Sweat Project
As seen on ABC7 Chicago
Windy City Weekend, gala day
Yari and Savannah joined Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini on gala day to talk access, representation, community, and the search for our next studio. Then the whole set got on a mat.
Windy City Weekend · Sep 25, 2026 The full episode plays here. Our segment starts at 19:29.
The full episode plays here. Our segment starts at 19:29.
Trouble playing? Watch on ABC7Friday, by the numbers
The night in numbers
- $71,132.50
- Raised to date
- $25,182.50
- Raised on the night
- 40
- Paddles raised
- 12
- Auction packages claimed
- 8
- Honors
- 180
- Guests
- 557
- Photos
Raised to date: the night's paddle raise, silent auction and Give Tonight gifts, plus tickets and sponsorships paid through our ticketing, as of September 26. Sponsorships paid by check or invoice are still being added.
9:07 PM · La Constelación
The paddle raise, replayed
On the night, every gift crossed the projector as a comet and settled as a star in the glowing LSP X. This is the sky the room built, one star for each paddle.
-
1 × $5,000
One 200-hour teacher-training certification, tuition free
-
1 × $1,500
One year of membership for an underrepresented student
-
9 × $500
One community grief-counseling session led by certified counselors
-
2 × $250
One outdoor community event with yoga
-
18 × $100
One month of water for the studio
-
9 × $62.50
One month of membership for an underrepresented student
Paddle raise total
$13,862.50
40 gifts in ten minutes, 9:07 to 9:17 PM
Silent auction
12 packages found new homes
$8,970
Raised in the silent auction, from 15 donated packages.
-
Hebru Brantley
Durag (2023), edition of 165
Claimed
-
Tres Jolie
Sculptra and Dysport treatment package
Claimed
-
Casa Madaii
Omakase dinner for four
Claimed
-
Chef Álvaro Lima
Private chef dinner for six
Claimed
-
Revolution Brewing
Brewery tour for eight and gear
Claimed
-
On Running
Cloudboom Max shoes and sports bra
Claimed
-
Chicago White Sox
Fan gear package
Claimed
-
Mariachi Herencia de México
Four holiday concert tickets
Claimed
-
Lizlates
Private Pilates class for 12
Claimed
-
By Ashley
Fine-line tiny tattoo
Claimed
-
CKN Adore
Soaps and candles gift basket
Claimed
-
Andrea Fuentes
Back facial treatment
Claimed
-
Chitown Par-tee
Two-hour mobile golf simulator
-
Jason Phillips (JP)
12 personal training sessions
-
Jassiel Serna
Original sculptures
Honors
The night's honorees
-
Leadership Through Service Honor
Awais “Fez” Qazi
Recognizing service that strengthens community, builds trust, and helps create meaningful change through consistent action.
-
Leadership in Motion Honor
Rut Merida
Honoring leadership that turns commitment into action and keeps meaningful change moving forward.
-
Community Impact Honor
Lucia del Rincón
Recognizing leadership that transforms care, collaboration, and community-centered work into meaningful impact.
-
Somos LSP Honor
Ruthie Maldonado-Delwiche
Recognizing someone who embodies the heart, values, and spirit of Latina Sweat Project through the way they show up for community.
-
Community Advocacy Honor
Lucia Moya
Honoring advocacy that opens doors, amplifies community needs, and helps create meaningful change where it matters most.
-
Community Leadership Honor
Katia Orozco
Recognizing leadership rooted in representation, community connection, and building meaningful change for the next generation.
-
Civic Leadership Award
Stacey Berdejo
Honoring civic leadership that elevates community voices and helps turn representation into meaningful, lasting change.
-
Changemaker Award
Dave Dyson
Recognizing leadership that moves beyond support into action, investment, and meaningful change for the communities and organizations he stands behind.
Featured voices
- Savannah Alvarez
- Yesi Peyret
- Yari Jurado
- Xochyl Perez
- Vanessa Tirado
Founder's remarks
Margarita Quiñones-Peña
MCs
Alo and Cynthia
Look 11 of 20 The fashion show · 10 PM
The Runway, replayed
Twenty looks from the fourth floor: each one walks out, holds on the look, and flips to show the back. Swipe for the next look and watch the show end in a constellation. Best on your phone.
The album · 557 photos
The night in photos
Two photographers, one album: the official colour set and a second camera in black and white, merged in the order the night unfolded. Cocktail hour on the terrace, dinner and honors, the paddle raise, the galleries after dark, and the fashion show. Tap any photo to view it large.
Open the album on Flickr (opens in a new tab)
Download the originals (Google Drive) (opens in a new tab)
Black-and-white photos by @aldoenriquephoto on Instagram (opens in a new tab)
7 PM · Chapter 2
Dinner and honors
Three courses, featured voices, and eight honors.
96 photos
9:07 PM · Chapter 3
The paddle raise
Ten minutes of paddles in the air, 9:07 to 9:17 PM.
10 photos
9:30 PM · Chapter 4
Gallery and open bar
The museum after dark: the galleries open, the late-night guests arrive.
69 photos
10 PM · Chapter 5
The fashion show and the dance floor
Six designers on the fourth floor, then DJ Mateo until midnight.
Watch the runway replay → 272 photos
With gratitude
The partners behind the night
Sponsors and partners
The fashion show
Entertainment
-
Cocktail hour -
Until midnight
Auction donors
- Hebru Brantley
- Tres Jolie
- Casa Madaii
- Chef Álvaro Lima
- Revolution Brewing
- On Running
- Chicago White Sox
- Mariachi Herencia de México
- Lizlates
- By Ashley
- CKN Adore
- Andrea Fuentes
- Chitown Par-tee
- Jason Phillips (JP)
- Jassiel Serna
What the night builds
The night is over. The work is not.
Friday was our last day of classes on 16th Street. This fall LSP goes pop-up across the neighborhood while we build a permanent home in Pilsen, opening early 2027. Every gift keeps classes accessible and teacher training tuition-free until we get there.