Episode 4 - The Transformation of Stage 773 with Jill Valentine

In this captivating episode of the Magical Midlife Crisis podcast, we're joined by Jill Valentine, the remarkable individual behind the transformation of Stage 773 in Chicago. Jill takes us on a journey of resilience and transformation as she shares her personal experiences of navigating the challenges faced by her non-profit theater, Stage 773, during the COVID pandemic. The episode highlights the power of hope, the importance of adapting to change, and the significance of embracing your true identity.

The Birth of Stage 773: A Rich History

• Stage 773, located in Lakeview, Chicago, has a storied history dating back to 1977
• Jill Valentine's journey into the theater world and how she took over Stage 773 in 2010
• The mission of Stage 773: Incubating middle-tier arts companies and providing a platform for creativity

Adapting to the Dark Times: The Impact of COVID

• The challenges faced by Stage 773 when COVID forced closures and uncertainty
• The fear of losing a beloved institution and the personal and emotional toll it took
• The importance of therapy in helping Jill navigate the emotional rollercoaster of these trying times

Reinventing the Stage: The Birth of "WHIM"

• The transformation of Stage 773 into "WHIM," a unique immersive arts space
• The role of creativity and artistic vision in bringing "WHIM" to life
• The interactive and playful elements of "WHIM" that engage visitors and artists alike

Inner Transformation: Learning to Find the Light

• The profound impact of personal transformation during challenging times
• How COVID prompted self-reflection, revealing the importance of one's inner strength
• The value of embracing one's true identity and letting go of negative self-talk

Jill Valentine's journey with Stage 773 and the creation of the "WHIM" is a testament to the resilience and creativity of the human spirit. It's a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there's always a way to find the light within and transform adversity into opportunity.

If you're in Chicago, make sure to experience Stage 773 for an unforgettable immersive arts adventure. Remember, life's challenges may knock you down, but they also provide an opportunity to rise stronger and wiser than before. https://www.stage773.com/

For more inspiring stories and transformative experiences, stay tuned to the Magical Midlife Crisis podcast.

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Transcript

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Court and Meg here with the Magical Midlife Crisis. This podcast is intended to inspire and support you on your personal journey towards feeling more magic. Breathe, press play, expect real and raw stories and shifts. Come back with your own stories, shifts, and magical light moments through your darkness in your life. Once we pinpoint The mind to search for the magic, the magic will show up. It's just a matter of time. It could be at any moment in the middle of this magical ride we call life. Enjoying this episode. Grab your seat every Sunday. Expect magic. All right. Uh, we are, um. I'm very excited to welcome Jill Valentine to the Magical Midlife Crisis. She is our first guest, so excited for this, uh, for this conversation. So, um, I. Was really inspired when, um, so as I shared before my brother, Brett, who passed, we do an annual memorial, um, celebration every year, and we just had the 12th year celebration, uh, last weekend, the weekend prior, and Jill Valentine spoke, she was the toast master for this, for this year's event. And. After she spoke, I ran up to Meg and I'm like, she has to be on our podcast. And then I, and then Jill was saying her goodbyes and I'm just like blabbering in her face with over the loud music. I'm like, we started a podcast. You have to be our guest. And she's like, okay. And Just I can't tell you how much your story just, um, really took my breath away. It was like minutes before you talked. I was having a very similar conversation with my mom's cousin and she and I and and Meg was kind of in the same eyeline. We were looking at each other back and forth like How can this be, but that's how magical this kind of stuff is. So Jill Valentine, welcome to the magical midlife crisis podcast. We are very honored. And I'm excited to be here. Thank you. Yes. So, um, as far as, uh, our whole purpose of this podcast and talking about the lights coming from the darkness, um, I'd love to have you share. On different levels, because I'm sure there's layers to it as there is for all of this, uh, light in the darkness, um, start with painting us a picture of like where you are. This is the story that I know of has to do with your business. So if you want to share with us how you came into your business, which is in Chicago, and everyone needs to experience this. But please, Jill, fill us in on that back story. So, um, I run a non for profit, um, in the city in Lakeview called Stage 773. And, um, we took that over in 2010, but this building's actually been a theater since 1977. So there's a rich, rich history of non for profit, middle sized art, um, in this building. And, um, Around that time, um, around 2010, we were looking for a home and, um, so we took over the building. It was about time that they were kind of done with the building. We kind of exchanged hands. We took it over. We turned it into 4 theaters and, um, essentially we rented, uh, to subsidize, subsidize rental for middle tier theater. So the idea is to take these middle tier theaters, Tier arts companies, smaller ones, we incubate them into this building and then we get them out and they create the new step and love. And that's kind of like, how it starts. Like, the 1st theater might have a guy with a guitar, 60 seat cabaret all the way up into 150 seat proscenium or 3 quarter thrust. So we did that. And we were open 7 days a week. Um. There was, uh, you know, all different kinds of art forms on our stages, um, for 10 years, and it was awesome and fun and really hard, um, because not for profit theater, there's nothing easy about it, you know, you wear many hats, and, um, I've worn all the hats, eventually, um, Until being the executive director, um, when we were, you know, getting into our coven coven times. Um, and then when coven happened, like, many organizations, and especially arts organizations, we closed up shop and so in that we were, um. It was bleak time for a lot of people in many ways, but, um, for us, it was, um, you know, we're waiting. We're waiting for renters. We're waiting for patrons. We're just waiting, waiting, waiting. And so we decided to make a left turn, like, very different kind of business and change our, um, organizational structure to. Start thinking about theater rather than sitting in a seat and looking at theater, to think about standing up and have theater all around you. So, um, the mantra of the piece was putting Chicago artists back to work. And so all of our friends were out of work and changing jobs and changing careers and we were like, stop, we need you. So we, um, we created WIM, which is this amazing, um, space. It looks like an artist's brain exploded in the lobby. Um, all different kinds of artists from painters to sculptors, to sound artists, to graffiti artists, to, um, fabricators, all different kinds of arts organizations. And so you sit in art, you drink art and you watch art. So we also have a stage where you can, um, you can watch all different kinds of, um, from drag shows to, um. To blues band and all of that stuff, but when we opened up, we were opening up at, uh, like a critical time. And we thought, because we'd been in business for over 10 years that we should be able to, we're not a new business, but it'd be kind of our new new business. So, um, when we opened up. After all this time of being closed, we had, we were so excited to get back to work. We were so excited to put all these artists in the building, but, um, it wasn't going as amazingly as we thought it was going to go. Um, and that's kind of where I was telling my story about, about, um, where many of our friends have gone, you know, a lot of our friends went under. And so if you saw all those arts organizations that went under after COVID trying to get it back, Back when maybe not everyone was ready to be back. Um, it was really scary. Um, and so, um, when the, uh, family, your family was, um, so graciously going to give us a donation. I said, they're kind of in shock thinking, I don't know if we're going to be open. I don't know if this is going to sustain and I don't want to take a dime from them unless I know I can use it unless I know we're going to be open, not just as a band aid for something that's happening. And, um, and so I was like, oh, gosh, I don't even know how to handle this. So, um, as I said to you guys at the fundraiser, it kind of created this. I don't know, energy or something, but something happened and we started getting, um, other angels, as I say, kind of that, um, we're kind of, you know, giving us a little bit of hope and a little bit of energy and a little bit of money to help us kind of keep the ball rolling. And, you know, in my head, it was like, I've been in this so long that I'm like, I'm trying to run with it, you know. Like as hard and as much energy as I could to succeed, you know, because this has been something I've done for over 20 years. It'll be 20 years actually next year. Um, and so to see something that you've worked your whole life on, you know, come, come to a pass like that. It was super scary personally. Um, you know, even just like what this building means to Chicago. You know what it means in my life, what it means to me as a person. Um, um, it was, it was a really, really scary time. Um, but we did take it and we did, um, get extra help and other help. And, um. And now we're really strong and this is a year later, um, because of you guys though. And so it was, um, it was a really, really scary time. And I was going through almost like a, as you call this, the midlife crisis. It was almost like, I need to shrink right now, you know? And it's not like, you know, sometimes you just need it for a project. And I'm like, I need to shrink right now because, um. It's part of my identity. It's woven into my soul. Do you know what I mean? It's not just like I work at this place and I can leave and blah, blah, blah. And I don't care, but no, I over care. I care too much. And, um, yeah, it's just, it's just a part of me. So that's part of losing a little bit of my identity with the idea of losing, losing the building. You, you touched on Meg's exact words with, um, one of our previous episodes because she Went through a lot of what you did with her business and the bar and her identity. Yeah. You feel like everything was just stripped away from you. Everything that you know. And yeah. Were you guys closed? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. We closed like the first time and then it's just got so wacky after that. Like that. And it's, we couldn't. How long were you closed? At stage seven, two years, three years. Yeah, we were closed only for like the months that we couldn't serve and then it was so, and then, okay, so the, we do the Brett Anderson Memorial Scholarship. It's our fund to, to give to organizations that have a level of brightness is what we call it. And it's, it's like yeah. Brett was a natural performer. I mean, he wore many hats like you and he, I mean, started as a DJ for events and then bartender. And then, I mean, he's been in and out of different musical art performances and then landed in comedy. And that's how you met him. But, um, So it's crazy that it was, so we made the donation to you in 2022 or 2021, 2022. Cause this is the sec yet. This is my year anniversary. One year from the time that you received, I love how you called it the guardian angel donations from multiple people. And then that's, I didn't realize that short amount of time passed. That is. Yeah, well, you guys, I guess, didn't give it the year before, so it was two years worth or something like that. Yes. Yes, you're right. Yeah. Oh, that. Yeah. Oh, because of COVID. Yes. Wow. Yeah. It's awesome. The universe. Right? Yeah. Right. The universal connections. Um, right. Okay. So, um, I'm trying to piece it all together. So as far as, you know, finding the light. From the darkness, like how many people were were involved with stage 773 and the win. The win came about 2022. Is that right? Like the win was launched with your new opening. Yes, exactly. Yeah, we essentially gutted the theaters, like, so the theaters are no more, which is also a huge, like, risk. So you're like, did we do the right thing? You know, um, and it's, it's, it's totally different, but it's so, um, it's so cool. And, um, people love it. They love the space. Yeah, we came. Um, so my family, like my very immediate family and I came to come meet you and experience it. And it really is like nothing I've ever been in before as far as being able In the art, like in it, you're feels like you're walking around in like a magical like land that is just so dreamy. It's super hard to explain. People have to experience it. And yes. Um, I have to experience it. Yes, you, you, we must go. You have to. It's so fun. Um, when I was there, the bar wasn't open because we were kind of off hours with, you know, meeting you. So, yeah, we have to go experience the whole thing. Yeah, it's fun because the drinks are, like, interactive, too. So they pop and smoke and there's cat and candy and, like, they Fire them up. And so like, um, for Bloody Whim, which is what the Halloween version is right now, there's a haunted house and then you go in and there's a IV blood bag drink. So it's like a really creative. I love it. All the little elements just. Yeah. Oh, cool. Yes. It's like my love child. Yeah, it's so fun. Like I like, like random things like there's heads on the tables that I created all these head and it's just like weird things that I get to do that. I just have following your favorite, your favorite holiday, your favorite time of year. Yeah. Yes. Yep. I love it. Yes. And so the fact that it's a haunted house is just, it's like, it's just fun. Cause you hear people screaming on the way out and, um, cause it's out there alive actors in it. So there's live performers in, inside of it. So yeah, it's just, it's so fun. It's so interactive. Halloween's immersive. This is immersive, you know? So it's super fitting. Yeah. Yes. I'm going next Thursday. So I'm very excited to go with my. My mom, who is not a haunted house person at all, so it's going to be an amazing, an extra amazing experience. I might tag along. Yeah, you should come. Um, so the darkness, like, where did that bring you to as far as like questioning, like, did you have the question? Should I do something other than this? Because like, where do you go in your mindset at that time? It was like, you know, you're, I don't know, like, it was like, I have to get because this is mine. Not mine. It's Everyone's, but because I've been and I'm a founder, I'm a blah, blah, blah. I just felt like jumping into another theater was not just an option, you know, um, so it was like, and then you're like, what am I good at? What do I do? You know, like, what, you know, you start thinking of you as a, as someone in the workplace and, you know. Um, when you do what you love, it shouldn't feel like work, but it does because it's hard, you know? Um, it just felt really, um, it's hard for people to understand. I feel like unless, um, like Meg, you can get it because it's yours, you know, and because it is part of your fabric, everyone knows you because you're the person in the theater. You're the bar, you know, you own the bar, blah, blah, blah. So it's part of you. It's always your identity. So, um, thinking of it without that is like. Okay. What am I without this now? Okay. And I know it's just a thing, you know, it's just a thing, but it doesn't feel like just a thing, you know, when your passion is behind it and Lob and you're giving back to the art world and the music world and all of that, it's more than just a job. It really is part of your identity. You know, it's part of you. Yeah. The deaths, the people, like when I hear Meg talk about, Her like employees and how they are so much like family. The amount of lives that are touched from a business is, is insurmountable. You cannot even think about of it that way, but like how many people have. Are you currently working with at stage 773 in the wind? Like how many people are and like right now we have actors and we have, um, you know, fabricators. So if you think about like the fabrication team was probably 20 and there's about 10, you know, 8 to 10 actors in there and there's 20 employees and there's thousands of people that come through the door and then there's artists that work on the stage. So People that perform, you know, um, and then there's fans of those performers, you know, so there's, um, and there's people in the neighborhood, so it, it is, um, it's such an important space. And I love when people walk in and their mouths open in awe of it. And that cracks me up because, you know, you get desensitized to it a little bit. And then the latest one is just seeing people scream, leaving it, then they're sweating and their hair stuck to their face and they can't even handle it. And I just love every second of it. I can't even. Um, so it's, um, yeah, I mean, it brings a lot of joy to people, but, um, holding something on your shoulders that you feel you're holding kind of solo on your shoulders is tough. And, you know, you, you sleep, you don't sleep right because of it. And you think about it and it takes, you know, follows you home. And, you know, like, it's, it's, you know, I work almost 7 days a week. Because I work during the day, sometimes at home, and then I'll come here at night or whatever, you know, you're, you just work a lot, you know, so it's like, you're sacrificing a lot of things to make sure it's there. And then, if it's not going to be there, you've done all the sacrificing and all this energy and thought and, you know, so it was, it was just really scary. It was really scary. And, um, I understand people saying it's just a job. You know, I get that, but it didn't feel like that to me. Yeah, so when there's a little money in the bank and there's a little padding and things are going well, it makes my heart happy, you know, and it makes my day better and, you know, those kinds of things. It's um, so when, when we started, and I saw tickets going and tickets going and people coming in and the bar rang and all this, and I'm just like, and what's crazy about this business, it's like, it's a not for profit. So anybody that comes in, I should have a Rolex and I do not have. Joking. Anything that comes in goes right back into the company. So it's to hire more artists, to build out the space, to keep going. So it's like, it's, it's, it's a hard business. Yeah. It's hard. You gotta love what you do. But all the lives impacted by all the people you have working for you. And it's just incredible. I mean, just a great mentor to have, you know, you do the same, you know, yeah. Yeah, you unpack what you did to for their family, you know? Oh, I know. I love your bar, by the way. I love your bar. Oh my God, thank you. I love your family. Ironic. My bar was established in 1977. The same, same year, was it? Yeah, January 20. Wow. June 22nd, 1977. Yeah. It was when it was established. Look at that. Oh my God. I'd love to know the date when this was established. Yeah. Wow. I'll have to find out. That's crazy. It is crazy. Yeah. Wow. Yeah. 1977. Yep. Yeah. Wow. Yeah. So it's been, you know, in business for forever. Yeah. So. I'd hate for it to like get knocked down and make condos, you know, it would just be like the saddest thing. Yeah, Chicago. Right, after all this time. We're gonna need more condos now. Um, yeah. So, uh, energetically, you mentioned like how there was like an energy that kind of came to you that you started to feel with all of the, you know, guardian angel donations happening to bring all of this back up. So was your energy prior to that, like emotionally, mentally, physically, like, did you have like a complete shift in your entire like throughout your entire being because of this? I think, like, there was a, oh my God, this could really happen, like, this can't happen, right? This happen. This can't really happen. And then when there was that glimmer of hope, we just ran so hard into that hope, you know, so hard, like, face first, run with that hope. Um, and. Thank God, you know, we did because it's, it's, um, now we're learning, we're learning so much, you know, of like, uh, how to run this in the perfect way. Um, you know, when we first opened, it was just a lot of like, I think this, I think that now we're learning. We're always constantly evolving and changing. So, um, I feel like that would be the closest it ever got because I don't think it will ever get that close again. I won't let it get that close again. You know, it's crazy how we can adapt. You know, and like us humans and how we can adapt. And like, I always say, if we can get through COVID and through like the scariest times of our business and we can get through anything, like, so she have a good team and good people with you and, you know, and to be able to see it in that way, because. I mean, I still work many hours as a dental hygienist and the people that come into my chair don't have that view of what the pandemic brought for us. I have been able to be very grateful. Obviously. Terrible things happen throughout the pandemic. Terrible things, terrible things are happening right now in the world. But like for us to be able to shift our mindset and find the good and fun and like be able to reflect back, even if we couldn't see it then, but look back and just. Think like, wow, that, that gives me so much power within me that I didn't even realize I had. It's like, that's almost a gift for us to see our truths within. We can accomplish so much. And I mean, hope is like the best energy that I think we're all needing more of. And so that's why I love conversations like this is to really just see the darkness, but know that. Like darkness. One of my mentors said this is basically the lack of light. So like it's it's within us to be able to either pull our lights together or light a match or do something to generate that energy and then just fucking roll with it like you did. And I know that you did too with the business. So, but for you to open with the whim part of stage seven, seven, three. And now constantly evolving. Like you said, you are, because I love talking business. Cause I'm like a, like a newbie entrepreneur in the last few years. So it's really fun to talk business and talk the evolution and, and, you know, quote unquote, trying to do it. Perfect. But really, is there any perfect? No, it's like, let's just messy and organic. Yeah. Like we're doing no, I keep telling the employees. Yeah, I'm like, okay, so what we're gonna do is we're gonna do it, then we're gonna fuck up really bad. Yeah, we're gonna do better. And then we're gonna fuck up a little. And then we're gonna do it right. Well, imagine that's how this is gonna go. Imagine if you let fear take over and you guys didn't switch how you did everything. Imagine like, that's where people would have gone under. Yeah. And so when you really get during like a cold season where, you know, it's scary and nerve wracking to have to switch your business model or whatever it is, but it's incredible that it really goes to show you what like strength and having a good mindset and just pushing through what, what can be accomplished. And other malleable. Yeah. Yeah. And another like really impressive part for me is like having that creativity because when the mind is under like the fear factor and the ability to create really is numbed out because you know we're in survival mode as humans. I mean, majority of the time. That's why we're all such autopilot. But for you to come up with this Like whole new build out and whole new concept. I mean, building off what you already had, but in a completely different 360 view is, is because I mean, okay, people who have not been there, you must, if you're in Chicago or visiting, you must, must, must visit stage 773 and whatever awesomeness is happening within. But it because I had been there before my brother Brett was comedian. He performed there multiple times. I don't know how many I went to several of his shows and it was awesome. It was a cool theater. It definitely had a unique vibe to it. Um, it was, it was like that real raw and meaty. Um, but What you have now is, is, it is, it is an explosive brain, artsy brain, just like right in front of you. It's so different and cool, but like, honestly, having that, I bet you felt so empowered because it's like, people need to see this. They need to be here. But I think, yes, people need to see it because when they come in, they're like crazy. And then, you know, um, And then when they do the, you know, walkthrough, it's an immersive walkthrough experience with a story to it. Right now, obviously, it's Bloody Whims. So it's just a scary story. But, um, but even doing that and just adding on and adding on and adding like the fun elements, like there's voiceover in the bathroom. So when you go into the bathroom, it's like, Hey, beautiful, you're like, what is happening or whatever, you know, all these little things we keep adding on to make it weirder, like more immersive, you know, it's just fun. Like there's Duffed animals on the couches and games there and you know, um, yeah, just many different playful kind of things. And it's to instigate play in people, you know, especially after COVID when we were, you know, so separate, isolated and that sort of thing. So it is, it's just, it's a playful atmosphere and it's for adults to play, color, hang out, you know. Yeah. Yeah. So cool. Yeah. Yeah. It's fun. But there's so many artists involved. So how did any of this like impact your personal life? Like during all this transitions, cause I know like when I have transitions in my life, it's just my. I'm all over the place and sometimes it's hard to focus and, um, my emotions are a radical and, but yeah, so like, did, did, did the business affect your personal life or in any, any way? Yeah, like, um, it was definitely impacted, um, because I was bringing it home and because I was super sad and stressed, so stressed. Um, so I definitely brought it home. Um, and then, you know, saw a therapist, which helped a lot to, um, go therapy dissect my thoughts. Yeah. Therapy helps me and there are pies do it. Um, and then also, I feel like, um, you know, every so often you get knocked on your ass. And I think it's okay to get knocked on your ass. Sometimes it doesn't feel great. It's awful. But sometimes getting knocked on your ass puts things in perspective, you know, and I think, um, the importance of things, um, like a death or a divorce or whatever that happens in your life. Like, it does make you think like. Why am I so freaked out about how many limes we use? Someone just died, you know, or whatever. Yeah. Like you start thinking about putting things in person. Don't sweat small stuff, you know, um, those kinds of things. And, um, and, you know, like when something really personal, when you start being affected by something someone says or does, and you kind of go, why am I feeling that? You know, I think that therapy helped me figure out, like, what, what, Oh, okay. So you're not enough. You're not strong enough to keep this. You're, you know, you're the one that put this under your, you know, whatever those awful like dark passenger, they say, like, you know, the person that sits there and says those things to you. Um, I think it helps get those out, you know, get those out of you a little bit, uh, therapy. So I definitely. Needed that. And then, you know, if something does happen or whatever, you know, you feel like a little more prepared for it, or you feel like you have, you can deal with it mentally in a better way, you know? Right. Yes. I'm a huge fan of therapy. I know it's not for everyone, but I also feel like having a business is another form of therapy because you are hit with every, um, negative, like, criticizer kind of comments in your head because of what you're doing. Like, can't, are you really, are you really thinking that you could pull this off? Like, because we have businesses, we are constantly questioning that within, but then But like you said, I felt the same way when I went through therapy and I started listening to more self development types of, um, people and speakers and just regular day people sharing authentically that it is our own responsibility to cut those. Those thoughts and voices like just off or put them in the corner or whatever and move through them because They're always going to be there no matter what and so the magic is catching it Yeah, you know, I remember I used to just have my thoughts just run through my head all day and not even realizing it And now i'm like, oh I can catch it and you know flip the script Yeah, and that's that is takes practice and becoming aware But yeah, once you, like you said, going through therapy, like your worth and knowing all that, and once you're able to really deep inside and sometimes it takes going through tragic things in your life, whether it's business, relationships, whatever it may be, but it's good to do that inner work and to really See, at the end of the day, we have to count on ourselves, you know, we can't look outward for strength and all that. We have to find it within. It's so cool. How you like in a lot of ways you worked on that through your closing of the business. And like, I mean, figuratively rebuilt from the inside to connect with those on the outside. And I mean, that's kind of what you did within your own self to, yeah, it was so weird COVID people. have big different reactions to like how it impacted them. And at first I loved it because you know, when you run, run, run all the time, run, run, run, run, you had a minute to like, just chill. And I was like, yes. And my hair started growing and I wasn't stressed as much. I was like, I love it. Um, but then yes, we, you know, reorganizing and redoing, you know, revamping. It's a scary thing of. Let's see if this works. But you know, um, luckily there's all these really smart, um, creatives that wanted it to be what it is now. So yeah, we got lucky to work with like really great people, you know, that were able to flex their artistic muscle and just have fun with it. So do you have a lot of the same creative people that worked with you before you were closed as well as like a whole new, a whole new crowd of people that are new? It's all new kind of all new. Yeah, because before we were renting to theater companies, you know, and so I would work with like X theater company and they would come in into a musical for eight weeks and then they go away and then I'd have another children's show or a dance show or whatever. And now I'm like, I need to sound designer. I need a fabricator. Okay, where do I find these people? I need a graffiti artist. Okay, you know, and so you just start doing all this research, which is super fun too, because you're in these worlds that you really don't know much about. And, um, so learning about all these different worlds is really fun. Um, and meeting all different kinds of artists was really cool. And like, how do you explain what this guy does? I don't know how, what, what do you call yourself? You know, like, because, you know, you just put a, Whatever, a shark made of shoes up in the air, you know, and you're like, what do you call, but he, you know, he's a fabricator. I don't know, you know, like, um, but there's a huge shark in our lobby made of shoes, you know, so like random stuff. Um, um, so it was a totally different kind of, uh, um, some of the same staff, uh, that I work with in the, you know, business side of it, but totally new on the art side. Who did that clock? Um, portion that you have, like that clock little room. I don't know what you call it. Yeah. Time capsule. Time capsule. That's, um, was that multiple artists or one person? No, it's one with a huge brain and he does a lot of our stuff. His name is Alex Morales and he's with a place called Smart Mouth Design. And he's so easy to work with because if you're like, okay, I have this idea of this and you'll say, like, the weirdest thing and it's not weird to him. There's like, things we say to each other that I'm like, my God, if people heard this, you know, like, um, but you're yeah, I don't even I can't even think of an example, but I said something the other day and he's like, I can't say that to my guys. I mean, like, we'll see it in the way you need to say it, you know, like weird things. Um, because it's also horror. So if you're like, well, take the guy, put the crucifix upside down, hang against the wall, and then, you know, or whatever. And he's like, okay, yeah. You know, it's like, you're saying the weirdest shit to each other. I love it. And he's talking and then I bring another head down and he's laughing, you know, and whatever. It's just like, um, it's pretty funny. I'm so excited. Okay, so Bloody Whim is now. What happens? Because Bloody Whim ends when? November, which day? November something. November 5th. Okay, so what happens after that? After that, we are going to, um, go back to regular Whim. Um, We're going to holiday up a bit and we're still in the creative part of that. So, um, but we know Santa will be there, but it might not be like the normal Santa and, um, so there'll be some live elements to kind of moving throughout the building. So big, you know, holiday menu with. Fun things to play with and do, um, entertainment, of course, we also book events in our building, so holiday parties and things like that. So if people need events, um, we've had weddings, bar mitzvahs, birthdays, little kid parties, um, all sorts of things. So awesome. Yeah. Awesome. Yeah. Okay. So share with everyone. We're stage 773 in the WIM are located. So we're at 1225 West Belmont Avenue in Lakeview, Belmont Racine, and all the info is at WIM WHM Chicago. W. H. I. M. Holy moly. W. H. I. M. Chicago Wim Chicago dot com. Amazing. Well, Jill Valentine, we are so grateful to have had this conversation with you. Thank you so much for sharing your light in the dark. It's you're so deserving and thank you for all that you're doing for. The community in a very like loving and playful and what we all need kind of way. Yes. Thank you. I am just enamored by you and I cannot wait. I'm going to crash your party next week. I need to come. I can't wait. You guys let me know. I might be sleeping in a time capsule room trying to time travel. Love it. That's what you'll find. Yeah. It's gonna be awesome. Awesome. Thank you. Enjoy the rest of your evening. And thank you so much for your time. We really appreciate you. Yes. Thanks guys. Thank you. If you made it to the end of this episode, that means you either just appreciate our messy, awkward life experiences, or you're truly up for finding more magic in your life like we are. Definitely tune in every Sunday for more reality shifts that we explore between us and with many special guests that join. If you feel it, please subscribe so you don't miss your seat on our magical earth school bus. 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