2018 IN REVIEW; NEW YEAR'S EVE AT AN OLD FAVORITE; STEPPENWOLF'S WOMEN IN THE ARTS; HOLIDAY CARDS; CRADLES TO CRAYONS UNGALA; HOST WITH THE MOST; CHICAGO SPLASH CELEBRATES ANDREA, CETA AND JENNIFER; A TRIBUTE TO THOSE WE'VE LOST; AIDS FOUNDATION'S WORLD OF CHOCOLATE; KEN AND BRUNO ONSTAGE TOGETHER!; CHICAGO FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW'S FLOWERTALES; THE BEACH CHICAGO AT NAVY PIER; WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE CELEBRATION; GETTING CANDID AT THE AMERICAN WRITER'S MUSEUM; DARLING VIDEO AND SO MUCH MORE!
The New Year is upon us and I'm taking stock of a busy, happy, sometimes stressful, 2018. One of the things that I am happy to take away is the huge amount of philanthropy I've been privileged to witness. No matter the economy, I
discovered that people are always ready, willing and able to donate to charities that touch their hearts. It was a thrilling social ride and one that I was happy to chronicle. I have so many favorite charities that trying to pick
one would be like choosing your favorite child, impossible. I love them all and appreciate all the hard work and volunteerism people are willing to offer....I've always said, money isn't the only thing nonprofits need, they need worker bees too so there
are always opportunities to help. Another happy discovery is all the up and coming animal welfare agencies in town. You know I'm a huge animal lover and I've always been a champion of PAWS Chicago but, now I'm happy to help showcase nonprofits like Young at Heart Pet Rescue (for
seniors only, which are the hardest to adopt) and One Tail at a Time, a small, but hard-working no-kill rescue organization in Bucktown. Another 2018 highlight for me was Giordano Dance Chicago's Legacy Ball where I
was the proud honoree. Happy to see this much loved dance company getting the media love they deserve with its artistic director Nan Giordano recently taking home Chicagoan of the Year Honors for Dance from the Chicago Tribune! Special thanks to CS Magazine too for including me with all of those Dynamic Women for its feature in May and to the Chicago Lighthouse for my
humbling FLAIR Award in October. Lots of friends celebrated BIG birthdays too. Mamie Walton, who is a ageless still turned 90 in May. Ken Norgan who is traveling the world and loving every minute of it, turned 75 in January. Our friend Michael Kutza, after 55 years, retired from his Chicago International Film Festival. I
was honored to co-chair his goodbye gala with Chaz Ebert and Maria Pappas. Leslie Hindman also retired from her eponymous auction house and is now scouring the world for adventure. Her Chapter 4 party in June brought out a legion of fans and friends. Shooting a new show called "Collector's Call" with her, that will feature our
rare book collection, was a hoot for Decades TV/Weigel Broadcasting. (Watch for it!) Another highlight was having a world premiere created in my honor by famed choreographer Ray Leeper for Giordano Dance Chicago's fall series at the Harris. I was so excited I almost burst. Co-chairing the Green Tie Ball, benefiting Chicago Gateway Green, at the
Geraghty with cutie patootie Nina Mariano was a blast too! Having party animal LMFAO's Red Foo perform was the icing on the cake! Co-chairing the Eversight Illinois Gala with one of the best co-chairs anyone could ever have, Michael Caputo, was so much fun we're doing it again next year! (Mark your calendars now for October 24 when this year's honoree will be Sherry Lea Fox!)
Celebrating our 29th wedding anniversary at Gibson's Steakhouse on July 21 was a very happy memory and one that I hope to recreate with Chuck for the next 100 years. Visiting the Illinois State Fair in
Springfield in August was an eye-opener and something I could scratch off my bucket list (it was too hot and just okay but, now we know!) Returning for another No Class Reunion in my hometown of Dupo, Illinois, made my heart sing. Seeing my family and old friends is always a treat and I wish I could do it more often. I'm loving all the new pop-ups around town too, like The Happy Place, the wndr
museum and, most recently, all of the spectacular holiday pop-ups like Santa Baby Bar (our favorite), Frosty's and Elf'd Up. Keep 'em coming! And recently, celebrating the engagement of a dear friend, Sheryl Dyer (to Joe Schmidt) topped the year off perfectly and with so much love! I'm so excited to see what 2019 brings and I hope it's a year full of good health, much happiness and dreams fulfilled for everyone!
On NYE, we returned to the Baton Show Lounge, where Chuck and I had one of our first dates. It was all dressed up to say goodbye for its final NYE show with balloons everywhere and tables topped with the requisite party hats, horns and golden beads. We
reserved far in advance as I knew this night would be a sellout and it was. Some familiar faces in the crowd, but surprisingly most of the people I expected to see there, weren't in attendance. That was a bit disappointing as I'd hoped to see more early supporters. Chuck and I go wayyyyy back with the Baton. I used to take my mom, aunt and cousins there whenever they were in town and it was always my "go to" place to entertain "newbies" who came for visits. I love the people there, the welcoming atmosphere, the lack of judgment and the love that envelops the small, intimate
space at 436 N. Clark. Owner Jim Flint was a friend from day one and welcomed us whole-heartedly into the fold along with longtime ticket booth manager Chris (aka Mr. Belvedere), performers Chilli Pepper, Maya Douglas, Sherri Payne and others who have moved on like Mimi Marks, Monica Munro and Chanel Dupree. It was a bittersweet night though not seeing longtime host/performer Ginger Grant onstage.
She passed away recently and I know everyone who knew her deeply felt her absence that night. The NYE numbers were fun-filled and loaded with outrageous and fabulous fashions--one of my favorites was a peach colored, side-ruffled gown worn by Maya, who I discovered makes all her own clothes! One number that has to go though is the lip-synching to a comedy routine performed by new host Natasha Douglas. This was wildly out of place, in my opinion, and not funny or remotely entertaining. I also thought it threw off the fast pace of the show. I hope she fine tunes this number. The only male performer, Angel Saez, always works the crowd into a frenzy delivering exciting, sexy performances. On this night, his costume was an homage to George Michael
who he nailed perfectly with a policeman's cap worn low and black sunglasses. It didn't hurt that he was also wearing an uber-cropped sparkly blue top that showed off his six-pack to perfection. Women and men waited in long queues to tip him. We loved it! Other performers giving their all that night included Victoria LaPaige, Jackie Couture and Regine Phillips. Jim delivered some closing remarks that had everyone teary-eyed (watch it here). He thanked everyone for their commitment and support during the 46 years the Baton has been in this location. He also thanked his longtime landlord Al Friedman and
introduced the new owner of the Uptown location (at 4713 N. Broadway opening March 5) Christophe Chivazza. The Baton will officially close on February 28 at the old location and Jim reminded everyone that there will be a Valentine's Day show on Feb. 14, so we have a bit more fun to come. For me, I know the new spot will be fabulous but it won't conjure up the memories I have of this one. 436 will always take first place in my heart. I look forward to the new location
though and can't wait to see the art-deco design, a dramatic 180 from the warm, cozy, homey decor that is has now. (I created a video for my Candid Candace TV channel of the Baton from many years ago. In it, I interview Chilli, Mimi and other entertainers and take viewers on a tour of the place that only the performers get to see. Watch it here!) I know change is good and inevitable dear Baton but please don't change too much! We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Steppenwolf Theatre Company hosted 300 leaders from Chicago’s business and civic communities for its 10th Anniversary Steppenwolf Women in the Arts fundraising luncheon to honor Danai Gurira, an OBIE, Helen Hayes and NAACP Award-winning actor and playwright, at the Radisson Blu
Aqua Hotel on December 10. Ms. Gurira was also recently appointed a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, focusing on gender equality and women’s rights. Author of the hit play, Familiar, which is currently running through January 13 in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theatre, Ms. Gurira was joined by Steppenwolf artistic director Anna D. Shapiro and Steppenwolf education
manager Jared Bellot for a warm and candid conversation about her impressive acting career on-screen and on-stage, her award-winning plays and her impact as an activist and philanthropist.
Shapiro and luncheon co-chair Stephanie B. Smith welcomed guests of the luncheon with opening remarks, followed by ensemble member Kathryn Erbe introducing an inspiring video, created by Joel Moorman, detailing Steppenwolf's education
programs. During the Q & A, Gurira reflected on the journey of her career, noting that she started writing plays in part because she couldn’t find existing works that contained the characters she wanted to play, and she continues to write plays featuring stories
centered on the experiences of African and American African women and girls. Ms. Gurira also shared that she is inspired by African artists who used their work to help end apartheid and hopes that her own work functions to bring
awareness to experiences that American audiences aren’t usually aware of. Some of these stories are of African women and girls, while others, like her play Familiar, are about the cross-cultural experiences that immigrant and first-generation households have. Ms. Gurira also talked about the
charities she’s involved with that help African girls and African artists. Additional notable guests included Steppenwolf ensemble members Celeste M. Cooper, Jon Michael Hill, Tim Hopper, Amy Morton, co-founder Jeff Perry, Yasen Peyankov and Steppenwolf trustees Susan O. Berghoef, Jonathan Blanc, Amy Bluhm, Nora Daley, Beth Davis; Mary A. Dempsey, Amy Eshleman, Ronald J. Mallicoat Jr., Verett Mims, Heather Mitchell, Lynn Lockwood Murphy, Deborah H. Quazzo, Cari B. Sacks, Stephanie B. Smith; and Helen Zell. (Photos by Kyle Flubacker and Tony Favarula).
I didn't send out any Christmas cards this year and I felt horrible about it, especially after we received so many
wonderful cards. I loved the ones that let you know how the sender's year was spent. Myra and Jim Reilly, lucky dogs, got to travel a lot. I was especially envious when I saw they even visited Julia Child's home, La Pitchout in Plascassier, France. Whitney Reynolds and her husband David, along with twins Acher and Marlowe, were cuteness incarnate posing on the beautiful
streets of Chicago decked out in their holiday red. Michelle Durpetti and her Collin, the perpetual newlyweds, included darling photos of one of her horses and dogs (she is a huge animal lover like me), along
with a stunning wedding photo. The Business Press' Scott Bobek included lots and lots of photos with friends in a grateful, and touching acknowledgement of their support. Mary Ann Rose and her Heinz were literally swimming with the fishes somewhere in blue,
blue waters. Debi Lilly and her lovely family were jumping for joy at her family's home in Nantucket while former Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood, wife
Sarah (and family) went "western" for their holiday photo shoot. The images are stunning and belong in a magazine. Kudos and thanks to all who sent cards--I loved
them all and will "hit you back" in the next holiday season!
A holiday party celebrating Chicago Splash covergirls and influencers Andrea Levoff, Jennifer Worman and Ceta Walters was held at the Cabana
Club at the Robey Hotel on December 18. The views from the patio blew my mind (see video here) and the room was packed with lovelies who all looked like they'd stepped right off the
pages of Vogue. Many were wearing couture designs from By Fashionaholic (Janet Mandell) who also styled the feature. Lots of pics, signature cocktails and awesome beats by the one and only DJ Megan Taylor completed this night of chicness. Congrats with love to Andrea, Jennifer and Ceta on this much deserved honor! (Cover photo by Maria Ponce)
We lost a great one this year with the passing of Mary Cameron Frey, a longtime chronicler of the social scene for the Sun-Times and Crain's Chicago Business. She passed away recently at age 86 in Charleston, South Carolina, where she had moved earlier this year to be closer to her son, Billy Cameron. “Mary was always in charge,
in every room and every situation,” recalled Joycelyn Winnecke, a close friend who worked with Frey as managing editor of the Sun-Times. I always thought she was such a force, brutally honest but a loyal friend if she liked you. I was lucky to know her. She always gave me great advice and I will miss her presence in this world. (Great tribute by
Robert Feder here.)
I was also sad to hear of the passing of photographer Marc
Hauser at age 66. He was at his zenith in the 70s, shooting ads for Marshall Fields and moving on to photos of celebrities and Chicago notables. He suffered from diabetes and kidney disease for many years. Read full story by Mark Brown in the Chicago Sun-Times here.
I'm also very sad to report the passing of Stuart Mishlove. He was a resident of Longboat Key, Florida, but we knew him and his wife Nancie when they lived in Chicago. He was a lifetime trustee of the Art Institute of Chicago (there is a
Stuart and Nancie Mishlove gallery), a loyal supporter of the Lincoln Park Zoo, past president and board member of the North Dearborn Association. He retired as owner and CFO of Envirodyne Engineers and, after that, he and Nancie spent a lifetime of exciting travel together. Chuck and I were lucky to visit them at their beautiful home in Marbella, Spain, and travel to Morocco and France together. They were seasoned travelers and good friends. We didn't keep in touch but I know all of their friends from Chicago and abroad will feel his loss. A celebration of his life will be held on Longboat Key and later in Chicago. RIP Stu....
The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) welcomed more than 1,000 guests to this year's World of Chocolate gala at Revel Fulton Market on November 30. Held on World AIDS Day, the event featured
delicious creations by chocolatiers and chefs from over 23 of Chicago’s hottest restaurants, hotels and bakeries. The competition was intense and judges Veronica LePinske, Paul Lisnek, Sean Lewis, Liz Winiarski, Ariel Cheung and Hank Mendheim had a tough time deciding but, in the end, Best Sweets
honors went to Longman Eagle; Best Savory award went to Just Like You Like It; Best Libations honors went to CH Distillery; Business Class I Award presented to prasino; Business Class II Award went to LondonHouse Chicago; Best Sculpture honors went to Longman Eagle and the People's Choice Award was
presented to My Chocolate Soul. Elegant decor by Kehoe Designs brought the night's theme, International Affair, to life. Funds raised will support AFC's work to end new cases of HIV in Chicago and beyond and its mission, which
includes: Supporting efforts to house more than 1,000 Chicagoans each year; providing more than 5,000 clients with case management services; training hundreds of
medical professionals about PrEP; empowering AFC to provide policy leadership in state and federal health equity matters and collaborating with people and partners across the state to achieve Getting to Zero Illinois, an ambitious plan to end new HIV transmissions in Illinois by 2030. (Photos by Mystic Images Photography)
The Midwest Region of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science (ACWIS) celebrated advancements in scientific innovation and entrepreneurship at its annual gala at the Geraghty on November 3. More than 620 guests attended the
event, raising more than $1.3 million. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2018 Weizmann Leadership Award to Michael Polsky, founder and CEO of the clean-energy company Invenergy. The event began with a cocktail
reception where guests had the opportunity to learn about the Institute’s breakthroughs in scientific research and education through interactive exhibits throughout the event space. Prof. Avigdor Scherz, a Weizmann scientist whose work has contributed to advancements in cancer therapy, spoke before dinner
about a new approach to prostate cancer therapy, VTP, that has been approved for first-line treatment of low-risk localized prostate cancer in Europe and is being studied for urinary, breast, esophageal, and more advanced prostate cancers. Honorary Chairs for the 2018 Gala were Renée and Lester Crown. Event Chairs were Janet and Steve Anixter and JoAnn Anixter Silva.
Every year for the past 14 years, Chicago's very own Ken Arlen and his Evolution Orchestra have been
the band of choice for one of the largest and most lavish private-invite New Year’s Eve parties in the country at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. The AAA Five Diamond Resort & Casino has the budget to hire any famous musician or band for this exclusive event, but year after year, they keep coming back to Evanston native, Ken Arlen to provide the entertainment, knowing they are getting the best musicians in the county and a custom-tailored, 4-hour performance, that Ken developed especially for
this event. And to prove the Bellagio can get the top talent in the music industry, Bruno Mars made a surprise appearance at the New Year’s Eve celebration! As the countdown to midnight drew near, Mars came on stage and surprised the 2,300 guests with a special performance of Uptown Funk (with Ken and his Orchestra and vocalists performing with him) and the crowd went wild! He then shared the stage with Ken and his band to countdown to midnight and bring in 2019 with style. Not one bit surprised our very own Ken Arlen is making a splash across the country! Bruno was lucky to
share the stage with him! Huge congrats!
Cradles to Crayons hosted its 3rd annual Un-Gala celebration on November 17 where many of Chicago’s philanthropic and civic leaders from across the city and suburbs gathered for this “Party with a Purpose” – by
electing to trade another black-tie affair for an opportunity to “roll up their sleeves” at a dressed down occasion centered on making a difference locally to children in need. The day included a
speaking component from the host committee, food provided by Inspired Catering and a demonstration of service where more than 250+ volunteers and staff impacted 1,000+ Chicagoland area children. The Gear Up for Winter initiative supports 15,000 kids through the end
of the winter season. Cradles to Crayons is a non-profit organization that provides homeless and low-income children living in Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago with the essentials they require to thrive, feel safe, warm, ready to learn and valued.
Thanks to Chicago Dowel King Paul Iacono for helping us end the year in grand style! He hosted a dinner party that was right out of the pages of a fine dining magazine. From the decor, to the guest list to the spectacular meal (courtesy of Jewell Events), the night was perfection! The tablescape by Jennifer
Sutton was festive and breathtaking! Paul is such a gracious host and made every guest feel like they were the only ones at the party. Lucky invitees included Kadmiel and Whitney
Christmas, Jennifer and Joaquin Brieva, William Holdeman, Todd Hatoff, Sherry Lea Fox, Toni DiMeola, Dmitry and Brianna Ritchie, Rhonda Sanderson, Mark Olley, Lori Allen, Rochelle Trotter and us. Together is always better! Thanks so much Paul!
Mark your calendars NOW for this year's Chicago Flower & Garden Show, themed "Flowertales: The Story Grows On." The creators of this always spectacular show interpret the unique role that flowers, plants and gardens play in the stories
of our lives and literature, beginning Wednesday, March 20th through Sunday, March 24th at Navy Pier. The show will again partner with Bernie's Book Bank to help ensure that every
child can enjoy the gift of reading. (More details here)!
Who isn't ready for a beach right now?! Well, the wait is over on January 19 when the The Beach Chicago will consume Navy Pier's AON Ballroom! You have to see it to believe it! (Deets here!) Surf's UP!
I hope you can join me at the American Writers Museum (180 N. Michigan) on Thursday, Jan. 24 when I get "candid" with the one and only Laura Schwartz! Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres begin at 6 with our "no holds barred" convo starting at 7 pm. Tickets are only $25, with all proceeds benefiting the AWM's educational programs! This museum is a must see, a real jewel in Chicago's cultural crown. JOIN US!!! Bring questions! (Tickets/more info, here)
I hope your year is off to a great start! I can't wait to see what the New Year brings! Whatever it may be, you can be sure you will read it here in Candid Candace! If not a subscriber, please click here and join in the fun!
Love, as always,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com
P.S. "Toby Talk"...not to be missed on YouTube!
