Hot, cold, hot again—and now rain. Welcome to Chicago, where the weather has more mood swings than a Cubs fan in extra innings. And honestly? I wouldn't have it any other way. Living in the Windy City is like strapping yourself into the front car of a roller
coaster that never stops—one minute you're soaking in the sunshine on the beach and the next, you're dodging sideways sleet with a grin on your face. But that’s
the magic of Chicago: we don’t just survive the chaos—we thrive in it. This city doesn’t coddle you. It toughens you up, teaches you to laugh in the face of forecasts and trains you to turn every weather curve ball into a reason to celebrate. Ten inches of snow? Perfect sledding weather. Thunderstorms brewing over the skyline? We can't wait to see Barry Butler's lightning photos. Rain in the forecast? We’re chasing rainbows, not running from them. This is what it means to love the Chi—leaning into the madness, finding beauty in the extremes and stirring up something sweet, no matter what the skies throw our way. Life here isn’t for the faint of heart. But if you’re in, you’re all in—and there’s no better ride.
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The recent Service Club of Chicago Spring Hat Luncheon at the Ritz-Carlton was one for the ages! Every single guest brought their A-game as far as hats and style. It was a sold-out event (410 tickets sold!), that looked like it stepped right out of the pages of Bazaar magazine. And, speaking of Bazaar, the keynote speaker figured prominently in this publication having had one of her
dramatic chapeaux featured on the cover, no less! Famed milliner Kat Cole, founder and designer for Kat & Clarese Luxury Accessories, participated in an informative Q&A with beloved Windy City Live co-host Val Warner. They discussed the finer points of hat-making and how she gets inspired. During the
convo, some of her designs were worn by models in fashions provided by Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue in a mini-fashion show. The afternoon kicked off with a reception where guests mixed, mingled, admired each other’s hats and shopped a silent auction. A beautiful floral backdrop provided the perfect photo opportunity for the chic crowd. The event was expertly co-chaired by Paula Borg, Kathleen Haines-Findley and Sherry Lea Holson. All three looked stunning – Sherry wore a high spray of white feathers on a headband; Paula
was in a delightful polka dot headband with a huge pink bow that matched her dress, and Kathleen was a vision in fuschia from head t
o toe. All head turners! A live auction was conducted by our friend Molly Limmer from Freeman's|Hindman. She did a great job keeping the rather noisy crowd engaged all the while raising record funds. (There
are still donations coming in but, right now, the event has
raised record numbers!) One of the surprise live auction items was dinner and cocktails with the Golden Bachelors, Pascal Ibgui, Jordan Heller and Michael Stevens. Denise Tomasello and Peggy DeVorse were the lucky winners! (They sold the package twice at $4600) The event had so many moving parts, there was hardly time to eat lunch! Next up, was the announcement of the winners of the hat contest. There were five categories: Royal Ascot (won by Belvon Walker); Best Chapeau (won by Greg Hyder); Custom Creation (won by Cheryl Coleman); Chic Fascinator (won by Deonna Melton) and Flower Crown (Samantha Borland). (Photos by Mila Samokhina & moi)
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Morgan Manufacturing was buzzing with energy earlier this month as more than 600 animal lovers — and their four-legged friends — came together for PAWS Chicago’s Animal Magnetism fundraiser. Held on April 4, the event
raised an incredible $300,000, setting new records for
both attendance and funds raised. Presented by Becker’s Healthcare and hosted by the PAWS Professional Board, the evening offered a feast of fun (and food!) from top Chicago restaurants like Gene & Georgetti, The Bandit, Formento’s, and Bombay Eats.
VIP guests enjoyed a sit-down dinner from Avli, while lucky pups were spoiled with a dog buffet, custom portraits, engraved pet tags, and on-site doggy daycare. Co-chairs Alyssa Gregory, Danielle Kroloff, and Ritu Shah led the charge, with FOX 32’s Jake Hamilton and 103.5 KISS FM’s Fred Frederick keeping the energy high as emcees. Auctioneer Chris Hensley fueled the excitement with once-in-a-lifetime auction prizes, including a six-night
Aspen getaway and a signed Taylor Swift guitar! One of the night’s sweetest moments? Meeting adoptable pets like Gecko, a brave pup who recovered from parasites and eye surgery, and Mykonos, a puppy who survived parvovirus treatment. The celebration also honored outstanding volunteers with PAWS Chicago’s Animal Welfare Leadership Awards, recognizing their incredible contributions to animal rescue, transport, and adoption support. Since 1997, PAWS Chicago has helped over 86,000 homeless pets find loving homes — and through efforts like the 360@CACC program, boosted adoptions at Chicago Animal Care and Control by nearly 29% last year. Here’s to more wagging tails, lifesaving work, and unforgettable nights like this!
On Earth Day 2025 (April 22) the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry became the epicenter of innovation and environmental advocacy as it hosted The Blue
Paradox Sustainable Fashion
Show, sponsored
by SC
Johnson. This exclusive even celebrated sustainable fashion design while raising awareness about the fashion industry’s role in plastic pollution and climate change. Curated by Sustainable Fashion Week Chicago and The Curio, the runway show, produced by ZZAZZ Productions, featured 20 visionary designers—all emerging talents and recent graduates from leading Chicago fashion schools, including the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), Columbia College Chicago, College of
DuPage, Dominican University, and Harper College. Each designer’s work explored the intersection of sustainability and fashion, showcasing garments crafted from upcycled materials, recycled textiles and biodegradable fabrics. The show was hosted by Cortney Hall, Emmy-
nominated co-host of NBC’s Chicago Today, and included a powerful fashion sustainability panel led by internationally recognized fashion photographer and environmental advocate Nigel Barker, along with SAIC faculty member Kristin Mariani. Nigel Barker shared a heartfelt statement about the night’s significance: “Fashion hasplayed a huge role in my life, and I love the creativity and storytelling it exudes. However, plastic waste is a massive global issue, and the fashion industry unfortunately has a stark role in it. That’s why The Blue Paradox Sustainable Fashion Show was such an important event to
demonstrate how making simple changes with our fashion choices – from the materials we choose to where we buy from – can have a lasting impact.” Judged and curated by industry leaders including Macaila Britton (founder of Sustainable Fashion Week Chicago), Maggie Gillette (co-founder of Chicago Fashion Week), and Mariani, the event served as a platform for young
talent to engage in meaningful fashion activism. The designers
explored concepts like slow fashion, circular fashion and zero- waste pattern making, bringing tangible solutions to the forefront of the industry conversation. Designers such as YOYO Zheng, Presley Baldwin, and Cesar Benavente Oblitas (SAIC), Ro Bradford and Kelsey Gibson (Columbia College Chicago), and Elizabeth Herwaldt (College of DuPage) impressed with collections rooted in ecological awareness. Their work stood as a powerful reminder of the growing
movement among Gen Z designers toward eco-conscious fashion design and the desire to reshape the future of the industry through ethical fashion practices. The night attracted a crowd of celebrities and style influencers, including Chicago P.D. stars Marina Squerciati, Benjamin Levy Aguilar, and Toya Turner; Chicago Fire’s Jake Lockett and Hanako Greensmith; and Chicago
Med’s Nick Gehlfuss. Notable attendees also included fashion icons Maria Pinto, Christina Karin, Sheila Rashid, and digital fashion creator Brenda Levesque, along with Matt Rodriguez from NBC Chicago.The show took place inside the Blue Paradox Exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry Chicago, a dynamic installation designed to educate visitors on the dangers of ocean plastic pollution. The immersive space provided a fitting and inspiring backdrop for garments built with sustainable production methods in mind. Backed by SC Johnson’s environmental initiatives, the evening was more than a fashion show—it was a call to action for both consumers and creators to consider how the choices they make affect the planet. As more people seek ways to support eco-friendly fashion brands and reduce their carbon footprint, events like The Blue Paradox offer a tangible glimpse into a more responsible and beautiful future.
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Lookingglass Theatre Company threw its fifth annual unGALA: DREAM on March 20 at the swanky Casino Club in Chicago’s Gold Coast, selling out with over 200 guests
decked out in dreamy sleepwear. During cocktail hour, guests wandered through live bedtime stories, performed by Lookingglass ensemble artists across the venue, setting a whimsical, intimate vibe. Managing Director Jamey Lundblad and Artistic Director Kasey Foster celebrated the year's big wins: four new ensemble
members, four new board members, the appointment of Rich Chapman as board chair, and the grand reopening of the theater after a major renovation. They also cheered the world premiere of Circus Quixote. Foster gave a heartfelt shoutout to Aurelia Fisher Cohen, Director of Development and Special Events, for her tireless dedication. The night hit a high note when David
Schwimmer — actor, co-founder, and ensemble member — made a surprise appearance. The event was co-chaired by Rick and Deann Bayless, Richard Chapman, Luis Gutierrez, and Adrienne Lange. In a moving speech, Deann Bayless thanked the event committee, staff, and board, giving special props to sponsors Joan and Paul
Rubschlager and Richard Chapman of Chapman Associates. One crowd-pleaser? A lively auction run by ensemble members Joey Slotnick and Philip Smith, with a show-stopping donation from the Baylesses: a week-long stay at their Mexico City condo. Founded in 1988 by Schwimmer
and fellow Northwestern University grads, Lookingglass
Theatre has earned national acclaim for its inventive productions — even winning the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre in 2011. To date, the company has staged over 65 world premieres. This year’s gala raised nearly $550,000 to fuel Lookingglass’ operations, youth outreach to Chicago Public Schools, and the Young Ensemble program. Up next: the highly anticipated Iraq, But Funny, opening May 29.
“Titanique,” a campy, irreverent musical comedy that opened on March 25, and has already been extended to July 13! We didn’t know what to expect when we attended the 100-minute (no intermission) production at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, but let’s just say it is a one-of-a-kind, nostalgic voyage that will
have you clapping and standing in the aisle. It was packed at the intimate, charming, jewel-box theatre at 175 E. Chestnut. The room was buzzing with excitement when we sat down so I knew it would be a very special experience, and I was so right. The story begins when Céline Dion, (brilliantly played by Clare Kennedy McLaughlin) hijacks a Titanic Museum tour. What follows is a crazy, whirlwind of fun, laughter and great music, all
played by some of the most capable performers I’ve seen in a long time. The musical includes hits such as “My Heart Will Go On,” “All By Myself” and “To Love You More” – backed by the energy of a full live band. The production features powerhouse voices and numbers that you never want to end. Pair that with a nod to contemporary pop culture and specially curated Chicago-based innuendos and you have a surefire winner. In fact, the production just won the prestigious
Olivier Award for “Best Entertainment and Comedy Show” at London’s Royal Albert Hall! The production was cast perfectly (all Chicago actors!) with everyone being a standout in their roles. On the night we attended, McLaughlin played Céline; Adam Fane (Jack);
Maya Rowe (Rose); Jackson Evans (Victor Garber/Luigi) and Rob Lindley (Cal). Two of our favorites were Eric Lewis (The Seaman/Iceberg) and Abby C. Smith (Molly Brown). There was more talent in this show than you could shake a stick at. We were lucky to meet the co-creator/director Tye Blue, thanks to friend Whitney Lasky, who loved the show so much the first time she saw it that she is now a producer! (The book is by Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli and Blue.) (Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut, broadwayinchicago.com)
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I'm so happy to see Rick Kogan is back on WGN-Radio 720! And I'm proud to continue as his loving sidekick for "After Hours with Rick Kogan." We chat about anything and everything happening in the Chi, so if you want to fill your social calendar or catch the latest adventures, you won't want to miss it! Listen here , here and here for our latest segments!
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I also hope you're checking out my "Candid Candace - The Podcast"! I just celebrated my 50th episode with my dynamic co-host/producer, John St. Augustine. This week, we take you on a whirlwind tour through Chicago's most dazzling events and an exclusive conversation you won't want to miss. First, we step behind the scenes at Steppenwolf Theatre's 50th Anniversary Gala, don our finest attire for Brookfield Zoo's 44th annual Whirl Gala and share insights about the Service Club of Chicago's fabulous Spring Hat Luncheon at the Ritz, where philanthropy met fashion in a vibrant display of community spirit. But the highlight of this episode is our exclusive interview with Chicago White Sox legend Ron Kittle! Ron shares candid insights into his career, thoughts on Jerry Reinsdorf and the current Sox team and even a surprising story involving a certain magazine appearance. His passion for the game and community shines through, making this a conversation you won't want to miss. Listen here!
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Now, please check out some of my top upcoming events:
Driehaus Fashion Awards, Thursday, May 22, 21c Museum Hotel; The Chicago Lighthouse "Seeing What's Possible Gala" with Shelley MacArthur on Friday, June 3 at Gannon Concert Hall; Randolph Street Market, May 24/25; Bear Necessities' Bear Tie Ball on Friday, May 30 at the Four Seasons; The Joffrey Celebration Gala will honor Anne Kaplan and Fred Eychaner on Sat. May 31 at Cinespace; Common Threads will celebrate its 20th anniversary at "Beyond the Table", Monday, June 2 at the Chicago Athletic Association; PAWS Chicago Beach Party at Offshore July 17; Strides for Peace's "Race Against Gun Violence," June 5, Grant Park; Randolph Street Market, May 24/25, 1341 W. Randolph St; Fleurs de Villes at The 900 Shops through May 25.
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And, kudos to Chef Art Smith who is always in the right place at the right time! He and his friends had the honor of attending the Pope's inaugural mass and coronation! He attended with husband Jesus Salgueiro, Manolis Alpogianis, Eric Kircherer, Maria Schriver, Gayle King, Chef Hector Guerrero and others. Art reported that the Pope loves his Goat Cheese Biscuits! Amen to that!
I hope you've enjoyed this latest edition of Candid Candace, packed with love and appreciation for all who read it!
Candace,
