In a galaxy far, far away (the Four Seasons) I met George Lucas! Saturday night, June 13th, the Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute presented “An Adventure with George Lucas” to a sold-out crowd. From Main Street in “American Graffiti” to outer space through the “Star Wars” franchise and deep into the earth with “Indiana Jones”,
Lucas has led us on an incredible adventure and we’ve happily followed. When Lucas directed “Episode I: The Phantom Menace” of the Star Wars Saga in 1999, it was the year’s biggest box office hit and also the first major live-action film to be projected digitally. “Episode II: Attack of the Clones” broke new ground as the first
major movie shot using entirely digital media. His Lucasfilm Ltd. has grown into one of the world’s leading entertainment companies with global businesses including Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, LucasArts, Lucas Licensing, Lucas Online and Lucasfilm Animation. In short, this is one busy man! On this
evening, he was awarded the Visionary Award for Innovation in Filmmaking by SAIC president Wellington Reiter. There were cocktails before the dinner and award presentation and George mingled among the guests with his gorgeous Chicago girlfriend and president of Ariel Investments, Mellody Hobson. The event was packed with movers
and shakers such as Sandy and Jesse Jackson Jr., LeeAnn Trotter, Marian Brooks, Linda Johnson Rice, Neal Zucker, Lynn and John McMahan (our gracious hosts), Brenda Sexton and Ken Cook, Ikram, Bill Kelly, Liz Stiffel, Cookie Cohen, Julie and Fred Latsko, Marlene Iglitzen Siskel, John Iltus, Lisa Key, Joel Mangers (associate
director of development for the Gene Siskel Film Center), Morgan Henington, Marty Rubin, Bill Zwecker, Martha and Rich Melman, Dr. Carolyn Jacob, Chris Hansen, Jim Pinto, Estelle Walgreen, Vicky and Bill Hood, Ellen and Richard Sandor, Courtney Thompson, Shawn Donnelly and many more. The dinner consisted of a Jedi sampler of spring salads, roasted tenderloin, Dagobah Swamp
bass, green beans and whipped potatoes. The dessert was delightful and fun: mini milkshakes of wild Naboo strawberries with blueberry donut holes! The guest host, Jon Favreau, led a discussion with George. Jon is quite a success in his own right as many of you may know, having establishing himself as a writer with the hipster comedy “Swingers” and then his directorial debut with “Made”, a script which he also wrote and starred in opposite Vince Vaughn and Sean Combs. He went on to direct “Zathura”, a children’s adventure
film, and the holiday hit “Elf” starring Will Ferrell. More recently, Favreau directed Robert Downey Jr. in “Iron Man” and is currently directing “Iron Man 2” (which has added Mickey Rourke, Don Cheadle and Scarlett Johansson to the cast) as well as co-starring in “Couples Retreat”, which he wrote. During the interview, George said, “I’ve written everything I’ve
done but I’m not sure why since I hate writing.” He takes inspiration from the things he loves in life like the speed of racing cars which he related to the speed of motion pictures. Favreau described how he felt visiting George’s Skywalker Ranch. He said his home is Arts and Crafts style with each
room/suite named after someone who had influenced him. There was a Kurosawa suite and a Dorothy Parker suite. There is even a Lake Ewok! George loves illustration art and his home is filled with art by Norman Rockwell and Maxfield Parrish. Sitting at George and Mellody’s table for the event were Sandy and Jesse Jackson, Jr., Ikram, Marian Brooks and others. What I noticed while observing them was the tender way he rubbed Mellody’s back throughout the evening. When I introduced myself to her, I mentioned that my stepson, Charlie, had gone to school with her
at St. Ignatius and she was thrilled! She even remembered details of his apartment for a party she had gone to there. She turned to George and said, “Her stepson went to high school with me!” I was so impressed with her generosity of spirit to others. George is one lucky man and I’m sure he will use this as a subject for his next movie…..I’m accepting scripts now ;) In short, Mellody is
absolutely a delight!! George was himself: smart, successful, creative and a force to be reckoned with in so many different areas. Good luck to them both! It was a thrill to be there and to meet them! And another big thank you to Lynn and John McMahan for including us in this extraordinary evening!!!! :) Photos from top right: me, George Lucas and Mellody Hobson; Bill Zwecker with Marlene Iglitzen Siskel and her daughter; LeeAnn Trotter, Sandy Jackson, Marian Brooks and friend; Cookie Cohen, Liz Stiffel, Linda Johnson Rice and Neal Zucker; Lisa Key, Joel Mangers and Morgan Henington; Sandy and Jesse Jackson, Jr.; Lynn McMahan and Jean St. Aubin; Jim Pinto, Dr. Carolyn Jacob and Chris Hansen; Bill Kelly and friend; Princess Leia raffle seller, Star Wars table decor; elegant guest.
Friday night, Rebecca and Charlie Besser hosted a fundraiser at their house for Senate hopeful Alexi Giannoulias. This was the
second time I’d seen and heard him. (The first event was hosted by Bill Zanetis at his fabulous Dearborn Street home). I must say that I try to avoid politics and be an equal-opportunity blogger but in Alexi’s case I am going to tell you I will be supporting him. He is so inspirational and
hopeful in his speeches. His
sincerity and his past service to our city speak for themselves. He was there with his mother and girlfriend, Tara Flocco, and spoke of how much his father influenced him while his mother listened with tears in her eyes. She sure has a lot to be proud of in her
son! Good luck Alexi…this blogger is definitely on your team! Guests included Marty and Jack Higgins, Bob Golant,
Jerry Lasky, Michaela and Dickie Parrillo, Gale Gottlieb, Dale Tallon, Coach Dick Versace, Kelli Zink and Ryan Pruett, Susanna Negovan, Dan Uslan and many more. Photos from top right: Charlie and Rebecca Besser with Alexi Giannoulias; Tara Flocco with Alexi and his mom Anna; Chuck, Jerry Lasky, Alexi and Bob Golant; Rick and Toni Canada; Susanna Negovan and Dan Uslan; Charlie introducing Alexi.
I had been dying to see the Wit Hotel ever since its opening and finally got to go Friday night! And boy, was it packed! The already-famous Roof terrace was wall to wall with people and
that’s saying something since it’s 7,000 square feet! But surprisingly, it didn’t seem crowded. There are so many different areas including roaring fire pits, indoor and outdoor spaces, booths, communal tables and several bars that there was room for everyone. There is even a suspended table
overlooking the Chicago skyline. And let’s talk about the views: They are the best I’ve seen so far in Chicago! Roof was conceived as a year-round lounge that will work for Chicagoans way beyond the summer months. Chef and Chicago native Todd Stein, who previously led the Windy City kitchen of
MK and Las Vegas’s David Burke, serves a menu of 20 small plates that offers something for everyone’s palate including small pizzas, roasted artichokes, fried mozzarella, carpaccio, skirt steak, truffle toast, roasted
sweet pepper and goat cheese and tuna crostinis, lamb burgers and much more. There was an excellent DJ and even though the weather outside was cool, the unobtrusive bank of heaters along one wall kept everyone comfortable. It was an exciting place with
happy people. I highly recommend it! Then we stopped off in one of the three restaurants that will be in the Wit, State and Lake. It’s on the ground floor and offers a chef-driven menu that serves artisanal American cuisine. Some of these offerings on this night included
ale steamed mussels, BBQ shrimp, ahi tuna, NY strip, rainbow trout, braised short ribs, crab stuffed duck egg omelet, baby back ribs, roasted chicken, cheese burgers and much, much more. A third restaurant, Cibomatto, will have a modern Italian menu and will open July 7th. The 27-story Wit is located at 201 N. State St. – at the corner of State and Lake, as its restaurant denotes – and as you can see from the photos it’s the place to be! :) For reservations for the Roof and State and Lake restaurant, call 312-239-9502. Photos from top right: The Wit; Wit lobby; view from Roof; Roof crowd scene; Michelle Barone; sexy Roof lighting; another amazing Roof view.
A big thank you to Marcus Riley for recommending me for an interview on the new NBC show “The Talk”! My segment with
Marian Brooks was aired Sunday morning and except for not knowing what camera to look at, I think it went pretty well! This was the second show and it’s based on talking to people and discussing current events. Good luck Marian and thanks for having me on! :) Photos from top left: me and Marian Brooks on the set of "The Talk"; Marcus Riley. If you missed the segment, don't fear: it's right here!
I am now a contributor for Playboy’s new Playmate web site! Keep this link on your list of favorites and watch for my pic in Playmate News in the July issue! All of my blog entries are different….you just never know what you’re going to find so don’t forget to check out what CandidCandace is up to on Chicago Now (for instant updates) as well as the NBC Street Team! :) I am a very happy blogger and I hope you will like what you see!
And finally, congrats to Mary Ann Murphy! She and her rocker boyfriend Blitch are going strong and happy as two peas in a pod! Can’t wait to meet him, Mary Ann! Bring him to Chi-Town ASAP! Photo: Mary Ann Murphy and Blitch.
Thanks again for checking in and I hope you have a perfectly wonderful week! This video is so heartwarming and shows the true meaning of sportsmanship….
Love,
Candace :)
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