Candid Candace

SUMMER POOL PARTY MAKES A BIG SPLASH FOR JOFFREY FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

There is nothing quite like summer in our great city! And one of the joys is the traditional backyard BBQ! But the "backyard" party at the home of Sandy and Roger Deromedi was anything but traditional! They hosted close to 100 Joffrey friends, family and dancers at one of the best bashes of the summer! Their estate in Lake Forest is as close to heaven as you can get--from the koi pond to the hot tub grotto, it is all built on a very grand and gracious scale. And even though it's sizable, Sandy and Roger made everyone feel right at home. The dancers were tossing each other in the pool and the food from George Jewell was divine. There was a wide selection with numerous food stations that included BBQ, scallop fajitas, caprese salad, grilled vegetables with goat cheese, pork and beans, fresh creamed corn, cole slaw, mini burgers and much, much more. The desserts were decadent with custom hot fudge sundaes and a beautiful birthday cake. Sandy and Roger didn't miss a beat and had a surprise birthday cake for Joffrey artistic director Ashley Wheater's upcoming 50th birthday. Ashley introduced all of the dancers including some of our new artists (we have eight new dancers in all for the next season!) and 10-year veterans Valerie Robin and Mauro Villanueva. Dancer Abigail Simon led the crowd in singing birthday wishes and then the dancing continued to the sounds of Garrido Productions.Happy guests included Maureen and EB Smith, Helen Melchior, photographer Herbert Migdahl, Christine Ott, Sophie Bross, Liz and Lawrence Ryan, Bryan Johnson, Marci and Ron Holzer, Julie Johnson, Marybeth Brandabur, Marina and Arnie Tatar, Joyce Wippman, Debbie Beitler and her sister Nancy Bauer, Kathy Lidbury, Patti Gerber, Barbara and David Kipper, Kathleen Klaeser, Pierre Lockett, Christopher Clinton Conway, Harriet and Irwin Ross, Liz Sharp, Pam and Russ Strobel, Heidi and David Keeling, Mary Kay and John Burke, Dora Aalbregtse, Laurie Garwood, Nancy and Stephen Bauer and her sister Debbie, Cynthia and John Pacholick, Michael Anderson,  Kate Benson and Dick Johnson among many others. Happy Birthday Ashley and many thanks Sandy and Roger!!! What a GREAT party! :) Photos from top right: Ashley Wheater being feted; Fabrice Calmels, Tian Shuai, Abigail Simon, Seth Hopkins, Jonathan Dummar, April Daley and Mauro Villanueva; me with Sandy and Roger Deromedi; Ashley Wheater, Maureen Smith and Fabrice Calmels; Christine Ott, Christopher Clinton Conway and Marybeth Brandabur; the lovely Deromedi home; Helen Melchior, April Daley and Mauro Villanueva; Pierre Lockett and Sandy Deromedi; Marina Tatar, Roger Deromedi and Ernie Tatar; Sophie Bross and Liz Ryan. Click here to enjoy more photos from this fantastic fete!
 
Hinckley Yachts and insurance giant Marsh co-hosted a party at the Chicago Yacht Club and over 100 guests showed up in their best boating attire. It was a perfect summer night in Chicago and the lake sparkled from the windows of the Commodore Room. Kate Gaynor, senior VP of Marsh Private Solutions, gave a wonderful introduction and introduced president and CEO of Hinckley, Jim McManus. He gave a terrific presentation on the history of the company and everyone could see how passionate he is about his product. There were a few people in the crowd on this evening with serious intents to buy so after cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, we all went down to play in the boats. They had three on display but my favorite was the T38R Convertible. This runabout functioned just like a car….at the push of a button, the top goes up and down. It was very cool to see. It was even more fun when Kate and Joe Scandariato, vice president of investments for Merrill Lynch and a proud Hinckley owner, offered me the chance to take some friends out on the water for a test ride. We went for an hour and a half cruise and the city never looks more beautiful than when it is viewed from the lake-- then you can see the panoramic skyline with the sun glinting off of all of those windows and it just takes your breath away. The lake was perfect for cruising and our captain took it up to 40 knots and we were flying! It was such a thrill. Guests on the boat included Christine Ott, Marisa Bryce, Sheryl Dyer, Christina Peters and a friend, Joey Majumdar and of course, Kate. Guests at the Yacht Club party included Vicky and Gary Holdren, Dr. Steven Stryker, Kimberly Gleeson, Cindy Burns, Laura Wallace, Ed and Alison Howlett, Josh Walters, Terrence and Tiffany Chappell, Nekesa Josey, Patrick Plante, Brenda Sexton and Ken Cook among others. Great pics are by Caitlin Saville. Photos from top right: Marisa Bryce, Laura Wallace, Christine Ott, me, Cindy Burns, Kimberly Gleeson and Maralyn Owen; Jim McManus and Joe Scandariato; Kate Gaynor, Joe Scandariato and Sheryl Dyerl Laura Wallace, Chuck and Cindy Burns; Ken Cook and Brenda Sexton; me with Jim McManus and Kate Gaynor; a Hinckley yacht; Tiffany and Terrence Chappell; Kimberly Gleeson, Dr. Steven Stryker and a friend; Hector Lopez and Heidi Milby. For more photos from this evening on the lake, click here!

The dinner party was named “A Castlewood Caper” but  was more like a Castlewood Dream when renowned interior designer, John Regas, opened his home for guests last week. The house was drop dead gorgeous—as all of his homes are and have been. The sleek grandeur and attention to detail is John’s hallmark….even when climbing the custom winding staircase. As soon as you step onto the first step, the pin lights come on as if by magic to light your way. The guests were instructed to wear “summer chic” attire but the evening didn’t cooperate as there was a definite chill in the air. Not to worry: John, being the ultimate host, even had matching throws to cover most of the ladies’ dresses! The floral décor by Daniel’s Discriminating Floriculture of the Palmer House, was all pale pinks and whites with big balls of flowers hanging on every pathway light.  There were gorgeous pink roses encased in crystal everywhere you looked and even in the legs of a Lucite table that held the buffet! As John said, his home is a vertical one and not for anyone with a fear of stairs. There are four floors with each staircase opening up onto incredibly designed rooms with a glamorous Art Deco inspired rooftop deck. Glamorous guests included Jean Antoniou, Sheryl Dyer, Paul Iacono, Jim Smith, Hazel Barr and Warren Barr, Lynn and John McMahan, Betty and Dean Pappas, Nancy and Tim Okal, David Myers, Leslie and Scott Hodes, Greg Malinowski, Pat Benett,  Rhonda Sanderson, Samantha Amato, Missy Vitale, Ken Norgan, Paul Rehder, Nicole Jacobs, Maria Pappas, Peter Kamberos, Kathy Stratton, Camille and Ed Pearl, Senya and Paul Kolpacke, Jayme Shenk, Christine and Ernie Cochanis, Susan Gohl, Kent Ottwell, Renee and Herb Schneider, Cookie Cohen, Don Poder, Pat Lauderdale and Greg Hyder among others. Photos from top right: Paul Iacono, John Regas, me and Greg Hyder; Maria Pappas, Ken Norgan and friends; Jean Antoniou, Hazel Barr and Sheryl Dyer; Paul Iacono and Rhonda Sanderson; flowers by Daniel; me with Paul Rehder and Nicole Jacob; John and Lynn McMahan; Cookie Cohen and Stuart; Christine Cochanis and Kathy Stratton with a friend; Pat Lauderdale and Don Poder. Click here for more photos from this magical evening! 

Fifty fabulous women and their guests were treated to breathtaking views, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the newly opened Terrace on 16 at Trump Tower. The event was to celebrate the launch of Margot Berwin’s new summer read, Hot House Flower and the Nine Plants of Desire. This is a tale of mystery, adventure and romance surrounding the obsession of advertising executive, Lila Nova, to obtain the mysterious nine plants of desire. Her quest takes her to the rain forests of the Yucatan. Margot has already sold the film rights to Sony who has cast Julia Roberts in the leading role. Guests included Vicki and Bill Hood, Christie Hefner and Billy Marovitz, Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Mickey Norton, Robin Berger, Suzanne LeMignot, Linda Johnson Rice, Susanna Negovan and Robin Robinson. This was another fantastic party produced by Brenda Sexton of Chicago Link Productions with great pics by Mitchell Canoff. Photos from top right: author Margot Berwin; Gary Gordon, Mickey Norton, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Michael Sampson; Linda Johnson Rice and Robin Berger; Susanna Negovan and Bridget Brennan. For more photos, click here! 

Don’t forget these fun parties coming up! Wednesday, July 29th, please join me at the Kick-Off Party for Couture & Cocktails at Neiman Marcus. The event will be in the Zodiac Room from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and designer Pamella Roland will be there. There will be informal modeling, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. All you have to do is RSVP to Julia at 312-386-8921 and we will see you there!!! Photo: Couture & Cocktails. 

Monday, August 3rd, is the annual “Day on the Terrace” fashion show and luncheon benefitting the Service Club of Chicago.  It begins with cocktails on the terrace of the Peninsula at 11 a.m. followed by a fashion show in the ballroom at noon. The show will showcase 15 prestigious retailers and tickets are $150. For info, call Maria at (312) 664-8471. Photo: modeling Dismero at last year's Day on the Terrace.

CONGRATS to our own Chef Art Smith on winning the first round of Bravo’s "Top Chef Masters!" He said that cooking on this show was like “losing every ounce of my religion over worrying about dishes, time and the judges.” He competed against chefs Roy Yamaguchi, Michael Cimarusti and Jonathan Waxman. He thanked his Chicago family who “rooted him along to victory.” He had a “big” fried chicken dinner in Beverly Hills to celebrate with the CEO of Magical Elves (the producer of “Top Chef,” “Top Chef Masters,” “Project Runway” and “Top Design”) along with other great chefs. If he wins the finals, he will bring home $100,000 for his worthy charity, Common Threads!!! GOOD LUCK ART!! We’ll be watching!!! Photo: Jonathan Waxman, Roy Yamaguchi, Art Smith and Michael Cimarusti.

President Obama flew in Thursday night for some fundraising duties and even though he closed the expressway and created traffic havoc, it was a very majestic and patriotic sight to see those massive helicopters landing in the soccer field off of North Avenue. There were even secret service people in my stepson’s building at 1660 N. LaSalle! Cynthia Olsen took this pic and said the helicopter was so close, it almost skimmed the petunias on her patio! Photo: Obama's chopper.

As always, I hope you have a wonderful week and are enjoying your summer to the fullest!!!

Love,
Candace :)

P.S. Man-about-the-world, Patrick Plante, attended Walter Cronkite’s funeral and was seated at the luncheon following with Nancy Cronkite, Dick Cavett, Jerry Stiller and Ann Meara. I don’t think there is anyone Patrick doesn’t know!!!!

“BLACKBIRD” WOWS CRITICS AND OPENING NIGHT CROWD

My attendance at the opening night performance of “Blackbird” at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater came about due to a bit of serendipity. I was lucky enough to have met the executive director, Jan Kallish, and the artistic director, Dennis Zacek, at Sugar Rautbord’s party for Larry King. As a matter of fact, we shared a cab home together and during the ride Dennis said casually, “You should come see our next play at the Biograph starring William Petersen. It’s a bit of a departure for him.” I’ll say! What an understatement! This drama had the audience on the edge of their seats throughout the 90-minute (no intermission) production and was unlike anything I’d seen before. I had never heard of “Blackbird” which was written by David Harrower and first presented in Edinburgh in 2005. It won the 2007 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play and Best Play in the Scottish Theatre Critics Awards. I must tell you, it’s not easy to watch and the subject matter is not something that I would normally seek out. I’m more comfortable with more light-hearted fare – musicals like “Mary Poppins” come to mind – but I am so glad to have seen it. All of the newspapers have given it rave reviews and I can see why. It seemed like a risk for William Petersen but he became Ray and co-star Mattie Hawkinson played Una to perfection. (Her next film role will be with Robert De Niro so catch her while you can!) The story revolves around the awkward reunion of these two people 15 years after a passionate affair when he was 40 and she was a minor. The Associated Press calls it “a fascinating and unnerving 90- minute cat-and-mouse tale of revenge and sexual intrigue, with genuine theatricality and undeniable shock value.” The New York Times says “it promises to be the most powerful drama of the season.” It was directed by Dennis Zacek and there is also an appearance by another gifted young actress, Lauren Delfs. William Petersen had his first dramatic lead role on stage in 1978 with this very same theater company when he played the title role in “Dillinger.” Lots of friends and fans were on hand on opening night to cheer him on including his CSI co-star Marg Helgenberger, who flew in to toast him. She arrived with old friends Sugar Rautbord, Sugar’s sister Patrica Tracy and Patrick Plante. Other guests that night included Fanchon and Bruce Simons, Christine Ott with friend Stuart Burnstine, actor John Mahoney and William (Billy’s) wife, Gina Cirone (they were married in 2003). It was a wonderful celebration and an incredible theater experience. I highly recommend “Blackbird” which runs through August 9th at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago. Tickets are $30 to $58 and can be purchased by calling the box office at 773-871-3000 or online at www.victorygardens.org. Welcome home Billy!!!! Photos from top right: "Blackbird" stars William Petersen and Mattie Hawkinson; artistic director Denniz Zacek, Mattie Hawkinson, Lauren Delfs and William Petersen; executive director Jan Kallish and Lauren Delfs; CSI co-star Marg Helenberger congratulating William; the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater marquee; Gina Cirone and William Petersen; Patricia Tracy, Patrick Plante, Sugar Rautbord and Marg Helenberger;  Fanchon Simons and John Mahoney; Stuart Burnstine and Christine Ott; Fanchon and Bruce Simons. For more photos from this amazing evening, click here! 
 
Last week was a week to remember! Another incredibly unique experience came through another bit of luck: I was invited to the opening night of Cavalia by Steven Nowack, a partner and promoter of the show, after he tracked me down through my blog! See there are some perks to writing CandidCandace! So I invited some high-profile friends who I thought would be good for Steven to meet. There was a lovely VIP tent called the Rendezvous Tent that had cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and some delightful souvenirs from the show. And then in we went for one of the most amazing equestrian odysseys we’d ever experienced. The show was created by Cirque du Soleil founder Normand Latourelle and there were some similarities—but only in the creativity because this show was all about the love and evolution of the horse. They were the stars and they seemed to love every minute of it! There are 13 different breeds of horses, including Arabians, Lusitanos, quarter horses, Appaloosas and paint horses from France, the Netherlands, Canada, Spain and the United States. They are all stallions and geldings and have been trained using only hand gestures and talking. There are two horse whisperers in the show whose performances will astound you. It is truly a feast for all of your senses since the show also involves acrobats, aerialists, dancers, riders and musicians (the music is live) in a dream-like setting created by Erick Villeneuve. Larry King called it “the greatest show he’s ever seen” and O Magazine proclaimed that “the wildly beautiful stallions of Cavalia leave audiences with their hearts galloping.” I agree wholeheartedly. When you see the horses tearing across the stage (which is the size of a regulation NFL football field!) with no bridles, it will bring tears to you eyes—their beauty is so haunting. My host Steven Nowack had seen the show 498 times and his enthusiasm on this night was just the same as if he were seeing it for the first time. He told me that creator Normand Latourelle transports 60 to 80 tons of dirt from show to show so the horses will be on a ground they are familiar with. The Cavalia tent is the largest touring tent in North America and when you spy the white peaks of the Big Top for the first time, you will be transported back to childhood and the excitement of your first circus. It’s an experience I’ll never forget. We were lucky enough to go behind the scenes on this night and see the horses up close in their comfy 16,500 square foot stables. They were truly majestic and are nature’s miracles in every way. The opening night was a 2000+ sell out crowd and they have already extended the run to August 2nd. Opening night guests included Maria Pinto, Carrie Lannon, Greg Hyder, Jim Smith, Stella Foster, Billy Dec and his fiancé Katherine Stephens, NBC Street Team’s Marcus Riley and Catherine Perez, Dennis Minkle, Hazel, Warren and Maggie Barr, Jerry Kleiner and Marissa Molinaro, Judy and Howard Tullman, Lynn and John McMahan, Kathy O’Malley Piccone, Diana and Carlos Chavez, Rich Gregorin, Heidi Milby and Hector Lopez, John Regas and Paul Iacono. This is a must-see for young and old and anyone looking for an experience they won’t soon forget. The show runs two hours and 20 minutes with a 25-minute intermission. Tickets start at $45.50 and can be purchased online at www.cavalia.net or by calling 1-866-999-8111. Photos from top right: Cavalia founder Normand Latourelle and me; Dennis Minkle, Carrie Lannon and Maria Pinto with a friend; Diana Chavez, me, Kathy (O'Malley) Piccone and Stella Foster; Marcus Riley and Catherine Perez; Paul Iacono, Chuck, Jim Smith and Greg Hyder; John Regas with Hazel and Maggie Barr; Jerry Kleiner Marissa Molinaro and Normand Latourelle; Katherine Stephens, Billy Dec and me; Cavalia tack room; a rider in the show; happy VIP guests; Normand Latourelle, me and Steven  Nowack; Kathy (O'Malley) Piccone, Paul Iacono and Diana Chavez. 

We went to a screening of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” that benefitted Urban Prep Academy

. If you haven’t heard of Urban Prep, you should know what they do: It’s Chicago’s only all-boys charter public school and their mission is to turn urban youth, mostly young African-American boys, into college graduates. Their nickname is “Little Obamas.” Urban Prep founder and CEO Tim King played the role of High Wizard for this premier and Richard Roeper introduced the film. This Potter is my favorite after the “Sorcerer’s Stone” but I recommend waiting to see it in 3D at the IMAX coming July 29th. Magic and romance abound! J. K. Rowling appeared in an hour-long special on ABC last week and she said her next work will be a political fairy tale. She is also in talks for a Harry Potter Amusement Park! Wouldn’t that be awesome?! Guests at the screening included Chicago Bears Rasheed Davis, Brenda Sexton (who helped organize the event) and Ken Cook, Daniel Nikitas (executive VP of MB Real Estate) and lots of happy students! The after-party was held at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar. Photos from top left: Chicago Bear Rasheed Davis and Urban Prep founder and CEO Tim King with students; Richard Roeper, Curtis Nordeen (a partner in Fleming's) and Tim King; Potter people (go Gryffindor!) 
 
Jerry Kleiner’s newest restaurant, 33 Club, opens Tuesday at 1419 N. Wells. This building was my husband’s old advertising agency so you can bet we will be going there! From the photos I’ve seen, it’s typical gorgeous Kleiner chic. There are 20-foot-tall mahogany ceilings and walls with a dramatic center staircase. I recognized the unique chairs with Louis Vuitton luggage handles from Room 21 and am glad to see that Jerry recycles like the rest of us. He said the name of the restaurant is inspired by the point in time when Prohibition ended (1933) and was a time of celebration. He feels like we need a new beginning now and the name represents this feeling. The menu is described as “classic American fare” and I can’t wait to try it! Welcome to the ‘hood Jerry!!! Photos from top left: 33 Club dining room; owner Jerry Kleiner; inside 33 Club.  
 
On Friday, July 24th, mark your calendars for the annual Chefs and the City event at the Peninsula Hotel! This party benefits Vital Bridges, an organization that helps more than 2400 people impacted by HIV/AIDS in Chicago. The Premier Tasting is from 7 to 10 p.m. and the VIP After-Party is from 10:30 p.m. to midnight. Participating restaurants include Arun’s, Perennial, Sola, The Publican, RL Restaurant, Sepia, Spring, Union League Club of Chicago, NoMi, David Burke’s Primehouse, Blackbird, Bistro Campagne and Anteprima. Other supporters include Allen Brothers and Swirlz Cupcakes. Tickets start at $250 and can be purchased by calling Vital Bridges at 773-271-5117. Photos from top right: Chefs and the City table decor; Swirlz Cupcakes. 
 
I will celebrate my 20th wedding anniversary on July 21st and, quite honestly, it feels like Chuck and I tied the knot just yesterday! We were married at the Drake Hotel and honeymooned in Paris. Thanks so much for being my husband Chuck...I love you with all of my heart! Photo: the happiest day of my life.
 
I hope you all have a wonderful week and are enjoying the summer! :)
 
Love,
Candace :)

P.S. What was Richard Gere doing in Old Town today? Is he here scouting a movie??!!!

AN ASCOT BALL AUDREY WOULD’VE LOVED!

The Ascot Ball at the Casino benefitting the English Speaking Union was an Audrey Hepburn fan’s dream come true for its "Breakfast at Tiffany's" party! Guests all dressed according to the theme with lots of form-fitting black dresses with pearls cascading down the front. Event co-chairs Lynn McMahan, Mamie Walton and ESU president Brian White even supplied “props” to help guests transform themselves “into the moment” with white boas, ultra long cigarette holders and little mini rhinestone crowns. Audrey would’ve been so proud! More than 150 people were in attendance and were greeted by a trio of violinists dressed in white tie and tails playing nostalgic melodies associated with this famous icon. A highlight of the evening was the traditional Toast to the Queen led by National English Speaking Union president emerita Doe Thornburg, OBE, followed by the Response Toast to the United States President from Consul General for India, the Honorable Ashok Attri. The room décor by Tom Kehoe was one of the prettiest I’ve seen and fit the space and theme perfectly: towering vases of white plumes with a profusion of massed white flowers, white satin tablecloths with Tiffany blue napkins and silver bowls of white roses and hydrangeas with shaded crystal candelabras. The room sparkled and drew gasps from the guests when the doors were opened. An elegant menu began with cucumber consommé followed by Colorado rack of lamb or halibut with spring vegetables. Next came a salad of romaine, pear and Roquefort cheese ending with a Grand Marnier soufflé with crème anglaise…makes me hungry just typing this. The live auction was led by Christie’s Steven Zick and included lots of interesting items. A cocktail party at Stanley Paul’s fabulous Art Deco penthouse with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres for 14 went to lucky bidder Oscar Tatisian. A sailboat cruise aboard The Grand Vizier on Lake Michigan, donated by Jim Kinney and Brian White,  included cocktails and a luncheon served by the boat’s butler and was won by Ann O’Brien. A Naples package, donated by Susan and Fred Gohl, included a three-hour cruise on their 106-foot boat, the Susanna Bella, which was decorated by famous interior designer John Regas. This package also included a stay at the Ritz Carlton in Naples and a day of golf on their course for lucky winners Rodger and Janet Owens. And then the moment everyone was waiting for! Who was the winner of the raffle prize which was a gorgeous platinum, diamond and aquamarine “Legacy” cocktail ring donated by Tiffany & Co. and valued at $7,650? The ring caused fevered ticket buying but the winner wanted to remain anonymous. I saw the ring and I don’t blame her for this…it’s GORGEOUS and everyone wanted it! The evening went on into the wee hours with dancing to the Stanley Paul Orchestra. I know how hard Mamie and Lynn worked on this and I also know Lynn did a lot of the work under terrible conditions at her home—including lack of computer and phone service for a while and even flooding! But a swarm of locusts couldn’t keep these co-chairs down, that’s for sure!!! I am so proud and happy for them and their success with this event!! Kudos Mamie, Lynn and Brian!!! :) Photos from top right: event chairs Mamie Walton, Brian White and Lynn McMahan; Toni Canada, Rochelle Smith, Heather Farley and Karen Smith; India's Consul General Ashok Attri and his wife; Kristina and Mike McGrath; Brad Griffith and Tiffani Kim; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Martino and friend; Tom Kehoe decor; Mamie Walton, Averill Leviton, Cynthia Olson and Lynn McMahan; Megan McKinney and Bunky Cushing; Cookie Cohen and Stewart Fineberg; Kate Gaynor and Ray Drymalski; Stanley Paul with Mamie and Lynn. For more photos from this fantastic fete, click here!

Chicago’s very own powerhouse and “Hostess with the Mostest” Kathy O’Malley celebrated her birthday in grand style at Prosecco Ristorante last Tuesday night. Event organizer BJ Murray and I invited close to 200 people and they all came to toast this beloved woman! Kathy has always been gorgeous but I think she’s never looked better! See the pics for proof! The party lasted until around 2 a.m. with Kathy blowing out candles on her giant birthday cake (and no, I didn’t stay this long!). Everyone came—old friends Angie and Paul Murges, Jerry Ranalli, Alan Sax, John Regas, Paul Iacono, Rhonda Sanderson, Jim Levin, Dorothy Whealan, Felicia and Curt Winiecki, Thom Ward, Chilli Pepper, Caren Crystal, Sarinda and Gian Fulgoni, Jason Totani, Dori Wilson, Pedro Vega, Lee Casty, boss Steve Lombardo, Kelly Mulqueeny, Charley Jordan, Elizabeth Bertucci, Gail and Denny Engleman, Monica Kasley, Bonni and Chuck Gross, TCW’s Lauren Rafferty, Matthewy Adamczyk and many, many more. The photog for the evening was the very aptly-named Steve Starr! Happy birthday, my dear friend! :) Photos from top left: Kathy O'Malley, BJ Murray and me; Siliwia Wilcznska, Kathy and Candace Boyle; John Regas, Paul Iacono, Matthew Adamczyk, me, Chuck and Rhonda Sanderson; Chuck, Angie Murges, Jerry Ranalli and Paul Murges; Kelly Mulqueeney and Diana Chavez. Click here for more pictures from this spectacular celebration!
 
Christie Hefner hosted a book signing party this week for her friend, Barbara Bonfigli, who has just written her first book, Café Tempest. The event was held at Christie and Billy Marovitz's magnificent apartment with drop-dead gorgeous views of the city from every room. Billy told me it used to belong to Jerry Wexler and he remembered visiting and seeing many big-name politicians here so it’s a dream come true for him to be living here now. Barbara is a very accomplished lady and besides being an author, she is also a lyricist and theatrical producer. She is a delight with a bright twinkle in her eye that tells you this is a woman living her dreams and marching to her own drumbeat. Christie served wonderful Greek appetizers and wines in keeping with the “flavor” of the book which is a wonderful fictional memoir based on Barbara’s adventures on a small Greek island. According to her bio, “she wore out five passports and four continents before settling down on a mythical Greek island to uncork her memories, her imagination, and a bottle or two of retsina.” Retsina, by the way, is a Greek wine that is the key ingredient in Barbara’s Tempestini cocktail creation. These were served at the party and as a treat the recipe was given out in the form of bookmarks. It is 3 oz of retsina, 1 ½ oz of Samos (a Greek dessert wine), 3 oz of pure unsweetened cranberry juice and a splash of Triple Sec. Put all ingredients in a martini shaker full of ice and shake well then strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a fresh orange slice. Barbara suggests you sip this while reading Café Tempest! She read two chapters from her book and it sounds absolutely delightful. Her co-creators include her partner Marilynn Preston and Adnan Periyali. I have my signed copy ready and waiting by my bedside. Christie was a brilliant hostess and led the audience in a Q & A. I think there might be a talk show in her future, for sure! Christie’s mom, Millie Gunn, was there looking exactly the same as she did 20-plus years ago in our Playboy days. Now she is retired and happily spending time tutoring little children—she was a teacher in her early years and seems very happy and content. Barbara’s glamorous mother, Dorris Carr Bonfigli, flew in from New York for her daughter’s book signing and there was a wonderfully supportive crowd of friends. They included Bill Zwecker, Tom Gorman, Marisa and Dimitri Alexander (who are expecting a baby girl soon), Dori Wilson, Joy Germont, Barbara Kipper, Andrea Dres (who is with the Oprah Show and was one of the 1,500 lucky employees who got to take her family on the all expense paid ocean liner cruise with Oprah and Gail), Katherine Smith, George Bliss, Maria Pappas, Susanna Negovan, Brenda Sexton, Leslie Hindman, Mary Lou Gorno and many others. Café Tempest has been called a contemporary version of Zorba the Greek, A Year in Provence and “Eat, Pray, Love and is available at Women & Children First Bookstore at 5233 N. Clark or through www.TellMePress.com. Kali tihi Barbara! Photos from top right: author Barbara Bonfigli with hostess Christie Hefner; Barbara Kipper and Bill Marovitz; Mary Lou Gorno and Leslie Hindman; Margo Rush, Millie Gunn and Barbara Kipper; tray of Tempestinis; Joy Germont, Katherine Smith and Andrea Dres; Joan and Richard Kohn with Marisa and Dimitri Alexander; Margo Rush with Barbara's mom Dorris Carr Bonfigli; Andrea Dres, George Bliss, Terry Poulos and Susanna Negovan; listening to the chapter reading. For more photos from this event, click here!   

I am so excited about this week! “Blackbird” opened last night at the Victory Gardens Theater starring William Petersen, Cavalia opens tonight AND we have a sneak preview of AND a sneak preview of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”!!!! I may be the biggest Potter fan on the planet! As a matter of fact, the Sun-Times is doing an article on our book collection which will run the end of this month or early August. Part of the collection consists of all things Potter! We have all of the American and British first editions signed by J.K. Rowling including the three presentation books addressed to her father as well as the script from the first and second movies signed by the cast members….so YESSSS I am a HUGE fan! I am SOOO excited about this movie premiere and all of these other wonderful events in Chicago! And, as always, you will have every detail! Photos from top right: William Petersen in "Blackbird"; Cavalia; "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" poster; signed "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" presentation copy to J.K. Rowling's father, Peter.
 
Hope you have a wonderful week and stay forever young!
 
Love,
Candace :)