Last week, Chicago magazine, the Palmer House and my friend Cindy Burns hosted a party to celebrate my March Chicago magazine article, “Belle of the Blog.” It was such an honor and I had so many wonderful friends there to celebrate with! Chicago magazine had blown up the double-page spread that opened the article as well as the magazine cover and they were displayed on the way to the party in Lockwood Restaurant. One hundred fifty friends came and witnessed first hand the chic glamour that has been restored to the Palmer House and the food served in Lockwood had everyone oohing and aahing, especially the macaroni and cheese puffs (Thank you, Dennis Chaffee!!). Hosts Rich Gamble (publisher of Chicago magazine) and David Brandt (catering director of the Palmer House), helped supply the goody bags that included the March issue, a famous Palmer House brownie (plus the recipe!), gift certificates, discounted room rate coupons and a thank you gift from me. They even created wrist bands that had my two web sites engraved on it, www.ChicagoNow.com/CandidCandace and www.CandidCandace.com. My friends Judge Mary Pat Burns, Cindy Burns, Jean Antoniou, Hazel Barr, Sharyl Mackey, Sheryl Dyer and Dr. Stacie McClane toasted me with champagne and an awesome gift from Louis Vuitton in Potter’s before the event began…it was an evening I’ll never forget. Friends who came included Chicago Now boss Bill Adee and Editorial Director Tracy Schmidt, Charles and Susan Ifergan, Les Coney, Dori Wilson, Chicago mag’s Megan Lovejoy, Jerry Kleiner and Marisa Molinaro, Mike and Sharyl Mackey, Ken Norgan, Diana Palomar, Jannie Pearlman and Jacqui Monieson, Jeanne and John Lafayette, Barbara Levy Kipper, Marci and Ron Holzer, Chris Long, Carrie and Harry Hightman, Gale Gottlieb, Donna Kleinman, Diane Edelman, Donna Grant, Myra and John Reilly, NBC’s Marcus Riley, Laura and Martha Wallace, Shannon and John Waterfield, Amy Wimer and Ed Wlodarczyk, Kate and Leslie Zentner, Shirley Baugher, Scott Bobek, Lynne Bredfeldt, Sharon Casey, Chicago magazine article photographer Erika Dufour and makeup artist Sharon Casey, Nadine Epstein, Rich Foreside, Trevian Kutti, Simona Garcia, Sherrill Bodine, Margie Habermann, Dana Hokin, Cynthia Holbrook, Greg Hyder, Quenten Schumacher, Warren Barr, Ed Howlett, Tom Leibig, Diane Gonzalez, James Roche, Rhonda Sanderson, Samantha Amato, Connie and Katherine Saville, Rich Varnes, Marc Brooks, Kay and John Volk, Cheryl and Barry Bollinger, Sugar Rautbord, Victory Garden Theater’s Jan Kallish, Diane Edelman, Tyler Curtis, Chilli Pepper and CS’s Samantha Saifer among many others. I am so grateful for my wonderful, big hearted friends… Continue the celebration with more pics here!
The Baton Show Lounge at 436 N. Clark celebrated their 41st anniversary this week and presented a show that had the packed house on their feet for every number! Standouts were Sasha Colby and Chilli Pepper, although every "girl" gave it their all. International glamour girl Mimi Marks brought the house down with a provocative outfit that only she could wear and proved yet again that the title of "World's Most Beautiful Transsexual" that she won in 2004 will be hers forever. The room was decorated from top to bottom by long time Baton staffer, Tim Gideon, who also helped with the new photos of the showgirls in the lobby. The appreciative crowd stood in line to tip the girls for every performance to show their support. Some of the "ladies" like Maya Douglas and Sheri Payne design and produce every aspect of their elaborate wardrobes including their jewelry. Longtime emcee and performer Ginger Grant introduced owner Jim Flint who gave a wonderful speech and admitted that he couldn't believe himself how long the Baton has been around. All of his friends were in the crowd including Cubs AND White Sox friends (it takes a rare man to have both…although I did note on this evening that his Cubs friends had better seats!). Jim also said that "compared to the old days when you took your life in your hands coming to this neighborhood, now it's the hottest area on the North Side with all of the new clubs on Hubbard Street." I've been coming to the Baton for over 30 years (it’s one of the first places I brought Chuck before we were married) and everyone here is like family to me…but then I noticed how extended that family is. Everyone who walks in the door is treated like a member…that's part of the charm and allure of the Baton Show Lounge! Long may they reign! (Check out the pics by Tyler Curtis of Dark Room Demons. My trusty little camera died on this night so the terrible photos are mine, just so you know…) View more fantastic fotos here!
We recently attended Thodos Dance Chicago's "All That Jazz" Spring Benefit at the Chicago History Museum. This contemporary company was founded 18 years ago by choreographer Melissa Thodos who also serves as its artistic director. The appreciative crowd enjoyed a fun-packed evening of cabaret co-chaired by Liz Sharp and Sophie Bross. Starting off the program were the talented young members of the Menomonee Club/Thodos Dance Chicago Youth Ensemble who performed "Won't You Charleston With Me?" They included Mia Goldberg, Marisa Lenga, Amanda Mendendorp, Ilona Neale, Madison Newell and Lamiya Tanovic. Their enthusiasm and charm were contagious and the guests adored them. The featured segment of the evening started off with a video of Tony Award-winning Broadway and film veteran Ann Reinking talking about native Chicagoan Bob Fosse before introducing the "Fosse Trilogy" which she had set for Thodos. When the dancers took to the stage, you could've heard a pin drop. The familiar Fosse style and music filled the room as "Cool Hand Luke" was performed followed by "Tijuana Shuffle" and "Mexican Breakfast." The company seemed like they were hand picked by Fosse himself they were so perfect! Afterwards, the extensive silent auction continued and guests were invited to dance with the Thodos stars. The delicious catering by Food for Thought and the "Fosse Fizzes" had the crowd fueled for fun! Congrats on a wonderful evening! It's good to know dance is alive and well in Chicago! (Additional pics by Steve Starr...click here for more!)
Bill Zwecker, Chicago’s go-to-guy for entertainment news and stories of the rich and famous, is being honored by the Apparel Industry Board Foundation at the Casino, located at 195 E. Delaware Pl., on Tuesday, May 4th. Bill’s accolades read like an encyclopedia and I am thrilled the AIF and the Stanley Paul-Raelene Mittelman Scholarship fund will be the beneficiaries for this sure-to-be-packed-to-the-rafters evening. The roaster/toasters for the event will include John Barron, Christie Hefner, Leslie Hindman, Terry Savage, Maureen Smith and Dori Wilson. I am proud to be on the host committee and can’t wait to support this man who has done so much for Chicago. Congrats Bill and I’ll see you on the 4th! For more information and to purchase tickets for $200, please call 312-836-1041.
Save your grocery shopping until Thursday, March 25th because Swedish Covenant Hospital is partnering with Whole Foods Market Sauganash and A Silver Lining Foundation for their “Buy a Mom a Mammogram” program! Five percent of the day’s net sales will go towards helping provide free mammograms to uninsured women. A Silver Lining will also host “Cabaret for a Cause” at the Redhead Piano Bar at 16 W. Ontario on Wednesday, May 12th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Entertainer a la Sinatra Ron Hawking will be performing and tickets are $45. One hundred percent of the ticket price supports ASLF’s “Buy a Mom a Mammogram” program as well so mark your calendars! For more info, please visit www.asilverliningfoundation.org.
The DuPage Children’s Museum will be hosting their annual “Champions for Children Benefit Ball” on Saturday, April 17th, at Hotel Arista located in the Calamos City Gate Centre in Naperville. The DuPage Children’s Museum is one of the top three early childhood museums in the nation. It serves over 60 counties in Illinois, has 300,000 visitors from all 50 states annually and partners with 55 social service agencies. The museum encourages children from birth to 10 years old to explore, learn and solve problems with caring adults. I wish something like this had existed when I was young! Please check out their web site for tickets and more info and see for yourself the wonderful things they do for our communities.
I want to send out HUGE congratulations to my accomplished friend Kate Bensen: She has just been named Executive Director of the Chicago Network, the city’s preeminent organization of the most distinguished professional women. Today, its more than 400 members are the leading women of Chicago’s business, professional, cultural, nonprofit and educational communities. Go Kate GO!!! :) (Her list of achievements and professional organizations would take at least four blogs to write about!)
I want to thank Sally and Kerry Shorr for my wonderful profile they did on their terrific blog, Luxe File Chicago. Kerry has recently been named Director of Communications and Marketing for the Illinois Restaurant Association and her twin sister, Sally, is doing freelance work for TCW Magazine (if you know of any hot summer singles parties, please e-mail me so I can let her know!). Boy, there must be something in the water around here with all of these success stories! :)
I can’t wait until Wednesday, March 24th, when Neiman Marcus will present the US premiere of the Akris Fall 2010 Collection with a fashion show at Griffin Court in the Art Institute’s Modern Wing. This will be the very FIRST formal fashion show held here! The collection premiered in Paris on March 7th and then will make its debut along with designer, Albert Kreimler, in Chicago on Wednesday. Pics to follow!
As you can see, we sure have a lot going on in our beautiful city! I hope to see you at one of these fun parties soon!! Enjoy the week and we’ll “talk” soon!
Love,
Candace :)
[email protected]
P.S. I hope you can tune into Jon Wool’s Finesse Cuisine Hour on Thursday, March 25th, when he will be interviewing John Terlato of Terlato Wines International and yours truly from 11 a.m. until noon. The call in number is 347-539-5372 and you can listen in live here.
Bill Zweck, Chicago went to the fun and the story of the rich and famous, are honored by the Foundation for the Apparel Industry Board of the casino.
Posted by: casino games | May 23, 2011 at 04:33 AM
wait sally and kerry was in this activity? damn it! I miss this, I had the chance to know this two beauty girls, and I miss it, I can't belive this.
Posted by: Cialis Online | May 2, 2011 at 12:21 PM
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Posted by: Weddings in Tulsa | May 26, 2010 at 07:37 AM