Last week sure was action packed! So many parties for so many great causes! Macy’s Glamorama Launch Party was Thursday at Prairie Production – the venue was perfect for our party because it was someplace different that not
everyone had been to a million times before. It is owned by photographer Michael Roberts who said his event business is very strong with people the world over seeking the space out for parties, weddings, BBQs, you name it. I can understand why with the huge two-
story room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a charming garden that looks like it’s right out of the Cotswolds. There was lots of indoor/outdoor space and the guests took full use of it. Glamorous models (with hair
and makeup by Salon Duo) prowled the rooms wearing chic designs by Orlando Espinoza, Jenna Fowler from Fashion Heist and Sahar Dada. The space was ultra modern so the décor choice (from Ivan Carlson & Associates) was white leather
furniture, touches of silver, sparkling candles hanging from tree limbs and pure white flowers with greenery (from Phillip’s) everywhere you looked. The guests reflected the space and all looked like they had just stepped off of the pages of French Vogue and GQ. Benefitting the Ronald McDonald House
Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, this event was the Kick-Off Party for the upcoming Glamorama on Friday, August 13th at the Chicago Theatre. It will support the building of the world’s largest Ronald McDonald House right here in Chicago in Streeterville. I am honored to be the chair for this year’s event along with a
very Glam Host Committee which includes Juanita Jordan, Linda Johnson Rice, Greg Hyder, Lynne Bredfeldt, Hazel Barr, Cynthia Burns, Mary Pat Burns, Tara Flocco, Helen Melchior, Jan Melk, Ken Norgan, Sheila O’Grady, Kathy O’Malley Piccone, Marc Brooks, Christopher
Clinton Conway, Fabrice Calmels, Quenten Schumacher, Andrea Schwartz, Laura Schwartz and Marcus Riley among others. Guests were photographed on the red carpet and then
entered the beautiful venue to the music of DJ Sye Young. Other sponsors included George Jewell (who donated our tasty appetizers), Coca-Cola Company, Voga Wine, Budweiser, Tito’s Handmade Vodka with raffle items donated by the Palmer House, Paul Rehder Salon, Charles Ifergan Salon, Nicole Jacobs, Che Sguardo, Elda de la Rosa, L20 Restaurant, Luca Luca and the Joffrey Ballet. The entertainment for the evening, Hidden Beach recording artists Naturally 7, were sponsored by Akoo, the world’s largest social music television network. They
wowed the crowd with their
unique sound which they call “vocal play” that involves using their voices alone to recreate different musical instruments such as drums, brass instruments, horns, flutes, violins and guitars. They were amazing to watch and even more incredible to hear. Their
“Wall of Sound” song was unbelievable! As the opening act for internationally acclaimed singer Michael Buble, Naturally 7 was met with standing ovations nightly in Europe, the U.K., Canada,
Australia and the U.S. With four albums under their belts, their next album “Vocal Play” will come out in March of 2010. And you can say you saw them first at our Launch Party! Next stop, Glamorama! If you weren’t able to join us for the Launch Party, we hope to see
you at Macy’s Passport Presents Glamorama 2010 on Friday, August 13th! AND HOLD ONTO YOUR HATS: WE HAVE MACY GRAY FOR OUR TALENT THIS YEAR SO GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!!! Visit www.RonaldHouseChicago.org or call 630-623-2309 for more info. I also want to send a big thanks to NBC’s Marcus Riley for not only being on the Host Committee but for covering our party in such grand style! Check out the video below. (Pics by Caitlin Saville unless noted...click here to view more!)
Also, last week was the Kick-Off Party for Chefs & the City at 33 Club. This event was sold out with over 400 RSVPs. The night was
beautiful and we sold lots of tickets for the upcoming party at the Peninsula on Thursday, July 22nd. This will be a decadent evening of food, fun and fashion for a cause. Almost every chef in town will be participating and there will be an exclusive
after party at RL Restaurant. CS’s Graham Kostic will present a kitschy beach fashion show (think Sandra Dee in the ‘60s!) from the 900
Shops. It will be a show you won’t forget. We have lots of surprises planned all benefitting Vital Bridges which supports men, women and children living in poverty
with HIV/AIDS so I hope you can join us for this fun party for a worthy cause on July 22nd! (A limited number of tickets are available to the VIP After-Party so I hope you get your tickets now! Visit www.vitalbridges.org or call Vital Bridges 773-271-5117. (Pics by Caitlin Saville and Steve Starr...click here to see more!)
The new Hermes store is simply GORGEOUS! Two levels of the most luxurious of luxury items displayed in a most elegant setting were presented to the public at the opening party on Thursday night. Now located at the
corner of Oak and Rush, the store is in the catbird seat for attracting street traffic. Although the other location in the middle of Oak Street was fine, this store is what you think of when you think of Hermes. It rivals the beauty of the NY store and is one of the largest in the country now. It was packed to the rafters with well wishers on this night…
they even had bales of hay on the sidewalk, stilt walkers wearing horses’ heads and children dressed in riding outfits outside the store as an homage to their equestrian roots. Inside, a performance by
Redmoon Theater Company presented actors on the winding staircase holding horse heads while singing opera. It was a very special night and I was happy to be there! Congrats to Managing Director Tracye Tackbary and President and CEO Robert Chavez on a beautiful new space! (Additional pics by Steve Starr...see more here!)
Playboy’s 50th Anniversary Party was also Thursday night! (Whew! No wonder I’m tired!) This party celebrated the opening of the first Playboy Club at 116 E. Walton
in February 1960. (I was a Bunny when it moved down the street to 919 N. Michigan from 1974-77.) This wonderful occasion was celebrated with 50 parties in 50 cites around the world. The Chicago party
was held at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond and emceed by Q101’s Steve Tingle. I was happy to co-host along with fellow Playmates Crystal McCahill (a Chicago native and Miss May 2009), Ida Ljungqvist (2009 Playmate of the Year) and Bridget Marquardt (former star of
“The Girls Next Door”). A Bunny search had been conducted in nightlife venues around Chicago and Northwest Indiana and the finalists competed on this night for the title of 50th Anniversary Playboy Bunny. The winner, Stephanie Miceli, will be featured on
www.PlayboyClub50.com and Hef will look over her pics too for possible inclusion in the magazine. Additionally, the finalists will be invited to Hef’s 50th Anniversary Party! The evening was filled with excitement! Amanda Puck, Leah Eisenstein, Kim Crompton and Chris Sofka from XP Agency organized an event like no other for Horseshoe and the place was packed when we arrived. Chicago Bear Lance Briggs was a judge along with Bridget and I saw other sports stars there too including ex-Bear Jerry Azumah and the Bears’ new rookie, Major Wright. The after-party continued at Cuvee. Congrats to Hef on Playboy’s 50th!!! (Additional pics by Slawomir Chrzaszcz...more here!)
And last but not least, the Kick-Off Party for Old Town’s 61st Annual Old Town Art Fair, “On the Road Again, First Sight” was at A New Leaf on Wells Street Friday night. The Mayor of Old Town,
Shirley Baugher, and her co-chairs, Paige Hungerford and Jacqui Thams, put together a wonderful evening with over 40 artists donating artwork for the silent auction as well as many gorgeous jewelry
pieces. There was even the opportunity to drive a Teeny Tiny Production micro car. (This fun auction price was snagged by Shannon Waterfield). The company has been around for over 25 years and they specialize in
the presentation and conservation of very small cars. It was so cute having one of these tiny cars parked in front of the venue! Perennial Restaurant supplied delicious appetizers as well as providing a lethal party drink
called (what else?) “One for the Road” that consisted of Absolut vodka, lime juice, ginger syrup, soda water and mint leaves for garnish. The Art Fair was Saturday and Sunday and, although the weather wasn’t perfect, the crowds came and seemed VERY happy! Great Job to Chairs Chris Beer and Emily Rose! More pics here!
I was so excited to be on WGN this week to promote Glamorama’s Launch Party! The segment showcased chic
yet affordable designs from Macy’s put together by John Bourgeois. Anchor Valerie Warner could not have been cuter or more supportive; I couldn’t believe she’d been there since 2:30 a.m.…she looked fresh as a daisy! Producer Tyra Martin did a great job of moving the segment along and yet including all of our info! Thanks to everyone from WGN for an exciting morning for supporting our cause! Click here to view the clip and here to see more pics!
As you can see, we are so lucky to be living in such an exciting and philanthropic city! Having fun for great causes is a win-win situation for everyone and something Chicago does BEST! Thanks to all of you for being so supportive! Candid Candace will be back on Tuesday, June 29th, before our summer vacation begins! We will be going back to St. Tropez and the South of France and I’m so excited! I can’t wait to show you THESE pics! :)
Love,
Candace
[email protected]
P.S. And now check out this cute video that shows the true meaning of summer fun!
The party was a success.
Posted by: hcg injections phoenix | May 30, 2011 at 08:23 AM
So much fun as always to read your Candid Candace blogs!!
Posted by: lynne jordan | June 17, 2010 at 12:23 AM