WVON CELEBRATES 50TH WITH STAR-STUDDED RED CARPET GALA (VIDEO!)

...PLUS CHICAGO FASHION FOUNDATION’S BIG SHOW (ON WATCH312.COM!); THODOS DANCE CHICAGO’S “21 CLUB” GALA; THE “BREAST SHOW” EVER!; IT’S A “WONDERLAND” FOR CHICAGO HOUSE; HEBRU BRANTLEY’S BIG BD/PREVIEW PARTY; ROCHELLE’S “CHECK, PLEASE!” CAMPAIGN; ST. JUDE’S RESTAURANT EXTRAVAGANZA; A BLACKHAWK WITH HEART; HOWARD BROWN’S MAD HATTER’S BRUNCH AND SO MUCH MORE!
 
I didn’t grow up listening to WVON but after attending its 50th golden anniversary gala on April 6th, I sure wish I had. After attending the gala, hearing the history and meeting many of the legendary radio stars, I can only imagine how exciting this time must’ve been and still is. I sure won’t miss listening to this station moving forward though! The legends of radio and the who’s who of Who-Ville all showed up on the red carpet for this event that attracted more than 1,000 to the Chicago Theatre. The weather was unpredictable as the reporters, cameramen and photographers all waited with breathless anticipation to see who was going to show up in the on-again, off-again drizzle. And even though the weather wasn’t perfect, it did give us all a chance to bond under the building’s canopy as we waited as kindred spirits for our scoops. A lot of the photogs started taking pics of the various media, many of whom were all too happy to sneak onto the red carpet for their own photo ops. It was a cute bunch of newbies and veterans and I was thrilled to be there for Watch312.com. I was also delighted to have two Illinois Center for Broadcasting students with me this night as interns, Sharisa Lee and Chasitie Neal – they both did an amazing job of social media and PA support! Finally the rain let up and we all went back to our carefully secured posts to wait and boy, was it worth it! I had delightful interviews with Malik Yusef, musician and spoken word poet. I asked him if he had written a poem in honor of this big night for WVON and boy did he ever! He even shared some of it with me in the video below. I also had the pleasure of speaking with Dick Gregory (comedian and civil rights activist), Reverend Jesse Jackson, Governor Quinn, Matt McGill (radio host “Matt McGill Show”), Herb Kent “The Cool Gent” (WVON personality), Robert Townsend (comedian, writer, director and actor), Cheryl Pearson McNeil and Susan Whiting (Nielsen Company), Kenny Williams (VP Chicago White Sox) and his fiancée Zoraida Sambolin (CNN host), Mellody Hobson (president of Ariel Investments and George Lucas’ fiancée) and so many others. It was one of the most memorable nights in recent memory, so many legends and such a rich history for this radio station dubbed “The Voice of a Nation.” WVON’s ground-breaking achievements are far too many to list here but let’s start with the fact that it’s given a voice to a sitting president Barack Obama, Martin Luther King, helped elect Harold Washington as our first black mayor and Carol Mosely Braun as the first African American woman elected to the Senate and so much more. The evening started with King College Prep’s marching band under the leadership of director Benjamin Washington. This awesome band entertained at the Inaugural and can do anything – they even performed a jazzy Duke Ellington number! A surprise video from President Obama delighted the crowd especially when he mentioned how much he regrets not being able to co-host any WVON shows now...cute! Other highlights included production numbers by choreographer Andrea Kelly; video presentation by Herb Kent “The Cool Gent” of all of the late, great WVON personalities; Teresa Britton who sang “Here’s to Life” with the West Point Choir; a video of Reverend Jesse Jackson’s “I Am Somebody” speech at the Million Man March; Marv Dyson’s presentation of the Broadcast Pioneer Award to Pervis Spann “The Blues Man”; Robert Townsend who said “WVON was the soundtrack of my life”; broadcast pioneer Cathy Hughes (“Chicago is the seat of black power.”); Craig Gilmore who presented a moving video clip titled “Impact 50” presented by State Farm (which will be shown in its entirety on WTTW); Reverend Al Sharpton (who is scary skinny) and WVON president Melody Spann-Cooper’s introduction of her “band” which consisted of all of the event chairs, Mellody Hobson, Jim Reynolds, Earl Jones, Cathy Hughes and Susan Whiting “playing instruments.” After their performance, Mellody said, “I have no idea how I got them all to do this!” The three-hour-long program featured Toni Braxton who appeared with her two glam sisters as backup singers. She looked stunning in a flowing red gown and performed tirelessly for the appreciative crowd. And the party didn’t stop then nor did the rain keep guests from attending the after-party via private trolleys at the Museum of Broadcast Communications. It was a packed house offering guests cocktails, delicious food and more entertainment! One of my personal highlights was meeting Minister Louis Farrakhan – everyone may not agree with his teachings but you sure can’t say the guy isn’t charismatic! Women were flocking to him in droves as he left his balcony box to make his exit, surrounded by Nation of Islam (NOA) bodyguards. I’m so thrilled for Melody Spann-Cooper and the important voices and messages people can hear on WVON. Just tune into 1690 AM because I have a feeling this is just the beginning for this vibrant spot on the dial. Happy 50th and many, many more WVON! (Fab fotos by Mila Samokhina.)

 

The Chicago Fashion Foundation hosted its biggest and best annual scholarship benefit at the Hard Rock Hotel on March 21st. Fifteen finalists, all students at local fashion colleges, competed for scholarship prizes amounting to $7K in front of a sold-out, standing room only crowd. I was thrilled to return as a judge for this sixth annual “Future of Chicago Fashion” event founded by Chicago's own Lana Bramlette in the kitchen of her home. She wanted to promote Chicago's fashion scene and our town's rich pool of design talent so she gathered like-minded friends together and created this wonderful organization that gives back to the community as well as giving a leg up to local design students. Other judges included Andrea Schwartz (Macy’s VP of Media Relations & Cause Marketing); Diego Rocha (handbag designer and “Project Accessory” contestant); Frances Renk (formerly Sequin Jewelry, consultant); Helen Berkun (contributing editor Glossed & Found) and J.P. Anderson (editor, Michigan Avenue Magazine). Before the fashion show began at 8:30 p.m., the students presented their designs for judging. Each one had created jaw-dropping ensembles and it was difficult to decide who should take home the first place prize of $5,000, second place prize of $1,000 and third place of $500. CFF Board members Amanda Domaleczny and Beth Lambert were on hand to greet the attendees and introduce the show. The designers were instructed to choose a time period as their inspiration. Valerie Baker (College of DuPage) chose the 1950’s as her inspiration. Her clear plastic jacket was a wonderful contrast over a navy blue, jersey column gown. Kenneth Beal was influenced by the 1750’s and created a red and white rococo ensemble that reminded me of Tom Cruise as the Vampire Lestat. Amela Bego Harper was inspired by the 1960’s creating a hand-crocheted evening gown in yarn she bought in Paris. Myra Chung’s influence was the 1860’s and she was inspired by “Gone with the Wind.” Her white, ruffled and beaded cocktail dress could also be worn over cigarette pants as a tunic. (She took third place.) Columbia College’s Elly Dongoski was influenced by the Spanish armada and the conquistadors of the 1500’s. Other designers included the Art Institute’s Kara Fenoglietto whose influence was the 1940’s. Her crystal encrusted grey/blue top was a hit with the judges (winning second place) along with the leather pant she designed to go with it. Erin VonKannon from Dominican University created a dramatic wire cage dress. Other student designers included Lauren Jackson, Megan Knape, Martha (Cindy) Lopez, Rich Masciantonio, Amber Steven, Cecilia Tito and Hayley Zimet. There was so much talent there our heads were spinning as was the SRO crowd who were on hand this night. But in the end, Agnes Hamerlik (Harper College) stole our hearts literally and figuratively with her “celebration of life” ensemble that incorporated so many painstakingly difficult details. Her cut-out stitching on the cuffs alone took 15 hours to finish. You could almost see the hand-beaded heart on the front beating it was so lifelike – even the sequins, which represented the blood flowing down the front, were hand-cut. It was a design that could have easily been shown now on the runways of Paris and New York. Remember her name, since I know you will be hearing a lot more from her! Agnes was the grand prize winner receiving the $5,000 scholarship check named in honor of patron Doris Scott Behr. Congrats to ALL of these talented designers! I think we’re going to need a lot more space next year for this much loved event honoring fashion in Chicago! Watch all of the action and join the party on my Watch312.com video below! And to see ALL event pics, please click here!

 

Nearly 200 fans, friends and supporters of Thodos Dance Chicago, the contemporary dance company founded by Melissa Thodos, kicked up their heels at the company’s 21st anniversary gala “21 Club” recently at the Chicago Cultural Center. The evening raised nearly $70K for the dance company known locally, nationally and internationally for its unique, three-tiered mission of inspiring expression through dance education, creation and performance. Kim Vatis, NBC 5 anchor, longtime supporter of Thodos and chair of the “21 Club” host committee helped plan a classy, fun-filled evening themed to New York’s historic restaurant and prohibition-era speakeasy, the 21 Club. Honorary co-chairs were Anne Reinking, the Tony Award-winning Broadway star, and frequent Thodos Dance Chicago guest artist Gary Chryst. Also lending their time and talents to make the gala a success were event chairs Courtney Pitt, Lesli Babbs, Diane Reilly, Michael Nugent, Joy Wingren, Lisa Malkin, David Hall and Carla Hahan.  Fans of New York’s 21 Club recall that during prohibition, only insiders armed with a secret password could gain entry to the restaurant and its secret underground wine cellar. Guests enjoyed the very same private privilege as they entered TDC’s modern-day 21 Club, where they encountered an exciting evening including cocktails, cabaret entertainment by Tommy Hensel and Dan Stetzel, a silent auction, a wine roulette wheel, a delicious dinner followed by dancing late into the night to the music of Swing Assembly. The live entertainment highlight was a performance by the Thodos Dance Chicago Youth Ensemble and an exclusive sneak peek of Ann Reinking and Melissa Thodos’ newest production entitled “A Light in the Dark, the story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan,” an intimate dance/theater piece about the extraordinary woman who was deaf and blind yet went on to become a world-famous writer, political activist and inspiration to all. As a teaching company, members of this highly-trained ensemble hold BAs and MFAs in dance, and teach at the elementary, high school and university levels. For more info about this incredible company, please visit www.thodosdancechicago.org. (Photos by Charles Osgood...view more pics here!)
 
Howard Brown Health Center and Bright Pink have partnered to host the fourth annual “Breast Show EVER!”, a breast health awareness and burlesque-themed event on April 17th at Mary’s Attic, located at 5400 N. Clark, from 7 to 9 p.m. This event will teach attendees everything they need to know about breast health in a fun, upbeat and energetic environment. Featuring performances by top performing members of Chicago’s burlesque community, this revue will be filled with life-saving breast and ovarian health tips and trivia. The event is FREE and open to the public! For more info, please contact Betsy Rubinstein at 773.388.8993 or email [email protected].
 
Here’s something for the young and the young at heart! Chicago Children’s Theatre Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell announced the company’s 2012-13 season finale, a world premiere collaboration with Redmoon’s Frank Maugeri to create “The Elephant and The Whale.” This all-new family fable features sea voyages, wild mechanical objects, circus songs, panoramic paintings, exquisite shadow puppets and an innovative sound design. Performances run thru May 26th at Chicago Children's Theatre's new home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, located at 1016 N. Dearborn. The year is 1919 and it's the end of an era for a beloved circus elephant named Ella. When a nefarious new owner takes over the homegrown Hoogebeck Family show, Ella the star elephant discovers an unexpected new animal in the circus: a landlocked and homesick baby whale. What happens next is a unique story of friendship and adventure spanning species, rivers, railroads and nautical miles. Single tickets start at $25 and are on sale now. To purchase, visit www.chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (872) 222-9555. For group rates, visit www.GroupTix.net or call (773) 327-3778. 
 
The Chicago Architecture Foundation will honor Richard and Mary Gray on April 19th at its 38th annual gala at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, located at 221 N. Columbus Dr. Co-Chaired by architect Dirk Lohan and CAF Board Chairman John Pintozzi, this event honors the Grays for their shared commitment to the arts and the preservation of significant architectural landmarks including Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House. The evening, themed “Architecture is Art,” also recognizes 2013 as the 50th anniversary of the opening of The Richard Gray Gallery, where he was the first to host a show recognizing architects as artists with an exhibition featuring The Chicago Seven in 1967. The “Chicago Seven” was a first-generation postmodern group of architects in Chicago. The original seven were Stanley Tigerman, Laurence O. Booth, Stuart Cohen, Ben Weese, James Ingo Freed, Thomas Beeby and James L. Nagle. In the spirit of the theme, the gala will feature an auction offering original works of art by some of Chicago’s most renowned architects including Tigerman of Tigerman McCurry, Phil Enquist of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Peter Exley of Architecture Is Fun, Carlos Martinez of Gensler, Gyo Obata of HOK, Martin Wolf of Solomon Cordwell Buenz and Dirk Lohan of Lohan Anderson. The auction will also include original photography from Hedrich Blessing and Annie Leibovitz. Joan Gand, one of CAF’s trustees will perform with her blues and soul band: The Blue Road Band featuring special guest Shirley King, daughter of the legendary B.B. King. (For tickets and more info, please click here!)
 
Chicago House, the first organization in the Midwest to provide housing and support for people living with HIV and AIDS, will celebrate its 26th Annual Spring Brunch and Fashion Show at the Harold Washington Library on May 5th, from noon to 3:30 p.m. Join Chicago House for this annual event titled “Wonderland” which will feature a three-course brunch, silent auction and fashion show featuring local designers and boutiques. Chicago House CEO Stan J. Sloan, co-chairs Colin Falco and Shira Kollins and special events manager Jeremy Hilborn hopes to take their guests on a topsy-turvy journey which will tease at storybook characters with a fashionable twist. “Chicago House serves such a diverse population, including members of Chicago’s LGBT community, and we want to relay a message that in our own ‘Wonderland,’ anything goes!,” said Hilborn. The fashion show will headline spring 2013 looks from AZZA, Cram, Bonobos, Lulu’s On The Avenue, Suit Supply, Ramsey Prince Designs and Ricorso. The organization will also present its annual Spirit Award to Illinois State Representative Kelly Cassidy, in acknowledging her ongoing advocacy for women, the LGBT communities and Chicago House. For tickets and more info, please visit www.chicagohouse.org.
 
Hebru Brantley, nationally recognized Chicago art superstar, celebrated his birthday in grand style recently with a blow-out bash at Ultra Gallery’s Lacuna Artist Lofts (located at 2150 S. Canalport) with 1,000 friends and fans. This birthday celebration and collector’s preview, “Downtown 88,” was hosted by Hennessy Black and also featured music by legendary rapper Q-Tip. Hebru was joined by his model girlfriend, Angela Carrol, who never left his side the entire night. A specially made birthday cake was wheeled out half-way through the event as Q-Tip led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday.” Other entertainment included a stilt walker, a woman who danced with fire sticks and ballet dancers. Hebru was presented with a crystallized bottle of Hennessy Black bearing his name which he used to toast the crowd. Brantley is a favorite among elite art collectors and has recently had a piece purchased by Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter for a reported $20K! (Swizz Beatz and Lupe Fiasco are also lovers of his work.) Brantley draws influence from an array of pop culture icons, comic book heroes, Japanese anime and the bold aesthetics of street art pioneers Jean Michel Basquiat, Kaws and Keith Haring. His recent focus is to share energetic narratives, moments of reality from his life and the lives of his peers, mixed with fantastical fiction to create a fragmented environment of make-believe. Spray paint is often at the forefront of these mixed-media illustrations, working in part to “de-contextualize the levity of cartoon imagery and bring a critical edge into the white cube.” From this, Brantley has developed his own unique style and identifies as an Afro-Futurist. His creative process is akin to free-form journaling and he uses a variety of surfaces and media including wood, spray paint, coffee and tea. His work delves into political and social issues with a conscious focus on playful insight and the optimism and possibilities of youth. Recognized nationally for public works and solo shows in Chicago, Brantley has exhibited in San Francisco, Atlanta, Miami, Seattle, Los Angeles and New York. He was most recently the winner of the Redbull Curates Chicago contest and will exhibit at Scope art fair in December. Brantley has been commissioned by Skyy Vodka, Nike and Tyra Banks, he created the Lollapalooza poster for the 25th anniversary of the festival in 2011 and is exhibited regularly by Tim Yarger Gallery in Beverly Hills and Kasia Kay Art Projects in Chicago. Two of Brantley’s paintings are currently featured at the American Embassy in Stockholm through 2013. Brantley earned a BA in film from Clark Atlanta University and has a background in design and media illustration. To learn more about this amazing artist, please visit his website. We have a legend in our midst...catch him while you can. (Photos by Onassis.)

Don’t miss the 49th International Film Festival Television Awards on April 23rd from 5:30 p.m. through 9 p.m. at Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, located at 221 N. Columbus Dr. The event will be hosted by Jeanne Sparrow, co-host of “You & Me This Morning” on WCIU. As part of the event, journalist Walter Jacobson will be presented with the inaugural “Chicago Legend Award.” Other honorees include ad agency Leo Burnett and ESPN Films. The evening will feature a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres, followed by the awards ceremony in the main ballroom. Video clips will be screened with surprise guests from the industry. For tickets ($75) and more info, please visit www.chicagofilmfestival.com.

The 12th Annual Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence will be held on April 26th at 700 S. Des Plaines. Hosted by Inese and Richard Driehaus, the event will offer $8,500 worth of design scholarship prizes as well as the Macy’s Choice Award, which will give the winner the opportunity to display their designs at Macy’s on State Street. There will also be a live auction conducted by Leslie Hindman, a high energy runway show and an after-party; Linda Yu will return as emcee. For tickets and more info, please visit www.driehausdesign.org.

St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital will host its 19th St. Jude Four Stars of Chicago Restaurant Extravaganza on April 17th at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers, located at 301 E. North Water St. This special evening will offer cuisine from some of Chicago’s top restaurants, a cocktail reception, live and silent auctions and special St. Jude patient speaker, Emily Daniels. For tickets and more info, please click here! 

There are 17 finalists in the running for the host of WTTW’s “Check Please!” but one creative finalist, Rochelle Trotter, rallied support and hoped to rock the vote with a campaign party at Tavernita recently with 200 friends and supporters. This “Check4Rochelle” party included a specialty cocktail dubbed “Yo, Ro!” as well as “Check, Please!”-themed sugar cookies created by Jacob Neminarz of Sugar Hills Bakery. Attendees included Alex Vasileski, Anna Davlantes, Azeeza Khan, Chanel Cooney, Saira and Christopher Cooper, Frances and Chris Renk, Denise Dayan, Gayle Anthony, Jared Hatch, Jeff Conway, Karyn Calabrese, Laurie Davis, DJ Madrid Perry, Natasha Isaacs, Paul Iacono, Chef Ryan Poli, Vonita Reescer, Wilbert Jones, William Heard, Yana Nirshberg and Michael Scott Carter among others. Other finalists for “Check, Please!” include Cassidy Stirtz (server/actor); Tony Diaz (sous chef at Maude’s Liquor Bar); Senam Amegashie (freelance writer); Sarah Levy (owner of S. Levy Foods/magazine editor); Donny DeCastro (owner of Tavern at the Park); Frank Brunacci (former executive chef at Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago, currently chef at The Chefs Diamond Co.); Flavia Magdalin (general manager at RL Restaurant); Tommy Walton (fashion design teacher at SAIC); Ina Pinkney (chef/owner of Ina’s Kitchen); Emilie Rose Bishop (chief mixologist at iNG); Anthony Todd (food and drink editor for Chicagoist.com/Chicago editor for Citysearch.com); Cristiane Pereira (chef/owner of Taste of Brasil Café); Catherine de Orio (president at Culinary Curator); Cleetus Friedman (former chef/owner of City Provisions); Alia Dalal (personal chef/food tour guide); and Bill St. John (wine writer for the Chicago Tribune/professor at the University of Chicago’s Graham School). The polls close April 17th, so cast your vote HERE and may the best foodie win!

A Blackhawk with heart! Earlier this month, Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith and his wife Kelly-Rae met the Pfister family of Norco, Calif., at the Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children’s to give the family a proper send-off. Heart surgery patient Andrew Pfister (just six months old), this week received the long-awaited “go-ahead” to return home to California. Andrew was born with an extremely rare heart defect and recently underwent delicate surgery at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital. For the past few weeks, Andrew has been recovering on the floor sponsored by the Keiths so Duncan and his wife decided a proper send-off was in order! What a happy story! Good luck Andrew and great job Duncan and Kelly-Rae! :)

Howard Brown’s Mad Hatter’s Brunch attracted more than 200 Chicagoans sporting their most outrageous and zany hats for this inaugural fundraiser to benefit programs and services for the Broadway Youth Center. Held at Zed451, the event featured entertainment by The Kinsey Sicks – America’s Favorite Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet, who dazzled the audience with their lyrical satire about pop culture and politics. For more info and event updates from the Howard Brown Health Center, please click here!   

I’m so happy to finally have my blog out today! My computer is about ready to give up so it’s been touch and go trying to type between the black-outs. Hopefully, the next time you read my blog, it will be from a brand new computer! In the meantime, I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s Candid Candace and will “like” it and “share” it! Please send any comments or suggestions to me at [email protected]!

Love, as always,
Candace
[email protected]

P.S. After a mother chimpanzee died in a zoo, one of the zoo’s employees took the newly orphaned chimp home to care for it. It never occurred to him that his dog, who had just given birth, would give it unconditional love. Awwwwwwww! :)

Comments

[Lynne]

As usual, the diversity of this column is stunning!! As are the folks in the photos! Great issue this week Candace! By the way, that's my friend & the wonderful jazz vocalist Joan Collaso in the photo with George Daniels. She performed for the event didn't she?