PLUS WHITE PARTY 2015; POLO DAY; LIL BUB AND THE CAT VIDEO FEST; THE BATON SHOW LOUNGE; A DAY ON THE LAKE; FELIX MAGAZINE PHOTO SHOOT; LAUGH FACTORY'S FUNNIEST COP; IRIS APFEL; YOUNG AT HEART'S SILVER PAWS/GOLD HEARTS; JEFF'S PORK & MINDY'S; WOOFS & WINE; A SAD GOODBYE; DANCING WITH THE GIORDANO STARS; A CELEBRATION OF LIFE; CUTE VIDEOS, DARLING PHOTOS AND SO MUCH MORE!
August 31st was the 18th anniversary of Princess Diana's tragic death in a car crash in Paris in 1997. If you're like me, you remember exactly where you were when you heard the sad news. The whole world was in shock when this glamorous, philanthropic, albeit troubled, international royal icon died at the tender age of 36. It's been reported that there were an estimated $25 million in floral tributes spread around the Palaces in Britain and a
quarter of a billion dollars in charitable donations were received in the first week following her death. She loved the United States and, at one point, suggested to Charles that she might move here following the break-up of their marriage. He scoffed at this as it seems he did about a lot of her ideas. This
was never a match made in heaven, in my opinion, with Camilla always looming in the background. Anyway, I will always remember her visit to Chicago in June, 1996. She stayed in the Presidential Suite at the Drake Hotel (then at a cost of $1750 a night). On June 5, she was honored at a Gala Dinner at the Field Museum of Natural History that Chuck and I also happily (luckily) attended. She drew a
full house of more than 1,300 guests who paid $35,000 for a table of ten. The event was titled "The Royal Visit Celebrates Chicago" and the venue was filled with flowers and candlelight. Singer Tony Bennett noted it was the third time he'd waived his fee to
sing for the Princess. She was stunning in a floor length purple gown with a diamond, sapphire and pearl choker (the color purple worn as an
homage to Northwestern University). She received a standing ovation from a crowd that included Joan Rivers, Emilio Estefan and Phil Donahue (who was tapped as one of her escorts since he was married and therefore "safe."). Later in the evening, our good friend Michael Wilkie, a millionaire tool manufacturer/president/chairman of the board of DoAll Company, made his move for a dance "heard 'round the world." People Magazine wrote a scathing article about him and the "dance" titled "Boor War"
and he wanted to set the record straight. He sent me a letter that contained all of his correspondence with the magazine and the Princess including a note she had sent to him. Here's a portion of it: "The article you wrote about my dancing with Princess Di in your June 24th issue puts People Magazine in the same category as the tabloids. Here are some facts of what really happened: I sent a note to the Princess explaining who I was with four dozen roses. At the gala, I didn't go up and ask her to dance as you implied. I was a good thirty feet away and asked her security to tell her that the man who wrote the note and sent flowers would like to dance. The security, I believe he was Scotland Yard, went and whispered in her ear, she looked down the table 30 feet away at me and nodded "yes..."I may have broken some type of British Protocol and for that I apologize. This however is the United States of
America and, in this country, if a bachelor wants to dance with a pretty lady and she accepts, he is free to do so. There was no pressure on the Princess to say "yes or no", she chose to say "yes." Jane Atkinson, Princess Di's press secretary said the Princess of Wales "certainly enjoyed dancing with Mr. Wilkie, as she totally enjoyed the entire evening and her entire visit to Chicago." I think the Princess enjoyed our brief dance and she told me the flowers were lovely. When I returned from a trip to California, I had a thank you note in the mail sent by the Viscountess Campden on Diana's behalf. I followed up with a letter to the Princess that reads: Dear Princess Diana, I want to apologize for all the press our little dance received during the Charity Fund-Raising Gala at the Field Museum in Chicago. In my wildest imagination, I never would have thought it would cause such a commotion. It must be very difficult for you to be under such a continuous microscope of your every move. Fortunately, I left town the next day because the press were all over my company, residence and friends. On my return, a man in my building asked me if I would do it all over again and I said "No." But, I will say it was a great pleasure to dance with one of the most beautiful ladies in the world. You made a great hit in Chicago. The "City of Big Shoulders" loves you. Sincerely,
Michael Wilkie. I feel People Magazine owes me an apology for writing such a mean article over a four minute dance, " Wilkie shared. I watched her dance with Donahue and I saw her dance with Wilkie. Believe me, the look on her face showed me she was bored out of her gourd with Donahue and very happy to dance with our handsome friend! (Side note: Mr. Wilkie is now married to beautiful Teri Leontios). It was a night we'll never forget....Diana's beauty, charm and magnetism were like nothing I've seen before or since. I still have the invitation from this glorious evening and will always treasure it as I do her memory. So glad Michael took this
chance, I'm sure it was a highlight of her evening. RIP beautiful Princess. (Side note: A letter I wrote in defense of Michael and his harmless dance appeared in Chicago Magazine in October 1996).
More than 700 people attended the Fifth Annual White Party hosted by the Chicago Fire Soccer Club, benefiting the Chicago Fire Foundation on August 13 at the MCA Warehouse. The event raised $40,000 for the Foundation’s community efforts to
improve the quality of life throughout Chicagoland by leveraging its resources and expertise in the area of soccer to provide sports-based youth development and direct-service programs to under-served communities. The Party featured guests in their most stylish white, party attire and food from top local restaurants including Bar Siena, Blackfinn
Ameripub, Petterino's, Wow Bao, Public House, Mercadito, Sushi X, Woodie's Flat, Zed 451, Rockit Bar & Grill, Garrett's Popcorn, Sweet Street and Mercat. DJ Step, the Fire's DJ and Musical Director, kept the beat alive throughout the night. An after-party followed at Parliament. PARTEE!!
Congrats to the Primo Center for Women & Children! This deserving non-profit was selected by Get In Chicago to provide trauma-informed
cognitive behavioral therapy to high risk youth and their families in N. Lawndale and Austin. Thanks for all the good you do! And, on that note, don't forget to mark your calendars for the 4th annual Primo Classico on
Saturday, October 10, at Hawthorne Global Aviation Services' brand new 30,000' ft. state-of-the-art aircraft hangar in Wheeling, IL. From 6:30 to 11:30 pm, guests can enjoy luxury sports cars, private jets, gourmet cuisine, entertainment, a fashion installation, a BIG unveiling surprise for car buffs, precision motorcycles, a super deluxe auction, helicopter rides and MORE! For tickets and more info, click here!
Chef Emeril Lagasse is set to host a Toast to Charlie Trotter Luncheon on Friday, September 25 from 1-3 pm at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. The event will benefit the late chef's Culinary Education Foundation and will be presented by American Express. Mayor Emanuel will serve as honorary co-chair for this special afternoon. Tickets, $175, can be purchased here!
The English Speaking Union sponsored Polo Day at the Oak Brook Polo grounds co-chaired by Susan Gohl and Cookie Cohen with Thomas Miner serving as honorary chair on August 23. The outing included a buffet lunch, celebratory Pimms Cup cocktails and an
exciting match. The competition was preceded by the playing of God Save the Queen, in honor of British Day at the event, followed by the Star Spangled Banner. There was also a parade of vintage autos with local notables behind the wheels. Guests included Courtney Pitt (ESU president), Jim Kinney, Brian White,
Susan Kealy, Kelly Penry, Ed Lester, Emily and William Dietrich, Michelle McCarthy, Heather Johnston and her daughter Halley. The ESU (a non-profit, non-political organization) celebrates English as a shared language to foster global understanding and goodwill and provides educational and cultural opportunities for students, educators and members.
Yeah, you heard me right! Meow! The wildly
popular Chicago Internet Cat Video Festival is headed back to Chicago with Lil BUB and her dude Mike Bridavsky as hosts. This is the third consecutive year animal and internet lovers can enjoy the feline-focused film festival, thanks to the local rescues Chicago Cat Rescue and Tree House Humane Society. The event will be held on September 19 at Athenaeum Theatre (2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago) with show times at 1 pm, 4:30 pm and 8 pm. Festival events include an exclusive screening of an all-new film by the creator of the Henri Le Chat Noir videos, Will Braden, a previous Golden Kitty Award (People’s Choice) winner. The debut is a part of the festival’s 75-minute screening, comprised of carefully curated cat videos that will entertain the expected 2,000 guests. Attendees can also dote upon adoptable
cats and kittens in addition to socializing with the hosts of the CATastrophes Web Series, Alana and Kris who are both proud Chicago locals. These internet stars are also 2015’s Golden Kitty Award winners for their
film, “Cat Behavior Explained.” Those who would like exclusive access to the beloved furry hosts, can purchase Pre-Show Lil BUB Meet & Greet
tickets for $100! These specialty ticket holders can enjoy an intimate hangout with Lil BUB and Mike Bridavsky, who star in the documentary Lil BUB & Friendz and Animal Planet’s Lil BUB’s Big Show. There, guests can take photos with the internet’s favorite feline, tell Lil BUB how wonderful she is and even get a print signed by Lil BUB! Pre-Show entry times for this are 11 am, 3 pm and 6:30 pm. To purchase tickets, click here. General Admission Advanced: $15.00; General Admission Day-Of: $20.00, General Admission For Groups Of 10 Or More: $10.00, Pre-Show Lil BUB Meet & Greet: $100
LAUGH PATROL! Do you think you're a funny cop (HELLOOO Chase Garrett!) The 3rd Annual Search For Chicago's Funniest Police Officer will be hosted by the one & only Tom Dreesen at the Laugh Factory,
3175 N. Broadway, on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 8 pm. The event is open to Chicago's finest in all 23 districts. During the evening, over a dozen officers will have 3-5
minutes on the world famous stage to serve up some laughs for the community. All of the night's proceeds will go towards 100 Club of Chicago. Contestants will be judged by a panel of professionals (and me), and the winner will receive $1000 worth of Laugh Factory Chicago gift certificates to distribute as well as an Apple watch courtesy of Country Financial. Second and third place finishers will receive vouchers worth $500 and $100, respectively. For tickets and more deets, click here.
I loved the recent documentary "Iris" by Albert Maysles. I've always been in awe and a fan of the octogenarian style icon, Iris Apfel, and follow her on all her social media sites. I even have the book "Rare Bird of Fashion--The Irreverent Iris Apfel", a collection of photos from her one woman fashion
exhibit, "Rara Avis," which was held at the Met when she was 88 (she's 94 now). Sadly, I recently learned of the passing of her husband Carl at age 100 on August 1. They were married 67 years and did everything together--started their business, Old World Weavers, together, traveled extensively together and enjoyed an
exciting life. He admired her unique fashion sense and she inspired him. In the film, he encourages her to show him everything she tries on at a boutique in NY. Theirs was a wonderful love story and I can't imagine how much she will miss him. Long may you reign Iris.
Join Young at Heart for its 4th annual benefit, "Silver Paws, Gold Hearts", celebrating senior pets on October 17th at Concorde Banquets (20922 N. Rand Rd., Kildeer, IL)! You will remember this event as Wags to Wishes but they had to change the name to reflect their mission and to avoid confusion
as a new local rescue organization has snagged this name for themselves. (Shame on them!) Anyhoo, this year's event promises to be bigger and better than ever, so come out and celebrate YAH's ten years of saving senior pets! I love this organization and so appreciate the fact that they're rescuing
pets that are always the hardest to adopt. Good for you! For more info, click here and I hope to see you there!
Fresh off of the successful launch of a new line of flavorful, all-natural sauces sold at retail, celebrity chef and lifelong Chicagoan Jeff Mauro is also now officially a restaurateur! The popular Food Network star is one of the creative minds behind Pork & Mindy’s, a fun, fast casual restaurant concept with a menu that will prominently feature Mauro’s new line of dipping, topping and marinating sauces. Mauro and team selected Chicago’s vibrant Bucktown neighborhood for its first of many nationwide restaurant locations due to the local community’s support of the brand’s three core pillars – food, music and art. Congrats Jeff! I can't wait!
"Dancing with the Giordano Stars" will take place at Park West on Thursday, October 1. And since this event is sooooo popular, seated tickets are already sold out, but there is plenty of SRO available with great sight-lines! This ballroom dance competition, now in its 10th year, benefits Giordano Dance Chicago, and is one of the liveliest fundraisers around! Competing dancers are Rebecca Besser, Joe Brown (fabulous dad of makeup guru Bobbi), Anne Heller, Scott Himmel, Susan Wexler Mazzoni, Brien O'Brien, Karen Peters, Michael Rabinowitz, David
Reahl and Bonnie Rothman. Good luck to all! I'll be watching--I'm a judge! :-) For SRO tix and more info, click here.
Special thanks to the Aparecio Foundation, Felix Magazine and Jessica George for including me in a very cool photo shoot recently! The shoot, titled "Chicago Tastemakers", will spotlight the Foundation's upcoming charity brunch series
(sponsored by Felix Magazine) and photographed by Anthony Tahlier with styling by Rachel J. (Fashions from Christina Karin, makeup by Paula Heckenast (City Lights Makeup). Tastemakers featured include Debi Lilly (A Perfect Event), Beth Peterson (Yummie Nation), Whitney Reynolds (The Whitney Reynolds Show),
Erica Eckman (Everything Erica), Kyle Joseph (Foodseum), Kit Graham (The Kittchen) and Ashley Hutchinson (Sed Bona). The Apareció Foundation provides low-income, high-potential young women in high schools nationwide with the necessary skills and tools for future success in academia and the workplace by building an adult and peer
mentoring network and an academic support organization. Click here for more info.
Recently, we returned to one of our favorite spots for sheer entertainment, The Baton Show Lounge (436 N. Clark), now celebrating its 46th anniversary. When Chuck and I first started dating, this is one of the
places we went. We've been fans of this famous female impersonator show ever since and love the "girls." Mimi Marks continues to astound customers with her beauty and charm (she's won so many crowns I've lost count) and Chilli Pepper, a perennial
favorite, continues to draw huge crowds and admirers. Ginger Grant, Maya Douglas, Shari Payne and others work so hard and bring such enjoyment to so many. I know there's a gazillion brides whose memories will always
include their bachelorette parties at this hotspot. There's something for everyone here and, recently, they added a guy to the mix, Angel Amador. From the number of tips I saw the ladies stuffing into his costume, I suspect he'll be retiring to the
Riviera shortly. Congrats to founder/owner Jim Flint, who now has clubs around the world. Catch the annual Miss Continental Pageants--they rival any Broadway show! For reservations, call 312.644.5269.
It was a wonderful "Celebration of Life" for beloved best friend/interior designer Paul Gonzalez on August 27 at the Edgewater Beach Apartments Cafe. Hosted by Paul's beloved nephew Anthony Paul Gonzalez, his wife Carol and daughter Makenzie, the occasion attracted an overflow crowd of Paul's
many friends, fans and clients. We all reminisced and toasted the long, happy life of this talented man who touched the lives of so many. He made me a better person and I will always miss
him. RIP dear friend.
A sad goodbye to Andrea Raos who has served five years as Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Chicago. He will be greatly
missed by all, especially his loyal co-worker Mary Ann Melchior! He's off to Japan to spread more good will on behalf of his country!
Woof! Woof! Treat your furry friend to an afternoon of outdoor fun at Woofs & Wine, a pup-inspired party at Dolce Italian (127 W. Huron at LaSalle in The Godfrey Hotel). On Tuesday, Sept. 15
from 5:00-6:30 p.m., small and big dog lovers alike are invited to bring their four-legged friends for drinks and treats to the patio of the chic Italian restaurant in the River North neighborhood.
I don't know of any other city that compares to Chicago. It gets more and more beautiful every day (not happy about the taxes, but this is a whole 'nother story). Every time we go out, I see something I've never seen before and it's always so interesting, so it
was no surprise that we jumped at the recent party invitation from beloved philanthropist and all around great gal, Jan Melk, to go for a boat ride on the lake. Jan had purchased the trip during a charity auction and we were thrilled to be invited aboard Good Times, an 83' yacht
owned by Chris Lueking. Happy guests included Michel Desjardins, Claude and Sandro Miller, Deb Walters, Helen Melchior, Joan Colmar, Margaret O'Connor and Dr. Michael O'Meara, Carrie Lannon, Cindy Melk and Florian Depenthal, Natasha
and Sanjay Sharma and Dawn and Carmen Mattozzi, to name a few. The weather that day reminded everyone why they lived in Chicago--perfect, clear, low-humidity and just flat out gorgeous. Hope you like my pics from this memorable afternoon and I hope you're having a great summer, too!
And, as always, a cute video to make you smile! And you wonder why we love Chihuahuas!!
Have a happy Labor Day Weekend! Grill long and prosper!
Love, as always,
Candace
[email protected]
P.S. Words to live by......
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