PLUS BORRIS POWELL'S SIZZLING "SIDES OF ME" FASHION SHOW; THOMAS NICKELL IN CONCERT; CHILDREN'S PLACE IN THE CASTLE OF DRAGONS; JANE GOODALL TALKS MONKEY LOVE AT FIELD MUSEUM; TINA BROWN'S "WOMEN IN THE WORLD" SUMMIT; STYLE RIVALS SHOWCASES LOCAL TALENT; LOSING GABRIELLE; COACHELLA'S CHICAGO CONNECTION; HOWARD, SALLY AND MIKA'S NEW JOBS; FILM FESTIVAL IS GOING TO THE DOGS (AND CATS!); CHICAGO YOUTH CENTERS "BELIEVE IN KIDS"; BREAKING GREEN TIE BALL NEWS!; SAKS' "IT LIST" FASHION SHOW FUNDRAISER FOR GIORDANO DANCE; HARBOR COUNTRY HOME & GARDEN TOUR; RING LARDNER AWARDS; RASHIED DAVIS HOSTS "CHEF BOWL" FOR SATURDAY PLACE; STEVE AND ANDREA HONORED; PAUL CELEBRATES 50!; CUTE VIDEOS AND SO MUCH MORE!!!
The Autohaus on Edens Mercedes-Benz showroom in Northbrook was transformed into a dynamic "catwalk" as the North Shore’s “best in show” fashion event, Launch: Driving Fashion Forward. This year’s 7th event, held on March 18th, celebrated PAWS Chicago and its expansion to the North Shore. More than 200 guests enjoyed walking
the red carpet, shopping, light bites, cocktails and an exciting ZZAZZ Productions spring fashion show. Participating stores/designers included Juniper Boutique, Avant for Men, Londo Mondo, Lake Forest Shop and Project Runway’s Peach Carr Designs. Special pet
cameos completed the runway looks! A live auction got the “claws out” when bidders competed for the experience of a lifetime--a Mercedes VIP Experience to the U.S. Open for two
with hotel, airfare and courtside seats courtesy of Autohaus on Edens and Mercedes-Benz USA. The event featured a “Project Runway” style competition among senior fashion design students from the Columbia College Fashion Department. Judges included Peach Carr (Project Runway alum/designer),
Tracy Clifford (Make It Better Media senior fashion editor), Erin Brewer (Marketing Manager for Mercedes-Benz USA), Melissa Carr (Assoc. Professor and Apparel Merchandising Director at
Dominican University) and Andrea Rosengarden (philanthropist). Student designers showcased looks from their collections before the winner was announced. Lindsay Holeso walked away with the grand priza, a $5000 scholarship check (presented by last year's
winner Ashley Velazquez) to use towards school or launching her own collection (courtesy of Northbrook Toyota) Holeso also won the People's Choice award, the first time any student has won both! In total, Autohaus on Edens has given out more than $35,000 in scholarships and, on this night, over $10,000 was donated to PAWS Chicago! (Photos by Stephen Lotho)
Rising 19-year-old New York pianist and composer Thomas Nickell recently performed a trio of concerts in Chicago accompanied by the Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago under
Maestro Mina Zikri in preparation for their joint Carnegie Hall debut on June 3. Jones College Prep high school was the site of an open rehearsal for
students and members of the community in tandem with the City of Chicago’s Year
of Creative Youth program. Nickell and Oistrakh Symphony then performed a SRO concert at the Garfield Park Conservatory as part of its popular “Music Under Glass” program. The
whirlwind weekend was capped off with an elegant afternoon concert and reception for invited guests at a private club. Works by Beethoven, Chopin and Nickell himself were among those performed to great applause and admiration! (Photos by Brian Kinyon)
Award-winning fashion designer Borris Powell showcased his 2018 fall/winter collection to kick-off Fulton Market Expo on Saturday, March 7. Before a spillover crowd of nearly
200 friends and supporters, Borris opened his show, themed "Sides of Me," singing a love song, "Make You Feel My Love" by Bob Dylan. (See him sing here). It was an appropriate choice as every single person in the crowd felt his love during
this stylish afternoon at WeWork, a chic industrial
space nestled in the Fulton River District in the city’s historical West Loop. Before the show, a ribbon cutting ceremony heralded the official opening for FMX (Fulton Market Expo), an annual celebration of local farmers and craftsmen that will be held every Saturday beginning in June through October (between Peoria and Green Streets). The
block was first constructed in 1887 as the historical Fulton Street Wholesale Market, with two original red brick buildings still standing and bearing this name. The ceremony was presided over by Carla Agostinelli, executive director of WLCO (West Loop Community Organization). On hand were Alderman Walter Burnett, Miss Illinois, board members Sevy Perez, Frederick Dunson, Levar Hoard, Mary Danahy, Hannah Feldman, Bill Marovitz and others. Inside the WeWork venue, the stylish BP crowd anxiously awaited the show, mixing and mingling with friends and enjoying delicious food by handsome and talented Chef Markus Ford amid the floral splendor created by
Ramsey Prince of Ashland Addison Floral Designs. The best beats around were provided by DJ Madrid Perry.
Before the show, Borris asked members of the audience wearing his designs to come up and be photographed. Nearly everyone in the room appeared beside BP for this special photo opp! After singing his love song to the crowd, Borris shared a very heartfelt and touching story about his return and some advice. "If you know anything about me, you know that I don't do this for me, I do this for all of us. All I want to do is have everyone feel as beautiful as they can, to celebrate themselves within their own skin. Don't worry about all the noise, people telling you who you need to be and where you need to be
on the success scale. We all have our own time to be successful and it's measured in your own eyes and ears. This is why this show is so important to me. It's called 'Sides of Me' because I've spent my whole entire life not giving you who I really am. I've painted a picture and I've lived inside of a box because I've been
delivering the Borris that I thought you wanted instead of being myself. I was worrying about being you and I
lost me. It made me a really depressed person for a while. So, this moment is about being okay with who I am and giving you guys 'all sides of me.'" (Don't you just love him?) Borris' 45-minute show did not disappoint. Gliding down the red runway, models strutted their stuff wearing sparkling
deep red and black ensembles (short, long and tea-length), feathered skirts, flowing peach gowns (new for spring), furs provided by York Furrier's Kathy Rezny (who is planning a collaboration with Borris soon), stylish menswear designs and, of course, the practical and perfect "Borris Bag." A standing O followed, long and loud. (See finale video here). (Cutting edge hair styling by Custom Hair Lounge).
The show benefited one of Borris' favorite charities, Esperanza Community Services, a nonprofit
established in 1969 that supports children and adults living with autism and other developmental differences. It was a wonderful afternoon among FOBs (Friends of Borris) with a mix of philanthropy, fabulous fashions and so much more. Happy to report, BORRIS IS BACK and his fans and friends are thrilled! Congrats with love BP!
Children's Place Association celebrated a magical evening at their “Once Upon a Time… at the Castle of Dragons" Gala on April 14 at Morgan Manufacturing
with over 300 supporters. Media personality Marley Kayden returned as the emcee for the nonprofit’s black-tie fundraiser, the organization’s largest single source of private funds that supports the critical needs of children facing illness, homelessness and extreme poverty in our city. This year's gala co-chairs were Marisa Kurk (Belvedere Trading) and Melissa Recatto
(community volunteer). The event featured a medieval-themed evening ala "Game of Thrones" with decor that featured an iron throne and a signature bourbon drink called the Knight's Watch. Live music was provided by the Steve Edwards Orchestra. The gala honored Chicago’s ever-popular Blue Man Group for their generous support. (The Group has donated more than $200,000 to Children’s Place Association since 2000!) The evening raised over $400,000. (Lead sponsors were RBC Capital Markets, RT Specialty, CIBC and Zurich).
Wearing a chimpanzee pin on her black sweater and a necklace bearing a charm shaped like Africa, Jane Goodall, primatologist, conservationist and human rights champion, addressed the sellout crowd of over 1000 during the Field Museum's "Women in Science Luncheon" at the Sheraton Grand Chicago on April 3. The afternoon began with a welcome by Richard Lariviere, Field
Museum president/CEO. He spoke about the Museum's many successes and achievements including having 2 million acres in the Peruvian rain forest dedicated as the Yagos National Park as a direct result of efforts by the Museum's field scientists. Susan Clark McBride, Field Museum Women's Board president, called her
job the "best gig in town" and asked the WB members to stand after acknowledging the event's co-chairs, WB members Julie Goff and Tonja Hall. She announced that the luncheon raised over $400,000 with proceeds benefiting a variety of programs through its "Women in Science" initiative. McBride introduced Dr. Corrie Moreau, the Robert A. Pritzker Director of the Integrative Research Center. Moreau, who conducted
a Q & A with Dr. Goodall following the scientist's keynote address, called meeting her a "privilege and a personal career highlight." She said that Goodall spends over 300 days annually on the road on speaking tours and that she visited 22 countries last year alone. Goodall, a beautiful woman who celebrated her 84th birthday on
the same day as the luncheon, shows no signs of slowing down. Her elegant silver hair was pulled back in a full pony-tail and her blue eyes still sparkled with mischief and curiosity. A colorful shawl, that I suspect was African, was draped casually around her slender shoulders atop a black top and slacks. On the podium, she had placed 3 stuffed animals. One, Mr. H, is a bit of a celebrity. Goodall
explained receiving the stuffed chimp from a Marine vet who had lost his eyesight at age 21. The toy is named after him, Gary Horn, who, after losing his sight, decided to become a magician. She said his name, Mr. H., also stands for 'hope' and that the toy has been to 63 countries and touched by 5 million people. She opened her speech,
an hour long and delivered with no notes, with loud monkey hoots, that she said was a form of greeting in the primate world. Jane's future seemed to be predestined. In 1952, she left school to take a job as a secretary. On a visit to see a childhood friend who lived in Kenya, she was introduced to paleontologist/fossil hunter Louis Leakey. He had lost
his secretary the week before and so Jane's story begins...After Leakey observed her work in the field, he hired her for a research project he'd been planning for years, a long-term immersive study of chimpanzees in the wild. A highlight of her career was the discovery that animals (chimpanzees) use tools. She witnessed a chimp (one she named David Greybeard) in the wild, not only using a tool but making one too--a twig, stripped of leaves to spoon termites out of a nest. She recalled, "At that time, it was thought that humans, and only humans, used and made tools. I had been told from school onward that the best
definition of a human being was "man the tool maker", yet I had just watched a chimp in action." Goodall telegraphed Leakey, her boss, with the news. His response has since become the stuff of scientific legend: "Now we must redefine man, redefine tools, or accept chimpanzees as humans." At the end of Goodall's inspiring talk and following Moreau's short Q & A, the crowd surprised her by singing happy birthday and presenting her with a cake.
(See video here) The Jane Goodall Institute, founded in 1977, is a global conservation organization that protects chimps by supporting sanctuaries and inspires people to conserve the natural world and improve the lives of people, animals and the environment. To date, over 34 institutes have been established around the world. (To learn more and/or to donate, click here).
Tina Brown hosted her 9th annual Women in the World Summit that wrapped up on April 14 in NYC. The 3-day programming hosted conversations with leading activists and experts that included award-winning actress Viola Davis, former Deputy Attorney General
Sally Yates, sexual assault/whistleblower Asia Argento, Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, among others. On the final day,
speakers model Maye Musk, principal dancer for the ABT Misty Copeland and activist Janis McGrory, who took on Big Pharma and the opioid crisis in memory of her daughter, took the stage. Student
activists Delaney Tarr and Naomi Wadler closed the summit encouraging everyone to get involved in the effort to end gun violence--two months to the day of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas School in Parkland, Florida. (Photos courtesy of Tina Brown’s Women in the World Summit / Tina Brown Live Media)
The 2nd annual Style Rivals Fashion Show Competition took place at the cool West Loop industrial space, Low Res Studios, on March 29. The event, founded by Jennifer Kelly, is truly a celebration of the diverse fashion talent that we have in our community and included a fashion show competition between 12 local stylists.
Competitors included Chella Boyd, Iva Elliot, Shantal Byfield, Chelsea Baker, Javier Camacho, Faithima Wright, Deanna Marie, Cori Davis, Jorrie Reed, Shakari Laws, Larryann Aaron
and Michelle Lewis. Every designer/stylist brought their A-game and featured models of every size and stripe who wore the designs (75 looks) with pride and attitude! I was proud to be a judge along with Dani "J" Jamison, VH1 Reality Star/fashion stylist/blogger, and Jahir Logan,
an artist/designer and founder/CEO of Debonair Harbor. The evening also featured live performances by contemporary Rapper Oz and Aailiyah Allah, who sang an R & B number from her first
CD. ALL of the stylists/designers were spectacular but, in the end, stylist Javier Camacho (in his first fashion showing ever!) walked away with the grand prize! The award was presented by last year's winner Brittany Franklin. Javier also won a professional photography session, a creative consultation from BH Creative Media Company and a cash prize (sponsored by Country Financial). (See Javier's collection finale here!)
Sad, sad news....Heaven gained a beautiful angel all too soon. Beloved philanthropist, wife, mother, friend Gabrielle Weisberg passed away
on April 8 surrounded by her loved ones. She was a top Baird & Warner real estate broker who loved her family, animals and the many charities she supported. We ran into Donnie and Gabrielle in 1990 in Marbella by happenstance and wound up going to dinner. Husband
Donnie recounted at the service at Holy Name that this was her first time out of the country. The church was full to bursting with friends paying their respects followed by a memorial lunch at Gibson's. In lieu of flowers, the family invited friends to honor her memory by making a donation to Breath for Life, a charity she founded in honor of her friend Diane Cole. Rest in peace beautiful one. (Read Maureen O'Donnell's obit in the Sun-Times HERE).
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (commonly referred to as Coachella or the Coachella Festival), a white-hot annual music and arts festival, was held recently at
the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. The event was attended by over 250,000 fans including scores of celebrities and our very own Whitney and Kadmiel Christmas! Cooper
Hefner hosted a Playboy Social Club at the event with his fiance Scarley Byrne and several Bunnies bedecked in floral Bunny costumes. The event was co-founded by Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen in 1999 and features musical artists from many genres of music, including rock, indie, hip hop, and electronic
dance music, as well as art installations and sculptures. Across the grounds, several stages continuously hosted live music including this year's headliner Beyonce, the first black
woman to ever host this festival. Backed by a full marching band and dancers, she opened her thrill-filled show with "Crazy in Love." The festival's origins trace back to a 1993 concert that Pearl Jam performed at the Empire Polo Club while
boycotting venues controlled by Ticketmaster. The show validated the site's viability for hosting large events, leading to the inaugural Coachella Festival.
Tech titan Howard Tullman, former 1871 CEO, has been appointed first director of a new innovation center at the Illinois Institute of Technology, the Ed Kaplan Family Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship. Kaplan, an
Illinois Tech alumnus and board member, and his wife donated $11 million to create the center, scheduled to
open this fall. According to a Tribune article, Tullman said the goal is to train students beyond their technical education to focus also upon ingenuity. “I want (Illinois Tech) to be a go-to place when Amazon and all these people do their calculations,” Tullman said. “They couldn’t have been clearer that talent was a major concern.” Love and congrats Howard! They are lucky to have you! (Watch Howard on "Chicago Tonight" HERE!)
For those who love dogs and cats, a special weekend of films is taking place in Chicago! The first ever NY Cat Film Festival, which joins
the popular NY Dog Film Festival, now in its third year, will debut here on April 28 & 29! The NY Cat Film Festival is truly the first collection of films, carefully curated by pet wellness expert and champion Tracie Hotchner, to transcend the short, (and sometimes silly) videos we see online and, instead, celebrate our fascination with the feline kind through film. The festival premiered in New York City in December to
a sold out theater and is now traveling the country alongside the NY Dog Film Festival. Both festivals will be held at the Patio Theater (6008 W. Irving Park Rd.) on April 28 & 29. The festivals are each a celebration of our love for dogs and cats, illustrated through film. The NY Cat Film Festival will be held on Saturday, April 28, at
12:00 noon and 1:30 pm and The NY Dog Film Festival will be held on Sunday, April 29, at 12:00 noon and 1:45 p.m. (On Sunday, well-behaved dogs are welcome to attend!) A portion of every ticket benefits the Winn Feline Foundation, dedicated to the health and welfare of all cats. www.winnfelinefoundation.org . To purchase tickets or for more information, click here!
Chicago Youth Centers (CYC), one of Chicago’s largest independent youth and family services organization will host its signature annual benefit, the "Believe in Kids" dinner (sponsored by Wintrust) will be held on Thursday, May 17, at The Ritz-Carlton. The mission of CYC is to empower children and teens to recognize and experience their full potential. This decades-old benefit, this year themed "Igniting the Spark," celebrates CYC alumni, families, staff, and supporters and raises critically needed funds for Chicago’s largest private youth organization. Chairs for this year’s benefit are Anne Doherty, Jeff Heh and Judy Macior. (For tix/more info, click here!)
I'm getting excited about the plans my fellow co-chair Michael Caputo and the fabulous Eversight Illinois gala committee are up to for the annual "Gift of Sight"
gala on Thursday, June 28! We're thinking fun in the sun and color, color, COLOR as we light up the night to raise funds for sight restoration and honor two well-respected do-gooders Marco Foster and Dr. Elmer Tu! I hope you can join us at this chic party at the Peninsula Chicago! (For tickets/more info, click here!)
More thrilling news to announce about this year's Green Tie Ball! Our theme will be "Green Eggs & Glam" which will allow a lot of cool creativity with your wardrobe! The Seuss-ical themed event will be at the Geraghty on Friday, Sept. 14! Honored to co-chair this signature fundraiser for Chicago Gateway Green with Nina Mariano! For more info, click here!)
If you love fashion and dance then you're gonna love the "It List," a fashion show fundraiser for Giordano Dance Chicago presented by Saks Fifth Avenue (Michigan Ave) on Thursday, April 26 (TONIGHT!) I understand the darling dancers will have a sweet surprise for guests too so I hope to see YOU there! (For tix/info, click here)
Allegrezza's Boozy Brunch Fundraiser will be held at Mas Allá del Sol Mexican Restaurant (5848 N. Broadway) on Saturday, April 28 from 10 am to noon! Please come out and support this wonderful choral group that is ALWAYS finding ways to give back to its community! For tix/more info, click here!
A sell-out crowd of 225 guests celebrated the 29th annual "Light Up the Night" Art of Caring gala hosted by the Women's Board of Catholic Charities, Lake County Services and Rev.
Monsignor Michael M. Boland, President of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. This signature event, the largest fundraiser for Catholic Charities services in Lake County, raised more than $450,000 at the beautiful Deer Path Inn in Lake Forest on April 14. Honorary chairs of the event were WB
member Midge and John Nelson. The Champagne Kings entertained guests with live music. Mary Carlson was the recipient of the Irene Leahy McMahon Award which is given each year to a member who has given of her time and talent to the Women’s Board. Carlson served as President and vice-president as well as other offices and also helps with Christmas gifts and a yearly clothing drive for clients in many of the nonprofit's Lake County programs. (Photos by Mike Kelly)
One of our favorite events is the Home & Garden Tour in Harbor Country, Michigan that, this year, benefits Heartland Alliance and Designs for Dignity (D4D). These two
non-profits, that support vulnerable populations through direct services and pro bono design for other non-profits, have joined forces to co-host this year's event on June 9. The tour,
which spans much of southwest Michigan, gives guests exclusive access to some of the area’s most exquisite homes and gardens, six this year, which feature award-winning architecture and landscaping. The Home & Garden Tour will take place on Saturday, June 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT, beginning in Lakeside, MI. Single tickets are $110 and can be purchased here!
More than 200 guests attended the sold-out 13th annual Ring Lardner Awards at the Union League Club on April 12. The event honored the broadcasters and
writers who exemplify the wit and warmth of Ring Lardner's writing. (Lardner was renowned as a sportswriter, humorist and satirist). This year’s honorees included Peter Gammon (broadcast); Paul Sullivan (print) and Lou Boudreau (posthumous, award accepted by his son James Boudreau). Event proceeds benefited the Union League Boys & Girls Clubs, that serves vulnerable youth in some of Chicago's neediest neighborhoods.
Former Bears receiver Rashied Davis hosted "Chef Bowl 2018", a fundraiser to benefit his charity, Saturday Place, at Kings Dining & Entertainment
Lincoln Park on April 6. The event brought together some of Chicago’s top chefs for a day of bowling and food and was chaired by popular Chef Tony Priolo (Piccolo Sogno, Nonnina and Maillard Tavern). In addition to Priolo,
other participating chefs included Erick Williams (MK), Kevin Cuddihee (TWO), Cory Morris (Boleo), Tom Valente (Lucille), Ben Grant (Maple & Ash) and
Kevin Hickey (Duck Inn). During the event, chefs competed in a “Turkey Bowl” competition, bowling three consecutive frames in unique and challenging ways.
Saturday Place is a premiere academic enrichment program for third and fourth grade Chicago Public School students proven to increase student performance. The weekly program meets
on Saturdays at the University of Illinois-Chicago and provides student-focused, attentive instruction. “I’m incredibly proud to be partnering with Saturday Place, an organization that has such a positive influence on the youth of Chicago,” Priolo said. “I’m thrilled to bring some of the city’s best chefs together for another year of supporting such an amazing cause.”
On Saturday, June 9, the Northwestern Digestive Health Foundation will host its annual gala, this year honoring Dr. Steve Stryker and his stunning wife Andrea Schwartz Stryker. The event will be held at the Four Seasons Chicago and emceed by Mary Ann Childers and Jay Levine. I can't wait to pay tribute to these two fabulous Chicagoans! Join me! (For tickets and more info, click here!)
The annual Mothers in the Mills Gala will be held on Friday, May 11, at the Kimpton Hotel Allegra (171 W. Randolph). The event, Jeans & Jewels, will honor Dan and Rudi Taylor, co-founders and executive directors of Harley’s Dream, a Colorado based non-profit working to end puppy mills through awareness, education and advocacy. (Their adoption of the now world famous Harley inspired them to start Harley’s Dream). Advance tickets are on sale now for $125 and tickets at the door will be $150. (Details here!) Your ticket will include a vegan dinner buffet, an open bar, music from Out of Control and live and silent auctions.
Beloved man-about-town and dowell expert Paul Iacono, celebrated his 51st birthday at Marchesa recently. He was surrounded by friends who included Jennifer Sutton Brieva and her husband Dr. Joaquin Brieva, Dede Lubeznik, Peter Chi Au and his wife Cynthia, Whitney and Kadmiel Christmas, Lori Allen, Kathleen Casey and Greg Kosinski, Jeff and Melissa Shea, Todd Hatoff, Dmitry Cherenshikov and Bianca Richie, Donna Rotunno, Kirk Williams and others, with a surprise, photo-shopped appearance by Paul's longtime friend William Holdeman. (To see the celebration, click here!)
Congrats to my smart/cute friend Sally Shorr who was recently named Director of PR for The Buzz Agency, the largest PR firm in Palm Beach County! They are very, very lucky to have HER! Many of you may remember her as the co-founder/editorial director of Luxe File Chicago along with her darling sis Kerry Shorr!
More congrats are in order for the dynamic Mika Stambaugh, who has been named interim executive director of Komen Chicago. Mika has been a board member for over a year and a longtime supporter of the nonprofit. She said, "I lost my grandmother and a close friend and now my aunt is battling this disease." She replaces Bonnie Gordon, who stepped down. Cancer better watch its ass with you in charge Mika!
Such sad news to share....Marty Gutilla, beloved proprietor of Tavern on Rush, passed away peacefully today after a year-long battle with lung cancer. He will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, brother, friend and long-time Chicago restaurateur.
In 1975, Gutilla and partners Steve Lombardo, Doug Buffone and Bob Marsico, opened Sweetwater Café (located at the corner of Rush Street and Bellevue and the current home of Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse).
In 1986, he went on to own and operate Eddie Rockets, and in April of 1998, he opened Tavern on Rush. The legendary Gold Coast restaurant, which celebrated its 20th Anniversary earlier this month, was Gutilla’s pride and joy. May he rest in peace.
That's it for this week! I hope you've enjoyed all the news from this dynamic city and beyond! As always, if you have information you would like to share, please send it to [email protected]!
With love and thanks,
Candace
[email protected]
[email protected]
P.S. And, of course, something to leave you with a smile! Behold, the "Cupboard Ninja Attack Cat"!
