A MAGICAL NIGHT FOR URBAN PREP FEATURES SURPRISE GUEST NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM!

Urban Prep Academies have hosted a few premieres of the latest “Harry Potter” films and we have always been there. This night, however, would be different since it would be the final film in the franchise, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2.” I had mixed feelings about the evening since I am a total Pottermaniac and sure didn’t want to see it all come to an end but I still dressed in my prerequisite Hogwarts scarf, drew “Harry” scars on our foreheads (yes, I made Chuck wear one, too), grabbed my wand and out the door we went. We arrived early but not early enough since the line was already snaking around corners. Urban Prep founder Tim King informed me the event was sold out, great for these Academies which are making news with their 100-percent college acceptance for its students. The money raised on this night went to support Study Up!, the Urban Prep program which provides summer internship and academic opportunities for its students. To quote Albus Dumbledore, “It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be” – and these kids all have very bright futures ahead of them, for sure! From the very start, Urban Prep made sure this would be a true wizarding experience for all who attended. Even the initial invitation made me giddy when it opened like this: “Harry Potter is safe at Shell Cottage after destroying a Horcrux containing a piece of Voldemort’s soul. Meanwhile, the Dark Lord has just taken possession of the Elder Wand that legend says is unbeatable. What happens next will determine the fate of the world. And you can find out before anyone else!” After reading that, you bet I would be there!! And the invite went on to say, “So that you don’t have to make a special trip to Gringotts, we are offering an Early Owl discount.” Or how about this cute comment: “Tickets are going faster than a rampaging Hippogriff.” Well, you get the idea…the world was going crazy with Pottermania!  Four hundred fifty muggles, wizards and witches attended this special screening and had the opportunity to take photos in front of some really cool movie backdrops. Photogs were snapping away and the head wizard, Tim King, of “Hogwarts in the ‘hood,” as Urban Prep is lovingly called, was in his element greeting the excited guests with a hug and his welcoming smile. All was right in the world but as we entered the theater, we knew that dark forces would be trying to take over in this 2 hour and 11 minute film, that turned out to be my favorite of the eight. We revisited old characters like Remus Lupin, Bellatrix Lestrange, Rubeus Hagrid, Professor Dumbledore, Ollivander, Sirius Black, Severus Snape, Lucius Malfoy and his despicable family, Harry’s mom and dad and, of course, our heroes Harry, Ron and Hermione. The long-feared war had begun and the Dark Lord has seized control of the Ministry of Magic and even Hogwarts, terrorizing and arresting all who might oppose him. The Chosen One has become the hunted one as the Death Eaters search for Harry with orders to bring him to Voldemort…alive. I won’t tell you the end, but expect casualties (none we can’t live without) and a heartwarming ending, that in my mind, definitely leaves room for a sequel! Tim King had given a welcoming speech at the beginning of the film and showed the latest Urban Prep video with some students sharing their heartfelt stories about their experiences. He told everyone to stay in their seats for a special announcement at the end of the film. And I’ll say it was special: Richard Roeper was introduced and then MATTHEW LEWIS, the star of this film who has also appeared as Neville Longbottom in all eight of the movies, came out to thunderous applause and quite a few squeals! He looks much thinner in person and, of course, the false yellow, crooked teeth are gone along with the cardigan. When Roeper asked him to talk about his onscreen friendships, he said, “I would love to give you drama but we get on really, really well. We all started at the same age and shared a bond
.” Then he was asked if it was a challenge to work with the green screen and he said, “There wasn’t actually a snake there and that’s really where your director, David Yates, comes into play. He knew exactly what to say and Jo Rowling’s writing is so rich that we get to cheat. We can just go back to the books, our cheat books, to see what the motivations might be.” One member of the audience asked Lewis if he would give Emma Watson his number. Matthew replied, “I’ll give it to her but I can’t promise she’ll call.” Another audience member asked him, “Since this is the last installment, how do you feel about going from a little kid to a legendary actor?” Matthew replied, “I like you. I see myself as a jobbing actor who still has a lot to do.” Shot prior to the release of “Deathly Hallows,” Lewis plays the reporter in the upcoming independent film, “The Sweet Shop.” He couldn’t have been nicer and took pics with fans as well as signed some books. The VIP After-Party was held in the magnificent Crystal Gardens at Navy Pier. It was a night I’ll never forget and to quote Urban Prep’s motto, “We believe”…in magic!!  (To view ALL event pics by Mila Samokhina, please click here!)

Thirty restaurants participated in this year’s Chefs & the City event held at the Ritz-Carlton. Guests enjoyed delectable treats such as an heirloom tomato confit with compressed watermelon and goat cheese from Mercat, Province’s salmon tostadas, Shanghai Terrace’s seared pork dumplings, Cafe Spiaggia’s crispy flatbreads with housemade Becker Lane pork testa and Lockwood’s house sturgeon with cucumber, potatoes, chilies and crème fraiche by Chef Greg Elliot. The ballroom at the Ritz was perfect for this party. Big and not too crowded yet cozy enough that you could easily find your friends. There was a fabulous fashion show produced by Maria Pinto, in her new role as Creative Director for Mark Shale, that featured its Fall 2011 collection. Maria said, “You’re going to see what you wouldn’t expect from Mark Shale. And love it!” And she was right. Maria sure hasn’t lost her creative touch as she showed outfit after outfit with unexpected pairings of texture, accessories and colors. And she even veered from the mainstream fashion shows by having a “party” onstage as opposed to the normal catwalk work. Granted, it was harder to snap photos but the effect was something brand new. Honorary chairs for the event included Amanda Puck, Rich Varnes and moi. Top restaurants participating this year included MK, Bistronomic (Chef Martial Noguier created a delicious pate that he served with his darling son, Mathieu), More Cupcakes, BOKA/GT Fish & Oyster, The Bristol, Province, Cafe Spiaggia, The Publican, The Chicago Firehouse, Quince, Deca, Sepia, The Florentine, Shanghai Terrace, Fox & Obel Market Cafe, Rebar @ Trump International, prasino, Girl and the Goat, Sprout, Graham Elliot, Green Zebra, Tavernita (Chef Ryan Poli’s new venture), JAM, Union League Club, Lockwood, RL, Mercat a la Planxa and Fortune Fish Company among others. The entire, food and fun-filled evening benefited Vital Bridges, whose mission is to help people throughout metropolitan Chicago impacted by HIV and AIDS to improve their health and build self-sufficiency by providing food, nutrition, housing, case management and prevention services. Joyce Dawson was honored with the “Robert S. Mayo Extra Helping” award for her generosity and commitment to Vital Bridges in a moving ceremony presented by Maryann Weiner and Bill Lasche. Vital Bridges’ Director of Development, Hank Watson, oversaw the event that also included one of my favorite DJs, Sye Young! (He also spins for Common Threads’ World Festival and is a perennial crowd pleaser.) The tastings continued in the Carlton Club for the VIP After-Party. What a wonderful night for a good cause with great peeps! To learn more about Vital Bridges, please visit www.VitalBridges.org. (Additional pics by Steve Starr…to view ALL event pics, please click here!)

Chicago Magazine’s “Bold & Beautiful” event at the Kohler Store (at the Merchandise Mart) honored five deserving women. They included Lindsay Avner (founder and Executive Director of Be Bright Pink), Andrea Metcalf (author of “Naked Fitness”), Monica Pedersen (interior designer and HGTV host), Allison Rosati (NBC Chicago anchor and reporter) and Audarshia Townsend (featured journalist, 312DiningDiva.com and WCIU-TV’s “You & Me This Morning”). Chicago Mag publisher Richard Gamble introduced the ladies at this delightful reception. Fans, friends and families of the honorees enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as well as enjoying all of the latest ideas from Kohler. (To view ALL party pics by Caitlin Saville Collins, please click here.)

And the fairytale continued as Prince William, the new Duke of Cambridge, scored all four goals for his team, Royal Salute, in sunny California at the recent Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club! Before the match, Wills said, "Thank you very much for the very warm welcome and thanks to you Ambassador Holden. In terms of coming back, that depends on the result out there today. I'm not a good loser." So I guess this means the people of Santa Barbara will be seeing William and his gorgeous new wife, Catherine, again down the road! Title sponsor Tiffany designed the exquisite trophy named "The Foundation Polo Challenge Trophy" in honor of the foundation that Catherine, Harry and Wills have established. The Prince said, "We are focusing on helping military veterans and their families, and following my father's example, working on sustainable development. We also want to give the most disadvantaged young in society hope and confidence in their lives. We feel passionately about this." It's good to see Princess Diana's strong influence for helping others continues on in her children. Check out this cute video, too…ahhhhh, it’s good to be King (future!)

And speaking of polo, hold onto your hats for what will surely be one of the most exciting events to hit Chicago in a long, long time!!! Title sponsor Grey Goose announced the first ever Beach Polo Tournament in Chicago coming to North Avenue Beach! Beginning on Saturday, October 1st, North Avenue Beach will become home to two days of world-class Beach Polo action being played out in a custom built polo arena on the beach, roughly the size of an American football stadium! The one-of-a-kind sporting environment will be on one side bordered by Chicago’s famous city skyline and on the other by Lake Michigan! Some of the games most notable players will be in attendance including native Chicagoan and world-class polo player David Wigdahl who will field a local team while Argentina’s Usandizaga brothers (Guillermo and Gustavo) will be joined by Chicago’s Ben Rosenfield and Louisville’s Chad Middendorf. Brandon Phillips, a member of the Canadian national team, will team up with Argentine five-goaler Mauricio Devrient and Simon Garber. On the women’s side, Nigeria’s Neku Atawodi will be in attendance as well as Brazilian model and polo player, Paula Chermont. Both divisional championship teams from April’s South Beach Women’s Polo Cup will also be competing, including tournament MVP’s Tara Lordi and Libby Scripps. A percentage of the proceeds will benefit the 100 Club of Chicago which provides support and assistance to the families of fallen police officers and firefighters in Cook County. VIP tickets (that include a two-day pass) are $250 and single-day passes are $150 for Saturday or Sunday. This exciting weekend will also include a player introduction press conference, horse parade, fashion show and awards ceremony as well as other social events throughout the weekend. For tickets and more info, please visit www.ChicagoBeachPolo.com. (Pics by Caitlin Saville Collins!)

I have so much more news but am out of space. I hope you will check out Candid Candace next week as Chicago continues her reign as BEST and most EXCITING city in the world!

Love,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com

P.S. Congrats to Barry Axler on his recent installation as the 107th president of Rotary One! Chicago is the birthplace of Rotary which has grown to 33,000 clubs in over 200 countries with 1.3 million members. And, for this year’s 11th Annual Loretto Hospital Foundation’s Golf Outing, Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler presented the hospital with a check for $20K. Cutler also received the 2011 Distinguished Citizen Award for the establishment of the Jay Cutler Diabetes Screening Program. Good news all around!