…PLUS VEDDY BRITISH ESU’S ASCOT BALL; BIG FISH BALL; HEF’S HOME FOR SALE; UNPUBLISHED PLAYBOY PICS; BOYS & GIRLS CLUB HONORS PEER; WOODY’S WIFFLE BALL CLASSIC; PRIMO CLASSICO BR’ITALIA; COSBY LOVES URBAN PREP; CITY WINERY NEW YORK LOVES OUR LYNNE; GLAMORAMA AND OTHER BIG UPCOMING EVENTS; PLUS A BRAND NEW WATCH312.COM VIDEO AND SO MUCH MORE!
The Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) celebrated its season with GALA 2013 at its home on Navy Pier on June 17th with 550 of Chicago’s civic and cultural leaders in attendance. The event benefitted the Tony
Award recipient’s education and civic engagement initiatives including Team Shakespeare, which annually serves 40,000 students and their teachers,
and the expanded Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks, which will tour 18 neighborhood parks this summer. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the third annual Spirit of
Shakespeare Awards to this year’s Civic Honoree, former Mayor Richard M. Daley, and Artistic Honoree, legendary composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim. GALA 2013 showcased CST’s home on Navy Pier, offering sweeping views of Chicago’s skyline. The theater’s multi-level lobbies were
transformed into enchanting dining spaces with décor from Frost Lighting and fresh flower arrangements accented with theatrical flourishes by Bukiety. Adding a fanciful ambiance to the celebration, costumed actors from past season performances adorned the lobbies as living art installations,
entertaining guests. Attendees enjoyed a delectable three-course dinner, sponsored by Food For Thought, which – in a nod to Richard M. Daley’s work with the Green City Movement – included a braised beef short rib in a summer peach glaze and sunchoke panna cotta, paired with wines courtesy of Van Duzer Vineyards.
Following dinner, guests gathered in CST’s Courtyard Theater to view a program created by CST creative producer Rick Boynton, artistic associate and casting director Bob Mason, and Jeff Award-
winning director Rachel Rockwell. The evening featured a one-night-only performance by Broadway stars, husband and wife Jason Danieley and Marin Mazzie, who sang favorites
composed by Artistic Honoree Stephen Sondheim. Danieley was last seen earlier this season in his triumphant portrayal of the title character in CST’s production of Sunday in the
Park with George. Marin Mazzie most recently co-starred in the highly anticipated Off-Broadway revival of Carrie (the musical based on the Stephen King novel) and starred on Broadway as
Diana in Next to Normal opposite her husband. Also in attendance was five-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, who earlier in the day was honored with the Sarah Siddons Society Award for her outstanding
achievements in the arts. The second annual Spirit of Shakespeare Awards honored those who keep the spirit of Shakespeare alive through community service
and artistic leadership. This year, CST artistic director Barbara Gaines presented the Civic Honoree award to former Mayor Richard M. Daley, the longest-serving mayor in Chicago’s history.
Daley’s groundbreaking work to position the city as a world-class destination enhanced the cultural landscape of the city and led to the creation of a permanent home for Shakespeare in Chicago – CST’s artistic home on Navy Pier. Mayor Rahm
Emanuel’s congratulatory video message commended Mayor Daley’s lasting impact on the advancement of the City and his legacy in bringing the arts to all Chicagoans, exemplified by the new Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks
initiative. This public-private partnership of Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the Chicago Park District, Boeing and BMO Harris Bank brings free Shakespeare performances to neighborhoods throughout the city. In accepting the honor, Mayor Daley, accompanied by daughters Nora Daley Conroy and
Elizabeth Daley, quoted Shakespeare: “What is a city but its people?” He became emotional remembering his late wife Maggie and talked about her commitment to arts education. Sondheim accepted his award saying, “Children and art are two things very dear to me and this theater has both.” A video presentation featured clips from his numerous productions for CST. Students from CPS
Shakespeare! performed and teachers Samantha Mondro and Dan Rutkowski spoke about the importance of Shakespeare in the schools. Through GALA 2013 Lead Sponsors Donna Van Eekeren Foundation and Food For Thought Catering, the support of the GALA
2013 Host Committee and the advocacy of CST’s Board of Directors, the event raised $1.1 million to support the theater’s continuing work as a partner in literacy for Chicago Public Schools and as a cultural ambassador, bringing Shakespeare to citizens and visitors throughout the city of Chicago. (Photos by Bob Carl, Mark Campbell and Michael Litchfield.)
You have to love a party where British accents fill the air, men look handsome in their tuxes and women in their evening gowns and there’s a toast to the Queen! Well, this was exactly the scene at the
Casino on June 22nd when beautiful co-chairs for the English-Speaking Union’s (ESU) Ascot Ball, Cheri Lawrence and Kim Gleeson, welcomed more than 150 guests to Midnight in Mayfair. With stunning black and white decor echoing the art deco era by
Virginia Wolff, Inc., the ballroom created an elegant backdrop for the stylish Thodos Dance Chicago dancers. Dressed in 1930’s costumes, they twirled to two-step society music by renowned bandleader Stanley Paul and his “Mayfair Orchestra” as guests entered the ballroom for dinner. The event honored British Consul General of Chicago Robert Chatterton Dickson, who was introduced by ESU branch president Courtney
Pitt and who will be leaving his post in Chicago this summer and heading to Afghanistan as Deputy Ambassador. “There is this network of friends of Britain right here in the Midwest, in Chicago. I expect it will be slightly different in Kabul,”
quipped Dickson. After a traditional toast to the Queen by Doe Thornburg (a member of the Order of the British Empire and National President Emerita) preceded by a reply toast to President Obama offered by Dickson, a
live auction was conducted by ESU board member James Kinney. Packages included a dinner for eight with Stanley Paul, a diamond bracelet courtesy of Holtzmann’s jewelers, a
trip to Tahoe courtesy of Dr. and Mrs. Scott Rubenstein, a yacht trip courtesy of Mrs. Frederick (Susan) Gohl and a trip to London with business class airfare from American Airlines to the Four Seasons’ Park Lane Hotel. “Our mission here is as a scholarship-based organization that raises money for our many grants. One of the most
important things we do is host a Midwest-wide Shakespeare competition. This competition takes winners from each high school and then brings them to Chicago to compete,” said Pitt. Longtime board member Brian White had this to say about the Ascot Ball: “I first started going because of Sophie DuBrul in my early 20’s always sitting at the junior table. Little did I know
that 20 years later I’d have been VP, president, program chairman, Ascot chairman and, currently, our New Year’s Eve dinner dance co-chairman with Courtney Pitt. It’s that type of group, once you see what it’s about, you are there for life and I love that it’s raising money to support our
Shakespeare competition and scholarship programs for kids.” Almost $200,000 was raised to support ESU’s grants and scholarship initiatives. The 94-year-old ESU is a network of 70 branches, whose members
are committed to celebrating English as a shared language to foster global understanding and good will by providing educational and cultural opportunities for students, educators and members. For more info, visit www.ESUUS.org/Chicago. (Photos by John Reilly Studios.)
On June 30th, legendary comedian and education advocate Bill Cosby performed to a sold-out audience at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place raising more than $25,000 in support of the students of Urban Prep Academies. The events leading to that night began more than a year and a half ago when Urban Prep’s CEO Tim King received a call
from Cosby. After the initial amazement wore off, they had a 45-minute conversation during which the entertainer said he wanted to do something to help the school because, “I think what you are doing is spectacular,” King quoted the comedian as saying. Cosby did just that and during an almost 90-minute set, he stayed true to his conversational comedy roots, riffing on everything from child rearing to getting older to marriage during your senior years all while raising funds for the schools. He ended the evening by signing copies of his latest tome, “Come On, People – On the Path from Victims to Victors”. (Photos by Kardas.)
Roughly 450 supporters of Friends of the Chicago River gathered alongside the river under tents on the Merchandise Mart’s Riverside Drive June 5th for the Big Fish Ball. Guests were treated to delicious outdoor dining catered by Phil Stefani Signature Events. The event also featured river-inspired entertainment – living fish statues from The Actors Gymnasium and wild river
animals including a wolf, wolf cubs, skunk, snake, turtle and a woodchuck. The winners of the Chicago River Blue Awards for excellence in river-edge design were also announced that evening: The Blue Ribbon winner was Kipnis Architecture and Planning and in addition to the award, they received congratulatory remarks
by Governor Pat Quinn. “I salute the Friends of the Chicago River for their continued support and leadership in protecting one of our state treasures,” Governor Quinn said. “The Chicago River is an important link in our state’s eco and transportation systems and their strong support is critical to our shared mission of a healthy waterway that is accessible to all Illinois residents.”
Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the Honorable Richard M. Daley and Riccardo Muti joined the Governor as the evening’s honorary co-chairs. Barbara Morse-Quinn chaired the event. The Big Fish Ball raised over $225,000 to benefit the recovery of the Chicago River. Sponsors for the evening included Aon, BMO Harris
Bank, Boeing, BOOM Entertainment, Crain’s Chicago Business, HERE, A Nokia Business, Hines, Kirkland & Ellis, Merchandise Mart Properties, Ozinga, Shoreline Sightseeing and Skender Foundation. Friends of the Chicago River was founded in 1979 to improve and protect the Chicago River. With 2,000 members and 4,500 volunteers and online advocates, Friends works for a healthier, more accessible Chicago River that is used and cared for by the people of the region. Friends believes that the Chicago River can be both ecologically healthy and a catalyst for community revitalization. To get involved with Friends, contact Meshawn Ayala at (312) 939-0490, ext 18 or go to www.chicagoriver.org.
Facing History and Ourselves Chicago (FHOC) welcomed more than 750 civic and corporate leaders to its 22nd Annual Benefit Dinner at the Hyatt Regency Chicago on May 16th. Co-chairs for the event were Rachel Kohler (Kohler Co.), Mark Hoplamazian (Hyatt Hotels Corp.), Gigi
Pritzker Pucker (Odd Lot Entertainment) and Michael Pucker (Latham & Watkins). Guests enjoyed an evening that began with a reception and cocktails, followed by dinner and program with featured speaker Sonja Sohn (of HBO’s The Wire and ABC’s Body of Proof). Inspired by her own life’s journey, Sohn
works to empower youth and families in underserved communities through education, media, social advocacy and intergenerational programming. Additional speakers at the benefit included Facing History and
Ourselves Chicago director Bonnie Oberman, OddLot Entertainment CEO Gigi Pritzker Pucker and Hyatt Hotels Corporation CEO Mark Hoplamazian. North-Grand High School teacher Michelle Livas and several of her students shared the profound impact Facing History has had on their classroom and how they address issues
of intolerance within their community. Facing History alumnus Jonathan Lykes delivered powerful remarks on how FH has shaped his choices and life. The evening concluded with a dessert reception. FHOC is an international educational and professional development organization whose mission is to engage students of diverse
development programs. The organization works with these teachers throughout their careers to improve their effectiveness in the classroom as well as their students’ academic performance and civic learning. Through a rigorous
investigation of the events that led to the Holocaust as well as other recent examples of hatred and violence, students in a Facing History class learn to combat prejudice with compassion, indifference with participation and myth and misinformation with
knowledge. Additional guests at the benefit included acclaimed actress and featured speaker Sonja Sohn; FHOC co-founder Judy Wise; Chicago director Bonnie Oberman; Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan; Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle; Allstate
Chairman/President/CEO Tom Wilson; Lightbank Managing Partner Brad Keywell and Kim Keywell; author Alex Kotlowitz; Pritzker Director of the Museum of Contemporary
Art Chicago Madeleine Grynsztejn; FHOC Advisory Board member James Rondeau; and Frances and Thomas Dittmer, curator and chair of the Department of Contemporary Art at the Art Institute of Chicago. The event raised over $1.7 million in support of Facing History’s wide-reaching
educational programs and resources, with speakers throughout the evening highlighting the organization’s work to help educators create safe and inclusive classrooms. (For more info please visit www.facinghistory.org.)
philanthropist and business leader who passionately served, raised money for and directly contributed millions to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago for more than four decades. During a dedication ceremony at the club (which is located at 4835 N. Sheridan), Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago youth, staff, leadership and supporters
celebrated the life of Peer Pedersen as they unveiled a newly commissioned portrait of their friend and benefactor designed by nationally acclaimed artist Frank Kocian Morris, a master designer for the U.S. Mint. “Peer Pedersen is without peer, when it comes to someone who gave his heart and soul to Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, and especially his beloved McCormick Club, for more than
40 years,” said James Keane, CEO of BGCC. “Peer was passionate about our clubs and our mission, as demonstrated in his hands-on, life-long involvement in the McCormick Club, which inspired others to support youth and our staff,” Keane added. As a nearly 40-year member of the Corporate Board of Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago and the McCormick Club Board of Managers, Pedersen always encouraged others to share the responsibility of providing today’s youth with a safe and supportive community haven. (For more info about this worthy organization, visit www.bgcc.org.)
Would you like to own a piece of history in the Gold Coast for $5,850,000? Playboy founder Hugh Hefner’s former Chicago home is on the market, boasting five bedrooms, 5.5 baths, wide hallways, an elevator, huge
kitchen/family room, garden room, three terraces plus a garden and an attached two car garage all on a wide lot! Listed in May, this single-family home at 1336 N. State Parkway is next door to the original Playboy
Mansion, which was located at 1340 N. State and has since been converted into condos. When Hef owned these two properties, his personal/private living space was at 1336 and he entertained at 1340, which is also where I had the privilege of living for a while. (For more info, please click here!)
And speaking of Playboy, stay tuned to WCIU for an upcoming segment I happily contributed to about the original Playboy Mansion and what life was like living there during Hef’s time in Chicago! Thanks to producers Chris DeRose and Chris Brown for including me – it was a fun walk down memory lane!
And even MORE Playboy news! I’ve always been a huge fan of Hugh Hefner and Playboy – especially since I’ve been a member of the family for so long as Chicago’s Playboy Bunny of the Year, the December
1979 centerfold and an eight-time cover girl (two U.S., six international) – so imagine my surprise when, out of the blue, I was recently sent some unpublished outtakes from my centerfold shoot all those many years ago!? The late, great photographer Richard Fegley shot my centerfold, which was a delightful experience from
beginning to end; we even shot part of it in his own home with his wife offering me soft drinks! All of the Playboy photographers are ultimate professionals unlike some of the others I've met along the way so these photos represent more treasured memories of a life in front of Playboy’s lenses. I hope you enjoy them as much as I love being a member of the Playboy Playmate sorority! Long may you reign, Hef! (View more pics here!)
Kerry and Sarah Wood and the Wood Family Foundation will host its first annual Woody’s Wiffle Ball Classic at historic Wrigley Field on August 10th. The day will include plenty of fun as 16 corporate teams compete in an all-day Wiffle ball tournament followed by a home run derby pitched by the one and only Kerry Wood! An All-Star Celebrity Game played by some of Chicago’s favorite celebrities, including Bill Murray, and tons of activities for the kiddies round out this action packed afternoon! For tickets and more information on participating, please visit www.woodfamilyfoundation.org.
Another blockbuster event will be the Primo Classico Br’Italia coming September 22nd to Lake Forest Sports Cars (located at 990 N. Shore Dr.) from 1 to 5 p.m. Mark your calendars now for an afternoon that will include a celebration of British and Italian cars, fine food, a fashion show, cigar lounge, themed photo booth fun and much
more! Benefitting the Primo Center, founded by Diane and Quintin Primo, the event will also honor Phylicia Rashad. A live auction will include an exciting trip to Qatar, a five-day stay at the Bitter End Yacht Club, a cocktail party/yacht cruise and more! Host committee members include Val Warner, Alderman Bob Fioretti, Nicki Pecori, Shauna and Barry Montgomery, Azeeza Khan, Shelley MacArthur Farley and Bill Farley, Helen Hall
Melchior, Ken Norgan, Paul Iacono, Joan Colmar, Margaret O'Connor, Sandy Deromedi, Kristina and Mike McGrath, Hedwig and Bob Golant, Carol Prins and John Hart, Toni Canada, Mamie Walton, Whitney and Jerry Lasky, Kathleen Klaeser, Melissa Babcock, Frances Renk, Kate Gaynor-Dickey, Mary Jo and Doug Basler, Les Coney, Tarrah Cooper and Lisa Skolnik to name a few! You won't want to miss this exciting afternoon of FUN fundraising!!! (For more info, please click here!)
Nearly 350 well-wishers packed the Adler Planetarium to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Voices for Illinois Children (VIC) and salute three leaders in the field of providing services to the children of Illinois. Leaders from the corporate, philanthropic, government, not-for-profit and
residential communities throughout the state gathered in celebration of the honorees and the accomplishments of VIC. Emceed by CBS 2’s Rob Johnson, the event honored Joseph Gregoire (state chairman of PNC Bank), who accepted the corporate
award for PNC’s Grow Up Great, a $350-million, multiyear, bilingual initiative to prepare children from birth to five for success in school life. Harriet Meyer, an early childhood national leader and past president of the Ounce of Prevention Fund, was recognized for her contributions to shaping successful policies and programs for Illinois children. And Nancy Ronquillo, president and CEO of
Children’s Home + Aid, accepted the award on behalf of the 130-year-old organization that provides a multiplicity of services to children in need and is recognized as a leader in child-welfare. The benefit raised over $230,000 for VIC.
Now, DON'T MISS these exciting summer events:
- PAWS Chicago’s 11th annual Beach Party will be held at the Castaways at the North Avenue Boathouse on July 18th, beginning at 6 p.m. For tickets, please visit www.pawschicago.org or call 773-843-4887.
- On July 26th, don’t miss Marco Foster’s third annual White Party beginning at 9 p.m. at American Junkie, located at15 W. Illinois. Tickets are only $20 to $25 and will benefit One Hope United. For tix and more info, click here!
- The Service Club of Chicago’s “Day on the Terrace” fashion show and luncheon will be held at the Peninsula on August 5th. For tickets and more info, please click here!
- Macy’s Passport Presents Glamorama will come to the Harris Theatre on August 9th beginning at 8 p.m. and benefitting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana for the fifth year! Don’t miss fabulous fashions and live performances by Sheryl Crow and Cirque du Soleil! For tickets and more info, click here and to see ALL of the fun from the Glam Launch Party, check out the brand new Watch312.com video below! If you didn’t attend, you’ll feel like you were there mingling with the likes of Fabrice Calmels, Borris Powell, Christina Thomas, Elda de la Rosa, Nikki Lynette, Nicole Townsend, Brenda Arelano, Ken Norgan, Michael Perich, Peach Carr, Dan Uslan, Doug Porter, Sheila Musolino, Rosemary Fanti, Andrea Schwartz, Dr. Steve Stryker, Marco Foster and so many more!
http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1
BIG congratulatory shout-out to the grand dame Diva Lynne Jordan on the recent success of her first New York gig! Our Lynne completely sold out the 300-seat City Winery NY and was, of course, invited to return! I sense this is the beginning of something very big for our hometown girl and am glad that other cities finally get to enjoy her unique style, too! Love and congrats, Lynne…oh, the places you'll go! 🙂 (Follow Lynne on her fabulous blog here!)
Is everyone as excited about the Langham Chicago opening as I am?!? I’m also THRILLED beloved Joe Aguilera is Director of Sales and Marketing for this
luxurious property that is sure to become a hip hangout as well as a world-class hotel! Welcome to Chicago, beautiful Langham! 🙂
Well, that’s all the news for this week! Please make sure to mark your calendars for all of these great upcoming events and I hope to see you at one or more of them!
Until next time,
Love always,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com
P.S. And just to make you smile, check out this awe-inspiring video of a man and his bear!
Hi! This post could not be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this page to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank youu for sharing!