WINDY CITY LIVE'S TRIBUTE SHOW; CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL'S TV AWARDS; STEVE AND JERRY AT MANNY'S; HERMENE'S N'DIGO GALA 2015; A SPECIAL MEET-AND-GREET FOR THE MAYOR; SPEX WELCOMES FREDERIC; MOTHERS IN THE MILLS BENEFIT; GOLD COAST NEIGHBORS DOG SHOW; RITA HAYWORTH GALA; CULINARY FIGHT CLUB EVENT FIGHTS HUNGER; ART AND JESUS' COOKING FOR LIFE FEST; ELLEN WANTS YOU!; ALY'S BIRTHDAY BASH; AN EVENING OF FAME; PAMELLA AT NEIMAN'S; BUTTERFLY BALL; BROOKFIELD ZOO'S "WHIRL" AND SO MUCH MORE
Academy Award winners Common and John Legend came together for one "GLORY-us" night in the Windy City at a private reception, "Glory Chicago," hosted by Common's Common Ground Foundation. Nearly 200 guests were treated to a reception and an intimate performance of the Academy Award winning "Best
Song","Glory," at the Perillo Rolls-Royce Bentley dealership in Chicago's Gold Coast. VIP guests included Mayor Rahm Emanuel (who attended with his wife Amy Rule), Les Coney (Mesirow Financial), Matt Forte (Chicago Bear), Tamara Brown (COO Think COMMON), Father Michael Pfleger (Saint Sabina), Cheryl Burton (ABC-7), Aisha Murff (Aisha M. Public Relations Liaison AM Connect PR), Tarrah Cooper (Mayor's Deputy Press
secretary), Sandra Rand (Rand Corporation), Damon Williams (comedian), George Daniels (music industry icon), Erika Jordan (event partner), cast members of Empire, Chicago P.D. and Chicago Fire and, of course, Joe Perillo (owner Perillo Rolls-Royce
Bentley dealership)–to name a few. Dr. Mahalia Hines, President of the Foundation and Common's mom, thanked everyone for attending, including sponsors Delano Las Vegas and Le Medallion Champagne. Mayor Emanuel told the crowd he attends Common's Foundation benefit every
year, and has worked with Dr. Hines in the past when she was on the board of Chicago Public Schools. "Common's Foundation is much needed in Chicago to help underprivileged
children," remarked the Mayor. A fantastic cake was flown in from New Jersey created by Discovery Channel's #1 international TV show, Buddy the Cake Boss. It was a replica of Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge. Lucky guests departed with goodie bags stamped with "Glory" in gold on the front in honor of Common's Oscar win, bottles of branded
Cabernet Sauvignon and, of course, a slice of delicious cake. VIP guests were chauffeured by Perillo Chicago to the event in Rolls Royces! Besides the Legend/Common performance, partygoers were also treated to the sounds of the Chicago Soul Centric Band featuring Larry
Springfield. Co-chaired by Dr. Mahalia Hines and Les Coney, "Glory Chicago" raised more than $175,000 to support the Common Ground Foundation, an organization dedicated to developing youth in under-served communities into outstanding community
leaders. Created by respected Oscar winner/hip-hop artist/children’s book author/actor Lonnie Rashid Lynn (also known as Common) the Foundation has made waves in the city of Chicago through its unique outreach programs and unwavering dedication to 
has been able to achieve its goals. This program provides today’s youth with character development, leadership skills, and encourages nutrition and exercise. The Common Ground Foundation has hosted numerous fundraising events in Chicago to ensure that all its programs are offered at no cost to participants or their families. (PHOTOS BY JEFF SCHEAR)
April 2 was a day filled with laughter and tears on the set of Windy City LIVE when Marlaine Selip, 67, said goodbye as executive producer after 4 years. She was off to New York to spend more time with her family after 893 shows and a lifetime in the business! The by-invite-only
audience was filled with friends and family for a surprise tribute show. There were a lot of familiar faces at Marlaine's last show including Tim and Mary Astor Smithe, Grant DePorter, Beth Heller, Carol Fox's Nick Harkin and Carly Leviton, WCIU's Rob Morhaim, WCL
contributors Roe Conn, Richard Roeper, Keith Ward, John Idler, Emily Barr, Dr. Lauren Streicher (with hubby Jason) and Billy Dec, Laura and Andrea Schwartz, Megan Addington and Mika Stambaugh. Cindy Patrasso, supervising producer, welcomed the
crowd and told us what to expect from this very special segment of Windy City LIVE. She spoke about how much Marlaine would be missed and had to wipe away a tear before she continued. It was so touching and you could tell this was more than a production team, it
was a family. Marlaine was escorted out by co-host Ryan Chiaverini and, when she turned the corner, we all stood and yelled "surprise'! You could tell this was a true surprise by her reaction which made it so sweet. She waved and pointed to
people in the audience before taking her place at the chat desk with co-hosts, Valerie Warner, Ji Suk Yi and Ryan. Marlaine's only request for her last show was that her nephew's band perform. Walsher Clemons (a 5-man funk group) brought the house down after recently performing to
rave reviews at the House of Blues. Joshua's Troop, Marlaine's favorite gospel choir, also performed and had the audience clapping and singing along. A lot of important people from Marlaine's past surprised her on the show. Her theater
teacher was her mentor and he spoke about how special she was as a student. Phil Donahue, who she worked with for a number of years, appeared in a video tribute and reminisced about the time they were in Chernobyl together as the first Western reporters. Marlaine's daughters, Erin and
Jamie, flew in to surprise her wheeling out a massive Eli's Cheesecake. The entire audience was treated to splits of champagne courtesy of
Harry Caray's restaurant group for a toast. Artist Elliott From presented Marlaine with a beautiful portrait of her holding one of the show's many Emmys. Ji hosted a segment that featured all of Marlaine's favorite restaurant dishes. A bartender from the Tortoise Club prepared her special gimlet
cocktail. For the show's late night version, there was a mini-roast by WCL contributor/comedian Mark DeCarlo. He said, "We would have to rent out Soldier Field to include all your favorite bartenders!" As the
co-hosts surrounded Marlaine for the last time, Val Warner said, "Marlaine, you are our game changer." It was an afternoon I'll never forget and I can't wait to see what Marlaine's "next chapter" brings. She said she plans to travel to Paris and London for vaca before moving back to NY where her family live. She also said she may take on freelance assignments. Whatever her plans and wherever she goes, I know she will be a "game changer"!
Oprah is selling her "stuff" at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers on Saturday, April 25. It's bittersweet to know she's severing all ties to the Windy City but, on a bright note, the proceeds of this sale will benefit The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in
South Africa. Oprah is always philanthropic even when she's selling her stuff– over 500 lots that will include English, French and Continental furniture and decorative arts, paintings, prints, drawings, porcelain, crystal, silver, memorabilia, clothing, accessories and more! Oprah fans will be out in force to see the preview that begins on Thursday, April 16 and runs
through Friday, April 24 (the day before the auction). I bet some of them have no intention of buying, but are just "nosy-parkers" who want to take a peek inside her finely turned out closet/home. As I perused the auction catalog, it struck me that it was mostly modern,
comfortable furnishings–I would've expected Louis IV all the way baby, but Oprah seemed more interested in comfort. I also noted her penchant for fine, and I mean FINE, writing utensils. There are nearly 40 pens ranging from silver-encrusted antique ones to Cartier,
Versace and an exquisite Michel Perchin gilded one estimated at $1K-$2K. There's even a pen display case, of course, estimated at $100-$200. I especially love the pen with her name on it that would make a wonderful piece of Oprah memorabilia for one lucky bidder. Oprah was also a fan of a well dressed dining table as witnessed by the over 200 plates offered in the sale. Collections include
pieces from Swansea, Derby, Limoges and Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica that range in price from $1500 to $40,000! And NONE of these are dishwasher safe! LOL! Her decor included Biedermeier furniture
(mirrors, game tables, armchairs and tables) with items estimated from $2K to $4K, but we know these prices will be shooting skyward as soon as the serious bidders jump 
in. Who knows, we might have another Jackie-O auction on our hands! I also saw a LOT of exercise equipment for sale: free weights, an elliptical machine, a step machine, an abdominal board and two
bicycles. Who knew? There's an awesome makeup chair that looks like something out of Star Wars with all the bells and whistles estimated at $800-$1200. And, of course, what would a chair be without an accompanying makeup cart? ($500-$700) And then, the wardrobe! Oprah seems to be a fan 
Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Michael Kors, Yves St. Laurent and Donna Karan. Her sizes range from 40 to 46. I feel her pain. Her Louboutins are size 41 (10 1/2), in case you wanted to know. For music lovers, there's even a Swiss music box (estimated at $800-
$1200) and a violin (?!) estimated at $100-$200. I wish her the best but will most certainly miss having her here with us in Chicago! Happy Bidding Everyone! (To view the entire auction catalog, click here!)
The Chicago International Film Festival Television Awards, now in its 51st year, will be held on Wednesday, April 22nd, at the Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile. Darling co-hosts
for this prestigious event will be WGN-TV's Dan Ponce and Windy City Live's Ji Suk Yi! For over 5 decades, the CIFFTA has honored inspiring programs, beloved personalities and powerful creatives that have shaped unforgettable
moments of television. A fun-filled reception precedes the Awards Ceremony. This year, popular weatherman Tom Skilling will be honored along with adman Tom Burrell and Jay Levine! I can't wait and hope you will join me! For tickets and more info, click here!
Thanks so much to the Steve Harvey Show for bringing me back for another segment of "Class Act." This time, I transformed a country girl into a "duchess" with dramatic results. We filmed at Mars Gallery and I loved meeting its charming owner/artist, Peter Mars. The party scene was filled with familiar faces and I can't
wait for you to see it! When Erin, the makeover subject, saw her new look, she cried during the studio taping (along with her two cute sisters)….It was so touching! This segment will air in two weeks, so stay tuned!!
Looking for something fun to do for Father's Day? Look no further than the always fabulous N'Digo Gala! Hermene Hartman's N'Digo Foundation will host N'DIGO
GALA 2015 themed "Jazz Enchantment" on Sunday, June 21, at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave, beginning at 5 pm. The black-tie evening will begin with a Grande Buffet before an Awards Ceremony honoring civic leaders Dorri McWhorter, Hedy Ratner, Cheryl Pearson-McNeil, Howard Reich, Annie Haley,
Reverend Johnny Miller and Dr. Wayne Watson. Following the program, Grammy Award winning jazz artists Dianne Reeves and Gregory Porter will bring the house down with their one-of-a-kind concert. Reeves has won 5 Grammys for Best Jazz Vocal Performance for her albums, including her latest, "Beautiful Life." Porter won a 2014 Grammy for best jazz vocal album,
"Liquid Spirit." His mother was a minister and his music reflects his deep gospel background. Together, these two jazz powerhouses will blow the doors off Symphony Center! A fun-filled After-Party will include dancing, dancing, dancing, desserts, champagne and cocktails. Gala proceeds will benefit the N'Digo Foundation that provides merit-based scholarships to Chicago and surrounding suburban high school students. To date, the Foundation has awarded more than 287 scholarships! For tickets, beginning at $75, and more info, please click here! (I'm honored to be co-chairing this inspiring gala with the dynamic Sonya Jackson). We are also
looking for silent auction items, so if you would like to be a part of this memorable event, please contact me at candace@candidcandace.com!
Speaking of the N'Digo Foundation, Hermene, Laurie Dimakos and Deborah Ludwig hosted a meet-and-greet for Mayor Emanuel on April 2nd. Almost 100 guests
heard a great talk by the Mayor while enjoying Le Medallion Champagne and delicious hors d'oeuvres created by Chef Scott Fischer. Here's an excerpt: NDIGO– In retrospect, would
you have closed 50 schools if you had to do it all over again? MAYOR – When I took office, half of our schools were underutilized and nearly 140 were half-empty. To help ensure that we made the right decision for our children, Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd Bennett and I established a commission,
which held more than 100 meetings over seven months, hearing from 35,000 residents. That community process helped the Board narrow the list from 300 schools to just under 50. But make no mistake, this would not have been easy
whether we looked at 1, 10, 20 or 50 schools. The status quo was failing our children. What we did was more important for them than for my political future. NDIGO– What do you consider your top 5 achievements as Mayor? MAYOR-I am most proud of what we’ve done in education and the fight we’ve made on behalf of our children for their future. During my tenure:1. High school 
graduation rates have risen; 2. We have implemented a longer school day; 3. All CPS schools now have a full day of kindergarten; 4. Fighting—and continuing to fight—for universal pre-K; and 5. Implementing the Chicago Stars program, which will allow for any CPS student graduating with a B average or higher to attend City Colleges of Chicago for free. Congrats on your big win Mayor!
Spex Optical, voted the "Best Eyewear in Chicago", hosted a party for designer Frederic Beausoleil at Studio Paris recently. Over 100 FOS (Friends of Spex) showed up to peruse Frederic's collection and hear him speak of
his remarkable journey. A keen art lover, he devoted his free time creating sculptures in Paris in the early '80's. Then, he fell in love and designed a pair of glasses for his girlfriend. The rest, as they
say, is history! From humble beginnings in a small design shop, Frederic's unique eyewear can be found worldwide today and at SPEX, of course! Congrats Frederic! (Also, stay tuned for Spex Optical's 26th store coming to 138 N. York Rd. in Elmhurst in May!!!)
Cari Meyer's Puppy Mill Project will host its 5th annual "Mothers in the Mills" benefit at Moonlight Studios, 1446 W. Kinzie St., on Saturday, May 9, from 7-11 pm. The benefit is held on the eve of Mother's Day to raise awareness about the hundreds of thousands of 
dogs that spend their lives locked up and breeding in cruel puppy mills every year. For tickets, $115 in advance, $125 at the door, click here!
And speaking of our furry, four-legged friends, I hope you can join me when I'll be a judge for the Gold Coast Neighbors Association's Best in Gold Coast Dog Show on Saturday, May 30, at Astor and North Ave. The event will begin at 12:30 and there will be prizes, ribbons and awards for a variety of 
categories! GCNA will partner with "Sit, Stay, Read", an organization that encourages reading through the use of trained dogs. For tickets and more info, click here!
The 28th annual Alzheimers Association's Rita Hayworth Gala returns this year on May 9th to the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan. This black-tie event will present the Champion Award to Choose Chicago and pay
tribute to the organization's late founder/president Jerome H. Stone. Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, Rita Hayworth's daughter, will once again serve as general chair. For tickets and more info, click here.
I hope you can join me on April 23 for Culinary Fight Club's Taste Bud Challenge at ZED451! I'll be one of the judges deciding the fate of Chefs Andrea Williams, Joe Arvin and Anna Saavedra to benefit Fight2Feed,
an organization dedicated to feeding the homeless. Judges will include Beth Peterson (reigning World Pasta Champ, Yummie Nation blogger and Coca Cola Ambassador), Anthony Martorina (Yelp expert and Google Blogger) and Wade Fortin (World Food Burger Champ). Through the organization's four missions, over 4000 "hungry Chicago friends" have been fed. #FeedItForward (For tickets and more info, click here!)
Do you live in Miami or are you SoBe bound? Well, if so, don't miss Chef Art Smith and Jesus Salgueiro's Common Threads' Cooking for Life Festival April 17-19 hosted by Michelle Bernstein. This exciting weekend will feature a select group of the country's celebrity chefs, all to support CT's mission of empowering children and families to "cook for life"! A kick-off dinner will be held on Friday, April 17, at Mignonette (210 NE 18th St, Miami 
Design District) with 10% of proceeds going to CT. Other weekend events include a culinary boot camp, dinner with Morimoto, sunrise beach yoga and a beachside brunch! For tickets and more info, click here!
You oughta' be in pictures! If you think you have a face made for TV, then check this out! Ellen Degeneres is executive producing a TV series that will explore the "simple wonder of a first date." Online casting has begun in and
around Chicago, Nashville, New York and Seattle at www.FirstDateCasting.com . NBC has ordered 8 episodes of "First Dates" an observational documentary series from Degeneres and Shed Media that takes a peek at what happens when a couple meet for the first time and love may be in the air. Based on a hit U.K. format, this hour-long show offers an authentic look at a variety of real first dates happening over one night at the same restaurant.
Good luck!! (If it's an "Ellen" show, you know it will be a success!)
Talk about a Power Lunch! Look at the dynamic duo who dined at Manny's Deli (1141 S. Jefferson, Chicago) recently! Our own Steve Harvey and Jerry Seinfeld enjoyed the fabulous food at
Manny's! We love it, too!! Great choice! Wish I could've been a fly on THAT wall!
Thanks so much to WCIU's "You & Me This Morning" for having me back as co-host! Melissa Forman was off for a much needed vaca and I got to spend some time on the couch with Jeanne Sparrow! A highlight of the show was Aly 
Bockler's 40th birthday celebration! Jeanne and I shared some tips with Aly about turning 40. Take a look!
Foundation of Artists Mentored in Entertainment (F.A.M.E.) is holding its 4th annual "An Evening of FAME," on May 1, from 7 to 10 p.m., at the Merit School of Music in Gottlieb Hall, 38 South Peoria Street, Chicago. Guests will be entertained by performances from 8 talent competition finalists while enjoying cocktails and hors d'oeuvres to raise funds to provide young, deserving performing artists with monetary and mentorship support. The event will be emceed by Taylor Mallory (Level Next Music recording artist) with a performance by Ashleigh Ashton (2012 FAME winner). The one 
and only Homer Bryant will serve as a celebrity judge! (For tickets and more info, click here!)
The 17th Butterfly Ball, themed "Vibrant Nature," will be held on Friday, May 1, at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive. The black-tie gala will be emceed by NBC's
Anne Thompson and will honor Anna and Greg Brown (Motorola Solutions). This is always such an elegant and fun party! For tickets and more info, click here!
Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue co-hosted a fashionable luncheon with the Joffrey Ballet Women's Board. Dramatic and elegant
designs by Joffrey Board member and beloved designer Pamella Roland were presented during an informal fashion show. Pamella's designs range in price from $350 to thousands which
makes her beautiful creations accessible for EVERYONE! Thanks to Neiman's GM Wendy Krimins and PR guru Tina Koegel for a chic afternoon! (The Joffrey Spring Gala is right around the corner on April 17! Click here for details).
And there was even more fun at Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue when it hosted famed shoe designer Gianvito Rossi at a reception for The Service Club of Chicago. The shoe
designer flew in from Italy for a meet-and-greet with nearly 60 ladies and gentleman who all departed with a signed sketch as a souvenir of the evening. Those lucky enough to find the
perfect shoe, had their new purchases signed by the famed designer. Prosecco and white wine flowed as waiters served from silver platters. Neiman's Mariposa restaurant created delicious appetizers for
the occasion. Lucky guest Corinne McClintic won a raffle for a pair of Gianvito Rossi shoes. Event co-chairs Eileen Howard Weinberg and Lisa Adelstein thanked the supporters and Neiman Marcus for hosting 
this "foot-abulous" affair. (John Reilly Photography)
The 30th anniversary of Brookfield Zoo's "Wild, Wild Whirl" Gala, the zoo's largest fundraiser, will take place on Saturday, April 25! This elegant black-tie 
affair is hosted by the Women's Board. I hope to see you there! (For tickets and more info, call (312) 553-2000!)
A reminder! Don't miss the next Randolph Street Market coming
April 25/26! There's always fabulous finds at my favorite market including delicious food and fun-filled entertainment! Click here for the complete schedule and more info!
That's it for this eventful edition! I hope you enjoy reading Candid Candace as much as I love writing it! If you have any comments or suggestions, please email me at candace@candidcandace.com!
Love, as always,
Candace 🙂
P.S. If you missed my Sunday Chicago Tribune column, here it is! Ronald McDonald House Charities' hosted its biggest fundraiser, Big Mac Under Glass Gala! It was a real "circus"! Read/see more here!
