Tag Archives: Jay-Z

May 22, 2013 · 1:27 pm

CHICAGO’S GREAT “GREAT GATSBY” PARTIES!

…PLUS SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE’S “THE WALK” (NEW WATCH312 VIDEO!); PLAYBOY’S PLAYMATE OF THE YEAR PARTY (VIDEO!); FLEUROTICA 2013 (VIDEO!); LYNNE TAKES NEW YORK; ZOO BALL IS “WILD AT HEART”; JOFFREY AUXILIARY BOARD’S MASQUERADE BALL; A SPECIAL MAY BIRTHDAY PARTY; ELLEN BITCHES ABOUT FITCH AND SO MUCH MORE!

Maxim’s was the place to be on May 6th when Warner Brothers, Margaret O’Connor (MarCon Communications), Dr. Michael O’Meara and ReachMail hosted one of the hottest Gatsby parties in town. With Gatsby fever raging for months, this
invitation was coveted among the see-and-be-seen crowd and besides being a blockbuster film, Margaret had another reason for producing this event: Being a fellow Aussie like director Baz Luhrmann, she was keen to present this movie since most of the filming takes place in her native
Australia! The invitation requested guests dress in Gatsby attire with the added enticement of prizes for the most Gatsby-esque. (And it didn’t take much to encourage attendees to channel their best “Daisy” and “Jay” attire either!) Before the start of the film, Deputy Consul General of Australia in Chicago Lorenzo Strano
said he hoped the beautiful scenery would entice everyone to visit Australia. Next, Bill Zwecker and Chaz Ebert introduced the film. Chaz said “The Great Gatsby” was a favorite film and book of her late husband Roger’s and he had been eagerly awaiting the film and he
was “so jazzed” to see Baz Luhrmann’s version. She added that the last page of the book had been recited at their wedding. Bill said that he, too, was looking forward to Baz’s interpretation and that he had run into Mia Farrow (who played the part of
Daisy Buchanan in the 1974 version) in Connecticut a couple weeks earlier. After the film, guests headed over to Maxim’s, located in Chicago’s Gold Coast and once the hot spot for celebrities and the posh set back in its heyday. With its
striking plush red velvet and mahogany décor, Maxim’s was the perfect backdrop for this lavish Gatsby-themed party. At the entrance, under the canopied walkway, a blue 1931 Ford Phaeton replica, belonging to Mamie Walton and given to her at Maxim’s on her 50th birthday, was
parked alongside a lemon yellow 1947 Lincoln convertible (somewhat reminiscent of Jay Gatsby’s yellow Rolls Royce). Having their photos taken with the cars were men of style Michel Desjardins, Pierre Desy, Paul Iacono and William Holdeman, all wearing pastel suits and looking every bit the part of a 1920’s GQ fashion spread. Models dressed in ’20s attire draped themselves languorously beside the
classic cars in a fashion installation created by Kate Johnson Artistry. Others channeling Gatsby style included Mamie Walton, Margey Teller, Dr. Kathleen Albrecht, Laurie Davis, Jan Melk, Joan Colmar, Hazel Barr and couples John
Donohue & Julianne Glatz, Katie and Jason Mclenaghan, Kevin & Janine Larson and Stanley Paul & niece Joanie Legittino. Inside, music from the Stanley Paul 1920’s Theatre Collection mixed in with Jay-Z’s film soundtrack played while Gatsby-style attired guests table-hopped and chatted about Luhrmann’s dazzling 3-D
epic which captured the glamour, opulence and indulgent lifestyle of the era. Prosecco, served in keepsake flutes embossed with the Gatsby logo, flowed while servers wearing black flapper fringed dresses and sequined headpieces circulated with St. Claire vodka cocktails and
hors d’oeuvres. Models dressed in the theme of the night took pictures with guests throughout the evening and attendees took home gift bags filled with items from the sponsors that included everything from Warner Brothers’ water bottles and martini shakers
to iPad and iPhone covers and screen wipes. Prizes for “Best Gatsby Attire” included Gatsby beach bags, the book, soundtrack and more. For the film’s official opening at the Cannes Film Festival on
May 15th, there was a glittering red carpet premier. Director Luhrmann found it only fitting to premier the film first in Cannes since F. Scott Fitzgerald’s first draft of “The Great Gatsby” was completed on the French Riviera. (An extravagant
Australian premier is set for May 22nd.) Others guests seen in the crowd included Jacqui O’Neil, Dr. Michael O’Meara, Chicago Bear Henry Melton, former Bear James “Big Cat” Williams, Greg & Lily Gulik, Mary Sleger & John Murphy, Steve Traxler, Paul Iacono, Jesus Salgueiro, Sean Eshaghy, JP
Anderson, Diane Primo, Kelli Zink, Melissa & Brian Babcock, Toni Canada, Johanna Cook, Bunky Cushing, Rachel DeMarte, Michel Desjardins, Pierre Desy, Susanna Negovan, Nina Mariano, Andrea Schwartz, Sherrill Bodine, Julie Darling, Amy Wimer, Debi Lily, Sheryl Dyer, Deborah Brown (soon to be
married!), Mary Ann Rose & Heinz Kern, Dr. Joaquin Brieva & Jennifer Sutton, Joey Majumdar, Andrea and Dr. Mimis Cohen, Michael Judge, Mark Roscoe and Sheila Dorman. Maxim’s backstory: This legendary hotspot opened in 1963 and quickly became the gathering spot for celebrities and Chicago’s elite. The striking décor was an exact replica of the famous
Parisian restaurant and throughout the years Maxim’s has been used in other films – there is an extended sequence in Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds” and Owen Wilson and Marion Cotillard’s characters travel back in time to the Belle Époque and have dinner together at Maxim’s in Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris.” (Photos by Jon Recana and Alex Riemann.)

Tiffany & Co. jewels sparkled at the recent Chicago screening of “The Great Gatsby” when they rolled out the red carpet on May 15th to host an exclusive screening at the Gene Siskel Film Center.
More than 100 by-invite-only guests attended the 1920’s Jazz Age-themed cocktail party and movie premier with Tiffany designs taking center stage as models showcased pieces that appear in the film. Many of
the jewels are from Tiffany & Co.’s famed 2013 Blue Book Collection. Featured statement pieces from the Collection included The Savoy, a diamond and
freshwater cultured pearl headpiece with detachable brooch and a brilliant necklace featuring a 49.59 carat emerald-cut aquamarine. A jazz quartet set the stage for the event while guests sipped signature cocktails, including “The Daisy” and “Red Berry Mint Julep.” Passed hors d’oeuvres
included griddled buckwheat blinis with American sturgeon caviar presented by Blue Plate Catering. As the lights dimmed, guests were handed boxes of truffle salted and caramel drizzled popcorn to enjoy while they watched the fabulous show! Congrats to Tiffany’s for making a wonderful movie even more visually delightful with your awesome bling! 🙂 (Photos by Mila Samokhina…see more pics here!)

It was a night filled with fashion…but not the kind you are used to seeing on a runway: No my friend, this was the 79th annual School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s (SAIC) “The Walk,”
arguably the most creative and innovative fashion show of its kind in the country! More than 90 design students from SAIC filled the 90-foot runway with the most awe-inspiring, futuristic designs I’ve ever seen. Everything from clear plastic blazers to headgear resembling something Princess Leia would wear, it was a head-spinning evening for sure in
Millennium Park on May 3rd! The Legend of Fashion honor went to sisters Laura and Kate Mulleavy, award-
winning designers/creators of the Rodarte line which they founded in 2005. Their beautiful fashions are worn by First Lady Michelle Obama, Kiera Knightly, Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman, Kirsten Dunst, Chloe Sevigny, Tilda Swinton, Dakota Fanning,
Scarlett Johansson and Reese Witherspoon to name a few and The New Yorker calls the sisters “the most celebrated American designers working today.” Philanthropist Melissa Sage Fadim was honored with the first ever
Heart of Fashion award. Even though the runway fashions were to-die-for, the 500+ attendees could’ve taken a turn on their own runways! I always love this event because the fashions are usually as innovative on the guests as they are on the models!
This year’s stand-outs included Ellen Sandor (who looked chic wearing a student-designed cape), Azeeza Kahn (who looks great in anything all the time), Laura Kofoid (whose outfit was colorfully creative), Quintin Primo III (who was wearing a Mick Jagger-inspired jacket) and Tommy Walton (a “Check, Please!” host contender who
always makes a fashion statement). Other notables included Creatures of the Wind’s Shane Gabier, Chris Peters and Michael Walls, Todd and Sylvie Ricketts, Ikram and Josh Goldman, Nina Ricci artistic director Peter Copping,
AJ Johnson, Kim and David DeJesus, Elle magazine’s Anne Slowey, Paper magazine’s editorial director Mickey Boardman, designer Maria Pinto, Ebony’s editor-in-chief Amy Dubois Barnett, and Bill Kurtis and Donna
LaPietra. The evening raised $400,000 for SAIC – great to see the future of fashion is alive and well in Chicago with the students of SAIC! (To see ALL pics by Sara Condo and Chasitie Neal, please click here!)

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Congrats to 25-year-old Raquel Pomplun for winning the Playboy Playmate of the Year title as the first Mexican-American centerfold! Fellow Playmate Dianne Chandler attended this year’s PMOY party at
the Mansion in LA on May 16th and shared the story with me: For many of the luncheon guests, the day began with a trolley ride from UCLA’s parking lot. This is usually the case with Hef’s parties since those fine folks in Holmby Hills frown
on having cars parked on their multi-million dollar manicured lawns. Dianne says she was helped from the trolley by an exceptionally handsome Latino man whose muscles sent her into a temporary swoon. The luncheon was
held on the front lawn under a lavishly decorated tent in shades of Playmate pink and white. Chandeliers were twinkling and the day was a typical gorgeous, sunny California dream. One of the drinks offered was a non-alcoholic cucumber/water concoction (How I miss the old days…I
don’t recall any non-alcoholic drinks even offered in the ‘70s!) Dianne insists it was “delightfully refreshing” so I’ll have to take her word on this. Cooper Hefner spoke first and introduced his dad, who was dapper in a white
suit and seated with his lovely new wife Crystal Harris. (Hef recently gifted Crystal with a $4-million home on Sunset Strip.) He introduced Raquel, noting that she was chosen by the magazine’s readers, editors, photographers and
the PR department of Playboy. He presented her with a check for $100K and a year’s lease on a red Jaguar F-Style convertible. (It’s good to be PMOY these days: The checks have increased tenfold since the
days when I was a PM!) Raquel, a biochemistry major and a classically trained ballerina, had a 103-degree temperature when she shot her pics. If this layout was Raquel on a “bad day,” I can’t imagine what her photos would’ve
looked like had she been feeling well! Married at age 22 to Alejandro Pomplun, she submitted her photos via Playboy’s website with her husband’s blessing. She said posing nude “made me more confident and less obsessive about little things. I learned to appreciate my body a
little bit more. Not a little bit more. I appreciate it, period.” At the end of the day, a group photo photo was arranged by handsome and beloved Playmate promotions director, James Gonis. There were Playmates in attendance from all generations and Dianne was thrilled that Hef
remembered her from her centerfold days. (They were both alums of the University of Illinois.) All past Playmates are invited to Hef’s parties and it’s always a thrill to connect with old friends. Dianne was one of
the few Playmates who was also a Playboy Bunny: A hometown girl from Berwyn who now lives in Atlanta, she was September 1966 Playmate. Her gatefold was shot by the legendary lensman Pompeo Posar (who also shot Patti McGuire’s beautiful layouts).
Congrats to Raquel and I’m not surprised about Hef's memory: He might be growing older but he always remembers the ladies who brought him to the party! The wonderful video below was created by fellow Playmate Miss May 2010 Kassie Logsdon, who captured the afternoon perfectly!

If you’re in New York City on July 2nd, don’t miss the Big Apple debut of Chicago’s very own Diva Lynne Jordan! This soulful chanteuse will bring her Nina Simone show to City Winery on July 2nd. Located deep in the heart of SoHo, this gorgeous 300-seat venue is just the place for our girl to go BIG! Please share the news with your friends and buy your tickets now!! ($15 Music Only or upgrade to the five wine pairing, $30 admission)

The Women’s Board of the Lincoln Park Zoo recently held a Preview Party at Paul Stuart to kick-off this year’s festivities for Zoo Ball 2013: Wild at Heart. The cocktail party was hosted by dapper Paul Kelly (regional manager of Paul Stuart) at the chic Paul Stuart Oak Street location. Guests of honor included Zoo Ball co-chairs Charlotte Monhart, Vasiliki Weiden and Jennifer Caruso and
Women’s Board president Peggy Swift White. Mark Walter (CEO of Guggenheim Partners and presenting sponsor of Zoo Ball 2013) and his wife Kimbra were also in attendance alongside Lincoln Park Zoo’s president & CEO Kevin Bell. Guests enjoyed small bites courtesy
of Boutique Bites paired with Maker’s Mark cocktails and Goose Island craft beer while perusing Paul Stuart’s expansive inventory and taking in the musical styling of jazz artist Kyle Asche. The buttoned-up preview party at Paul Stuart is just a little taste of what to come at Zoo Ball 2013’s annual affair on July 12th so mark your calendars now! (For tickets and more info, please visit www.lpzooball.org.)

Fleurotica 2013 will be presented at the Museum of Contemporary Art on June 12th. Co-chaired by Deirdre Koldyke, Shauna Montgomery and Whitney Lasky this flower-filled fashion show will also include a champagne reception with small bites. The show is a unique haute couture fashion extravaganza with all of the runway designs created from a variety of flowers and greenery. (To see highlights from last year’s show, please see my Watch312 video below.) A portion of proceeds will benefit Garfield Park Conservatory’s educational programs. (For tickets – beginning at $250 – please click here!)

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The Joffrey Ballet’s Auxiliary Board is hosting an unforgettable night filled with mystery and intrigue at its inaugural Joffrey Blue Masquerade Ball on June14th. The event will be located at the Joffrey Tower at 10 E. Randolph from 8 p.m. until midnight. Partygoers are encouraged to wear their favorite masks and will be treated to complimentary cocktails, delicious bites from Chicago’s top restaurants, an exciting raffle and the hot sounds of DJ Madrid! I hope you’ll join me for this exciting night benefitting The Joffrey Ballet co-chaired by John Walcher, Camille Britton and Terrence Chapell. To purchase tickets or for more info, please visit www.joffrey.org/blue. (Individual tickets are $85.)

Thanks to the Palmer House Hilton for including me as a member of its “Iron Chef” competition on May 7th. I partnered with PH Catering Director David Brandt for an event that put me clearly out of my
comfort zone! Executive Chef Stephen Henry conducted the competition between the four teams. A long table was laid out with every kind of kitchen goody imaginable and each team had a few seconds to grab whatever ingredients they thought
they would need to add to the “secret ingredient,” which turned out to be ground beef. My team quickly whipped up delicious blue cheese mini-burgers sautéed with mushrooms and onions. In the end
(and to our surprise), the team of judges selected our team as the winners! I love this hotel and it was thrilling to take a peek behind the scenes into its gorgeous, massive kitchen area and sample its always-delicious cuisine!!
Also, don’t miss longtime Palmer House PR director Ken Price’s exciting historical presentations about this legendary hotel: He knows everything there is to know about the PH and shares it with guests in thrilling detail! (For more info about the Palmer House and Ken’s lectures, please click here!)

And last but not least, a big Happy Birthday shout-out to glam girlfriends Lynn McMahan, Kristina McGrath and Korinna Isselhardt! I loved feting these beautiful-
inside-and-out friends at one of our fav restaurants: RL. Happy guests included Nina Mariano, Michaela Parrillo, Jan Flanagan, Toni Canada, Dusty Stemer, Tracy Scurto and Patty Nalepa. Happy, happy birthday lovely ladies! (View more pics here!)

That’s it for this week! So happy the weather is finally cooperating for all of our outdoor activities! Until next time, have fun, use sunscreen and happy grilling!

Love, as always,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com

P.S. I loved this video from the “Ellen Degeneres Show” about the Abercrombie & Fitch controversy. Hope it makes you smile, too!

WVON CELEBRATES 50TH WITH STAR-STUDDED RED CARPET GALA (VIDEO!)

…PLUS CHICAGO FASHION FOUNDATION’S BIG SHOW (ON WATCH312.COM!); THODOS DANCE CHICAGO’S “21 CLUB” GALA; THE “BREAST SHOW” EVER!; IT’S A “WONDERLAND” FOR CHICAGO HOUSE; HEBRU BRANTLEY’S BIG BD/PREVIEW PARTY; ROCHELLE’S “CHECK, PLEASE!” CAMPAIGN; ST. JUDE’S RESTAURANT EXTRAVAGANZA; A BLACKHAWK WITH HEART; HOWARD BROWN’S MAD HATTER’S BRUNCH AND SO MUCH MORE!

I didn’t grow up listening to WVON but after attending its 50th golden anniversary gala on April 6th, I sure wish I had. After attending the gala, hearing the history and meeting many of the legendary radio stars, I can only imagine how exciting this time
must’ve been and still is. I sure won’t miss listening to this station moving forward though! The legends of radio and the who’s who of Who-Ville all showed up on the red carpet for this event that attracted more than 1,000 to the Chicago Theatre. The weather was unpredictable as the reporters, cameramen and photographers
all waited with breathless anticipation to see who was going to show up in the on-again, off-again drizzle. And even though the weather wasn’t perfect, it did give us all a chance to bond under the building’s canopy as we waited as kindred spirits for our scoops. A lot of
the photogs started taking pics of the various media, many of whom were all too happy to sneak onto the red carpet for their own photo ops. It was a cute bunch of newbies and veterans and I was thrilled to be there for Watch312.com. I was also delighted to have two Illinois Center for Broadcasting students with me this night as interns, Sharisa Lee and Chasitie Neal – they both did an amazing job of social media and PA support! Finally the rain let up and we all went back to our carefully secured
posts to wait and boy, was it worth it! I had delightful interviews with Malik Yusef,
musician and spoken word poet. I asked him if he had written a poem in honor of this big night for WVON and boy did he ever! He even shared some of it with me in the video below. I also had the pleasure of speaking with Dick Gregory (comedian and civil rights activist), Reverend Jesse Jackson, Governor Quinn, Matt McGill (radio host
“Matt McGill Show”), Herb Kent “The Cool Gent” (WVON personality), Robert
Townsend (comedian, writer, director and actor), Cheryl Pearson McNeil and Susan Whiting (Nielsen Company), Kenny Williams (VP Chicago White Sox) and his fiancée Zoraida Sambolin (CNN host), Mellody Hobson (president of Ariel Investments and
George Lucas’ fiancée) and so many others. It was one of the most memorable nights in recent memory, so many legends and such a rich history for this radio station dubbed “The Voice
of a Nation.” WVON’s ground-breaking achievements are far too many to list here but let’s start with the fact that it’s given a voice to a sitting president Barack Obama, Martin Luther King, helped elect Harold Washington as our first
black mayor and Carol Mosely Braun as the first African American woman elected to the Senate and so much more. The evening started with King College Prep’s marching band under the leadership
of director Benjamin Washington. This awesome band entertained at the Inaugural and can do anything – they even performed a jazzy Duke Ellington number! A surprise video from President Obama delighted the crowd
especially when he mentioned how much he regrets not being able to co-host any WVON shows now…cute! Other highlights included production numbers by choreographer Andrea Kelly; video presentation by Herb Kent
“The Cool Gent” of all of the late, great WVON personalities; Teresa Britton who sang “Here’s to Life” with the West Point Choir; a video of Reverend Jesse Jackson’s “I Am Somebody” speech at the Million Man
March; Marv Dyson’s presentation of the Broadcast Pioneer Award to Pervis Spann “The Blues Man”; Robert Townsend who said “WVON was the soundtrack of my life”; broadcast pioneer Cathy
Hughes (“Chicago is the seat of black power.”); Craig Gilmore who presented a moving video clip titled “Impact 50” presented by State Farm (which will be shown in its entirety on WTTW); Reverend Al Sharpton (who
is scary skinny) and WVON president Melody Spann-Cooper’s introduction of her “band” which consisted of all of the event chairs, Mellody Hobson, Jim Reynolds, Earl Jones, Cathy Hughes and Susan Whiting “playing
instruments.” After their performance, Mellody said, “I have no idea how I got them all to do this!” The three-hour-long program featured Toni Braxton who appeared with her two glam sisters as backup singers.
She looked stunning in a flowing red gown and performed tirelessly for the appreciative crowd. And the party didn’t stop then nor did the rain keep guests from attending the after-party via private trolleys at the Museum of Broadcast Communications. It was a packed house offering guests
cocktails, delicious food and more entertainment! One of my personal highlights was meeting Minister Louis Farrakhan – everyone may not agree with his teachings but you sure can’t say the guy isn’t charismatic!
Women were flocking to him in droves as he left his balcony box to make his exit, surrounded by Nation of Islam (NOA) bodyguards. I’m so thrilled for Melody Spann-Cooper and the important voices and
messages people can hear on WVON. Just tune into 1690 AM because I have a feeling this is just the beginning for this vibrant spot on the dial. Happy 50th and many, many more WVON! (Fab fotos by Mila Samokhina.)

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The Chicago Fashion Foundation hosted its biggest and best annual scholarship benefit at the Hard Rock Hotel on March 21st. Fifteen finalists, all students at local fashion colleges, competed for scholarship prizes amounting to $7K in front of a
sold-out, standing room only crowd. I was thrilled to return as a judge for this sixth annual “Future of Chicago Fashion” event founded by Chicago’s own Lana Bramlette in the kitchen of her home. She wanted to promote Chicago’s fashion scene and our town’s rich pool of design talent so she gathered like-minded friends together and created this wonderful
organization that gives back to the community as well as giving a leg up to local design students.
Other judges included Andrea Schwartz (Macy’s VP of Media Relations & Cause Marketing); Diego Rocha (handbag designer and “Project Accessory” contestant); Frances Renk (formerly Sequin Jewelry, consultant); Helen Berkun (contributing editor Glossed & Found) and J.P. Anderson (editor, Michigan Avenue Magazine). Before the fashion show began at 8:30 p.m., the students presented their designs for
judging. Each one had created jaw-dropping ensembles and it was difficult to decide who should take home the first place prize of $5,000,
second place prize of $1,000 and third place of $500. CFF Board members Amanda Domaleczny and Beth Lambert were on hand to greet the attendees and introduce the show. The designers were instructed to choose a time period as their inspiration. Valerie Baker (College of DuPage) chose the
1950’s as her inspiration. Her clear plastic jacket was a wonderful contrast over a navy blue, jersey column gown. Kenneth Beal was influenced by the 1750’s and created a red and white rococo ensemble that
reminded me of Tom Cruise as the Vampire Lestat. Amela Bego Harper was inspired by the 1960’s creating a hand-crocheted evening gown in yarn she bought in Paris. Myra Chung’s influence was the 1860’s and she was inspired by “Gone with the Wind.” Her
white, ruffled and beaded cocktail dress could also be worn over cigarette pants as a tunic. (She took third place.) Columbia College’s Elly Dongoski was influenced by the Spanish armada and the conquistadors of the 1500’s. Other designers included the Art Institute’s Kara Fenoglietto whose influence was the 1940’s. Her
crystal encrusted grey/blue top was a hit with the judges (winning second place) along with the leather pant she designed to go with it. Erin VonKannon
from Dominican University created a dramatic wire cage dress. Other student designers included Lauren Jackson, Megan Knape, Martha (Cindy) Lopez, Rich Masciantonio, Amber Steven, Cecilia Tito and Hayley Zimet. There was so much talent there our heads were spinning as was the SRO crowd who were on hand this night. But in the end, Agnes Hamerlik (Harper College) stole our hearts literally and figuratively with her “celebration of
life” ensemble that incorporated so many painstakingly difficult
details. Her cut-out stitching on the cuffs alone took 15 hours to finish. You could almost see the hand-beaded heart on the front beating it was so lifelike – even the sequins, which represented the blood flowing down the front, were hand-cut. It was a design that could
have easily been shown now on the runways of Paris and New York. Remember her name, since I know you will be hearing a lot more from her! Agnes was the grand prize winner receiving the $5,000 scholarship check
named in honor of patron Doris Scott Behr. Congrats to ALL of these talented designers! I think we’re going to need a lot more space next year for this much loved event honoring fashion in Chicago! Watch all of the action and join the party on my Watch312.com video below! And to see ALL event pics, please click here!

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Nearly 200 fans, friends and supporters of Thodos Dance Chicago, the contemporary dance company founded by Melissa Thodos, kicked up their heels at the company’s 21st anniversary gala “21 Club” recently at the
Chicago Cultural Center. The evening raised nearly $70K for the dance company known locally, nationally and internationally for its unique, three-tiered mission of inspiring expression through dance education, creation and performance.
Kim Vatis, NBC 5 anchor, longtime supporter of Thodos and chair of the “21 Club” host committee helped plan a classy, fun-filled evening themed to New York’s historic restaurant and prohibition-era speakeasy, the 21 Club. Honorary co-chairs were Anne Reinking,
the Tony Award-winning Broadway star, and frequent Thodos Dance Chicago guest artist Gary Chryst. Also lending their time and talents to make the gala a success were event chairs Courtney Pitt, Lesli Babbs, Diane Reilly, Michael Nugent, Joy Wingren, Lisa Malkin, David
Hall and Carla Hahan. Fans of New York’s 21 Club recall that during prohibition, only insiders armed with a secret password could gain entry to the restaurant and its secret underground
wine cellar. Guests enjoyed the very same private privilege as they entered TDC’s modern-day 21 Club, where they encountered an exciting evening including cocktails, cabaret entertainment by Tommy Hensel and Dan Stetzel, a silent auction, a wine roulette wheel, a delicious dinner followed by dancing late into the night to the music of Swing
Assembly. The live entertainment highlight was a performance by the Thodos Dance Chicago Youth
Ensemble and an exclusive sneak peek of Ann Reinking and Melissa Thodos’ newest production entitled “A Light in the Dark, the story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan,” an intimate dance/theater piece about the extraordinary woman who was deaf and blind yet went on to become a world-famous writer, political activist and inspiration to all. As a teaching company, members of this highly-trained ensemble hold BAs and MFAs in
dance, and teach at the elementary, high school and university levels. For more info about this incredible company, please visit www.thodosdancechicago.org. (Photos by Charles Osgood…view more pics here!)

Howard Brown Health Center and Bright Pink have partnered to host the fourth annual “Breast Show EVER!”, a breast health awareness and burlesque-themed event on April 17th at Mary’s Attic, located at 5400 N. Clark, from 7 to 9 p.m. This event will teach attendees everything they need to know about breast health in a fun, upbeat and energetic environment. Featuring performances by top performing members of Chicago’s burlesque community, this revue will be filled with life-saving breast and ovarian health tips and trivia. The event is FREE and open to the public! For more info, please contact Betsy Rubinstein at 773.388.8993 or email betsyr@howardbrown.org.

Here’s something for the young and the young at heart! Chicago Children’s Theatre Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell announced the company’s 2012-13 season finale, a world premiere collaboration with Redmoon’s Frank Maugeri to create “The Elephant and The Whale.” This all-new family fable
features sea voyages, wild mechanical objects, circus songs, panoramic paintings, exquisite shadow puppets and an innovative sound design. Performances run thru May 26th at Chicago Children’s Theatre’s new home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, located at 1016 N. Dearborn. The year is 1919 and it’s the end of an era for a beloved circus elephant named Ella. When a nefarious new owner takes over the homegrown Hoogebeck Family show, Ella the star
elephant discovers an unexpected new animal in the circus: a landlocked and homesick baby whale. What happens next is a unique story of friendship and adventure spanning species, rivers, railroads and nautical miles. Single tickets start at $25 and are on sale now. To purchase, visit www.chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (872) 222-9555. For group rates, visit www.GroupTix.net or call (773) 327-3778.

The Chicago Architecture Foundation will honor Richard and Mary Gray on April 19th at its 38th annual gala at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, located at 221 N. Columbus Dr. Co-Chaired by architect Dirk Lohan and CAF Board Chairman John Pintozzi, this event honors the Grays for their shared commitment to the
arts and the preservation of significant architectural landmarks including Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House. The evening, themed “Architecture is Art,” also recognizes 2013
as the 50th anniversary of the opening of The Richard Gray Gallery, where he was the first to host a show recognizing architects as artists with an exhibition featuring The Chicago Seven in 1967. The “Chicago Seven” was a first-generation postmodern group of architects in Chicago. The original seven were Stanley Tigerman, Laurence O. Booth, Stuart
Cohen, Ben Weese, James Ingo Freed, Thomas Beeby and James L. Nagle. In the spirit of the theme, the gala will feature an auction offering original works of art by some of Chicago’s most renowned architects including Tigerman of Tigerman McCurry, Phil Enquist of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Peter Exley of Architecture Is Fun, Carlos Martinez of Gensler, Gyo
Obata of HOK, Martin Wolf of Solomon Cordwell Buenz and Dirk Lohan of Lohan Anderson. The auction will also include original photography from Hedrich Blessing and Annie Leibovitz. Joan Gand, one of CAF’s trustees will perform with her blues and soul band: The Blue Road Band featuring special guest Shirley King, daughter of the legendary B.B. King. (For tickets and more info, please click here!)

Chicago House, the first organization in the Midwest to provide housing and support for people living with HIV and AIDS, will celebrate its 26th Annual Spring Brunch and Fashion Show at the Harold Washington Library on May 5th, from noon to 3:30 p.m. Join Chicago House for this annual event titled “Wonderland” which will feature a three-course brunch, silent auction and
fashion show featuring local designers and boutiques. Chicago House CEO Stan J. Sloan, co-chairs Colin Falco and Shira Kollins and special events manager Jeremy Hilborn hopes to take their guests on a topsy-turvy journey which will tease at storybook characters with a fashionable twist. “Chicago House serves such a diverse population, including members of Chicago’s LGBT community, and we want to relay a message that in our own ‘Wonderland,’ anything goes!,” said
Hilborn. The fashion show will headline spring 2013 looks from AZZA, Cram, Bonobos, Lulu’s On The Avenue, Suit Supply, Ramsey Prince Designs and Ricorso. The organization will also present its annual Spirit Award to Illinois State Representative Kelly Cassidy, in acknowledging her ongoing advocacy for women, the LGBT communities and Chicago House. For tickets and more info, please visit www.chicagohouse.org.

Hebru Brantley, nationally recognized Chicago art superstar, celebrated his birthday in grand style recently with a blow-out bash at Ultra Gallery’s Lacuna Artist Lofts (located at 2150 S. Canalport) with 1,000 friends and fans. This
birthday celebration and collector’s preview, “Downtown 88,” was hosted by Hennessy Black and also featured music by legendary rapper Q-Tip. Hebru was joined by his model girlfriend, Angela Carrol, who never left his side the entire night. A
specially made birthday cake was wheeled out half-way through the event as Q-Tip led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday.” Other entertainment included a stilt walker, a woman who danced with fire sticks and ballet dancers. Hebru was presented with a crystallized bottle of Hennessy Black bearing his name which he used to toast the crowd. Brantley is a favorite among elite art collectors and has
recently had a piece purchased by Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter for a reported $20K! (Swizz Beatz and Lupe Fiasco are also lovers of his work.) Brantley draws influence from an array of pop culture icons, comic book heroes, Japanese anime and the bold aesthetics of street art pioneers Jean Michel Basquiat, Kaws and Keith Haring. His recent focus is to share energetic narratives, moments of reality from his life and the lives of his peers, mixed with fantastical fiction to create a fragmented environment of
make-believe. Spray paint is often at the forefront of these mixed-media illustrations, working in part to “de-contextualize the levity of cartoon imagery
and bring a critical edge into the white cube.” From this, Brantley has developed his own unique style and identifies as an Afro-Futurist. His creative process is akin to free-form journaling and he uses a variety of surfaces and media including wood, spray paint, coffee and tea. His work delves into political and social issues with a conscious focus on playful insight and the optimism and possibilities of youth. Recognized nationally for public works and solo shows in
Chicago, Brantley has exhibited in San Francisco, Atlanta, Miami, Seattle, Los Angeles and New York. He was most recently the winner of the Redbull Curates Chicago contest and
will exhibit at Scope art fair in December. Brantley has been commissioned by Skyy Vodka, Nike and Tyra Banks, he created the Lollapalooza poster for the 25th anniversary of the festival in 2011 and is exhibited regularly by Tim Yarger Gallery in Beverly Hills and Kasia Kay Art Projects in Chicago. Two of
Brantley’s paintings are currently featured at the American Embassy in Stockholm through 2013. Brantley earned a BA in film from Clark Atlanta University and has a background in design and media illustration. To learn more about this amazing artist, please visit his website. We have a legend in our midst…catch him while you can. (Photos by Onassis.)

Don’t miss the 49th International Film Festival Television Awards on April 23rd from 5:30 p.m. through 9 p.m. at Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, located at 221 N. Columbus Dr. The event will be hosted by Jeanne Sparrow, co-host of “You & Me This Morning” on WCIU. As part of the event, journalist Walter Jacobson will be presented
with the inaugural “Chicago Legend Award.” Other honorees include ad agency Leo Burnett and ESPN Films. The evening will feature a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres, followed by the awards ceremony in the main ballroom. Video clips will be screened with surprise guests from the industry. For tickets ($75) and more info, please visit www.chicagofilmfestival.com.

The 12th Annual Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence will be held on April 26th at 700 S. Des Plaines. Hosted by Inese and Richard Driehaus, the event will offer $8,500 worth of design scholarship prizes as well as the Macy’s Choice Award, which will give the winner the opportunity to display their designs at Macy’s on State Street. There will also be a live auction conducted by Leslie Hindman, a high energy runway show and an after-party; Linda Yu will return as emcee. For tickets and more info, please visit www.driehausdesign.org.

St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital will host its 19th St. Jude Four Stars of Chicago Restaurant Extravaganza on April 17th at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers, located at 301 E. North Water St. This special evening will offer cuisine from some of Chicago’s top restaurants, a cocktail reception, live and silent auctions and special St. Jude patient speaker, Emily Daniels. For tickets and more info, please click here!

There are 17 finalists in the running for the host of WTTW’s “Check Please!” but one creative finalist, Rochelle Trotter, rallied support and hoped to rock the vote with a campaign party at Tavernita recently with 200 friends and
supporters. This “Check4Rochelle” party included a specialty cocktail dubbed “Yo, Ro!” as well as “Check, Please!”-themed sugar cookies created by Jacob Neminarz of Sugar Hills Bakery. Attendees included Alex Vasileski, Anna Davlantes, Azeeza
Khan, Chanel Cooney, Saira and Christopher Cooper, Frances and Chris Renk, Denise Dayan, Gayle Anthony, Jared Hatch, Jeff Conway, Karyn Calabrese, Laurie Davis, DJ Madrid Perry, Natasha Isaacs, Paul Iacono, Chef Ryan Poli,
Vonita Reescer, Wilbert Jones, William Heard, Yana Nirshberg and Michael Scott Carter among others. Other finalists for “Check, Please!” include Cassidy Stirtz (server/actor); Tony Diaz (sous chef at Maude’s Liquor Bar); Senam Amegashie (freelance
writer); Sarah Levy (owner of S. Levy Foods/magazine editor); Donny DeCastro (owner of Tavern at the Park); Frank Brunacci (former executive chef at Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago, currently chef at The
Chefs Diamond Co.); Flavia Magdalin (general manager at RL Restaurant); Tommy Walton (fashion design teacher at SAIC); Ina Pinkney (chef/owner of Ina’s Kitchen); Emilie Rose Bishop (chief mixologist at
iNG); Anthony Todd (food and drink editor for Chicagoist.com/Chicago editor for Citysearch.com); Cristiane Pereira (chef/owner of Taste of Brasil Café); Catherine de Orio (president at Culinary Curator); Cleetus Friedman
(former chef/owner of City Provisions); Alia Dalal (personal chef/food tour guide); and Bill St. John (wine writer for the Chicago Tribune/professor at the University of Chicago’s Graham School). The polls close April 17th, so cast your vote HERE and may the best foodie win!

A Blackhawk with heart! Earlier this month, Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith and his wife Kelly-Rae met the Pfister family of Norco, Calif., at the Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children’s to give the family a proper send-off. Heart surgery patient Andrew Pfister (just six months old), this week received the long-awaited “go-ahead” to return home to California. Andrew was born with an extremely rare heart defect and recently underwent delicate surgery at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital. For the past few weeks, Andrew has been recovering on the floor sponsored by the Keiths so Duncan and his wife decided a proper send-off was in order! What a happy story! Good luck Andrew and great job Duncan and Kelly-Rae! 🙂

Howard Brown’s Mad Hatter’s Brunch attracted more than 200 Chicagoans sporting their most outrageous and zany hats for this inaugural fundraiser to benefit programs and services for the Broadway Youth Center. Held at Zed451, the event featured
entertainment by The Kinsey Sicks – America’s Favorite Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet, who dazzled the audience with their lyrical satire about pop culture and politics. For more info and event updates from the Howard Brown Health Center, please click here!

I’m so happy to finally have my blog out today! My computer is about ready to give up so it’s been touch and go trying to type between the black-outs. Hopefully, the next time you read my blog, it will be from a brand new computer! In the meantime, I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s Candid Candace and will “like” it and “share” it! Please send any comments or suggestions to me at Candace@CandidCandace.com!

Love, as always,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com

P.S. After a mother chimpanzee died in a zoo, one of the zoo’s employees took the newly orphaned chimp home to care for it. It never occurred to him that his dog, who had just given birth, would give it unconditional love. Awwwwwwww! 🙂

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January 25, 2013 · 1:04 pm

WOOD AND DEJESUS WARM UP & STRIKE A POSE!

…PLUS INAUGURATION (CELEBS & PARTIES), THODOS TURNS 21, JAN’S OSCAR SWAG, BLACK CREATIVITY GALA, TICKLED PINK, CHEEKIEST CHICKS OF 2013, EMERGE! IS ON FOR NYFW, SHELLEY’S “THING CALLED LOVE,” CHEF ART'S BIG BASH, MY TOP 2012 VIDEO MOMENTS ON WATCH312 AND SO MUCH MORE!

It was the second annual Woody’s Winter Warm-Up hosted by beloved former Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood and his beautiful wife, Sarah. I attended the inaugural event last year and it seemed to double in size this time,
which I was thrilled to see! Everyone wants to support this charitable pair and there were more than 400 guests at Harry Caray’s Tavern at Navy Pier to celebrate. The line snaked down the hallway with early arrivals and you could hear the excited voices as soon as you entered the building. Trolleys had been
scheduled to bring all of the players from the Cubs Convention on Friday night to Navy Pier so there were a lot of anxious PR people working their radios – at one point, I heard that a driver
had gotten lost! The red carpet was co-hosted by two of my favorite people, Windy City Live’s Ryan Chiaverini and Whitney Reynolds (who will be hosting her own show on WTTW coming soon!). The press was out in force for this party that included sports stars past and
present, media personalities and top-notch entertainment. Emceed by radio personality Pete McMurray and TV/radio
show host Jane Monzures, the night included meet-and-greet opportunities, an open bar, dinner buffet and a raffle with ALL proceeds benefitting the Wood Family Foundation (WFF). A silent auction included sports memorabilia such as signed
jerseys from Cubs Hall of Famers Ernie Banks and Fergie Jenkins, a signed retirement flag from Banks, a Kerry Wood signed jersey, a W flag signed by players,
numerous signed baseballs (lucky collector Tom Strehle nabbed one signed by Billy Williams) and a football signed by Mike Ditka with a bottle of Ditka merlot thrown in for good measure. Guests enjoyed
musical performances by rock n’ roll Hall of Famer Dave Mason and R&B singer Gina Venier but the group that brought the house down was Chi-Town’s Finest Breakers! These five
siblings, ranging in age from 7 to 14 years old, have appeared on Ellen and Oprah and were back-up dancers for Justin Bieber. Their acrobatic skills were a sight to behold: Spinderella holds the world record for the longest head spin at
more than 15 minutes! DJ Greg Corner (an Obama favorite) started and finished the night with some eclectic tunes with a highlight of the evening
happening near the end when Cubs players signed their bartending shirts and auctioned them off to the crowd. Guests seen on the scene included Cubs Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, Matt Garza, Darwin Barney, Starlin Castro, David and Kim DeJesus, Jeff Samardzija, Travis Wood,
James Russell, Wellington Castro, Tom Ricketts, Theo Epstein, Cheryl Scott, Peggy Kusinski, Stefan Holt, Kathy Hart, Rafer Weigel, Showbiz Shelley, AJ Johnson, Megan and Lance Josh Needle, Trevor Mosvaugh, Grant
DePorter, Shawn Camp, Nick Struck, DC Crenshaw, Glaros, Nick Roach, Jody Davis, Josh Vitters, Anthony Rizzo, Tom Strehle, Daphne Ortiz, Dale, Sveum, Kelli Zink, Luis Gomez, Hannah
O’Leary, Beth Heller, Laurie Dimakos, Kate Gaddi and Tony Campana. All proceeds from the evening (more than $100K) benefitted the Wood Family Foundation, which works to improve the
lives of children in and around Chicago by raising funds and awareness for its children’s programs and other children’s charities they support. This year, Sarah announced that the organization opened the Wood Family Foundation
playroom on the oncology floor at Lurie Children’s, broke ground on Kerry Wood Cubs Field, held a free baseball clinic in Englewood, supplied more than 400 coats and toys to Nash Elementary and, for the first
time, will be sending a student to UIC on a full scholarship. I was told that near the end of the evening, Kerry even paid out of his own pocket to extend the party! I heard many other stories
this night about the generosity of the Wood family and I stand in awe. Congrats Sarah and Kerry on all of your many good works! I can’t wait to see what next year brings! To learn more about the WFF, please click here.

Good deeds seems to be the hallmark of our Chicago Cubs as outfielder David DeJesus and his wife Kim hosted more than 275 guests at the River East Arts Center on January 17th for their inaugural Strike a Pose Fashion Show benefitting
their non-profit, the David DeJesus Family Foundation. The show featured Cubs players and their wives walking the runway in fashions from the 900 North Michigan Shops, Peach Carr Designs and Two Penny Blue. NBC’s Cheryl Scott welcomed everyone before taking to the runway and host David DeJesus enlisted the help of teammate Anthony Rizzo to help announce the show. The evening raised more than
$180K to help in the fight against ALS. Kim and David presented a video
that featured their dear friend Brian Schnurstein (who was in attendance) and his personal struggle since being diagnosed with this disease. Brian’s wife, Lindsay, spoke eloquently and from the heart about the affects ALS has had on
her family. Guests enjoyed cocktails and food from some of Chicago’s hottest restaurants while listening to the sounds of DJ Kasper K. The live and silent
auctions raised about $80K and featured courtside Bulls tickets, a diamond necklace, field lessons with David DeJesus and autographed sports memorabilia. Runway VIPs included Kerry and Sarah Wood, Darwin and Lindsay Barney,
Shawn Camp, Tony Campana, Starlin Castro, Steve Clevenger, Scott Feldman, Brett Jackson, Anthony Rizzo, James Russell, Ian Stewart, Travis and Brittany Wood, Matt Garza and “The Bachelorette” winner Ed
Swiderski. VIP guests in attendance included designer Peach Carr (Project Runway Season 8 and Project Runway All Stars Season 2), Tom, Pete and Todd Ricketts, Chef Art Smith, Cubs president of operations Theo Epstein
and wife Marie Whitney (Two Penny Blue), Patrick Mannelly (Chicago Bear) and Dave Kaplan (Comcast). “It has been a longtime desire to host a charity event in our hometown of Chicago,” said David. “We felt it was only natural to make our first fundraiser dedicated to raising funds for research, patient care and family support for those suffering from ALS.” “We are excited to give ALS a voice in this city!” added Kim. For more info, visit the foundation's website. (To see ALL event pics by Hallie Duesenberg, click here!)

I was thrilled to cover so many fabulous Chicago parties last year for my Watch312.com show, "Candid Candace Chicago." I hope you enjoy some of my favorite moments below! 🙂

http://player.ooyala.com/player.js?embedCode=BrYTlwODrrr0V6gmZixZIvLSSsdXOnG4&height=360&videoPcode=h4bTAxOr07tTMKfe-w1HbzyTnrCy&width=490

Celebrity Chef Art Smith hosted a late night Chef’s Ball at his hot Washington, D.C. restaurant, Art & Soul (located in The Liaison Capitol Hill Affinia Hotel) on January 19th to
celebrate President Obama’s inauguration with Washingtonians, visitors, friends and the D.C. restaurant community in attendance. (Executive Chef Wes Morton co-chaired the Ball with
Art). A portion of the proceeds from the evening benefitted Common Threads, a non-profit founded by Art and partner Jesus Salguiero that helps low-income children understand the
importance of nutrition and physical well-being. Five additional D.C. chefs prepared late night bites for the event, as well, with some of the proceeds also benefitting their charities of choice. They included Erik Bruner-Yang (chef/owner Toki Underground), Scott
Drewno (executive chef The Source), Todd Gray (co-owner/chef Equinox Restaurant), Rock Harper
(Hell’s Kitchen Season 3 winner and director of Kitchen Operations, D.C. Central Kitchen) and Mike Isabella (Top Chef All-Stars finalist and chef/owner Graffiato, Kapnos and G). “Washington, D.C. is a burgeoning food town and when Americans
visit our nation’s capital they should expect to eat well and party well into the morning,” said Chef Art Smith. “I’ve invited some of the most talented chefs I know in D.C. to help host a ball that chefs and foodies can enjoy while raising funds for their charities and showcasing some of the best food D.C. has to offer!” (Don’t miss Art and Jesus’ next BIG Chicago event, World Festival, on March 4th – details here!)

More inaugural party news with Oscar winner Jamie Foxx and rapper will.I.Am kicking off the Hennessy V.S Inauguration Takeover at the swanky Park at 14th in
Washington, D.C. Foxx took over the event performing for more than two hours and brought the packed house down as he sang several songs from his catalog including “Unpredictable” and
“Blame It” as well as popular songs that included “All Gold Everything” by Trinidad James and A$AP Rocky's hit song “F*ckin' Problems.” will.I.Am also performed with NY Giants
superstar Victor Cruz and radio personality Big Tigger. Foxx got a chance to visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial and said, “Please know that we're living in spectacular times for
African Americans.” He also gave a shout-out to his "Django Unchained" co-stars and shared these thoughts: “Thank you for your support of this film. Every day on the set, I thought of you and how you would enjoy this film. The only thing that mattered after we did that movie was if black folks liked it. It was about respecting you guys.” (Photos courtesy of Jeff Dormeus.)

Don’t miss the exciting Thodos Dance Company’s 21st anniversary gala, 21 Club, at the Chicago Cultural Center on Saturday, February 2nd. TDC founder/artistic director Melissa Thodos and Tony Award-winning Broadway star and frequent TDC collaborator Ann Reinking will preview their latest creative collaboration A Light in the Dark, the
story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan. NBC 5 news anchor Kim Vatis will emcee this special evening that will be themed to New York’s historic restaurant and prohibition-era speakeasy, the 21 Club. Co-chaired by Reinking and guest artist Gary Chryst, the gala will be capped off with a performance by the Thodos Dance Chicago Youth Ensemble. For tickets, $275, and more info, please click here or call 312.266.6255.

HUGE congrats to Jan Lewis, wife of legendary jazz man Ramsey Lewis: Her beautiful jewelry has been selected for inclusion in the prestigious Everybody Wins at the Oscars Nominee Bag! The
unique, eye catching, hand crafted Fair Trade bangles will be hand delivered the morning after the Oscars telecast to all of the nominees and host Seth MacFarlane. “I started this business focused only on creating a new line, a new
look, for discriminating women who appreciate unique, moderately priced jewelry,” Ms. Lewis said. “My focus was also on Fair Trade. Each bangle is a one-of-a-kind piece and all of our jewelry is individually hand crafted by our artists in India who are paid a fair wage.”

I hope to see you at Saturday (1/26) night’s 30th annual Black Creativity Gala at the Museum of Science and Industry! Honorary gala co-chairs are the Honorable Anne Burke, AARP’s Merri Dee and Northern Trust Bank’s Connie Lindsey. The night will include a juried exhibition of more than 100 pieces of artwork by African-
American artists from around the country. The evening’s proceeds will support the museum’s Black Creativity Program. For tickets ($350), contact Octavia Hooks at 773.947.3729 or visit www.msichicago.org.

Tickled Pink, one of the hottest parties for a great cause, returns to the River East Art Center on February 8th. This event was founded in 2005 after Carrie Kenney lost her seven-year battle with breast cancer the year before at the age of 35. Her cousin Jodi Fyfe gathered a group of close friends and colleagues to start Tickled Pink Chicago in honor of Carrie. For tickets ($95) and more info, please click here!

And now, The Joffrey Ballet’s Women’s Board presents something special for Valentine’s Day! Chicago’s own Shelley MacArthur will star in a benefit performance called “What is This Thing Called Love?” on February 14th (of course!) at the Murphy Auditorium, located at 50 E. Erie St. A lavish pre-performance cocktail
reception begins at 6 p.m. followed by a 7:15 p.m. show. Shelley’s special guests include Rodrick Dixon and Alfreda Burke with orchestration by The City Lights Orchestra conducted by Rich Daniels. For tickets ($350) and more info, please email love@joffrey.org or call 312.386.8921. Hope to see YOU there!

Congrats to all of the deserving Cheeky Chicks of 2013!! At a recent party at PUBLIC Hotel, honorees included Megan Chappell (founder of TruHarmony Yoga), Monika Dixon (prez of Monika Dixon PR), Meg Galus (exec pastry chef of NoMI Kitchen), Coco Meers (founder of PrettyQuick.com), Laura Modica (nightlife director at
PUBLIC Hotel), Shannon O’Brien (freelance makeup artist), Brittney Payton (host of “Chicago’s Best”); Lindsay Segal (co-founder of Luxury Garage Sale), Laura Schwartz (political correspondent and author) and Jenna Zielbauer (founder of Cotton Candy Couture). I also loved the fab write-up in the Sun-Times that featured CheekyChicago.com founders Jessica Zweig and Erica Bethe Levin! Woot woot!

Emerge!, the fashion collective showcasing local talent, returns during New York Fashion Week on February 12th! Produced and founded by Dionne Williams, this year’s Emerge! designers will include Parul Aneja (Gorgeous Ways), Deidre Jefferies (Espion Atelier), Bernice Morgan (Designersberg) and C. ‘Butterfli Tia’ Dunkley. Red carpet arrivals will begin at 6 p.m. with the show and Innovator Award Ceremony beginning at 7 p.m. at the Broad Street Ballroom, located at 41 Broad St. in NYC. For more info, please call 312.243.9060, email Dionne@dwilliamspr.com or visit www.dwilliamspr.com.

A first!!!! I had such a thrill designing my very own handbag at the hot Lincoln Park store Laudi Vidni at 1007 W. Armitage! Co-founder Laura Kofoid approached me a while back and we finally had a chance to
meet over a design concept. Their philosophy empowers women to be their own brand, think outside the logo and gives them the opportunity to design high-quality leather handbags that reflect their own tastes and needs, not those of someone else. With more than 40
imported leathers to choose from and 10,000+ possible style combos, it was a daunting task but I can’t wait to share my design concept with you – I think it will be THE perfect clutch! An in-store celebration is planned to introduce my bag to the public so I hope you can join me! Details to follow! “We
believe fashion is limitless and the only ‘rule’ that should be followed is one that says do what you like,” said Kofoid. AMEN!

I’ll be returning to “Windy City Live” on February 25th to share some of my TOP parties for the month of March! I hope you will tune in and check out some of Chicago’s hottest happenings!

Loved the inauguration and loved seeing all of the cool fashions, especially on this glam pair! Hope you’re enjoying January and I hope to see you next week!

Love, as always,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com

P.S. If you or someone you know is interested in a career in television, radio, production, broadcasting or emerging media, check out the Illinois Centers for Broadcasting! I’m so exciting to be conducting a seminar at the Chicago campus on February 9th on entertainment reporting! During my video presentation using clips from my past shows, I'll share my dos and don’ts of the interview process with some of the top movie stars in the world! Sign up and see! (You must be an enrolled student). Hope to see you there!