Tag Archives: Jeff Conway

April 15, 2013 · 1:24 pm

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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Tagged as 19th St. Jude Four Stars of Chicago Restaurant Extravaganza, 21 Club, 49th International Film Festival Television Awards, A Light in the Dark the Story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan, Agnes Hamerlik, Alex Vasileski, Alia Dalal, Amanda Domaleczny, Amber Steven, Amela Bego Harper, Andrea Kelly, Andrew Pfister, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, Anna Davlantes, Anne Reinking, Annie Leibovitz, Anthony Todd, Azeeza Khan, AZZA, B.B. King, Barack Obama, Ben Weese, Benjamin Washington, Beth Lambert, Betsy Rubenstein, Bill St. John, Bonobos, Breast Show EVER!, Bright Pink, Broadway Youth Center, Candace Jordan, Candid Candace, Carla Hahan, Carlos Martinez, Carol Mosley Braun, Cassidy Stirtz, Catherine de Orio, Cathy Hughes, Cecilia Tito, Chanel Cooney, Charles Osgood, Chasitie Neal, Check Please!, Check4Rochelle, Chef Ryan Poli, Cheryl Pearson McNeil, Chicago Architecture Foundation, Chicago Children’s Theatre, Chicago Fashion Foundation, Chicago House, chicago theatre, Christopher Cooper, Cleetus Friedman, Colin Falco, Courtney Pitt, Craig Gilmore, CRAM, Cristiane Pereira, Dan Stetzel, David Hall, Denise Dayan, Diane Reilly, Dick Gregory, Dirk Logan, Dirk Lohan, DJ Madrid Perry, Donny DeCastro, Doris Scott Behr, Downtown 88, Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence, Duke Ellington, Duncan Keith, Earl Jones, Elly Dongoski, Emilie Rose Bishop, Emily Daniels, Erin VonKannon, Farnsworth House, Flavia Magdalin, Frances and Chris Renk, Frank Brunacci, Frank Maugerie, Future of Chicago Fashion, Gary Chryst, Gayle Anthony, George Lucas, Governor Pat Quinn, Gyo Obata, Hard Rock Hotel, Harold Washington, Hayley Zimet, Hebru Brantley, Hennessy Black, Herb Kent The Cool Gent, Howard Brown, Howard Brown Health Center, Illinois Center for Broadcasting, Ina Pinkney, Ines Driehaus, Jacob Neminarz, Jacqueline Russell, James Ingo Freed, James L. Nagle, Jared Hatch, Jay-Z, Jean Michel Basquiat, Jeanne Sparrow, Jeff Conway, Jeremy Hilborn, Jim Reynolds, Joan Gand, John Pintozzi, Joy Wingren, Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Kara Fenoglietto, Karyn Calabrese, Kasia Kay Art Projects, Kaws, Keith Haring, Kelly Cassidy, Kelly-Rae Keith, Kenneth Beal, Kenny Williams, Kim Vatis, King College Prep, Lana Bramlette, Lauren Jackson, Laurence O. Booth, Laurie Davis, Lesli Babbs, Leslie Hindman, Linda Yu, Lisa Malkin, Lollapalooza, Lulu’s on the Avenue, Lupe Fiasco, Macy’s Choice Award, Mad Hatter’s Brunch, Malik Yusef, Martha Cindy Lopez, Martin Luther King, Martin Wolf, Marv Dyson, Mary Gray, Mary’s Attic, Matt McGill, Megan Knape, Melissa Thodos, Mellody Hobson, Michael Nugent, Michael Scott Carter, Mies van der Rohe, Mila Samokhina, Minister Louis Farrakhan, Museum of Broadcast Communications, Myra Chung, Natasha Isaacs, Nike, Onassis, Paul Iacono, Pervis Spann The Blues Man, Peter Exley, Pfister family, Phil Enquist, Q-Tip, Ramsey Prince Designs, Redbull Curates Chicago, Redmoon, Reverend Al Sharpton, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Rich Masciantonio, Richard Driehaus, Richard Gray, Richard Gray Gallery, Ricorso, Robert Townsend, Rochelle Trotter, Ronald McDonald House, Ruth Page Center for the Arts, Saira Cooper, Sarah Levy, Scope, Senam Amegashie, Sharisa Lee, Shawn Carter, Shira Kollins, Shirley King, Skyy Vodka, Spirit Award, St, Stan J. Sloan, Stanley Tigerman, State Farm, Stuart Cohen, Sugar Hills Bakery, Suit Supply, Susan Whiting, Swing Assembly, Swizz Beatz, Tavernita, Teresa Britton, The Chicago Seven, The Elephant and The Whale, The Kinsey Sicks – America’s Favorite Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet, Thodos Dance Chicago, Thodos Dance Chicago Youth Ensemble, Thomas Beeby, Tim Yarger Gallery, Tom Cruise, Tommy Hensel, Tommy Walton, Toni Braxton, Tony Diaz, Tyra Banks, Ultra Gallery’s Lacuna Artist Lofts, Valerie Baker, Voice of a Nation, Vonita Reescer, Walter Jacobson, Watch312.com, WCIU, West Point Choir, Wilbert Jones, William Heard, Wonderland, WTTW, WVON, Yana Nirshberg, Yo Ro, You & Me This Morning, Zed451, Zoraida Sambolin

March 25, 2013 · 12:24 pm

“INSPIRING FASHION” COSTUME BALL: EVERYONE WAS A STAR!

…PLUS "FACE THE FUTURE" FOUNDATION GALA; URBAN GATEWAYS’ “ART FOR ALL;” A BELOVED PR FIRM’S BIG KUDOS;“CELEBRATE YOURSELF HEALTHY;” GIULIANA AND LINDSAY'S BIG IDEA; A MODERN DAY LOVE STORY; CHICAGO FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW; MADHATTER’S BRUNCH FOR BROADWAY YOUTH CENTER; A SAD GOODBYE; WCIU VIDEO AND SO MUCH MORE!

It was one of the most beautiful events I’ve attended. Every guest who came through the front door of the Chicago History Museum looked like they were stepping out of the pages of Vogue – even emcee Bill Zwecker agreed
saying, “In all of the years, I don’t think I’ve seen a more glamorous, fashionable crowd.” From the moment you entered the building, you knew you were going to witness history. Beautiful models were stationed at every turn wearing the most dramatic fashions from the legendary Ebony Fashion Fair collection. They lined the staircases, draped languorously against
the walls and modeled on pedestals set up throughout the room. It was one night where you knew you had to find your best stuff to wear. Black tie wasn’t simply a suggestion – it was a mandate and everyone
dressed to impress. Eunice Johnson’s eye was unerring and she gravitated towards the bold and dramatic, much like I suspect she was as a person. After all, one would have to be to become the trailblazer she was for the African American community. She introduced
high couture to people who wouldn’t have otherwise seen it across the country and in spectacular fashion. She utilized top models who also represented her own sensibilities…other trailblazers like Iman and Pat Cleveland, two
of the first black supermodels. Pat Cleveland attended this event and I saw her as she entered the building: It was like I was watching a film in slow motion because she didn’t really walk in…she glided. (Her swanlike neck was still the same as I remembered it in all
of the top fashion magazines.) And that dress! OMG! It was pale pink with a train that stretched forever but she didn’t seem to notice. I would’ve been screaming at people to “watch my train” – the true mark of an amateur – but not Pat: As she posed for photos, you sensed a life in front of the cameras, someone completely comfortable in her own skin. Vogue’s international editor-at-large Hamish Bowles spotted
her, too (everyone did), and rushed to her side. As they chatted about goodness knows what, flashes were going off like crazy. It was definitely a “moment,” one of many for this fashion event of the season. One of
my favorite photogs, Bob Carl, was shooting this event and he told me not to miss the dramatic décor in the big tent where we would soon be dining so I headed downstairs and my breath rushed out of my body. Truly, I’ve never seen a more elegant room…all
done in shades of purple, design guru Tom Kehoe had truly outdone himself this time! From the “upside-down orchids” hung in huge squares at every table to the chandelier within a chandelier within another chandelier hanging from the
draped ceiling, you just didn’t know where to look first. As a matter of fact, when guests streamed in later, there was a huge bottleneck at the door as guests stood gaping. And this was all BEFORE I saw the amazing exhibition featuring more than 60 fashions from
the Ebony Fashion Fair! OMGoodness! Well, you’ve probably seen a lot of photos by now since I know people were posting and Instagramming like crazy while I was there and for good reason: These were some of the top pieces from the couture collection of Eunice Johnson and the Fashion Fair and they were awe inspiring in both their drama and creativity. My favorites were the Givenchy silver raffia
evening gown from 1997; the Christian Lacroix cocktail ensemble; the Jean Patou day ensemble (I would KILL for this outfit!); B Michael’s rainbow dress (he was there and so proud, and rightfully so!); Chloe by Karl Lagerfeld’s “shower dress”; Bob
Mackie’s evening ensemble with white feathers and silver beads; Henry Jackson’s black and white ball gown; and Emanuel Ungaro’s floral bridal gown from 1996. (Insert long, loving sigh here…) When guests finally sat down for dinner, emcee Bill Zwecker thanked the crowd and introduced Costume Council president Nena Ivon, who thanked the co-chairs and told an
adorable story about Tom Kehoe. She said, “We stayed within budget for our décor but Mr. Kehoe decided it wasn’t
enough, so he did more.” How cool is this guy?! When honorary chair for the event, Linda Johnson Rice, was finally introduced the standing ovation was thunderous. She was beautiful from head to toe with a twinkle in her eye that drew you in and everyone loved hearing the story behind this exhibition and how her mother put together this awe-inspiring collection. Linda also gave a shout-out to curator Joy Bivins and to
Dan Oliver saying, “He designed everything you see here – he knew my mother’s vision.” The Ebony Fashion Fair travelled across the country for 50 years raising
millions for African American charities. No one wanted the evening to end so DJs Kiss and Moss made sure guests danced, danced, danced the night away at yet another fabulous party in our Windy City…truly the FIRST city of fashion! (View more photos from this fab evening here!)

Transporting guests back to a time when all was glittering and decadent, the grand ballroom of the Four Seasons was decked out in Roaring Twenties décor for the Face the Future Foundation’s gala “Flappers, Fedoras and All That Jazz: A Night on the Toddlin' Town.” Guests
channeled the fashion sensibilities of the decade with gals in beaded headpieces, lace and fringed dresses adorned with long strands of pearls while guys sported fedoras and bow ties. Two massive Art Deco vases filled with white ostrich plumes graced the entrance of the foyer. Co-chairs Mary Genet and
Michael Judge welcomed more than 300 guests to this elegant affair that included an extensive silent auction and “gambling” at “Jimmy’s Place Casino.” Honorary Chair Chicago Bear Israel “Izzy” Idonije arrived looking dapper as always in a black suit and white shirt topped with a fedora. Other
guests included Dr. Mimis Cohen and his wife Andrea Biel Cohen, Dr. Paula Allen-Meares, Dr. Joe "Skip" Garcia, Dr. Dimitri Azar and Dr. Enrico Benedetti. As the doors swung open at 8:00 p.m., guests oohed and ahhhed over the softly lit golden hued décor while the Stanley Paul Orchestra played the tunes of the era from the Charleston to the Foxtrot in the
background. Emcee Dr. Sandra Goldberg of NBC 5 Chicago, welcomed guests and introduced Izzy. Foundation President Gus Abello presented the President’s Award to Jim Staples for his fundraising efforts and support of the Foundation. A live auction included a Venice/Paris
excursion of 11 days/10 nights with two nights in Venice, then overnight on the Orient Express into Paris to enjoy a full week in a luxurious Paris apartment (AWESOME!); an idyllic escape to Virgin Gorda, BVI, to spend a week at the Bitter End Yacht Club (I love Dana Hokin Garvey and her fabulous family who created this
amazing oasis); a romantic getaway with a Polynesian flair to the South Pacific for a Tahitian cruise aboard the small luxury ship m/s/ Paul Gauguin; and a wine cellar with more than 100 bottles of premium wines and champagne. The item that drew particularly fierce but friendly bidding was the week in a Tuscan villa for 12 people and a private chef. The generous donor of the villa offered the three top bidders the opportunity to each enjoy their own week. The live auction raised more than $100,000 with
another $60,000 in revenue coming from the Paddle Raise. (Event proceeds topped $340,000.) Michigan Avenue Magazine was the media sponsor for this wonderful event that raises funds and public awareness to support the care and treatment of children born with cleft lip, palate and other craniofacial abnormalities. The Center at UIC is one of the oldest and largest facilities of its kind in the USA. Click here for more info. (Photos by Jon Recana.)

Urban Gateways’ Art for All Gala was held March 8th at City Winery Chicago and attracted more than 300 people. Many prominent Chicago business and civic leaders attended including
Kay and Jim Mabie (who served as honorary chairs for the event), Francee Harrington, Richard Dent, Eunita Rushing and an honorary/advisory committee that included
Cheryl Mayberrry McKissack and Eric McKissack, Susan and Nick Pritzker and Dawoud Bey. This enchanting, art-filled evening supported Urban Gateways, one of the largest arts service providers in the city. Programs are led by some of the city’s most
talented professional artists in music, dance, theater, literary arts, visual arts and digital media, serving 57,000 students and teachers annually. The evening included cocktails, dinner, auction prizes and live performances by Urban Gateways performing groups: 20th Century Players and Chicago Improv Productions plus a special percussion performance by high school students from an Urban Gateways after-school program, a
presentation by Urban Gateways digital media student/filmmaker Michael Coleman and a gallery of
incredible student artwork. Urban Gateways educates and inspires young people by delivering high-quality, accessible arts experiences that advance their personal and academic growth. (For more info, please click here!)

Huge congrats to Kathleen Henson and Henson Consulting, Inc.! They were honored with THREE national public relations awards for non-profit communications account work recently at the 2013 PR News Nonprofit PR Awards luncheon at the National Press Club in
Washington, D.C. Henson Consulting, which celebrates its 12th anniversary this year, won in the high-profile Fundraising category, as well as in the areas of Event PR and PR on a Shoestring Budget. “Nothing is more gratifying than the work we do for our nonprofit
clients,” said HC founder and CEO, Kathleen Henson. “By extending the reach of some of the country’s top charities and arts institutions, both locally and nationally, we’ve had the honor and privilege of being an integral part of
supporting families with sick children, creating awareness for amazing cultural experiences, and raising the profile of open hearted individuals among us. It is the most fulfilling work that we do as a firm, and to be honored for excellence
in this area is very, very special.” In 2011 in honor of the company’s 10th anniversary, Henson created a new division of Henson Consulting called HC3. This practice area is dedicated to providing public relations, marketing and communications support for organizations, companies and individuals that are “doing good while
doing well.” The client roster of HC3 also includes high-profile charitable work for TV personality Jenny McCarthy’s Generation Rescue (supporting autism awareness), Bright Pink and Giuliana Rancic’s Fab-U-Wish (providing support to women battling breast
and ovarian cancer), Greg Olsen’s Kicks for a Cure (supporting breast cancer research) and Camp Kesem (providing magical camp experiences for children whose parents were touched by cancer), among others. Congrats to Kathleen and her team on these much deserved honors! 🙂

March 9th was a memorable evening for fitness and health maven Shea Vaughn and the dedicated friends and supporters of her cause, Healthy Initiative. “Celebrate Yourself Healthy” took place at Germania Place with hundreds of guests to honor the cause and its mission to promote better health
practices and fight disease. The launch of Healthy Initiative started with forty participants challenged to transform themselves in 90 days with the help nutritionists, personal trainers, mentors and lifestyle regimes. For those
people, March 9th was their special day, too: Each was showcased in designs from J-Na Couture and Mark Roscoe with hair by Custom Hair Lounge and makeup by Josie Volpentesta and Brenda Arelano. The night was hosted by Jeff Conway
of NBC’s 24/7, Jon Cotay of Akira and success coach Bill Walsh. This exciting evening included hors d’oeuvres, specialty cocktails, live entertainment by David Rothstein Music, opera by reigning Miss Heart of Illinois Marisa Buchheit, laughter by comedian and writer Jennifer Weigle and a special key note speech by Dr. Joel Fuhrman, bestselling author of “Eat to Live” and wellness advocate often seen on “The Dr. Oz Show.” TCW Magazine was the media sponsor. Congrats on a great event Shea! For more info, please visit healthyinitiative.org.

“Cutest Couple” alert! Please add Kyla McCarthy and Tim Smithe, Jr. to the list of high profile cuties who are tying the knot this summer! Their blow-out engagement party attracted hundreds of fun-loving friends who were thrilled to
celebrate this special occasion with these beautiful/handsome lovebirds. They will be getting married on June 1st (which is Kyla’s grandparent’s 61st wedding anniversary) in Paris where they will say their vows at the Eiffel Tower! Awwwwwww…I love this!
Their families are thrilled beyond measure! Kyla’s beloved grandparents Victoria and Jack Bazarnick have passed but Tim’s grandmother, Florence Smithe, always wears Victoria’s pendant as a way of ensuring that she is always with them. (More awwwwws!) This is a true love
story made even sweeter by this big family, as four generations of Smithes have embraced Kyla and her family in such a beautiful way. I wish this for all brides and grooms-to-be. Kyla and Tim met over a year ago at CareerBuilder and it was
love at first sight. What Tim says about Kyla: “No matter how stubborn I am, she never quits on me and my faults. I always end up seeing the other side and becoming a better person, a more well-rounded man because she is a part of my life.” Kyla on Tim: “What I love most about my fiancé is his heart. He is
able to connect with any single person on the face of this earth as long as he gets the chance to. When we talk about our future, he talks about our children as if they’re already here (we will be waiting a few years for them) and he is always smiling. It’s his kind heart, and I know it’s my job to protect it.” Their famous fathers-in-law
have hit it off, too: Walter E. Smithe’s Tim Smithe, Sr. has this to say about Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy: “What more could a father ask than to have his son find a beautiful
woman who makes his boy so very happy? Kyla is the first new Smithe girl of this generation!” Once Tim Jr. asked for Kyla’s hand in marriage, her father said, “You know how to communicate with her, you understand her and I only wish you both the very best.” A graduate of Northeastern University with a double major in clinical psychology and philosophy and with a thesis in existential psychotherapy, Kyla would be a
dream match for any smart man – I’m just so thrilled she and Tim found each other. This soon-to-be wedding celebration was
held at Harry Caray’s Steakhouse (located at 33 W. Kinzie) and included Kimberly McCarthy, Joe Ahern, Deputy Superintendant Al Wysinger, Alderman Ed Burke, Grant DePorter, Mike Ditka, Steve McMichael, Casey Urlacher, Brad Parker, Kyle Badgley and Alex Najem
(American Junkie Chicago), RRP president Arturo Gomez, R.J. Melman, Jon and Andrew Landan, Matt Deichl, lots of family from both sides and so many more. I know it’s going to be an exciting and loving place in Ky-Tim’s World. Here’s wishing them the very best! 🙂 Don’t cha just love stories like this?

“E! News” anchor, “Fashion Police” host and breast cancer survivor Giuliana Rancic is once again partnering with national non-profit Bright Pink to launch an exciting new philanthropic initiative: Fab-U-Wish. Fab-U-Wish, which made its debut online March 12th at FabUWish.org, provides young women battling breast and ovarian cancer with the opportunity to spend a day feeling
“fabulous” by living one of their wildest wishes or dreams. E! will serve as the official media partner of Fab-U-Wish. In 2011, Giuliana went through a public battle with an early stage breast cancer diagnosis, double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. During that challenging time, she relied heavily on the love and support of her husband of five years Bill
Rancic, family, close friends, colleagues, fans around the world and Bright Pink founder Lindsay Avner. However, it was the days of having her hair and make-up done at E!, putting on gorgeous designer gowns to interview celebrities on the red carpet or receiving the full Hollywood treatment that helped her feel more like a princess and less like a patient. She realized that her own special form of
“fab therapy” helped take her mind off her breast cancer battle and remain optimistic, rather than continuously focusing on her illness. “I’m grateful to be where I am today – a new mother, feeling strong and healthy and in a position to help other women now going through what I did,” said Giuliana. “Along with my friend Lindsay
Avner and the team at Bright Pink, I hope to pay it forward and become a “fairy godmother” to other women by establishing Fab-U-Wish. I sure know firsthand that a little bit of fabulous can go a long way to keep you feeling bright during some of the darkest days.” Applying for a Fab-U-Wish is simple: Women 45 and under currently undergoing treatment for breast and ovarian cancer can submit a 150-word essay or a two-minute video explaining their wish and how this one-of-a-kind indulgence would help bring some
brightness to them during treatment. Giuliana and Bright Pink will work together to review applications and select the most inspiring, creative, awesome, fabulous, and bright wishes to be granted each year, thanks to generous supporters and brands. To learn more about Fab-U-Wish and the official application details or to submit your wish, please visit FabUWish.org. Congrats to Giuliana on this wonderful idea and to Lindsay for all you do for so many!

Sad news to report! Former Joffrey Ballet Executive Director Christopher Clinton Conway is relocating back to Los Angeles after his eight-year tenure with the dance company. As a personal friend, I will miss him
beyond measure but know this is a great opportunity for him. I met CCC at the very first Couture & Cocktails in September 2005. His twinkling eyes and whip-smart wit made everyone want to be his friend. I was lucky to have him as a dear one for so long! He changed the Joffrey in so many
immeasurable ways and helped make it the world class company it is today. He completed its $40 million capital campaign, he doubled annual giving to the company, he rebranded and reinvigorated the Joffrey
and created unprecedented media and corporate recognition, he recruited a new artistic team after the death of beloved founder Gerald Arpino, he helped design and build the Joffrey Tower (the first permanent headquarters for the company), he helped produce the 2012 hit
documentary “Mavericks of American Dance,” he launched the “Choreographers of Color” competition in 2010, he increased the Joffrey’s subscription base by 300 percent and he launched the Young Professional’s Board in 2009, among MANY other contributions. So as you can
see, besides being a CS Man of Style and a Paul Stuart Brand Ambassador, this man worked hard to make Chicago a better place for the arts and it will
be a lesser place without him in it. I wish you the best on your new journey CCC – don’t forget the people here who love you, like me! 🙂 BUT along with this bad news is good news for some lucky person looking for a charming 1928 English cottage home in Park Ridge. Christopher purchased this home for easy access to the airport and it’s now for sale and listed with Doug Smith of Rubloff/Prudential. (Check it out here.) We love you CCC and will miss you more than you can imagine!

The Chicago Flower & Garden Show’s preview party “Evening in Bloom” was a bloomin’ success (I know, I know!) and attracted hundreds of Chicagoans who had spring on their minds. Themed the “Art of Gardening,” this
year’s show benefitted several important charities including Chicago Gateway Green (a non-profit dedicated to greening and beautifying Chicago’s neighborhoods, gateways and expressways), the
Peterson Garden Project (a volunteer non-profit committed to teaching people how to grow their own food), the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation (a nonprofit that provides support and assistance to the families of
Chicago Police Officers killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty), the Kendall College Charitable Trust (a nonprofit dedicated to providing support for students in need who are enrolled full time in the school’s culinary, hospitality, business and education programs) and Special Olympics Chicago
(which provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities). The preview event showcased nearly two dozen stunning display gardens as
well as original artworks. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres from Harry Caray’s, Riva Restaurant, Dirk’s Fish & Gourmet as well as sweets from Eli’s Cheesecake. Show director and president Tony Abruscato said, “This is
where patrons of the arts meet garden and environmental enthusiasts ready to paint the town green for a welcome return to spring.” Guests included Pat Brickhouse, Jim Althoff, Cathy Hull, Joanna and
Grant DePorter, artist Emmy Star Brown, Casey Schommer, Holly and Matt Murek, Amy and Jason Lundy, Allison Rosati, Rob Stafford, Sa, Griffith, Sandy and Lee Golub, Albert Bautista, Pamela Fong and Sharon Ringier among many others. I never miss this beautiful event and love getting ideas for the garden! Congrats to all!

The Mad Hatter’s Brunch, a fundraising event to benefit youth programming and services at the Broadway Youth Center (BYC), will be held April 7th from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the fabulous ZED451 in River North. This festive afternoon will allow guests to sport zany and outrageous hats while tasting delectable eclectic specialty dishes from a rich buffet-style spread. Nationally-recognized musical and comedy revue THE KINSEY SICKS – America’s Favorite Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet will be the featured entertainment. FYI, hats are NOT required to attend and all are welcome! For tickets and more info, please click here.

Special thanks to my sweet friends at WCIU’s “You & Me This Morning” – we had a great time taping a segment recently at our home and I never wanted them to leave! If you missed it, here it is below. I especially love the surprise that co-hosts Jeanne Sparrow and Melissa Forman had for me at the end…how thoughtful are these peeps?! Love to producer Rob Morhaim, too! Just love this show!!!!!!

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Well, that’s it for this week’s Candid Candace! Please tell your friends and share!!! 🙂 And, as always, I hope you enjoyed the lowdown on Chicago’s many highlights!

Love, as always,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com

P.S. One of my oldest and dearest friends Ed Howlett just became a grandfather, thanks to his beautiful daughter Allison and handsome son-in-law, Josh Walters. Please welcome dear little Charlotte Lynn Walters to the world!

REESE WITHERSPOON & DIRECTOR ALEXANDER PAYNE CHARM CROWD AT GENE SISKEL FILM CENTER BENEFIT

…PLUS THERE’S A BIG NEW RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE IN TOWN, PARIS OPERA BALLET’S ELEGANT DEBUT AT THE HARRIS, GLAMOURCON RETURNS TO CHICAGO WITH PLAYMATES, PIN-UPS & MODELS, DESIGNER AZEEZA KHAN’S NOMINATION, NEW WATCH312.COM VIDEOS AND SO MUCH MORE!

As many of you know, I write a weekly column in the Chicago Tribune Sunday Magazine section and this Sunday’s Candid Candace featured the Gene Siskel Film Center benefit honoring Reese Witherspoon. Since I have limited space there (around 400 words), I’m going to tell you the WHOLE story right here! The night began with the largest bank of media I’ve ever seen at events of this type surrounding (though swarming would be a better word) the red carpet. I saw Bill Zwecker, Janet Davies, Jeff Conway, Dean Richards, the cute guy from “Extra” and more photographers than I knew even existed in our town! Everyone was in high anticipation to see this darling actress with such an amazing body of work and she didn’t disappoint. Her small frame hid her baby bump even though she joked about “feeling round.” When I asked her what her biggest challenge was filming “Walk the Line” – the film for which she won a Best Actress Oscar – she said it was “learning how to sing” and went on to talk about her seven months of lessons and sessions she had at T. Bone Burnett’s house. She was so unsure of her singing abilities that she called her lawyer at the start of filming to see if she could get out of the film. The answer, happily, was no! She went on to talk about the things she DID love about filmmaking saying, “I’ve had such a great career getting to learn new skills. I learned to ride an elephant in “Water for Elephants” and I got to play softball for another film (“How Do You Know”).” Reese was at the Film Center to accept the Renaissance Award, following in the footsteps of past honorees Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey, Jr., Nicole Kidman and George Lucas. Two-time Oscar-winning screenwriter and director Alexander Payne (who directed Reese in “Election”) conducted the Q & A with this petite actress but before the questions and retrospective of her films, a hilarious video was shown featuring past Renaissance Award winner, Robert Downey, Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow. The video opened with Downey deadpanning into the camera, “I say the name and feel a burning in my loins but it’s not just because you’re the sexiest woman alive, it’s because of your talent, your gift. I’ve often thought about leaving my wife, Susan Downey, for you.” All the while he’s talking, Paltrow is trying to distract him. Downey turns to her and says, “Insecure newsflash! If you don’t heap compliments on them [actresses], they end up marrying rock stars.” It had the sell-out crowd roaring! (Downey and Paltrow clearly are friends and fans and Robert even donated a set visit to “Iron Man 3,” now filming in North Carolina, to the event’s auction.) During the Q & A with Payne, Reese talked about landing the lead in the “The Man in the Moon” when she was 14. She was living in Nashville and doing some community theatre. Her father saw an ad in the paper and they auditioned, thinking she might have ended up as an extra but, of course, she landed the lead. She went on to say, “I’ve never done interviews reviewing my career. Being pregnant, I hope I don’t get too emotional taking a walk down memory lane.” Film clips were shown from “Pleasantville,” “Election,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Water for Elephants,” “Legally Blonde” and “Walk the Line,” among others. Reese talked about attending Stanford for a year and said, “In retrospect, I’d wished I’d finished.” When asked how she chooses a role, she said, “I find out about the character and whether or not I could see myself in that role. Secondly, it’s about the director, not so much for comedies, but for dramas, I need a leader. It’s difficult for a woman to be able to do both comedy and drama – it’s a privilege to be able to do both.” When asked about staying in character for a role (a la Meryl Streep), she said, “It really doesn’t work staying in character if you have kids. You can’t go home and tell them to call you June.” Her favorite films "ever" are “Splendor in the Grass” and “Raising Arizona” and her favorite co-star was Rosie the elephant in “Water for Elephants.” (“She remained in character throughout the whole movie!” joked Reese.) Marlene Iglitzen, Gene Siskel’s widow, attended the event with her three beautiful children Kate, Callie and Will. Looking stunning in a full-length black Jean Paul Gaultier dress and Lanvin necklace, she said, “Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him. He would be so proud to see these people here tonight.” Marlene went on to say that her husband often described his movie critic job as “covering the American dream beat.” The black-tie crowd feasted on a delicious dinner with each course inspired by one of Reese’s films. There was the “Vanity” salad, the “June and Johnny Duo” (fish and beef) and “Sweet Homes of the South: Alabama, Mississippi and Pleasantville” (a whoopie pie, mud cake and roasted strawberries). Seen in the crowd were Marc Klutznick and Anita Liskey (co-chairs), Michelle Cucchiaro (Advisory Board and committee member), Eda Davidman and Barry Missner, Melissa Sage Fadim (Advisory Board member), Bill Marcus, Ellen Sandor (Chairman of the Board) and husband Richard, Rosie Levin (Advisory Board member) and husband Elliot, Roopa Weber (Advisory Board and committee member), Jamey Fadim, Jean de St. Aubin (Film Center Executive Director), Cynthia and Rich Varnes, Jim Mayhercy, Shirley and Dr. Walter Massey (President of SAIC), Daniel Bryant and Joe Trpik, Jeffrey Sprecher, Averill and Buddy Leviton, Kelly Loeffler, Camille Cook (Film Center founder), Tony Jones (past SAIC president), Kristina and Mike McGrath, Lynn and John McMahan, Paul Iacono, Andrea Schwartz and Dr. Steve Stryker, Diana Palomar and many others. The evening raised more than $340,000 to support programming at the Gene Siskel Film Center. Check out the website for more cool upcoming events! Check out my Watch312.com video below to see what Reese and Alexander had to say. Congrats again to the Gene Siskel Film Center on all of their wonderful programming and exciting events like this one! (Fabulous photos by Mila Samokhina.)

Well, it finally happened! After so much planning, hoping, wishing and fundraising, the world’s largest Ronald McDonald House is OPEN! I was honored to be there for this special celebration on a parking garage rooftop which was directly across from the House. It was so cool! Throughout the impressive program, more than 600 attendees could plainly see the purpose for this party. Wrapped in a giant bow, the House loomed large at 16 stories and 86 rooms. I remember when Ken Norgan first got me involved with RMHCCNI at the press party at Morton’s and I was just as thrilled then as I was this day! Emcee Mark Giangreco opened the ribbon cutting ceremony on June 26th – there were so many people there…thank goodness the real Chicago heat came later in the week! But on this day, nothing could dampen anyone’s spirits as 13-year-old Kate Wild sang the National Anthem (she will also be singing the anthem on opening day in Soldier Field.) Mary Agnes Laguatan (VP of Operations for RMHCCNI) gave a moving invocation and then Governor Quinn spoke before he had to rush off to meet with the First Lady. He declared this day “Ronald McDonald House Charities Day” in Chicago. “Long may it live!” he said. Next, Senator John Cullerton presented a proclamation from the Mayor, who ALSO named June 26th as RMHC Day in Chicago. Giangreco then jokingly introduced Jim Skinner (McDonald’s CEO) as the “Grand Imperial Quarter Pounder with Cheese.” Skinner thanked the crowd on "behalf of the 1.7 million people in the McDonald’s family." The Soul Children of Chicago, directed by Walt Whitman, gave a moving performance of “The Future’s Up to Me and You” (written by Nancy Slattery and Ira Antelis) that brought the crowd to tears. MaryAnne Smith (president of the Auxiliary Board for the House) spoke next, along with her adoring husband, Coach Lovie Smith. “As we drove down Grand, I could see the House. I said to Lovie, ‘It’s a palace, it’s a home, it feels like a home and now it’s working like a home.’ It’s what we tried to build.” Doug Porter (CEO of RMHCCNI) said, “Today’s ceremony is for you to recommit.” He called out people who were instrumental in the House’s success including Jim Murray (Founder of Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia & Former Eagles' General Manager) and Joe Antunovich (House architect) among many others. Macy’s has been a HUGE supporter of the new House and has dedicated their Glamorama funds, raising more than $645K not including this year’s event, from the last three years to its building! (Speaking of Glamorama, I hope you can put Chicago’s biggest and best fashion show on your calendars! Friday, August 10th at the Harris Theater! A huge shout out and thank you to Macy’s!!! Where would we be without YOU???!!!! Following the rooftop ceremony, guests were whisked via trolley to the River East Art Center for a delicious reception! (For Glamorama tickets, click here and to view more pics, please click here!)

I must confess, I am a total loyalist to our Joffrey Ballet but I have to say the recent Paris Opera Ballet debut at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance brought tears to my eyes it was so hauntingly beautiful. The Theater hosted a gala celebration for the world’s oldest national ballet company on June 26th. Every notable, VIP, civic leader and arts lover in town attended this black tie gala that began with the performance and a cocktail reception at the Harris. More than 800 guests enjoyed the POB’s American debut of the iconic story ballet “Giselle.” “Giselle” was created in 1841 specifically for the POB and was written by poet Theophile Gautier, composed by Adolphe Adam and choreographed by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot. The Paris Opera Ballet is considered the birthplace of classical ballet with origins that trace back to 1661, during the reign of King Louis XIV of France. The 154-member ballet company is considered the epitome of perfection, purity, artistry and technical acumen and, from the performance on opening night, I can certainly see why: This company hasn’t been to the U.S in 15 years and the full corps has NEVER performed in Chicago before so I was so proud to hear that the company chose Chicago as a debut destination with stops to follow at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and then Lincoln Center in New York. Second City? I think NOT! Michael Tiknis, president and CEO of the Harris, welcomed the sold out crowd, “It’s my pleasure to introduce the first performance ever of the Paris Opera Ballet in Chicago!” The Grant Park Symphony Orchestra accompanied the performance with Graff as the presenting sponsor. The Mayor commented, “It’s only fitting that the POB chose the city of Chicago as the first appearance of its North American tour. In my view, they’re picking the most American of American cities. I am committed to making Chicago a worldwide destination for arts and creativity.” Abby McCormick O’Neil, chairman of the Harris Theater’s Board of Trustees, said, “The opening night gala and performance support the ongoing mission of the Harris. Proceeds from this event will benefit its programs.” (One of their programs, Access Tickets, donated 200 free tickets to students who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend.) Before the performance, Mayor Emanuel – a former dancer himself – greeted students from the Chicago High School for the Arts along with POB dancers and Artistic Director Brigitte Lefevre. Caryn and King Harris and Alexandra and John Nichols were presenting sponsors and chairs. Vice chairs included Francie Comer, Stephanie and John Harris, Mellody Hobson and George Lucas, Lindy and Michael Keiser, Anne and J. Christopher Reyes, Linda Johnson Rice and Shirley and Patrick Ryan. Sponsors for this event included Abby McCormick O’Neil and D. Carroll Joynes, Chauncey and Marion McCormick (Foundation), Hyatt Regency Chicago, Northern Trust and United Airlines. The post performance dinner was held in an elegant tent adjacent to the theater in Millennium Park. Two million was raised on this night to support Harris programming. Guests seen in the crowd included Joan Harris, Bill Kurtis and Donna LaPietra (Chairman of Millennium Park, Inc.), Sheila O’Grady and Jean-Luc Decaux, Francie Comer, Amelia and Alejandro Silva, Ken Shanoff, Chris Long, Marilyn Vitale, Pam Crutchfield, Phil Lumpkin, Ken Shanoff and Steve Young, Desiree Rogers, Kristina and Mike McGrath, Sonya Jackson, Jacqueline and Leon Kinloch, Julie Latsko, Martha Melman, Sonya Jackson, Helen Melchior, Ken Norgan, Sherren Leigh, Dori Wilson and Mary and Tim Smithe among many others. (Fab fotos by Mila Samokhina and Bob Carl…click here for more pics!)

Mark your calendars now for Glamourcon 53, a lively celebration and marketplace of the glamour arts that features dozens of Playboy Playmates from FIVE decades as well as many other past and present glamour and pin-up models. Vendors sell trading cards, autographs, catalogs, magazines, books, photos, original pin up art, videos and so much more. This year, attendees will get a rare opportunity to meet two “legends” of Playboy: former photo directors Gary Cole and Jeff Cohen. For all of you budding glamour photogs, this is a great opportunity to have your photos and portfolios critiqued by the experts! They will also be orchestrating a first time EVER Playmate Photo Special! A photography session will be offered with Playmates Beth Williams (Miss August 2012) and Shelby Chesnes (Miss July 2012), who are both appearing in Playboy’s July/August double issue which will be on newsstands this month. Sign up to attend a Saturday night VIP party at the Joynt (located at 650 N. Dearborn) with Playmates, Special Edition Models and other Playboy models! Glamourcon presents a great opportunity to meet your favorite vintage and contemporary pin-up stars and get their autographs. I love this event and especially love seeing my fellow Playmates at this special Glamourcon Reunion…hope to see you at Crowne Plaza O'Hare on August 4th and 5th! (For tickets and more info, please click here.)

A special shout out and congrats to beautiful fashion designer, Azeeza Kahn! She has just been nominated for the Rising Star Award by the Fashion Group International! Fingers crossed, Azeeza! Ikram, are you watching??!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday that included good food, friends and fun! I will be taking the next week off and will see you again on July 16th!

Love, as always,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com

P.S. If you missed the Summer Lovin’ party at the MCA co-hosted by Chicago magazine and the Auxiliary Board of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, check out all the fun here from Watch312.com!!!

http://imgsrv.intertechmedia.com/image/flash_players/new_07062010/singleshot_video_16x9.swf?xmlURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwatch312.com%2Fplayer_xml.php%3FstationId%3D3301%26collectionId%3D1766%26stnPageId%3D12042802&styleXML=http://watch312.com/pages/wtc_PlayWindowPlayer_1766.xml&episodeXML=http%3A%2F%2Fwatch312.com%2Fplayer_episode_xml.php%3FvideoEpisodeId%3D41652%26collectionId%3D1766%26stnPageId%3D12042802&emailFormURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwatch312.com%2Femail.php&embed=yes&autoPlay=no&mute=no&playerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwatch312.com%2Fpages%2F12042802.php%3FcollectionId%3D1766

KERRY WOOD HITS HOME RUN WITH “WOODY’S WINTER WARM-UP”

…PLUS A CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH GEORGE CLOONEY (SADLY, NOT MINE), JESSICA RADLOFF'S CRITICS' CHOICE HIGHLIGHTS, MORRIS' ONE-MAN SHOW, A VALENTINE'S SHOW UNLIKE ANY OTHER, RANDOLPH MARKET INFO AND MORE!

The queue of white stretch limos out in front of Harry Caray’s was the first thing you noticed besides the plethora of news trucks. I think every station in town was at Navy Pier to cover Cubs’ pitcher Kerry Wood and his beautiful wife Sarah’s first “Woody’s Winter Warm-Up” fundraiser. The place was packed with sports stars, TV personalities, fans and friends, all there to support popular Cubs pitcher Kerry and his Wood Family Foundation, the beneficiary of the night. “Woody” had recruited guest bartenders who suited up in t-shirts and bar aprons and competed for tips while serving drinks and food to guests. Volunteers included Val Warner (“Windy City Live”), Lou Cannelis (Fox Chicago), Peter McMurrary (The Loop FM), Cubs players Ryan Dempster, Tony Campana, Travis Wood, Chris Voldstad, Ian Stewart, Matt Garza, Randy Wells, Marlon Byrd, former Cub Rick Sutcliffe, Jon Lieber, Gary Matthews, Michael Brenly and new manager Dale Sveum. Even Bears players Otis Wilson, Richard Dent and Israel Idonije did some mixing behind the bar. Other notables in attendance included Cubs owners Todd and Tom Ricketts, President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein, Cubs players Jeff Samardzija, Darwin Barney, James Russell, Josh Vitters and David DeJesus, Delores “Dutchie” Caray, Joanna and Grant DePorter, Barb and Roe Conn, event organizer Daphne Ortiz, Erica Stimac, Catie Keogh and Jeff Conway ("24/7") along with super-fan Ronnie Woo Woo, who was accompanied by his gorgeous daughter, Yolanda Linneman. The evening also included a delicious dinner buffet of Italian beef sandwiches, mini lamb burgers, mac and cheese, rigatoni, Chicago style hotdogs and other tasty treats. The silent auction was a sports lover’s dream come true and many of the offerings had “Do Not Touch” signs next to them like Ernie Banks’ signed jersey and bat. There were dozens of autographed baseballs, jerseys and other sports related memorabilia as well as a pig roast for 100 courtesy of Carvetti’s in Lake Geneva! The entertainment was world class, too and opened with an acoustic set by singer/songwriter William Beckett. Hosts for the night were Ryan Chiaverini ("Windy City Live") and Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster, who brought the house down with his spot-on impersonation of Harry Caray. (He told me he was VERY nervous but no one would've guessed this!) Ryan Chiaverini also sang and played guitar to “Sweet Home Chicago” and even Theo Epstein got in on the action playing “Rockin’ in the Free World” on guitar alongside the Grammy-nominated Plain White T’s. Cubs pitcher Randy Wells sat in for a song (Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’”) that he dedicated to Ron Santo. (They closed the show with their number one single, “Hey There Delilah.”) DJ White Shadow (aka Paul Blair) kept the crowd fueled for fun with his hot mixes (he produced Lady Gaga’s “Born this Way” album). An incredible live auction package went to Jim Beam VP Thomas Strehle for $7K and included first pitch privileges, tour of the press box, photo op, four box seats and a half hour batting session with Woody! It was doubled for the under-bidder to bring this package to $14K for the charity! More than $80,000 was raised for the Wood Family Foundation that is dedicated to supporting children’s charities in and around Chicago. To view ALL pics from this fun evening, please click here.

The film critics’ award ceremonies are just a recent memory now and, hopefully, all of your favorites won! But for Glamour.com’s West Coast entertainment contributor Jessica Radloff, the Critics' Choice Movie Awards will forever be etched in her memory! Of course, there were a gazillion stars there since this is the largest film critics organization in the U.S. and Canada so Jessica happily conducted tons of interviews for the Glamour network including Melissa McCarthy (who was battling laryngitis), Judy Greer (who was hilarious according to Jessica), Ellie Kemper, Wendi McClendon-Covey (who said she would sign up for “Bridesmaids 2” even if the script sucked), Bridesmaids’ director Paul Feig (“one of the nicest people you'll ever meet in Hollywood”) and Elle MacPherson (who she interviewed at the NBC/Universal Golden Globes After Party), among others. But of all the stars, the one person at the top of her Wish List of “Five Celebs She’s Dying to Interview” was George Clooney – “the epitome of a movie star” (and who doesn’t agree??!!!) – so when she saw him approach on the red carpet, she knew this might be her chance. She said, “George, could I ask you one question for ‘Glamour’?” But in the end, her only thought was to ask for a hug! And he graciously complied giving her “the most wonderful hug and kiss a girl could ever get from her Hollywood crush!” What a moment for this lucky and deserving lady! (To read Jessica’s WHOLE story and see ALL of her fab pics , please click HERE!) But let me back up and give you a little history about this incredible woman with this great job and you’ll understand why Clooney hugged and kissed her: I met Jessica years ago when she did a story about me for AOL.com. She was very gracious and is, of course, a fantastic writer, entertainment and sports host. Jessica hails from St. Louis and graduated from the University of Arizona in only two and a half years majoring in media arts and double minoring in journalism and theatre arts. She got her start in the entertainment industry by interning with NBC Sports in St. Louis, the “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Young & the Restless” and Carsey-Werner. Jessica also studied with the Groundlings (a competitive, improvisational troupe based in L.A.) and is a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (aka the Emmy organization). She is a regular contributor to Glamour and Glamour.com as well as CS Magazine, L.A.’s WHERE magazine and HuffPo. For a couple years, Jessica also starred on the Oxygen sitcom, "Campus Ladies" (executive produced by Cheryl Hines) and one of her very first scenes was featured on “Ellen.” As you can see, this girl is well on her way to superstardom. Pretty soon George Clooney will be begging HER for a hug! Congrats Jessica…I’m a FAN!

There are lots of great shows on the horizon beginning on February 10th at the DuSable Museum with Morris Gearring’s one-man show, “Something ‘Bout Oscar.” This show features Morris’s personal insights and stories about the late Oscar Brown, Jr. (1926 – 2005), a writer, poet, and commentator on life and civil rights plus a collection of Oscar’s most famous songs with musical backup by the respected Calvin “Koco” Brunson and his band. Gearring will be joined onstage by the renowned poet, Nikki Giovanni, and Maggie Brown, daughter of the legendary singer who will perform “Lyric” and duet on “The Last Hurrah.” Don’t miss this outstanding production! There will be two shows on Friday, February 10th at 10:30 PM and 8 PM. For more info, please visit www.somethinboutoscar.com or www.dusablemuseum.org. See you soon, Morris!

Here is a one-of-a-kind Valentine’s show for lovers! For the 10th year in a row, the Queen of Burlesque Michelle L’Amour is bringing her BIG SEXY SHOW to the historic Music Box Theatre at 3733 N. Southport on Saturday, February 11th for two shows – one at 8:30 PM and one at 11:30 PM. This show is an eclectic mix of burlesque and vaudeville and will feature The Chicago Starlets (voted the World’s Best Burlesque Group) and Toronto’s comedy duo Parker and Seville. You may know Michelle from her appearances on “America’s Got Talent” and on the WGN Morning News. Her new burlesque-infused fitness DVD, “Tease & Tone,” shows you why she has earned the ranking by 21st Century Burlesque as one of the “Top 5 Burlesque Stars in the World!” For more info, please contact Ajay Gosain at ajay@thepropelr.com or Leslie Smith at lsmith@tkhlaw.com.

Mark your calendars now for my favorite market in town – the Randolph Street Market – coming to Plumbers Hall at 1340 W. Washington on February 4th and 5th. Lovingly nicknamed the “Barneys of Vintage,” this market includes vintage treasures of every kind plus music, food and drinks. Designer Nate Berkus said, “I love this market…the quality is incredible!” There is free parking in big onsite lot plus free furniture delivery downtown. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. For more info, please visit www.randolphstreetmarket.com. (Sally Schwartz, I will see you soon!)

I love this city and all it has to offer! Next week, watch for coverage of Watch312.com’s Launch Party plus more exciting news from the Windy City! And, as always, thanks for checking in! (Please “Like” Watch312.com’s Facebook page, too!)

Love,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com

P.S. Loved these pics from friends Ines Arocena and photographer Teresa Potasiak, who have just returned from a trip to Uruguay. Now this is the way to get through Chicago’s winters!

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Tagged as 24/7, Ajay Gosain, America’s Got Talent, AOL.com, Barb conn, Big Sexy Show, Bridesmaids, Calvin “Koco” Brunson, Campus Ladies, Candace Jordan, CandidCandace.com, Carsey-Werner, Carvetti’s William Beckett, Catie Keogh, Cheryl Hines, Chicago Cubs, Chris Voldstad, Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, CS Magazine, Dale Sveum, Daphne Ortiz, Darwin Barney, David DeJesus, Delores “Dutchie” Caray, DJ White Shadow, DuSable Museum, Elle MacPherson, Ellen Degeneres, Ellie Kemper, Erica Stimac, Ernie Banks, Facebook, Fox Chicago, Gary Matthews, George Clooney, Glamour, Glamour.com, Grant DePorter, Groundlings, Harry Carays, Huffington Post, Ian Stewart, Ines Arocena, Israel Idonije, James Russell, Jeff Conway, Jeff Samardzija, Jessica Radloff, Jim Bean, Joanna DePorter, Jon Lieber, Josh Vitters, Judy Greer, Kerry Wood, Lady Gaga, Leslie Smith, Lou Cannelis, Maggie Brown, Marlon Byrd, Matt Garza, Melissa McCarthy, Michael Brenly, Michelle L'amour, Morris Gearring, Music Box Theatre, Nate Berkus, NBC/Universal Golden Globes, Nikki Giovanni, Otis Wilson, Oxygen Network, Parker and Seville, Paul Blair, Paul Feig, Peter McMurray, Plain White T's, Randolph Street Market, Randy Wells, Richard Dent, Rick Sutcliffe, Roe Conn, Ron Santo, Ronnie Woo-Woo, Ryan Chiavarini, Ryan Dempster, Sally Schwartz, Sarah Wood, Something ‘Bout Oscar, Teresa Potasiak, The Chicago Starlets, The Loop FM, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Young and the Restless, Theo Epstein, Thomas Strehle, Todd Ricketts, Tom Ricketts, Tony Campana, Travis Wood, Val Warner, Watch312.com, Wendi McClendon-Covey, Where LA, Windy City Live, Wood Family Foundation, Woody’s Winter Warm-Up, Yolanda Linneman

November 10, 2011 · 12:48 pm

THE SERVICE CLUB OF CHICAGO GALA REVISITS CLUB EL MOROCCO!

…PLUS HALLOWEEN FUN, EMMY NEWS, THE JOFFREY BALLET'S NUT, MENDING FENCES, A NEW CHICAGO STREET, A "CLASSY" BOOK, UPCOMING FUN EVENTS AND MORE!

Once upon a time in 1890, 14 young ladies - inspired by Jane Addams of Hull House – met to form a philanthropic organization to improve the lives of the less fortunate. Now, 121 years later, the Service Club of Chicago celebrated this landmark anniversary with its annual Gala, this year themed “An Evening of Glamour at Club El Morocco.” The ballroom of the Four Seasons was magically transported back to an era of elegance and Old World Hollywood glamour where the rich and famous danced and drank the night away against the backdrop of zebra printed banquettes. This Manhattan supper club, famous from the ‘30s thru the ‘50s, celebrated a lifestyle that everyday people could only read about in the newspapers. Where people like Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant, Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich and Jackie Kennedy Onassis (in both incarnations) mixed and mingled with royalty. Event designer Tom Kehoe was the genius behind this evening’s transformation and, according to some who had visited the original El Morocco, it was true down to the last detail. When I first entered the room, my jaw dropped in amazement; believe you and me, I’ve seen some pretty incredible event venues but nothing like this. Tom had even created zebra banquettes that replaced chairs around many of the tables. The centerpieces featured three-foot-tall, thin crystal vases holding simple white calla lilies or wispy palms evocative of that era. Many of the guests were inspired by the invitation to dress accordingly. I saw beautiful vintage gowns with statement jewelry, fur boas, feathered evening bags, flapper-inspired hairstyles, cigarette holders…there were even old-fashioned cigarette girls selling Cuban cigars while wearing flirty, little pillbox hats, shorts and cropped tuxedo jackets. There were prizes inside some of the cigars such as rounds of golf or dinners at top restaurants. (Insanely clever, right?) I also saw some guests who thought “El Morocco” meant the country of Morocco but this is another story! LOL! The live auction prizes, presented by Jim Karas, were outstanding too and included a trip to Ireland for the Notre Dame/Navy football game ($4,500), three days and two nights on Susan and Fred Gohl’s yacht in Naples, Florida ($3,500), an African photo safari ($6,500), a seven-day Holland America Cruise Line trip for two (your choice of itinerary, $3,750), after-party tickets to the Golden Globes, NY Fashion Week tickets and a trip to Skibo Castle in Scotland. An adorable Havanese puppy from PAWS went to a lucky bidder as well. Raffle prizes included a custom gown by designer Elda de la Rosa, earrings from Pomellato and a John Reilly photography session among others. SC President Sherrill Bodine welcomed the crowd and spoke about dedicating her year as president to the memory of her mother, who was mentally disabled since birth. She said, “Mentally, she never progressed older than six years old. She could not read or write. I am a writer—she was never able to read any of my books. In the years I’ve worked on the Philanthropic Committee and seen the organizations in Chicago which assist women like my mother, I’ve often thought that if she’d lived in this wonderful city she could have been helped. She might have been able to learn to read. What a gift that would’ve been. That is the kind of gift you are giving to others by being here tonight. Thank you for helping us make Chicago a better place in which to live—for everyone.” Emcees Valerie Warner and Ryan Chiaverini (struggling with crutches from his recent surgery), spoke about the history of the Service Club and thanked them for their 121 years of service. Event co-chairs Toni Canada, Laurie Davis and Dusty Stemer brought out a sell-out crowd of more than 430 people who danced the night away to the sophisticated dance arrangements by the Ken Arlen Orchestra who played everything from Cole Porter to club music. The orchestra also accompanied special guest performer Shelley MacArthur Farley, who entertained the crowd with her cabaret style. The memorable and delicious dinner menu included potato pumpkin soup, roast beef tenderloin with wild mushroom sauce and asparagus as well as a seasonal trio of desserts. The party continued into the State Room where the Leopard Lounge was in full swing as we said our goodbyes. I could almost hear Truman Capote gossiping in the corner. This year’s Gala raised close to $250K. (Additional photos by Cindy Barrymore, Caitlin Saville Collins and Steve Starr.) Please enjoy my video coverage on Watch312.com and to view ALL event pics, please click here!

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I don’t know about you, but it was a pretty spooky Halloween in my Old Town neighborhood this year. Emmy award winner Steve Weiss of Zacuto Manufacturing, along with his beautiful wife Lucy and sister-in-law Christina Wojtas, hosted a thriller of an evening complete with fog machines, 12-foot-tall ghosts, vampires, bonfires, roasted weenies and marshmallows and witches’ brew along with a cast of local, costumed characters. Steve and Lucy’s ethereal daughter Isabel was dressed as a Victorian vampire (think Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise’s daughter in “Interview with the Vampire”) and she played her part to the hilt complete with pet “rats” (fake, thank God!) she carried around in a cage to scare the bejesus out of guests to peals of laughter (hers). It was a great night with friends who feel like family. Thanks for the memories! (To view all pics, please click here!)

Emmy congratulations go out to Zacuto’s Steve Weiss, Jens Bogehegn and Scott Lynch on their exciting win this weekend! They received the award for “FilmFellas” and now have multiple Emmys on their office shelves! Kudos all around!

And speaking of kudos, congrats to Dr. Arnie Tatar! Mayor Rahm Emanuel recently passed a resolution naming a street after this beloved doc! Can’t wait to drive down Honorary Arnold M. Tatar, MD Way! Congrats to Arnie and his darling family on this great honor!

I met the “The Fence Doctor” Fred Gebbia when he was working on a street near my house…on a fence, of course! You see, Fred is a master iron worker and craftsman who has been featured in a zillion magazines and the Chicago Tribune, among other publications. He built the winning structure on national TV for HGTV’s "Landscape Design Challenge," appeared in “Public Enemies” and the “Garden in a City” show in Millennium Park. He has brought treasured, landmarked Victorian iron fences back to life, many times recreating the missing pieces himself in his studio. He has worked on many celebrity homes and to show you the kind of guy he is, he didn’t want to share their names unless he got their permission. He’s not interested in expanding his company to multiple crews since he makes sure he’s on every job himself “to make sure it’s done right.” He laughs and says, “That means I’ll never get rich but I don’t think that’s why we’re here on earth.” This guy is the real deal from the inside out and as the Carly Simon song goes, “Nobody does it better…” To learn more, email Fred here.

The holiday season is fast approaching and during this time of the year, my thoughts turn to nutcrackers – as in the The Joffrey Ballet’s annual crowd pleaser known affectionately as “America’s #1 Nutcracker” which begins on Saturday, December 9th and runs through the 27th at the Auditorium Theatre. On Saturday, December 10th, The Women’s Board of The Joffrey Ballet presents the Nutcracker Family Dinner which will be held at the Palmer House Hilton in the State and Grand Ballrooms. The enchanting evening will feature entertainment for children and adults alike, a traditional family-style meal, and of course, a thrilling performance of Robert Joffrey’s The Nutcracker. Guests will have the option of attending the matinee or evening performance of The Nutcracker on December 10th. The evening’s co-chairs Sonya Jackson and Cindy Burns, both Women’s Board members, have created an evening of family fun. The delightful evening begins at 4:00 PM on the fourth floor of the Palmer House in the State Ballroom with cocktails, punch, lively entertainment and special “Creation Stations” that the entire family can enjoy. At 5:15 PM, guests will be seated in the Grand Ballroom for a traditional family-style meal. It is a tradition you should begin now!

Desiree Rogers, Susu Block and Kara Mann co-hosted a party in PUBLIC Chicago’s Library to celebrate the launch of Derek Blasberg’s latest book, “Very Classy: Even More Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady.” Blasberg is a fashion writer, editor and New York Times best-selling author who was born in St. Louis now lives in NY (with his dachshund named Monster) where he is the editor-at-large of Harper’s Bazaar and senior editor of V magazine and VMAN, the fashion titles from arts collective Visionaire. His latest book, an expanded, updated and revamped version of his original best seller - “Very Classy” – is a collection of humorous essays and illustrations that pertain to etiquette. Harper’s Bazaar said, “He is to parties what Rob Pattinson is to vampires but you don’t get bitten, you get smitten.” In its second week, “Very Classy” was certified a New York Times best seller and has since been translated into several languages and published in countries in Asia, South America and Europe. (To order his book, please click here!)

The Chicago Academy of Dance is hosting a “More Dinner Than Dance” soiree at Tantrik Chicago, located at 800 Superior, on Friday, November 18th, from 7 – 10 PM with an after-party from 10 PM – 2 AM. This formal party will benefit the renovation of their first location at 3433 S. Indiana Ave. CAM offers free music education through a variety of programs for children who are undeserved and/or chronically poor in the South and West sides of Chicago. This event will showcase the finest vocalists, instrumentalists and dancers Chicago has to offer. For tickets and more info, please visit www.CAMChicago.org.

Well, that’s the lowdown on this week’s fun highlights! Hope you’re having a great week and I hope to “see” you here next week!

Love,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com

P.S. I conducted a little Facebook Halloween Contest and I had lots of creative entries but, hands down, my favorite was "24/7" producer Jeff Conway’s! Both the name and the costume made me giggle – take a look at his “Jack (Daniels) and the Beanstalk” look if you want a laugh, too! He’s a brave man! To see all of the cute entries, please click here!

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Tagged as 24/7, An Evening of Glamour at Club El Morocco, Caitlin Saville Collins, Carly Simon, Cary Grant, Chicago Academy of Dance, Chicago Tribune, Christina Wojtas, Cindy Barrymore, Cindy Burns, Clark Gable, Derek Blasberg, Desiree Rogers, Dr. Arnie Tatar, Dusty Stemer, elda de la rosa, FilmFellas, Four Seasons, Fred Gebbia, Garden in a City, Harper’s Bazaar, HGTV, Honorary Arnold M. Tatar MD Way, Hull House, Interview with the Vampire, Isabel Weiss, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Jane Addams, Jeff Conway, Jens Bogehegn, Jim Karas, Jimmy Stewart, John Reilly, Kara Mann, Ken Arlen Orchestra, Landscape Design Challenge, Laurie Davis, Lucy Weiss, Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, More Dinner Than Dance, New York Times, Nutcracker, Nutcracker Family Dinner, Palmer House Hilton, Pomellato, Public Enemies, Rahm Emanuel, Robert Joffrey’s The Nutcracker, Robert Pattinson, Ryan Chiaverini, Scott Lynch, Service Club of Chicago, Shelley MacArthur Farley, Sherrill Bodine, Sonya Jackson, Steve Starr, Steve Weiss, Susu Block, The Fence Doctor, The Joffrey Ballet, Tom Kehoe, Toni Canada, Truman Capote, V magazine, Valerie Warner, Very Classy, Very Classy: Even More Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady, Visionaire, VMAN, Zacuto Manufacturing