Tag Archives: Wendy Sherman

FRIENDS OF CONSERVATION BALL: WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE (WERE!)

…PLUS COLUMBIAN BALL, AIRPLANE ENVY AT AVIATOR’S NIGHT FOR SIGHT, A “SWEET” CHEF AND A BUSY CHEF, A BLOCKBUSTER AUTHOR, ELMO’S, BREAKING ART SMITH/LADY GAGA NEWS AND MORE MUST-ATTEND EVENTS FOR YOUR SOCIAL CALENDAR…AND MY LATEST VIDEO FROM WATCH312.COM!

Blog 1 - Reute, Charles, Caroline and Tara Wegner and Jim FowlerIt’s not often that a black tie fundraiser includes holding baby snow leopards, watching kudus on the dance floor or seeing young kangaroos bounding from table to table in a crowded ballroom but this was Blog 2 - Doodle and her handler Richard Wieseexactly the scene for the Friends of Conservation’s 21st Ball to benefit the wildlife and culture in East Africa. Reute Butler chaired this event and also serves as president of the organization which was founded in 1982 by her mother, Jorie Butler Kent, and Geoffrey Kent. (On this evening, Jorie was receiving the World Blog 3 - Emcee Zoraida SambolinSaver Award, as founder of A & K Philanthropy, in Singapore and couldn’t attend). The FOC’s mission, with core support from Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy and other generous donors, is to join with the local people to support traditional and sustainable ways of living in harmony with wildlife and the ecosystem. Also, they promote Blog 4 - Dr. Wharton Shober, a cloud leopard and daughter Reute Butlerresource and energy efficient solutions to alleviate the effects of climate change and advancing civilization. Their programs and Conservation Clubs also teach the children of the Masai Mara tree planting, bird watching, bee keeping Blog 5 - William Holdeman, Paul Iacono, Neal Steiner and Tom Juffernbruchas well as helping to develop community health projects. FOC also takes a very active role in promoting the overall education in 30 Mara schools. This year alone, the FOC also captured 29 poachers! The quote of the Blog 6 - Scott Lenhart and Fairmont Catering Director Wayne Harthnight came from renowned wildlife expert (and former “Wild Kingdom” star) Jim Fowler: “When you look into the eyes of these animals, you feel a connection. And this is important in encouraging the desire for wildlife conservation.” Fowler brought along his friends from the “Wild Kingdom,” Blog 7 - Marianna Kohl, Sarah Shillington, Chuck and Stephanie-Kraml Suttleas I mentioned above, who definitely brought the point home for the 150 guests this evening. Emcee Zoraida Sambolin introduced Reute by saying, “When you look into her eyes, you see love, heart and a desire to see the world in a better place.” The patron of the organization for the last 23 years, HRH, the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, also sent a message of congratulations: “I am greatly encouraged Blog 8 - Queen of the Kingdom with a fanby the enthusiasm with which you have pursued your work. Your support for projects to preserve wildlife Blog 10 - Jim Fowler with Caroline Wegnerand its habitat has not only benefitted endangered species but also the local communities which depend upon them. We all must redouble our efforts to put economic value on the vital benefits we receive from nature.” He went on to say, “Our work has made a difference but it 10_21a_11_146fbis far from over.” The FOC has been making a difference for 29 years now in the world-renowned Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem, where the largest remaining mammal migration on earth occurs when 1.8 million Blog 11 - Susan and Joe Ahern with familywildebeest follow the new grass after the rains from the Serengeti every year. It is also the home of the largest concentration of the legendary Masai. Women from the tribe had made exquisite beaded jewelry, Blog 12 - Snow leopardsbelts and more for the silent auction on this night that was filled with intoxicating live auction packages, too. Auctioneer David Goodman hammered down trips, donated by Abercrombie & Kent, to Peru for two (that sold for $3K), a South African safari (that sold for $5K), two business class tickets to Blog 13 - A rapt audienceLondon (courtesy of event sponsor American Airlines that sold for $6K), an eight- day journey for two to Turkey ($7K) and a trip to Thailand ($10K). Other unique offerings included a chance to create your own brew, courtesy of Greenbush Brewing Co. Blog 14 - Admiring the wine collection packageowner Scott Sullivan and Fitzgerald’s Gastro-Pub, and a ready-made wine collection consisting of 100 bottles with messages attached from the donors about the wine. (A very Blog 15 - Photog Mila Samokhina with the kangaroosclever auction idea, by the way, that gets all of the supporters involved). Rachael Phillippe, Holly Rothschild, Wendy Sherman and Jessica Swift were the co-chairs for the evening and honorary co-chairs included Reute’s uncle (and creator of Blog 16 - Natasha and Sanjay Sharma“Hair,” the musical), Michael Butler, Jutta and John Maue-Kay, Geoffrey Kent, Kay and Fred Krehbiel and actress Stefanie Powers. Special thanks also went to Dr. Wharton Shober (Reute’s father) and Frank O. Butler Blog 17 - Chuck with bandleader Stanley PaulII (her uncle), who both flew in for the event. The evening was not only for a wonderful caus, but it was a chance to celebrate with party animals and furry animals to the sounds of my favorite bandleader, Stanley Paul. Congrats to Blog 18 - A touching FOC presentationReute, the FOC, long-time supporter Joan Wegner and her family, emcee Zoraida Sambolin and the ever charming, Jim Fowler for bringing these good works and the reasons for them to our attention. Jim Fowler closed the evening by introducing his equally Kuducharming wife: “I was a specialist on wildlife and I’d like you to meet my wife Betsy. I tamed her with the rewards system.” (Thanks also to Richard Wiese for his expert help with Blog 20 - Chuck and Stephanie-Kraml Suttlethe wildlife presentations. If it weren’t for him, the little snow leopard would’ve been a bit more than I could handle on my own! What an incredible evening!) Other supporters seen on the scene included Ken Norgan, Paul Iacono, Neal Steiner, Stephanie-Kraml Sutter, Manuela Hung, Marianna Kohl, Sarah Shillington, Blog 21 - Annabelle Teal, Justin Shaffer and ReuteRebecca Halpern, Tom Hackett, Colleen Remsburg, Denise Foy, Suzie Browne, World War II ace fighter Blog 22 - Bidding on the live auctionpilot Burt Avedon, Tom Juffernbruch, William Holdeman, George Jewell, Susan and Joe Ahern and family, Janice Bergamin, Sandya Dandamudi, Teri Maki, Tom McGuire, Barbara and Alain Wood-Prince, Jill and Ben Wigdor, Brien Comerford, Dana and Stanley Day, Wendy Dunaway and Mike McGonagle, Cindy and Blog 24 - Elegant Masai creations for saleDavid Wigdahl, Betsey Burhams Fowler, Ann Epting, Pamela Lassers, Blog 23Jean Fawcett, Sue Mitchell, Sandra Busse, Norma Cooke and Sean Eshagy among many others. To learn more and/or to donate, please visit www.FriendsofConservation.org. (Photos by Mila Samokhina and to see the fun for yourselves, enjoy my four- minute video clip on Watch312.com below!)  

Watch live streaming video from watch312 at livestream.com

Blog 1 - Ball co-chairs Jeff Smisek, Dr. Diana Strassmann, Jackie Tilton, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Glenn TiltonMore than 800 guests celebrated at the 31st annual Columbian Ball at the Museum of Science and Industry which raised nearly $2 million this year. This annual event featured the Museum’s “Fast Forward…Inventing the Blog 2 - Max and Jim Farrell, Karen Gray and Susan MorrisonFuture” exhibit and encouraged guests to celebrate today’s leading inventors and inspire innovators of the future. The evening, chaired by Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Tilton, Dr. Diana Strassmann and Jeff Smisek, also celebrated the Museum’s Center for the Blog 3 - Shirley and Walter MasseyAdvancement of Science Education (CASE), which brings interactive science content into the classroom, out to the community, inside special Museum lab spaces and throughout the Museum itself. During the reception, guests interacted with local Chicago Blog 4 - Auction co-chairs, Alison and Dean Chungteens and teachers who participate in this program, giving guests an opportunity to hear first-hand the positive influence it bears. Guests dined on a delicious meal, catered by George Jewell, which paid homage to featured “Fast Forward” inventors: The meal JBS_ColumbianBall2011_0331started with “The Vertical Garden” (dedicated to inventor Dickson Despommier’s Vertical Farm Project), which included honey crisp apple, cranberry, fennel, arugula and goat cheese in a honey-lemon vinaigrette, followed Blog 6 - Desiree Rogers and Eb Burnoughby the “Out of this World” dinner entrees which were inspired by another featured “Fast Forward” innovator Peter Diamandis, chairman and CEO of the X-Prize Foundation and Zero Gravity Corp. and culminated with the dessert from  molecular gastronomy king Chef Homaro CantuDavid and Susan Axelrodhis ACME Bomb was a truffle-like dessert filled with graham cracker and crème that is a more modern take on the s’more. Emcee Bill Kurtis kicked off the live auction, which raised more than $217K, and included two round trip tickets to Hong Kong and four courtside seats plus a behind-the-scenes tour at the 2012 Eileen_and_Jim_O'Connor_(Chicago)U.S. Open Tennis Championship among many other unique offerings. Live entertainment was provided by “Generation: The Sixties Experience.” The Museum of Science and Industry was once the Palace of Blog 9 - Cheryl and Eric McKissack, Shari Runner, Cynthia ChappellFine Arts at the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 and the Columbian Ball is named after this world-renowned fair. To learn more about Museum events and programming, please visit www.msichicago.org. (Photos by Bob Carl and JB Spector…for more photos, please click here!)

Blog 1 - 2011 Aviators Night for Sight CommitteeThe Illinois Eye-Bank brought the luxe life back for the second year with their popular “Aviator’s Night for Sight” event, which was held inside the hangar at Schaumburg Regional Airport. Guests enjoyed a champagne Blog 2 - Ambassador for Vision Anthony Diaz and dad Jaimereception at Chicago’s Crown Plaza Hotel before departing by motor coach to the airport where numerous jets, luxury sports cars, fashion and food were waiting to greet them. Guest mixed, danced and mingled while drinking Grey Blog 3 - Diane and Emily HollingsworGoose specialty cocktails and perusing the gourmet food stations. Spin master DJ RodX got the party started before IEB Executive Director Diane Hollingsworth and event co-chairs Morgan Stogsdill and Franco La Marca took to the stage. After welcoming the Bridget Waltz and Kimberly Palmisanoattendees, they introduced 10-year-old Anthony Diaz, a cornea recipient who was the evening’s Ambassador for Vision. Morgan and Franco ended by sharing, “Our friends and colleagues united through Ambassadors for Vision to raise awareness for the Illinois Eye-Bank’s important Blog 5 - Mark Bell, Kerry Bowler and Marty Vernonmission of restoring sight to the blind.” Next up, a fashion show produced by Kimberly Palmisano, in association with Akira, featured looks from the Monarrez Collection, Villapando, Anabel Salazar, By Chance, Marissa and Jason Senzon, Blog 6 - Co-chairs Morgan Stogsdill and Franco La MarcaFrench Connection, Hudson Jeans and Scott James among others. The evening raised approximately $25K which will be used to continue the work of the Eye-Bank. For more info, please visit www.illinoiseyebank.org. Check out the video fun here! (Photos by Steve Starr.) 

Blog 1 - Jesus Salguiero, Chef Eric Lanlard and Naushab AhmedA big congrats to “sweet” Chef Eric Lanlard! I attended my first “Disco Dessert Tea Dance” held in his honor recently at the super cool Stephen Hamilton Studio, located at 1520 W. Fulton. Hosted by Jesus Salguiero, Naushab Ahmed and Stephen Blog 2 - Boys just wanna have fun!Hamilton, this ‘70s themed party also featured DJ White Shadow, who helped produce Lady Gaga’s hit, “Born this Way.” And speaking of Lady Gaga, Chef Art wasn’t able to attend, even though he was one of the hosts…but a little birdie told me he is in NY working on a Thanksgiving special with Lady Gaga!!! (So long Andy Williams!) Anyway, the guest of honor, darling Chef Lanlard, told me he’s been baking cakes since he was three years Blog 3old! He is a Master Patissier, a two-time winner Blog 4 - Table 52 Pastry Chefs Geovanna Salas and Celeste Campiseof the prestigious Continental Patissier of the Year at the British Baking Awards AND he has earned himself an international reputation for superlative cakes with an impressive A-list clientele. Along with his cake emporium, Cake Boy in London, Eric also stars in two British TV series Blog 5 - DJ White Shadowwhere he takes the viewer on a journey to his favorite cafes and patisseries of Paris. He is also the author of “Master Cakes” and teaches regular classes at his Southwest London cookery school. WHEW! He is definitely someone you should know. And his recent book, “Cake Boy,” has some of the most scrumptious recipes and photos I’ve seen in a long, long time. Willy Wonka has nothing on Eric! (To purchase “Cake Boy,” please click here and to view more pics, click here!) 

Blog 1Speaking of book news, society expert/author Megan McKinney has just published a riveting story of the country’s first media dynasty, the Medills of Chicago. “The Magnificent Medills” was featured on the COVER of The New York Times Book Review a week or so ago and, as the jacket Blog 2 - Author Megan McKinneyreads, “Printer’s ink raged in the veins of the Medills, the McCormicks and the Pattersons throughout a century, and their legacy prevailed for another five decades – always in the forefront of events, shaping the intellectual and social pulse of America. At the same time, the dark side of the intellectual stardom driving the dynasty was a Blog 3 - Colonel Robert R. McCormickdestructive compulsion that left clan members crippled by their personal demons of chronic depression, alcoholism, drug abuse and even madness and suicide.” There are also many, many people mentioned that we all know, or have heard of, around town. This book is a must-read! Congrats to Megan on this blockbuster! Chicago is quickly becoming the literary capitol of the world! (To purchase “The Magnificent Medills,” please click here!)

And now for some exciting upcoming events that Candid Candace Recommends 🙂

2011_Gazebo3The Junior League of Chicago will hold its 40th Annual Gazebo Holiday Market on Friday, November 18th, and Saturday, November 19th at the Chicago Cultural Center, located at 78 E. Washington St., in the Sidney R. Yates Gallery on the 4th floor. In addition to a full-day of shopping on Saturday, the “Martinis and Mistletoe” preview cocktail party will be held on Friday, November 18th from 7 – 11 PM. Tickets to the party are $65 in advance and $75 at the door. Ticket sales from the party and a portion of every purchase will be donated to the JLC’s community projects dedicated to the empowerment of at-risk women and children in the Chicagoland area. (For more info and to purchase event and raffle tickets, please call 312.664.4462 ext. 101 or visit www.jlchicago.org. (Entrance to the Gazebo Holiday Market is free and open to the public on Saturday, Nov. 19th from 10 AM to 4 PM).

Blog 1Will you be meeting friends at Elmo’s on Friday evening, November 4th, for the annual Service Club of Chicago’s black tie gala at the Four Seasons, located at 120 E. Delaware Place? The theme is “A Glamorous Evening at The Club El Morocco” and will be a celebration of this organization’s 121st gala. Founded in 1890, the SC is one of the oldest philanthropic Blog 2 - Co-chairs Dusty Stemer, Toni Canada and Laurie Davisorganizations in the city. Co-chairs Toni Canada, Laurie Davis and Dusty Stemer have planned a night of surprises you won’t soon forget. Emcees for the evening will be Valerie Warner and Ryan Chiaverini of “Windy City Live,” Honorary Chair is Rahm Emanuel and there will be a special performance by Shelley MacArthur Farley. The title of the Gala was inspired by the legendary supper club of the Blog 3 - Emcees Valerie Warner and Ryan Chiaverini‘30s and ‘40s, El Morocco, where the Vanderbilts dined alongside Cary Grant and Marlene Dietrich, where Jackie went as Mrs. Kennedy and Mrs. Onassis, and where infamous playboy Porfirio Rubirosa dallied with Delores del Rio, Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth and Eva Peron. It was also the place where Humphrey Bogart was banned for life! As you can see, we’re in for some good ole Hollywood glamour! So grab your mink boa, a cigarette holder (well, maybe not) and your martini glass because I think we’re in for one wild ride! (For tickets, beginning at $400, and more info, please contact Laurie Davis at 773.404.5858).

Chill-2011_headerInternational wine and culinary event LUXEHOME Chill will be held in LUXEHOME’s showroom in the Merchandise Mart on Thursday, November 10th, Chef Francis Brennanfrom 6 – 8:30 PM. The VIP party will be held from 5 – 6 PM in their Paris Ceramics suite, #146. Hosted by L20 Restaurant and Wine Spectator Magazine, this event will feature premier seafood tastings served by 2008_LuxeHome_SpecialEvents_LrezExecutive Chef Francis Brennan. The main event will feature 40 top chefs and 150 premium wines! Tickets to the VIP Wine Tasting and Reception plus the main event are $175. For the Wine & Culinary Event only, tickets are $85. The VIP event will benefit the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, the Lynn Sage Foundation and the Respiratory Health Association. (For tix and more info, please click here.) You will see LOTS of familiar faces here, I’m sure, thanks to much loved host, Gayle Anthony!

Still haven’t made it to the pumpkin patch…sigh. Have a great week and thanks for checking in!! 🙂

Love,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com

Art_and_GagaP.S. Thanks to a happenstance meeting on a reality cooking show, Lady Gaga and Chef Art Smith are doing some BIGGGGG, EXCITING things together! Chef Art and Lady Gaga met on "Oprah." She admired Art from "Top Chef Masters" and expressed disappointment that he didn’t win. He replied, “I did win, you remembered me. It’s not about winning, it’s about being remembered.” Their friendship and love for each other led to her introducing her parents, Cynthia and Joe Germanotta, to Art. Papa Gaga, a graduate of Hotel and Restaurant School at Michigan State has always dreamed of owning his own restaurant. Well, voila! Watch for a small restaurant, Joanne’s, coming to NYC’s Upper West side, in the 60’s between Columbus and Central Park with a menu inspired by family recipes with Art’s special southern touches. It will be designed by Mama Gaga and will I’m sure become an instant star-spotting, celeb hangout! AND, watch for Chef Art in a starring role in an ABC Thanksgiving Special with the Lady herself!

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THE LYRIC OPERA AND THE 47TH CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CELEBRATE GRAND OPENING NIGHTS!

…PLUS ST. JUDE'S "DREAM A LITTLE DREAM" FASHION SHOW, FRIENDS OF CONSERVATION BALL AND LESLIE HINDMAN AUCTIONEERS PLAN FOR BIG EVENTS!

Blog 1 - Co-chair Trisha Rooney Alden with friend The Lyric Opera’s Opening Night Gala Benefit (sponsored by Aon Corporation) never fails to be one of the most glamorous affairs of the year. Their dynamic Women’s Board, led by Blog 2 - Co-chair Karen Gray and Patricia CoxPresident Anne Reyes, always plans a night of sheer, almost fairytale, elegance. The opening night performance of Offenbach’s “The Tales of Hoffman” enchanted 3,500 white and black-tie clad guests who filled the theater to watch the 2 ½ hour performance. The sets inspired the romantic décor in the Rice Grand Foyer at the Civic Opera House with overflowing floral arrangements and Blog 3 - WB President Anne Reyes (center) with friends sparkling crystal and candlelight. The pre-performance festivities and between the two intermissions included delicious sweets and savories as well as a reception in the exclusive Blog 4 - Shirley Ryan and Mamie Case Graham Room. Here, the VIPs and bold-faced crowd mixed and mingled while enjoying Calihan Catering’s delicious ratatouille and goat cheese tarts, seafood bouillabaisse served over jasmine rice, quail, beef tenderloin over whipped parmesan potatoes and wild boar over truffled mascarpone quiche. Chocolate cognac-filled dessert crepes with assorted berries finished off this feast. Blog 5 - Julie Latsko, Trisha Rooney Alden, MK Pritzker Just a simple little meal before the performance! Opening Night and Opera Ball Chairs Trisha Rooney Alden and Karen Gray, along with vice chairs Rebecca Knight and Caryn Harris, Blog 6 - Elsa and Alejandro Silva created magic for the 625 guests who continued on to the Opera Ball at the Hilton Chicago. The sound of trumpets and women’s board members greeted guests as they arrived. The Grand Ballroom was filled with clouds of white floral arrangements set atop two foot tall crystal vases designed by Heffernan Morgan. The Stu Hirsh Orchestra performed in front of a replica of the backdrop that Blog 7 - Cute opera lovers! featured prominently in the performance and everywhere you looked, massive screens projected photos from past ball attendees as well as scenes from the opera. The Grand Blog 8 - Ken Norgan and Joan Steele March of the Stars heralded the opening of the Ball as the crowd took their seats to dine on chilled lobster salad, filet mignon topped with red onion marmalade and slow braised beef short ribs served with Jerusalem artichoke heart hash and sweet potato gratin. Dessert included chocolate brulee, flourless white chocolate cake and strawberry and blueberry compotes. Caterer George Jewell outdid Blog 9 - Glam guestshimself yet again! The Opening Night committee included Suzette Bross Bulley, Elizabeth O’Connor Cole, Stephanie Fisher, Christina Kemper Gidwitz, Rebecca Knight, Alison Wehman McNally, Mimi Mitchell, M.K. Blog 10 - Robin Berger, Trisha Rooney Alden and friend Pritzker and Dawn Shapiro. The Opera Ball committee was comprised of Renee Crown, Maxine Farrell, Caryn Harris, Debby Janotta, Kay Krehbiel, Ellen O’Connor, Cathy Osborn, Barbara Pearlman, Shirley Ryan, Nancy Searle and Liz Stiffel. More than  $875,000 was raised for Lyric programming.  Performances run through October 29th. For tickets and more info, please visit www.LyricOpera.org. (To view ALL of the fabulous photos by Caitlin Saville Collins, please click HERE!)

Blog 1 - Jamie Anne Allman, Dennis Farina, Ian Barford, Gary Cole, Joe Maggio The Opening Night of the 47th International Chicago Film Festival couldn’t have been more exciting as the stars of the film, “The Last Rites of Joe May,” turned out in force to pack the Red Carpet! The film’s star, Blog 2 - Billy Zane Chicago native and former cop Dennis Farina, happily chatted with every camera on the carpet along with the cast that included Gary Cole (who looked so thin but very handsome in person), Ian Barford (a Chicago actor and Blog 3 - Jamie Anne Allman with husband, True Blood star, Marshall Allman Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble member who played the very nasty villain), Jamie Anne Allman, Chelcie Ross, writer/director Joe Maggio and proud Film Fest founder Michael Kutza (who created the fest in 1964). Handsome Blog 4 - Media peeps Bill Zwecker, Janet Davies, LeeAnn Trotter and Dean Richards actor Billy Zane (“Titanic”) also came out to support his friends. He was set to have a recurring role as Oscar Bianchi on the now-defunct "The Playboy Club." When I asked him what happened, he said, “Oooh, I’m not gonna go there. It could be Blog 5 - With co-chair Rich Varnes and Film Fest founder Michael Kutza anything…things behind the scenes that no one knows about…” (Watch for all of my Red Carpet interviews coming soon on Watch312.com!) The film was shot in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood and was produced by Farina’s Blog 6 - Dennis Farina poses with fans at after-party production company, You’re Faded, and Steppenwolf Films, part of the legendary Steppenwolf Theatre Company. It features Farina as a small time hustler who finds a Blog 7 - Bill Zwecker interviewing Billy Zane shot at redemption. It’s a dark film, definitely NOT the Disney Channel, but very compelling and powerfully acted by all involved. Renowned film critic Roger Ebert called it a “career performance” for Farina. The Festival, Blog 8 - Dennis with a big fan! which runs through October 20th at the AMC River East 21, will feature 180 films from 55 countries and introduce 40 first time filmmakers. After the film’s debut at the Harris Theatre, 850 guests walked to the Chicago Cultural Center, which was lit up by strobe lights, to attend the after-party. I was happily surprised to see the stars show up as well Blog 9 - Film Fest founder Michael
Kutza and producer Tim Evans and watched as they took photos and chatted with the happy fans. Delicious food, courtesy of The Gibsons Restaurant Group, included turkey burger sliders from Director Maggio introduces cast at Harris Theatre LuxBar, jumbo shrimp cocktail from Hugo’s, filet mignon sliders from Gibsons and caramelized onion-goat cheese canapés and cauliflower-Stilton bisque soup from RL. I was proud Emcee Bill Kurtis welcomes crowd at Harris Theatre to be a co-chair with Film Fest board member Rich Varnes for this event, whose proceeds supported Cinema/Chicago’s year-round Educational Outreach program that brings 5,000 children from Chicago’s public schools into theaters for special screenings that expose them to new cultures, foreign languages and thought-provoking subject matter. (For screening tickets and to learn more, please visit www.ChicagoFilmFestival.com.)

Blog 1 St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will feature their annual “Dream a Little Dream” fashion show and luncheon on Sunday, November 13th, at the Donald E. Stephens Blog 2 - Project Runway’s Peach Carr Convention Center in Rosemont. This year’s fashion show, presented by ZZazz Productions and emceed by NBC’s Alison Rosati, will feature the latest in fabulous designer trends, furs by York Furrier, Swarovski and a special guest appearance by "Project Runway" Blog 3 - Marget Graham and daughter darling Peach Carr! This exciting event, benefitting the premier pediatric cancer research center, will begin with a champagne reception at 11 AM and an elegant luncheon beginning at noon (doors open at 10 AM). The Dream Raffle will include tickets to the finale of Blog 4 - Ann Danner and St. Jude CEO Rick ShadyacAmerican Idol,” a Disney package with a Waldorf-Astoria stay, Blackhawks, Sox and Cubs tickets, a $1,000 Nordstrom gift card and a Kayman Scooter among hundreds of other prizes! I am so proud to be the Honorary Chair for this event which is supported passionately by St. Jude Blog 5 CEO Rick Shadyac and my long-time friend, Ann Danner. When she approached me to be a part of this, I was thrilled as her Blog 6 enthusiasm for this worthy charity is contagious. She has shared the stories of St. Jude patients and survivors and I have been so inspired. Watch last year’s video of Marget Graham here and see for yourself. I hope you can all join me! (For tickets and more info, please visit www.StJudeFashionShow.com or call 800-621-5359). Happily, the tickets are going fast!

Blog 1 The enchantingly elegant and wonderfully wild Conservation Ball will be held on Friday, October 21st, at the Fairmont Hotel, located at 200 N. Columbus Drive. Hosted for the 21st time by chairman and FOC Blog 2 - Jim Fowler with Ball Chairman, Reute Butler President, Reute Butler, daughter of Founder and International Chairman Jorie Butler Kent, this grand affair benefits the Friends of Conservation whose mission provides protection for wildlife in the Masai Mara and other wildlife reserves in Kenya and Tanzania, through habitat Blog 3 - Working with kids in the FOC Conservation Club conservation programs, anti-poaching efforts, youth education and community development. Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy is the presenting supporter of this black tie ball, along with American Airlines and Gala Chairmen Rachael Blog 4 - Maasai warriors at sunset Phillippe, Holly Rothschild, Wendy Sherman, Jessica Swift and Joan Wegner. The evening will also feature renowned wildlife expert, Jim Fowler, who always brings along his delightful, furry friends. I’ve never seen a more Blog 5 - Le Boreal Antarctica bound extensive and exciting group of auction packages either! The trips offered are once in a lifetime experiences and include a South African safari, American Airlines business class tickets to London and South America, an eight-day trip throughout Turkey, a two-week trip to Antarctica aboard Le Blog 6 - Chief Ben Ramet greets Reute Boreal (the first all-balcony stateroom and suite expedition ship to travel to Antarctica), an 11-day trip throughout Thailand, a five-day journey to Peru, a collection of 100+ bottles of Blog 7 - the Great Migration wine and the opportunity to custom craft your own batch of beer courtesy of Greenbush Brewing Co. & Fitzgerald’s Gastro Pub. Whew! The best part is you can be an absentee bidder, too! Donor tickets begin at Blog 8 $375 and for the younger set – 35 and under – tickets are $250. And if you’d just like to experience dancing to the Stanley Paul Orchestra and the wildlife presentation beginning at 8:30 PM, tickets are only $75. For more info, please visit their website. For bidding info and tickets, please email info@friendsofconservation.org or call 630.288.2714. Lions and tigers and bears, OH MY!

Blog 1 Leslie Hindman Auctioneers has a BIG auction coming up for fashion lovers and especially fans of the legendary Ebony Fashion Fairs founded by the one and Blog 2 - Eunice Johnson with Ebony Fashion Fair models only Eunice Johnson. Famed designer Stephen Burrows had this to say about Mrs. Johnson: “She exposed black Americans to a view of the world they Blog 3 would not have seen without the Ebony Fashion Fair at the time.” In a note enclosed in the auction catalog, Desiree Rogers said, “We will be selling a select collection from the Blog 4 - Yves St. Laurent with Eunice Johnson Ebony Fashion Fair show and are excited to offer people a chance to own a piece from this historic collection.” There are 706 lots with items by designers including Valentino, Thierry Mugler, Oscar de la Renta, Lanvin, Issey Miyake, Geoffrey Beene, Blog 5 Emanuel Ungaro, Christian Lacroix, Carolina Herrera, Bill Blass and too many other notables to name. Eunice’s daughter, Linda Johnson Rice, said, “The show began in 1958 as a means of raising funds for black organizations and causes and Blog 6 - Eunice Johnson, forever chic over the course of its run, it succeeded in raising an astounding $55 million for charity!” Vogue’s Andre Leon Talley said, “Eunice was one of the most influential forces in the high-fashion world.” To see these Blog 7 - Eunice and John Johnson with Linda Johnson Rice exquisite pieces for yourself and, perhaps own a piece of history, come to the preview beginning on Saturday, October 15th at 10 AM at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, located at 1338 W. Lake St. The auction will be on Saturday, October 22nd, beginning at 10 AM. (Keep your eyes off of Lot #443 by the way – it’s going to be mine!) Fair warning!

 

Rooney at Halloween Boy, we will be busy bees attending all of these fun and fashionable events around town! Hope to see you at one or more and that you’re enjoying these beautiful fall days! Next week, we will be taking the “kids” to one of the many pumpkin patches in the area where I hope to eat more than my fair share of apple cider donuts! Have a great week!  

Love,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com

 

Amis book cover P.S. Don’t miss One Book, One Chicago’s interview with author Martin Amis at the Harold Washington Library Center, located at 400 S. State St., beginning at 6 PM on One Book One Chicago logo Tuesday, October 18th. Sun-Times publisher John Barron will be conducting the interview in the Cindy Pritzker Auditorium. Click here for more info!

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