jamie foxx always gets live in chicago!

I love hanging with Oscar Winning/Grammy Nominated Jamie foxx when he is in chicago- and mostly because he loves Chicagoans!  He just lights up when gets here, grabs my mic, and won’t stop screaming love to all in the room!  (that and he just cracks me up when we party- wow)

We were rapping couple nights ago at sunda (already been twice this trip alone!), and he was just so excited to be back, and couldn’t wait to share that chicago love this weekend at his concerts… If can make either of his shows, sure he would love the support back, and sure you will have a blast!  Info & tix at www.ticketmaster.com

macy’s glamorama chicago fashion show ticket is #1

The news coverage in above video was from the night I hit the red carpet w/ destiny’s child michelle williams to hang out backstage & support buddy beyonce who was performing that night at macy’s glamorama!  (Check the local gear I’m rockin- I’m always behind chicago artists first!)   If haven’t heard, No chicago fashion show beats macy’s glamorama!  The whole production is mind blowing.. and the crowd?  The best!  

people like Ellen Degeneres, Brooke Shields, Lauren Holly, Pamela Anderson, Ryan Seacrest, Queen Latifah,.. have all joined the coolest people in chicago for the most amazing runway presentations combined w/ live performances by artists like beyonce, Cyndi Lauper, MC Hammer, Big & Rich, B-52’s, the Pussycat Dolls, Wayne Newton…

This year Ne-yo, celeb dj mel debarge and so many more are lighting up the stage- actually, dj mel debarge & crew are officially making the vip afterparty at the underground the place to be that night!  (as always right? haha!)

Hope you will join us?  For tix go to www.ticketmaster.com… oh, and this year, it all supports one of my favorite charity groups, the Ronald Mcdonald House… which does so much for sick children and their families- let’s help!  (this year they’re shooting to raise 400g!)

chicago luvabulls tryouts @ united center!

nba chicago bulls’ dance troupe / cheerleaders, the infamous chicago luvabulls, are having their annual tryouts this Saturday- and I’m a judge!  (Ya, tough job, but someone had to step up- haha!)  at last year’s auditions, when I was first asked to Judge, I showed up & froze when thousands of ridiculously talented & beautiful chicago girls were jamming out in front of me to killer music & routines- just so I could start making my picks- omg- it was crazy- very excited about the ‘09-’10 crew this saturday!

Anyway, need your help to spread the word- everyone has a friend that should tryout to be on the luvabulls- you never know who will be picked!?!   Think- what a fun way to support & celebrate our city performing at bulls home games, representing at charity events, promotional opportunities.. and when they travel internationally (luvabulls have appeared in japan, Greece, costa rica, france,… and more)! just go to www.bulls.com and Fill out an application, practice your moves, and will see ya at the United Center this Saturday (8/1) at 9am!

me & our chicago friends on hbo’s entourage

If scroll down to the Jeremy Piven video below- you will see him making fun of me while we were filming a scene together on entourage insisting that I keep my day job! (ya, I know, he’s right)  

Anywho, the episode finally airs this Sunday (8/2)!  Just whatever you do, don’t blink, you will for sure miss me! (that is, if my ugly mug didn’t hit the cutting room floor already! ugh)

Coolest thing about the experience was that my scene was with 3 huge chicago theatre actors- Gary Cole (Steppenwolf), Jeremy Piven (Piven workshop), and David Schwimmer (lookingglass)!  5 hours filming together on set rapping between scenes about how cool chicago is and how much they miss it!  Come on- do you see the absolute coolness in that?  One of the top shows on tv, actors competing from around the world, and there are 4 people filming around that endeavor table from chicago! (actually, 5! One actress used to work at a bar in wrigleyville while taking acting classes here!)

“i’m from chicago, i don’t break”

Last week when meeting w/ discovery channel, I was asked to take out the heads of casting & development for tlc while they were here casting for something in chicago.  Being the kind, welcoming & enthusiastic chicago host that I am, I said sure!  Well, it was last night- and as much as I originally thought there wasn’t anything going on, and it was just another night in chicago, and that they might get bored tagging along with me… looking back… I think they might have had the time of their lives and we just earned a couple new fans of our city!?!  Check this out:

6p- I take them as my guests to president obama’s “welcome home party” vip reception at the hyatt… saying hello to friends like jay cutler, tracey magrette, the president’s senior advisor Valerie Jarrett,… to 100 other of chicago’s most influential politicians, influencers, localcelebs, philanthropists,… they are wondering what the heck is going on for sure-

7p- take them to main room getting them only 5 rows back from the president of the united states himself who is literally speaking right at them!  Realizing this never happens for out of towners (or I guess anyone really?), I begin to notice this may be a night to remember!  My favorite quote from the president last night was “I’m from chicago, I don’t break!” (got to see clip above, toward end- so good!)

8p- I have a car roll up and takes us to rockit so I can show them a good ol chicago eatery where the locals hang after work with friends… they are wide eyed and love how everyone is so lively and having fun eating, talking, laughing, being Chicagoans!

815p- I take them to sunda for dinner because heard it got “best new restaurant” in chicago social… I spend the whole time bragging about our city and why we love serving Chicagoans…

845p- they get to see into my past when I intro them to my 3^rd grade teacher from st.clements who happened to be there!  Mrs reade, so amazing- oh my first crush…

945p- I show them our corp offices and explain how we work behind the scenes to constantly elevate the level of entertainment in chicago and get it the exposure & respect it deserves.  They start talking about how they really need to call it a night because of the big day, I convince them to see more of what’s happening in the city, they say ok but just for a bit.

1030p- I take them to the underground to a super cool party for grossman & jack, a leading chicago talent agency (who got me the part on “nightmare on elm street”), so they can see our city’s talent come together first hand in one of their favorite nightlife environments. And then somehow tequila comes out… bad move, but gets me an extension to show them more.

11p- i decide to show them the northside (or someone did, after the tequila probably), and we end up at minibar in boystown!  The staff is so super cool & welcoming, the place is just total fun, and they laid out a table & a couple bottles for us upon our arrival… so we keep partying… I mean, so not to waste their generous offerings- of course.

12a- uh, my guests get crazy and I can’t talk about it online- too funny- still saying they need to get up early for that big day- yet still having a blast!

1a- I take them for late night food at the weiner circle for ridiculous harassment and juicy carbs galore… and so much sick harassment I can tell they are mortified- and loving it- as the profanities are flying- one of the girls behind the counter find out I am with people in casting and one screams “bitch, put me on bridezillas!” 

130a- I put them in a cab hoping they make it to the hotel ok & wake up for their 830a! 

Hmmm… wonder what they are thinking?  Did I do my job and earn the city new fans? Or did I just plain ruin their big work day today (oops) ? know they meant to quit night earlier… but just too much coolness in chicago to call it quits… especially if they are here to tag along with me while I’m enjoying my city… need to know…  ”I’m from chicago, I don’t break!”

kanye west at chicago theatre on fuse

following up on an earlier blog about kanye west’s show at the chicago theatre last month! set to air this saturday on the fuse network, check out how packed the theatre was and how hyped the crowd was! rumor has it he’s teaming up with lady gaga for a new tour, check back for more info. 

leaving you with my favorite kanye west quote – “love your haters, they’re your biggest fans!”

support local designers w/ fashion focus!

I got to talk “fashion” w/ mayor daley at a press conference & fashion show (that’s me in front! pic found on bizbash) hosted by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs at Macy’s to unveil Fashion Focus 2009- our “fashion week” 10/22-10/25- showcasing some of chicago’s top designers, featuring runway shows in Millennium Park, shopping events, student designer events, and industry seminars.  Daley said “Fashion Focus Chicago has established itself as a wonderful way to support the city’s fashion community, highlight the talented artists who live and work here and draw people to the neighborhood shops that sell fashions by local designers.”

I thought it was also cool to hear from tommy hilfiger who was in the house talking about the Chicago Fashion Incubator, a program started by the city & Macy’s to help local designers launch their careers and make it big!  Tommy, now the new mentor of the program, told all, “I am honored to be involved in this project and look forward to sharing my experience in the fashion industry with these designers.”

If like me & can’t wait to support our local chicago designers (and want to look really smart!), stop by the “Chicago Sidewalk Sale” taking place today & tomorrow (21^st  & 22^nd) on Daley Plaza featuring over 30 Chicago-based designers & retailers, w/ noon fashion shows on both days, where you can meet some of the most amazing local designers & retailers around!  Chicago boasts more than 400 designers and 375 independent fashion boutiques- this number will grow if we all support them 1^st before choosing randoms out of habit. For more information, visit www.chicagofashionresource.com

guess who’s fighting for you!

I have always had mad respect for the art & sport of boxing… the mind, body, andspiritual strength & commitment alone of one person, usually representing many, fascinates me…  and if you follow me on twitter, you may remember I was all excited to train last Saturday at h.e.r.o. fitness next to one of my favorite fighters ever, long time buddy and two time world heavyweight title challenger“FAST” Fres Oquendo! 

I have to say, in addition to being a dedicated super talented boxer, who happens to also be fromchicago like us, fres is probably one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet… and One week from today (Friday, 7/24), our man fres will step into the ring w/ former heavyweight world champion Bruce “THE ATLANTIC CITY EXPRESS” Seldon at Chicago’s own UIC Pavilion… and we all need to be there to support our chicago guy fighting for our city!  Join me? advance tix at www.ticketmaster.com.

chicago independent film, art, voice & recognition!

I’m actually in los angeles today meeting w/ producers, networks & other entertainment types about getting more chicago/chicagoans in film, tv & other forms of story telling!  Whether pitching show ideas, giving them info on the city, offering to show them what they are missing,… I am tired of just waiting for them to stop flying over us as they go from coast to coast skipping us when looking for real, impactful, entertaining America story, talent, character, and beauty!

Unfortunately I think it’s a larger mainstream Hollywood megaproducer industry thing, so while I try to make a lil difference chipping away at the powerhouse on this end here in lala-land as best I can, I also support the voices in our hometown of those that take risks and go out independently to tell a more personal, unmanipulated, real and raw story… hoping that they find ears & hearts like yours & mine, and others around the country & world, and get the praise & attention they deserve, thus hopefully sending a message to the big producers, that there is more of a national/global appreciation in local stories like ours…  and that they are missing it!

Anyway, you can help & have fun if come by the 2009 Independent Film Gala Kick-Off Party on July 22nd, 2009 from 6-9pm at rockit… its a great & affordable way (only $20), to include as many friends as we can to support chicago voice & story, by supporting IFP/Chicago, a non-profit organization committed to the idea that independent film is an important art form, providing resources, information and avenues of communication for independent filmmakers, industry professionals and independent film enthusiasts in Chicago. Tickets for the Gala Kick-Off Party are on sale online at www.ifpchicago.org NOW! Hope to see you there!

support the voice of our future!

I’m inspired by & support Young poets, free thinkers, writers, talent,… and I’m so excited that the 900+ of the best of the best from 50 cities across the u.s. descend on Chicago Tues 7/14 to Sun 7/19 for the spectacular, internationally renowned, 12th Annual Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam Fest presented by Youth Speaks Inc. in partnership with Columbia College & Young Chicago Authors.

Chicago South Side native, poetry slam champion and Youth Speaks Artist-in-Residence Mayda del Valle was one of 3 from the 2008 Brave New Voices event and HBO series “Russell Simmons Presents Brave New Voices” (narrated by Queen Latifah), who just attended the White House poetry jam hosted by President Obama and his wife… check this lil cool behind the scene video from the trip!

join me in enjoying all the events throughout the week especially:

Continue reading »

setting the stage for live music

took this pic of elton john & billy joel stage going up @ wrigley field this morning! i can’t tell you why i was randomly standing in the middle of wrigley field this morning, but put 8/20 in your calendars now – once i let word out here in the upcoming days – tix will go fast and you will want the date free! 

speaking of celeb singers @ wrigley – hung w/ green day at rockit yesterday before the game – super cool guys – billie joe armstrong threw me some sick backstage passes for their show at allstate tonight – figuring out how to bring peeps that follow me on twitter- btw, if you aren’t following me on twitter – it’s crazy entertaining behind the scenes sneak peak stuff that most never see – and i give out extra concert tix & free stuff for fun on it too all the time! just click here to follow me on www.twitter.com/billydec.

and i guess speaking of twitter and celeb singers, i sent tweets about my interview w/ david cook yesterday before his dinner at sunda, asking for cool questions to ask – and omg i got 100+ tweets back! and as promised – i asked him many of your questions as i always read my tweet replies – and they will make it to the final interview when airs on this site in the next couple weeks! so keep checking back and stay in touch!

happy wife happy life!

After pounding mad amounts of food at sunda last night, joel madden & I walked it off on way to the underground where he was dj’ing the big absolut party we had… while talking about his trip here… fascinated that he came in town so early just to enjoy the city, shop, eat,… I find more and more these days that celebrity performers don’t just fly in and out for gigs- they come early or stay late just to enjoy the city!  Smart-

When talking about how excited he was that he and Nicole Richie are expecting their second baby soon, I told him that I was psyched to be a father one day too, and asked if had any advice about balancing family with working in the entertainment industry (he’s working on a new album with good charlotte)…. He smiled real big and said ya- it all comes down to… happy wife happy life…. Hmmmmm, thought that was pretty smart too!

welcome home mr. president!

Have you heard? the president is coming back home to chicago!

I’ll be at his “welcome home party” on Thursday July 23rd at 6pm at the Hyatt Regency- and I put details below on how you can join us! But first wanted to share a fun story. this all made me think of when I was asked to host an event for him at union station a couple years ago. will never forget, rode up in special motorcade car w/just Barack, Michelle, and an fresh entourage of super intense secret service agents. I was so nervous. all I could think about was not having a panic attack before delivering the “next president’s” introduction on stage before thousands of guests and millions watching on tv!

Funny thing was, Barack & Michelle were so happy, relaxed and comfortable, while I was freaking out, asking me all these questions about my life, work, family, friends. secretly all I wanted to do was practice my speech so not to mess up! They didn’t allow that. they were too interested in hearing what young people were going through, wanted & needed. I think I stuttered something about how we just want to know what’s going on and know what exactly we can do to make things better. now that I think about it. not a bad answer?

Anyway, the quick video clip above is the moment after I gave that intro (thus the flush post panic look in my face). can’t wait to see him again on the 23rd just as a relaxed happy guest! If interested in coming too, event info at https://www.democrats.org/page/contribute/july23hyatt?custom1=Gen44

my big bang 4th in chicago!

This 4^thof july weekend I had my long time buddy Johnny Galecki (on right) in town visiting w/ his cast mates from the cbs hit tv show “the big bang theory” and it was truly a blast!  In this pic we were it kickin off w/ a great night out at the underground after rockit & sunda… just to help do my part in trying to win over his 1^st time to chicago friends… and I think it worked!  They now love chicago too!

Johnny & I have been celebrating this holiday in some capacity together for years (he’s from oak park, does a lot of local theatre, loves visiting family here,…), and I always love how he brings friends who have not yet been here to share how great his city is.  He is such a genuinely lovely and talented one of our own, that speaks higher of us and our city than anyone else working in la la land, that I just thought I would give him a shout out & say thx for coming home again… and lil tip y’all, check him out on stage next time he comes home to perform… he is truly amazing!

me in the white house

I have always wanted to see the inside the white house- who doesn’t- right?  About 6 yrs ago, I totally thought it was going to happen for sure. after being awarded the asian-american “excellence in business” award from our Illinois state treasurer at that time, judy baar topinka, I actually got an official invite from president bush to come to the white house for a special asian-american pride event!  I was so excited!  Even though I had never been to dc, and didn’t have much money to get there, I jumped on the chance, splurge for a plane ticket, borrowed a suit, found a cheap hotel, and flew right out!  It was a pretty neat event?  I just wish he didn’t keep us confined to the lawn the whole time, it made me wanted to see the inside even more!

2 yrs ago I thought I might have a shot again when the dean of my law school invited me to join him and a special group of attorneys to be sworn in before the united states supreme court!  yes, crazy, by the supreme court justices, and yes, scary, that means I can argue before the united state supreme court now!  Anyway, somehow I thought that meant I would have some sort of all access pass to see the white house too, but ya, that was a pretty silly thought- not the case at all.  They laughed at me.

My third time to dc was my trip to witness obama’s inauguration 6 mos ago.  Now, I knew there was no way in heck that I would see the inside that time, but standing in front of the white house in awe, respect & admiration for 8 freezing hours that great day only made my desire to walk in to the white house (to get warm and just sit on a couch or something) turn into an obsession. 

Well, as you can see from the picture above, that day finally came this week!   And it was everything I ever thought it would be, and much more.  It was magical, historic, beautiful, grand,… all I wanted to do was pick my favorite room, find a couch in it, sit and take it allllll in… and it was amazing!  The part I never expected was that it would have so much life, action and positivity and that it would be lead by so many great Chicagoans working there, and that they would be so real, and so… nice… to me?  I don’t know, it was just great- all I can also say was I thought I would be all about me admiring history while there more than anything, and instead, all I could feel was energy, work & promise for the future- and now I am just obsessed with being a part of all that- and it feels pretty great.