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Browsing all posts from January, 2010.
01/29/10
My Goorin hat secret now in Chicago!
For years now I have secretly been getting some of my coolest hats from this unique little shop in L.A. called “goorin” every time I happen to be out there- and now everyone can enjoy them because they opened a shop right here in bucktown, chicago! Speaking of, there is a superfun opening party there this Saturday night the 30th from 5p-9p w/drinks, snacks, live music,.. and 1st peak at all the killer hats (w/vip discounts for guests) for all to enjoy! (check this video of their other store having a party and imagine what it will be like w/the coolest faces in chicago there- you need to go!)
And Outside of the actual hats being very cool, described as “archetypal pieces, with a unique twist of flare,” I have to say I have mad respect for their store design, the veteran chicago crew they picked to launch here with (say hi to drew when go!) & the history of the company which has been around for over 115years! I honestly don’t want to tell you all about it when it would be way more fun for all to hit this party Saturday night and take in what I have been loving secretly for years yourself! Enjoy and tweetpic me hats you are trying on if can- I need ideas for what kind of hat to wear to the grammys the next night!
Goorin chicago is located at… for more info go to….
For years now I have secretly been getting some of my coolest hats from this unique little shop in L.A. called “goorin” every time I happen to be out there- and now everyone can enjoy them because they opened a shop right here in bucktown, chicago! Speaking of, there is a superfun opening party there this Saturday night the 30th from 5p-9p w/drinks, snacks, live music,.. and 1st peak at all the killer hats (w/vip discounts for guests) for all to enjoy! (check this video of their other store having a party and imagine what it will be like w/the coolest faces in chicago there- you need to go!)
And Outside of the actual hats being very cool, described as “archetypal pieces, with a unique twist of flare,” I have to say I have mad respect for their store design, the veteran chicago crew they picked to launch here with (say hi to drew when go!) & the history of the company which has been around for over 115years! I honestly don’t want to tell you all about it when it would be way more fun for all to hit this party Saturday night and take in what I have been loving secretly for years, yourself! Enjoy and tweetpic me hats you are trying on if can- I need ideas for what kind of hat to wear to the grammys the next night!
Goorin chicago is located at 1533 N Milwaukee… for more info go to www.goorin.com or 773.384.4287
Tags: goorin, goorin hats, grammys, hats, store opening
01/27/10
Illinois Film Office Sponsors Sundance Event & has a reel!
The major reason why I go to sundance each year, and to other events around the country like the grammys in l.a. this wknd & the superbowl in miami the next, is to make sure our city/state has a presence out when the “best” come together & all the action happens- networking, showing support, reminding people chicago rocks & they should visit, and to sell our culture & community as world class to build friendships & business for all… just like I did this last weekend w/our Illinois film office… as you can see in this video!
Granted this particular video is silly off the cuff, but you can definitely see we traveled to work & send a message (amongst all the other silly party things you might here about from me on twitter at 2am). In this video i am w/ Betsy Steinberg the director of the Illinois film office (along with a handful of other energetic & supportive Chicagoans like buddies brook jay of atp & mike mcgrath of mcgrath lexus). How great is it that she (on behalf of our state/city) sponsor one of the most anticipated events at one of the most respected artistic festivals in the world, the “variety magazine top 10 directors to watch at sundance!”
Make sure to check out our Illinois “reel” at end w/ all the cool celebs & movies we have had here, the incentives we give people to film here, me trying to get info out of her about who’s coming next,… and all kinds of fun… all while showing the greatest media, directors, producers, and actors, like Philip Seymour hoffman who was being honored that night, that we are highly desirable and inviting in the industry & passionate about making a huge contribution to greatness! (btw, I got to reconnect w/ Philip Seymour hoffman about our last lunch together a couple years ago and he is actually in chi directing at Goodman- we’re having dinner next week- will catch up with more to promote his new project out here nxt wk. Enjoy and thx 4 the support il film office!
The major reason why I go to sundance each year, and to other events around the country like the grammys in l.a. this wknd & the superbowl in miami the next, is to make sure our city/state has a presence when the “best” come together & all the action happens- networking, showing support, reminding people chicago rocks & they should visit, and to sell our culture & community as world class to build friendships & business for all… just like I did this last weekend w/our Illinois film office… as you can see in this video!
Granted this particular video is silly, off the cuff, but you can definitely see we traveled to work & send a message (amongst all the other silly party things you might hear about from me on twitter at 2am). In this video i am w/ Betsy Steinberg the director of the Illinois film office (along with a handful of other energetic & supportive Chicagoans like buddies brook jay of atp & mike mcgrath of mcgrath lexus). How great is it that she (on behalf of our state/city) sponsored one of the most anticipated events at one of the most respected artistic festivals in the world, the “variety magazine top 10 directors to watch at sundance!”
Make sure to check out our Illinois “reel” at end w/ all the cool celebs & movies we have had here, the incentives we give people to film here, me trying to get info out of her about who’s coming next,… and all kinds of fun… all while showing the greatest media, directors, producers, and actors, like Philip Seymour hoffman who was being honored that night, that we are highly desirable and inviting in the industry & passionate about making a huge contribution to greatness! (btw, I got to reconnect w/ Philip Seymour hoffman about our last lunch together a couple years ago and he is actually in chi directing at Goodman- we’re having dinner next week- will catch up with more to promote his new project out here nxt wk. Enjoy and thx 4 the support il film office!
Tags: all terrain, goodman theatre, grammys, illinois film office, mcgrath lexus, phillip seymour hoffman, sundance, sundance film festival, superbowl, twitter, variety magazine
01/26/10
Sundance Celebrity Party Performers Live!
If you read my blog post yesterday you know I have much respect for Sundance- to me its probably the most respected independent film festival in the country, featuring not only Oscar winning talent, but complete unknowns that come in each year and blow minds with pure originality (like the 10 I met at event in post yesterday).
If you follow me on twitter, you also know I got invited to ridiculous celebrity parties & gifting suites that sundance also is starting to be known for (for better or worse). And since many of you said you loved the behind the scenes access I shared on twitter so much and wanted to see more in video, I thought I would oblige here. Just don’t hold the tequila shots and random ridiculousness against me!
Here’s me literally partying before 1000+ screaming fans w/ Mark Ronson’s protege “Wale” who’s collaborated with the likes of Amy Winhouse, Maroon 5, Lily Allen, Lady Gaga, John Mayer,… not only rising on the Billboard Top 40, but called the next “Jay-Z” by GQ Magazine! You said you wanted to be close to the action too- here’s how silly it can get!
If you read my blog post yesterday you know I have much respect for Sundance- to me its probably the most respected independent film festival in the country, featuring not only Oscar winning talent, but complete unknowns that come in each year and blow minds with pure originality (like the 10 I met at event in post yesterday).
If you follow me on twitter, you also know I got invited to ridiculous celebrity parties & gifting suites that sundance also is starting to be known for (for better or worse). And since many of you said you loved the behind the scenes access I shared on twitter so much and wanted to see more in video, I thought I would oblige here. Just don’t hold the tequila shots and random ridiculousness against me!
Here’s me literally partying before 1000+ screaming fans w/ Mark Ronson’s protege “Wale” who’s collaborated with the likes of Amy Winhouse, Maroon 5, Lily Allen, Lady Gaga, John Mayer,… not only rising on the Billboard Top 40, but called the next “Jay-Z” by GQ Magazine! You said you wanted to be close to the action too- here’s how silly it can get!
Tags: amy winehouse, billboard top 40, billy dec, gq magazine, john mayer, lady gaga, lily allen, maroon 5, sundance, sundance film festival, twitter, wale
01/25/10
Women in Film Chicago 2010 Kick Off Party!
If you are following me on twitter you know I have been running behind the VIP scenes at Sundance (if not, click here)! last night for example, I was invited to hear one of “variety magazine’s top 10 directors to watch” ms. floria sigismondi speak about her amazing new film “the runaways” w/ Kristen Stewart & Dakota Fanning! It made me think a lot about women in Film, so thought I would throw a shout out to them today!
My Chicago buddy Selina hood, from bridges media group who I won my EMMY with, introduced me to an excellent group actually called “Women in Film” (wif) who for the last 30yrs has been building a global community of film, television, advertising and digital media professionals. WIF is actually the preeminent organization (the group boasts 6800 members just in the US with 12,000 internationally!) for the advancement of women in these industries.
Being so impressed and wanting to support, we helped to host the 2010 Women in Film Chicago Kick-Off Party at The Underground this Thursday the 28th. I also want to support (and hope you do too) because…
If you are following me on twitter you know I have been running behind the VIP scenes at Sundance (if not, click here)! last night for example, I was invited to hear one of “variety magazine’s top 10 directors to watch” ms. floria sigismond,i speak about her amazing new film “the runaways” w/ Kristen Stewart & Dakota Fanning! It made me think a lot about women in Film, so thought I would throw a shout out to them today!
My Chicago buddy Selina hood, from bridges media group who I won my EMMY with, introduced me to an excellent group actually called “Women in Film” (wif) who for the last 30yrs has been building a global community of film, television, advertising and digital media professionals. WIF is actually the preeminent organization (the group boasts 6800 members just in the US with 12,000 internationally!) for the advancement of women in these industries.
Being so impressed and wanting to support, we helped to host the 2010 Women in Film Chicago Kick-Off Party at The Underground this Thursday the 28th. I also want to support (and hope you do too) because…
Tags: dakota fanning, kristen stewart, miss american, miss florida, sundance, sundance film festival, twitter, variety magazine, women in film
01/23/10
Chicago Music Awards this Weekend!
In the 29th year since it’s inception, the Chicago Music Awards has featured and honored some of the most acclaimed artist in the history music, including : Kanye West, Smashing Pumpkins, Lou Rawls, Chaka Khan, Robert Townsend, R Kelly, Jennifer Hudson, Curtis Mayfield, Buddy Guy, The Mighty Dells, Jerry Butler, Oscar Brown Jr., Albertina Walker, Ramsey Lewis, Dick Buckley, Sir George Solti, The Chi-Lites, Pop Staples, Patty Jo Timmons and Von Freeman – to name a few.
The CMA’s were founded by Ephraim Martin of Martin’s International Culture (who also produces the International Reggae & World Music Awards). He originally set out in the early ‘90’s as a not-for-profit group trying to promote African/Caribbean music, arts and culture. Not before long, he realized that there was already a wealth of all kinds of great culture and music right in his own town of sweet home chicago, thus the CMA’s we born.
The Chicago Music Awards take to the stage again this Sunday the 24th at the Alhambra Palace where you can see Chicago’s own Wilco and Jeremih perform live. Check out info and get your tix at www.martinsinterculture.com
Tags: albertina walker, buddy guy, chaka khan, chicago music awards, curtis mayfield, dick buckley, jennifer hudson, jerry butler, kanye west, lou rawls, oscar brown jr, patty jo timmons, pop staples, r kelly, ramsey lewis, robert townsend, sir george solti, smashing pumpkins, the chi-lites, the mighty dells, von freeman
01/22/10
Chicago Big Brother Jeff Schroeder heading for Amazing Race
shout out to my new chicago buddy, Big Brother Season 11′s Jeff Schroeder – who was just announced as a contestant on the next Amazing Race…check out story at….http://www.cbs.com/primetime/amazing_race/bio/jordan_and_jeff_16/bio.php?season=16
i also attached a random video clip of us in the kitchen of Rockit Wrigley during the Haiti Fundraiser I hosted with Bachelorette, Jillian Harris last saturday where the possible new show was mentioned… congrats man and thanks for getting more chitown representation out there!
Tags: amazing race, benefit, big brother, fundraiser, haiti, jeff schroeder, jillian harris, the bachelorette
01/21/10
A Karaoke Fundraiser to Fight Hunger
Its tomorrow! And we need you there! Serious- Its only a $20 donation & I am buying drinks & food from 9-10p, at rockit Wrigley- so stop by and support! I have been talking about helping Haiti & hunger locally on radio & tv all week- see past couple posts- my video of me on drex & Mancow live are particularly impactful- and the video here where I am on tv Comcast sports net / chicago tribune live was one of the more calmer ones where not so rushed, and could explain more.
All proceeds benefit the chicago food depository, chicago’s nonprofit food bank working to end hunger where new records for individual pantry visits in recent months are up almost 20% versus a year ago- and sadly- donations are down!
So you know, the poverty rates for cook county (14.8%) & chicago (20.6%) continue to rise and are higher than the national average (13.2%). the unemployment rate in cook county was 10.7% in november, 4% higher than last year (6.7 percent). obviously times are tough for all, but w/ hunger & starvation in our own community & neighborhoods, we need to all help… so please join me at my karaoke fundraiser tmrw/friday night by rsvp’ing to info@rockitwrigley.com .. see you there and thank you!
Its tomorrow! And we need you there! Serious- Its only a $20 donation & I am buying drinks & food from 9-10p, at rockit Wrigley- so stop by and support! I have been talking about helping Haiti & hunger locally on radio & tv all week- see past couple posts- my video of me on drex & Mancow live are particularly impactful- and the video here where I am on tv Comcast sportsnet / chicago tribune live was one of the more calmer ones where not so rushed, and could explain more.
All proceeds benefit the chicago food depository, chicago’s nonprofit food bank working to end hunger where new records for individual pantry visits in recent months are up almost 20% versus a year ago- and sadly- donations are down!
So you know, the poverty rates for cook county (14.8%) & chicago (20.6%) continue to rise and are higher than the national average (13.2%). the unemployment rate in cook county was 10.7% in november, 4% higher than last year (6.7 percent). obviously times are tough for all, but w/ hunger & starvation in our own community & neighborhoods, we need to all help… so please join me at my karaoke fundraiser tmrw/friday night by rsvp’ing to info@rockitwrigley.com .. see you there and thank you!
Tags: benefit, chicago cubs, david kaplan, derrek lee, fundraiser, greater chicago food depository, haiti, hunger, rockit bar and grill, rockit wrigley
01/19/10
Support Haiti vs/& Home Live on Mancow WLS Radio
Friend of mine on twitter @stealx & a ton of others hit me during my interview on Mancow wls radio Friday expressing how much of a stressful scary situation I was caught live on air! Well, I got it on video for those that missed it. Did my best- was a little thrown off- but got my point across- we need to support both!
Thanks to all who supported jillian harris from “the bachlorette” & I with our Haiti benefit, and please all, support the hungry here in the chicagoland area as well by joining me this Friday night! details on yesterdays blog post, or simply click here…. Oh, and btw, will be back on Mancow this Friday, follow me on twitter and will shoot the time out when hit the studio.
Friend of mine on twitter @stealx & a ton of others hit me during my interview on Mancow wls radio Friday expressing how much of a stressful scary situation I was caught live on air! Well, I got it on video for those that missed it. Did my best- was a little thrown off- but got my point across- we need to support both!
Thanks to all who supported jillian harris from “the bachlorette” & I with our Haiti benefit, and please all, support the hungry here in the chicagoland area as well by joining me this Friday night – drinks and food on me from 9-10pm with the party lasting all night long! details on yesterdays blog post, or simply click here…. Oh, and btw, will be back on Mancow this Friday, follow me on twitter and will shoot the time out when hit the studio.
Tags: american red cross, benefit, fundraiser, greater chicago food deposi, haiti, jillian harris, mancow, the bachelorette, wls radio
01/18/10
Fight Hunger in Chicago-Support The Chicago Food Depository
If you follow me on twitter & facebook, you may recall a couple weeks ago I asked for suggestions on how I can help fight hunger in chicago- and everyone jumped on it w/ amazing suggestions! Thank you all- hope you will also jump on spreading the word, supporting, helping,.. joining me w/ the following fundraising efforts we crafted to fight hunger!
all this week at both rockit locations we’re serving up amazing gourmet chili at “chilifest” ending in a big blow out karaoke party I’m hosting this Friday night (1/22) at rockit Wrigley from 9p-10p – drinks and food on me … with proceeds from both to benefit the greater chicago food depository who are Chicago’s nonprofit food bank working to end hunger where new records for individual pantry visits in recent months are up almost 20% versus a year ago- and sadly- donations are down!
The poverty rates for Cook County (14.8%) & Chicago (20.6%) continue to rise and are higher than the national average (13.2%). The unemployment rate in Cook County was 10.7% in November, 4% higher than last year (6.7 percent). Obviously times are tough for all, but w/ hunger & starvation in our own community & neighborhoods, we need to all help… so please join me at my karaoke fundraiser especially on Friday night by rsvp’ing to info@rockitwrigley.com! (click “read more” below for more info)
Tags: chicago, cook county, greater chicago food depository, hunger, rockit bar and grill, rockit wrigley