Join me at our spots
Chicago Culture, Celebrity, Arts & Entertainment
Chicago culture, celebrity, arts & entertainment with Billy Dec
-
CEO Billy Dec TV Reel
TV / WEB / FILM / HOSTING / ACTING
-
Our Emmy Winning Video
Journey to Sunda
-
Our Obama Shoutout
A huge honor
-
On the radio
Live on DREX Kiss fm
-
My Old Reel
New one coming soon!
Browsing all posts from March, 2010.
03/30/10
Chicagoan Heads to the Final Four!
I know a ton of people of from around our city & state were super pissed when local high school point guard jon scheyer picked attending duke over my alma matter, the university of Illinois… we all heard the boos at Wrigley, on the ice at the blackhawks game… but now that he’s headed to the final four w/duke.. do all those haters still blame him? Will they once again claim him as one of our own?
A very short time will tell as march madness ’10 comes to an end w/ scheyer & team taking it to the final stages! As for me, I’m just throwing a shoutout to him here because he has demonstrated mad skills on the court, has been a good sport & role model, and is simply a product of our community… so wish him all the best! Even if he did sell out! haha…. kidding man… bring home something substantial to make the heat worth it!
I know a ton of people of from around our city & state were super pissed when local high school point guard jon scheyer picked attending duke over my alma matter, the university of Illinois… we all heard the boos at Wrigley, on the ice at the blackhawks game… but now that he’s headed to the final four w/duke.. do all those haters still blame him? Will they once again claim him as one of our own?
A very short time will tell as march madness ’10 comes to an end w/ scheyer & team taking it to the final stages! As for me, I’m just throwing a shoutout to him here because he has demonstrated mad skills on the court, has been a good sport & role model, and is simply a product of our community… so wish him all the best! Even if he did sell out! haha…. kidding man… bring home something substantial to make the heat worth it!
Tags: basketball, baylor, baylor bears, blackhawks, bracket, breaking news, butler, butler bulldogs, duke, duke blue devils, final four, final four 2010, jon scheyer, march madness, march madness 2010, michigan state, michigan state spartans, ncaa, university of illinois, wrigley
03/29/10
Kidd Russell : Chicago Talent Pick of Week!
While i was a guest on WGN 720Am Radio this weekend (click here for podcast), I was excited to hear all the interest in the way this blog has been highlighting new Chicago talent offering them a shot at much needed exposure… and just wanted to thank all of you who have made all the suggestions to me via twitter, facebook, in person,… its all about you and them… and I thank you for letting me be a part of it!
In that spirit, I thought I would share something that really caught my attention today that someone just sent me on twitter about a local performer whose latest song and video will for sure stick in your head (watch above)! His name is Kidd Russell, a former college football player turned indie music favorite. While in school, Kidd took a radio production class and started to realize and appreciate the music business. After his first five years in the music business he teamed up with producer Matt Jenkins in 2008 and started Junkyard Productions. Since then, Kidd has had songs featured on MTV Jams, MTV2, Foxsports, CW,…
Tags: cw, e north ave, facebook, foxsports, glacier hiking, junkyard productions, kidd russell, matt jenkins, mtv jams, mtv2, Music, ross golan, twitter
03/26/10
Hip Hop Allstars in "The Chicago Vault"
As everyone knows, Chicago’s Hip-Hop talent, like Common, Kanye West, Twista, cool kids, rhymefest, kid sister, lupe fiasco,.. are all celebrated as world class! And I am sure as they will tell you, it all starts with our support on a grassroots level. So today, giving a shout out to one of the biggest supporters of Midwest hip-hop over the years… DJ & Producer Naki the Beatman. (thanks to a suggestion on twitter!)
As a DJ at two of Chicago’s biggest rap and R&B stations, WGCI and Power 92; Naki championed artists before they were accepted by the mainstream. After stints on radio & MTV, where he hosted events like NBA All-Star Weekend & MTV2′s Hip Hop Countdown, Naki become the CEO of Life Music Group, where he recently dug through his archives to create “The Chicago Vault” (dropping 5/11) compiling unreleased tracks from some of the biggest names in Hip Hop. A two minute preview of the album is available for download now at http://bln.kr/CSV .. enjoy!
As everyone knows, Chicago’s Hip-Hop talent, like Common, Kanye West, Twista, The Cool Kids, Rhymefest, Kid Sister, Lupe Fiasco,.. are all celebrated as world class! And I am sure as they will tell you, it all starts with our support on a grassroots level. So today, giving a shout out to one of the biggest supporters of Midwest hip-hop over the years… DJ & Producer Naki the Beatman. (thanks to a suggestion on twitter!)
As a DJ at two of Chicago’s biggest rap and R&B stations, WGCI and Power 92; Naki championed artists before they were accepted by the mainstream. After stints on radio & MTV, where he hosted events like NBA All-Star Weekend & MTV2′s Hip Hop Countdown, Naki become the CEO of Life Music Group, where he recently dug through his archives to create “The Chicago Vault” (dropping 5/11) compiling unreleased tracks from some of the biggest names in Hip Hop. A two minute preview of the album is available for download now at http://bln.kr/CSV .. enjoy!
Tags: chicago, chicago rappers, common, dj, kanye west, kid sister, life music group, lupe fiasco, mtv2's hip hop countdown, Music, naki the beatman, nba all-star weekend, power 92, producer, rap, rhymefest, the chicago vault, the cool kids, twista, wgci chicago
03/25/10
Urban Indigenous Presents "Code of Ethnics"
Thanks to some interesting artistic friends that follow me on twitter, and their persistence (which is a good thing!), I’m giving a shout out today to “urban indigenous!” Omg, this video is ridiculous I know. But Seriously folks, that is what this blog and I am all about, sharing, celebrating and showing off Chicago passion for performance, story, art & culture.. so thank you! (by the way everyone, send me more!)
Urban Indigenous is a mult-ethnic comedy troupe formed by Chicagoans that literally are from across the globe- which being from an ethnically diverse background myself, I got to admit, I dig right off the bat. Well, that, and again, this video is ridiculous, cant imagine what they are like live. Anyway, the group is relatively new in and of itself but the players have been on the comedy scene for many years and bring their experiences and comedic styles together for their new show – “Code of Ethnics.”
Running from March 27th to May 15th at the Gorilla Tango Theatre on Milwaukee Ave, Code of Ethnics delves into a variety of classes, cultures, linguistics and other situations when ethnic issues arise. UI guides the audience and kind of teaches them how to react, what might be seen as politically correct or not correct at all…all of course in a ridiculously funny manner!
Check out www.urbanindigenous.com for show dates and tickets!
Thanks to some interesting artistic friends that follow me on twitter, and their persistence (which is a good thing!), I’m giving a shout out today to “urban indigenous!” Omg, this video is ridiculous I know. But Seriously folks, that is what this blog and I am all about, sharing, celebrating and showing off Chicago passion for performance, story, art & culture.. so thank you! (by the way everyone, send me more!)
Urban Indigenous is a mult-ethnic comedy troupe formed by Chicagoans that literally are from across the globe- which being from an ethnically diverse background myself, I got to admit, I dig right off the bat. Well, that, and again, this video is ridiculous, cant imagine what they are like live. Anyway, the group is relatively new in and of itself but the players have been on the comedy scene for many years and bring their experiences and comedic styles together for their new show – “Code of Ethnics.”
Running from March 27th to May 15th at the Gorilla Tango Theatre on Milwaukee Ave, Code of Ethnics delves into a variety of classes, cultures, linguistics and other situations when ethnic issues arise. UI guides the audience and kind of teaches them how to react, what might be seen as politically correct or not correct at all…all of course in a super funny manner!
Check out www.urbanindigenous.com for show dates and tickets!
Tags: comedians, Comedy, gorilla tango theatre, urban indigenous, youtube
03/22/10
My Make A Wish Friend – Syd Rocks!
If follow me on twitter you know I’ve been searching the best of Napa wineries over the weekend looking for new inspirations and discoveries in wine (and food!) to bring home and maybe incorporate not only into our venues like Rockit and Sunda, but also for future possible wine concepts. As you can tell from my tweetpics, nature and natural elements out here are highly visible and appreciated….which probably lead to my surprise of being complimented quite a bit about the stone I wear around my neck. Having watched everyone who asked about it almost tear up in appreciation over the story behind it, I thought I would share it with you….
Tags: children's memorial, langerhan's cell histicytosis, lch, make a wish foundation, napa, napa wineries, rockit, sunda, syd rocks, sydney martin, tweetphoto, tweetpics, wineries
03/18/10
Chicagoans Support Artist Jesse Palter Live
Thank you all for sending me great chicago talent to feature & support, keep em coming! The latest of talents was into’ed to me by several people that follow me on twitter, a friend that works for Oprah, and from a handful of raving comments made on my facebook fan page, and so I’m sharing it all w/you now, meet jesse palter!
Jesse Palter is a young up & coming songstress gaining a huge following and making a big time name for herself in the music scene as we speak. Jim DeRogatis, a Sun Times Music Critic, put it as.. “…Lady Gaga, watch out!”
Her bluesy, jazz vocals infused with an ever-so-catch pop tone is impressing audiences from coast to coast. I love that she has the all natural combination of an amazing voice, she writes her own music and that she has organically built a loyal following that has aggressively sought out more exposure for her through every medium, which for example, has lead to my support here and now!
Check this new super cool sensation out at one of my fav lil jazz joint hangouts called “Pops for champagne” on State St this saturday (3/20) at 9pm. There’s a $15 cover- but well worth it to say you saw her live in chicago 1st, when she is walking up for that grammy one day soon.. Enjoy!
Thank you all for sending me great chicago talent to feature & support, keep em coming! The latest of talents was intro’ed to me by several people that follow me on twitter, a friend that works for Oprah, and from a handful of raving comments made on my facebook fan page, and so I’m sharing it all w/you now, meet jesse palter!
Jesse Palter is a young up & coming songstress gaining a huge following and making a big time name for herself in the music scene as we speak. As Jim DeRogatis, a Sun Times Music Critic, put it as.. “…Lady Gaga, watch out!”
Her bluesy, jazz vocals infused with an ever-so-catchy pop tone is impressing audiences from coast to coast. I love that she has the all natural combination of an amazing voice, she writes her own music and that she has organically built a loyal following that has aggressively sought out more exposure for her through every medium, which for example, has lead to my support here and now!
Check this new super cool sensation out at one of my fav lil jazz joint hangouts called “Pops for champagne” on State St this saturday (3/20) at 9pm. There’s a $15 cover- but well worth it to say you saw her live in chicago 1st, when she is walking up for that grammy one day soon.. Enjoy!
Tags: facebook, jesse palter, jim derogatis, oprah, pops for champagne, sun times, twitter
03/17/10
Chicago March Madness Celebration!
After my buddy, Bachelorette Jillian Harris, and I had such a successful fundraiser for Haiti a couple months ago – she brought the newest event that she’s hosting to me and I’m more than happy to help out!
Thursday, March 18th come out to Rockit Wrigley for this March Madness Kickoff Celebration and to Score Big with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chicago. A small donation of just $30 will benefit BBBS of Chicago and includes 7pm-9pm cocktail reception and appetizers (discounted ticket rates on www.2010marchmadness.kintera.org) Plus there will be a raffle, games and prizes.
By the way, if you want to fill out your own March Madness bracket and get in on the fun – check out www.facebook.com/rockitwrigley!
Tags: big brothers big sisters, big brothers big sisters chicago, bracket, charity, fundraiser, haiti, haiti fundraiser, jillian harris, march madness, rockit, rockit bar and grill, rockit wrigley, the bachelorette
03/15/10
"TRUST" at Lookingglass Theatre, Directed by David Schwimmer & Heidi Stillman
As you might know, I have been a huge fan and supporter of art and theatre in chicago, all my life. If ever asked me what my favorite play was, I would have told you it was hands down “race. How blacks and whites feel about the American obsession.” Now, it may have tied with a new play I saw last night, called “trust.”
To be forthcoming, both were adapted/written for stage and directed by my best friend david schwimmer, but know that is not why I liked them. In fact, after 15yrs of friendship, I can tell you that we have thoroughly established that our artistic tastes are very different, if not sometimes opposite, so trust me, these works stand absolutely on their own. What I like about them most is that they deal with very current issues, that have a meaningful, impactful and necessary message, that cause viewers to reflect, acknowledge and consider changing immediately for the better, in one way or another.
As a child of a mixed race family growing up in america, the issue of racism in the first of the two plays, really made me feel relieved, as if someone was finally acknowledging my pain, to some other side that I felt existed. Yet, it opened my eyes, as it did with everyone else, that I too was guilty of so much that I was conditioned to think and act upon that was equally wrong, and from that experience, I walked away a better person, and hopefully helped others to be as well by sharing the message.
In “trust,” they intertwine all the technology, social media, emails, iphones, im’s, facebook, myspace,… used by kids these days and expose the issue of internet predators and rape, and the reality, exposure, and relevancy that the issue applies to all of us right now, in one way or another. I have known schwimmer to be heavily supportive and involved with the national rape foundation for the last ten years of our friendship, and have watched him write out this story for the last three, and what I saw last night at the opening of the play, was real, and something I will never forget.
I hate when people review plays and tell the whole story, so not going to do that. But will share a quick story. I walked out with david yesterday completely numb and effected not knowing how something could move me so much to the point that I actually cried and was visibly freaked out. as people were thanking him for sharing the message, I guess the dazzed look on my face caused someone even more visually effected turn to me and say, “and you don’t even have kids, imagine what that is like.”
I began to ask this person what it was like having had kids, as I hope to have some one day, and I wanted to know what they were going to do now. they explained how everything must change for them in the house now, as that was all too scary, and all too real. I suggested that they maybe bring the kids to the play, they asked if thought it was age appropriate. I asked if they thought it was any less appropriate than what they are already getting on the internet in his own home, and it immediately became absurdly a big no. in fact, he acknowledged that the stuff out there on the internet that he knew his kids were exposed to fast and free was 1000 times worse, and that this story was about what could happen if don’t reflect, acknowledge and change immediately, in one way or another, so was more of a huge help to all if anything.
I think this is a small example of not only theatre that really invoked reaction, being relevant, worthy and well done, but it spreads a message that helps fight real not talked about or even “hidden” harm where it doesn’t belong, in effort to make things better for all of us, which is something we can all use more of. Tickets I know will sell out very very fast because message aside, it’s a killer play w/killer acting & production, and killer suspense,… and I would be really bummed if you missed it… so please don’t wait and go to www.lookingglasstheatre.org .. and please let me know what you think about it…
As you might know, I have been a huge fan and supporter of art and theatre in chicago, all my life. If ever asked me what my favorite play was, I would have told you it was hands down “race. How blacks and whites feel about the American obsession.” Now, it may have tied with a new play I saw last night, called “trust.”
To be forthcoming, both were adapted/written for stage and directed by my best friend david schwimmer, but know that is not why I liked them. In fact, after 15yrs of friendship, I can tell you that we have thoroughly established that our artistic tastes are very different, if not sometimes opposite, so trust me, these works stand absolutely on their own. What I like about them most is that they deal with very current issues, that have a meaningful, impactful and necessary message, that cause viewers to reflect, acknowledge and consider changing immediately for the better, in one way or another.
Tags: david schwimmer, heidi stillman, internet, lookingglass theatre, national rape foundation, play, rape foundation, theatre, trust
03/11/10
My Chicago/New Orleans Revelation
I used to write a column in “today’s chicago woman” about chicago entertainment, nightlife, culture, art,… similar to what I do on this blog I guess (but in a glossy magazine with an editor)…. And after being in new orleans for the last 24hours, I thought of one of my favorite articles I wrote post-katrina after returning from a very impactful trip just after the disaster- as you can see me internally destroyed above, amongst all the destruction in the 9th ward, the part of new Orleans hit the hardest.
In light of coming here direct from vegas yesterday (read and you’ll understand), recent disasters in Haiti & chile, and having hung out with all my local friends here who really enlightened me about their recovery when they described what it was like to win the recent superbowl I happened to be at, I had to rerun the article here. Please read it and let me know what you think, I really think you will like it…
I used to write a column in “today’s chicago woman” about chicago entertainment, nightlife, culture, art,… similar to what I do on this blog I guess (but in a glossy magazine with an editor)…. And after being in new orleans for the last 24hours, I thought of one of my favorite articles I wrote post-katrina after returning from a very impactful trip just after the disaster- as you can see me internally destroyed above, amongst all the destruction in the 9th ward, the part of new Orleans hit the hardest.
In light of coming here direct from vegas yesterday (read and you’ll understand), recent disasters in Haiti & chile, and having hung out with all my local friends here who really enlightened me about their recovery when they described what it was like to win the recent superbowl I happened to be at, I had to share the article here. Please read it and let me know what you think, I really think you will like it…
Tags: 9th ward, charity, chicago fire, chile, don lemon, entertainment, french quarter, haiti, hurricane, hurricane katrina, las vegas, macy gray, nbc 5, new orleans, robert leblanc, today's chicago woman, todays chicago woman magazine, volunteer
03/10/10
UNICEF "World Water Week" Tap Project Kickoff in Chicago
I was flipping thru channels last night and saw jessica biel on cnn w/ larry king talking about how millions of children around the world don’t have access to clean water, and thought about how when I was in 3rd grade at st clements, a speaker came in to teach us the same, and passed on many ways we can help conserve from as simple as turning the water off when brushing our teeth. That talk has actually stayed with me forever since couldn’t fathom that water could ever be scarce anywhere, but realized although I was trying to follow the speaker’s advice all these years, I never did any work to try and help share the message, so trying to help do that now.
Tags: charity, chicago, cnn, conserve water, emile hirsch, jessica biel, kenna, kilimajaro, larry king, larry king live, lupe fiasco, MTV, mtv documentary, rodelio aglibot, santigold, st. clement, summit on the summit, sunda, tap project, unicef, unicef tap project, united nations international children's emergency fund, water, world water crisis, world water week