A Chicago Thing » blackhawks http://www.billydec.com/blog Chicago culture, celebrity, arts & entertainment with Billy Dec Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:02:01 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 Make A Wish w/ Jordan, Daley, Corgan, Urlacher, Blackhawks, Rockit Ranch & more! http://www.billydec.com/blog/make-a-wish-w-jordan-daley-corgan-urlacher-blackhawks-rockit-ranch-more/ http://www.billydec.com/blog/make-a-wish-w-jordan-daley-corgan-urlacher-blackhawks-rockit-ranch-more/#comments Wed, 18 May 2011 21:53:59 +0000 billydec http://www.billydec.com/blog/?p=5806


The Make A Wish Foundation of Illinois is celebrating their 25th Anniversary of their Gala the “Wish Ball” this Saturday May 21st by honoring 25 people and organizations that they have deemed “Leaders In Joy!”  I am beyond honored to say that I am among this humbled group along others like Michael Jordan, Mayor Daley & Maggie Daley, Larry Wert, Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, Brian Urlacher, the Chicago Blackhawks and more. Since 1985 Make A Wish has been granting special wishes to children facing life threatening illnesses giving each child the power to decide the nature of their wish, providing a sense of renewed faith, courage and self-confidence. These are not in any way “last wishes” but experiences that remind the wish kids that although everything in their world seems to be falling apart, there is still good and magic out there, and I love that message.

As much as there are “Leaders In Joy” being honored, to me this event will be way more about celebrating the work that the Make A Wish team has done by granting nearly 10,000 wishes across the state! One of those wishes was for an awesome little girl, Sydney Martin, (in picture above) that I had the pleasure of meeting last March when helping her present her necklace jewelry line in a run-way show. I blogged about Sydney right after not only because I was extremely moved by her story, but also I was excited about her talents & future.  She was diagnosed in 2007 with an extremely rare blood disease called Langerhan’s Cell Histicytosis (LCH), and started her own necklace line she has used to raise over $120,000 for LCH research.  I’m just inspired by that, and feel like I got just as much out of helping, as she may have received by being granted a wish.

Because of the wonderful feelings and giving all the way around, I’m really looking forward to honoring her, the many many other kids like her, and all those that have been an important part of building the Illinois chapter in to the largest and most well-known wish-granting organization in the region.. to be included in that is something I will always cherish.

For more information about the Make A Wish Foundation and this year’s Wish Ball – please take the time to visit www.wishes.org.

]]> http://www.billydec.com/blog/make-a-wish-w-jordan-daley-corgan-urlacher-blackhawks-rockit-ranch-more/feed/ 2 Chicago Blackhawks Appreciation Night at Rockit Wrigley for my Social Media Friends! http://www.billydec.com/blog/chicago-blackhawks-appreciation-night-at-rockit-wrigley-for-my-social-media-friends/ http://www.billydec.com/blog/chicago-blackhawks-appreciation-night-at-rockit-wrigley-for-my-social-media-friends/#comments Mon, 21 Feb 2011 19:41:24 +0000 billydec http://www.billydec.com/blog/?p=4329

 

Remember when I shared these personal pics (that got 250,000 views in 24hrs) the night I was w/the Blackhawks when they came home w/the Stanley Cup?! The team came straight to Rockit first, threw me in their bus, we hit the town, and we ended the celebration w/the most memorable party ever at The Underground at 4am- just hours before the celebratory parade downtown!
It is all so obvious that Chicago loves their sports teams and we were beyond thrilled to celebrate w/the Blackhawks and the champion cup they so rightfully earned- and I just want to continue the celebration and invite all of my Facebook and Twitter friends to Rockit Wrigley this Thursday, Feb 24th for a Chicago Blackhawks Appreciation Party! Starting at 7pm let’s all cheer on the Hawks as they take on the Predators….I’ll have ticket giveaways, food, drinks and Blackhawks.. Will be fun!

This is how you RSVP….

Twitter Peeps : Tweet me this exact line –  ”Hey @BD, I want to go to your Blackhawks Appreciation Night! http://bit.ly/dMJ1FW”

Facebook friends : Write this exact line on my wall – “Hey Billy Dec, I want to go to your Blackhawks Appreciation Night! http://bit.ly/dMJ1FW”

]]> http://www.billydec.com/blog/chicago-blackhawks-appreciation-night-at-rockit-wrigley-for-my-social-media-friends/feed/ 1 2010 Stanley Cup Champions 3rd Annual Blackhawks Convention http://www.billydec.com/blog/2010-stanley-cup-champions-3rd-annual-blackhawks-convention/ http://www.billydec.com/blog/2010-stanley-cup-champions-3rd-annual-blackhawks-convention/#comments Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:56:42 +0000 billydec http://www.billydec.com/blog/?p=2498

Chicagoans are die hard sports fans, win or lose, but it’s even more sweet when we national championships! The day after the Hawks took home the Stanley Cup I posted the pics of me hitting the town with the team, sharing the cup w/chicago and celebrating an excellent season…I received over 250,000 hits that morning, how crazy is that?!? (click here to see them!)

In keeping with the celebration and gearing up for next season I wanted to share (as I always do) some of my badges to the 3rd Annual Blackhawks Convention this weekend! From July 30th to August 1st at the Chicago Hilton you can hang out with players, Hawks alum, enjoy Q& A sessions, try your luck at interactive games, and just revel in all the Blackhawks glory! Check out my facebook page to see how you can win them today!

]]> http://www.billydec.com/blog/2010-stanley-cup-champions-3rd-annual-blackhawks-convention/feed/ 0 duncan keith at nascar & vince vaughn at wild west comedy tour! http://www.billydec.com/blog/duncan-keith-at-nascar-vince-vaughn-at-wild-west-comedy-tour/ http://www.billydec.com/blog/duncan-keith-at-nascar-vince-vaughn-at-wild-west-comedy-tour/#comments Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:09:02 +0000 billydec http://www.billydec.com/blog/?p=2435

I woke up this morning to exciting news from two fav dudes I’m partying w/in this pic from blackhawks celebrations- duncan keith & vince vaughn!

First, my buddy Duncan Keith, star defenseman for the Blackhawks will serve as Grand Marshal of the LifeLock.com 400 NASCAR Spring Cup Series this Saturday, July 10th at the Chicagoland Speedway. You can check out the Keith and a little NASCAR by visiting www.chicagolandspeedway.com.

Vince Vaughn is in town shooting a new Ron Howard and Brian Grazer flick this summer,  just released that he’s bringing his Wild West Comedy Tour to Chicago for one night along with fellow comedian Kevin James. You can see them Friday, July 23rd at Park West Theatre — read more for all info…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

****Live Performance****

VINCE VAUGHN’S WILD WEST COMEDY SHOW

HOSTED BY VINCE VAUGHN AND KEVIN JAMES

FEATURING STAND UP COMICS RICHIE MINERVINI, STEVE BYRNE AND BILL BURR TO PERFORM LIVE AT THE PARK WEST THEATER IN CHICAGO ON FRIDAY, JULY 23rd, 2010.

CHICAGO, July 7th, 2010 – For one night only, Vince Vaughn and Kevin James are set to host Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show, a night of stand up and sketch comedy with national comedians Richie Minervini, Steve Byrne and Bill Burr and surprise special guest stars. The live comedy/variety show will take place at the Park West Theater in Chicago on Friday, July 23rd at 9pm. Tickets go on sale Thursday July 8th at 4pm and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at ticketmaster.com and at The Park West Theater box office. Tickets are $50.00 for General Admission and $75.00 for preferred seating.

Vaughn started the Wild West Comedy show in 2005, when he hosted 30 consecutive live shows across the country, which was captured for the documentary film Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days & 30 Nights – Hollywood to the Heartland.

Vaughn and James are currently in Chicago shooting a new Universal Pictures comedy from director  Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer.  The film also stars Jennifer Connelly, Winona Ryder, Channing Tatum and Queen Latifah and shoots in Chicago through August 11th.

###

]]> http://www.billydec.com/blog/duncan-keith-at-nascar-vince-vaughn-at-wild-west-comedy-tour/feed/ 0 my chicago ribs day w/ buddy andrew Zimmern from travel channel’s “Bizarre Foods!” in honor of 4th of july! http://www.billydec.com/blog/my-chicago-ribs-day-w-buddy-andrew-zimmern-from-travel-channel%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%9cbizarre-foods%e2%80%9d-in-honor-of-4th-of-july/ http://www.billydec.com/blog/my-chicago-ribs-day-w-buddy-andrew-zimmern-from-travel-channel%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%9cbizarre-foods%e2%80%9d-in-honor-of-4th-of-july/#comments Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:45:22 +0000 billydec http://www.billydec.com/blog/?p=2422

That seems like such a random title I know, but I have a personal ribfest every july 4th and I thought this would be the perfect video to share to kick it all off! This video is truly hilarious & fun for me- probably because its part ribs, part chicago, and part a super fun, talented & entertaining friend of mine visiting town, andrew Zimmern… enjoy!

Andrew basically called me a couple weeks ago when landed in Chicago to film at Uncle John’s Barbecue on the southside, to help him eat!!! We tackled Uncle John’s, a vast menu of rib tips, hot links, spare ribs and more! pit master Mark Sevier was smoking it up over a variety of woods including, oak, elm and mulberry… and I pounded it all… I think even Andrew was impressed!

Speaking of, how cool is his show?? Traveling all around the world to try bizarre foods!?!?! My dream job.  And Interestingly to note, many people who follow me on twitter and facebook, asked me when I was joining andrew on set, why ribs are a “bizarre food?”  to me that’s the coolest thing about the show, being in over 70 countries, there are bound to be people out there that think our normal food, is bizarre!  Just as we think a lot of what he eats, is absolutely mind blowing… btw, if you haven’t watched the show, you are severely missing out! you can catch the episode of the chicago shoot above in the fall, and more on andrew and the show on http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Bizarre_Foods.

]]> http://www.billydec.com/blog/my-chicago-ribs-day-w-buddy-andrew-zimmern-from-travel-channel%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%9cbizarre-foods%e2%80%9d-in-honor-of-4th-of-july/feed/ 0 Comcast Sportsnet Interview : Blackhawks, Piven Theatre Workshop Benefit & Lookingglass Theatre's Madhatter's Ball http://www.billydec.com/blog/comcast-sportsnet-interview-blackhawks-piven-theatre-workshop-benefit-lookingglass-theatres-madhatters-ball/ http://www.billydec.com/blog/comcast-sportsnet-interview-blackhawks-piven-theatre-workshop-benefit-lookingglass-theatres-madhatters-ball/#comments Fri, 25 Jun 2010 20:28:13 +0000 billydec http://www.billydec.com/blog/?p=2289

it’s always a pleasure to chat and catch up with my buddy david kaplan on comcast sportsnet – we covered all things chicago but more importantly, our hometown champs – the chicago blackhawks (you have to see these stanley cup pictures, they’re a riot!) – the annual piven theatre workshop benefit i host with jeremy piven every year (you can check me out on the set of entourage by clicking here) and lookingglass theatre’s madhatter’s ball which was a blast last night!

]]> http://www.billydec.com/blog/comcast-sportsnet-interview-blackhawks-piven-theatre-workshop-benefit-lookingglass-theatres-madhatters-ball/feed/ 1 Ellen Live TBS Show at Chicago Theatre! http://www.billydec.com/blog/ellen-live-tbs-show-at-chicago-theatre/ http://www.billydec.com/blog/ellen-live-tbs-show-at-chicago-theatre/#comments Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:51:28 +0000 billydec http://www.billydec.com/blog/?p=2256

I love to share awesome prizes, tickets, vip passes…to all the experiences I get invited to w/ all my friends and followers on facebook and twitter (click on them to get in on it!). Yesterday I made up a fun lil contest to take a couple fans to Ellen’s amazing live show at The Chicago Theatre…you got to see these pics & read this review that one of the winners wrote, it’s awesome!

 

Yesterday, June 16th, Is going down as one of the highlights of my life. I know it sounds dramatic, but I am a huge Ellen fan, and people who know me well know that about me. So you can imagine I was so excited when I won seats to ”Ellen’s somewhat special special” show in Chicago!
To be honest, I had no idea what the show was going to be like or who was in it. All I needed to know was that Ellen was the main act, and I was there! However, I was blown away by the entire show! I knew it was going to be an incredible night when Ellen walked onto the stage with the Blackhawks’ Colin Fraser, Kris Versteeg, Andrew Ladd and Troy Brouwer! Wait, it gets even better! Not only did she walk out with these players, but they came out holding the cup! Yes, You heard me correctly! The Stanley Cup! After seeing this I did not think the show could get any better, but I should have known it would! After the blackhawks left the stage, there was a great series of variety show acts! I am still trying to absorb everything I saw. First, there was Dominic Lacasse, an amazing acrobatic who could do chin ups on a side-ways poll! It was unreal!
Then, one of my favorites acts came on stage, the Catwalk Acrobatics. It was a group of five guys and one girl who used trampolines to do tricks, such as walking up walls sideways, diving through small spaces, and other body motions I could never do in a million year no matter how much training. Following that eye-opening performance was an australian magician named, James Galea. I must be honest, I am never really impressed with card tricks but he really had my head spinning! He did quite a few of them, but my favorite was when he told a story with an entire deck of cards. Sounds unimpressive, but wait until you see it when the show airs on TBS soon!
Next, Ellen had a guest comedian by the name of John Mulaney perform! John Mulaney is a Chicago based comedian and extremely funny! I highly recommend checking him out. Finally, the last talent act was ping pong stunt performers displaying what they called ‘matrix ping pong’. The ping pong act was a mind playing scene shown in only glow in the dark images. Again, this one is not something I can explain but is better left seen!
To top all of it off, Ellen surprised the audience with a performance by the amazing country group formed Nashville, Lady Antebellum! They performed two songs for everyone, one being “I need you now”, which is my absolute favorite! The lead singer, Hilary Scott, even shared with the audience that she tried out for American Idol two times and never made it past the first round! That was crazy to hear, especially because I tried out last year and Made it to the third round! Now, does this sound like it was an awesome show or what?! I think I laid in bed for an hour last night reliving it all in my head!
If you were not able to go to the show, it airs Sunday, June 27th on TBS! Ellen was just one night of the “Just for Laughs” series here in Chicago at the Chicago Theater. You can Catch “Cedric the entertainer’s Urban Circus” June 18th and the “Rescue Me Comedy Tour 2″, featuring Denis Leary on June 19th! You can get your tickets here: http://www.justforlaughschicago.com/ .
]]> http://www.billydec.com/blog/ellen-live-tbs-show-at-chicago-theatre/feed/ 0 Blackhawks, Stanley Cup, Cubs vs Sox…Chicago Celebration Pics! http://www.billydec.com/blog/blackhawks-stanley-cup-cubs-vs-sox-chicago-celebration-pics-2/ http://www.billydec.com/blog/blackhawks-stanley-cup-cubs-vs-sox-chicago-celebration-pics-2/#comments Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:24:55 +0000 billydec http://www.billydec.com/blog/?p=2233

Crazy weekend from Blackhawks to Cubs/Sox… and as you know, I always try to share the chicago behind the scenes here… so enjoy a quick look at some of my pics… from pre-parade celebration last Thursday night that all started at rockit.. until 5a yesterday morning!

And btw, sorry to all who couldn’t get to see the cup in Wrigleyville after the game as the players had texted me they had planned… said the city/cops felt after last weds it could just get way too mobbed w/cubs v sox crowd on top of it all…probably right… thank you players for letting me know as soon as rerouted w/in minutes of game ending (which I immediately forwarded on to all on facebook & twitter) so didn’t have to wait around… you all rock… sure everyone in chi will see it this summer all over town.. as it’s “a chicago thing” now! look at some of my pics

 

]]> http://www.billydec.com/blog/blackhawks-stanley-cup-cubs-vs-sox-chicago-celebration-pics-2/feed/ 1 Chicago's Laura Baron on VH1's "You're Cut Off!" http://www.billydec.com/blog/chicagos-laura-baron-on-vh1s-youre-cut-off/ http://www.billydec.com/blog/chicagos-laura-baron-on-vh1s-youre-cut-off/#comments Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:51:07 +0000 billydec http://www.billydec.com/blog/?p=1932

join kiss fm, time out magazine, vh1 & the rockit ranch crew for a crazy kickoff to tonight’s blackhawks game six of the Stanley cup finals!!!!!!!! “You’re Cut Off” premieres tonight on VH1 taking 9 self proclaimed “princesses” who have lived nothing short of blessed lives and simply cuts them off. No money, no pricey belongings, no swanky living accommodations… and makes them work like hard working chicagoans like the shows host, my long time chicagoan buddy laura baron! (clip above hilarious!)

laura, who’s been featured on NBC, CNN, Extra and quite a few others, is teaching these young ladies how to grow up, take responsibility and live outside their perfect bubbles of decadence. A true Chicagoan, Laura chose her hometown to celebrate the premiere of the show at her hometown fav Rockit Bar and Grill tonight from 6-9pm…. And we are psyched to kick off this crazy victorious chicago night with her and the vh1, timeout, kiss fm crew & you!!!!!!!

]]> http://www.billydec.com/blog/chicagos-laura-baron-on-vh1s-youre-cut-off/feed/ 0 video of me shooting the puck at blackhawks game 5 nhl stanley cup finals! http://www.billydec.com/blog/video-of-me-shooting-the-puck-at-blackhawks-game-5-nhl-stanley-cup-finals/ http://www.billydec.com/blog/video-of-me-shooting-the-puck-at-blackhawks-game-5-nhl-stanley-cup-finals/#comments Tue, 08 Jun 2010 11:14:57 +0000 billydec http://www.billydec.com/blog/?p=1929

Just had one of the coolest experiences ever and wanted to share with you!! Check this video out of me picked to “shoot the puck” on the ice at united center sunday night during the blackhawks game 5 of the Stanley cup finals in front of 22,000+ screaming fans!  And on such an important game!  One more win to go and we break the longest current Stanley cup drought of 49yrs!

As you see in the video, my buddy billy bush from “access hollywood” thinks its going to be game 7 (fyi if so, he’s flying back and the 2 of us are throwing the after party- follow me on twitter for the details!), but I think its going to happen game 6! They are on fire! go blackhawks!!!!!!

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