Billy Dec Eating Human Breast Milk Cheese on NBC’s Today Show with Kathie Lee & Hoda

if following me on twitter you probably saw all the behind the scenes pic of our sunda chef Rodelio on the today show doing a cooking segment- well after me and rod were wandering into Kathie lee and hoda set- and I heard “is someone hungry” so knowing me I raise my hand- to find out later it was human breast milk cheese! You must see the end where I am on! Omg omg omg omg oh well- we sure represented chitown’s culinary loving scene!!!!!!!! True fans right?!??! omg. Cant take me anywhere

Academy Awards in Chicago!

I know a lot of people throw academy award parties across the nation, but wanted to let you know of the 51 “official” academy award parties sanctioned by the academy of motion pictures, arts and sciences, chicago has had one of these “official” parties for the last 16 years!

One of my scariest press memories actually was when I hosted it about 5 years ago w/my buddy Amanda puck who dragged me in to do steve dahl’s radio show absolutely terrified because for months he had been making fun of me live on his show (even made my mom cry once when she heard him in the car)!  In the end, glad amanda helped me face my fear, because ended up that steve and I realized we were actually two nice guys that totally didn’t understand the other til we talked in person.. and we actually created a very nice friendship out of it!

Anywho, this year the official party celebrating the live simulcast of the 82nd annual academy awards will be from 6p-11p sunday march 7th at the gene siskel film center (164 n. state st) hosted by great friends like roger & chaz ebert, harold ramis, Betsy steinberg, mike mcnamara, Amanda puck, david zapata, brook jay and more! tickets at ticketmaster are $100 & all proceeds will benefit the gene siskel film center of the school of the art institute of chicago- enjoy!

MTV’s “Best Breakout Artist” Andrew Belle back in Chicago!

as you may know, I try to help a lot of chicago talent thru twitter and facebook who could use a little exposure for their songs, art, craft,… a simple shout out, an introduction, or maybe even a spot on our stage,… and when they do make it big, I’m still all about pumping them up… anything to help the ultimate dream that I think we all share, which is the reason why I started this blog… and that’s to show the world, whatever it takes, that chicago talent, art & culture… is absolutely world class!

and with that, it is my honor, to say congrats to chicagoan andrew belle, who was recently named MTV’s “Best Breakout Artist” w/his songs now being played on shows like “Keeping Up With the Kardashians”,” “One Tree Hill,” “90210” and more!  And for his huge launch of his debut full-length album “The Ladder” which was just released on Tuesday on iTunes exploding on to the scene making it #1 on the singer/songwriter chart and the 24th most downloaded record in the country overall! (get it all here http://www.andrewbelle.com)

with that much success, this chicago rockstar of ours deserves a party- so since our relationship all started with him performing at rockit brunch, for many weekends over the last couple years, where else to celebrate this enormous album launch, killer award, long list of accomplishments,… than back at home!  So with that, join andrew & crew, along w/ his rockit family and friends for a celebratory live performance at rockit wrigley this Sunday night!  If haven’t heard him (or even if have), watch this video… you will really dig being with him, and hearing his passion live, on this special night… for info & rsvp contact info@rockitwrigley.com

care for women in chicago & beyond

in honor of international women’s day, “care” (www.care.org), an organization dedicated to helping women around the world by improving education, health, and economic opportunity, presents “half the sky live” on thursday, march 4 at 7:30pm in select theatres nationwide. this will be a one night interactive movie event inspired by pulitzer prize winning journalists nicolas kristof and sheryl wudunn & new york times bestseller “half the sky” which follows stories of extraordinary women around the world as they struggle to overcome oppression.

the “half the sky” event also features a screening of a short documentary by academy award winner marisa tomei and lisa leone, w/musical appearances & celebrity commentary by india arie, maria bello, diane birch, michael frantic, dr. helene gayle, angelique kidjo, nicholas kristof, sarah, duchess of york and others! 

Thank you to my buddies joe & jen shanahan, maria ponce, anna davlantes, and others,… who turned me on to an amazing opportunity to support, through an invitation to the care chicago women’s initiative event that includes a VIP pre-screening cocktail at webster’s wine bar (1480 w.webster ave.) from 5:00 to 7:15pm, followed by the “half the sky live premier” at webster place theatre (1471 w. webster ave.) from 7:30-9pm. tickets are $50- includes cocktails, appetizer and movie!  donations will go towards care’s education program for girls. to rsvp for event, email nmoslehuddin@care.org – see you there!

White Sox Frank Thomas Retires w/ Big Honor! Richard Dent’s to come!

There’s some breaking news today in the world of Chicago sports teams that really hit home w/ me! The White Sox declared they will retire Frank Thomas’ No. 35 as the former Sox player simultaneously announced his retirement! I had to give him a shoutout – he’s always been one of my favorite players and friends to hang w/ back when he played for and lived in Chicago!

Word has it that Thomas’ uniform number will be retired during a ceremony on August 29th at Cellular Field when the Sox take on the NY Yankees – also known as “Frank Thomas Day!” Congrats brother – what an unbelievable honor that is so rightfully deserved!

In celebration of all, sharing this pic of Frank and another Chicago sports legend buddy, Richard Dent, at my bday party a couple years ago! Thought it was relevant because just hung w/ Richard in Miami for the Superbowl.

Bummed about news that he didn’t get entry into the 2010 class of The Pro Football Hall of Fame after 6 times up for it as a finalist in the last 7 years. Huge bummer – but Richard – keep your head up man, you are an inspiration for athletes, Chicagoans and football fans alike. You’re time will come!

Chicago Big Brothers Big Sisters

Shout out to my buddies Jillian Harris & ed Swiderski of “The Bachelorette” who turned me on to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Chicago Bowl for Kids’ Sake 2010 that they are competing in… sounds like a blast! And all for an amazing cause… which I love…

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States – they’ve been connecting with and helping kids for over a century! Their main goal is to develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people, ages 6 through 18. Here are some unbelievable stats that really impressed me even more so with this organization :

By participating in the young mentoring programs, Little Brothers and Sisters are :

More Confident in their schoolwork performance

Able to get along better with their families

46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs

27% less likely to begin using alcohol

52% less likely to skip school

Big Brothers Big Sisters offers dozens of programs altered to address specific needs, ethnicities and areas such as community-based, school-based, mentoring military children, etc.

To kick jillians and ed’s butts in bowling and to support this amazing cause in a super fun way… click… http://tr.im/NFi3

Grammy Red Carpet, My Bday & The Chicago Recording Academy!

If follow me on twitter you got to join me on the red carpet at the grammys last weekend! Every year I find it exciting, but this year with twitter I was surprised to see how many were loving the tweet pics I sent in real time- couldn’t believe the numbers of hits from you all! Thank you!  Anyway, w/the responses from you all I got a ton of requests for video of the chaos so cut and pasted some together here!  Pretty crazy huh… so random…

Shout out to buddies common, Giuliana rancic, black eyed peas,.. who were super fun to hang out with on the carpet… as well as nick cannon who you will see as well in the video who is actually coming out to chicago next week for his wife mariah carey’s performances at the chicago theatre and to dj my “twitter/blog one year birthday party” that you all requested!  Amazing timing I know- His wife is performing down the street, he was my blog launch dj a year ago,.. it all just makes sense!

And omg I can’t believe its been one year, I learned a ton and have enjoyed blogging here and tweeting w/ all of you so much- thank you for the opportunity and I promise way more fun to come!  So speaking of fun, my twitter/blog bday party is Saturday February 13th at the underground! Trust me, this will be one party you do no want to miss!!! (comment below for big requests for tables, vip list,… will do our best)

Oh, and one last huge shout out, the recording academy that is responsible for the grammys has a tremendously respected and all around amazing chicago chapter right here in our own backyard that anyone remotely interested in the music industry needs to check out and be a part of- I have enjoyed it for years and highly suggest it!  For more info go to http://www2.grammy.com/Recording_Academy/Chapters/Chicago/

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 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!

Sundance Celebrity Party Performers Live!

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 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…

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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 24^th 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

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!

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 – 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.

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Backstage exclusive w/ Gossip Girl Leighton Meester

What a way to kick off the new year!  Last night crowds of crazed gossip girl, underground & www.achicagothing.com fans got treated to a live performance by Leighton meester who plays blair waldorf on “gossip girl!” and it was definitely a raging time!  (most of the free tickets came through twitter as they always do so if not following me click here so don’t miss out anymore!)

My partners Arturo Gomez, brad young & I like to thank our supporters a couple times a year with surprise celebrity performances, and I have to say, even though we have had john mayer, ashlee simpson, kanye west,… and dozens of other high profile stars perform live at our places for all, this group of fans got just as crazy for their girl Leighton!

Check out this video of me & Leighton chilling backstage at the underground before her show thanking you all for all your support… on behalf of www.achicagothing.com& rockit ranch productions… we appreciate you!  Oh, and much more to come in 2010… stay tuned!

updated : January 4th – 10am :: here’s some press from leighton’s performance….

Page Six - http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/we_hear_c7zIsfKYIVv8HAsX3yMrBK

NBC - http://tr.im/JpCv

Chicago Tribune - http://tr.im/JpOK

Gossip Girl Leighton Meester tickets for Live Chicago Performance!

Ok- I haven’t had a chance to watch “gossip girl” but sure seems like everyone loves it! And since it’s such a hit, i have to say I am pretty interested in meeting one of the main characters leighton meester who plays “blair waldorf” on the show this Friday night when she performs live for her chicago fans at the underground!! (I especially got excited when watched her “best of” video mix above, it’s pretty good/funny)

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Chicago to Make A Wish for the Holidays by guest blogger : Bo Osacky, Team Rockit Ranch

The holidays are here – Tis the season to make wishes come true! No organization makes that happen more often than the Make-A- Wish Foundation, which granted 702 wishes last year to terminally ill children throughout Illinois. In December, Make-A-Wish will grant close to 100 wishes alone!  The organization has been fortunate to have great supporters but, like most organizations, the economy has had a direct impact on the number of wishes they are able to grant this holiday season.  Make-A-Wish is extremely proud that in their 23 year history, they have never had to turn down a wish child due to lack of funds. They are all working very hard to honor that record and be able to grant 700 more wishes this coming holiday season and into 2010.  Here is a great local Make-A-Wish success story with a way you can help make those wishes come true…

The holidays are here – Tis the season to make wishes come true! No organization makes that happen more often than the Make-A- Wish Foundation, which granted 702 wishes last year to children with life-threatening diseases throughout Illinois. In December, Make-A-Wish will grant close to 100 wishes alone!  The organization has been fortunate to have great supporters but, like most organizations, the economy has had a direct impact on the number of wishes they are able to grant this holiday season.  Make-A-Wish is extremely proud that in their 23 year history, they have never had to turn down a wish child due to lack of funds. They are all working very hard to honor that record and be able to grant 700 more wishes this coming holiday season and into 2010.  Here is a great local Make-A-Wish success story with a way you can help make those wishes come true…

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i need bail! help!

help!  caught on video above- i’m locked up in “clara’s house” shelter at 63rd & paulina in west englewood- i need $1000 to get bailed out!  ”clara’s house” benefits woman & children that don’t have a warm bed, clothes & hot food… so i am doing this to benefit them.. make any size donation of whatever you can to the clara’s house by calling 312.315.2223.. denalda will help you.. together we can give a holiday gift of at least $1000 to them from me & you!  til then, you know where i’ll be!

victoria’s secret “sexiest in chicago” w/ “angel” alessandra ambrosio!

If follow me on twitter (click here if you don’t), you were in nyc w/me for the actual live Victoria’s Secret show!  Thought I would show you a small video I took after the show from my flipcam above… the look on my face is pretty stupid I know, and I really had nothing to say, but that’s just how good the show was! (and as you can tell, the girls were just shockingly stunning all out there at once strutting so close to me)

On the home front, Victoria secret angel alessandra ambrosio flew out to host the private vip tv launch of the fashion show right here in chicago a couple days ago at my club “the underground” handing out awards to “chicago’s sexiest” winners from their online contest!  Here are the results below… and having won for “sexiest club” the underground & “sexiest restaurant” sunda…  my super hard working team of 500 & I humbly thank all of you who allow us to serve you!

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carrie underwood brings out a little country – in our big city! by guest blogger : ilysa bass, team rockit ranch intern

my old friend jude law rocks hamlet! and loves chicago….

If you follow me on twitter you came with me to nyc to last week for the live Victoria’s secret fashion show (will probably blog about them in next day or so since doing a viewing party of the actual show I saw at the underground on dec. 1st w/ one of the angels!).  anyway, I thought while there, I would check out an old buddy of mine from London, playing hamlet on broadway, the always amazing jude law.

First of all, let me just say that jude rocked the part of hamlet beyond belief! I know this because in high school I couldn’t understand Shakespeare to save my life, and here I was not only understanding everything, I was thoroughly engrossed, entertained, laughing, shocked,.. & just loving it!  Jude stole the show, literally.  I almost was nervous for others because he was so big and present on stage next to the rest… but eventually it all grooved together nicely and I give them all major props.  Show ends dec 6th, better check it fast!

Anyway, the reason I wanted to share my experience here was because when jude invited backstage to hangout after the show, we literally sat in his dressing room raving & laughing about none other than, of all things… chicago!  We have hungout throughout the years in London together but he just cant let go of the days of running around chicago in 2000/2001 with me & our buddy Daniel craig (who you may know as james bond, who happens to be on broadway too with hugh jackman in “a steady rain” which is about, of all things, two chicago cops!), while they were filming “road to perdition” w/ Robert redford and few other greats.  

We were the inseparable 3 amigos walking every random chicago street day & night trying every restaurant, café, store, park,… laughing, joking, telling stories,… raiding my mom’s fridge, playing Frisbee w/jude’s kids during the day, hanging out late at my spots (at that time… the dragonroom, circus, skylight & the bedroom)… just having the best time ever!  Jude couldn’t stop raving about our culture, art, culinary scene, and most of all.. the nice people… it was fun to update him on my new spots sunda, rockit & underground because they were the exact places I told him I always wanted to open… I could see him trying each item in his head as I told him about our menus and stuff.. it was pretty neat.  

Anyway, it just made me really proud to be a part of this city… its just so conducive to building real friendships & everlasting experiences & memories with people from all over the world… and I love that about Chicago… hope you all are taking those opportunities when can… they are all around us… show guests all your fav spots, not just the touristy ones… share your enthusiasm, personality, story & honesty w/ them… and put it all together… and they will never forget us!  Cheers