Let Nike Know How You #OWNCHICAGO!

Do you run this city? As in, do you spend countless miles on the lakefront path, either training for the marathon or running to work? Do you spend hours on the basketball court, practicing your skills? Each person plays an integral role in this city and Niketown wants to honor these individuals that #ownchicago.

Starting Thursday, Niketown will be creating an art campaign through the hashtag #ownchicago. When Chicagoans go on Twitter or Facebook and share how they #ownchicago, Niketown Chicago will create a piece of artwork to bring it all to life. Every individual that uses #ownchicago will have their profile picture added to a giant mosaic located in Niketown Chicago.

With the marathon taking place on Sunday, this is a great way to celebrate all of the hard work and dedication that runners put in over the summer toward finishing 26.2 miles. On Thursday at 6:30pm, join Chicago athletes and many others at Niketown as they kick off this idea. Chicago is a great city that works hard and we all #ownchicago. Come out and share your voice.

-  Evan Jones

Tags: #ownchicago, Artwork, Chicago Marathon, evan jones, facebook, Marathon 2011, Nike, niketown, rockit ranch, sports, twitter

Shecky’s Girls Night Out: Fashion, Jewelry & Beauty!

Keeping up with the latest fashion could really be a full-time job! Styles come and go with the seasons and beauty trends never really last. I’m a jeans and a tshirt kind of guy, but if I had to say there is one thing that never goes out of style, it would be quality time with friends and loved ones.

So ladies, grab your gal pals and head out to Shecky’s Girls Night Out, this coming Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct 4 & 5! Come out to the Great Hall at Union Station for an evening of cocktails, fall fashions and relaxing spa treatments! And I hear there is a killer goodie bag – it’s a win-win event!

Click here for details: http://www.sheckys.com/events/6489/girls-night-out-chicago-fall-2011/ and definitely check in on my Facebook and Twitter as I’ll be giving away tickets to the event this week!

Tags: billy dec, chicago fashion event, facebook, fall fashion, fashion, Girls Night Out, giveaway, Shecky's, spa treatments, tickets, twitter, Union Station

Improvised Musical Showcase at Chicago’s iO this Friday!

Pick a topic – any topic. Now, with a group of your friends, create a comedy sketch and a song to go with it. You have 1 minute. GO. Not the easiest task. It takes a special person with talent to accomplish such a goal… and have it be funny. Living in the city of Chicago, we have our pick of comedy troupes and clubs. We even have entire organizations dedicated to the craft, such as Second City and iO. With such a great pool of individuals out there willing to share their passion with audiences, don’t you think we deserve to laugh at them and with them?

I recently attended a show featuring Stacked, an all female Musical Improv group. They delivered a “four-part harmony through a wide range of characters and clever play.” The energy on stage was infectious, causing all in attendance to be engaged in the action. Its this dedication that is taking them all the way to the Toronto Improv Festival in about a month. Scenes from recent shows are up on their website. If you need a laugh – or two – take a look!

Catch the ladies of Stacked, Leotard Foundation and Slow Clap! on Friday, September 23 at Midnight in the Del Close Theater. Tickets are $5 or FREE for iO students. Interested in becoming a student? Check it out here.

- Evan Jones
@ewjonesy

Tags: chicago, chicago weekend events, del close theatre, evan jones, free student events, improv, improv olympic, leotard foundation, musical improv group, second city, slow clap!, stacked, toronto improv festival

Chicago Gateway Green’s 20th Annual Green Tie Ball

I can’t believe this is the 20th anniversary of Green Tie Ball! I remember when I was graduating college and wanted to get involved in one charity that I knew could allow me to make a difference. I had always heard the best party of the year was called Green Tie Ball, so I did my research and found it was so much more than that I had to get involved.

The Green Tie Ball benefits Chicago Gateway Green, whose mission is dedicated to greening and beautifying Chicago’s expressways, gateways and neighborhoods. The non-profit organization was founded in 1986 and since then, have helped to improve both the local environment and the quality of life for millions of Chicago residents and visitors. They are able to improve our communities through three key programs: the Expressway Partnership, transforming city roadways into landscaped parkways; the International Sculpture Program, beautifying gateways through the installation of public, international art on expressways; and the Tree Partnership Program, a large-scale tree planting initiative that transforms vacant land into tree-filled green spaces.

12 years ago I started by stuffing gift bags and helping with whatever I could, I went on to book entertainment, then chaired the event and now was just voted on to the Executive Board of Directors! This Saturday marks the 20th anniversary and it’s back where it originated at A. Finkl & Sons and a “Return to Emerald City” theme. Saturday will be Co-Chaired by Tim Smithe – Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design and Stephanie Castagnier – NBC’s The Apprentice 2010, plus we have over 60 of Chicago’s top restaurants including Sunda & Rockit Bar & Grill. Expect fabulous drinks and the best entertainment by Too White Crew, Dr. Bombay and tunes by DJ’s Rock City, Yours Truly and DJ Galvan – with the official after-party at The Underground. Tickets and more info – www.gatewaygreen.org.

- Jon Landan

Tags: after party, annual gala, charitable events, chicago, chicago expressway, chicago gateway green, chicago non-profit, chicago weekend events, dj galvan, dj rock city, dj yours truly, dr. bombay, gateway green, green tie ball, jon landan, NBC, rockit bar and grill, stephanie castagnier, sunda, the apprentice, the underground, tim smithe, too white crew, walter e. smithe

Chicago Band Map & Atlases at 1st A.V. Fest

Unless you’re some sort of magic snowman reading this blog in a Wi-Fi equipped freezer somewhere, you probably don’t want summer in Chicago to end. Part of the problem of losing the warm weather is it means we have to temporarily say goodbye to the gajillion music festivals that take place here. But before winter hits and the magic snowmen reclaim the streets, the pop-culture/entertainment website The A.V. Club is bringing us one more outdoor festival.

On September 10 and 11, the very first A.V. Fest will be held in Chicago. The fest, which features twelve indie rock bands, will take place outside The Hideout on Wabansia and Elston Avenues from 12pm to 10pm. Champaign, IL band Hum and North Carolina band Archers of Load are the headliners while local Chicago bands Maps & Atlases and Disappears will also be playing.

And the best part: IT’S FREE! But be sure to give the $10 suggested donation, a portion of which will benefit Rock for Kids. So go and enjoy some cool music in the city before you need to put on a parka to do so! For a complete schedule and to RSVP go to: http://www.avclub.com/fest/

David Lauer, Fall Intern

Tags: abc, archers of load, chicago, chicago bands, chicago charitable events, chicago events, chicago music festivals, disappears, free weekend events, hum, maps and atlases, music events, rock for kids, the a.v. club, the hideout, weekend events, windy city live

Slow Food Presents : Goose Island Pig Roast

A lot of talk is given to fast food and the restaurants that are associated with the “eat on the go” movement. However, there is a shift taking place right here in Chicago which prides itself on moving at a slower pace – actually tasting your meal and knowing that it was prepared through sustainable means. Slow Food, a not-for-profit organization believes that “the food we eat should taste good and that our food should be produced in a clean way that does not harm the environment, animal welfare or our health.” Additionally, Slow Food focuses on the producers, stating that they “should receive fair compensation for their work, and be treated with respect in their communities.”

With over 300 members associated with the Chicago chapter, eating slow is catching on fast. If you are interested in joining or simply want to learn more, bring your appetite to the 3rd Annual Goose Island Pig Roast on September 11, 2011 from 2-5p.m. at the Goose Island Beer Company, located at 1800 West Fulton Street. Featuring Slagel Farm pigs prepared by local chefs, beer and soft drinks by Goose Island Brewery, and coffee by Intelligenstia. Not interested in locally raised pork? A vegetarian dish will be provided by Uncommon Ground. Tickets are $60 dollars, proceeds benefiting Slow Food Chicago.

-  Evan Jones, Intern

Tags: chicago, end of summer events, goose island, goose island beer, goose island brewery, intelligenstia, local food, pig roast, slagel farm, slow food, uncommon ground

“The Interrupters” via Chicago-Based Kartemquin Films

The warm weather is on its way out – signaling the end of the Summer Blockbuster. Throughout the past few months countless movies have made their debut; some reaching the coveted ‘blockbuster’ status, while others simply just fizzled. A majority featured A-list cast members and numerous explosions, but few had substance. If you’re looking for something true, local, and inspiring, check out Kartemquin Films (KTQ) newest feature: The Interrupters. Approaching their 45th Anniversary Celebration on September 15th at the Metro, KTQ is world renowned for producing grounding breaking documentaries right here in Chicago. Past films include Hoop Dreams (1994) and No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson (2010). There are various showings of The Interrupters throughout the city. Take a look!

Centered around members of CeaseFire, “The Interrupters tells the moving and surprising stories of three Violence Interrupters who try to protect their Chicago communities from the violence they once employed.” Thought of as a virus, these individuals seek to stop the spread of hatred at its source: “go after the most infected.” Ameena Matthews, daughter of Jeff Fort, one of Chicago’s most infamous gang leaders, joins the cause to help educate and promote a positive message of rising above the violence. “From  acclaimed director Steve James and bestselling author Alex Kotlowitz, this film is an unusually intimate journey into the stubborn, persistence of violence in our cities.”

-  Evan Jones, Intern

@ewjonesy

Tags: acclaimed director, alex kotlowitz, ameena matthews, bestselling author, cease fire, chicago, chicago based movies, chicago metro, film making, hoop dreams, jeff fort, kartemquin films, metro, no crossover, steve james, the interrupters, the trial of allen iverson, violance in chicago

900′s Night Out with Bravo TV’s Brad Goreski

Calling all Fashionista’s! Come and enjoy a night out on the town filled with “fame, fashion, and flavor”! There are plenty of festivities to participate in throughout the night. Hosting this ultimate party is Bravo TV’s Brad Goreski (you may know him from “The Rachel Zoe Project“), CS Magazine, and Gilt City. This is the perfect thing to do with a group of friends for some flirty fun. Taking place on September 8th, celebrate style by attending 900 North Michigan Shops from 6pm-9pm.

You may want to get started at the beauty bazaar! Here, you can get pampered with complimentary services. There are so many different things you can get done from mini manicures to lash extensions. With all that glitz and glam you are sure to work up an appetite, but no worries- Gilt City is providing delicious food from Chicago’s top restaurants. And what’s dinner without a show? Check out fall’s hottest looks with Flash Fashion Show.

In case all the pampering and celeb style makes you want to be a star you get the chance to act like one! Set up at the venue will be Glam Photo Booth! All you need is you, your friends, and your dazzling good looks for a red carper photo opp.

For more info on this event just go to http://www.shop900.com/fno/

Rhea Drougas, Intern

Tags: 900 north michigan shop, 900 shops, brad goreski, bravo, bravo tv, chicago fashion, chicago summer events, cs magazine, fame, fashion, flavor, gilt city, shopping events, the rachel zoe project

Behind the Scenes with Billy Dec – 5 Radio Shows, a Live TV Show on ABC & a PSA all in 5 hours!

I woke up at 5am this morning for a BIG press day with Billy.  We had to do 5 radio shows, a live tv show & a PSA all in 5 hours when he literally just stepped off a plane from France, Hungary, and Austria 12 hours prior.  When he initially told me about how much press he wanted to do BEFORE he was live on Windy City Live- I thought it was absurd, but in all the time I have known him, I can say he pushes himself to work beyond what most people think is feasible.  The main purpose behind all this press was to talk about two events that are the very important to him to support art & theatre in Chicago & raise scholarships for kids -  The Madhatter’s Ball & The Piven Theatre Gala.

The schedule of the day went as follows:
6am – Picked up  Chicago Reader, heard BD won “Best Person to Follow on Twitter”                                                                                                                                          6:15am – Car Pickup

6:30am – Stop at Rockit to pick up Burgers
6:45am – Live on Kiss FM with Angi Taylor at Brother Fred
7:30am – J & Julian Show on B96
7:40am – Fresh with Scotty & Rebecca
7:50am – K-Hits with Eddie & Jobo
8:30am – Make-up & Producer’s Session for ABC’s Windy City Live
9-10am – Live on ABC’s Windy City Live
11am – Steve Dahl Show
11:30am – PSA Shoot for Chicago’s Go Do Good Campaign that Connects Art to Action
1-3pm – Work at Rockit Ranch Productions
3pm – Call in with Andy Giersher

I took my camera with me to show you guys what it’s like to be Behind the Scenes when you are live on radio & tv!!! It was a crazy, fun-filled day, and I was shocked to see that Billy was still even standing to make it out that night! (Billy attended a party for Factor Models and worked at Sunda later that night.  I, on the other hand, was asleep by 10pm)

By the way, for those who follow Billy on facebook & twitter – You may have seen the picture of the bird that he posted that seemed to be injured right outside his office on that day.  I’m very happy to report that by the end of the day, the bird was saved thanks to the help from the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors – we will post a video we took and share the whole story here tomorrow!

-Amy

Tags: abc, abc windy city live, Amy Shah, andy giersher, angi taylor, B96.3, billy dec, brotha fred, chicago, chicago bird collision monitors, chicago events, chicago reader, chicago reader best of 2011, eddie and jobo, facebook, fresh 105.9, fundraiser, j and julian, jeremy piven, k-hits, kiss fm, lookingglass theatre, madhatter's ball, piven theatre workshop, psa, Radio, rockit, rockit bar and grill, scotty and rebecca, steve dahl, theatre, twitter, windy city live

Chicago Cubs’ 1st Annual “Wrigleyville Block Party!”

Hey BillyDec.com readers! Matt Kochis here, Summer Intern for Billy – thought I would share this fun event happening this weekend! The Chicago Cubs are throwing their first ever “Wrigleyville Block Party!” This block party is inspired by the one-day festival held last year during the Northwestern-Illinois football game at Wrigley. The festival, nicknamed “Wildcat Way,” ended up being a great success and the Cubs are hoping the same for their three-day one. I was able to attend the Wildcat Way last year and had a blast at it. Between the food, drinks, good people, and the game, what was not to like? This block party will take place across three weekends during the summer weekend series against the Yankees, Sox, and Cardinals.

The Wrigleyville Block Party will feature live music from some of Chicago’s top cover bands, family-friendly activities such as arts and crafts, a basketball hoop attached to PNC Bank’s Virtual Wallet Van, a photo booth, a Wii Home Run Derby station, and the new Cubs Trolley complete with eight flat-screen TVs, video game consoles and more. This block party sounds like it is going to be a lot of fun and a great way for the Cubs to provide something extra for their fans. It’s nice to see them giving back to their supporters and wanting them to have an awesome time at Wrigley besides just watching the game. Rockit Wrigley is also right across the street so if you ever get hungry or thirsty and don’t want what the block party offers, there are other options out there!

The festivities will take place on the Cubs’ red and purple parking lots which are located on the west side of Wrigley Field. Party will start at 11 a.m. and go until 8 p.m. daily throughout the festival weekends starting on June 17. Come on out and support the Cubs and join in on the fun that Wrigleyville has to offer!

Tags: chicago, chicago cubs, chicago festivals, cubs, family events in chicago, home run derby, northwestern, pnc bank, summer in chicago, trolley, wii, wildcat way, wrigley field, wrigleyville block party