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

Chicago’s Tickled pink to fight breast cancer!

like many others out there, my buddy jodi fyfe lost a loved one to breast cancer.  What I love about her though is she took immediate action to begin a very big fight, so that hopefully one day others wouldn’t have to feel that pain as well.  I met Jodi about 5 years ago when I was hosting a segment for metromix tv, there to cover and support her new tickled pink breast cancer fundraising event she had started, and was so wow’ed by her passion and determination, I never stopped supporting since.  Some years I joined all the chicago media invited to jump behind the bar to entertain and serve guests unique pink specialty drinks, some years I’ve grabbed the mic and hosted, but every year, I’m just a proud and excited guest there to enjoy all the wonderful people that have been brought together to fight this all too common battle in a really fun and positive way!

5 years & over $150,000 donated toward the cause later… jodi and her tickled pink team continue on and we will be with her… as I hope you will too! This year we get to be served and entertained by local Celebrity & media like.. TEAM WFLD-TV of Kori Chambers, Amy Freeze, Nancy Pender, Chris Sowers and Tera Williams. TEAM WGN-TV of Dina Bair and Tom Negovan. TEAM WMAQ-TV of Rob Elgas, Christian Farr, Natalie Martinez, Liz Parker, Alex Perez, Anthony Ponce, Marcus Riley, Matt Rodewald, Phil Rogers, Kim Vatis, Zoraida Sambolin and Ginger Zee, Susan Carlson of WBBM-TV, Susanna Negovan of Michigan Avenue, Amanda Puck of XA The Experiential Agency Inc.,  Liz Crokin of TheBootsGirls.com and Radaronline.com and last but not least.. the charitable firemen of the Windy City. 

My role?  To work with my underground & rockit ranch team to make sure the party rocks so all these superstars above can work their magic and make sure you and your friends have an absolute blast! so the party is at our place, the underground, this Friday, feb 26^th from 7-10p… drinks, food, Music, fun, amazing crowd, be there! for more info and tix go to www.tickledpinkchicago.com … and at bare minimum… just help spread the word as there are unfortunately many people out there that this could benefit in one way or another!  And together with jodi and the tickled pink crew- we will keep on fighting! You rock- b

Rockit Billboard Social Media Campaign

Rockit Billboard Campaign from A Chicago Thing on Vimeo.

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!

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!

Video of Half Price Tuesday Night Ice Skating at Wrigley Field!

The chicago entertainment, fashion & hospitality industry comes out to rockit Wrigley every Tuesday night to eat, drink, network & party- then someone put a rink out across the street in front of Wrigley field- and then this all happened…  watch the video, it speaks for itself…. And share it! Haha!

Wonder what it’s like to do live Chicago radio? Here’s the behind the scenes…

After being a guest on a ton of talk shows last week from oprah radio to wgn 720am live… a bunch of people hit me with great questions on twitter intrigued about what its like to do live radio shows for millions (which totally freaked me out while on air) so I thought I would flip my cam on and show you what its like visually!  If want to hear the whole audio interview click here.  Fyi, this interview was part of a new segment on 720am where www.ChicagoNow.com bloggers shout out a whole lot of fun Saturdays from 9a-12p- so tune in!

As for my upcoming press dates, this week I am at this same location doing bob sirott’s show at exactly 12:35p during most people’s lunch hour so please walk by the infamous wgn radio tribune tower glass and wave hi to us! (If anyone stages a flash mob I will celebrate you- haha!).  Will be talking about the fun cub-aholic fan party we are doing this Thursday night at rockit Wrigley with media hosting like my buddy david kaplan (from trib, Comcast sportsnet tv, radio,…),some cub player friends (it’s a secret for now who’s coming), a ton of fans who miss the cubs,… all to kick off the cub convention this weekend!  I’m also on Mancow this Friday 9am to talk about my fight against hunger with a fun karaoke party on Friday 1/22 from 8p-10p benefiting the chicago food depository… please tune in!

(oh, and rumors are true- my 1ST tweet N meet got rave reviews to point that some are making me do it again! Especially those that missed the first one- so it’s this sat 1/16 9-10p contact katierose@rockitranch.com)

my 1st chicago tweet ‘n meet party!

Alright all my friends on facebook, twitter & www.aChicagothing.com, you asked for it, let’s have a party!

Yes, I took down all your suggestions & requests on what you would want at this party, and yes, the party will have it! (well, a majority of it, some of the requests were completely silly & ridiculous, go figure!)

Here are some details:

-It’s this Saturday night, January 9th from 9p-2a @RockitWrigley (3700 N. Clark) w/ some of my favorite rock mashup djs, musical performers, fun friends, and more!

-there will be a private reception from 9p-10p for my followers on twitter w/specialty drinks & hors d’oeuvres!  To attend from 9p-10p you and your guests (who better be fun!) must be following me on www.twitter.billydec.com and RSVP to KatieRose@RockitRanch.com asap as space is limited!

-for those like me who want a table for dinner at rockit before the party, Katie rose can accommodate you as well- enjoy and see you there!

**UPDATED January 12th, 2010 : My first Tweet ‘N Meet party was such a success (and I know some of you missed it) that I’m doing another this Saturday – all the info for this weekend is the same above!**

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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Best Restaurant in 2009! And other things?

Here’s a video of this very cool news report that one of my twitter followers sent to me about the top restaurants in 2009… and sunda is the first one!

Made me think of all the “top 10″ things everyone is doing with it being the end of the year and all, so thought I would do my own… this morning i asked my twitter & facebook friends what are the biggest things to happen in chicago in 2009 and here are some of the things shared…. thanks all!

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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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philippine island love in chicago by guest blogger : aeron lancero, GM of sunda

I am of Filipino decent and had the opportunity of receiving my education in the Philippines and living there a great deal of time. My Executive Chef Rodelio Aglibot was born there and raised in Hawaii, Rockit Ranch Productions’ founder and CEO Billy Dec is half Filipino and has been there over a dozen times, and our sushi chef Jesse is Filipino American as well. As we all have ties to the Philippines, clearly it was a priority to do something to help the victims of the terrible typhoons so tomorrow night, Tuesday, December 15, beginning at 6 p.m., Sunda will co-host a very special dinner with Gawad Kalinga, benefiting Operation: Walang Iwanan (Leave No One Behind) in our new Sunda private room on the second floor.  

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The new Ice Skating Rink at Wrigley!

I was reading about the new wrigley ice rink in redeye this morning while drinking my coffee at rockit Wrigley, looked up, and there it was 100ft away!  

 It really feels like a random dream seeing it in front of such an iconic structure like wrigleyfield.  I guess after the success of the “winter classic” blackhawks vs red wings game earlier this year on 1/1, and the time they gave the neighbors to hit the ice after, the community thought that this would be an amazing treat for all- and it is!  

 To add to the excitement, I know all the restaurants & bars in the area are excited to entertain all the ice skating enthusiasts coming for fun, making sure that families, friends, dates, parties,.. can make a whole day and/or night of it!  Rockit Wrigley for example is doing ½ off hot soup & all kid’s menu items for guests w/their ice skating ticket… along with a ton of warm winter wonderland hot drink specials… (irish coffee, the peppermint paddy, super cider,…)

 The rink opens next week on December 15th, and goes til the end of February, being open for guests every night of the week, and all day/night Saturdays and Sundays.  For more info about rink click here (and if need me to save you a table at rockit ever click tyson@rockitbarandgrill.com )  see you on the ice!! (or thawing out over a rockit burger, truffle fries and some sort of hot chocolate adult beverage!) 

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Chicago Marketing, PR, Event Production, Entertainment & Hospitality Intern Search!

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