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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
Filed under General, Music, celebrities, chicago, nightlife, restaurants | Comment (0)Rockit Billboard Social Media Campaign
Rockit Billboard Campaign from A Chicago Thing on Vimeo.
Chicago’s Own Restaurant Show “Check, Please!”
Everyone’s fav chicago food show is the long time award winning “Check, Please!” so it is with great honor that I announce that rockit bar & grill was featured on the show this week! click here for our feature – http://tr.im/M3yA. (secretly I have been dying to be on this show forever, so really psyched!)
This popular restaurant review program takes three everyday people who have each picked their favorite restaurant which each in the group have to visit.. and then critique amongst eachother along w/ the fabulous host my good buddy alpana signh.
Since its premiere in 2001, the show has become a huge success in the Chicagoland area, winning several local Emmy awards building a waiting list to be on the show exceeding 27,000 people! I also hear they may be expanding and taking the show on the road? No matter how big it gets, I will always love it because it started in chicago, by Chicagoans, for Chicagoans,… for more info go to www.wttw.com/checkplease
Filed under Food, General, chicago, restaurants | Comment (0)A Karaoke Fundraiser to Fight Hunger
Its tomorrow! And we need you there! Serious- Its only a $20 donation & I am buying drinks & food from 9-10p, at rockit Wrigley- so stop by and support! I have been talking about helping Haiti & hunger locally on radio & tv all week- see past couple posts- my video of me on drex & Mancow live are particularly impactful- and the video here where I am on tv Comcast sportsnet / chicago tribune live was one of the more calmer ones where not so rushed, and could explain more.
All proceeds benefit the chicago food depository, chicago’s nonprofit food bank working to end hunger where new records for individual pantry visits in recent months are up almost 20% versus a year ago- and sadly- donations are down!
So you know, the poverty rates for cook county (14.8%) & chicago (20.6%) continue to rise and are higher than the national average (13.2%). the unemployment rate in cook county was 10.7% in november, 4% higher than last year (6.7 percent). obviously times are tough for all, but w/ hunger & starvation in our own community & neighborhoods, we need to all help… so please join me at my karaoke fundraiser tmrw/friday night by rsvp’ing to info@rockitwrigley.com .. see you there and thank you!
Filed under General, chicago, restaurants | Comment (0)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.
Filed under General, Video, celebrities, chicago, restaurants | Comment (1)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)
Filed under General, Video, chicago, nightlife, restaurants | Comment (0)Heating up Chicago w/ Grandma’s Goulash!
Chicago is a family loving melting pot! And I love when that melting pot is shared to bring warmth to all of us… with that, I really enjoyed this story in the chicago suntimes today featuring my chef’s grandma’s secret Hungarian goulash recipe that was brought to America and is now shared with us all in chicago (click here for full story, or enjoy my fav highlights w/ the recipe below)… hope you enjoy & share too!
“The heat is on, with spices in the mix
BY SEANAN FORBES
Filed under General, chicago, restaurants | Comment (0)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!**
Filed under General, Music, chicago, nightlife, restaurants | Comment (0)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)
Filed under General, Music, Video, celebrities, chicago, nightlife, restaurants | Comment (0)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!
Filed under General, chicago, nightlife, restaurants | Comment (0)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.
Filed under General, Music, chicago, nightlife, restaurants | Comment (0)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!)
Filed under General, chicago, nightlife, restaurants | Comment (1)Chicago Marketing, PR, Event Production, Entertainment & Hospitality Intern Search!
I overdosed on Best Chocolate in Chicago!
This is so random I know, but with all the events going on for the holidays… I feel like I have been everywhere in the last week, and wanted to share a clip of it with you… so here is a crazy video of my favorite event so far! It was from the “world of chocolate” event to benefit aids last Thursday where I had to judge 30 of the best chocolate dishes from the best chefs in chicago!
Filed under General, chicago, restaurants | Comment (0)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!
Filed under General, Music, Pictures, celebrities, chicago, nightlife, restaurants | Comment (0)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
Filed under General, celebrities, chicago, nightlife, restaurants | Comment (1)Join Your Chicago Chefs who Grow, Teach & Feed! by guest blogger : Amanda Downing, Rockit Chef Team
A lot of what goes into being a chef is giving something back to others; usually it is in the obvious form of creating wonderful food for guests to enjoy. Another part, is giving back to our community and Chicago is one of the greatest communities out there.
There are so many opportunities to give back to the community throughout the year and many where chefs and restaurants take center stage to help support various causes. Some events that myself and Rockit Ranch executive chef James Gottwald and our entire crew have been a part of have been: Meals on Wheels Chicago, Grand Chefs Gala, Taste of the Nation as well as many events and classes supporting Common Threads.
New to us earlier this year has been the Organic School Project (OSP) where we were invited to a mac and cheese sMACdown, which was a fun community event where local novice cooks competed with local chefs for the Mac daddy title; there was more than enough cheesy noodles to go around. (and we are proud to say, we are the Mac daddys!). Since then we have been invited to participate in their Fall Harvest Community Dinner happening Friday November 20th from 6-8pm at Leslie Hall (1111 North Wells St).
This event will be a celebration of the season with a community dinner showcasing the fall’s harvest using all organic products. Rockit will be serving an organic version of our roasted butternut squash soup. It will be a fun way to support such a great program where all the funds raised will support the OSP’s Grow, Teach, Feed after school program for children.
The mission of OSP is to combat childhood obesity and related health epidemics through the Grow Teach Feed model, laying the foundation for urban youth to build sustainable lifestyles. To learn more about their work with over 3,500 kids since their founding in 2005, please visit www.organicschoolproject.org
To show your support: tickets for the Fall Harvest are $35 for adults through Nov. 13th and $40 thereafter.
Filed under General, chicago, restaurants | Comment (0)Chicago Designers make a “DIFFA” (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS)
This week, I was invited to a great series of events hosted by DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) Chicago chapter. DIFFA is a “not-for-profit fundraising and grant making foundation that distributes funds to Chicago area HIV/AIDS service agencies that provide direct service, preventive education and outreach to people who are HIV positive, living with AIDS or at risk for infection.” This is an incredible group that over the past 15 years has granted more than $38 million to hundreds of organizations.
DIFFA is made up of volunteers from the fashion industry, interior design, furnishings and architecture so it makes perfect sense that my buddy, fashion designer, Maria Pinto will serve as the Honorary Chair by designing a table for 20 people with Believe Tables, featuring 10 of Chicago’s top Residential Interior Designers! Dining by Designs is a 3-night event starting this Thursday (Nov 5th) and ends on Saturday night with the annual DIFFA Gala.
a toast to today’s chicago woman
Speaking of, this Wednesday Oct 28th (my bday!), join tcw at the “chopping block” for an exciting event featuring 3 of chicago’s top female chefs… radhika desia, jennifer gavin, and elaina Vazquez… as they go head to head in a “cook off” benefitting the TCW Foundation! The party will be emceed by my good buddy the “hungry hound” steve dolinksy, w/ specialty hors d’oeuvres & signature cocktail created by sunda’s mixologist, sherrie geslak. Tickets can be found at www.tcwmag.com. Enjoy!
Chef John Delucie of The Waverly Inn at Rockit Bar & Grill Tonight : guest blogger, Jeffrey Ward rockit ranch pr team
