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

Grey Goose Chicago Beach Polo World Cup at North Avenue Beach This Weekend!

Make way for the “sport of kings” this weekend. Beach chairs, towels, and volleyballs will be replaced with horses when the first Chicago Beach Polo World Cup makes its way to North Avenue Beach on October 1st & 2nd. Athletes from around the world will be in the Windy City looking for a win. “The two-day international polo tournament will host a field of eight teams. Four teams will compete in World Cup play while four women’s teams will compete for the North Beach Women’s Polo Cup.”

Described as “hockey on horseback,” all of the action will take place in a custom-built beach arena, approximately the size of an American football field. Sponsored by Grey Goose Vodka, Don Miguel Gascon, Fogo de Chao, Amstel Light and Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, there will definitely be great events outside of the venue as well. V.I.P. suites, social-tents, shops, and fashion shows are on the schedule.

Whether you’re an avid follower of the sport or new to the idea, come out to experience this fascinating event. Horses, athletes, and sand - sure to be a winning combination.

For info & tickets, visit: www.chicagobeachpolo.com And, also be on the lookout because our CEO, Billy Dec, giving away tickets on facebook & twitter!

-Evan Jones

Tags: Beach, Beach Polo, chicago, Chicago Beach Polo World Cup, north avenue beach, world cup

Chicago Cubs Kerry Wood 6th Annual Strike Zone Celebrity Bowling Tournament

Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood and his wife, Sarah, are holding the 6^th Annual Kerry Wood Strike Zone Celebrity Bowling Tournament. Over the years with this fundraiser, they have raised over 2 million dollars for children in and around the Chicagoland area!

There will be 24 corporate-sponsored teams along with a celebrity captain on each one. This event takes place on September 18^th at 10Pin and is hosted by Eric & Kathy of 101.9fm THE MIX. If you want to get involved with this fundraiser you can! There is a silent auction taking place right NOW and closes at 10pm on Saturday, September 17^th.  Online bidders will be represented by proxy at the event and notified about their winning bids. Definitely go take a look at what’s available- there are autographed baseballs, tickets to Saturday Night Live, and so much more!

The Wood Family Foundation is really dedicated to raising funds for children’s charities and causes, and overall just improving their lives. Take a look at what they do here www.WoodFamilyFoundation.org and for more information on the Celebrity Bowling Tournament!

- Rhea Drougas

Tags: 101.9, 10Pin, Celebrity Bowling Tournament, charity events, chicago, chicago cubs, chicago weekend events, cubs, eric and kathy, kerry wood, Kerry Wood Strike Zone Celebrity Bowling, online auction, Sarah Wood, Saturday night live, the mix, Wood Family Foundation

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Bar Crawl!

I’m sure most of you have seen the infamous 1980’s film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and what better way to relive this film than with a bar crawl, themed to Ferris Bueller’s iconic day of hooky!  This Sunday, July 24^th is the Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Bar Crawl.  Participants will travel throughout the city, visiting landmarks that Ferris himself visited and be able to lean their heads against the Willis Tower Skydeck, attend a Cubs game, and even partake in some karaoke just as Ferris Bueller did.  Unfortunately, the karaoke session will not take place on float during a parade through the streets of Chicago, but some “Danke Schoen and Twist and Shout” are highly encouraged.

After gathering at the Willis Tower, participants will be shuttled to Trader Todd’s, located on N. Sheffield.  Rated #1 karaoke bar by Playboy magazine, participants will be able to indulge in delicious food and as many drinks as it takes to get you up on the microphone to bust out a few songs.  From here crawlers will be taken to the Cubs v. Astros game to enjoy a nice day of Chicago baseball.  After the game, crawlers can celebrate their exciting day at a private after party where they can enjoy plenty of drinks.  Last but certainly not least, crawlers will be able to add to their t-shirt collection as all participants will receive a free t-shirt! Our city has so much to offer and so many fun and exciting events taking place.  This is just one great way for Chicagoans to enjoy the wonders of their very own city and recreate a day in the life of the one and only Ferris Bueller.  For more info and tickets, visit http://www.booth25.com/ferris.

-Ally Lullie, Intern

Tags: Ally Lullie, Bar Crawl, baseball, chicago, cubs, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, karaoke, Trader Todd's, tshirt, Willis Tower

The Savoy Ballroom – Chicago

Hey aChicagoThing.com readers…Caitlin Presberg here, Summer Intern for Rockit Ranch Productions. Walking down the streets of Chicago everyday can become a bit of a routine, when you travel down there everyday for work.  Your mind seems focused and pre set on the movements that you make day after day.  However, every now and again something changes your focus and diverts you, allowing yourself to be taken in by your surroundings.

While waiting for an approaching Red Line train my ears were filled with the sound of a saxophone, accompanied by the beautiful notes played on a piano.  They were performing “Sweet Home”, a trademark of our Windy City.  The song brought a smile to my face asI thought of how Chicago, unlike others, can take such a simple place, and breathe life into it.  Everyone listening could be seen smiling, even shyly so.  We as Chicagoans can take such an original idea such as music, and form it into our own individual trademark of originality.  The Blues originated in the south, during the Civil War, however it was in Chicago where it really found its rhythm, and started the nationwide focus on performing.  Jazz as well as other music, found itself being transformed and revered in our city.

In the 20’s was when this all occurred, our culture and our pride was instilled in even the most desolate of places.  Places such as, the Savoy Ballroom, now known as the Harold Washington Cultural Center, where criminal activity was at a high, and extra curricular activities were scarce.  The Savoy Ballroom created an outlet for the people, in a place that was known as the Harlem of Chicago. Performers from all around came to perform at this Ballroom.  People such as, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington made it a point to perform there on a regular basis, along with others.

The Savoy Ballroom however, was still in need of money, which brought in other ideas for promotion, such as Semi-Pro Basketball games.  It was because of this that another idea was touched with our Chicago vibe of originality.  Games occurred here, but Savoy, founder of the Ballroom, decided to create a traveling team, called the “Savoy Five”.  It was these five players that later turned into the national phenomenon, known as the “Harlem Globetrotters”.  So many ideas have been transformed in ways that affect our culture in this city of Chicago, which makes me believe that the possibilities here are indeed endless.  So next time you are walking down the streets of Chicago, think about who might have walked them before you, and be ready for the possibilities that you yourself may be presented with, in this city of second chances, and endless possibilities.

Tags: blues music, chicago, globetrotters, harlem globtrotters, harold washington culture center, jazz music, savoy five, sweet home, the savory ballroom

Better Boys & Girls Foundation 50th Anniversary Celebration

Hi readers! This is Stephanie Castagnier, I’m a friend of Billy’s, but you probably know me from NBC’s The Apprentice, the 2010 season.  I wanted to share an event with you that I hold near and dear to my heart. On Tuesday, July 12th I have the distinct honor of speaking  at the Better Boys Foundation 50th Anniversary Celebration, and I can’t wait! I will be sharing my story of loosing my parents to AIDS and overcoming adversity as a child, I think this is the perfect platform to speak about my past. The Better Boys Foundation is truly an incredible, unique Chicago organization formed to serve kids in the North Lawndale neighborhood by providing academic, social, emotional and cultural guidance. Founded in the early ’60s by the legendary Buddy Hackett and local businessman Joe Kellman, the BBF has gone through several transformations and has grown substantially over the decades.

It’s amazing to think that it all began with the opening of a boxing gym! From there the foundation worked to create a free breakfast program for needy children, then went on in 1970 and formed the Farragut High School Outpost Classroom to help students that had dropped out, earn their GED’s. They have created scholarships, theatre programs, family based funds, temporary living facilities, teen-parent groups and even art based apprenticeships focused on film, dance, writing and more. It’s really quite impressive and heart warming to see the Better Boys Foundation progression through the years and makes me even more so looking forward to participating in next Tuesday’s festivities.

I hope you can all join me at Carnivale to commemorate the past 50 years of the BBF, it’s definitely going to be a fun evening! And an exciting twist…..guests will have the opportunity to step back in time to learn more about BBF’s beginnings in the 1960s and its evolution across five decades of dedicated service to the North Lawndale community, how cool is that? For more info and tickets please visit http://www.bbf50.com/ and I really hope to see you next week! Thanks….Stephanie

Tags: after school program, aids, better boys and girls, better boys foundation, better boys foundation 50th anniversary, buddy hackett, carnivale, charity, chicago, donald trump, farragut high school, joe kellman, NBC, nbc's apprentice, north lawndale, safe house, stephanie castagnier, the apprentice

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

Make A Wish w/ Jordan, Daley, Corgan, Urlacher, Blackhawks, Rockit Ranch & more!

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.

Tags: bears, billy corgan, billy dec, blackhawks, brian urlacher, bulls, charity, chicago, chicago bears, chicago blackhawks, chicago bulls, chicago charity events, langerhan's cell histicytosis, larry wert, lch, maggie daley, major daley and maggie daley, make a wish, make a wish foundation, make a wish foundation of illinois, make a wish iliinois chapter, mayor daley, michael jordan, rockit ranch productions, smashing pumpkins, syd rocks, sydney martin, the bulls, wish ball, wish ball 2011

Cocktails w/ Chicago Bears’ Rashied Davis & Teammates for Education at Rockit!

Fans of the Bears, helping the community, Education, great food & drink, meeting amazing people… This event is for you!!!  Chicago Bears’ Rashied Davis has supported my philanthropic events for art, theatre, feeding poor.. for years.. and I am honored to help him get the word out about how his huge heart has taken it to the next level by hosting his own huge party for a wonderful cause on Tuesday May 17th from 6-8p at Rockit Bar & Grill (22 W. Hubbard)!

This amazing event will support Rashied Davis Charities’ efforts to “teach students how to overcome obstacles to success through inspiration, preparation and discipline.” They help empower the fundamentals of reading, writing and speech to underserved kids teaching them how to apply tools to problem solve, communicate properly and just be an all around contributing member of society. I’m fully on board w/their mission, I have often talked about how communication leads to relationship building which leads to personal growth and opportunities.. And I’m always behind a fun time to help accomplish all of that!

So join us May 17th!  You can mingle with a bunch of Chicago Bears like Lance Briggs, Alex Brown, Anthony Adams, Jerry Azumah, Earl Bennett, Johnny Knox… different local celebrities, media, and all around fun supporters from everywhere who just care like you… cocktails, appetizers, silent auction & more… Get your tickets now: http://rashieddavischarities.org/homepage.aspx and I’ll see you there!

Tags: alex brown, anthony adams, bears, bears 2011, billy dec, charity, charity events, chicago, chicago bears, chicago event listing, chicago summer events, earl bennett, football, fundraiser, jerry azumah, johnny knox, lance briggs, rashied davis, rashied davis charities, rockit, rockit bar, rockit bar and grill, silent auction, sports

Loul Deng Foundation : “Game and Give”

Hi aChicagoThing readers! Lesley De Leon, from Billy Dec’s office here. I’d like to take this opportunity to share a very cool event : How cool is it that The Bulls are currently in first place? And speaking of the Bulls, how would you like to try your hand at an Xbox tournament with some of the Bulls players? Loul Deng is hosting “Game and Give” Charity Xbox tournament on Sunday April 3rd, at Joy of the Game in Deerfield from 12-4pm. Come out and show your video game skills in the FIFA Soccer 2011 or NBA 2K11, all for a good cause.

Even if you’re not a video game player, there are plenty of other fun activities with interactive games, music by DJ Sye Young, local restaurant fare, a silent auction, an appearance by Benny the Bull, special musical guest, and photo opportunities with Luol Deng and his teammates. It will be a great day for Bulls fans and video game lovers of all ages! For more information – http://luoldengfoundation.eventbrite.com/

The Loul Deng Foundation strives to provide hope to all the refugee’s returning to Southern Sudan through education and sports/recreation. Each year the Luol Deng Foundation hosts many great events to give back to children in the Chicago area, but the main goal for the future is to build 5 schools and 10 sport courts in Luol’s native country, Sudan Africa.  He is passionate about giving back to the boys and girls of Sudan.  Learn more at http://theluoldengfoundation.org/

Tags: auction, basketball, benny the bull, billy dec, bulls, charity, chicago, chicago bulls, dj, dj sye young, events, FIFA Soccer 2011, gamers, give and get, joy of the game, luol deng, NBA 2K11, sports, sudan, the luol deng foundation, video games, xbox