As mentioned in my previous note, I watched the Grammy’s, almost in its entirety, for the first time in a LONG time. Before I talk about MusiCares, I’d like to share my Top 5 moments… 5. Whitney Houston on stage looking dazzling, albeit drunk 4. Coldplay‘s performance (Chris Martin makes me want to fly when I watch him!) 3. WEEZY!!!!! 2. M.I.A. performing during “Swagger Like Us.” I would’ve taken the chance too…Love her! 1. [...]
The Arts
Did you make a resolution to be more culturally-savvy this year? Well, if you’re looking for plans tonight (other than Gossip Girl!), the Joffrey Ballet is hosting an event to celebrate the Grand Opening of their Academy of Dance and to raise money for their scholarship fund. Attendees will have the opportunity to watch two live music and dance sets by Dirty Dancing cast members and enjoy a cocktail reception with the performers and Joffrey dancers. [...]
Have any of you guys ever visited Argo Tea? I popped into the Randolph street location last year around this time, and have been hooked ever since! Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m totally on “Team Coffee,” but every now and then, tea does my soul and, some would argue, my body some good. Well, I recently learned that I can also do good for a local charity by ordering “ChariTEA.” I [...]
I must give a shoutout to Chicago’s very own producers extraordinaire, Da Internz, who were recognized for their recent work with a group of teenage ladies involved in America SCORES. America SCORES is a nationwide youth development program that combines soccer, poetry writing and service learning all to help promote literacy and discourage obesity among inner-city kids. The young ladies won a community-wide poetry slam and were rewarded with three days in the studio with Da Internz. [...]
Chicago’s 2nd Annual Chicago Latino Fashion Week kicked off last night with a bang at Religion nightclub! The weeklong event will feature fashion shows by some of the rising and established Chicago designers, as well as national and international Latino designers, educational seminars, retail trunk shows, celebrity appearances and VIP parties at some of Chicago’ s hottest spots. There are two events this week which will raise funds for charitable organizations: The San Juan Fashion Group Show. [...]
Washington Wizards’ Antawn Jamison is partnering with the Dr. Donda West Foundation (formerly the Kanye West Foundation) to put on a benefit concert. The surprise performers are will be revealed to the public on October 10th and 20th. The Give Back Concert Benefit will be held on November 4th at the Ibiza Nightclub (Washington D.C.), and will also benefit the Rick Ross Charities, the Antawn Jamison Foundation, and the Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation. For more [...]
On Saturday, September 27th, Common will round up some of his celebrity friends for the first annual “Start the Show N’ Bowl” benefit hosted by the Common Ground Foundation. The Common Ground Foundation was founded to support and empower urban youth. Common is enlisting some of his celebrity friends for a bowl-a-thon and concert. The “Common and Friends” concert will feature performances from hip-hop stars, Will.i.Am, The Roots, Talib Kweli, and soul singers Bilal [...]
Join Chicago’s most creative individuals on Saturday, August 30th from 7-10p for a night of art and fun at “Carnival.” The yearly benefit supports Osmosis Education and Mentoring Initiative, an nonprofit organization with the purpose of furthering “design education for underserved minority youth.” Programs offered by the Osmosis Education and Mentoring Initiative focus on graphic design, architecture, fashion, interior design and multi-media. The event, held at Little Black Pearl Art and Design Center (1060 East 47th St), [...]
Last Thursday, I was at Blue Line in Wicker Park and met a singer from New Orleans named Gina. I asked her what she was doing in Chicago, and she mentioned that she is on tour and a member of a giant performance group called the “Katrina Kiss My Ass Orchestra.” After laughing, I asked her to explain more about the show… Turns out that the “Katrina” orchestra is in Comic Relief’s “The Return of [...]
