Enjoy “What’s on Dec” this week on ABC TV “Windy City Live!”

Click here to see Rockit Ranch CEO Billy Dec‘s inside scoop on the best parties, fests, games, concerts, events.. on his latest Thursday 9am weekly ABC TV segment called “What’s on Dec” on “Windy City Live!”

Tags: abc, billy dec, chicago, chicago events, chicago festivals, chicago suburb events, chicago weekend events, concerts in chicago, Entertainment Contributor, family events, news, Weekend, weekend events, What's on Dec, windy city live

Calling all Chicago Wine and Rock Enthusiasts!

Tags: Bob Stroud, chicago, food, magnificent mile, michigan avenue, Music, rock and roll, The Drive 97.1, The Signature Room at the 95th®, wine

AVON Breast Cancer Benefit w/ Katarina Visnevska

Hey there! It’s Morgan Waller from the Marketing Department here at Rockit Ranch Productions – so I’m taking a leap and writing for AChicagoThing.com for my first time ever – Nice to “meet” all of you! Normally I spend my days sitting behind a desk and running in heels from meeting to meeting, but this week I figured I’d take a minute to fill you all in on an amazing cause that runs deep through my family’s blood… Breast Cancer.

Every 3 minutes another woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. That means by the time you’re done reading this, a woman and her family are shocked with the news of cancer cells. Now, I don’t want to be a complete debbie downer, but statistics like this serve as my call to action. What can I do to make a difference? I’m not a doctor or a researcher or scientist (let’s get real…I spend my days coordinating marketing events), but what can I do for an hour or two out of MY week to lend a hand?

This is why I have dedicated my resources to plan a benefit THIS Friday, May 27^th at the Underground. Doors will open at 9pm with specialty pink cocktails and a live performance by electric violinist Katarina Visnevska (if you haven’t seen her perform, she’s becoming a Chicago legend!) Bring your friends after dinner out in the city, or your coworkers if you’re working late, or your out of town visitors! What a better way to kick off Memorial Weekend than giving back? All donations taken at the door will go towards the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

After all, like I like to say… “Everybody loves ‘em, now let’s help save ‘em!” Feel free to shoot me an email with questions or to share your own story – morgan@rockitranch.com.

Tags: avon, avon breast cancer walk, breast cancer, charity, chicago, katarina visneska, live music, memorial day weekend, memorial day weekend in chicago, underground, violinist

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

Billy Dec joining ABC’s NEW SHOW filling “OPRAH” time slot called “Windy City Live!”

Shocking title I know – someone who beat me to the paper just texted it to me! Just wanted to confirm its true and that I couldn’t be more excited! Although I’m sad to see Oprah leave on the 25th, I’m thrilled to join the on-air team for the NEW ABC morning talk show filling her time slot (9a) the very next day (5/26) with such a wonderful group of talent, execs, crew…I can’t wait!

I’m most excited for you all to see my every Thursday segment about Entertainment/Buzz/Social Media/Events (set your DVR’s now just in case!).. But don’t just tune in then, as you never know when or where I might pop up elsewhere on the show… not to mention everyone on it rocks!

As always, follow me on www.twitter.com/BillyDec & www.facebook.com/BillyDec not only for what’s happening behind the scenes  & what’s to come, but also to shoot me any events, trends, stories… you think I should share on the show!! Speaking of, be sure to follow http://twitter.com/#!/WindyCityLIVE &  http://www.facebook.com/WindyCityLIVE?sk=wall as well!!

Shoutout to all on our team…President & General Manager Emily Barr, Executive Producer Marlaine Selip, Supervising Producer Cindy Patrasso, Senior Producer Hank Mendheim, Co-Host Ryan Chiaverini, Co-Host Val Warner, Producers Dan Barbossa, Mary Hynes, David Plummer and Matt Knutson, Producer/Editor Jared Hoffa, Director Greg Klazura, Associate Producers Jessie Kalin, Dawn Watkins, Ji Suk Yi and Lynne Wisnesfski and the Producer for my segments Emerald-Jane Hunter (who was my Producer when I Hosted her show on NBC!), all our fabulous interns Anna Simovska, Chelsea Collins, Courtney Mosley, Dana Weems, Myke Marinkovich, Steven Hurn… And the many many many other great people on set and behind the scenes that I can’t even name because the list is so long and wonderful.. Hope you all tune in and support!

Tags: abc, abc's windy city live, billy dec, chicago events, entertainment, facebook, last show, morning talk show, NBC, new show, news, oprah, oprah finale, oprah replacement, oprah show, oprah time slot, oprah winfrey, rockit, rockit bar, rockit bar and grill, rockit ranch, rockit ranch productions, ryan chiaverini, social media, sunda, twitter, underground, united center, val warner, windy city live

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

“Bangkok Food Tours” Company inspired as tourists in Chicago!

Many who follow me on Twitter & Facebook ask me how I navigated my culinary research and development tour through South East Asia last month so I thought I would feature one of the companies that helped me out in this lil fun video. “Bangkok Food Tours!“  They actually began interacting with me on Twitter long before we met in person just expressing appreciation for the foodporn I tend to share often (haha, see people like it)!

I let them know I was coming through Thailand after Cambodia & Laos, they offered to take me around the local eating scene in Bangkok, and bam- it was awesome- loved it- shared all on my Blog/Twitter/Facebook… And everyone freaked out! Click here if missed pics! Also of interest, this quick video I shot on the fly also reveals that this young dynamic duo, passionate about food & their culture, found inspiration to start their company after a food tour trip they caught in Chicago!  Yup, they even took a class in Chicago on how to set up a great food tour company and brought it home to start a Thai phenomenon!

Please share this video celebrating how our worlds connect through social media, food & culture… And get out there and visit them!!! For more info checkout www.BangkokFoodTours.com, and follow them on Twitter & Facebook! Oh, and here’s just an example of some of the dishes at some of the restaurants I tried on a quick but hearty couple hour walking/eating tour with them while in Bangkok last month:

1.    Chareon Wieng – Traditional Roasted Duck Served on Rice
2.    Muslim Restaurant – Curry on Egg, Beef Satay
3.    Café de Laos – freshy stream fish wrapped in betel leat, fried squid stuff with minced pork
4.    Yen Ta Po Wat Kak – Authentic Thai Yen Ta Po noodle
5.    Kallaprapruk – Original Curry Served on Roti, Thai-Style Coconut Ice-cream

Loved it!!!!!

Tags: bangkok food tours, billy dec, cafe de laos, cambodia, chareon wieng, chicago, facebook, food, food porn, food tours, kallaprapruk, Laos, muslim restaurant, south east asia, Thailand, travel, twitter, yen ta po wat kak

Tips on using Social Media in Business on Chicago Live!

I laughed yesterday when I tweeted that I was going to be a guest talking about Social Media in Business on a new live show with Cardinal Francis George & Second City, knowing that immediately thousands of people who follow me stopped what they were doing and went… “HUH?!”  That’s what I love about this new show called “Chicago Live!“  It sounds so diverse, entertaining, relevant, alive & Chicago!

This unique Tribune & Second City production is filmed in front of live studio audience on Thursdays at 6:30p, at Chicago Theatre’s Downstairs Stage, hosted by Rick Kogan, featuring special guests that represent the city’s top newsmakers, entertainers, athletes, artists… w/quick sketches by Second City members! After the show, the audience is invited to a reception with the cast, crew & guests.. Seriously, sounds like a blast!

With that, I’m truly honored to be part of the show this Thursday, May 5th! I’m psyched to join filmmaker Melissa Pierce, and Social Media editor & radio host Amy Guth, on stage to discuss the use of Social Media in Business! Other guests will include Catholic archbishop of Chicago Cardinal Francis George ( interviewed by Manya Brachear), Arlington Park’s Howard Sudberry previewing the upcoming race season (interviewed by Phil Rosenthal), Local bluegrass band Cornmeal, and again… Peformances by Second City!

Please be in the audience, enjoy & cheer us on! Tickets: http://trib.in/fLEtrt AND BTW, would love to get some questions, advice, feedback, thoughts… from you about what all you think I should talk about ahead of time!?  Please let me know on Twitter, Facebook and/or comment below as soon as you can! If you can’t make the show, Chicago Live! re-airs on WGN radio the Saturday following the Thursday tapings from 11p-midnight.  Podcasts are also posted to the Chicago Live! website the Friday after each show.Thanks!!!!

Tags: amy guth, arlington park, billy dec, bluegrass, cardinal francis george, chicago, chicago live!, chicago tribune, cornmeal, facebook, howard sudberry, manya brachear, melissa pierce, phil rosenthal, rick kogan, second city, social media, tribune, twitter

Chicago Actor Joe Mantegna Honored with a Star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame

Big congrats to my good buddy, and Chicago native, Joe Mantegna who will be forever immortalized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this Friday April 29th!  I’ve not only had the pleasure of interviewing Joe about his deep love for Chicago in this Olympic video above, but through dinner with him & his wife, visits to his set, time with his fam, phone calls, tweets (haha)… I have not only come to understand that he is an outstanding actor, producer, and writer… But I have found him to be one of the most interesting, honorable, sweet, smart, passionate, cool… human beings I’ve ever met.. And I mean that.

Newer fans may know Joe Mantegna from starring in the hit TV show Criminal Minds, but Joe has had roles in over 100 films and tv shows in his 40 years of show business, notably Godfather III, The Rat Pack, the voice of Fat Tony in the Simpsons, Three Amigos, Up Close & Personal, and Forget Paris.  Mantegna received Emmy Award nominations in The Last Don, The Rat Pack, and The Starter Wife.

My fav stories are when Joe tells me about his theater background.  He made his Broadway debut in Stephen Schwartz’s Working.  He was awarded a Tony and Joseph Jefferson for his performance as a cynical real-estate agent in David Mamet’s (who will be doing Joe’s induction during the ceremony) play Glengarry Glen Ross.  He went on to star in many more productions including A Life in the Theater, The Disappearance of the Jews, and Speed the Plow.  Mantegna also co-wrote the Emmy Award Winning Bleacher Bums, which was inspired from his countless days spent at Wrigley Field watching the Cubs play which was then turned into a made-for-TV- movie in 2002. Joe , you are truly a Chicago Thing… And we appreciate you!!!!!!!!!

Tags: Actor, billy dec, chicago, Director, Famous Stars, Hollwood Walk of Fame, joe mantegna, los angeles, producer, Theater, Walk of Fame

Lollapalooza 2011 Lineup Announced!

As you know we throw the hottest parties in the city for Lollapalooza.  In the past we’ve done performances by Katy Perry, Kanye West, Perry Farrell, Mickey Avalon, Snow Patrol, Kenna, Mike Posner & many more! We will be releasing our party info soon, but in the meantime wanted to share the lineup for the 20th anniversary of Lollapalooza…

Eminem
Foo Fighters
Coldplay
Muse
My Morning Jacket
Deadmau5
A Perfect Circle
Cee Lo Green
Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley & Nas
The Cars
Ween
Bright Eyes
Arctic Monkeys
Big Audio Dynamite
Deftones
Beirut
Explosions in the Sky
Death From Above 1979
Ratatat
Crystal Castles
Flogging Molly
Atmosphere
Cold War Kids
Lykke Li
Cage the Elephant
OK Go
Local Natives
The Kills
White Lies
Portugal.The Man
Two Door Cinema Club
Ellie Goulding
Delta Spirit
Beats Antique
The Mountain Goats
Sleigh Bells
Manchester Orchestra
Smith Westerns
Best Coast
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
The Drums
Black Lips
Fitz & The Tantrums
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
City and Colour
Cults
Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses
Noah & The Whale
Sam Adams
J. Roddy Walton And The Business
Tinie Tempah
Lissie
Dom
The Vaccines
Foster the People
Titus Andronicus
Mayer Hawthorne & the County
Chico Trujillo
The Naked and Famous
Phantogram
Rival Schools
Friendly Fires
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
Reptar
Maps & Atlases
Fences
Tennis
An Horse
Young The Giant
Los Bunkers
Imelda May
Grouplove
Wye Oak
The Joy Formidable
Lord Huron
Disappears
Walk the Moon
Gold Motel
Iration
Ryan Leslie
TAB the Band
Skylar Grey
Christina Perri
Black Cards
The Pretty Reckless
Boy & Bear
Patrick Stump
Kids These Days
Young Man
The Kingston Springs
Lia Ices
The Chain Gang of 1974
Ximena Sariñana
Typhoon
Electric Touch
Kerli
Ruby Jane
Julia Easterlin
DJ Mel

Perry Stage:

Girl Talk
Pretty Lights
KiD CuDi
The Bloody Beetroots Death Crew 1977
Afrojack
Modeselektor
Skrillex
PerryEtty vs Chris Cox
Chuckie
The Glitch Mob
Busy P
Joachim Garraud
Super Mash Bros.
Jay Electronica
12th Planet
Daedulus
Feed Me
Jackmaster
Collie Buddz
Savoy
Kyle Lucas & Captain Midnite
Ana Tijoux
Midnight Conspiracy
L1ght
Lady D

Lineup courtesy of lollapalooza.com

Tags: 2011, 20th anniversary, 20th anniversary lollapalooza, august, billy dec, chicago, Chicago Music Festival, DO312, festival, kanye west, katy perry, kena, lollapalooza, Lollapalooza 2011 Lineup, mickey avalon, mike posner, Music, perry farrell, snow patrol