Simply Stylist Comes to Chicago!

Hey Chicago! Sammi, here with your latest summer fashion news! Ever want to shop and network all in the same place? For the first time ever, Chicago is welcoming Simply Stylist- an event where you can connect with top individuals in the fashion industry and pamper yourself.

Simply Stylist started in 2009, with the intentions of connecting consumers with top designers, bloggers, stylists and other influential individuals in the fashion industry. The events started in New York and Los Angeles, now onto the windy city!

What to expect? An explosion of everything fashion! On June 8, 2013 Simply Stylist will transform The Dana Hotel & Spa into the hottest place for fashion with host, Catt Sadler of E! News. You will get the chance to shop the latest summer trends with the help of celebrity stylist, Jacqueline Rezak. You will then attend a panel of speakers and learn from the style expert, Corri McFadden of eDrop-Off; celebrity stylist, Trish Townsend (styles Carrie Underwood); fashion blogger, Jacey Duprie of Damsel In Dior; beauty expert, Stacey Roney founder of GlossedandFound and celebrity makeup artist,Tia Dantzler (client: Jennifer Hudson). This year Simply Stylist has included a PR component, in specific, Kelly Ryan O’Brien will discuss tips on #SELFSMARKETING.

Check out this video by Simply Stylist at the 2013 Los Angeles event.

If you want a chance to meet the panelists and go home with fresh nails and some gifts, this is your spot! Tickets range between $20-$200 depending on which tier you choose: VIP, Fashion and Beauty Lover or Shoppaholic. For tickets visit here. For more information about the event visit Simply Stylist. See you there!

- Sammi

Tags: beauty expert, bloggers, carrie underwood, Catt Sadler, celebrity makeup artist, celebrity stylist, Corri McFadden, Damsel In Dior, designers, E! News, eDrop-Off, fashion blogger, fashion in Chicago, fashion industry, fashion news, GlossedandFound, Jacey Duprie, Jacqueline Rezak, jennifer hudson, Kelly Ryan O’Brien, lastest summer trends, los angeles, network, New York, Shoppaholic, shopping in Chicago, Simply Stylist, Stacey Roney, stylists, The Dana Hotel, Tia Dantzler, Trish Townsend

PAUL STUART KICKS OFF ZOO BALL FESTIVITIES WITH THE WOMEN’S BOARD OF THE LINCOLN PARK ZOO

Greetings from the team at Paul Stuart, one of Chicago’s most exclusive classic men’s and women’s clothiers! Spring celebrations are in full bloom at our two locations (107 East Oak Street and 208 South LaSalle Street) as Paul Stuart celebrates our 75^th anniversary as a leader in defining classic American style. Paul Stuart recently partnered with another Chicago icon—the Lincoln Park Zoo, and specifically, The Women’s Board, in conjunction with its highly anticipated summer gala. Paul Stuart was thrilled to host The Women’s Board of the Lincoln Park Zoo for a preview event to kick off the year’s festivities for Zoo Ball 2013: Wild at Heart.

Paul Stuart Men’s Clothing

Terri Kingdom & Alice Shaft

Pictured (left to right): Randy K. Lewis, Charlotte Monhart, Vasiliki Weiden, Paul Kelly, Kevin Bell, Peggy Swift White & Jennifer Caruso

The cocktail party was hosted by our own Paul Kelly, regional manager of Paul Stuart, at the “Town House” on Oak location. Guests of honor included Zoo Ball co-chairs, Charlotte Monhart, Vasiliki Weiden and Jennifer Caruso and Peggy Swift White, the Women’s Board President. Mark Walter, the CEO of Guggenheim Partners (presenting sponsor of Zoo Ball 2013), and his wife Kimbra were also in attendance alongside Kevin Bell, Lincoln Park Zoo’s President & CEO. Guests enjoyed small bites—such as lobster tacos and wild popsicles—courtesy of luxury caterer Boutique Bites, paired with Maker’s Mark cocktails, white wine from The Wine Cellars Group, and Goose Island craft beer. Guests enjoyed perusing Paul Stuart’s expansive inventory (especially the bright and bold spring patterns) and taking in the musical styling of jazz artist, Kyle Asche.

Goose Island Matilda

Maker’s Mark

Shrimp Ceviche in Cucumber by Boutique Bites

The buttoned-up preview party at Paul Stuart is just a little taste of what can be expected at Zoo Ball 2013’s annual affair on July 12. We hope you will join us at the beautiful gala this summer—you might just find another Paul Stuart surprise in store! For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit here.

- Paul Stuart Team

Tags: American style, Boutique Bites, Charlotte Monhart, Chicago nonprofit, Goose Island craft beer, Jennifer Caruso, Kyle Asche, Lincoln Park Zoo, Maker's Mark, Mark Walter, men’s clothier, Paul Stuart, Peggy Swift White, Summer Chicago gala, The Wine Cellars Group, The Women’s Board of Lincoln Park Zoo, upscale menswear, Vasiliki Weiden, Zoo Ball

Meet Chicago’s Own: Keith Masters

Music fans, this one is for you! Sammi here, bringing you exciting news from our local Chicago music scene. If you like electronic pop music, you’re going to love what I have in store for you.

Meet Keith Masters! You may have heard his tunes on NBC’s The New Normal, ESPN, or at the NFL Pro Bowl. His music blends elements of hip-hop, electro, pop, glitch, dub and disco. So, if you’re looking to get up and dance Keith is your guy!

Currently, Keith Masters is working on his big single release, “Very First Time” dropping in the early summer. This song is perfect for summer because it is light and fun, yet can easily be a hit at your favorite nightspot. He has started a Kickstarter campaign, in hopes of getting on the radio. If you’re looking to be in a music video or learn how to produce a song check out this page.

On May 18^th, Keith is hosting a Single Listening Party to share “Very First Time” at 821 S. Western Ave APT 4. Come enjoy free entry, free drinks, free food and dancing at 7pm! Keith will even be bartending for part of the night so you will get to experience his signature cocktail. The rooftop will be open to enjoy drinks, meet people in the music community and to view our beautiful city. There will be a raffle; for every $10 pledged to the Kickstarter, you’ll receive a raffle ticket for a surprise gift. The winner will be announced at the end of the party. If you can’t wait for that surprise, enjoy a free download of his hit single, “Nobody But Me” from Keith himself.

Check out some of Keith Masters music on Soundcloud and check out the video below!

So movers and shakers, enjoy this night to meet Keith Masters and support our local music community! For more information about the event click here. See you there!

- Sammi

Tags: "Nobody But Me", "Very First Time", ABC’s The New Normal, Chicago local music scene, Chicago music, disco, dub, electro, electronic pop music, ESPN, free download, glitch, hip hop, Keith Masters, kickstarter, local music, Music, music community, music video, NFL Pro Bowl, pop, pop music, pop music Chicago, Radio, Single Listening Party, single release, summer hits, summer music

3rd Annual Laughing Hearts Comedy Night

Laughter is the best medicine! No, really…it’s been proven (kind of). Chicago is the best place to find laughter with our awesome improve comedy scene. And, coming up is a night of hilarious comedy at the 3^rd Annual Laughing Hearts Comedy Night on Tuesday, May 21 at 6:30pm at Stage 773 (1225 W. Belmont Ave). 100% of the ticket proceeds go to the American Heart Association!

I have been raising money for the Heart Association since I was a little girl going door to door. Through participating in the Chicago Heart Walk since 2004, I’ve raised over $21,000. All of this is in memory of my wonderful Mom, Tracey, who passed away of heart disease in 2003. She was the first person in our hometown to have open heart surgery… at the age of 15! My mom was an advocate of the AHA and coordinated many events on its behalf. After doing the heart walk for a few years I thought….what else can I do to raise money? I’m a graduate of the second city conservatory, I love to laugh and make people laugh, and with those passions Laughing Hearts Comedy Night was born!

Performers include Off Off Broadzway, Rabbit Rabbit, ComedySportz and stand-ups Adam Burke, Maria Wojciechowski, Monique Madrid and Corey Rittmaster. There’s also a silent auction with awesome items like Blackhawks tickets, Cubs tickets, bottle service at Ay Chiwowa, restaurant gift certificates, acting classes, theater tickets, portrait sessions, and a ridiculous big basket of booze from Beam! Check out the site and like the LHCN Facebook page for tix & info, and make plans to attend! It’s good for the heart! See you there!

- Patricia True Agos

Tags: 3rd Annual Laughing Hearts Comedy Night, acting classes, Adam Burke, american heart association, Ay Chiwowa, Beam, Blackhawks tickets, bottle service, Chicago Heart Walk, Chicago improve, ComedySportz, Corey Rittmaster, Cubs tickets, heart disease, improve, improve comedy scene, laughing hearts comedy night, Maria Wojciechowski, Monique Madrid, Off Off Broadzway, portrait sessions, Rabbit Rabbit, second city conservatory, Stage 773, theater tickets

Join One Step Camp at their annual Campfire Ball at venue One!

When I was a kid, I had the best time at camp (I’m sure you did too!) – which is why I’m co-chairing this year’s Campfire Ball at Venue One, benefiting Children’s Oncology Services, Inc. and its One Step Camp for kids with cancer.

We’ll have fun camp-themed foods like tater tots, mini grilled cheese, s’mores and some spiked bug juice to give it a grown up twist! Thanks to Hub 51, Bub City, Theory, Stout, Bridgehouse Tavern and Cork Catering, these bites will be extra tasty. Plus, music by DJ STEP, a digital photo booth, a wine raffle, silent auctions, and a full open bar will keep you busy and entertained all night long. Our thanks to Goose Island, Svedka, and TY-KU for making sure the bar is stocked till the end! Tickets are just $100 in advance and $125 at the door.

For every $1000 we raise, we send one kid to One Step Camp for a week.

What’s so special about camp is that the kids are either currently in treatment or survivors of Leukemia and other cancers, and they’re able to build a huge support system while just enjoying the joys and fun of summer camp. For a couple weeks they get to relax and forget about the rest of the world and just be kids.

All counselors and medical staff volunteer their time to create this safe and fun camping experience for the kids. And, all kids are able to attend camp regardless of what they can afford because of Campfire Ball. Last year, we raised $115,000, sending 115 kids to One Step Camp!

I learned about camp through my brother, who was diagnosed with Leukemia in high school. His nurse recommended One Step, and after he stepped foot on campus as a counselor, he couldn’t stop talking about the water fights, snipe hunts and endless candy eating! Because of him, I support One Step camp in two ways: with the kids, as a volunteer counselor (this year will be my 8th summer and I can’t wait!), and with my friends and yours, by going to Campfire Ball.

We’re hard at work putting the final touches on the big day and we hope you’ll be there! Camp is truly the most amazing place with the most incredible kids. The host committee plus my co-chairs, Chris Eilers, Jordi Izsak and Michelle Weiler hope you’ll join us to make this Campfire Ball the most fun yet!

If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, you can do so here. And, if you have time, take a peek at what’s in store on the 18th here!

- Rachel Drescher

Tags: benefits for children, Bridgehouse Tavern, Bub City, Campfire Ball, Campfire Ball 2013, charity, Chicago charity, Chicago summer camp, Children's Oncology Services, Cork Catering, DJ STEP, goose island, hub 51, One Step Camp, Stout, summer camp, survivors of Leukemia charity, Svedka, Theory, TY-KU, Venue One, wine raffle

Datelivery: Reinventing at home Date Nights

Attention Chicago couples, this one is for you! We are pleased to share with you a new service that will change the way you view date nights. Datelivery is a monthly subscription box service based out of Chicago; that focuses on providing novel and creative date night experiences for couples to enjoy right in the comfort of their home. Each month we plan, package and ship out a different themed date night to our subscribers. Included also in each box, are a number of complementary items to use during the date night that coincide with that month’s theme.

Still wondering the benefits? As a couple living in Chicago we know how expensive it can be going out for a date night. Two meals at a nice restaurant can easily cost $150. The cost of date nights in Chicago is just half the battle. Can we talk about the weather? We can’t recall how often we’ve canceled date night because the weather just sucked. See we bet you can relate. Couples can find comfort that with Datelivery, they can enjoy at home date nights that are not your typical dinner and a movie, but are unique, fun, exciting, competitive, romantic and more importantly delivered monthly at an affordable price.

Our philosophy is that date nights are important in relationships and should be done regularly and kept fresh. However, my fellow Chicagoans you don’t have to battle traffic, dish out $150 on a meal, or base your plans around unpredictable weather every time you want to have a date night. It is possible to have a novel date night right at home. So visit us today at www.datelivery.com and let us start planning your at home date nights.

Check out a review from a blogger who was first to try out our product here.

- Datelivery Team

Tags: at home date night, cheap date night, Chicago couples, Chicago date night, creative date night, Datelivery, home dates, local Chicago, Love, marriage, novel date night, relationships, subscription box, themed dates

Call for Volunteers: Printers Row Lit Fest June 8-9

Calling all literary and book lovers! Chicago Tribune’s annual Printers Row Lit Fest, the largest free outdoor literary event in the Midwest, drawing more than 125,000 book lovers and featuring over 250 authors and 150 booksellers, is approaching June 8 – 9! The event’s success relies on over 200 volunteers and we need your help!

Benefits of being a Lit Fest Volunteer include free t-shirt, free lunch and rubbing elbows with amazing authors such as Judy Blume, cartoonist Art Spiegelman, celebrity chef Rick Bayless and more!

The online volunteer application can be found here. More information about this year’s presenters and other frequently asked questions can be found at: printersrowlitfest.org.

This is Chicago’s biggest literary event of the year and a chance to get exposed to some of Chicago’s best literary figures. Help continue a Chicago literary tradition by signing up to volunteer today! Follow @PrintersRowFest for festival updates and become part of the conversation.

- Chicago Tribune’s Printers Row Team

Tags: Art Spiegelman, authors, cartoonist, celebrity chef, Chef Rick Bayless, chicago festivals, chicago tribune, Chicago Tribune’s annual Printers Row Lit Fest, Chicago’s biggest literary event, education, free outdoor literary event, Judy Blume, Lit Fest Volunteer, literary festivals, Midwest festivals, volunteers

Green Festival Back In Chicago, May 18th & 19th

Where are all my eco-friendlies at?! Sammi, here to talk nothing other than the Green Festival coming to our beautiful windy city on May 18^th & 19^th at Navy Pier. Let’s kick off this spring weather with one the largest (24,000 participants in 2012) and most diverse festivals including education, shopping, food and loads of fun activities!

At the festival expect to experience everything green including:  a vegan and organic food court, the Sierra Club Green Cinema, fashion exhibits, workshops, music, dancing, yoga, an organic beer and wine garden, speakers, educational activities and so much more! Green Festival will also feature the Green Marketplace, where you can buy goods and services from our local Chicago businesses.

Not only are you able experience all the fun, but also you don’t have to worry about making a carbon footprint by negatively impacting the environment as a result of the event. While the Green Festival is working towards a zero waste event, they have a 90% Resource Recovery Rate. All vendors practice these standards to ensure sustainability; food vendors use composting for scraps. Expect to see resource Recovery Stations with volunteers to answer any questions you may have.

Tickets range from $10-$32 dollars, but if your 18 or under or bring four cans of food to donate to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, expect FREE admission! Check this out for more ticket information.

Last year, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. spoke at the event and left us with these wise words, “Green Festival is not an event. It is a lifestyle.” On that note, see you all there!

-Sammi Raines

Tags: 2013 festivals, 90% Resource Recovery Rate, an organic beer and wine garden, buy green goods, chicago festivals, composting, dancing, diverse festivals, eco-friendly, education, environment, fashion exhibits, food, greater chicago food depository, green, Green Festival, Green Festival Chicago, Green Marketplace, green services, green vendors, Local, local Chicago businesses, Music, navy pier, organic, Recovery Stations, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., shopping, speakers, sustainability, the Sierra Club Green Cinema, vegan and organic food court, workshops, yoga, zero waste event

A Red Orchid Theatre invites you to join actor Michael Shannon and fellow members of A Red Orchid’s Ensemble at Arlington Park for an amazing DAY AT THE RACES!

Hey Chicago! I’m Jennifer Sultz, a freelance Event Coordinator and Development Associate for A Red Orchid Theatre. Over the past 10 years, I’ve had an amazing time collaborating on many events with Billy Dec and the fantastic Rockit Ranch team! On Saturday, May 11, 2013, A Red Orchid Theatre, now celebrating its 20th year in Chicago, will host an afternoon at Arlington Park as a kick-off benefit for their upcoming show SIMPATICO by Sam Shepard.

A Red Orchid Founding Ensemble Member Michael Shannon & Kirsten Fitzgerald, Artistic Director of A Red Orchid Theatre at the 20th Anniversary Gala – Photo by Chris Zoubris

The production will feature Ensemble Members Guy Van Swearingen, Jennifer Engstrom, Mierka Girten, Doug Vickers and Academy Award Nominee Michael Shannon (of HBO’s BOARDWALK EMPIRE and General Zod in this summer’s blockbuster MAN OF STEEL). The afternoon will feature a scene from the show, a buffet lunch and bar (wine & beer), a silent auction, and a panoramic view of Thoroughbred racing action!

Michael Shannon & Billy Dec, Co-Hosts of A Red Orchid Theatre’s 20th Anniversary Gala – Photo by Chris Zoubris

Reservations are required and tickets are $150 with limited capacity. Tickets can be reserved at here or by calling (312) 943-8722. Come join us at the races for this spectacular benefit event, sponsored by Arlington Park!

-Jennifer Sultz

Tags: A Red Orchid Theatre, Academy Award Nominee Michael Shannon, arlington park, Arlington Park theatre, chicago theatre, development associate chicago, Doug Vickers, Ensemble Members, freelance event coordinator, General Zod, Guy Van Swearingen, HBO’s BOARDWALK EMPIRE, Jennifer Engstrom, kick-off benefit, Man of Steel, Mierka Girten, racing, Sam Shepard, SIMPATICO, theatre in Chicago, Thoroughbred

The Inspiring “City Lights” of Chicago – Ryan Powers and The Secret Weapons release The Goodnight Goodbye Hour at Lincoln Hall

The beautiful city lights in Chicago sparked a romantic story that led me to write the song “City Lights” for my band, Ryan Powers and The Secret Weapons.  On Saturday, May 18^th at Lincoln Hall, I couldn’t be happier to be releasing the album that song is on. “City Lights” is romance in the darkness, infatuation in the rain, all set to the backdrop of this city that I call home. The city has inspired this vintage pop, romantic escape, lifting someone’s spirits, and trying to lift my own.

I am so excited to share this album with everyone, and when I began to start promoting its release I realized how odd a thing self-promotion is.  I have my most important show to date coming up on 5/18 and I want to handle it in the right way. So, I have to be confident, but not cocky. I have to encourage and excite, but not exploit or act entitled. So how is that done? Not entirely sure other than be myself, share the romance this city and its people have inspired, try to express just how happy and proud I am of these new songs, and to make sure I invite everyone I’ve ever met to come to our show. Also, it’s not an easy thing to ask for help. But, it always helps if you do it in the right way, and hopefully I am.

So here’s my pitch: I love these songs. I love the guys I play them with. And if you would be up for sharing our music with your friends, I would love that too. The album is available for advanced streaming at here. Hope to see you Saturday, May 18th at Lincoln Hall.

Musically yours,
Ryan

Tags: "City Lights", album, album release party, Chicago artist, chicago bands, Chicago music, concerts, lincoln hall, Lincoln Hall shows, music performances, Ryan Powers and the Secret Weapons, Ryan Powers music, vintage pop