Chicago Air and Water Show

It’s that time of year when Chicagoans flock to rooftops across the city, tourists and locals alike head to the beach and people of all ages settle in to watch jaw-dropping aerial and water stunts.  Yup that’s right, I’m talking about the über popular Air & Water Show – the largest free military air & water show in the country…and it’s back for its 54^th year!  This coming weekend, August 18^th-19^th starting at 10am, prepare to be wowed by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team & U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds as they take to the skies to perform dazzling acrobatics 12,000+ feet in the air.  The best part, it’s completely free.

If you don’t have a friend (or a friend of a friend) with a rooftop you can chill on, then you can “borrow” a rooftop view!  Okay, you can go to a couple of fabulous rooftop options in the city for light fare and drinks and an incredible view.  First up, the newly opened Hotel Lincoln’s rooftop joint, J. Parker; it’s part of the Boka Restaurant Group so there’s no doubt you’ll enjoy yourself.  Your other option is the WET Deck at the W Chicago.  If you’re not so into rooftops, be sure to head down to the prime viewing location, North Avenue Beach (from Fullerton to Oak St.), nice and early…preliminary forecasts are promising some pretty great weather meaning it’ll get crowded early and fast.  Located at North Ave Beach is the super popular summer destination, Castaways – also known as the Big Boat on the beach – and with a rooftop lounge, offers one of the best spots to watch the Air & Water Show.  You can also head to the ever-popular Navy Pier and hang out on the North side of the Pier for optimal viewing.  Crowded beach or Navy Pier not really your thing either?  Want to be a little closer to the action?  How about in the water?  Well then you’re in luck!  You can hop on a special cruise from Mystic Blue, Odyssey or the Spirit of Chicago or hop on one Chicago’s tour boats with optimal viewing from their decks, such as Wendella Boats, Shoreline Sightseeing, Seadog Ventures, Chicago’s First Lady or Chicago Line Cruises.  I’m sure one of those options is bound to work for you!  I guess I should also mention if you don’t feel like trekking downtown to actually watch the show, you can always listen to a broadcast of it from the comfort of your home on WBBM Newsradio 780AM and 105.9FM.

So Chicagoans (and tourists), pack up your coolers, grab your beach towels & blankets and find a spot to settle in on the beach to enjoy one amazing show!  I’ll see you on the beach this weekend!

P.S. – If you want to see the Air & Water Show in person without the huge crowds, head downtown on Friday; they do a practice run of the show.

-Alex Chwastek

Tags: Air and Water show, Beach, Blue Angels, boat, Castaways, chicago, cruise, decks, free, Golden Knights, Hotel Lincoln, lakefront, lounge, navy pier, north avenue beach, parachute team, rooftop, Thunderbirds, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, W Chicago, Weekend

There’s Nothing Tricky About This: Rev Run is About to Rock Chicago!

Summertime Chi…there’s nothing quite like it: concerts nightly, festivals every weekend, crazy cool parties (like last week’s Talent Show) every weekend; it’s nonstop fun this time of year & there’s more to come this week!

Rockit Ranch Productions invites you to an exclusive private party this Thursday where legendary emcee, (and star of MTV’s popular show, Run’s House), Rev Run, will be hitting the turntables at Venue One at 7pm (and it’s free!).  The show kicks off with a DJ set by well-known Chicagoan Dante and is followed up by Ruckus before Rev Run takes over.  Run DMC is credited with bringing hip-hop mainstream in the late 80s and early 90s and Rev Run has been a huge factor in providing audiences with some of the most recognizable songs in hip-hop for years – see any of the 5 hits from the ‘Discover Run DMC – EP’ – and he’s coming HERE, just for this show!

As if that wasn’t enough, the official after-party continues at Chicago hotspot, The Underground and you know that means it’ll be a good night, especially since the Summer Music Series is wrapping up with DJ Cobra so the beats will be bumping!  There will be complimentary trolleys to transport guests from Venue One to The Underground starting at 9:45pm.  This is just a taste of what’s to come next week for Lolla, so be sure to save some energy for then.

The hosts of this event, Bud Light Platinum, want attendees to get interactive on twitter (share your pics, experiences, etc.) and use the hashtag, #MAKEITPLATINUM, while at the event!  We want to show Bud Light that Chicago is the best city, so let’s get this trending!

Be sure to RSVP to GuestList@rockitranch.com to get your name on the list!  See you at Venue One tomorrow night!

-Alex Chwastek

Tags: #MAKEITPLATINUM, chicago, concert, Dante, DJ Cobra, DJ set, emcee, exclusive, founding members, free, interactive, night out, Rev Run, rockit ranch productions, Ruckus, Run DMC, Run’s House, summer music series, twitter, underground, Venue One, vip

Join Dancing With The Stars’ Maksim Chmerkovskiy & Timex Intelligent Quartz Collection’s Father’s Day Pop-Up Barbershop at The Shops at North Bridge!

Timex Intelligent Quartz Collection will host a vintage Pop-Up Barbershop, designed by Rockit Ranch Productions, where your man can get a fresh (and FREE) ‘do while you browse the selection of Timex Intelligent Quartz watches. (hint hint…). This Saturday from 12 p.m to 3 p.m. at The Shops at North Bridge (just in time for Father’s Day!), bring your guy out for a trim from a “throw-back” barber (yep, it’ll be down-right old-school) while you shop.

And, if your “timing” is right, you may get the chance to see Dancing with the Stars’ most talked about professional dancer, Maksim Chmerkovskiy (aka Maks), while he’s in town shopping for his own dad.

Mix this retro experience with a totally modern gadget that’ll definitely keep your man entertained. The Timex IQ models have four independently-powered hands and digital sensors, as well as features including a compass, tide tracker, thermometer depth gauge and more.

Bonus: Enter to win a Free Watch or a $250 gift certificate to Nordstrom.

Double Bonus:  Don’t forget to hit up the giant Men’s Sale happening at Nordstrom.

Hey Chicago, let’s get #TimexIQ trending TOGETHER this Saturday from Noon to 3 PM at The Shops at North Bridge on the first floor mezzanine.  Time is ticking……Nicole Salerno

Tags: ABC TV, Barbershop, chicago, Dancing With The Stars, Father's day, free, Hair cuts, Kaplow PR, Maksim Chmerkovsky, Michigan Ave, New York, Nicole Salerno, Nordstrom, rockit ranch productions, summer, The Shops at North Bridge, Timex, Timex Intelligent Quartz Collection, Watches, weekend events

Gala at the Zoo?!

Friday, June 1^st promises to be a one-of-a-kind night at Lincoln Park Zoo.  The zoo’s auxiliary board is hosting their signature fundraiser, Zoo-ologie, in the heart of the Zoo.  All the proceeds raised during this unique event will go towards helping care for the animals, keep up exhibits, as well as continue education initiatives all while keeping the zoo free to the public.  Lincoln Park Zoo is currently one of only three free zoos in the entire country – and we want it to stay that way!  If you live anywhere near Chicago, chances are you’ve enjoyed the beautiful grounds of the LP Zoo at some point in your life.  As a DePaul Alum, I walked through the zoo countless times on my way to and from the beach just because I could; not much is free these days, so you have to take advantage and enjoy those few things that are.

The Auxiliary Board for the Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the most popular fundraising groups in Chicago and certainly knows how to host a fun party!  The lineup for the evening promises to be quite memorable.  The VIP reception kicks off at 7pm, followed by cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 8pm.  Some of the featured food stations will include: Sunda, Rockit Bar & Grill, Rockit Burger Bar, Tavern on Rush and “Top Chef” alum Sarah Grueneberg’s Café Spiaggia.  AKIRA is the proud fashion sponsor for Zoo-ologie to make things event better!! A silent auction, raffle and dancing under the stars kicks off at 9pm and goes until midnight.  Rock Candy will be on hand as the live entertainment from 9pm until midnight as well.  As if that wasn’t enough, the (after) party continues at Underground from midnight until 5am.

Tickets to the event start at $110 for general admission and VIP tickets are available for $150.  Be sure to get your tickets while they’re available for this awesome event that supports an even better cause!  See you under the stars at Lincoln Park Zoo on June 1^st!

-Alex Chwastek

Tags: akira, Alum, Café Spiaggia, chicago, dancing, DePaul, free, fundraiser, Lincoln Park Zoo, LP, party, proceeds, raffle, reception, Rock Candy, rockit bar & grill, Rockit Burger Bar, Sarah Grueneberg, silent auction, sunda, Tavern on Rush, top chef, underground, vip, Zoo-ologie