The Art Institute of Chicago Welcome’s You To: Night Heist

With so many fun events going on in our busy city it can be difficult to decide what to do. If you are bombarded by events and feel your friends pulling you in different directions, think no more! What if I told you, that you could experience a concert, art exhibits, and philanthropy all in one place? You are invited to The Evening Associates and The Art Institute of Chicago’s third annual fundraising celebration—Night Heist.

On April 26, 2013 at 8 p.m. the doors of the Modern Wing will open to a night of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live music entertainment and a silent auction. You will also be able to go behind the scenes of the famous art exhibit, Picasso and Chicago. Live performances by Wait, What?, Chicago’s four-piece homemade indie rock band and Keith Masters, a Chicago native whose style includes a little bit of hip-hop, electro, pop, glitch, dub and disco music. His hit songs include, “Gary Busey” and “Tonite’s Hero.”

The Evening Associates, Art Institute members, welcome everyone to join their love for art through their events held about once a month. This group of Chicagoans are passionate for spreading awareness about the museum while offering a night of unique fun and socializing. To learn more about the event and Evening Associates click here.

So while you plan your weekend remember that this Friday night you can celebrate your passion for art & music in one unique space! Tickets for the event are $85-150 and available online or by calling (312) 443-3132. Proceeds go to the museum. See you there!

-Sammi Raines

Tags: Art, art exhibit, Artist, band, cocktails, concert, disco music, dub, electro, entertainment, fundraising, Gary Busey, glitch, hip hop, hors d’oeuvres, indie rock, Keith Masters, kickstarter, live music, members, Night Heist, philanthropy, Picasso and Chicago, pop, silent auction, talent, The Art institute of Chicago, The Evening Associates, Tonite's Hero, Wait, What?

“Eras of Hope” Where Fundraising and Fashion Meet Again!

Hi, Chicago! This is Sarah Vargo from Maven, creator of The Diva Series, Divo Series and author of the upcoming book, Life Is Your Party. Excited to stop by Billy’s blog and say hello!

I am on the Executive Host Committee for One Hope United’s “Eras of Hope” this Saturday, April 6^th, 6-10pm at Hubbard Inn, 110 West Hubbard. Join us as we travel through time to celebrate One Hope United’s 118-year history of protecting children and strengthening families with our fashion event supporting the Blue Ribbon campaign and Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.

And as if raising money and awareness for a wonderful cause wasn’t wonderful enough…you get to dress up in your favorite featured era! The event will offer a fashion show produced by Benjamin Cottrell Designs featuring four fantastic designers creating looks from four different eras.

Thrilling Thirties: Borris Powell
Fabulous Fifties: Tamara Nicole
Super Seventies: Garic Stephens
Into the Future: Calvin Tran

Natalie Martinez (NBC Chicago) will be our fierce emcee and we have a dynamo event team:

HOST COMMITTEE:

Philip Jones
Andrea Metcalf
Lisa Lockwood
Brian Tomkins
Jetta Bates
Marisa Buchheit
Carmen Rivera
Justin Jacobson

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

Benjamin Cottrell: Benjamin Cottrell Designs
Marco Foster: Chicago Models
Jenaeth Markaj: One Hope United
Glenn Murray: 220 Communications
Sarah Vargo: Maven

Brand Relations Specialist: Shari Duffy

Bites and beverages provided by Hubbard Inn, St. Claire Vodka, and Aged 2 Perfection. Hair styling by Strange Beauty Show.

Saturday, April 6th from 6PM -10PM at Hubbard Inn

$50 general admission in advance
$100 VIP tickets –pre-sale only

Read more about One Hope United, purchase tickets and RSVP to the Facebook invite.

Thanks for your love and support – come find me on the dance floor!

Much love, Sarah

Tags: charity, child abuse prevention month, designers, fashion, fundraising, one hope united, runway, vip

Make A Wish Foundation Annual Wish Ball

The Make-A-Wish Foundation Illinois Chapter’s signature fundraiser, the annual black-tie Wish Ball, will take place on Saturday, May 18^th at 6pm at the UIC Forum! This will be an evening to remember, featuring live and silent auctions, dinner, dancing, raffles and much more!

The emcees of the night will be Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini, hosts of Windy City LIVE! If that weren’t enough, actor and comedian Martin Short joins us for a special performance that is sure to be a crowd pleaser! This is an event you don’t want to miss!

Tickets are $500/person, $5000/table and $10,000/premium table. Reserve your tickets now at http://www.events.org/wishball2013.

Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich their lives with hope, strength and joy. This year, Make-A-Wish Illinois will provide life-changing wish experiences to more than 700 children.

-Becky Peterson

Tags: Actor, Annual Wish Ball, black tie, children, Comedian, dancing, dinner, dreams, fundraising, make a wish foundation, Make-A-WIsh Foundation Illinois Chapter, Martin Short, raffle, ryan chiaverini, silent auctions, UIC Forum, val warner, windy city live, wish ball

Take A Dip In Lake Michigan for the Shelter Shiver Fundraiser!

This chilly Shelter Shiver fundraising event put on by ALIVE Rescue is sure to wake you up and send goosebumps all over your body! Join this organization in helping to raise money with other Chicagoans who love animals just as much as they do! ALIVE Rescue is a place where homeless animals can go and get proper care from great people. ALIVE strives to take on the responsibility to “save, rehabilitate and place abandoned, abused stray animals.”

Shelter Shiver is the first fundraising event in 2012 for ALIVE Rescue and you can participate by yourself or with a team! There are a three ways you can join in on this event…

1.)  Shiver Swim- Do a FULL plunge into Lake Michigan!

2.)  Chicken Dip- An ankle deep stroll into the lake

3.)  I’ll Meet You at the Meltdown- Watch and cheer others on!

The Shelter Shiver is January 8^th at 11am and it is only $25.00 to participate at North Avenue Beach! When you complete the challenge of going into Lake Michigan you will get a Stayin’ ALIVE goodie bag, coupons, and a special gift noting that you “survived” the Shelter Shiver! You can also warm up at the after party which will take place at Old Town Ale House. At the after party there will be prizes given away for Best Costume, Best Team Theme, and Top Fundraisers.

So animal lovers unite! Help out and join in on Shelter Shiver this year to help animals and raise money for this great organization!

-Rhea Drougas

Tags: ALIVE Rescue, Animal Shelter, Animals, chicago, Cold, fundraising, lake michigan, north avenue beach, Shelter Shiver, Swimming

"be my valentine" at the lynn sage cancer research foundation event!

It seems like these days we have all had someone in our lives that has been effected by breast cancer. Thankfully there are many hardworking good people out there working tirelessly to find a cure, and inviting us to help in many positive, exciting and creative ways.

One organization I grew up being fond of, and enjoy supporting, is the lynn sage research foundation, who is holding their 4th annual be my valentine family event this sunday, january 23 at the ritz-carlton chicago from 10am-1pm.

Bring the family for great food, activities, cookie decorating, a magician, face painting, a juice bar and a live performance by grammy nominated justin roberts & the not ready for naptime players! Info & tix at www.lynnsage.org (spread the news to help! Thx all!)

(more…)

Tags: breast cancer, cancer, cancer research, fundraising, justin roberts, justin roberts and the not ready for naptime players, lynn sage, lynn sage foundation, ritz carlton chicago

Man & Woman of the Year!

Tags: dr. jeffrey baker, fundraising, karaoke, karaoke party, leukemia and lymphoma society, man and woman of the year, rockit wrigley, weil foot and ankle institute