Join President Clinton, Mayor Emanuel, Ben Harper, Jesse Williams.. & Rockit Ranch CEO Billy Dec along w/ Host Committee

Hello all! Our CEO Billy Dec just joined the Host Committee for a wonderful event and cause he’s really passionate about! Supporting with President Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, Mayor Emanuel, actor Jesse Williams and a special performance by Ben Harper for a Night Out with The Millennium Network. President Clinton’s Millennium Network strives to improve global health, strengthen economies worldwide, promotes healthier childhoods, and protect the environment by fostering partnerships among governments, businesses, nongovernmental organizations and private citizens. This Thursday, June 7th – House of Blues – 7:45pm-10:45pm, enjoy a dynamic and powerful evening and inspire the next generation to make the world a better place. Click here for tickets and if you want, choose Billy’s name from the drop down menu when asked, “Who invited you to the event?” so he knows you’re coming and you can meet there. Thanks, KatieRose Cronin

Tags: Ben Harper, Bill Clinton, billy dec, Chelsea Clinton, chicago, house of blues, Jesse Williams, Mayor Emanuel, Millennium Network, President Clinton

Jerry Azumah: 4th Annual ASAP Signature Bowling Event

Hello my fellow Chicagoans! My name is Micaeh Johnson and I’m the Executive Director of the Azumah Student Assistance Program. I’m guest blogging today to tell you all about our 4^th Annual Signature Bowling Event taking place this Wednesday but first… let me take it back a few years.

In 2009, All Pro, Former Chicago Bear, Jerry Azumah and I attended a charity event at the House of Blues for President Bill Clinton.  During our visit with the former White House resident, President Clinton said something that would stick with me forever. He mentioned contributions from American households comprise 75% of all giving to nonprofits every year. I looked at my friend and event co-chair, Jerry and smiled knowing the work we did for the Azumah Student Assistance Program (ASAP) that included small donations from our tight and influential network, was a piece of that 75% and our efforts were a part of a bigger picture. A picture that includes over 1,300 listed charities in the Chicagoland area alone!

Every day, Chicagoans attend events that contribute to programs supporting cancer research, environmental concerns, preservation of the arts and like ours, resources for education.  At ASAP, besides opening our mouths for support and soliciting corporate support, we produce ridiculously fun events several times a year.  On Wednesday May 16^th from 6-10pm, we’re hosting our 4^th Annual Signature Bowling Event at Lucky Strike Lanes.

Now in our 4^th event year, the best memory of all the events was when I saw these larger than life personalities and athletes roll in with their teeny bowling bags and personalized balls for the first time. I realized competition was not just reserved for the court, field or on the greens. It was a way of life! A life that included fun, awareness and giving back where one is not independent of the other. Even our founder, Jerry has a painted Chicago Bear on his bowling ball. So off with the helmets and celeb façade and bring on the competition. The bowling tournament pairs fans, sponsors and local celebs up for a night of sheer glee, charity and competition.  All right, time to grab your bowling balls (spectators welcome too!) and plan to have some major fun while making a contribution to a bigger picture!

Tickets are still available and are only $75

Purchase your ticket HERE

-Micaeh Johnson

Tags: 4th Annual, ASAP Foundation, Assistance, Azumah Student Assistance Program, celebs, charity, chicago bears, corporate, house of blues, jerry azumah, Local, Lucky Strike, nonprofits, President Clinton, Students, white house

A celebration of life, community, and music!

Hey Readers! This is Pat Gilroy from the Chicago rock band The Super Happy Fun Club!  I’ve known and worked with Billy throughout the years and I’m excited to be a guest blogger today! In the summer of 2010 I received a troubling text about a friend who was part of a brutal attack.  He stood up for someone who was in harm’s way, and in a terrible turn of events, became the victim.  (check out the full story here).  Matthew Leone (bassist for the rock band Madina Lake) was at the beginning of a very long journey back to normal life.

Musicians from across the country heard Matthew’s story and came together to help.  Artists like Metallica, Fall Out Boy, and Madonna donated items to auction. The Smashing Pumpkins put together a benefit concert at the Metro with Kill Hannah.  With the help of the organization Sweet Relief, fans and friends alike kept track of the fundraising efforts and helped Matthew raise the money in order to pay down his medical bills.

Now Matthew has decided it is time to give back.  He is taking $60,000 from his medical bill fund and starting a new Midwestern Musicians Fund for Sweet Relief.  These funds will be available for musicians battling cancer, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and other life threatening challenges.

Join Matthew and friends on Wednesday May 2^nd 2012 at the Foundation Room at House of Blues where you can hear Matthew and Sweet Relief Executive Director Rob Max speak about the work that Sweet Relief does for the community.  Additionally, Tom Higgenson of the Plain White T’s will give a special performance. The event runs from 6:30 – 8:30PM.  Join us in this celebration of giving! Click here for more information.

- Pat Gilroy

Tags: chicago, Chicago attack, Fall Out Boy, Foundation Room, fundraiser, house of blues, Kill Hannah, Madina Lake, Madonna, Matthew Leone, Metallica, metro, Midwestern Musicians Fund, musicians, Pat Gilroy, plain white t's, Rob Max, Sweet Relief, the smashing pumpkins, The Super Happy Fun Club, Tom Higgenson

The Roots Chicago Dare 2 Dream Benefit Concert & Underground Afteparty with DJ ?uestlove

“Dare 2 Dream” is a high profile benefit concert that has featured Kings of Leon, Common, Cypress Hill, Gavin Rossdale.. all to benefit music education.  This Saturday 12/4, they bring “The Roots” to hit the House of Blues stage, w/ front man ?uestlove (see our lil chitown love video above) dj’ing the vip afterparty at the underground after!

Dr. Rita Simo started The People’s Music School 34 years ago with a donated piano and only $625, she only had dreams of making the world a better place through music. Today her school educates over 500 students in Chicago – I think that’s such an uplifting story and am psyched Dr. Rita is getting such great support. I’m also psyched Platform one entertainment who is bringing us the event is donating all proceeds this year to The People’s Music School!

Since I’m giving away all kinds of tickets this week on facebook and twitter for the holidays, guess I will giveaway two tickets to the concert at House of Blues where you can enjoy the show from a private box w/me before we head to the afterparty! Click on my Facebook & Twitter and have your friends tell my why you should be the one to win!

For more info on Dare 2 Dream check out http://www.platform-1.com/dare2dream.php

Tags: ?uestlove, benefit concert, billy dec, common, concert, cypress hill, dare 2 dream, dr. rita simo, facebook, gavin rossdale, holidays, house of blues, house of blues chicago, kings of leon, late night with jimmy fallon, music education, platinum one entertainment, questlove, rockit ranch productions, the people's school of music, the roots, the underground, ticket giveaway, twitter

Who do you think is best in Chicago!?

Just voted for the Chicago Reader “Best in Chicago” awards online! Figured I would share my answers since everyone asks me on Twitter and Facebook about my Chicago favs! (BTW, sorry did these fast, was in a rush, sorry if missed anyone!) You should vote too! (Especially for my places! haha) Voting ends this weekend so go to http://bestof.chicagoreader.com/ now!

Tags: alice in wonderland, amc on illinois, andrew lee, andy lee, arthur murray, ashkenaz, assault.it, avenues, back up, best of, bill and phil movers, billy dec, binny's, carrie seacrist, chicago reader, conan o'brien, connie's, dance center chicago, dj rock city, dr. wax, el tapitio, elevation, equinox, golden triangle, hero fitness, house of blues, house of glunz, hubbard, improv olympic, jim bean club, joe's, kanye west, kinsella landscaping, kith kin, lolla, lookingglass theatre, loveabulls, lovehammers, medinah country club, merchandise mart, metro, niketown, paws, plain white t's, que rico, reeza's, richard's, riverside cafe, rockit bar and grill, rockit wrigley, second city, skinny cows, smart rooms, south of 80, sue, sunda, the peninsula, trex, u of i, u2, underground, vermillion, village cycle, whole foods, wiener circle

dare to dream chicago w/ gavin rossdale from bush!

Tags: bush, cancer, dare to dream foundation, facebook, gavin rossdale, house of blues, myspace, the underground, twitter

chicago 2016 olympics w/ comedian & actor dan aykroyd

Tags: 2016, blues brothers, chicago, chicago 2016, house of blues, olympics