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

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

Grey Goose Chicago Beach Polo World Cup at North Avenue Beach This Weekend!

Make way for the “sport of kings” this weekend. Beach chairs, towels, and volleyballs will be replaced with horses when the first Chicago Beach Polo World Cup makes its way to North Avenue Beach on October 1st & 2nd. Athletes from around the world will be in the Windy City looking for a win. “The two-day international polo tournament will host a field of eight teams. Four teams will compete in World Cup play while four women’s teams will compete for the North Beach Women’s Polo Cup.”

Described as “hockey on horseback,” all of the action will take place in a custom-built beach arena, approximately the size of an American football field. Sponsored by Grey Goose Vodka, Don Miguel Gascon, Fogo de Chao, Amstel Light and Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, there will definitely be great events outside of the venue as well. V.I.P. suites, social-tents, shops, and fashion shows are on the schedule.

Whether you’re an avid follower of the sport or new to the idea, come out to experience this fascinating event. Horses, athletes, and sand - sure to be a winning combination.

For info & tickets, visit: www.chicagobeachpolo.com And, also be on the lookout because our CEO, Billy Dec, giving away tickets on facebook & twitter!

-Evan Jones

Tags: Beach, Beach Polo, chicago, Chicago Beach Polo World Cup, north avenue beach, world cup

InStyle Magazine, Havaianas & Billy Dec Invite You to…

Hey Everyone! Roxanne Johnson here from the RRP intern staff to share my excitement about an amazing event that Billy will be co-hosting Thursday, June 30th at North Avenue Beach! Havaianas sandal designer and InStyle Magazine are teaming up to launch the “Make Your Own Havaianas” Beach Pop Up where invited guests will be able to customize their very own Havaianas sandals! With multiple colors, mix and match bottoms and 20 different pin styles – guests have the opportunity to come up with some fun flops! Even if you don’t have a knack for designing, Billy and his other fashion blogger co-hosts: Nicole Pearl, Jena Gambaccini, Emma Arnold, Nikia Jefferson and Amy Creyer of will all be there to offer up some style advice. With the long awaited summer climate just arriving in Chicago – this event couldn’t have come at better time! The food, drinks and prize giveaway will kick-off at 6pm and end at 9pm. Hit Billy on Twitter of Facebook immediately if you want to come as his guest – he’ll pick 10 people by 10am Thursday morning! Happy Summer!

Tags: amy creyer, billy dec, chicago, chicago summer events, emma arnold, fashion events, havaianas, instyle, instyle magazine, jena gambaccini, nicole pearl, nikia jefferson, north ave, north avenue beach, pop up store

victoria's secret "sexiest in chicago" w/ "angel" alessandra ambrosio!

If follow me on twitter (click here if you don’t), you were in nyc w/me for the actual live Victoria’s Secret show!  Thought I would show you a small video I took after the show from my flipcam above… the look on my face is pretty stupid I know, and I really had nothing to say, but that’s just how good the show was! (and as you can tell, the girls were just shockingly stunning all out there at once strutting so close to me)

On the home front, Victoria secret angel alessandra ambrosio flew out to host the private vip tv launch of the fashion show right here in chicago a couple days ago at my club “the underground” handing out awards to “chicago’s sexiest” winners from their online contest!  Here are the results below… and having won for “sexiest club” the underground & “sexiest restaurant” sunda…  my super hard working team of 500 & I humbly thank all of you who allow us to serve you!

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Tags: akira, alessandra ambrosio, allyu spa, chicago, chicago bulls, derrick rose, ferris wheel, flipcam, green mill, guiliana rancic, hub 51, lupe fiasco, north avenue beach, sexiest nightclub, sexiest restuarant, sofitel hotel, sunda, the modern wing of the art institute, the signature room, the underground, twitter, victoria's secret, vince vaughn, water tower, wicker park