Cocktails w/ Chicago Bears’ Rashied Davis & Teammates for Education at Rockit!

***UPDATED Monday, June 10th, 2013. Rashied Davis will host this year’s “Cocktails for Education” again at Rockit Bar and Grill – Tuesday June 11th from 6-9pm. For more info and tickets, click HERE!***

Fans of the Bears, helping the community, Education, great food & drink, meeting amazing people… This event is for you!!!  Chicago Bears’ Rashied Davis has supported my philanthropic events for art, theatre, feeding poor.. for years.. and I am honored to help him get the word out about how his huge heart has taken it to the next level by hosting his own huge party for a wonderful cause on Tuesday May 17th from 6-8p at Rockit Bar & Grill (22 W. Hubbard)!

This amazing event will support Rashied Davis Charities’ efforts to “teach students how to overcome obstacles to success through inspiration, preparation and discipline.” They help empower the fundamentals of reading, writing and speech to underserved kids teaching them how to apply tools to problem solve, communicate properly and just be an all around contributing member of society. I’m fully on board w/their mission, I have often talked about how communication leads to relationship building which leads to personal growth and opportunities.. And I’m always behind a fun time to help accomplish all of that!

So join us May 17th!  You can mingle with a bunch of Chicago Bears like Lance Briggs, Alex Brown, Anthony Adams, Jerry Azumah, Earl Bennett, Johnny Knox… different local celebrities, media, and all around fun supporters from everywhere who just care like you… cocktails, appetizers, silent auction & more… Get your tickets now: http://rashieddavischarities.org/homepage.aspx and I’ll see you there!

Tags: alex brown, anthony adams, bears, bears 2011, billy dec, charity, charity events, chicago, chicago bears, chicago event listing, chicago summer events, earl bennett, football, fundraiser, jerry azumah, johnny knox, lance briggs, rashied davis, rashied davis charities, rockit, rockit bar, rockit bar and grill, silent auction, sports

Joan Cusack & Billy Dec host Piven Theatre Workshop Fundraiser at Sunda & Rockit July 13, 2013

Click here to listen to the interview: Billy Dec & Joan Cusack Host Piven Theatre Workshop Benefit – WGN Radio

The Piven Theatre Workshop Gala Returns

Piven Alumna & Award-Winning Actress Joan Cusack and Billy Dec Co-Host

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Join award-winning actress and Piven alumna Joan Cusack and Emmy Award winning television contributor and Rockit Ranch CEO Billy Dec, on Saturday, July 13 for a red carpet evening of celebration and reunion with fine dining, cocktails and a spectacular live auction. All proceeds will benefit the Piven Theatre Workshop’s scholarships and outreach programs.

From 6pm-8:30pm, guests will enjoy dinner at the award-winning Sunda (110 W Illinois) with a live auction of exclusive items. From 8pm-11pm, guests are invited to attend the Gala at Rockit Bar & Grill (22 W Hubbard) for signature cocktails, appetizers, sweets and an exciting live and silent auction.

Exclusive auction items include set visits to Mr. Selfridge with round-trip airfare, New York packages with tickets to hit Broadway shows, Saturday Night Live tickets, A VIP package to Jimmy Kimmel Live, Courtside tickets to a Lakers game and more.

In 1971, Byrne and Joyce Piven founded Piven Theatre Workshop, a small acting school in Evanston, Illinois. The nationally acclaimed school and professional theatre stands as a testament to the Pivens’ enduring vision to train, nurture and mentor generations of students and artists, including hosts Joan Cusack who studied improvisation and Billy Dec, who not only took classes with Joyce Piven, but also acted in their last production “The Good Doctor” and was honored with the Byrne Piven Award for Community Service. Proceeds from the night will help continue to nurture students and artists in the programs.

For tickets, visit http://piventheatre.org/. Sunda VIP Dinner tickets (includes Rockit Bar & Grill Gala): Single ticket $300.00 ($250 deductible), Couples ticket (2) $500.00 ($400 deductible), Table of 10 $2500.00 ($2,000 deductible). Rockit Bar & Grill Gala ticket: $150.00 ($100 deductible). Please note, limited seating is available at Rockit Bar & Grill.

Event sponsors include Rockit Ranch Productions, Sunda Restaurant, Rockit Bar & Grill, The Underground, The Peyton Family Foundation and Grey Goose.

ABOUT PIVEN THEATRE WORKSHOP

Piven Theatre Workshop has excelled as a leader in the arts community for 40 years, maintaining a distinguished legacy in the training of children and adults in the theatre arts. Annually, between onsite and off-site programming, the theatre trains over 1,000 students, provides approximately $30,000 in need-based scholarships and maintains a professional theatre and numerous outreach programs throughout the Chicago area. Piven Theatre Workshop is located at 927 Noyes Street, Evanston, IL. Visit them online at www.piventheatre.org, on Facebook at “Piven Theatre Workshop” and on Twitter @piventheatre.

Tags: Alumni, benefit, billy dec, chicago, fundraiser, jeremy piven, Joan Cusack, joyce piven, piven, piven theatre workshop, rockit, rockit bar and grill, rockit ranch, rockit ranch productions, sunda, theatre

CHICAGO’S FIRST ANNUAL RIVER NORTH CRAFT PUB CRAWL

Hey, I’m Doug Simons, a restaurant broker who has been placing some of Chicago’s top restaurant and nightclub operators in business for many years and my partner, Ted Widen who owns ChicagoScene.com, and I are throwing a huge pub crawl in River North called Craft Crawl River North!

Chicago’s first ever Craft Crawl River North will be the largest pub crawl ever in the city’s hottest restaurant and nightlife neighborhood. This May 18th event will begin at noon and run til 9:00 p.m., and will encompass the city’s hottest venues—Rockit Bar and Grill, John Barleycorn, Public House, Bull & Bear, American Junkie, English, Mercer One Thirteen, Epic, Social 25, Moe’s Cantina, and Hubbard Inn.

The event is taglined “BEER-BOURBON-BURGERS”. Each of the 11 participating venues will offer two different Craft Beers at $4 for the day (a total of 22 different beers available) plus all the bars will also offer Gentleman Jack Whiskey drinks at $5 and each will feature its own special gourmet burger at one day only pricing.

This event is like no other—coinciding with the beginning of Chicago Craft Beer Week, this event is different than all others in that it encompasses an entire neighborhood and multiple venues, many of which will provide live entertainment and top DJ’s, or will feature grand openings of retractable rooftops.

Patrons will be encouraged to visit all participating venues and to get their “passport” stamped in order to be entered in a drawing to win a seven day Celebrity Cruise to the Caribbean or other cash prizes.

Don’t miss the first groundbreaking event in the country’s hottest entertainment neighborhood. Go to CraftCrawls.com now before Craft Crawl River North sells out!

-Doug Simons

Tags: American Junkie, Beer, Bull & Bear, burger, Caribbean, Celebrity Cruise, Chicago Craft Beer Week, Craft Crawl River North, Craftg beers, dj, Drinks, English, Epic, Gentleman Jack Whiskey, Hubbard Inn, John Barleycorn, live entertainment, Mercer One Thirteen, Moe's Cantina, night club, passport, prizes, pub crawl, Public House, restaurant, river north, rockit bar and grill, Social 25, venues

#Foodiechats will Share Our Strength and Rockit for No Kid Hungry

#Foodiechats ”Food Trends” 2-Year Celebration Fundraiser

Monday, May 13, 2013

Hosted by Rockit Ranch Productions @ Rockit Bar and Grill

5:30pm-8:30pm

Benefactor: No Kid Hungry

#Foodiechats is very excited to bring people together from all over the world for our 2-year celebration fundraiser. Our theme for the evening is “Food Trends.”

Our event will be taking place on Twitter of course and live in Chicago, at Rockit Bar and Grill. All ticket proceeds will benefit the amazing charity, No Kid Hungry.

Those in Chicago who want to attend our event, click “Donate Now” and in the “Other,” field enter your donation of $46 to attend our celebration.

You may be wondering why $46 to attend…One $46 Donation provides one child with one year of meals!

Included in your $46 donation will be incredible cuisine provided by Sunda, Ay Chiwowa, and Rockit Bar and Grill.  Each restaurant will set up as a pop up restaurant inside Rockit Bar and Grill! You’ll have a chance to feast on three of Rockit Ranch Productions Restaurants all in one night!

#Foodiechats is a Hashtag Twitter Chat every Monday 7:00pm CST/8:00pm EST- hosted by Founder, Steve Green.

Through the power of our Hashtag #Foodiechats, Foodies from around the world join in the conversation. We’re excited to “Share Our Strength” as a community during our 2-year celebration to provide hundreds of children with a year of meals for only $46! How amazing!

To our #Foodiechats community all over the world who are unable to attend, your help during this one of a kind Live an Online event will help make a difference. We ask that you donate what ever you can afford; even $5 helps their cause.

We look forward to eating and tweeting with all of you! Join #Foodiechats every Monday on Twitter at 7pm CST/8pm EST

Check out out #Foodiechats 1-year Video:

Steve Green – @steveGOgreen

Founder of #Foodiechats

Tags: "Food Trends" 2-Year Celebration Fundraiser, 2013, @Foodiechats, and Rockit Bar and Grill, Ay Chiwowa, billy dec, cuisine provided by Sunda, events on Monday, foodie events in chicago, May 13, no kid hungry, rockit bar and grill, rockit ranch productions, share your strength, steve go green, Steve Green - @steveGOgreen Founder of #Foodiechats

5th Annual ChiliFEST at Rockit Bar & Grill: Put That in Your Bowl & Eat it, Seriously!

Note to reader: Do not pack lunch the week of January 21-25. Leave your salads and half eaten left overs at home…it’s chili time, ladies and gents.

Everything chili is coming your way next week at Rockit Bar and Grill during their 5^th Annual ChiliFEST! And when I say everything, I mean it. Look forward to big bowls of delicious body warming ingredients fit for every taste and newly revolutionized diet. Partner and Executive Chef Amanda Downing has been busy building a vast menu of chili-licious-ness…and believe me, it’s definitely going to live up the hype! Just take into consideration the last five years that RBG has spent dedicating a whole week to solely chili…pretty legit to me.

Veggie/vegan lovers can also indulge in this glorious chili inspired menu of $10 offerings (think lentils, soy sausage, edamame, bell peppers, cumin, tomatoes).

Chef Amanda may be accommodating of city slickin’ vegetarians who are conscious of their diets, but meat lovers’ don’t fret because the menu includes tons of indulgent options fit for a chilly Chicago day. I’m most excited for the chicken chili because I’m a sucker for a white-beaned bowl of goodness but bacon, pork, beef and Andouille sausage are also included on the menu for the darker meat partials. Also…chili fries anyone? Salad can wait ‘till dinner.

Oh, I’m also waiting in excitement for the chili-mac, as well. Mac and cheese trumps everything else in my book. Add some yummy turkey meat to complete the recipe and I’m in love.

So make your reservation! I know you want some chili in your life.

Cheers!

Mandy Stifter

Tags: Amanda Downing, chicago chilifest, chilifest, rockit bar and grill, things to do january 21-25

Local Beer Company Collaborates with River North Hotspot: TasteIT Insider Dinner at Rockit Bar & Grill

Finch Beer Company and Rockit Bar and Grill present the first TasteIT Insider Dinner to give you an exclusive look at specially paired combinations of food and drink. Rockit Bar and Grill Executive chef Amanda Downing will be cooking up an awesome four-course menu while Finch Beer Company serves up a multitude of beers to go along with each course!

Come to see two awesome local businesses working together to throw an event that all walks of taste can enjoy. From sea scallops to sausage to braised short ribs – the paired ales and cider choices are sure to give your taste buds a run for their money.

For just $45 you can enjoy a night of good eats and drinks while hanging with other people who enjoy great food and conversation! You can also meet Finch Beer Company brewers Richard Grant and Michael Demetrus! So bring a date, your friends or your parents for a night of food and beer combo’s to remember! To purchase tickets click here!

-Mandy Stifter 

Tags: ales, Amanda Downing, cider, combinations, exclusive, Finch Beer Company, food, ribs, rockit bar and grill, scallops, Tags: beer, Taste, taste buds, TasteIT

Pinning like a Pro

So I don’t know about you, but I certainly learned a thing or two at Social Media Week Chicago.  On Thursday, I chatted up authors of Pinterest for Business Jess Loren and Ed Swiderski.

Now Pinterest is not just for girls planning their wedding anymore. There are so many companies who would benefit from using the social media site.  Enter Loren and Swiderski.  They gave me the three quick tips on improving your Pinterest boards to help business:

1. Create basic board names, and use similar words for each board.  Loren likes “epic.” She has boards called  “epic humor,” “epic trips,” and “epic spaces.”
2. Use quality images.  Unlike other social media where candid pictures are popular, Pinterest demands nice pictures.
3. Lastly, link back to other websites.  If you have a blog, link your blog! Connect your Pinterest accounts with Twitter and Facebook, so you get more traffic.

Ok, I’m going to my Pinterest right now and spruce mine up.  And upload a ton of new content. And read up on making your account super Pinteresting by buying there book.

-Grace Sweeney

Tags: best ways to pin, book, book launch party, ed swiderski, how to make money with pinterest, how to pin, Jess Loren, Pinning like a pro, rockit bar and grill, secrets of pinterest, social media week chicago, the bachelor

Richard Roeper & Billy Dec to co-host an Oscar Viewing Party at Rockit!

**UPDATED** 3.1.12 :: Check out our Oscar Viewing Party Re-Cap Video!! See the exciting behind the scenes party footage, our amazing guests and who won the Oscar Challenge. Hint…it WASN’T the movie critic. Enjoy!!!

Oscars Party Recap from Rockit Ranch Productions on Vimeo.

UPDATE 2/21/12 by Amy:  Movie Critic Richard Roeper & Restaurateur Billy Dec go HEAD TO HEAD on Oscar Picks!  And guess what?!  The loser has to work for the other person!  Watch this video below to see it all go down!  By the way, you too can compete against them for some great prizes here: http://bit.ly/RockitOscars

Billy’s Oscar Challenge from Rockit Ranch Productions on Vimeo.

UPDATE 2/22/12 by Amy: Aw snap, Billy just got schooled by Richard Roeper with this response video below!  Who do you think is going to win?!

Make sure you join Richard & Billy at the event & in this competition! Below sample of some of the fabulous prizes you can win at the event!

-A pair of Roundtrip tickets valid for travel from the US to Europe, Central America or the Carribean from United Airlines

-Three Month Spa Membership at The Peninsula

-Autographed pennant from Chicago Bull Derrick Rose

-One Week of FREE Private Uber Car Rides

-Blackhawks Hockey Stick autographed by the team

-Two tickets for the Opening Night Performance and Post-Show Cast Party for EASTLAND at Lookingglass Theatre

-Two autographed baseballs from Chicago Cub Ryan Dempster

-Fitness Guru Andrea Metcalf’s Package: workout mat, ball, book, dvd and personal fitness consultation

-Burton Snowboard

-Two Premium Seats to March 14th “Show Boat” at the Lyric Opera

-Party at 10 Pin with food, beverage and bowling

-Autographed Lance Briggs Jersey

-Autographed Mike Ditka Book

MEDIA ALERT : February 9, 2012

Richard Roeper & Billy Dec to co-host an Oscar Viewing Party
To benefit the arts through After School Matters

CHICAGO – On February 26, co-hosts Richard Roeper & Billy Dec will hold their 2nd Annual Oscar Viewing Party. Guests will test their movie knowledge by putting their ballot predictions up against Richard and Billy for a chance to win fabulous prizes while hearing their commentary live throughout the telecast.

Tickets are priced at $50 each with a portion of the proceeds going to support After School Matters, a nonprofit organization that offers Chicago public high school teens high quality out-of-school-time opportunities to explore and develop their talents in the arts, while gaining critical skills for work, college, and beyond.

Tickets include delicious passed appetizers from Rockit Bar & Grill, creative “Oscar themed” cocktails from Belvedere and Moet Chandon champagne. Gift bags will be given to the first 100 ticket buyers. Red carpet coverage begins at 5 p.m. telecast begins at 6 p.m.

Click here to get your tickets : http://bit.ly/xsHKGo

About the hosts:
Richard Roeper is co-host of Roe/Roeper on WLS-AM. Sun-Times Columnist. Author of eight books. Former co-host Ebert/Roeper. Contributor, ReelzChannel. Reviews: Richardroeper.com.
Billy Dec is CEO of Rockit Ranch Productions, Emmy Award Winning Entertainment Correspondent, ABC’s “Windy City Live”

Tags: abc, Academy Awards 2012, After School Matters, arts, Author, billy dec, charity, Ebert/Roeper, Entertainment Columnist, fundraiser, Oscar, Oscar Viewing Party, oscars, Oscars 2012, Reelz Channel, richard roeper, rockit bar and grill, Roe/Roeper, sun times, theatre, windy city live, WLS-AM

Chicago Gateway Green’s 20th Annual Green Tie Ball

I can’t believe this is the 20th anniversary of Green Tie Ball! I remember when I was graduating college and wanted to get involved in one charity that I knew could allow me to make a difference. I had always heard the best party of the year was called Green Tie Ball, so I did my research and found it was so much more than that I had to get involved.

The Green Tie Ball benefits Chicago Gateway Green, whose mission is dedicated to greening and beautifying Chicago’s expressways, gateways and neighborhoods. The non-profit organization was founded in 1986 and since then, have helped to improve both the local environment and the quality of life for millions of Chicago residents and visitors. They are able to improve our communities through three key programs: the Expressway Partnership, transforming city roadways into landscaped parkways; the International Sculpture Program, beautifying gateways through the installation of public, international art on expressways; and the Tree Partnership Program, a large-scale tree planting initiative that transforms vacant land into tree-filled green spaces.

12 years ago I started by stuffing gift bags and helping with whatever I could, I went on to book entertainment, then chaired the event and now was just voted on to the Executive Board of Directors! This Saturday marks the 20th anniversary and it’s back where it originated at A. Finkl & Sons and a “Return to Emerald City” theme. Saturday will be Co-Chaired by Tim Smithe – Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design and Stephanie Castagnier – NBC’s The Apprentice 2010, plus we have over 60 of Chicago’s top restaurants including Sunda & Rockit Bar & Grill. Expect fabulous drinks and the best entertainment by Too White Crew, Dr. Bombay and tunes by DJ’s Rock City, Yours Truly and DJ Galvan – with the official after-party at The Underground. Tickets and more info – www.gatewaygreen.org.

- Jon Landan

Tags: after party, annual gala, charitable events, chicago, chicago expressway, chicago gateway green, chicago non-profit, chicago weekend events, dj galvan, dj rock city, dj yours truly, dr. bombay, gateway green, green tie ball, jon landan, NBC, rockit bar and grill, stephanie castagnier, sunda, the apprentice, the underground, tim smithe, too white crew, walter e. smithe

Lt. Dan Band “For The Common Good”

The Fourth of July has just passed but let’s not let the celebration and support for our troops simmer down. There is a new movie out called Lt. Dan Band: For The Common Good that has a way of helping us continue to say thank you to our war heroes. The documentary walks you through the coming together of a band after September 11 and how their mission has grown over the years. The movie’s cinematography isn’t just something to be amazed by, but the music is as well.

There is a song written in the movie by Gina Gonzalez, who used to play at Rockit Bar and Grill back in the day and was a local fav! Her song is called “A Letter Home” that really captures the essence of the movie and America.  Watch the movie Lt. Dan Band: For The Common Good at  and take a moment to say thank you once more. One out of every fourth dollar of the proceeds goes to the Gary Sinise Foundation, which supports our military, veterans, first responders and their families. The Gary Sinise Foundation also supports other charities such as the USO, Operation International Children and Snowball Express. This movie makes us appreciate how wonderful America truly is and how we can overcome anything with the support of each other.

Tags: documentary, first responders, For the Common Good, Gary Sinise, Gary Sinise Foundation, Gina Gonzalez, Lt. Dan Band, Lt. Dan Band For the Common Good, military, Operation International Children, rockit bar and grill, Snowball Express, tribute, USO, veterans