Enjoy “What’s on Dec” this week on ABC TV “Windy City Live!”

Click here to see Rockit Ranch CEO Billy Dec‘s inside scoop on the best parties, fests, games, concerts, events.. on his latest Thursday 9am weekly ABC TV segment called “What’s on Dec” on “Windy City Live!”

Tags: abc, billy dec, chicago, chicago events, chicago festivals, chicago suburb events, chicago weekend events, concerts in chicago, Entertainment Contributor, family events, news, Weekend, weekend events, What's on Dec, windy city live

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

Zombie Chicago Bar Crawl. Say what?

What is it about zombies and vampires that people just cannot seem to get enough of!? I mean come on with all the different series and movies how can you even keep track, and besides the movie Zombieland, which was phenomenal by the way, don’t they all just blend together by now? Hat’s off to the Twilight guy who makes my pale looks even that more appealing… but if I have to side with one group or the other, I’m picking zombies, and it appears a ton of other Chicagoans tend to agree. The craze is here to stay as pH Productions is hosting their 5^th annual Zombie Pub crawl this weekend, inviting all the half dead to help terrorize the Andersonville neighborhood all in good fun and to benefit the non for profit Theater Company.

Previous zombie-crawls had over 700 blood hungry party goers and this year’s crawl is expected to be the best and biggest yet! Some of the stops include Hamburger Mary’s, Simons Tavern, @mosphere, The Sofo Tap and many other Clark Street Andersonville favorites. Timeout Chicago, the official media sponsor, is offering a free 1 year subscription for all, while PBR the official beer sponsor will be providing you all with unbeatable beer specials at every stop. Your $25 registration also includes a free official zombie bar crawl T-shirt, a free zombie makeup session, 2 free tickets to any pH show, and keepsake cup that you will need to take to all the bars! Visit the official Zombie Pub Crawl site here to register and for any other info you need, from the itinerary to make up tips, they got you covered. I’m sure it will be a KILLER pub crawl, and you’re all DYING to go… and with that brutal excuse for a joke, I’m out!

- Cheers
Bryan

Tags: @mosphere, andersonville, Bar Crawl, Bryan Neubauer, chicago, Drink deals, Hamburger Mary's, PBR, pH Productions, pH Theatre, Simons Tavern, The Sofo Tap, Timeout Chicago, weekend events, Zombie Bar Crawl, Zombieland, Zombies

One Hope United Hosts “Eras of Hope”

Hey Readers! It’s Sarah Vargo from Maven and Social Gravity. Are you looking to help children and travel through time while simultaneously mingling with Chicago’s non-profit, fashion and social scene? Look no further…One Hope United’s “Eras of Hope” event is this Saturday at Mercedes at 1520 West North Avenue, 7-11PM. One Hope United is celebrating a 117-year history of protecting children and strengthening families with this inaugural fashion event. April is Child Abuse Prevention month. We are gathering to raise awareness and funds to support One Hope United’s efforts to prevent these horrific events from happening, or happening again.

I am honored to be on the prestigious host committee along with Benjamin Cottrell (Benjamin Cottrell Designs), Delrice Adams (Forecast for the Arts), Glenn Murray (220 Communications), Jenaeth Markaj (One Hope United), Larry James (House of Trend) and Marco Foster (Marco Foster Events). This special evening will highlight four different eras: The Roaring ‘20s, Spirit of the ‘60s, Awesome ‘80s and Into the Future. What era will you dress up in? I am still trying to decide…should I be a flapper, hippie, a Go-Go with shoulder pads or a futuristic robot?  The possibilities are endless!

This event is sponsored by Mercedes-Benz, St. Claire, Chicago Magazine and Soul Beauty. Fabulous fashion installations produced by Benjamin Cottrell Designs will feature looks created by four designers, with hair and makeup by Strange Beauty Show and Lora Michael. Fashion and music will change hourly, starting with the 1920s and moving through the eras. Guests will enjoy entertainment and dancing, music by David Fenmore, bites by Lucero Latin Catering, beverages by St. Claire vodka, premium goodie bags, silent auction and a complimentary one-year subscription to Chicago Magazine.

Tickets: $40 in advance; $50 at the door and can be purchased here: One Hope United and you can enter to win a pair of tickets on Billy’s Facebook page!

And of course the party will continue at Underground (56 W. Illinois). Thanks Rockit Ranch Productions!  Display your Blue Ribbon pin from Eras of Hope for no cover and express entry. Can’t wait to see which ERA you will be representing!

Thanks and see you there – Sarah Vargo

Tags: 220 communications, april, benjamin cottrell, charity events, chicago, chicago magazine, child abuse prevention month, delrice adams, eras of hope, forecast for the arts, glenn murray, house of trend, jenaeth markaj, larry james, lora michael, lucero latin catering, marco foster, maven, mercedes benz, one hope united, sarah vargo, social gravity, st. claire vodka, strange beauty show, underground, weekend events

OMNI “An Evening of Laughs with Jay Leno”

Hi readers.  Candice Warltier here from Communication Strategies Group, a Chicago-based communications firm.  We are calling on all Leno fans!  We know you love to laugh, and  aChicagoThing wants to hook you up with tickets to a rare Chicago appearance by Jay Leno! This Saturday, April 28, 2012, Leno takes the stage at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, to celebrate OMNI Youth Services 40th anniversary – and we have three pairs of tickets to give away!  Eric Ferguson, WTMX radio “Eric and Kathy” morning show co-host, will serve as emcee and Second City, the world’s premier comedy club, will make a brief performance. Be sure to visit Billy’s Facebook page today for a chance to win a pair of tickets!

OMNI’s “An Evening of Laughs with Jay Leno” presented by Allstate will benefit OMNI Youth Services helps recognize OMNI’s contributions over the past 40 years in providing counseling, services and programming needs for children, teens and their families in Chicago and surrounding suburbs.  Tickets for the gala and performance-only tickets are available for purchase on OMNIyouth.org, check out the special ticket prices for aChicagoThing readers!  At the event, OMNI will be raffling off a Harley Davidson Softail Deluxe Motorcycle signed by Mr. Leno, himself!  Click here to purchase your Harley raffle tickets today.

Proceeds from the performance by the legendary comedian and host of “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” will benefit OMNI’s Girls After School Program (GAP) which provides a safe haven after school, teaches life skills and promotes positive self-image for teen girls, REALITY Theatre, a teen troupe dedicated to promoting positive, healthy lifestyle choices through original theatre and the Outdoor Wilderness Therapy and Adventure Program, utilizing outdoor expeditions to overcome presenting challenges, develop life skills and the motivation to pursue a more promising productive future.

Thanks and see you there, Candice Warltier

Tags: An eveving of laughs with jay leno, billy dec, Cadillac Theatre, Candice Warltier, chicago, Comedy, Communication Strategies Group, eric and kathy, Eric Ferguson, facebook, fundraiser, giveaway, Harley Davidson, Jay Leno, Leno, OMNI Youth Services, second city, the mix, the tonight show with jay leno, ticket deals, weekend events

Chicago Band Map & Atlases at 1st A.V. Fest

Unless you’re some sort of magic snowman reading this blog in a Wi-Fi equipped freezer somewhere, you probably don’t want summer in Chicago to end. Part of the problem of losing the warm weather is it means we have to temporarily say goodbye to the gajillion music festivals that take place here. But before winter hits and the magic snowmen reclaim the streets, the pop-culture/entertainment website The A.V. Club is bringing us one more outdoor festival.

On September 10 and 11, the very first A.V. Fest will be held in Chicago. The fest, which features twelve indie rock bands, will take place outside The Hideout on Wabansia and Elston Avenues from 12pm to 10pm. Champaign, IL band Hum and North Carolina band Archers of Load are the headliners while local Chicago bands Maps & Atlases and Disappears will also be playing.

And the best part: IT’S FREE! But be sure to give the $10 suggested donation, a portion of which will benefit Rock for Kids. So go and enjoy some cool music in the city before you need to put on a parka to do so! For a complete schedule and to RSVP go to: http://www.avclub.com/fest/

David Lauer, Fall Intern

Tags: abc, archers of load, chicago, chicago bands, chicago charitable events, chicago events, chicago music festivals, disappears, free weekend events, hum, maps and atlases, music events, rock for kids, the a.v. club, the hideout, weekend events, windy city live