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

SOUTHSIDE BOXING ICON IN THE FIGHT FOR HIS LIFE!!!

Martin McGarry, native of Co Mayo, Ireland spent his youth fighting for his place among his many brothers and sisters.  His teenage years were spent in boxing rings spanning several continents.  As an adult he devoted his life to training boxers and taking kids off the streets, giving them an outlet to box and a safe place to channel their energy.  Now he is the one in need.

Fighting Amyloidosis, a terminal genetic disease that has already killed his mother and two of his brothers is one fight that you can’t train for.  The only medicine available is not yet approved by the FDA, and costs hundreds of thousands of dollars.  Martin leaves Monday for Europe, to the only Doctor in the world who will treat him.  This treatment comes at a hefty price. And while Martin is loved by all who have ever met him, love alone will not save him; for that we need funding.

The Fight for Martin McGarry Benefit is being held on Sunday December 2nd, 2012 at 115 Bourbon Street from 1-6pm.  And while the ultimate goal is to raise funds, the turnout is expected to include the “who’s who” of high profile Chicagoans.  Not only is it a fundraiser, it has been coined the ”social networking event of the season”!   The raffle prizes include a 5 day cruise on a private yacht in St. Thomas (think rap video wealth with a South Side twist), a Luxury Lincoln MKZ, a 4 day stay in a state of the art oceanfront condo on the white sandy beaches of Ft. Lauderdale, World Class Golf packages and dozens more items you surely must have dahling! Help in the Fight For Martin McGarry, and help us save a life that has devoted his to helping so many.  As a wise friend recently said…..Be There or Be a Jerk! Follow us on Twitter for more info and hope to see you there! – Moira Curran

Tags: Amyloidosis, benefit, Bourbon Street, Boxer, boxing, chicago, fundraiser, Ireland, Martin McGarry, Networking, raffle, south side, Terminal Disease, The Fight for Martin McGarry, Weekend

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

Chicago’s 43rd Annual Gay Pride Parade and More Fests and Fetes

Wigs, gaudy makeup, beads, crazy costumes and…don’t forget the rainbows. Chicago’s 43rd annual Gay Pride Parade is this Sunday at 12 pm!

Show your support for our city’s vibrant LGBT community by lining the streets for one of the most popular parades in the city (and country!). It’s always a crazy event with people cheering the procession and enjoying the show, culture, and reveling in our city’s dazzling diversity!

You know the routine by now- on Friday and Saturday thousands will gather along Halsted for the two day festival and then the weekend culminates with the world-famous Gay Pride Parade which brings out around 750,000 people!

Watch out! The parade is shaking things up this year with a new route that starts at Montrose Avenue and Broadway in Uptown and ends near the intersection of Diversey Parkway and Sheridan Road in Lincoln Park.

The parade will feature 200 entries including floats, decorated vehicles, performance groups, a marching band and walking contingents. The parade is flamboyant and expressive- everyone’s just there to cut loose, celebrate, and have a crazy-good time.

Whoever you are, this event is a chance to celebrate your own freedoms- it’s something all Americans can be proud of!

When the parade ends, that doesn’t mean the festivities will! Head to Boystown or Andersonville (actually anywhere near the parade you’ll find a house-party or bar) and play into the wee hours of the night!

Some of the Best Fetes and Fests for the Weekend:

Back Lot Bash

An outdoor live music and entertainment festival, highly anticipated for lesbians around the country

Berlin Nightclub

This bar is a must-see during Pride weekend. Friday features a live performance by Shuteye, Saturday hosts DJ Chester, Sunday is ‘90s night!

Minibar Brunch

Have brunch and drinks at Minibar on Halsted with prime viewing for the Pride Parade.

Charlie’s Chicago

Great for an after after-party. Weekend events include Cool Country on Saturday and Hot Dance Party on Sunday, drink specials available all weekend.

Roscoe’s Tavern

You can find live band karaoke, wet boxer contests, drag races, and Male Call on Sunday- perfect venue for Pride activities.

By: Lauren Neuschel

Tags: andersonville, Back Lot Bash, bars, Berlin Nightclub, bisexual, Boystown, Charlie’s Chicago, chicago, Chicago Pride Calendar, community, culture, Diversey Parkway, diversity, DJ Chester, events, festivals, floats, gay, Gay Pride Parade, Halsted, lesbian, LGBT, lincoln park, marching band, Minibar Brunch, parade, pride, Roscoe’s Tavern, route, Sheridan Road, transgender, uptown, Weekend, ‘90s