WEEKEND ROUNDUP

BETTE MIDLER NY RESTORATION BENEFIT

Chicago's very own Rick Bayless was tapped as the chef to prepare a sumptuous meal for about 900 guests at Bette Midler's NY Restoration benefit dinner. Chef Bayless tweeted:

The New York Restoration project established by Bette Midler in 1995 aims to help restore the landscape of the city parks in different boroughs within the NYC area. Congrats to Chef Bayless and his hardworking staff!

RANGE ROVER EVOQUE DRIVING EXPERIENCE CHICAGO

Land Rover North America hosted a driving experience this past weekend in Chicago. The South parking area at Soldier Field served as the rugged terrain. Don was my driving instructor and he was very knowledgeable. The Evoque, though not as large as most of the other SUV's in the Land Rover fleet, it does not skimp on the luxury feel. The leather seats fit the driver snug. The car is equipped with Meridian audio system and the navigation system which is integrated into the dashboard is very user friendly. The driving experience took us on Columbus and Lakeshore drive and even when we hit some of those potholes you couldn’t really feel it. I got to drive the 5 door prestige. After we left the road, I got to drive on the “off road” simulated area. To test the off road capabilities of the car, there was a large mound of gravel setup and the car went up and down the hill, It was so cool. You accelerated a little bit to go up hill and to go downhill I took my foot off the brakes and the car took over,  I was duly impressed! I think this car is a great fit for someone looking for a sleek but yet rugged car that can withhold all the elements and get you through the Chicago winter.  Fun fact: about 70% of the Evoque’s interior is made of recyclable material. I am a fan of the Land Rover brand and If I were in the market for a new car at this time I will highly consider the evoque especially with winter approaching and it gets 28 miles to a gallon, not bad huh!
Land Rover has held a reputation of producing luxurious and lasting Sport Utility Vehicles and the Evoque is a welcome addition to Land Rover family and the most fuel efficient with about 28 miles per gallon. The EVOQUE was recently named SUV of the YEAR by MotorTrend magazine.

photo: Timothy Hiatt for Getty Images

LYNNE BREDFELDT & COCO MEERS HOST EVENINGS IN VOGUE

Evening's hosts Coco Meers and Lynne Bredfeldt-Joffrey Auxiliary Board members

J. Lynne Bredfeldt-Park Hyatt Chicago's Dir. of Public Relations and Coco Meers-Joffrey Auxiliary Board chair hosted an Evenings in VOGUE at PUBLIC hotel. Evenings in VOGUE Chicago featured some of Chicago's best guys and gals about town who noshed and sipped while browsing items from: Essie nails, Sunday Riley Cosmetics, Qream Liqueur, Victorinox watches. This is an annual event hosted in major cities across the country, past hosts have included Marc Brooks, Whitney Lasky and Amy Tara Koch

Violinist Katarina Visnevska

OPRAH. RALPH LAUREN

Rickey Lauren, Ralph Lauren, Oprah Winfrey

On Monday October 24, Oprah Winfrey sat down for a retrospective interview with fashion designer Ralph Lauren. As someone who considers both these iconic figures mentors and inspirations in my head, this was big for both the fashion and philanthropy world. To have these two iconic figures in American culture history sit down for "An Evening with Ralph Lauren" brought out the heavy hitters in the fashion,media and philanthropic world. Audience members included: Wendy Deng Murdoch, Michael J Fox and Tracy Pollan, NBC's Brian Williams, Kerry Washington, Jonathan Groff,Bravo's Andy Cohen, Camilla Belle, Desiree Rogers, Glenda Bailey, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff to name a few.

The event raised in the ballpark of $7 million for both the Lincoln Center and the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention.

INVITE: WOODFORD RESERVE AND ESQUIRE MAGAZINE MANHATTAN EXPERIENCE

Woodford Reserve and Esquire magazine invites you to experience the finest mixologists in Chicago as they demonstrate why they are Master of the Manhattan. Join Woodford Reserve for the Chicago Manhattan Experience at Quay on Monday November 14, 2011 at 7pm

Quay: 465 East Illinois
            Chicago IL 60611
             

VICTORIA'S SECRET PINK PARTY AT UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign beat out several schools to win the Victoria Secret PINK Collegiate showdown. Model Chanel Iman and Elsa Hosk. Kid Cudi and Girl Talk performed for the 6,000 students.

31ST ANNUAL MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY COLUMBIAN BALL

The 31st Annual Columbian Ball gala at the Musuem of Science and Industry celebrated today’s leading inventors. Nearly 800 guests were received by Gala co-chairs: Jackie and Glenn Tilton, Dianna Strassman and Jeff Smisek, Pat and David Mosena. Guests in attendance were the who’s who and civic leaders of Chicago including: Honorary Chair for the ball Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Julie and Jeremy Unruh, David and Susan Axelrod, Linda Johnson Rice, Desiree Rogers, Neal Zucker, Bill Kurtis, Donna La Pietra, Alison and Dean Chung and many more. Mr. Mosena, who made a short speech before dinner was served, noted that the Science Rediscovered campaign raised almost $209 million surpassing their goal of $205 million. Inventors recognized that evening included Chef Homaro Cantu of Moto whose creative inventions inspired the nights menu(the “cuban cigar ashtray” was inspired by Larry’s apartment from Three’s Company) Dickson Despommier of Vertical Farm Project and Marques McCammon & Paul Wilbur of Aptera Motors. Guests started off the evening with a cocktail reception in the Rotunda while viewing the Fast Forward…Inventing the Future exhibit.

When Mayor Emanuel walked in there was a bit of commotion around him with people wanting to shake his hand or get a picture. I must say he moves through a crowd faster than the golden snitch in a quidditch game. There was no awkwardness between Desiree Rogers and David Axelrod, with Ms. Rogers assuring him she was calling him within the week for lunch but who was the young man that was her date?

Sponsors for the evening included: Presenting sponsor- JP Morgan Chase & Co, United Airlines. Allstate, Citadel Foundation, Tiffany & Co. Exelon, Northern Trust, Abbott, Crown Family + many others

Décor by Heffernen Morgan Ronsley really complimented the events theme. Food was provided by Jewell Catering. AV Sound and lighting by FROST Chicago.

Fun night!

 John and Connie Jaeger Jane and Dave Johnson

 Ed and Karen Sugay, Lynn and Steve Collins 

 BEST DRESS OF THE NIGHT!!

CARNEGIE MEDAL OF PHILANTHROPY

Thomas Pritzker, Cindy Pritzker, former Chicago Mayor Richard Daley

The Andrew Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy is awarded to one or more individual, every two years, who dedicate their private wealth to public good and sustained careers as philanthropists. Chicago is excited to have two recipients from notable families as recipients of the award this year. The Crown Family and Pritzker Family.
The Carnegie Award was established in December 2010 by 20 of the institutions Andrew Carnegie established worldwide.
Mr. Carnegie is an example to many wealthy philanthropists today who dedicate part of their lives to giving back.
I find this very refreshing amidst news of corporate greed and occupy(insert city name), there are people  who share their wealth. The crown and Pritzker family have a long history of donating money to different causes in Chicago and I hope they continue and more people should see them as an example making a difference and spreading their wealth.

The other winners were: The Danforth Family, Fiona and Stanley Druckenmiller, Fred Kavli, Evelyn and Leonard Lauder, Jo Carole and Ronald Lauder, Li Ka-Shing, Pierre and Pamela Omidyar and The PEW Charitable Trust. Past recipients have included: Brooke Astor, NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Heinz Family, Ted Turner, Gates Family.

MICHIGAN AVENUE MAGAZINE FETES COMMON

Common with his Mum Dr. Mahalia Ann Hines

Common was the man of the moment this October in Chicago, first a party sponsored by Moët to celebrate his book "One Day It'll All Make Sense" now a cover party hosted by Michigan Avenue Magazine and Belvedere Vodka at the new Ian Schrager PUBLIC Hotel. Guests enjoyed signature cocktails made with Belvedere vodka and noshed on apps from the pump room kitched headed by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

IAN SCHRAGER'S PUBLIC CHICAGO OPENS

Ian Schrager's first Chicago hotel venture PUBLIC finally opened to the public(ha!) yesterday. There was a swanky party held that night with some of Chicago's finest. Zoe Saldana, Billy Zane, Chicago Bears Israel Idonije and BlackHawks players were in attendance

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ELYSIAN HOTEL CHICAGO

The Elysian Hotel was named Conde Nast Traveler's 2011 ;Reader's Choice Top Hotel(#7 overall) in the United States. The event was held at the Edison Ballroom in New York City. Christine Baranski and Chris Noth of The Good Wife were the host for the evening. If you've never been to the Elysian, its a must! If not to spend the night in their luxurious hotel suites, grab a drink at Bernard's bar, a dinner date at Balsan or Ria or the Spa at The Elysian, you can marvel at the elegant foyer. The best compliment came from designer Prabal Gurung over the Summer when he stayed at the hotel during the 10th year anniversary festivities for Ikram. The Peninsula Hotel Chicago  was rated number 3, Park Hyatt Chicago was rated 11 top hotel in the United States. Congratulations to all the hardworking staff that work behind the scenes to help their guests have memorable experiences.

Gretchen Mol, Angela Basset, Padma Lakshmi 

Stephen Colbert, Christine Baranski, Chris Noth

From Conde Nast:

These awards reflect the combined opinions of 28,876 Condé Nast Traveler readers rating the cities, islands, and hotels they visited in the past year, and the airlines and cruise ships they traveled with. For its range and depth, the Readers' Choice Awards are a unique and trusted source of advice globally, and that is thanks to America's most discerning and demanding travelers—you

Stephen Colbert presented the city of Charleston, NC Top City award

ELIE SAAB SP/S 2012

The cuts might be more forgiving, as the designer eased up his usually formfitting silhouette, but the colors were some of the most vivid the designer has ever used: canary yellow, Yves Klein blue, apricot and emerald green. And they would all look great on someone as sartorially daring as Princess Beatrice, who was sitting front row in a fire engine red dress that set off her flaming red hair. -NY Times

CHICAGO FILM FESTIVAL OPENING NIGHT

"The Last Rites of Joe May" Actor Joe Dennis Farina

About the movie: 

The latest creation from two giant Chicago institutions: Dennis Farina and the Steppenwolf Theater Company. Farina (Get Shorty, Out of Sight, Law and Order) gives the finest performance of his career as an aging hustler whose way of life is at a crossroads in this film shot in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood. Written and directed by Festival veteran Joe Maggio and featuring members of the Steppenwolf ensemble, The Last Rites of Joe May is a prime example of the vitality of Chicago filmmaking.

The Chicago Film festival runs from October 6-20 details about this and other showing sat: http://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/

More pictures----->>>

STARZ "BOSS" PREMIERE

Emmy award winning actor Kelsey Grammer with new wife Kayte

 Rotimi Akinosho

"Boss" The new Series from Starz network which was filmed here in Chicago at the CineSpace studios in Pilsen held it's premiere last night. The show was created by Farhad Safinia and directed by the amazing Gus Van Sant.

We are really looking forward to this series in which Kelsey Grammer plays fictional Chicago Mayor Tom Kane. Connie Nielsen plays his wife in the series, Rotimi plays Darius. The other actors in the series are: Kathleen Robertson, Hannah Ware, Jeff Hephner, Martin Donovan, Francis Guinan, Rotimi Akinosho, Troy Garity

Congrats to Northwestern University Alum and up and coming singer Rotimi on being cast in this series which has been picked up for a second season. Make sure to catch Boss when it premieres October 21.

FIRST CHICAGO BEACH POLO RECAP

Trump Players:  Unekeu Atwodi

The First Chicago Beach Polo event galluped(ha!) into Chicago this past weekend and I must say It was a spectacular weekend. They kicked it off with a press and VIP party at Crimson Lounge at the Sax Hotel Friday night and culminated with a grand celebratory bash Sunday. Big thank you and great job to the team of Stephanie Krol at SK PR Media and Rebecca Sussman of Bettie Bomb PR, James Feeley and the Grey Goose crew, The Gascon reps and the crew attending to the polo players, horses and guests. Everyone came out to support this event that I am sure will be on our social calendar for next year. Guests in attendance included: Raymond and Leslie Kondziela(COO of Ivanhoe Club), Trevian Kuti, Candace and Chuck Jordan, Ryan Pruett, Audarshia Townsend, Demeko Taylor, Cameron Croft, Cori Mcfadden of Shop E-Dropff, Dan Uslan of Michigan Avenue Mag, Toni Canada, John Carroll of Modern Luxury, Brandon Carrone,
Sponsors for the event included: Grey Goose, Lufthansa Private Jet, Union Sushi Bar, Gascón Argentina wines, La Martina, ACT Productions, Amstel Light, J W Marriot Hotels, Gilt City, Michigan Avenue Magazine, Equinox Fitness, Titan Commercial, Trump Hotel & Residences, Fogo De Chao

PARIS FASHION WEEK POST #2

Dw by Kanye West-debut collection

1ST ANNUAL CHIPOTLE CULTIVATE CHICAGO

Chef Jonathan Waxman-Barbuto

 Chef Richard Blais-Bravo "Top Chef Allstar's" winner

The first Annual Chipotle Cultivate Festival was held in Lincoln Park this past Saturday. The free festival brought together locally sourced food, farmers, musicians, chefs and thought Leaders. Chefs such as Spaiggia's Tony Mantuano, Michael Chiarello, Paul Virant and Paul Kahan held demonstrations for festival goers. Music by Rival Alberta Advantage, Calexico, White Rabbits and Mayer Hawthorne & the County, entertained guests. Proceeds from the festival benefits FamilyFarmed.org, a Chicago organization dedicated to the production of locally grown food.