03/31/08

15 Minutes With ... Plain White T's frontman Tom Higgenson

At this point, the story behind the Chicago band Plain White T's 2007 breakout song "Hey There Delilah" is the stuff of local legend. I sat down with frontman Tom Higgenson—who was playing a mini acoustic set Friday night at a launch party for 24/7 Chicago, NBC-5's new local entertainment show hosted by Catie Keogh, Jamie Blyth (of The Bachelorette, circa Jen Schefft), and Billy Dec—to get the real dirt on...

Posted at 03:29 PM in Nightlife | Permalink | Comments (2)

03/27/08

The Proposal

The Background
I've never pictured myself the typical bride. If and when I fantasized about the Big Day, I envisioned a kick-ass party with my family and friends—at a Vegas hotel, to be totally honest—but never was I wearing a pouffy white dress, and my hair definitely wasn't curled into ringlets. The groom was a faceless man, about six feet tall, and built like Clooney (who, in reality, is considerably shorter—hey, it's a fantasy). And I was walking down the aisle toward the rabbi to the tune of "Fool in the Rain" by Led Zeppelin.

Without too much psychoanalysis, let's just say I've always wanted the unattainable...

Posted at 01:14 PM in Relationships | Permalink | Comments (19)

03/25/08

Hoops and—spoiler alert!—Rings: Where to Watch March Madness

The Fiancé (yes, we made it official last Friday; check back Thursday for a full report) forced me to fill out an NCAA tournament bracket over dinner last week. All I knew was to err on the side of loyalty and pick my alma mater, KU, to win the Big Dance—but I know plenty about bars. In preparation for the Sweet 16, I've rounded up a list of top-notch NCAA-watching spots: watering holes associated with schools still in the hunt for this year's national championship. Because no one likes to cheer—or jeer—alone...

Posted at 05:47 PM in Nightlife | Permalink | Comments (2)

03/24/08

Tune In Tomorrow

The thrill of victory! The agony of defeat! The anticipation of a frosty pint! Tune in tomorrow, when LGS picks the best spots to catch NCAA action.

Posted at 09:04 PM in Nightlife | Permalink | Comments (1)

03/20/08

Celebrity Beat: Top Chef’s Padma Lakshmi, John Legend, and more

Forget Taste of Chicago.

Common Threads—the charity cofounded by Oprah toque and Table Fifty-Two honcho Art Smith that teaches kids about nutrition and healthy cooking—held its third annual World Festival Monday night at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

The scene was sort of like an all-star episode of Top Chef: Local bigwigs including David Burke (David Burke's Primehouse) and Gale Gand (Tru) handed out haute-cuisine samples while schmoozing with...

Posted at 04:12 PM in Nightlife | Permalink | Comments (4)

03/17/08

Back on Thursday

LGS is returning from a weekend of bonding with The Boyfriend’s parents; check back Thursday for her report on John Legend and all things glitzy at Art Smith’s World Festival.

Posted at 01:15 PM in Relationships | Permalink | Comments (0)

03/13/08

Forget Green Beer. Think Green Bikinis.

St. Patrick's Day officially kicked off last Sunday with the South Side Irish Parade. For those who missed it—a full week-plus before the actual holiday—there are still plenty of options for the Irish in each of us. Seems like every bar in Chicago, Irish accent (Mystic Celt) or no (Grand Central), has something going on. Whether you're...

Posted at 05:29 PM in Nightlife | Permalink | Comments (0)

03/10/08

Lolla Alert

Thursday night I got the opportunity to chat up former Jane's Addiction frontman and Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell. Farrell was in town promoting Galapalooza, an annual fundraiser held the night before Lolla (this year, it's July 31st; tickets are $350) benefiting Chicago Park District partner the Parkways Foundation. This year's Galapalooza is expected to draw about 1,000 people, mostly VIP Lolla attendees. And yes, Farrell will be there, too...

Posted at 02:38 PM in Nightlife | Permalink | Comments (2)

03/06/08

Schwimmerpalooza

Couldn't get tickets to The Black Crowes' sold-out concert tomorrow at Park West? (I'm right there with you—but still hopeful.) Never fear: There are plenty of other nightlife options this weekend—not the least of which is getting up-close and personal with Friend-turned-director David Schwimmer (try to contain your excitement). Get choice nightlife tidbits below, and keep reading for celeb and new bar news...

Posted at 04:08 PM in Nightlife | Permalink | Comments (1)

03/03/08

15 Minutes with ... The White Tie Affair

Move over, Fall Out Boy. The White Tie Affair, which bears a striking sonic resemblance to Pete Wentz and Co., is the latest boy band to come out of Chicago. The group, which signed with Epic Records a year ago, has been touring in support of its upcoming album, Get in Where You Fit In, out this April (check out the band's new double video for the singles "Allow Me to Introduce Myself ... Mr. Right" and "Candle (Sick and Tired)" on ngtv.com). The guys...

Posted at 04:15 PM in Nightlife | Permalink | Comments (12)