Perry Farrell at Galapalooza 2007
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.
Thursday the 6th: Bet you didn’t know Lollapalooza founder Perry Ferrell is in town tonight. He’s hosting an event for Parkways Foundation, whose big bash of the year, Galapalooza, takes place the Thursday before Lollapalooza, on July 31st. The 6 p.m. event at the James Hotel is open to individuals and organizations interested in supporting Parkways. Attend the event or e-mail Brenda Palm, bpalm@parkways.org, if you’d like to get involved—with Parkways, not Perry.
And if you go, stick around. Later in the evening, DJ Jesse De La Pena spins with live percussion next door, at J Bar. There’s a complimentary Veuve Clicquot tasting from 9 to 10 p.m. and Stoli Elit specials all night ($5 cocktails, $150 bottles). RSVP for bottle service: andy@jameshotels.com.
Friday the 7th: Watch me on NBC 5’s “In the Loop with iVillage” at 11 a.m. I’ll be discussing the dos and don’ts of dating, dispensing advice on everything from sex to drinking. Agree or disagree with anything I say on the show? Post comments below.
Saturday the 8th: Run Fat Boy Run, directed by David Schwimmer, premières at the AMC Loews 600 North Michigan (600 N. Michigan Ave.), with an afterparty and Q&A with Schwimmer at—you guessed it—pal Billy Dec’s Rockit Bar and Grill. Both the screening and the afterparty are open to the public, with limited availability; RSVP to vip@rockitranch.com. The party runs from 9 to 10 p.m., after which doors open to the rest of the public (i.e., those not on the list). Knowing Schwimmer, he’ll be hanging out by the pool tables all night.
Also Saturday, the former Black Crowes (and Train and Supernova) bassist Johnny Colt spins a 10:30 p.m. set at Relax Lounge—not a bad consolation prize for those without Crowes tickets. Colt hosts a meet and greet at 9 p.m.; I hung out with him last year at a benefit for the Chicago Music Commission at Relax, and he’s a blast.
And if you’re a fan of Diddy’s “Making the Band” on MTV, you’ll want to stop by Enclave for a live performance by Danity Kane. The girl group is scheduled to perform the single “Damaged” from upcoming album Welcome to the Dollhouse. Cover is approximately $10 to $20.
Celebrity Beat: The Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling R&B singer Eric Benét—aka Halle Berry’s ex—was seen last Saturday at Rednofive drinking Champagne. Anybody else spot him?
Club Alert: River North’s Spy Bar (646 N. Franklin St.) is slated to reopen in late April following a $1 million renovation. Maybe this comment from a club rep means something to the diehard DJ lovers out there: “We will be the only nightclub in the Midwest to have a Dynacord Alpha-concept sound system.”
Photograph: Matt Tepplinger