Burger Fest!

 
Hungry Z, NBCChicago Street Team

In 1885 at the Buffalo Fair in Hamburg, New York, brothers Frank and Charles Menches ran out of sausage for their regular sandwich. When a local butcher couldn’t serve up replacement sausage, the brothers instead accepted ground beef and thus the hamburger was born. Today the hamburger is the most popular sandwich in America.

Led by executive chef Sean O’Brien, the folks at Timothy O’Tooles have come up with seven specialty burgers for their upcoming Burger Fest. While most folks will sample one at a time, teenagers and those who still have teenage appetites can attempt to try them all! From traditional to slightly exotic, there is a burger for everyone at Burger Fest.

Photo by Nicole V.

So let’s break down each one of these ½ lb beauties and their unique characteristics. Leading off is the Buffalo Burger, topped with traditional mild buffalo sauce and creamy melted bleu cheese. Chef O’Brien is from Kansas City, so it’s only fitting that he created the Kansas City BBQ Burger. Similar to pulled pork, this burger is topped with sweet barbeque sauce, sweet coleslaw, and some cheddar cheese for good measure. Mouth watering yet?

Feeling a little fancy? The Bistro Burger features sweet caramelized onions, creamy brie cheese, and smoky bacon. Surfer dude’s will enjoy the Big Kahuna Burgers slice of pineapple and sweet teriyaki glaze, it’s like a splash of sunshine in you mouth. Traditionalists will find comfort in the All American Burger, with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and special sauce (sound familiar?).

Photo by Nicole V.

Better loosen your belt because there’s more! The Gourmet Burger is the perfect burger for those wanting to end a bad date early. Creamy Boursin cheese, roasted red peppers, Dijon aioli, and enough roasted garlic to send your date packing! How about something a bit exotic? The Bahn-Mi Burger is topped with a Korean/Vietnamese slaw that includes cucumbers and red onions and then topped with wasabi aioli for a little kick!

Photo by Nicole V.

Burger Fest is running from August 1^st – 8^th, and is available at the Gurnee location only. Burgers run about $9-10 for each of these special editions. So grab your loose sweat pants, your old teenage appetite, and check out Burger Fest fore some truly memorable burgers. Fore more info check out www.timothyotooles.com.

* Wanna see more burger pics? Check out http://www.hungryz.com/timothyotooles.html

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Some BBQ With Your Brew

Marcus Riley, NBC Chicago Street Team

Is there anything that says summer more than a backyard barbecue? But if you don’t want to go through the process of coals, lighter fluid and the cleanup afterward, let John Barleycorn do the work for you.

The Lincoln Park location is hosting a BBQ bash every Thursday night from 5 – 10 p.m. (weather permitting) through early October.

Click here to read the rest of this post on NBCChicago.com.

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Countdown To GALApalooza

Rebecca Taras, NBC Chicago Street Team

Whether or not you’re a music junkie, the opportunity to see Grant Park transformed into a playground for party-goers is entertainment in itself. The third annual GALApalooza event is only one week away, giving guests an exclusive sneak preview of the Lollapalooza event grounds in a VIP fashion.

Outdoor lounge seating, cocktails and creative nibbles – you just might forget there’s actually a concert to watch. Lollapalooza artist Vampire Weekend and Chicago sensation Hey Champ will take the stage, in addition to performances by Park District Kids and DJ White Shadow.

Friends coming in to town for the music filled extravaganza? The James Hotel is offering a special overnight package on August 6 which includes two general admission tickets to GALApalooza, overnight accommodations in a king guestroom, and valet parking at The James. Rates start at $579. For more info or to book a room, visit www.jameshotels.com.

GALApalooza takes place on Thursday August 6th at 6 p.m. at the Petrillo Band Shell in Grant Park. Lounge experiences are available at the $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000 level and single tickets are available for $150. For more information or to make reservations, call Alison Krzys, Director of Communications for Parkways Foundation at 312.742.4807 or visit www.parkways.org.

Since 2005, Lollapalooza and GALApalooza have raised over $4 million dollars for Parkways, which directly impacted Chicago’s neighborhood parks.

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More Guys, More Fun

Lindsay Saewitz, NBC Chicago Street Team

Five Guys at Clark and Fullerton opened to the public this past Monday, July 27th and it wasn’t long before the crowds were wrapped around stacks of peanut bags waiting to get their first taste of this East Coast classic.

Don't be fooled by two patties - this is just The Hamburger

The first thing that Five Guys newcomers should know is that the “Hamburger” is actually a double burger and the “Little Hamburger” is actually a regular-sized hamburger, not a slider. Also, you can add toppings at no additional cost, so you might as well go all out! The order process is a little frantic so it’s best to know what you want before you get up to the cash register.

While you wait for your food, you can sit back and relax with a basket of free peanuts and watch the cooks grilling your food fresh or the Lincoln Park Scene- your choice. The burgers come wrapped in foil and the fresh-cut fries- choose regular or Cajun- come stuffed in a Styrofoam cup overflowing into a paper bag. It’s glorious. The fries were pretty great

Fresh-cut Fries

although some thought they were way too salty. The burgers were greasy and delicious, as expected.

The best part about Five Guys is that it’s open ’til 2am on the weekends, and it’s one large space ready and waiting for a party. No other late night restaurant comes to mind where you can get a giant burger and are free to frolic instead of being confined to a particular table or stuffed into a closet-sized space. Five Guys just might be the after-party that Lincoln Park’s been waiting for.

Still hungry after 2? Cross the street to Sarks and get your Loretta nightcap.

Crowd at Five Guys

Five Guys
2368 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60614
773-883-8930

http://www.fiveguys.com/home.aspx

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Mark Buerhle Breaks MLB Record- Retires 45 Straight!

Paul M. Banks a.k.a. The Sports Bank, NBC Chicago Street Team

Mark Buerhle is not done yet. Following a perfect game last Thursday afternoon over the Tampa Bay Rays, supplementing his no-hitter he threw two years ago against Texas no less, Buerhle pitched a “perfect game” for the first 5 2/3 innings of his next start. In doing so, he broke a Major League Baseball record by retiring 45 straight batters.

The old record of 41 consecutive batters retired was held by two men. One is a teammate: currently embattled closer Bobby Jenks in 2007; the second was Jim Parr of the 1972 San Francisco Giants. When Jenks tied the record in ’07, it was one of the most under-publicized records in baseball history. Only the seamheads and most die hard of Sox die-hards celebrated it. This was partially due to the fact that the Sox were practically eliminated from playoff contention by Memorial Day that season. This time, however the lights will shine brighter. Buerhle’s feat comes the night after he appeared on David Letterman to deliver a Top Ten list in his honor (in case you missed it, here’s the vid ).

This accomplishment comes in the thick of a pennant race, at the stadium of the Sox most hated rival, the Minnesota Twins, who are right there with them in the standings. Despite the Twins being to the Sox what the Giants are to the Dodgers, or what the Yankees are to the Red Sox, the Twins fans gave Buerhle a standing ovation twice: when he broke the record and also when upon exiting the game. Sure, the wheels came off after Buerhle’s re-Mark-able streak ended, as the Twins took the lead the next inning. And then the Sox bullpen pitched like a bunch of bushers making things even worse. However, the Twins fans appreciating Buerhle’s record as much as us Sox fans do was 1.) very classy 2.) shows they like baseball in general as much as they like their team.

See more of Paul M. Banks’ work at the Washington Times, Walter Football.com and The Sports Bank

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Adam Burish Knows all About Hockey Groupies

Paul M. Banks a.k.a. The Sports Bank, NBC Chicago Street Team

Current Chicago Blackhawks right wing Adam Burish was recently named the 26th most eligible single by Chicago magazine. The former Wisconsin Badger (and my Facebook friend) showed off his bachelor pad, complete with upscale wine fridge, for local NBC cameras recently and also talked about groupies at the second annual Hawks Fan Convention in Chicago last weekend.

Of all the panel discussions I heard on Sunday July 19th, the second most memorable moment (the first being the announcement that Chicago will wear their black Winter Classic jerseys as their official third sweater next season) was Burish being asked “What do you do when a fan approaches you and tries to make out with you?” Burish half-jokingly responded, “What does she look like?”

In the segment entitled “Chicago’s Most Wanted,” Burish was joined by Brian Campbell, Patrick Sharp, Tony Amonte and Steve Larmer to converse about being a celebrity in a sports-obsessed town. To further validate the point of this exercise, the Continental Ballroom packed in a standing room only crowd to hear this topic. When asked about groupies Burish said at the beginning of his response “Is this G, PG, PG-13, Is this X? You need to direct me where to go.” The panel host, WGN’s Steve Cochran, responded “Given the high amount of 11-year olds and Grandmothers here, let’s go with PG for now.”

“There’s some crazy female fans, you see them when you’re on the road, but I have to give some of these girls some credit, because they know what time you’re getting in. I don’t know what time practice is half the time, but they know. They know what time I’m getting in, they know where practice is. They know things about my Mom, my sister that I don’t even know. But whatever, it’s cool, it’s funny. These girls aren’t doing any harm, they’re not disrespecting anybody. Except for the ones that are knocking down your door at 4 in the morning,” Burish said regarding the stalkers and drunken groupies of the hockey world.

When Brian “Soupy” Campbell was asked the same question about drunken groupies, he did what anyone who has been properly advised by a PR professional would do- deflect the conversation completely away from anything remotely provocative and interesting, and instead re-frame the conversation in a manner family-friendly enough for Disney. “The practice rink got pretty crazy at times this year, trying to get from the rink to your car. I just don’t like it when the big guy pushes the kid out of the way, because you always try to get to the kids first- they’re important that way,” Soupy said. His statement, which utterly ignored the question at hand, was met with thunderous applause.

See more of Paul M. Banks’ work at the Washington Times, Walter Football.com and The Sports Bank

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Short Stories

Tom Kolovos, NBC Chicago Street Team

Let’s say you’re a guy who knows that cargo shorts suffered a timely death at least 2 seasons ago but that you’re also on a budget this summer just when you need a few new pairs of shorts  now.  What should you look for and where?

Look for shorts in bold solids or patterns that end somewhere above your knee and taper from the mid thigh to the hem. If you’re looking for a bargain right now, head to Club Monaco and ask for their “Broderick” short. All patterns are on sale for $29.  The short comes in a  good array of checks, plaids and bold graphics.

A client who took my advice last week wrote in an email: “Just wanted to say thank you for the tip on the shorts at Club Monaco.  I went there on Sunday after the gym and immediately found 3 pair I liked.  One was in my size and the salesperson was able to find the other 2 in other stores.  Very cute, shapely, stylish and perfect for the streets!  All for less than $100, so a great deal overall!”

My personal favorites are the “Dk Blue Mix/Blue Fonce” which is essentially a teal diamond patterned print and the “Black Pattern” which looks like black lattice on a white background. Both of them have a very  crisp retro feel and look great with a white shirt or t shirt. (I would prefer that they ran a bit leaner through the thigh, but let’s not quibble about it for $29 bucks……)

Oh, and instead of wearing your  shorts with flip flops, run over to Aldo, buy yourself the terry cloth shoe inserts, insert them in a pair of dress loafers  and……  long story short, you will look  perfectly hot.

TheBestDressedList.com

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Is Graham Going Crackers?

Marcus Riley, NBC Chicago Street Team

It’d be a bit of an understatement to say that superstar chef Graham Elliot Bowles marches to the beat of his own drummer.

The creative mind behind
graham elliot restaurant certainly raised eyebrows — or caused some eyes to hurriedly close — when he dropped “trou” in a viral video last month.

But last night he took eccentric to a whole new level when he did a guest bartending gig at Pops for Champagne in a Chippendales outfit — complete with too short shorts.

Click here for the revealing pics and the rest of the story on NBCChicago.com.

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The Man From Neverland

Itika Oldwine, NBC Chicago Street Team

Tonight, the recently departed King of Pop is being honored at Chicago’s Harold Washington Cultural Center in a live tribute called “The Man From Neverland.”

The Man From Neverland

The tribute, produced by J’Ira Productions, is a live historical musical documentary that will honor the true artistry of Michael Jackson. The show will feature performances by spoken word artists J. Ivy and G.O.O.D. music’s Malik Yusef, performances by the Andrea Kelly Dance Company and the Michael Jackson Tribute Choir featuring Shari Addison of B.E.T.’s “Sundays Best.”

Several influential community leaders including Jackie Taylor and Jimmy Tilman will be in attendance, and the event will be hosted by radio personality Seandale of Power 92. According to the show’s organizer Ira Antrelis, J’Ira Productions, “hopes that tonight’s tribute is the best show to honor who Michael really was.” I think the gloved one would be proud.

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Luxbar to Debut LuxLounge

Marcus Riley, NBC Chicago Street Team

It’s an area affectionately known as the Viagra Triangle, but now there’s a new reason to visit the area near Rush Street and Bellvue Place — aside from ogling the silicone babes and the men who lust after them.

Luxbar (18 E Bellevue Place), one of our favorite Gold Coast spots to grab a bite and do some people watching, will unveil the LuxLounge on Saturday.

The lounge will be open from 10 p.m. – 2 a.m., and features in-house all-female DJs.

Click here to read the rest of this post on NBCChicago.com.

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Warning: Cheap Martini Alert

Theresa Carter, The Local Tourist, NBC Chicago Street Team

You can probably tell by my picture that I enjoy a martini or two. Tonight, and every Monday night, Tizi Melloul offers a great selection of martinis for only three dollars. You can’t even buy a jar of olives for three dollars. Because cocktails that cheap are a sure recipe for disaster without food, they also offer tapas for three to five dollars. I think I’ve found a new Monday night spot.

Here’s what you can get:

Martinis

• Moroccan Martini: rum, creme de cassis, pineapple juice
• Melon Martini: melon liqueur, vodka, pineapple juice
• Peach Fez: vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, cranberry juice
• Mint Ice Cream: kahlua, irish cream liqueur, creme de menthe
• Classic: vodka, olive juice, dry vermouth

Tapas

• black pepper mac & cheese, $4
• kefta meatballs, yogurt sauce, $4
• bacon wrapped dates, lavender-honey sauce, $5
• goat cheese stuffed peppers, herb cracker bread, $5
• pommes frittes, roasted garlic and shallot aioli, harissa ketchup, $3

Tizi Melloul, 531 N Wells St

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Thriller Zombie Walk

Janelle Rominski, NBC Chicago Street Team

Yesterday marked one month since the passing of Michael Jackson and the beginning of the Michael Jackson Thriller Zombie Walk in Wicker Park.

The Horror Society and Custom Vibes hosted this event where approximately 1,000 people joined together and dressed-up in zombie attire to honor the “King of Pop”.

The night began with a social hour where everyone was mingling in the center of Wicker Park; Michael Jackson’s tunes were playing, zombies were dancing, photos were being taken, makeup was being applied, edible fake blood was being sold and non-zombie onlookers gazed with amusement and confusion.

Once the zombies were gathered together they all walked and danced together, with traveling boomboxes, throughout the streets surrounding the park.

The Zombie Walk concluded with everyone walking through the Wicker Park Fest grounds where all the zombies danced to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”.

After the walk, zombies were treated to their choices of two after parties held at the Debonair Social Club or the Members Only AV Loft.

For more photos of the Michael Jackson Thriller Zombie Walk, click HERE.

Want more Rominski reads? Read more right HERE!

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Commit to the Indian Head in the Locker Room

Paul M. Banks a.k.a. The Sports Bank, NBC Chicago Street Team

During the past year of covering the Chicago Blackhawks, I’ve discussed one distinctive, but vastly underreported ritual that takes place inside the Blackhawks’ locker room. On that carpeted floor is a beautiful, large Indian head logo; and if any one steps on it, a curse or pox shall come upon them! One day, I did my best to avoid stepping on it while also trying to navigate a media throng, and since I have the gracefulness of Clark W. Griswold, I nearly fell on my face. A locker room usher observed, didn’t care about my almost falling, and simply said “You almost stepped on it there.” I once saw a camera man step on it, prompting a couple reporters to shout “DEATH.”

At the 2009 Hawks Convention at Chicago’s Hilton towers, this tradition was discussed at the breakout session entitled “Inside the Locker Room.”

“We play for that Indian head, we work for that Indian head. And Savvy put it best: you commit to the Indian- maybe I shouldn’t say that, he got in trouble for that. That’s what we do every day trainers, Troy {Murray, Hawks television commentator} up in the booth, I’m sure you’ve heard Troy get pretty passionate up there. I know I have, but you stay off it, it’s just respect that goes with anything.

As far as superstition, everyone has their little things…But as far as big things, know to stay off the Indian head and you’ll be alright,” said Blackhawks Equipment Manager Troy Parchman. He was joined by Blackhawks players Ben Eager, Aaron Johnson, and Niklas Hjarmmson in a session moderated by Murray. Also a part of the panel was Equipment assistant Clinton Reif.

“This year, in the playoffs especially, when things got crowded in there they had to do something a little bit special because everyone who was around the team on a regular basis knows that you don’t step on that Indian,” Reif said. And that something special included putting up tensa-barriers on the floor surrounding the logo when the Hawks advanced further along in the playoffs, and more media showed up in each round of the postseason. Just typing about stepping on it reminds me of “Ghostbusters,” when they were told just “crossing the streams,” will make something catastrophic occur.

“The players take that very seriously. When a reporter would be in there, they would get it pretty good if someone walked across it. I wouldn’t say it was a lack of respect by those people, they just didn’t know. A lot of other teams in the league have that in their carpet, and I can’t tell of one that feels free to walk across it. I’m pretty sure that everyone does the same thing: you just stay off the logo,” Parchman reiterated.

 

See more of Paul M. Banks’ work at the Washington Times, Walter Football.com and The Sports Bank

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Word on the Street — Summer Lovin’

Marcus Riley, NBC Chicago Street Team

Watch the weekly “Word On The Street” segment on 24/7 Chicago: Secrets of the City,” at 12:35 a.m. Saturday nights.

Sure the weather hasn’t exactly been stellar, but you can’t let the summer go by without hitting a Chicago beach. Whether you actually want to go in the water is debatable, but if you hit North Avenue Beach, there’s more than enough eye candy to keep you occupied. That’s what the Street Team did recently for the latest edition of Word on the Street:

• It wouldn’t be summer in the city if you didn’t experience some outdoor music. Why not do it for free? The Grant Park Music Festival is celebrating it’s 75th season this year. Check out a variety of musical styles at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millenium Park. Performances are every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday through August.
• It also wouldn’t be a Chicago summer if you didn’t check out a farmer’s market. There’s plenty to choose from all over the city, but did you know the Museum of Science and Industry also hosts one? It takes place every first and third Friday of the month through October, and includes free admission to the museum. Look out for special demonstrations and big name chefs in the house.
• Sure the economy is in the dumps, but that doesn’t seem to stop new restaurants from opening up all over the city. One of our favorite newscomers is Salute Wine Bar in the Gold Coast. Be sure to check out “Casa De Vino,” their new monthly event where you can try four Italian wines paired with different cheeses for only 15 bucks. You get some great food and drinks, plus, you get to learn a little something.

One of the best ways to get on the beach is by participating in one of Chicago Sport and Social Club’s sports leagues. The group is celebrating its 25th anniversary in the city, and despite the leagues, they offer a number of cool outings to places like Cubs games or the horse track. Check out www.chicagosocial.com for more information.

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Chicago is music town

Ben Soldinger, NBC Chicago Street Team

I just got off the phone with Warren DeMartini, lead guitar – RATT. He is performing at the House of Blues tonight with his RATT mates with support from the band Extreme. Showtime is 9:00. We were discussing what to do after the show. There is the chance that I’ll be able to lead Warren and some others to Kingston Mines to see Chicago’s very own Vance ‘Guitar’ Kelly. I really want to see these two guitar wizards meet. Perhaps, as Vance Kelly often does, there may be a guitar duel late night in Lincoln Park? The only thing I’m promising is that Vance Kelly and the Backstreet Blues band will be headlining Kingston Mines both tonight and tomorrow night. No other city other than New York can offer this type of variety and excitement for an evening. My Home Town!

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Now Introducing…

Adrienne Irmer, NBC Chicago Street Team

Just past the border from Bronzeville into the South Loop lies a hidden treasure, unknown to your average South Loopian.  Across the street from the old Cotton Club, at 2239 South Michigan Avenue is one of the most sought after Chicago recording venues, Pressure Point Studios.  The tinted front glass, probably illegal on any vehicle, hides, just enough, the reception area of this decadently designed, three floor, 12,000 square foot music making factory.

It was 10 pm when the door was opened to myself and a group of about seven other industry personalities for a behind the scenes tour of this oh-so-plush establishment.  The Indian/Moroccan inspired motif sets the mood as soon as you walk through the door. Through this visual, coupled with the immaculate lighting design and state-of-the-art sound boards, you are thrust into your creative frame of mind at warp-speed, which is probably why big name talents flock to Pressure Point in droves to experience the ultimate music sculpting experience. Even I, who some may jokingly call tone-deaf, rocked out a few (very few) notes where Mariah Carey and Beyonce have belted out much more on-key tunes.

So why, you ask, was I there? Well, my dear, dear readers I am here to tell you that, very soon, Pressure Point will be opening it’s doors to the public for, quite possibly, some of the best parties the South Loop will ever see. Having been invited to many private, invite only, soirees at Pressure Point, I am elated to share the news of its availability to the young and sexy 20-somethings or the 30-rockers of the South Loop! Expect themed parties galore, top-shelf cocktails, and DJs from around the WORLD, folks. Could you expect anything less from Chicago’s premier recording facility? I think not… so keep your ears to the street or simply your eyes posted, right here, for the grand opening dish. For more information check out www.pprecs.com.

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Is The Grocery Bistro Dunzo?

Marcus Riley, NBC Chicago Street Team

Ever since white-hot restaurant The Grocery Bistro opened last March a couple of blocks from Harpo Studios, there’s been more drama than an episode of Falcon Crest. Sure, it’s created a buzz amongst the city’s foodies and reservations have been at a premium, but drama nonetheless.

Just last month, Chef Andre Christopher quit in a huff after claiming owner Marcel Somfelian owed him and a couple members of his family thousands of dollars. His parents have been parked outside the restaurant in a very visible protest for the past few weeks.

Earlier this week we’ve been following reports — first published by the 312 Dining Diva — that The Grocery Bistro’s landlord handed him an eviction notice due to unpaid bills, and could be shut down as soon as this weekend.

Click here to read the rest of this post on NBCChicago.com.

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A Chaotic Weekend: July 24 – 26

Chasity Chaos, NBC Chicago Street Team

Since this weekend is destined to be blissfully chaotic, I thought I drop you a line to let you know what’s on my agenda for the next 72 hours…

Khari B., the Discopoet, is holding a CD release party for his long awaited sophomore album, I’MMA BAD MUTHA: The Rockstar Poetry Project, 7 p.m. today at the Dusable Museum of African American History, located at 740 East 56th Place.

The CD has been described as a live instrument experiment and studio album that brings together a ferocious 12-piece Funk/Rock ensemble of some of Chicago’s undisputed music champions.

Tickets for the event are $25 and include a CD. For more info, visit http://discopoetry-rss.eventbrite.com/.

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed or not, but I’m back in Chicago! I wouldn’t be Chaos if I snuck back into the city all quiet and low-key like… So I, in conjunction with BlackWater Marketing Group, am organizing a massive event called The Flavor Mosaic to celebrate my arrival back to Chicago and my birthday.

The event begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday and will end at 3 a.m. on Sunday. It will be held at Galleria Unico located at 44 E Superior. Come indulge in zesty beats from over 10 deejays, an open bar filled with exotic drinks, ethnic delights and grilled goodies, and enjoy tarot card readings, massages, trunk shows, live musical performances and art shows… But most importantly, come kick it with me! I’ve missed you Chi-Town!

Entry for my shindig is $35 for women and $45 for men. The entry fee includes access to all of the events for the evening and access to the open bar and food. For more info visit http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=121844361512&ref=ts. To RSVP email BlackWaterMarketing@gmail.com.

To wrap up my weekend, I will be spending Sunday night at Bytch Fest 2009. Bytch Fest is a feminist punk event that’s goal is to create an environment where women can freely express themselves without the judgment of a critical society which seeks to wipe out creativity. The event will be held 9 p.m. Saturday at Fizz, 3220 N Lincoln Ave. The affair will include burlesque performances, performances by feminist bands and more.

Entry for this event is $20. For more info visit http://www.myspace.com/bytchfest2009

As you can see this is going to be a busy, but a kick ass weekend! I hope to see you guys out!

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Let’s Kiss an Make Up..Friday Night?

Glenn Murray, NBC Chicago Street Team

Kiss and Make Up With Intimate Evenings features candid, open discussions on relationships and the dynamics of how they work. The company’s goals are to create workshops that build a solid foundation to promote and enhance awareness of self and healthy relationships. These workshops are designed to assist individuals and couples as they navigate through the challenges that accompany love, intimacy, relationships marriage and the pursuit of happiness.
The next discussion will take place Friday, July 24th and will feature the creator of the Relationship Board Game “Authenticity” Sheila Brown. She will discuss the game and allow participates to sample the questions.

The company’s founder Yolanda “Yanni” Brown has been featured at seminars and private events and has expanded her business to included specialized couples seminars. She brings in a variety of relationship experts, utilizes out of the box techniques and is slowly gaining a following with her monthly discussions. Visit the web site at http://www.intimateevenings.com

Kiss and Make Up With Intimate Evenings
Relationship Discussion For Men and Women
Date: Friday, July 24, 2009
Time: 8:30pm – 11:30pm
Dance
1012 West Randolph
Chicago, IL
Admission $7

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A Sarks-cessful Opening

Lindsay Saewitz, NBC Chicago Street Team

The long-awaited opening of Sarks in the Park finally came this past Friday, but the late night hours came sooner than expected. Sarks, now open ’til 3am on Friday and 4am on Saturday, was the destination of choice for nostalgic North Shorers and excited Lincoln Parkers all weekend long.

Sarks is famous for the Loretta, a sandwich consisting of grilled French bread, white brick cheese, diced

Disaster Before & After

tomatos, onions, and green peppers, and your choice of bacon, ham, or homeade spicy sausage called “The Disaster”. If you’re extra-hungry,  try “The Animal” (or as a waiter referred to it, Pig on a Bun) which combines all three meats together. Although the Loretta didn’t sound particularly appetizing at first, the sandwich proved to be a deliciously satisfying late night snack (two nights in a row, actually….. ). Try your Loretta with a side of cheesy hash browns, but if you like your spuds well done make sure you specify extra-crispy, otherwise they may be a little under cooked for you.

As many didn’t know about the new late night hours, Sarks was slightly desolate at midnight, but when the sun came up the 40-seat patio at Sarks was hopping. Sarks controls the entire patio with exception of one table left for House of Hunan and is the perfect spot for catching some rays and people watching (warning: you may run into your highschool classmates).

The servers and staff at Sarks were friendly and laid-back, and the owners are truly passionate about making sure this Evanston-favorite succeeds in Lincoln Park. Although Sarks lacks some restaurant essentials that you may expect from a restaurant in Lincoln Park (like lemons for water and straws), it makes up for it with character, scene, and a sandwich you’ll be daydreaming about for weeks.

Patio at Sarks in the Park

Sarks in the Park
444 W. Fullerton Pkwy
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 404-9000
httl://www.sarksinthepark.com
info@sarksinthepark.com

Mon-Thu. 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Fri. 6:00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m.
Sat. 6:00 a.m. – 4:00 a.m.
Sun. 6:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

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Party In The Park

Cara Carriveau, NBC Chicago Street Team

This weather has me confused – has summer begun yet, or is it over?

Okay, it must be summer.  Feels like it today.  And, because every Thursday afternoon, 4-6:30pm, Party In The Park is rockin’ at The Park Grill…outside on the plaza at Millenium Park, right below the infamous bean.  101.9 WTMX puts on these free shows every week all summer.  Yep…FREE!  Two or three bands jam live while you relax outside sipping Bud Select.  In fact this year The Park Grill even put couches out in front of the stage…so you couldn’t possibly be any more relaxed.

Skip out of work a bit early today and join me for live music from State Of Man and Tom Butwin.

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Come Party With The Street Team!

Marcus Riley, NBC Chicago Street Team

On July 29, Come out and mix and mingle with the members of the Street Team in Chicago’s newest swanky lounge, Dream (1750 North Clark).

Enjoy drink specials from 7-8 p.m., appetizers and prizes. You must be 21+ to enter. Dress Funky NOT Junky! (no athletic attire allowed)

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Beastie Boys Replacement: Yeah Yeah Who?

Marcus Riley, NBC Chicago Street Team

We really can’t blame Lollapalooza officials for this one. Replacing a headlining act a couple of weeks before the big show can’t be an easy thing to do, but that’s exactly the hand they were forced after the Beastie Boys canceled their tour after Adam Yauch announced Monday that he was diagnosed with cancer.

On Tuesday, Lollapalooza officials announced that the Yeah Yeah Yeahs would replace the Beastie Boys on the Budweiser stage on Saturday night.

Click here to read the rest of this post on NBCChicago.com.

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