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.

Read Full Post »

Lisa Nichols at Macy’s on State St.

Itika Oldwine, NBC Chicago Street Team
Back in 2007 a little known phenomenon called “The Secret”

The Secret

seemed to be on everyone’s lips (including Chicago based media queen Lady O). First released as a film, then audio book and finally printed book, “The Secret,” the belief that “,we create our lives with every thought, every minute of every day,” started a trend of self development that took off at warp speed.

Fast forward to 2009 and personal empowerment seems to be everyone’s mantra. From self help spin-offs like “The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything,” to our 44th President’s uber-effective and completely catchy campaign motto “Yes We Can,” it’s become a pretty general belief that each one of us holds the power to create our own destiny.

As a featured teacher in “The Secret,” motivational speaker Lisa Nichols

Lisa Nichols

is one of the much loved crusaders of this movement. She’s here in Chicago Friday June 5 on the sixth stop of her eight city book tour for newly released “No Matter What!: 9 Steps to Living the Life you Love.” With the purchase of one copy of No Matter What! (available for purchase at the door) you gain free entry into the No Matter What Seminar held at Macy’s on State St. in the Narcissus Room. Come out and feel the super-charged energy of Lisa Nichols, what an inspired way to spend a Friday afternoon in the Chi!

Read Full Post »

Fight Club Chicago

Itika Oldwine, NBC Chicago Street Team
When most folks hear the words “Fight Club” the late 90s cult classic film starring Edward Norton and Brad Pitt (before the latter was a part of the infamous moniker “Brangelina”) comes to mind. Maybe it’s because, for most of us, the movie was our first real introduction to the flesh pummeling activity known as Fight Club. Fast forward 10 years later and I have found myself ringside at Fight Club Chicago at Joe’s Bar on Weed St. Now, I’m the first to cringe when I see a drop of blood oozing from the smallest flesh wound, so being in the midst of potential blackened eyes and busted lips had me ready to take flight to the nearest exit, but alas, I prepared myself for the worst and stayed put.

Chicago Fight Club, hosted by Jabb Boxing Gym on Grand Ave. near Ukrainian Village, happens four times a year and is organized by Michael Garcia and Dominic Pesoli of Jabb. The duo came up with the idea to put together the Chicago Fight Club events after noticing that many of the patrons at Jabb are “white collar guys that are totally into sparring.”

The first bout of the night was an exhibition between Duayne Richardson and his trainer Carlos Castaneda.

Richardson v. Castaneda

After the two went toe-to-toe, it quickly became obvious that this Fight Club was a little different than the movie’s secret society of men acting out their aggressions and beating their opponents to a pulp. Nope, this Fight Club showcases 24 guys from the Chicago area who put on their gloves, step in the ring, throw a few punches (and take a few too) while their pals cheer them on. Now that’s the kinda Fight Club a gal like me can appreciate.

Read Full Post »

Get Your Yeezys Here!

Itika Oldwine, NBC Chicago Street Team

The other day while we were checking out the inventory at West Loop sneaker and urban wear store Self Conscious, it appeared like a mirage in the desert — a pair of the much-coveted Air Yeezys, perched on the back wall. It was like an Elvis sighting. Who the heck knew there was an unclaimed Yeezy out there?

The Air Yeezy, designed by Kanye West, has been on every sneakerheads must-have list for months. When the Black Yeezy was released earlier this month, folks slept outside of Niketown on Michigan Ave. to snap up a limited pair of Yeezy’s. The shoe completely flew off the shelves within hours of its release, and soon after there were bids upwards of $1,000 for the Yeezys on eBay.

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

Read Full Post »

Block Partying at Salud

Itika Oldwine, NBC Chicago Street Team

It’s official, Chicagoans definitely know how to commemorate Cinco de Mayo in true celebratory spirit! This past weekend Salud Tequila Lounge (www.saludlounge.com) hosted their 3rd Annual Block Party in honor of the holiday. According to General Manager Adam Geenen, the idea behind the Cinco de Mayo Block Party started three years ago

Salud Block Party

when May 5 fell on a Saturday, and now Salud’s Cinco de Mayo Block Party is a tradition. Many neighborhood locals look forward to the Saturday just before Cinco de Mayo to hang outdoors, listen to live music, chug Corona’s and gnosh on chips and salsa, a perfectly prepared empanada or any other south-of-the-border fave served at this upscale Mexican-American eatery.

If you missed out on their Cinco de Mayo Block Party this year, there’s still a lot of great reasons to visit Salud, starting with their awesome drink menu. Salud’s specialty margaritas, mojitos and caipirinhas are some of the city’s best, and a lot of it is due to the fresh ingredients and the special tequila pairing that they create for all of their cocktails, as explained to me by Elizabeth their very helpful hostess. One of my

Mango Mojito, Strawberry Margarita, Salud, Cadillac Margarita

favorite concoctions prepared for me during my visit was the Strawberry Margarita that attributes its fresh off-the-vine taste to the strawberries that are infused in-house. Their Mango Mojito is made with mango infused rum, fresh mint and hand squeezed lime juice and the house specialty margarita is the “Salud,” it’s prepared with Arette Blanco Tequila… and let’s just say it packs a punch.

So, if you’re looking for somewhere to celebrate Cinco de Mayo this year, or are in the mood for a meal and a cocktail with great Mexican flare, I highly recommend you head over to Salud Tequila Lounge in Wicker Park.

Read Full Post »

Dress for Success

Itika Oldwine, NBC Chicago Street Team

In this tough job market, it’s more important than ever to make sure you put your best foot forward when you’re on the job search. For job seekers with limited economic resources, the appropriate attire for interviews and networking events can be hard to come by. And that’s why I love the not-for-profit organization Dress for Success! Dress for Success provides professional attire and an awesome support system to help promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women. Recently, Dress for Success partnered with Chicago Kimpton Hotels and Resorts (think Hotel Allegro, Hotel Burnham and Hotel Monaco Chicago) as they hosted The Dress For Success “Recover & Reinvest” fundraiser at Hotel Allegro’s 312 Chicago.

The event featured a local “style consultant” who was on hand to offer tips on how to be a “recessionista”, sage advice that we could all use if you ask me. Head2Toe Mobile Spa was there to pamper the guests with complimentary manicures that quite a few of the ladies in attendance seemed to enjoy.

Head2Toe Mobile

There was a silent auction that included getaways at Kimpton properties and appetizers were served from Chicago 312’s new executive chef, Chef Luca Corrazzina. Chef Luca specializes in home-style Italian cooking and served such savory treats as zuchini fritters topped with herbed goat cheese and delicious antipasto trays with a variety of cured Italian meats and cheeses.

But it wasn’t all about the pampering and delicious food. A major initiative for Dress for Success is the collection of career clothing and accessories, and this year they are in need of pearl necklaces and earrings. Folks that attended “Recover & Reinvest” were encouraged to bring their pearl donations, and if you or anyone you know wants to contribute to this great organization by making career apparel or pearl donations please go to www.dressforsuccess.org.

Read Full Post »

Last Chance ’08

Itika Oldwine, NBC Chicago Street Team

An interesting thing happened the other day.  A locally based multi-media website dedicated to the Hip-Hop lifestyle called 247hh.com launched an Election ’08 PSA that was meaningful, insightful and even tear jerking at times.  And to garner more exposure for the video, as well as bring local Chicagoans from the world of hip-hop together, they hosted a screening of the film at a lounge in the West Loop’s meat packing district.  

Now, of course, the purpose of the screening was to get exposure for their video and motivate people to vote on 11/4 but I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to acknowledge the amazing venue where the event was held.  The 247hh Cooler makes you feel like you’ve been transported to the artsier side of the meat packing district.  The walls are covered with paintings by local artist Chad “Wick” Christian, there are two projectors that bounce images off of the exposed brick walls and the hand painted floors in the bathroom, yes I said it… the bathroom, are truly beautiful.

But I digress, because hands down, the show stealer that evening was the remarkable video featuring popular artists from the world of hip-hop such as rappers, The Game, Young Jeezy and Chicago’s own Common, as well as folks from the world of hip hop that are not as recognizable but still have something powerful to say about politics in America.   

These types of screening events are something that will be on-going for 247hh.com.  Their goal is to regularly and frequently launch and screen videos with purpose and relevancy to give folks from the world of Hip Hop a platform and invite people from Chicago and beyond to come and view their vids in a group setting.

Read Full Post »